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High Plains News Features
Feature stories air at 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday during Morning Edition and again at 5:30 p.m. during All Things Considered.
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High Plains News
In the Texas Panhandle, veteran Republican lawmaker David Swinford's retirement has left a State House seat up for grabs. Two opponents- Walter "Four" Price and Victor Leal- are facing off in the March 2 GOP primary. Swinford has endorsed Leal.
It's the first day of the Kansas legislative spring session. Once again legislators must wrestle with budget shortfalls while trying to avoid creating long term problems with budget fixes.
Kansas Governor Mark Parkinon's recent reduction of higher education funding was not unexpected by some of our local schools. We talk with two local colleges about how they've handled cuts throughout the last year and what's really a frightening idea: what the next year might bring.
The Public Utilities Commission of Texas has contracted with several companies to build large transmission towers and lines that would carry wind-generated electricity from the Panhandle to urban Texas markets. Sharyland Utilities has encountered local opposition to a proposal that would construct lines going over a portion of Palo Duro Canyon that lies north of the State Park.
Unlike the coasts, housing in western Kansas is still steady. In Hays and Garden City prices are stable, but different trends have emerged.
Republican David Swinford has represented the 87th district in the Texas House of Representatives since 1991. In the heavily Republican district, Swinford has sometimes run unopposed and hasn't faced a Democrat since 2002. But in the next election, Swinford might face two opponents. Amarillo Democrat Abel Bosquez and Dumas Libertarian James Hudspeth have announced their intent to run for Swinford's seat in Austin.
High Plains Food Bank continues to feed thousands across the Texas Panhandle, even though donations are down and demand is up. The food bank's new garden is in need of volunteers to help it through the winter months.
With Thanksgiving approaching many people are preparing large holiday menus, but even in our listening area there are those who can't afford all of the fixings and look to others for help.
There's lots of talk about end-of-life counseling these days. But what exactly is it? And how does hospice fit into the public discussion? What services does the term hospice describe?
Water use from the Ogallala Aquifer is still unsustainable. This and other major water issues are on citizens' minds in Kansas.
The Texas Workforce Commission's office is set to release new 2010 unemployment insurance tax rates during the first week of December. Rates will rise to accommodate a massive increase in unemployment claims. However, the state plans to spread the increase over a three-year period so as to ease the burden on businesses already reeling from a stagnant economy.
Another federal animal research lab is moving to Kansas within the next year. It could attract business to the state as well as strengthen Kansas' role in animal health research.