TOPEKA – On Monday, Governor Kelly issued Drought Declarations for Kansas counties with Executive Order #20-54. The declaration includes 74 out of 105 counties either in an emergency, warning or watch status.

WASHINGTON — Anxious to avoid chaos in the electoral college just months before the U.S. vote, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that electors who formally select the president can be required by the state they represent to cast their ballot for the candidate who won their state's popular vote.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. The extreme heat that I have seen predicted for the next week should give us a little more incentive to stay home in the air conditioning I hope.

MANHATTAN — For the week ending June 28, there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 15% very short, 31% short, 50% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 30% short, 57% adequate, and 1% surplus.

PARSONS – Wildcat Extension Education Foundation received a $2,000 grant for a 4-H trailer to be used for travel competitions. The grant is provided through Frontier Farm Credit’s Working Here Fund.

The summer grilling season is here and many are enjoying wonderful meals prepared on their backyard grill. Burgers, hot dogs and steaks are among grilling favorites, and cooking these meats to the correct level of doneness is critical to prevent foodborne illness.

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health is responding to an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that has continued to spread in horses across south central Kansas. VSV was first confirmed in Butler County on June 16 and has now been confirmed by testing on more than 30 premises in four counties in the region.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs have their guy for the long haul.