Kansas
With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers • Kansas Reflector
Back in November, I wrote a column for Kansas Reflector that discussed the likely adverse effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. farmers.
The piece noted that 398 million acres of cropland has been added to the mix around the world since the start of this century, notably in tropical regions such as Brazil and India. There is increasing competition for U.S. farmers in export markets. The United States alone cannot absorb all that we produce here.
Many farmers voted for Trump because he promised less regulation and greater prosperity for America’s farmers. The hard truth is that, like most of the folks who voted for Trump, farmers failed to do their homework about the reality of the new administration. All of this has occurred in the context of higher input costs and tight margins for virtually all crops.
We are now living and working in an environment where the only constant is chaos. Chaos produces uncertainty, and that leads to loss of trust. The buyers of U.S. farm products are not going to deal with nations that cannot be trusted. There are plenty of options in today’s world for those buyers to bypass the United States. Why on God’s green earth would they put up with the insanity that we have in Washington now?
It is almost laughable that some Republicans have come to the defense of Trump’s proposed tariffs, and that some of those same Republicans have promised to help the farmers who feel the impact.
Really?
We have an unelected multibillionaire who in effect bought the Trump presidency now running amok in Washington. On the one hand, we see unprecedented efforts (that is, without the advice and consent of the Congress) by some entity called DOGE to slash government spending, and on the other we hear some of Trump’s cronies promise aid for farmers. The two cannot be squared. Setting aside your political views, this is an unprecedented assault on the Constitution and the separation of powers.
Take your pick of programs. The Climate Smart programs designed to help farmers monetize carbon reduction practices on their farms are going away. The future of the 45Z tax credit is, well, who knows? What about export assistance programs urgently needed to help U.S. farmers counter the effects of the Trump tariffs and the rise of our global competitors, such as Brazil and India? And how about the price subsidies that featured prominently in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s farm support programs? What happens when the NOAA is defunded?
How about the effect of “soft power” from the programs that USAID has provided in many impoverished parts of the world? By some accounts, USAID buys about $2 billion dollars of US farm products annually. USAID is being dismantled by the dodgy group. To his credit, Sen. Jerry Moran has spoken loudly about this travesty. Others must do the same, otherwise, or our political and economic competitors will fill the gap.
Who suffers? Most certainly not Trump and his band of billionaires. Farmers, small towns and Main Street businesses bear the brunt of this ill-conceived approach.
Don’t bet the farm on help coming your way from this administration. Remember the old saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. My fellow farmers — you’ve been played. This nation cannot exist as an island. But that is the path that this administration is on, and the onus is on responsible folks from all political persuasions to find common ground to stop this madness.
Farmers, are you listening? These fundamental questions go to the heart of our democracy. From what we have seen this far, this nation is on a path that is at odds with our established role in the world, and the economic and social consequences could be unprecedented.
Ben Palen is a Kansas native and a fifth-generation farmer and agriculture consultant in Colorado and Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Kansas
Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home
KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.
As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.
“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”
The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.
“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”
Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.
“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.
Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.
There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.
“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.
The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.
“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.
You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.
Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal
Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.
“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.
“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”
Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.
He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.
FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”
Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.
“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.
Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.
With Post Wires
Kansas
Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention
SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.
Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.
With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.
Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.
“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.
She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.
“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.
Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.
“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.
Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.
“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.
Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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