Hanna Mick is an elementary school counselor in Topeka and a counselor leader consultant with the Kansas State Department of Education. A Kansas native and K-State graduate, Hanna was named Kansas School Counselor of the Year and a finalist for the national award. Her work focuses on helping students build academic, social-emotional and career skills while preparing them to navigate an increasingly digital world.

The 92nd NBC World Series brought nearly two weeks of high-level summer baseball to Wichita, featuring 18 teams, five Kansas squads, and the return of the legendary Baseball Around the Clock challenge. We look back at the tournament, its Kansas roots, and the teams that battled for the 2026 championship.

For 24 years, Matt Gary has been inspiring Salina students through music education and guitar. What began as a classroom experiment has grown into a program serving hundreds of students each year. From national recognition to performances at the Stiefel Theatre, Matt believes music teaches more than notes—it builds confidence, work ethic, creativity and a lifelong connection to others.

The world's largest operating steam locomotive, Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, made a memorable journey across Kansas, drawing thousands of spectators eager to witness a living piece of railroad history. The legendary steam engine, built in 1941 and restored to service in 2019, is traveling the country as part of a nationwide tour celebrating America's 250th birthday.

Economics doesn't have to be complicated. Jeremy Hill, Regional Executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, joins Ask A Kansan to explain inflation, interest rates, and the forces shaping Kansas' economy. From manufacturing growth to household budgets, Jeremy shares the stories behind the data and why they matter to every Kansan.

From falconry to zoo leadership, Ryan VanZant has dedicated his life to wildlife conservation. As Executive Director of Rolling Hills Zoo, he discusses Kansas' disappearing prairies, endangered species, and how modern zoos inspire the next generation to protect the natural world. It's a fascinating conversation about conservation, education, and the wild side of Kansas.

From Juneteenth's Red Drink and Swedish folk dancing to cowboy poetry and Mexican American fast-pitch softball, Humanities Kansas is bringing communities together to celebrate the traditions that have shaped our state. We traveled across Kansas to document five unique presentations that prove our history is best understood through the people who continue to live it.

Katie Woods is the Tournment Director of the National Baseball Congress (NBC) in Wichita, where she is helping preserve and reimagine one of America's most storied amateur baseball traditions.

Kristen Epps is a historian, author, and educator whose work explores the people and events that have shaped Kansas and the nation. A professor at Kansas State University, Epps also serves as editor of Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains, a peer-reviewed publication produced in partnership with the Kansas Historical Society. Although born in Colorado and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she considers herself an adopted Kansan after discovering a deep appreciation

Fifty-one people representing nearly 20 countries became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the ceremony served as a powerful reminder that citizenship is both a privilege and a responsibility—one that many spend years working to earn.

Jeri Brungard is the co-founder of Women Hiking Kansas and Beyond, a community that has inspired thousands of women to discover the beauty of the outdoors while building lasting friendships. What began in 2019 as a way to organize hikes with a handful of friends has grown into a thriving Facebook community of more than 12,000 members. Through monthly hikes across Kansas and annual adventures beyond the state's borders, Jeri and Cindy have helped create an organization that we

Professional football is thriving in Kansas. When the Salina Liberty and Southwest Kansas Storm met in the National Arena League Championship, the game became more than a battle for a title—it was a showcase of two communities, passionate fan bases, and the growing impact of professional football across the state. From Salina to Dodge City, Kansas was the real winner.

Cowboy, historian and author Jim Gray joins Ask A Kansan to share stories from Kansas' cattle-driving era, reflect on the evolution of the cowboy way of life, and discuss his role in preserving the unique UFO history of Geneseo, Kansas. From cattle towns and trail drives to prairie horizons and unexplained encounters, Gray offers a fascinating look at the people, places and legends that continue to shape the Kansas story.

The Smoky Hill River Festival celebrated its 50th year by bringing thousands together for four days of music, art, food, and community. While the festival has grown tremendously since its beginnings, its greatest strength remains the same: creating a place where people can gather, reconnect, and celebrate the arts together.

Shane Carter is the executive director of the Kansas African American Museum in Wichita, Kansas. Originally from Troy, Ohio, Carter earned a business degree from the University of Wisconsin while playing collegiate football and later completed a master's degree in educational administration. Before joining the museum, he spent 13 years leading the Lincoln Community Center in Ohio, where he expanded educational programs, community services, and capital projects that positively

Athletes from across Kansas gathered in Wichita for the Special Olympics of Kansas Summer Games, competing in track and field events while showcasing determination, skill, and sportsmanship. The annual event is one of more than 170 competitions hosted by the organization, which serves nearly 5,000 athletes statewide.

Tanner Johnson is a professional wood carver, and passionate Kansan from Lindsborg. While studying anthropology at Kansas State University, he traveled to Ecuador as a student researcher and ultimately spent nearly two decades living in remote rural communities. There, he worked as an English teacher, translator, farmer, and cultural observer while immersing himself in local traditions and raising a family. His experiences abroad profoundly shaped both his worldview and his a

Kansas made its mark at Banana Ball in Kansas City as Kansas Wesleyan University graduate Brett Maddock and officials from Salina, Olathe, and Lindsborg took the field at Kauffman Stadium.

Brad Anderson is a lifelong Salina resident, multi-generation Kansan, and Executive Director of Salina Arts & Humanities. A passionate advocate for arts, culture, and community development, he has spent decades helping shape Salina’s cultural landscape through public art, education, cultural planning, and signature events like the Smoky Hill River Festival. Anderson is committed to building connections that enrich the quality of life across Kansas.

Lori Rogge is a Kansas realtor, auctioneer, and community leader with Gene Francis & Associates and Gavel Roads Online Auctions. Raised across communities throughout Kansas she built a career spanning financial advising, philanthropic development at Kansas State University, and eventually the family real estate and auction business founded by her parents in 1984.