LeLan Danes is the executive director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between Spanish- and English-speaking communities across the state. Based in Emporia, his organization provides advocacy, education, and resources—from helping individuals navigate immigration and healthcare systems to equipping businesses and communities with the tools to communicate across language barriers. A Lyon County native, LeLan’s path has been anything but con

Sarah VanLanduyt is a Kansas-based arts leader and advocate dedicated to strengthening creative communities across the state. A Topeka native, she serves as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Johnson County, where she works at the intersection of nonprofits, government, and artists to support and grow a vibrant and sustainable arts ecosystem. In this role, she focuses on identifying community needs, advancing policy, and developing initiatives that expand access to the

Recognized as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography, this tiny park offers big views, unusual formations, and a quick but memorable stop in the Smoky Hills.

Steven Benstein is a self-described “Kansan by choice” and director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. A former National Park Service ranger, his career has taken him across the country—but it’s the Flint Hills he now calls home. Through storytelling that connects land, history, and people, Benstein helps visitors discover the deeper complexity and beauty of Kansas.

Sammy Gleason is a passionate advocate for Kansas-made products and the people behind them, serving as a the program manager for the From the Land of Kansas program at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. In her role, she helps promote and connect consumers with products that are grown, raised, or produced across the state—championing local businesses and celebrating Kansas agriculture in all its forms.

Matt Bain is the Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, where he leads statewide efforts to protect and sustain the state’s remaining grasslands, waterways, and wildlife habitats. A western Kansas native, Bain grew up on a farm in Ness County, where his early experiences hunting, fishing, and working the land shaped a lifelong commitment to conservation.

Claire Ludes is a dynamic leader blending community impact, strategic growth, and a passion for storytelling in her role as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the Cosmosphere. With a career rooted in service and leadership, Claire previously served as Executive Director of the Salina Area United Way and held key roles with OCCK, along with managing multi-location retail operations in Wichita—experiences that shaped her strength in people-focused leadership

Just off I-70 in western Kansas, before the sun ever touches the horizon, the prairie comes alive in ways most travelers never see. What looks like an endless stretch of grass holds one of the last strongholds for the Lesser Prairie Chicken—and a rare glimpse into a landscape that is as vital as it is overlooked. From the quiet hum of anticipation in the dark to the sudden burst of life at dawn, this is a story about discovering the beauty, importance, and hidden energy of Ka

“What’s on fire?” In the Flint Hills, spring burns aren’t destruction—they’re renewal, clearing invasive species and strengthening the prairie for new growth.

Rick Muma serves as president of Wichita State University, bringing more than three decades of experience at the university into his leadership role. A Wichita native with deep Kansas roots, Muma’s family history in the region dates back to early homesteaders near Maize.

Rolf Potts is an internationally known travel writer, author, and storyteller with Kansas roots that continue to shape his work.

Spring has sprung across Kansas, and with it comes new life—including a new arrival at Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina. Creed the rhino was born February 8 to mother Evey and father Kengele and is already growing fast. Though not yet visible to the public, Ask a Kansan was able to visit and capture photos and video of the youngster. Creed has already gained national attention after being named after Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, who recently visited the zoo to meet hi

Deb Goodrich is a journalist, author, historian, and filmmaker dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories that shaped Kansas and the American West.

Beneath Main Street in Ellinwood, Kansas lies a hidden underground once used by Santa Fe Trail teamsters and railroad workers. Today, visitors can explore the tunnels and step into a unique piece of Kansas history.

Kiki Bush—who has also worked professionally under the name Kristen Bush—is a Kansas-born stage and screen actor, writer, and director whose career has taken her from Sterling to New York, London, Berlin, Los Angeles, and back home to Kansas.

Ken Spurgeon is a Kansas historian and filmmaker known for bringing Midwestern stories to the screen with a storyteller’s eye and a scholar’s rigor. Raised in Wichita and now based in the Wichita-area (Andover), Ken is a professor of history at Friends University, where his lifelong love of biography, the Civil War era, and the American West fuels both his teaching and creative work.

We first featured Cash Hollistah on Ask A Kansan, and now he’s building something special in Salina. R&B Me Please blends classic and modern R&B into one high-energy night — complete with live art and an all-female DJ lineup. With a spring event already in the works, this growing series is quickly becoming a can’t-miss experience in Kansas.

Ashley Vail is the owner and founder of Vail Family Farm, a specialty cut flower farm located just north of Salina, Kansas. What began during the pandemic with backyard chickens quickly grew into a bold leap into flower farming—despite Ashley having no prior experience growing anything beyond her two children

For one day each year, two towns separated by more than 4,500 miles flip pancakes in the name of pride, tradition, and international goodwill. What began in 1445 with a hurried dash to church has grown into a 77-year rivalry between Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England. On Shrove Tuesday, medals are awarded, bragging rights are earned, and one town claims the title of International Pancake Champion.

Around Valentine’s Day each year, an event takes place across the world, a night dedicated to celebrating and honoring individuals with special needs: Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Here in Kansas, seven Night to Shine events were held in 2026, each hosted by a local church committed to creating an unforgettable evening for its guests. Ask A Kansan attended the McPherson County event sponsored by Journey Mennonite Church in McPherson. While each Night