’King in the Community’ an Eagle Media Podcast

Saline County Administrator, Phil Smith-Hanes, Sundowner, county insurance, election

 
In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Saline County Administrator Phil Smith-Haynes to discuss the importance of emergency preparedness, especially as severe weather events like Hurricane Helene and Milton affect parts of the U.S. While Salina doesn’t face hurricanes, local residents still need to be ready for potential disasters such as winter storms, wind events, and power outages. Phil shares insights on how Saline County and its Emergency Management Department are helping residents prepare for emergencies, emphasizing the need for backup plans, essential supplies, and community involvement through CERT training.
Nate and Phil dive into local topics, including Saline County’s self-insured health plan, ongoing efforts to address the water crisis in the Sundowner Mobile Home Park, and 2024 Election information. 

Salina City Manager, Mike Schrage

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King welcomes back Salina City Manager Mike Schrage to discuss a wide range of local topics. They begin by exploring the impacts the BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival has on the local economy, highlighting the role of private sector involvement in bringing international artists to Salina. Schrage clarifies the city's role in supporting the event and addresses public misconceptions about funding for the murals.
The conversation shifts to ongoing issues, such as the incomplete Cozy Inn mural, the legal process involved, and the timeline for resolution. They also touch on the city’s fleet of automated trash trucks, discussing their efficiency, cost savings, and improvements to the fleet.
Finally, King and Schrage dive into the Magnolia Village housing development project and the infrastructure improvements planned for the surrounding area. The episode concludes with an update on the city's financial planning for road projects and debt management.
 

Rep. Clarke Sanders, incumbent seeking reelection for Kansas' 69th House District

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Kansas Representative Clarke Sanders to discuss the 2024 state elections, focusing on local politics and his campaign for the Kansas 69th House District.
 
Skip the national headlines—this conversation dives into the heart of state-level issues. Sanders, who has served since 2021, shares insights on the political dynamics in Topeka, including special education funding, Medicaid expansion, and rural broadband development. Sanders also reflects on his own journey in public service, his views on state regulation and more. 

Renee Duxler, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce update

In this episode of King in the Community, Nate King speaks with Renee Duxler, President and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, about the groundbreaking of the $100 million K-AIRES facility, a new hub for augmented and virtual reality technology.
 
Renee shares how Pure Imagination, a company originally based in Silicon Valley, chose Salina over New Mexico due to the community’s strong support and local incentives. The new facility is expected to bring over 100 jobs to the area, many of which will benefit K-State Salina graduates. Renee also discusses the chamber’s focus on workforce development, emphasizing the need for childcare, affordable housing, mental health services, and immigration reform to address labor shortages.

Lori Blake, Candidate for the 69th Kansas House District

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King interviews Lori Blake, a candidate for the Kansas 69th House District. Blake shares her campaign platform and discusses a range of issues, including the balance of decision-making power between state and local governments, the importance of adequately funding special education, and the need for Medicaid expansion to address healthcare access across Kansas.
Blake also discusses her professional background, including her work with local organizations like the Child Advocacy and Parenting Services (CAPS) Center and her experience in human resources, public education, and disability services. With more than 25 years of community involvement, she explains how these roles have prepared her for the challenges of public office.
Throughout the conversation, Blake addresses key concerns raised by voters, such as property taxes, mental health services, and rural economic development. She also touches on broader issues affecting Kansans, such as gun safety, juvenile justice reform, and the need for more resources to support small businesses and farmers.
 
This episode offers an in-depth look at Blake’s perspectives and goals as she campaigns for the 2024 election, providing voters with a clear understanding of her priorities if elected to the Kansas legislature. Stay tuned next week for Nate's conversation with current incumbent for the seat Rep. Clarke Sanders. 

Joe Hay Jr., Chairman of the Saline County Board of Commissioners

 
In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Joe Hay Jr., the Saline County Board of Commissioners chairman, to discuss his journey into local government and the critical issues currently facing Saline County.
 
Joe shares his unique path to becoming a commissioner, which began with a coin flip during a city commission race and reflects on his dedication to serving the community.
 
The conversation touches on water quality concerns at Sundowner West, the challenges of road maintenance, and future projects like the city-county facilities study. Joe also recalls his personal connection to the late Patrolman Jerry Ivey.
 
Tune in for an insightful discussion on local governance and the efforts to improve the quality of life for Saline County residents.
 
If you would like to contact Commissioner Hay, use this link or call him at (785) 309-5825 

Meagan Rico, Saline County Health Educator

In this episode of the King in the Community podcast, Nate King sits down with Saline County Health Educator, Meagan Rico.
Rico, an experienced RN and Salina Native shares her journey from home health nurse to her current role, where she focuses on health equity, addressing the social determinants of health and connecting the public with resources. They discuss how the health department reaches vulnerable populations in Saline County, such as those affected by substance use disorder, the unhoused, and the growing aging community.
Rico also shares details about upcoming community initiatives like the Opioid Task Force, an Active Aging event, and the Sunflower Fair, highlighting the importance of reducing stigma and connecting people with the resources they need to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Plus, get the scoop on future events like Salina’s first Mental Health Block Party in May. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the challenges and opportunities in building a healthier community.

Salina City Manager Mike Schrage talks mental health, trash collection, river renewal project and more

In this episode of King in the Community, Salina Post News Director Nate King is joined by Salina City Manager Mike Schrage. They cover the city’s storm debris cleanup efforts, the impacts of switching to automated trash collection, and the latest on landfill expansion.
Mike also gives an update on the turf field use fee increase, downtown city campus space planning, and the mental health co-responder program. Plus, there’s some news on the River Renewal Project and how federal funding is boosting its progress. 

Michael Spicer, Theatre Salina presents, Disney's "The Little Mermaid"

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Michael Spicer, the executive director of Theatre Salina, to discuss the highly anticipated 64th season opener, Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
They dive deep into the magic of bringing this beloved story to life on stage, exploring the necessary planning that goes into selecting each season’s productions, and the unique challenges of staging an animated Disney classic. Spicer also shares important information about purchasing tickets for Theatre Salina shows. 
Find out how the theatre technical team plans to utilize recent enhancements like an upgraded sound system and state-of-the-art LED lighting. Spicer also also talks about the community of volunteers, including both seasoned and first-time performers, who contribute to the theater's success.
Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast or curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode offers an inside look at the upcoming Theatre Salina production of The Little Mermaid. 
For tickets and showtime information for Disney's The Little Mermaid click here. 

Darren Morawitz, Salina Art Center Warehouse, Repair Cafe — Sept. 7

In this episode of "King in the Community," host Nate King sits down with Darren Morawitz, Education Director at the Salina Art Center Warehouse, to discuss the upcoming Repair Café event taking place on Saturday, September 7 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Salina Art Center Warehouse. 
 
The Repair Café is a community-focused initiative where skilled volunteers offer their expertise to fix a variety of items. Whether it's electrical repairs, flat tires on bikes, jewelry mending, sewing projects, book binding, or small woodworking tasks, volunteers are ready to assist with quick fixes.
 
The event is a collaboration between the North Salina Community Development, the Salina Art Center Warehouse and the Kansas Wesleyan University Community Resiliency Hub. To learn more about the Art Center check out their website here. 
To contact Darren Morawitz, click here.