September 23 2024

1 Cybersecurity Breach Affects Arkansas City Water Treatment Plant
2 Four Kansas Schools Recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education
3 Kansas Reservoirs Losing Water Supply Capacity Due to Sedimentation
4 Boeing Faces $2 Billion Monthly Loss from Strike, Delivers Union ‘Best and Final’ Offer
5 U.S. Grain Exports to Mexico Disrupted by Rail Backlog, Threatening Ag Trade
Sports

1 Cybersecurity Breach Affects Arkansas City Water Treatment Plant

The City of Arkansas City encountered a cybersecurity issue early Sunday involving the city Water Treatment Facilit, according to a media release from the city. Authorities were promptly notified, and precautionary measures were taken to ensure plant operations remained secure. City Manager Randy Frazer assured residents that the water supply remains completely safe and there has been no disruption to service. Out of caution, the Water Treatment Facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved.

Article Source: Salina Post

2 Four Kansas Schools Recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Monday recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. The Kansas schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools are Lincoln Elementary School in Junction City;  Herington Elementary School in Herrington; Sunflower Elementary School in Paola and Garfield Elementary in Augusta  The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories: 1. Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. 2. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

Article Source: Salina Post

3 Kansas Reservoirs Losing Water Supply Capacity Due to Sedimentation

Reservoirs have lost more than 400,000 acre-feet of "water supply stored" to sedimentation, according to the Kansas Water Office's 2022 Kansas Water Plan. An acre-foot is 328,581 gallons, according to a graphic included in that plan. Tuttle Creek Reservoir in Riley and Pottawatomie counties has been hit hardest, losing more than 200,000 acre-feet to sediment, with roughly 225,000 acre-feet in projected water supply volume remaining, that graphic said. The state of Kansas is home to 24 large, man-made reservoirs, all built by the federal government between 1940 and 1982 Those reservoirs continually lose storage capacity to sedimentation from upstream waterways, the water plan said. "Lands within the watersheds of reservoirs lose soil, which is then transported to the reservoirs as a result of varied precipitation events," it said. Soil becomes trapped in the reservoirs, reducing available water supply, the plan said.

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

4 Boeing Faces $2 Billion Monthly Loss from Strike, Delivers Union ‘Best and Final’ Offer

A On September 13th a strike by 33,000 union members, a fifth of the company’s workforce, hit sites in Washington state, where the firm assembles the 737 max, bringing production to a halt. Morgan Stanley, a bank, estimates that the strike will cost Boeing $2bn of cash a month at a time when its finances are already under strain. To conserve funds, Boeing said on September 18th that it would furlough tens of thousands of white-collar workers for one in every four weeks the strike continues. The last big walkout at the company, in 2008, dragged on for 58 days. This one may still prove to be short-lived. But, if it doesn’t, it could leave lasting damage. By holding out, Boeing will delay its effort to return production to previous levels. The firm says that it has been making around 30 737 maxs a month, so each day of picketing means one fewer plane. Even if the strike is short, Boeing is expected to deliver just 400 planes this year, half of what it managed at its peak in 2018. Boeing may take comfort in its vast backlog of orders for passenger jets. But Airbus’s is far bigger. The European firm is likely to manufacture around 770 planes this year, and its share price is close to its pre-pandemic high. Airbus also recently announced that it would launch a new aircraft by the end of the decade 

B Boeing said Monday it made a “best and final offer” to striking union machinists that includes bigger raises and larger bonuses than a proposed contract that was overwhelmingly rejected. The company said the offer includes pay raises of 30% over four years, up from the rejected 25% raises. The new offer — and labeling it a final one — demonstrates Boeing’s eagerness to end the strike by about 33,000 machinists that began Sept. 13.

Article Source: Economist, KSN

5 U.S. Grain Exports to Mexico Disrupted by Rail Backlog, Threatening Ag Trade

Agricultural exporters have leaned on Mexico to replace a loss of business from top commodity buyer China. But as trade with Mexico expands, the country’s transportation system has struggled to handle the increased demand. Approximately two-thirds of grain shipments move to Mexico via rail, according to the groups’ letter, with over $30 billion in U.S. agricultural products exported to the country in the past year. With farmers in fall harvest, transportation disruptions could erode trade competitiveness and exacerbate a difficult financial environment for growers. Major U.S. railroads have paused grain shipments into Mexico as surging demand creates a lack of capacity and a backlog of trains. Union Pacific on Thursday said it would halt permits for grain shipments due to delays at Mexico railroads operated by Ferromex. BNSF, which set a one-month permit suspension on Aug. 20, has extended its pause through Sept. 30, per the USDA.

Article Source: Agriculture Dive

Sports

KSU Falls to BYU, Drops in AP Poll
 Kansas State suffered a tough 9-38 loss to BYU, causing the Wildcats to drop to 23rd in the latest AP Poll.

Chiefs Edge Out All in Tight Game
 The Kansas City Chiefs secured a narrow 22-17 victory, showcasing a strong defensive effort to hold on late in the game.

Royals Swept by Giants, Losing Streak Continues
 The Kansas City Royals were swept by the San Francisco Giants 3-0, extending their losing streak to seven games. With a record of 82-74, the Royals sit third in the AL East, barely clinging to an American League Wild Card spot with less than a week remaining in the season. They begin a crucial series against the Nationals tomorrow.

Minnesota Defeats Sporting KC 2-0 
Sporting Kansas City fell 0-2 to Minnesota, struggling to find momentum as the season winds down.

KU opens Big 12 play with loss at West Virginia 28-32 

By Clark Goble

Despite holding a 28-17 lead with 5:39 left to play, the Kansas Jayhawks lost their third straight game, falling to West Virginia 32-28. The offense was steady and fairly well balanced, but the defense couldn’t get stops when needed. The Jayhawks can’t find a way to win a close game. Next up is TCU at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

Sources

1. https://salinapost.com/posts/99454134-b0ad-4fe5-a2a5-72c6c72aa268

2. https://salinapost.com/posts/f2b3d0b6-fa44-4456-939e-751539254dfd

3. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2024/09/23/disappearance-of-kansas-cove-shows-how-silt-hurts-reservoirs/75203780007/

4. A https://www.economist.com/business/2024/09/19/how-much-trouble-is-boeing-in
B https://www.ksn.com/news/state-regional/ap-boeing-makes-a-best-and-final-offer-to-striking-union-workers

5. https://www.agriculturedive.com/news/grain-trade-disrupted-rail-mexico-bnsf-union-pacific/727777/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202024-09-23%20Agriculture%20Dive%20%5Bissue:66126%5D&utm_term=Agriculture%20Dive