🌱 Could rising election software costs hit Manhattan taxpayers’ wallets?

Hey hey Manhattan! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could rising election software costs hit Manhattan taxpayers’ wallets?
• How a Manhattan sentencing closed a major child sex crime case
• Want a say in Kansas conservation policy? Attend Monday’s Manhattan meeting.

Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 59 degrees.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, windy and warm, temps: high: 89, low: 63. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 93 and low of 64 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Vargo pushes for state funding of voter registration software (themercury.com) — Riley County clerk Rich Vargo is warning commissioners that voter registration software costs could jump fourfold after the state’s contract expires in 2027, hitting local budgets hard if the state doesn’t help. He’s urging commissioners to press lawmakers for funding so Manhattan-area taxpayers aren’t left covering a multimillion‑dollar statewide bill alone.
   

2. Manhattan man sentenced to over 12 years for child sex crimes conviction (themercury.com) — A 20-year-old Manhattan resident has been sentenced in Riley County District Court to more than 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to a serious sex offense involving a child. The judge credited him for time served, dismissed a related theft case contingent on restitution, and emphasized honesty if he wants access to rehabilitation programs while incarcerated.
   

3. State Conservation Commission Meeting on May 18 (sunflowerstateradio.com) — Manhattan residents can attend or virtually join the State Conservation Commission’s regular meeting on Monday, May 18, at the Kansas Department of Agriculture office on Research Park Drive. The public session will cover statewide conservation policies and is open to anyone interested in natural resource issues.
   

4. Kansas Wheat Crop Experiencing Challenges this Spring - Ad Astra Radio (adastraradio.com) — From Manhattan, K-State wheat experts report that Kansas’ wheat crop is three weeks ahead of schedule but under stress from drought, freezes, hail, and emerging diseases in counties including Riley. They say yield potential isn’t lost yet, and that cooler, wetter weather plus careful disease scouting could still help salvage an acceptable harvest for area producers.
   

5. Winter wheat tour begins with bleak outlook for crop (brownfieldagnews.com) — Wheat experts touring drought-stressed fields across Kansas began their inspections north and west of Manhattan and will wrap up the trip back in town on Thursday. Early yield checks near Junction City were already disappointing, and officials say freeze damage and poor crop ratings suggest Riley County–area producers should brace for a tough harvest season.
   

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📸 Around Manhattan

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Manhattan

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday May 14

• BFA Exhibition for Stuio Art
  Mark A. Chapman Gallery, Willard Hall, 116, Manhattan
  8:00 am
• Horticulture Help Office Hours
  Kansas State University Community Events Manhattan, KS 66506
  9:00 am
• STE[A]M: Exploring Science and Math through Art
  Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
  10:00 am
• Kansas Triennial 25/26
  Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
  10:00 am
• Rural America
  Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
  10:00 am
• Little Cub Club →
  Manhattan Calendar, 2333 Oak Street, Manhattan
  11:30 am
• History Department Awards Ceremony
  Calvin Hall, 306, Manhattan
  3:30 pm
• Luca Stricagnoli
  Kansas State University Community Events Manhattan, KS 66506
  6:30 pm

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📣 Manhattan Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday May 13

• STE[A]M: Exploring Science and Math through Art
  Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
  10:00 am
• Rural America
  Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
  10:00 am
• Kansas Triennial 25/26
  Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
  10:00 am
• Mommy and Me Story Time
  Canton Township Carnegie Library
  10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• “Is anyone missing a cat named Bugs?
  It has a tag on it. I wanted to let you know it’s over here where I live. I noticed it because I heard it meowing in the laundry room.tThey girl and… (Nextdoor Sunset Zoo)
• Join RCPD at Target in Manhattan on Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.
  m. to noon for Coffee with a Cop. We look forward to seeing you then! (Nextdoor )

• Hy-Vee Supermarket posted a job opening for Frozen Clerk in Manhattan. Apply here.
• Arby's Restaurant posted a job opening for Team Member in Manhattan. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Manhattan here.

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Ok Manhattan! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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