That Podcast In Hutch

Jason Probst

That Podcast in Hutch explores the people, places, and events that make Hutchinson a vibrant and engaging community. We’ll step beyond the headlines, to hear the real-life stories from our community and develop a deeper understanding of policy and people.

  1. 41m ago ·  Bonus

    Rooted: Episode 2

    Thanks for the great response to our first episode of Rooted - with HutchRec. It was great to see the positive feedback from so many of you.  Our second episode of Rooted focuses on the power of stories and storytelling. My friend Sue Wray came to the studio to share a story about the important role the Hutchinson Recreation Commission has played in her life - starting when she was a young child in Hutchinson. We also talk about the quarterly magazine Inspire! Marketing Director LoriBeth Reynolds shares her original vision for the publication, as well as how it’s evolved over it’s first three years in print, and digital form.  Sue’s story is included in the most recent edition of Inspire - complete with an adorable piece of artwork of Sue as the youngster in her story, created by Arts and Culture Coordinator Jocelyn Chambers.  You can pick up the latest copy at HutchRec downtown, at all the coffee shops in town, or online here.  I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this episode. It’s a fun look back in time that allows us to examine the importance of recreation and growth opportunities in the lives of children in our community.  We also talked about a few upcoming events - including the Farm to Table Dinner in September. Tickets are already on sale, and you can get them here.  Rooted is partnership between That Podcast in Hutch and the Hutchinson Recreation Commission - one that focuses on how HutchRec builds community through its programming, events, and sports activities in Hutchinson and Reno County.  Look for Rooted in your favorite steaming service on the 2nd Thursday of every month.

    Rooted: Episode 2
  2. May 4

    TPiH 085 Clayton Hatfield, Milo Miller, and coach Keith Gable - KidWind Whirlwinds

    This week's episode is electrifying! I'm sure you'll get a real jolt out of it! It might be the most shocking episode yet! OK. Enough with the Dad jokes.  This week's episode of That Guy In Hutch features a couple of stand out Allen STEM Magnet School students - and their coach - who are headed to the World KidWind Competition in Madison, Wisconsin after taking tops the Statewide Competition.  You'll hear Clayton Hatfield, Milo Miller, and coach Keith Gable discuss the work that goes into designing a winding wind turbine, and all the skills the students learn in the process.  Before we get into that, however, I am going to ask a favor.  Allen STEM Magnet School has two teams headed to the world competition: the Whirlwinds (4th and 5th grade) and the Mavericks (6th-8th grades). Both teams won first place in their division at the state competition and need to raise about $15,000 to cover travel costs for the students and their sponsors. While these students learn a great deal in the KidWind competition, it's not something covered by normal school expenses.  You can mail a check to to Allen STEM Magnet School: KidWind Team, 403 W 10th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501. The Checks can be made out to Allen PTO c/o KidWind Team. Alternately, you can also drop a check off at the Allen office.  They also have a gofundme where the money goes directly to help with these expenses. That's how I'll donate this week, and I hope you will too! As you listen to this episode, I think you'll find the KidWind competition is a valuable and enriching experience for these students. I was most impressed with they way Clayton and Milo talked about the process of trial and error. As they develop their ideas and plans, they must put those ideas into practice; when they fail, they revise their plans and try again.  Projects like this give students permission to be imperfect. It's teaching them how to think. How to problem-solve, and how to create. It was such a shining example of what is happening in our education systems—something that often isn't highlighted as prominently as it should be.  I know you'll find this episode informative and adorable. And I hope when you listen you'll also consider supporting our local kids who are looking to do some really big things on a really big stage.  For more information on KidWind www.kidwind.org kansasenergyprogram.org/events/2026-state-kidwind-challenge-salina facebook.com/AllenSTEMKidWind kidwind.org/worlds/2026-2/ For additional questions, contact the school at 620-615-4900

  3. Apr 9

    TPiH 083 Unpacking Property Taxes - Chris Courtwright

    We’re wrapping up our series on Kansas Property taxes this week with Chris Courtwright, who served as the principal economist for the Kansas Legislature for 34 years.  In that role, Chris provided lawmakers with unbiased and reliable economic data used to make key decisions about the state budget. He also led the twice-a-year Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, which the legislature and the governor use as a basis for their revenue and budget projections for the coming year.  Few people possess Chris’s understanding of the history and the changes in Kansas tax policy. He is a wealth of knowledge, and he does a great job of helping unpack the complex history taxation in Kansas - including property taxes.  I think you’ll learn a great deal from this episode. But one thing I hope you’ll take away from this episode is how the pinch you’re feeling today when you look at your property tax bill began years ago - initiated by people who made decisions on tax policy that have, and continue to, put the burden squarely on working families in Kansas.  My conversation with Chris is Part 4 in That Podcast In Hutch’s multi-part series on property taxes. Part one is a conversation with Kansas Senator Mike Murphy, who introduced legislation this session aimed at eliminating property taxes in Kansas and replacing it with a surtax, which is a sort of sales tax on consumption. In Part 2, I visited with Reno County Appraiser Michael Plank, who discussed the property valuation process. In Part 3, I visited with former Hutchinson City Council member Jon Richardson about how policy affects city budgets, and in Episode 4, I visited with Chris Courtwright, the Kansas Legislature’s lead economist for 34 years.  This package of episodes of TPIH contains a lot of valuable information for anyone who is interested in learning more about property taxes, tax appraisals, and the ways in which policy decisions from years ago are affecting you today.  Now up, Chris Courtwright, and his insight on the history of taxation in Kansas.

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

That Podcast in Hutch explores the people, places, and events that make Hutchinson a vibrant and engaging community. We’ll step beyond the headlines, to hear the real-life stories from our community and develop a deeper understanding of policy and people.

You Might Also Like