Author

AJ Dome

AJ Dome

AJ Dome is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster from southwest Kansas. As a reporter, he has done everything from chase tornadoes and track wildfires to hang out with ostriches and drive golf carts across the Flint Hills. When he's not writing for the Reflector, he's developing a series of adventure novels set in the Sunflower State.

Garden City Commissioner-elect Tom Nguyen chats with a friend during his watch party Tuesday evening. Nguyen, 20, was elected to the city commission with more than 1,600 votes.

In Garden City, 20-year-old son of Vietnamese immigrants wins city commission seat

By: - November 8, 2023

GARDEN CITY — Tom Nguyen wanted to run for office after his parents, both Vietnamese immigrants, became U.S. citizens in March. “What’s more American than to run for public office?” Nguyen said. Nguyen, 20, won a seat on the Garden City city commission according to unofficial results Tuesday from the Finney County Clerk’s Office. Nguyen […]

Garden City Regional Airport maintenance worker Jacob Ochampaugh sweeps the floors of the new departure gate.

New Garden City Regional Airport terminal opens ahead of holiday travel season

By: - October 31, 2023

GARDEN CITY — The front doors of Garden City Regional Airport’s new terminal howl in high winds, providing a spooky soundtrack during blustery autumn days. The airport’s director, Rachelle Powell, said that’s one of a few kinks workers will smooth out as airport employees prepare for holiday travel season at the recently constructed terminal building. […]

Audra Goldsmith, co-chairwoman of the Rural and Frontier Subcommittee for the Governor's Behavioral Health Planning Services Council, speaks during an Oct. 24, 2023, legislative luncheon in Dodge City.

Kansas rural mental health panel recognizes coverage gaps at legislative luncheon

By: - October 27, 2023

DODGE CITY — A leader of a governor’s panel on rural and frontier mental health says there is still work needed to improve access to services in rural Kansas. Audra Goldsmith gave a presentation during a legislative luncheon Tuesday in Dodge City that was organized to connect directly with mental health care professionals, service providers, […]

Mental health and wellness fair brings education, resources and awareness to western Kansas

By: - October 19, 2023

GARDEN CITY — Kim Everett wants people in western Kansas to know that it’s okay to ask for help with their mental health. Everett, vice president of the Joshua B. Smith Foundation, organized the annual Connect 2 Care behavioral health and wellness event in Garden City earlier this month. The foundation is named for Everett’s […]

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas visits Garden City

Sen. Moran hopes to see Afghan Adjustment Act completed by the end of the year

By: - October 17, 2023

GARDEN CITY — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas said he anticipates advancing the Afghan Adjustment Act closer to passage by the end of the year. Moran told a small audience at a listening stop in Garden City on Thursday that he expects the bill that would help refugees from Afghanistan resettle in the U.S. […]

This image depicts a mosquito in the process of ingesting her blood meal through the host’s skin surface. Her abdomen had taken on a red coloration because of its growing contents of host blood

Kansas reports three deaths from West Nile virus as cases reach five-year high

By: - September 22, 2023

Three people in Kansas have died from West Nile virus infections this year, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. KDHE officials issued a warning for a high risk of the mosquito-borne disease on Sep. 13. The warning covers the entire state except for the southeast corner, which is under a moderate risk. […]

Udall after tornado destriction

Kansas Historical Society hosts author of new book detailing deadly Udall tornado

By: - September 15, 2023

Author Jim Minick said he wanted to honor survivors’ true stories of the deadliest tornado in Kansas history by making his new book nonfiction. Minick, a Virginia-based writer and university professor, talked about his book, “Without Warning: The Udall Kansas Tornado,” and the inspiration behind it during a webinar hosted by the Kansas Historical Society […]

People fill the newest exhibit in the Ulrich Museum of Art on Aug. 24, 2023, at Wichita State University

‘Where We Belong’: New Wichita State University exhibit features stories of refugee families

By: - September 1, 2023

WICHITA — Nataliia Trafimovych thought it was perfect that an art exhibit showcasing her family’s story about fleeing their home country Ukraine was unveiled on Aug. 24 — Ukrainian Independence Day. “It’s a very special day,” Trafimovych said. Trafimovych, along with her 3-year-old son, Zakhar, and her husband, Artem, are featured in a new storytelling […]

Attendees of the "Standing in the Gap" rural mental health summit Aug. 22, 2023, in Dodge City listen to NAMI Kansas executive director Sherrie Vaughn speak. Officials with NAMI Kansas and other mental health care providers heard concerns about the increase in mental health issues and lack of access to care in western Kansas.

Kansas mental health experts discuss gaps in services for farmers and ranchers at inaugural summit

By: - August 28, 2023

DODGE CITY — Kansas mental health care workers acknowledge a gap in mental health services and data for farmers and ranchers in the western portion of the state. Officials with the Kansas chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness held an inaugural summit Aug. 22 in Dodge City, called “Standing in the Gap,” to […]

In the yellow shirt, soon-to-be high school freshman Andru Jimenez helps his friend, Josiah Murillo, rake brush from a yard on Aug. 9, 2023, in Garden City.

Southwest Kansas nonprofit seeks to expand after-school programming to include more children

By: - August 25, 2023

GARDEN CITY – Andru Jimenez and Josiah Murillo both have fond memories of their trip to the Kansas Capitol building earlier this year. In March, volunteers with Garden City-based nonprofit organization Real Men Real Leaders took 13 boys to the capital to meet Gov. Laura Kelly and other state lawmakers. They also saw a few […]

Afghan women serve traditional cuisine at a community celebration honoring Afghan refugees May 20 in Manhattan.

Refugee resettlement leaders in Kansas call for passage of Afghan Adjustment Act

By: - July 31, 2023

GARDEN CITY — Leaders in the effort to resettle Afghan refugees in Kansas say they are hopeful a law aimed at helping those refugees will pass. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced this month the reintroduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act. The bill, which was first presented two years ago, would provide immigration assistance to Afghans […]

A shelf cloud signals the arrival of a supercell thunderstorm over rural Chase County in June 2022

Officials work to deliver weather warnings to Spanish-speaking population in southwest Kansas

By: - June 22, 2023

GARDEN CITY — National Weather Service meteorologists and media professionals in southwest Kansas are working to reach more underserved populations by offering bilingual weather information. NWS-Dodge City meteorologist-in-charge Lindon Steadman said his office is creating and distributing materials, such as safety posters, that are printed in both Spanish and English. He said he is currently […]