Author

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.
In Garden City, 20-year-old son of Vietnamese immigrants wins city commission seat
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]
New Garden City Regional Airport terminal opens ahead of holiday travel season
By: AJ Dome - 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. […]
Kansas rural mental health panel recognizes coverage gaps at legislative luncheon
By: AJ Dome - 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: AJ Dome - 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 […]
Sen. Moran hopes to see Afghan Adjustment Act completed by the end of the year
By: AJ Dome - 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. […]
Kansas reports three deaths from West Nile virus as cases reach five-year high
By: AJ Dome - 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. […]
Kansas Historical Society hosts author of new book detailing deadly Udall tornado
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]
‘Where We Belong’: New Wichita State University exhibit features stories of refugee families
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]
Kansas mental health experts discuss gaps in services for farmers and ranchers at inaugural summit
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]
Southwest Kansas nonprofit seeks to expand after-school programming to include more children
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]
Refugee resettlement leaders in Kansas call for passage of Afghan Adjustment Act
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]
Officials work to deliver weather warnings to Spanish-speaking population in southwest Kansas
By: AJ Dome - 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 […]