Officials toured tornado-ravaged Reading (RED-ing) this (MON) morning. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said the level of destruction left behind by Saturday's storm is profound.

A 53-year-old resident, Don Chesmore, died from injuries he suffered when his mobile home flipped-over. Reading's water tower was also damaged, so at the moment... city water is unavailable. The Kansas Department of Transportation says Kansas Highway 170 through Reading has been shut down until further notice. The governor, lieutenant governor and several cabinet members also toured Reading earlier today (MON).

Five Kansas foundations have established a fund that will help local groups compete for federal health reform grants. The $450,000 fund will enable non-profits, healthcare providers and even local governments to apply for the federal money. The foundations have appointed Sheldon Weisgrau (WICE-grau) to administer the fund. He says awards of up to $30,000 will be available to Kansas groups seeking a share of the billions of dollars in federal grants available through the Affordable Care Act.

Among other things, federal grants are available to improve public health and prevention services and to train more healthcare workers. Grant applications will be available on the Topeka Community Foundation's website in the next few weeks.

Perhaps no single person helped civilize the Wild West more than Fred Harvey. An Englishman who immigrated to America in the 1850s, Harvey started a revolutionary business: he fed train passengers along the nation's largest railroad line -- the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe. Working from his home base in Leavenworth, Harvey brought culture, fine food and great service to the frontier. Author Stephen Fried (Freed) has written a book called: "Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the West - One Meal at a Time." KPR's J. Schafer spoke to Fried (Freed) about Harvey... and how he changed the nation.

That's author Stephen Fried (Freed), speaking with KPR's J. Schafer. Fried's book is called "Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the West - One Meal at a Time." In 2010, it was named one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the Wall Street Journal. Stephen Fried (Freed) will be talking about his book at the Kansas City Public Library tonight (THUR) at 6 o'clock. Tomorrow (FRI), Fried will be speaking and attending various events in Leavenworth, Fred Harvey's hometown. For more information on Friday's activities, contact the Leavenworth County Historical Society (913-682-7759).

he Kansas Courts will be able to stay open during the fiscal year beginning July 1st. Chief Justice Lawton Nuss says he's grateful to the legislature for making sure the courts don’t close. But, he adds he’s disappointed lawmakers didn’t see fit to keep spending on the electronic, or e-filing system.

Lawmakers also stripped funding for a vacant judgeship, and removed money to cover the cost of temporary employees. Nuss says the court has been operating with more than 80 unfilled positions for several years.

Today (TUE), members of a panel looking to make the Kansas court system better stop in Topeka. The Blue Ribbon commission is making 19 stops around the state to listen to comments from citizens around Kansas. Ron Keefover, with the Office of Judicial Administration, ays the public's input is vital at these hearings.

The commission will hold two public hearings in Topeka today (TUE) at 2:30 and at 6 in the Public Library. The next stop is scheduled for Salina next week. The panel will also make stops in Dodge City, Wichita and Pittsburg. The results of the public hearings will be submitted to the Kansas Supreme Court at the end of the year.