In the pinch of needing to meet an essay deadline or finding starting points for an assignment, many students have begun to rely on the rising AI-Powered chatbot, ChatGPT.  ChatGPT, developed by the...

On the way to school Thursday Feb. 16, senior Jada Fowler lost control of her car due to ice and slid off the road up onto a curb. Immediately after, Fowler called her mother sobbing because she was terrified...

After months of practice, the Firebird Scholars Bowl team traveled to Washburn Rural High School where they placed fourth in the Kansas State High School Activities Association [KSHSAA] state championship....

Four Free State cross-country runners received a nomination for Northeast Kansas High School Runner of the Year. “They run year-round and don't miss many days and are always willing to go that extra...

Before Gracie Abrams hit the road to open for Taylor Swift on her upcoming “The Eras Tour,” Abrams released her debut album, “Good Riddance.” Produced by Aaron Dessner, this album holds musical...

Every sports program needs a blueprint. They need a way to foster growth and a future to look forward to. That growth can come from a combination of things, but for the girls wrestling squad, freshman...

On Monday, Feb. 27, the USD 497 Board of Education hosted a board meeting to hear administration and community input, in addition to the Future Planning Committee’s final proposal.  “We have cut,...

One year after the USD 497 Board of Education reached a consensus that no schools would shut down in light of budget cuts, a newly drafted proposal will put three schools on the chopping block. "Closing...

For six years, USD 497 high school students have been provided with MacBooks for school; however, the school board has opted to transition to iPads next year. The board made the decision on Jan. 23,...

Q: How do you see performative activism negatively affect Black History Month? A: “It is important to not only acknowledge the accomplishments and impacts of cultures during specific times of the...