’King in the Community’ an Eagle Media Podcast

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King  sits down with Mitch Robinson, Executive Director of the  Salina Community Economic Development Organization , to talk about the exciting growth and developments happening in Salina and Saline County. Mitch breaks down: The new Amazon last-mile distribution center, bringing 100+ jobs to Salina by  October 2025 A behind-the-scenes look at  P...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Pieter Miller, Executive Director of the Salina Airport Authority, to discuss the exciting developments taking flight in Salina. From the highly anticipated Amazon last-mile facility to new daily airline routes to Houston, Miller shares how these projects are shaping the future of our growing community. They also dive into the...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Rep. Clarke Sanders of Kansas’ 69th District to discuss the Republican supermajority in the state legislature and how it shapes policymaking. Sanders breaks down the numbers behind veto-proof majorities, lessons learned from past legislative sessions, and the key tax reform initiatives being pursued to lower property taxes. Th...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Lisa Newman, Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Central District. They discuss the impact of KSRE in Saline and Ottawa counties, the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening community wellness, and the 25th anniversary of Walk Kansas—a statewide eight-week healt...

In this special episode of the King in the Community podcast, Nate King sits down with Mike Schrage for a final conversation before moves to his new role as city manager in Warrensburg, Missouri. Mike reflects on his tenure as Salina's city manager, sharing insights on the challenges he faced, including managing the city's response to COVID-19, navigating budget difficulties, and overseeing signif...

On this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Kat White, the first female in the Triconda District to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Kat shares her journey in Scouting America, her challenges, and the support that kept her going. She discusses her Eagle Project, a blessing box at the University United Methodist Church , and how it serves the community. Also joining the con...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King talks with Renee Duxler, President and CEO of the  Salina Area Chamber of Commerce , about the Chamber’s 2025 legislative agenda. Renée explains how the Chamber works with local partners to tackle major issues like affordable housing, infrastructure, and workforce development. They discuss key projects, including upgrades to Magnolia Road, a...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King discusses the Salina Area Technical College's Dental Hygiene Program with Chelsea Wood, a dental hygiene student, and Erica Ruiz, the dental patient coordinator. The conversation highlights the role of Salina Tech’s Dental Hygiene Clinic in providing affordable oral healthcare while serving as a training ground for future dental hygienists....

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King interviews Saline County Second District Commissioner Annie Grevas about her role on the County Commission. Grevas discusses her career in community corrections, emphasizing the importance of grants and collaboration in addressing challenges such as homelessness, opioid addiction, and recidivism. Grevas also outlines Saline County's prioriti...

This King in the Community podcast episode features a conversation with Salina City Manager Mike Schrage. Nate and Mike discuss the holiday transformation of downtown Salina, from Christmas tree lighting to the Parade of Lights. The episode also dives into serious community issues, including challenges at the Salina Animal Shelter, ongoing discussions about breed-specific legislation, and efforts...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King speaks with Chad Young, Executive Director of Salina Grace and the Salina Rescue Mission, about the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Salina. The conversation covers the role of the low-barrier winter shelter, the developments taking place at the Salina Grace Resource Center, 315 S. Broadway Blvd and the collaborative approach taken...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Justin Martin, one of 12 Santas participating in the 26th annual Georgetown Santas event in Salina. From humble beginnings with a single Santa and leftover Halloween candy to a full-scale Christmas drive-through experience, the Georgetown Santas have become a cherished tradition for locals and visitors alike. Justin shares hea...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on King in the Community! Join Nate King as he welcomes Michelle and Aaron Peck, the dynamic duo behind BEL Tree Farm—a winter wonderland nestled just outside Salina, Kansas.   Michelle and Aaron share the heartwarming story of how they turned a cherished local tradition into a thriving family-run Christmas destination. From the farm’s fascinating name (...

In this episode of the King in the Community podcast, host Nate King sits down with Maggie Spicer Brown to discuss the upcoming holiday production of The Sound of Music at Theatre Salina. Maggie, the show's director, shares a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, the talented cast, and what it is like to direct such an iconic musical. The production, running from November 22 through Dece...

In this King in the Community episode, host Nate King interviews April Saskowski and Angie Andrewson from the Building Blocks Learning Center at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina. April shares the story of founding the preschool 13 years ago and how it has grown into a program that now includes childcare services. Angie discusses her experiences as a teacher and how her background in early...

On this episode of King in the Community, Nate King speaks with Michelle Cardinal Dolan, Executive Director of Music at Kansas Wesleyan University, about the recent growth in student enrollment, renovations at Sam’s Chapel and the recent "Come Home" concert. Dolan highlights how the upgraded rehearsal spaces and the addition of a new Steinway grand piano enhance the music department's offerings. T...

Welcome to the King in the Community Podcast! In this episode, Nate is joined by Leslie Bishop, Executive Director of Salina Downtown, Inc. , to explore the magic of the holiday season in downtown Salina. From Pink Friday shopping on November 22 to the dazzling Parade of Lights on November 23, and festive family moments like Santa photos on December 14 and 21, Leslie shares all the exciting events...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King welcomes Jeff Hammond, the City of Salina's Director of Parks and Recreation, for an engaging conversation about the city’s parks, recreation projects, and community initiatives. Jeff shares a little about his career and what led him and his family to live in Salina. They dive into the recent upgrades and future plans for Salina’s parks, inc...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King welcomes Kevin, Ash, and Amanda from Build A Pro—a new nonprofit in Salina transforming the path to skilled trades. Build A Pro connects young people, second-chancers, and veterans with hands-on apprenticeships, guiding them from beginners to certified plumbing, electrical, and culinary arts professionals. With divisions dedicated to youth a...

Nate King sits down for a conversation about breast health with Marian Gagna, radiologic technologist from Salina Regional Health Center’s Breast Diagnostic Center . In this episode, Marian provides insights regarding the importance of early detection, recent advancements in mammography imaging technology, and the steps involved in self-examinations and mammograms. With more than 30 years of exper...

  In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Saline County Administrator Phil Smith-Haynes to discuss the importance of emergency preparedness, especially as severe weather events like Hurricane Helene and Milton affect parts of the U.S. While Salina doesn’t face hurricanes, local residents still need to be ready for potential disasters such as winter storms, wind even...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King welcomes back Salina City Manager Mike Schrage to discuss a wide range of local topics. They begin by exploring the impacts the BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival has on the local economy, highlighting the role of private sector involvement in bringing international artists to Salina. Schrage clarifies the city's role in supporting t...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King sits down with Kansas Representative Clarke Sanders to discuss the 2024 state elections, focusing on local politics and his campaign for the Kansas 69th House District.   Skip the national headlines—this conversation dives into the heart of state-level issues. Sanders, who has served since 2021, shares insights on the political dynamics in T...

In this episode of King in the Community, Nate King speaks with Renee Duxler, President and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, about the groundbreaking of the $100 million K-AIRES facility, a new hub for augmented and virtual reality technology.   Renee shares how Pure Imagination, a company originally based in Silicon Valley, chose Salina over New Mexico due to the community’s strong sup...

In this episode of King in the Community, host Nate King interviews Lori Blake, a candidate for the Kansas 69th House District. Blake shares her campaign platform and discusses a range of issues, including the balance of decision-making power between state and local governments, the importance of adequately funding special education, and the need for Medicaid expansion to address healthcare access...