Within Reason with Mike Matson

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day just around the corner, Manhattan has a series of events planned to honor the legend and all he fought for. Today's guest, Kevin Bryant with the Manhattan Martin Luther King Committee, joins the show to talk about how the committee works to keep the spirit and message of Dr. King alive.

Community support is a staple in Manhattan, and those providing that safety net need the best information possible to stay on top of the issues. Today, we're joined by Shanika Rose with the Riley County Health Department, as well as Debbie Nuss with the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition, to learn more about how that data is collected and applied to the community.

Unpacking her 8 years on the USD 383 School Board

As Kansans, we take proud ownership of the 34th president. The Eisenhower Presidential Library upholds that love, and has been a staple in presidential history since it's dedication in 1962. Today, former Director of The Library, joins the show to talk about his position at the library and how that informed his new book, "The Real Ike: Eisenhower Fact and Fiction."

Mental health services will always be a needed community service, and Pawnee Mental Health Services is determined to provide that to north central Kansas. CEO of Pawnee Mental Health, Mike Rezkalla, joins the show to talk about what services the non-profit provide, what they hope to accomplish in the future, and how you can help support their mission.

Cancer continues to be one of the leading cause of death in the United States, though this will not always be the case. As cancer research continues, we come closer and close to a cure. Heading up that effort is the Johnson Cancer Research center at Kansas State University. Today, Ryan Rafferty and Melissa Kirkwood with the Johnson Research center, join the show to talk about what services the cen...

As the new Manhattan City Council members are sworn in, it's still important to look back at the past election and unpack the unelected candidates thoughts. Incumbents Jayme Minton and Peter Oppelt join the show today to talk about their campaign strategy, why they think they lost, and what's next for them.

As the 2026 legislative session begins, there are a lot of issues being put in front of Kansans. Kansas State Representative, Megan Steele, joins the show to talk about how she plans to tackle upcoming legislation including redistricting, state water use, and pressing cultural issues.

After the founding in 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution have been working to promote Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism across the United States. Today, Susan Metzger, a leader at the foundation, talks about her involvement with the DAR and how she works to progress the goals of the foundation.

With media rapidly changing, it's important to look back and remember where we came from. Former KMAN News Director Cathy Dawes Scroggs joins the show to share how she's enjoying life since retiring, as well as her new podcast she puts on once a week.

Law enforcement exists to maintain public order, and that job has evolved over the years. Riley County Police Department Director, Brian Peete, joins the show today to talk about how the department is adapting to a booming town, and where we can expect growth designed to adapt to the increase in population.

The Kansas School Board Resource Center is here to serve the school boards of Kansas, in an effort to provide the best opportunities for students. Tracy Fredrick, the executive director at the resource center, visits with superintendents and teachers so that they can make the best policy decisions, and provide the most up-to-date training.

The Flint Hills area has been struggling with providing childcare at an affordable price. Today's guest is Lisa Isaacson, the executive director of the Childcare Business Initiative and Flint Hills Community Accelerator. Isaacson joins the show today to share how the whole project is moving along, and what to expect from the growing community center.

With the year wrapping up, a new legislative session is about to begin, and it's important to stay informed. Brad Starnes, Kansas senator representing the 22nd district, joins the the show today to talk about things like budgeting, social policy, and future redistricting that could effect Kansas voters

As midterm elections grow closer, it's important to start educating ourselves on up and coming candidates, and one of those candidates joins the show this morning to share his platform. Colin McRoberts is a Democratic candidate running for the Kansas 1st district seat in the US House of Representative, and joins the show to share his platform and what he plans to do to run for office.

With the Trump Administration creating uncertainties within the agricultural industry, it's important to understand how the administration's decisions could affect every day Americans. Nick Levendofsky, who leads the Kansas Farmers Union, joins the show today to focus on not only on how to create a more stable working environment for farmers, but also improve the living conditions of rural residen...

A beacon of safety for victims of domestic violence

How did the Tuttle Creek Lake dredging project go? 

A lame duck reflects on his service to the community 

Mental health around the holidays can be tumultuous, and it makes it harder to enjoy your holiday plans. Today's guest. Michelle Boggs, who is a psychiatric mental health nurse at Stormont Vail Health, joins the show in order to talk about mental health challenges, how to cope with them, and how to work towards a more stable state during these cold months.

The Be Able Community is a community center aimed at creating "a safety net bellow the safety net." Today's guest, Scott Voos, is the Director at the community, and hopes to engage with those in adversity through the community center by creating connections, cultivating skills, and opening doors of opportunity.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture touches the lives of every Kansan. The government agency works to keep produce within important health standards and make sure the backbone of the state continues to work as efficiently as it can. Mike Beam, the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, joins the show to talk about he is staying on top of public health and how Kansans are being taken care of.

Innovate24 Collaborates with a network of entrepreneur support organizations, investors, and educational institutions, to connect local businesses with resources that are needed to help get a start-up off the ground and thriving. Stephanie Pierce is executive Director of the non-profit and joins the show today to talk about what businesses can do to tap into the help provided and how Innovate24 pl...

On top of the 5 Manhattan City Commissioners, we also have a Mayor who serves with them. Mayor Karen McCulloh works to make sure everything in the city runs smoothly, and that everybody's job get done. She joins the show today to talk about what she wants to get done before she leaves, and what she hopes to leave behind as she wraps up her final term.

More medical staff are always needed, and that is no different with physicians assistants. The goal of the K-State Physician's Assistant program is to provide students with a program that will provide them the tools needed to excel in the field, and to expand their knowledge after graduation. Today, Amy Fitzgerald, the Assistant Program Director at the K-State program, joins the show to share what...