There are rapid and abrupt changes constantly being thrown at us as US citizens, and it's getting harder and harder to stay informed about the world around us. With the help of the Manhattan Mercury, Ned Seaton as editor in chief, and Megan Moser as executive editor, try to shine a light on the important going-on's of our local area.

Without a strong local economy, civil services can start to break down. The Executive Director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, Shanna Goodman, is always working to bring new business to the county, and just as much to make sure they stay. Goodman strives to make all of the gears turn so that we can enjoy the things that make the Pottawatomie area home.

Every two years, the residence of Kansas need to elect a new governor, and Democratic candidate Ethan Corson has decided to throw his hat in the ring. With a focus on creating a Kansas for the next generation. He says that the most important issue is affordability , whether that be in groceries all the way to housing, Corson is looking to put more money back in people's pockets.

Today, Hutton Development President Kyle Blasdell, as well as the Northern Kansas Area Leader Jason Gillig are here to talk about the recently started project on Poyntz Ave. dubbed, "The Hartford." This new multi-use structure is being built in an effort to bring more life to the down town area through bringing comfortable living and commerce into one complete package.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and today's guest, Heather Lansdowne lives that every day. As the president of the Manhattan-Ogden Public School Foundation, Lansdowne works to make sure the community's public school system is primed to give it's students the best chance possible through things such as scholarships for higher education to making sure libraries can stay open during the summer to support continued education.

Nurses are the cornerstone of any healthy community, and today's guest, Annie Buckland is no different. Buckland is the coordinator of the Injury and Violence Prevention at Stormont Vail Health. The small team works to inform and care for individuals who might be at a higher risk of things from a bad bike crash to a domestic violence case.

It's important to have a strong representative to fight for community members in Manhattan, and there's no better person than today's guest, Angel Roeser, the State Representative for 67th Kansas House District. As one of the youngest members of the caucus, Roeser has been busy both in and out of session.

Alzheimer's disease impacts individuals and their families in so many ways. Today's guest, Margaret Haden, is the walk manager at The Alzheimer's Association - Heart of America Chapter which aims to inform and support over 50 thousand individuals living with dementia in northeast Kansas as well as northwest Missouri.

Michelle Sink, the director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters here in the Riley county area, and Melissa Soldan, the Development Assistant, joins us to talk about what the program is all about, and what the group has planned for the future.

Local businesses bring life and soul to any city, and that's no different here in Manhattan. GThomas Jewelers owner, Bobbi French and Manhattan Brewing Co. owner, Jake Voegeli talk today about what they do as local business owners, and the efforts they take in order to bring their piece of Manhattan's soul to life.