The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Spotty rain brought some relief to High Plains

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

The heat is on for the High Plains

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Plains area felt beneficial rain

Regina Bird

June saw the gamut of weather in the central Plains

Kids Watching Fireworks (Photo: iStock - Renphoto)

Prevent fires from fireworks during Fourth of July

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Extremes of heat felt in the Plains

Sorghum is an ideal crop for High Plains agriculture and recently a commitment to more research into millet is expected to help farmers and ranchers. (Journal photo by Dave Bergmeier.)

WASDE estimates sorghum production at 388 million bushels

With people spending more time outdoors in the summer, all family members should be checked for ticks afterward. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Keep your family safe from ticks