Why You Crave Salty Foods in the Summer

Find yourself eating more salt when it’s hot? Here’s what your body is trying to tell you.

Have you ever noticed that chips, pickles, fries and salty snacks seem extra appealing during the summer? It’s not a coincidence; it’s your body trying to tell you that it needs something.

One of the main reasons behind your summer salt cravings is that you sweat. When you spend time outside in the heat, exercise or work outdoors, you lose sodium through perspiration. Sodium helps maintain fluid balance in your body, in addition to regulating blood pressure and playing a part in nerve and muscle function. When sodium levels drop, your body may respond by craving salty foods to replace some of what’s lost.

Dehydration can also play a role. Sometimes when your body needs fluids, you crave salty foods because sodium helps your body hold onto water. But eating salty foods without drinking enough fluids can make dehydration worse. That’s why it’s important to pair sodium with plenty of water and other hydrating foods.

Healthy Ways to Satisfy Salt Cravings

Salt often gets a bad reputation, but your body needs some sodium to work properly. The problem is that many people eat far more sodium than they need, especially from processed foods.

Here are some healthier options that can satisfy salty cravings without loading up on heavily processed foods and snacks:

• Lightly salted nuts or seeds
• Crispy chickpeas (baked, roasted or air-fried)
• Hummus with vegetables
• Cottage cheese
• Pickles (in moderation)
• Air-popped popcorn with a little sea salt
• Tuna or salmon with whole grain crackers
• Homemade trail mix
• Low-sodium vegetable juice
• Greek yogurt dips with veggies

These foods provide more than just sodium. Many also contain protein, fiber, healthy fats and important minerals like potassium and magnesium, which your body also loses through sweat. Potassium helps balance sodium levels and supports hydration, and foods like watermelon, bananas, tomatoes, oranges and cucumbers are great choices.

Sports drinks and electrolyte drinks are sometimes used to replace lost fluids and minerals after intense sweating, but not everyone needs them. Many brands contain a surprising amount of sodium and added sugar so if you’re only doing light activities, plain water is usually a better option. Even if you’re sweating a lot, be careful about using these drinks if you have certain chronic health conditions.

How Much Salt Is Too Much Salt?

During the summer, it can be tricky to balance replacing the sodium you lose in sweat without overdoing it. Most healthy adults should stay mindful of sodium intake, even when it’s hot. If you have high blood pressure, kidney disease or heart problems, talk with your doctor or dietitian before increasing salt intake. Some people need stricter sodium limits even in hot weather.

Craving salty foods during the summer is normal as your body tries to replace the sodium you lose through sweat. Although you may need to slightly increase the amount of sodium you consume to offset this loss, opt for healthier salty foods instead of processed snacks and remember to also stay hydrated. Also keep in mind that while a little salt can help your body function well, it’s very easy to consume too much.

Copyright 2026 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks® Heart Healthy Recipes® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

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Linn County Sheriff's Office seeks public assistance

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying the person or persons driving the vehicle shown in the attached photos.

The vehicle and its occupants are wanted for questioning in connection with a recent theft that occurred in the Sugar Valley area. The vehicle appears to be a late-model gray Chevrolet Malibu.

If you have any information, please contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with a detective at (913) 795-2665.

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Drexel's Cali Mayabb Magna Cum Laude at Wichita State University

 WICHITA, Kan. (July 14, 2026) - More than 2,250 students completed a total of 2,450 degrees and certificates at Wichita State University in spring 2026. 

 

The breakdown of degrees and certificates granted includes:

 

* Undergraduate: 1,627 degrees and certificates for 1,540 undergraduate students

* Graduate: 822 degrees and certificates for 714 graduate students

 

For bachelor's degrees, honors were conferred to the following:

 

* Summa cum laude: 149 students

* Magna cum laude: 527 students

* Cum laude: 336 students

 

Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.

 

See a full list of spring 2026 Wichita State graduates here: https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2026_graduates/spring_25-26_graduates_usa-1.php. Learn more about the amazing academic, paid applied learning and student-life opportunities Wichita State has to offer, at wichita.edu.

 

About Wichita State University

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

 

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

 

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

 

Drexel, MO:

 Cali K Mayabb, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude


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What is alpha-gal syndrome?

AGS is just one of many tick-borne illnesses that are increasing in frequency. In fact, Lyme disease and AGS are only two of 17 mentioned on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) site, and rates are on the rise. Climate change is extending the warm months of tick season, increasing tick numbers, and giving them more chances to find us.

“Even if you don’t live in an area where ticks are a problem, you may get exposed on vacation,” says Georges Benjamin, M.D., executive director of the American Public Health Association. Scott Commins, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was on the research team that first linked AGS to ticks. “These are not symptoms that would bring you to the allergy office,” he says. Today his practice deals almost exclusively with AGS, because of both word of mouth and the syndrome’s prevalence in the area.

The number of people with AGS is hard to pin down—Dr. Commins conservatively estimates 50,000 in the U.S. Residents of the Southeast and the Midwest are most at risk, with the greatest number of cases in Missouri, Arkansas, Virginia, and North Carolina. “Alpha-gal syndrome isn’t on the radar everywhere, so your doctor may not be familiar with it,” says Jennifer Platt, Dr.PH, who co-founded the nonprofit Tick-Borne Conditions United with Maine native Beth Carrison. Carrison was diagnosed with both AGS and Lyme disease, while Platt contracted ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease that can bring on flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and severe headache.
What are alpha-gal syndrome symptoms?

As tick-borne diseases go, Alpha-gal syndrome is relatively new on the medical radar. Months after getting a tick bite they’ve totally forgotten about, a person will eat red meat and show symptoms hours later. While some people with AGS get hives and similar skin reactions, others have gastrointestinal issues like heartburn or diarrhea, or the cardiac symptoms Smith experienced. That January night, she didn’t have any idea that her dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce had set them off, or that it had all started with a tick bite months earlier, and the ER doctors didn’t either.
How does alpha-gal syndrome spread?

A handful of species carry the biggies among diseases: Black-legged ticks (a.k.a. deer ticks) spread babesiosis and Lyme disease; American dog ticks and brown dog ticks can give you Rocky Mountain spotted fever; lone star ticks spread ehrlichiosis and appear to be the biggest culprits in U.S. cases of AGS. “Lone star ticks can be aggressive,” says Platt. “They know you’re there and will actually come running for you.” Fortunately, not every bite results in an infection, says Dr. Commins.

Different tick-borne illnesses cause various nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, because the bacteria, viruses, or parasites ticks transmit can act on a number of systems in the body. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection the tick picks up from an infected animal it bites and passes on to you. Babesiosis is caused by a parasite passed from an infected tick.

AGS is different: The alpha-gal sugar is part of the saliva of some healthy ticks; in some people, a bite from one of these ticks induces an inappropriate immune response that sensitizes their immune system so the next time they encounter this sugar—when eating meat, for example—they respond with an allergic reaction to the meat. “Think about it like a pollen allergy that brings on sneezing and other symptoms of hay fever in the spring,” says Nicole Baumgarth, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute. Pollen isn’t dangerous, but your immune system misfires as if it were.

People with AGS have to avoid not just meat but also a laundry list of products with hidden mammalian ingredients—things like gummies, lotions, and the blood thinner heparin. Some people even react to fumes from bacon frying, lotions, and perfume, which can be anxiety-inducing. “You need to constantly be on guard against accidental exposure,” says Carrison, who is especially sensitive to scent. “Recovery from a reaction can mean days to weeks of brain fog and diarrhea.” If Smith’s husband eats red meat, the two have to wait several hours before they can kiss.
Alpha-gal syndrome treatments

There isn’t yet a treatment for AGS; some sufferers take a daily antihistamine to deal with small exposures and minor symptoms and carry an emergency dose of epinephrine, says Dr. Commins. Even so, for outdoorsy folks like Barb H., tick bites are just part of the landscape. She was diagnosed with AGS in 2021, after a year of fatigue, diarrhea, and bouts of severe nausea. Finally, a body-wide rash sent her to an allergist, who asked if she’d ever been bitten by a tick. “I laughed pretty hard,” she says. As a widow in St. Charles County, MO, who tends seven acres, “between the dogs and the horses I’m always outside,” she says. A recent wasp sting restarted her GI symptoms and sent her to the ER. Still, she can’t give up being outdoors. She watches her diet and sprays cedarwood oil on herself to keep ticks at bay.

As scary as tick-borne illnesses are, there is hope. Dr. Commins has patients who have been very sick with AGS who are now adding pork and beef back into their diets. Carrison is in remission. “We really do think alpha-gal syndrome can go away over time,” says Dr. Commins.
How to protect against alpha-gal syndrome and tick bites

No matter where you live, follow these rules of the great outdoors:Know where ticks hang out (tall grass, wooded areas).

- Wear light-colored clothing so they’re easy to spot, and tuck pants into boots.
- Use a lint roller on your clothes when you get home.
- Check skin, especially armpits, groin, breasts, and folds.
- Shower immediately and watch for rashes.

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Ellett Memorial raffle winners announced

Congratulations to our EMH Foundation Raffle Winners:

-Melissa Lattin - Blackstone Griddle

-Chris Green - Stihl Air Inflater

-Loren Smith - 1/2 Hog (not pictured)

-Kim Raybourn - 1/2 Hog (not pictured)

Thank you to all who purchased tickets!

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Free Family Fun Day coming to Appleton City August 22nd

To the Appleton City Community,

The Appleton City Fair Committee would like to thank our community for its continued support and extend our sincere apologies for having to reschedule the second day of the fair.

We also want to be transparent with our community, sponsors, and vendors about the challenges we faced while planning this year's fair. Three weeks before the event, the carnival company we had contracted with unexpectedly canceled. The Committee immediately began contacting other companies in an effort to find a replacement. Just 10 days before the fair, Joe's Old-Fashioned Fun agreed to provide five rides, two bounce houses, a mechanical bull, and a climbing wall.

Unfortunately, a series of unexpected events resulted in the company arriving later than scheduled and falling behind on setup. The bounce houses were never inflated, and only two rides and the mechanical bull were operational. This was not the experience we intended to provide for our community, and we sincerely apologize for the disappointment.

On Saturday morning, after making the difficult decision to cancel the second day of the fair because of weather concerns, the Committee met with the owner of Joe's Old-Fashioned Fun to discuss the issues and the company's failure to meet its contractual obligations. The owner returned the Committee's pre-sale ticket funds, which were then used to refund anyone who returned unused pre-sale tickets at the original purchase price.

To make up for the canceled activities, the Appleton City Fair Committee is hosting a Free Family Fun Day on August 22, 2026. Children will be able to enjoy inflatable attractions provided by K & S Inflatables of Humansville, Missouri, pony rides provided by the Bates County Posse, and a K-9 demonstration by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office—all at no cost.

Many of the activities that were canceled during the fair will also take place that day, including the Senior Royalty crowning, Baby Show, Toddler Swimsuit Contest, kids' games, Fair Bake-Off and Bake Auction, music by Sparrowfoot and the Truman Lake Dulcimers.

Food vendors and craft vendors who were scheduled for the original Saturday fair will also be returning, if available, giving families another opportunity to enjoy the event together. Please note that while the children's activities are free, purchases from food and craft vendors will require payment.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. Our goal is to provide a fun, family-friendly event before school begins and to thank our community for its continued support. A complete schedule of events for Free Family Fun Day will be posted soon.

Thank you again for your understanding and continued support.

Kindest Regards,

The Appleton City Fair Committee

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Osage Valley Electric Announces Return of Capital Credits to Members

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative (OVEC) is continuing its long-standing practice of retiring capital credits to its members.  The OVEC Board of Directors has elected to retire approximately $1,000,000 in capital credits effective August 1, 2026. 

OVEC is a not-for-profit member-owned utility that operates at cost.  Revenues above the cost of doing business are allocated to the members annually in the form of capital credits. The board of directors vote to retire capital credits when the financial condition of the cooperative will not be impaired.  The decision to retire capital credits again this year was made due to the continued financial strength and sound management of the cooperative.  

This year we are returning margins from the years 1997, 1998 and 2025.  Your share is figured based on the amount of electricity you used during each of those years.  Current members that are eligible will receive this refund as a credit on their August 1st bill.  Former members who longer have service with the cooperative will receive their refund in the form of a check by mail. If you were not a member during any of these years, you will not receive a refund this year.  

 It is important for both current and former members to maintain a current address on file with OVEC so that we can ensure any retirements due to them will be received.  

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Traffic stop results in drug discovery, suspect jailed arrested and released

On July 12, 2026 at approximately 8:16pm, a Butler Officer conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of East Pine street for the vehicle displaying the license plates of another vehicle. Upon a records check of the driver, identified as Kayle Cooper, the officer determined that Cooper had an active warrant for felony driving while revoked and that Cooper’s driver license was still revoked.

The Officer then asked Cooper to exit the vehicle and when Cooper exited the vehicle, a piece of aluminum foil fell from Cooper. The Officer then retrieved the piece of foil. While speaking to the Officer, a second piece of foil fell from Cooper and Cooper attempted to destroy the second piece of foil before the Officer retrieved it. The foil was suspected to be used to consume narcotics.

K-9 Enzo then conducted a free air sniff of the vehicle to which K-9 Enzo alerted to the odor of narcotics. No further contraband was located during the search of the vehicle. Cooper advised the Officer that she had put the foil on her person in an attempt to not get caught with it.

Prior to placing Cooper into the patrol vehicle, a metal straw fell from her person. Cooper stated that the metal straw was used to hit the foils.

Cooper was then transported to the Bates County Jail where the jail’s body scanner was utilized to check for any other concealed contraband on Cooper. The body scanner showed Cooper had other suspected drug paraphernalia inside of her body. The drug paraphernalia was then retrieved from Cooper.

Cooper has an extensive drug history and is currently on probation and parole for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Resisting Arrest, and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle.

The next day, Cooper received a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance with a bond amount of $10,000 Cash or Surety. Later the same day, the bond was reduced to a signature bond.

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