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Kansas Reflector
Kansas Democrats honor Biden’s withdrawal from race; GOP lawmakers demand his resignation
Kansas Republicans and Democrats offer clashing commentary on President Joe Biden's decision to suspend his campaign and complete his term in office. The post Kansas Democrats honor Biden’s withdrawal from race; GOP lawmakers demand his resignation appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
In the 10 states that didn’t expand Medicaid, 1.6M can’t afford health insurance
Nearly 1 of every 5 uninsured working-age adults across the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are, according to a new analysis, stuck in a health care limbo known as a “coverage gap.” That means they earn too much money to receive Medicaid but not enough to qualify for financial […] The post In the 10 states that didn’t expand Medicaid, 1.6M can’t afford health insurance appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Teddy Roosevelt came to Kansas in 1910 with a vision for democracy’s long game. It’s still vital.
Theodore Roosevelt arrived at 9:30 in the morning at the Osawatomie depot on the Missouri Pacific from Pueblo. The 51-year-old former president must have been weary, because on the previous day he had been greeted by thousands in Colorado, met with dignitaries, and laid the cornerstone of the new YMCA. Since his return from an […] The post Teddy Roosevelt came to Kansas in 1910 with a vision for democracy’s long game. It’s still vital. appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Political rhetoric about third trimester abortion is misleading, experts say
It’s an oft-repeated talking point of anti-abortion rights groups and Republican politicians, before and after the June 2022 Dobbs decision — that those who are supportive of abortion rights also must be in favor of abortions that happen during the last weeks of pregnancy, or even “after birth.” Former President Donald Trump brought it up […] The post Political rhetoric about third trimester abortion is misleading, experts say appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Make sense of Kansas primary season with these tips from your friendly local opinion editor
With two weeks and a couple of days left to go until the Kansas primary election, I thought it was a good time for all of us to sit down this morning and have a chat. Primary elections can be easily overlooked in the rush toward November. In a red state like Kansas, however, they […] The post Make sense of Kansas primary season with these tips from your friendly local opinion editor appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Grasshopper nymphs thrive in western Kansas after wet, hot weather
GARDEN CITY — Western Kansas is hopping this summer as the number of grasshoppers spikes. Kansas State University Research and Extension entomologist Anthony Zukoff said wet weather patterns this spring are supporting the presence of large grasshopper populations across western and central portions of the state. Zukoff said hot, dry summers increase the likelihood of […] The post Grasshopper nymphs thrive in western Kansas after wet, hot weather appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
New $2.5 million Medicaid grant will expand mental health services in Kansas schools
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Medicaid secured $2.5 million for school-based services, including funding for in-school mental health services, increased outreach and enrolling more families in Medicaid. The goal of the grant, announced by KDHE on June 25, is to increase Medicaid health care services for children and their […] The post New $2.5 million Medicaid grant will expand mental health services in Kansas schools appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
IT glitch causing delays in flights, business operations globally
Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday. Many of those who use Microsoft Windows are likely experiencing a “blue screen of death” or an error page. The issue is due to a […] The post IT glitch causing delays in flights, business operations globally appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
These five photos from an all-star photographer help explain sports in Kansas
When I heard Jeff Jacobsen’s idea for his next sports photography project, I knew it would be a juggernaut. The kind of juggernaut that would be an example for my photojournalism students at the University of Kansas. The kind of in-depth work that would define Kansas sports in our imaginations for decades. The kind of […] The post These five photos from an all-star photographer help explain sports in Kansas appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas, Missouri clergy argue rise of white Christian nationalism poses threat to democracy
Kansas, Missouri religious leaders rally in Olathe to share concern that white Christian nationalism was a growing threat to democracy in the United States. The post Kansas, Missouri clergy argue rise of white Christian nationalism poses threat to democracy appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Former reporter settles with police chief who led raid on Kansas newspaper, plans scholarship
LAWRENCE — Deb Gruver felt heartbroken and violated when police raided the Marion County Record last year. As a reporter at the newspaper, Gruver knew that powerful people in town weren’t fans of the accountability journalism she and her colleagues produced. But when police rolled up to the office on Aug. 11, 2023, she didn’t […] The post Former reporter settles with police chief who led raid on Kansas newspaper, plans scholarship appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Grappling with DEI and reparations essential for commonsense public policy in Kansas, U.S.
The discourse around DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and reparations has permeated various platforms, including news outlets and social media. Unfortunately, it has been used by certain political factions to incite division and secure votes. These programs are crucial in dismantling systemic racial barriers that affect educational access and outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Contrary […] The post Grappling with DEI and reparations essential for commonsense public policy in Kansas, U.S. appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
On the trail of J.D. Vance’s Kentucky mountain roots
JACKSON — In the 24 hours after J.D. Vance became Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s running mate, Stephen Bowling, city council member and director of the Breathitt County Public Library, fielded more than a dozen calls from news media outlets large and small. The place that Vance in his best-selling memoir wrote “would always have […] The post On the trail of J.D. Vance’s Kentucky mountain roots appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas’ 2nd District GOP candidate forum features marriage proposal, devotional silence
WIBW's forum with GOP congressional candidates in the 2nd District included a marriage proposal, prayerful silence and, indeed, some talk of public policy. The post Kansas’ 2nd District GOP candidate forum features marriage proposal, devotional silence appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Salina partners with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore Smoky Hill River in downtown channel
SALINA — The Smoky Hill River may flow more freely through Salina in the next decade if a long-term development comes to fruition. On Monday, officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Salina signed a cost-share agreement to be funding partners for a portion of the proposed Smoky Hill River […] The post Salina partners with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore Smoky Hill River in downtown channel appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Words of lament and hope for Kansas as big agriculture eradicates farmland traditions
There’s still a lot to like about Kansas, but the relative economic security of five of its 105 counties insulates us from the small towns that epitomize America’s heartland. I can’t help but lament the ongoing losses I see across the Sunflower State and thinking that we’re living in an artificial bubble. It’s a rarefied […] The post Words of lament and hope for Kansas as big agriculture eradicates farmland traditions appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
ISU research identifies possible point of entry for avian flu in cattle
As avian influenza is being detected in more and more dairy herds across the U.S., Iowa State University researchers have found a possible “why” connection to the virus being found in raw milk. A study published this month by a team in ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine found that bovine mammary gland tissue held receptors […] The post ISU research identifies possible point of entry for avian flu in cattle appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
FEC reports reveal Sharice Davids, Derek Schmidt to be magnets for Kansas campaign donations
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids leads the pack in Kansas with $2.8 million in her campaign account, with U.S. Rep. Ron Estes a distant second at $1.6 million. The post FEC reports reveal Sharice Davids, Derek Schmidt to be magnets for Kansas campaign donations appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Lawrence school board’s spyware renewal leaves student journalists’ concerns unresolved
LAWRENCE — Former Lawrence High School students say school board members ignored their concerns with privacy, free speech and intellectual property rights by extending the district’s contract with AI surveillance company Gaggle. The former students, who initiated meetings with school board members earlier this year while serving as editors of the student newspaper, also question […] The post Lawrence school board’s spyware renewal leaves student journalists’ concerns unresolved appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Two drugmakers file lawsuits to block Kansas’ attempt to tinker with discount drug program
A pair of drugmakers filed federal lawsuits challenging constitutionality of a new Kansas law designed to strengthen a federal drug discount program. The post Two drugmakers file lawsuits to block Kansas’ attempt to tinker with discount drug program appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
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Kansas Reflector is a nonprofit news operation providing in-depth reporting, diverse opinions and daily coverage of state government and politics. This public service is free to readers and other news outlets. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify voices of people whose lives are affected by public policies but who might typically be left out of public debate. We seek to increase Kansans’ awareness of how decisions made by elected representatives and other public servants affect our day-to-day lives. We hope to empower and inspire greater participation in democracy throughout Kansas. Launched in July 2020, Kansas Reflector is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. Kansas Reflector retains editorial independence.
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