Columbus
Kansas Reflector
Kansas traffic fatalities trend downward after seven years averaging more than 420 deaths
The number of Kansas traffic fatalities climbed 11% from 2013 to 2023, despite a 3-year reduction in deaths to move below 400 fo the first time since 2015. The post Kansas traffic fatalities trend downward after seven years averaging more than 420 deaths appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas legislative leadership devoting two days of interim hearings to medical marijuana
Interim committees of Kansas Legislature to meet 56 days ahead of the 2025 session to discuss housing, Medicaid, education, salaries and medical marijuana. The post Kansas legislative leadership devoting two days of interim hearings to medical marijuana appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
For our dog Ewing, memories of a life well-lived soften a tremendous loss
Harry Truman once said: “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” If you leave out “in Washington” and substitute “for life,” it’s the best advice one can get from a president — or anyone else. Unfortunately, a dog’s life is shorter than ours, so we have to make room for the fact […] The post For our dog Ewing, memories of a life well-lived soften a tremendous loss appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital killed dozens in Kyiv. Biden spoke at the annual North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s summit happening this […] The post Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas legislators, governor release $35.7 million tied to public university adherence to DEI law
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top legislative leaders voted Tuesday to allocate $35.7 million to public higher education after the Kansas Board of Regents certified campus administrators complied with a state law forbidding employment and admissions decisions to be based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The 2024 Legislature made distribution of the university […] The post Kansas legislators, governor release $35.7 million tied to public university adherence to DEI law appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress called on President Joe Biden to prove to voters that he is up for another four years in the Oval Office, though many in interviews pledged to stick with him as the presumptive nominee as they returned to the Capitol on Monday following the Fourth of July recess. Questions over […] The post Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas suicide prevention nonprofit’s executive director, entire board of directors resign
HeadQuarters Kansas, which runs state's suicide hotline, hit with management chaos after resignation of interim executive director and board of directors. The post Kansas suicide prevention nonprofit’s executive director, entire board of directors resign appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Missouri governor on Kansas City Chiefs: ‘I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point’
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday he doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs want to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas, though he acknowledged he hasn’t actually talked to the team’s owners. Speaking to reporters after a bill signing in Kansas City, Parson said he thought the reigning Super Bowl champion wasn’t that interested in building a […] The post Missouri governor on Kansas City Chiefs: ‘I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point’ appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Whatever you call the encroaching political darkness in Kansas and America, it’s not democracy
Not taking a threat seriously can have serious consequences. Filmmaker and documentarian Ken Burns, in his recent commencement address to Brandeis University graduates, provided brilliant insight into threats facing our current Divided States of America. The Atlantic and Pacific have kept us safe, in a sense. This helped “develop our work ethic and our restlessness, […] The post Whatever you call the encroaching political darkness in Kansas and America, it’s not democracy appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs tax break for KC nuclear weapons manufacturer
Developers planning to expand a Kansas City facility manufacturing nuclear weapons components will get a break on sales tax under legislation Gov. Mike Parson signed Monday. Parson held a signing ceremony at the site, currently a gravel lot across from the National Nuclear Security Administration’s south Kansas City campus. The expansion is expected to cost more than […] The post Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs tax break for KC nuclear weapons manufacturer appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas official rejects appeal by unsuccessful bidders on state’s $4 billion KanCare contract
The administrative appeal by two companies not offered a one of three contracts to manage Kansas' $4 billion Medicaid program was rejected. The post Kansas official rejects appeal by unsuccessful bidders on state’s $4 billion KanCare contract appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
One-fourth of Kansas nursing homes labeled ‘problem’ facilities because of persistently poor care
One-fourth of Kansas long-term nursing homes ranked at lowest level in terms of resident care, with for-profit facilities faring worse in federal ratings. The post One-fourth of Kansas nursing homes labeled ‘problem’ facilities because of persistently poor care appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
PBS funds, tax cuts, porn ban: Stories from Kansas legislative session still unfolding
During the rush of the Kansas Legislature’s annual session, stories whip in and out of view like so many SUVs ignoring the speed limit on the turnpike. With the 2024 session done and dusted, we can now take a look at how a handful of those stories played out beyond the headlines. And for that […] The post PBS funds, tax cuts, porn ban: Stories from Kansas legislative session still unfolding appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact
Nevada voters may decide in November whether they should join three dozen other states in requiring voters to present valid identification before casting a ballot. And Maine may not be far behind, as the push for voter ID requirements grows nationwide despite conflicting studies over their effects. Conservative organizers in Nevada say they have gathered […] The post More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Seven books for the 7th of July: a reading list to save democracy
One day last week, I went to a coffee shop downtown to meet a friend. I had a hardback book tucked under my arm to give to the friend, a historian who shares my interest in the twisting and sometimes tortured arc of American democracy. I was early, so I ordered a lemonade — it […] The post Seven books for the 7th of July: a reading list to save democracy appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality of emergency contraceptives, including disinformation that some are abortion drugs, may have contributed to a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans, according to a University of California Los Angeles study. […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
‘Jaws’ portrayed sharks as monsters 50 years ago, but it also inspired a generation of scientists
Human fear of sharks has deep roots. Written works and art from the ancient world contain references to sharks preying on sailors as early as the eighth century B.C.E. Relayed back to land, stories about shark encounters have been embellished and amplified. Together with the fact that from time to time — very rarely — sharks bite humans, […] The post ‘Jaws’ portrayed sharks as monsters 50 years ago, but it also inspired a generation of scientists appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday in his first televised interview since the presidential debate defended his reelection bid and rejected calls that he should step aside amid growing anxiety among some Democrats about his mental and physical state. The 22-minute interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos came as some lawmakers and other prominent […] The post Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’ appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas abortion clinic regulations declared unconstitutional by state Supreme Court
Kansas Supreme Court finds abortion clinic regulations signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback years ago violated the state constitution's Bill of Rights. The post Kansas abortion clinic regulations declared unconstitutional by state Supreme Court appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas Reflector
5K+
Posts
42M+
Views
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.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.