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The Wichita Beacon
Teachers’ union appears on board with Wichita district’s plan to spend big, close schools
The union for 4,000 district teachers and other workers looks inclined to favor Wichita Public Schools’ $2.1 billion plan to remake several schools and buildings. Voters will likely decide this fall if Wichita Public Schools can borrow $450 million to fix up old schools, build some new ones and close 11 buildings. The school board […] The post Teachers’ union appears on board with Wichita district’s plan to spend big, close schools appeared first on The Beacon.
Why rural Missouri schools and hospitals might become homebuyers
In Kirksville, Missouri, an entire floor of the hospital sits empty. The community could easily fill beds with patients — if only it could hire nurses and other workers to tend to them. Just up U.S. 63 near the Iowa border, the Schuyler School District can’t keep teachers on the payroll. A manufacturer wants to […] The post Why rural Missouri schools and hospitals might become homebuyers appeared first on The Beacon.
A year later, the Kansas trans athlete ban appears to matter more as a symbol than in practice
It’s been a year since Kansas lawmakers banned transgender women from women’s sports in schools or colleges. But the hotly debated issue — banning trans female athletes from girls’ and women’s sports has been a pet issue of Republican-controlled legislatures across the country — appears to have had little practical effect so far in Kansas. […] The post A year later, the Kansas trans athlete ban appears to matter more as a symbol than in practice appeared first on The Beacon.
Insurance covers mammograms, but Kansas patients are often on the hook for costly follow-up screenings
Delaying a diagnostic mammogram carries potentially deadly risks. Diagnostic mammograms, MRIs, sonograms and other types of specialized breast imaging can help detect breast cancer when it’s most treatable. Stage 1 breast cancer has an almost 100% survival rate. That’s why yearly mammogram testing is free for women over 40....
Here’s how to register and vote in Missouri
To vote in Missouri, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a state resident. If you’ll be 18 by Election Day, you can register as young as age 17 and a half. Plan ahead to ensure you can vote. Your voter registration has to...
Here’s how to register and vote in Kansas
To vote in Kansas, you must be a U.S. citizen, a state resident and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you also need to be discharged from imprisonment and not on parole or conditional release. When to register.
Mili Mansaray announced as Chips Quinn Program for Diversity in Journalism reporter
The Beacon’s Kansas City housing and labor reporter Mili Mansaray was just announced as a part of the 2024-2025 reporting class for the Chips Quinn Program for Diversity in Journalism. Mansaray is one of 11 early-career reporters who will be paired with a Chips Quinn alum or veteran journalist to complete a yearlong mentorship and will also receive a $10,000 stipend.
Missouri and Kansas families will be getting money for kids’ summer meals — eventually
Summer may be half over by the time Kansas families get extra food aid meant to see them through long hot days when school breakfasts and lunches disappear. For Missouri families, the aid may not arrive until a new school year is well underway. But that still beats the 13...
Lawmakers clarify some confusion to let more counties freeze property taxes for seniors
Missouri lawmakers gave counties a dose of much-needed clarity in May when they passed a bill aimed at clarifying a 2023 law that lets counties pass a senior property tax freeze, aimed at those 62 and older. The law passed last year gave counties the power to freeze property tax...
Why 35,000 Sedgwick County residents will be paying more for internet next month
Jamie Nix regularly sees people turning to the internet to help them answer the most critical questions in their lives. “I’ve had people come to the library with a brand new medical diagnosis,” said Nix, Wichita’s director of libraries. “They are just wanting to use the computer to learn more about what it is.” A […] The post Why 35,000 Sedgwick County residents will be paying more for internet next month appeared first on The Beacon.
The Beacon launches new, mobile-first website
The Beacon is thrilled to announce our brand new website, thebeaconnews.org, launched on May 28! Our team has been working hard over the last year to create a dynamic digital experience that inspires readers to connect with our public service journalism on a deeper level. You’ll now be able to...
Kansas lawmakers are temporarily limiting a program that increases mental health services
Targeted federal tax dollars turbocharged Sedgwick County’s COMCARE mental health clinic by helping it give patients more behavioral health treatment and add sorely needed staff. COMCARE cut its staff vacancy rate from around 50% years ago down to 13%, thanks in part to a federal program. Other community mental...
Missouri lawmakers passed 48 bills this year. Here’s a list of potential new Missouri laws
Correction (May 30, 2024): This story originally erred in how it described a tax-credit scholarship bill. Those credits would go to donors who contribute to a state fund to allow families to send students to the school of their choice, including private schools. Missouri lawmakers set their sights on new laws to make it easier for […] The post Missouri lawmakers passed 48 bills this year. Here’s a list of potential new Missouri laws appeared first on The Beacon.
Independence’s four-day school week draws Missouri auditor probe
The auditor’s office has held expanded power to audit school districts for more than a decade, but has rarely used it. The post Independence’s four-day school week draws Missouri auditor probe appeared first on The Beacon.
Beacon reporting uncovers deaths of homeless individuals in Wichita are not counted
Government officials responded to The Beacon’s story by promising to implement a tracking system so better data is kept to help unhoused Wichitans. The post Beacon reporting uncovers deaths of homeless individuals in Wichita are not counted appeared first on The Beacon.
Doctors say new Kansas law asking women why they’re getting an abortion is unconstitutional
Abortion providers are challenging a new Kansas law that will soon compel women to tell their doctors — and the state health department — their top reason for seeking an abortion. They say the law, set to take effect July 1, is unconstitutional and violates patient privacy. “Conversations...
Kansas lawmakers temporarily limit a program that increases mental health services
Kansas lawmakers extended the limitation on which nonprofit medical providers can become CCBHCs until 2027. The extension aims to manage the certification process and address concerns about workforce stability and fiscal impact. There is broad agreement on the effectiveness of mental health centers, but advocates argue for expanding resources to...
Neighborhood blocks the low-barrier shelter pitched as key solution to Kansas City’s homelessness problem
Ken Simard mainly slept under the Blue Parkway bridge near the railroad tracks along the Blue River for the seven years he was homeless, numbing himself with meth and weed. “If it were not for the drugs that I did, I would have been suicidal,” he said. “I would do anything to take my mind […] The post Neighborhood blocks the low-barrier shelter pitched as key solution to Kansas City’s homelessness problem appeared first on The Beacon.
Maria Carter joins The Beacon as editor and lead reporter in Wichita
The Beacon | Wichita welcomed Maria Carter as its new editor and lead reporter this spring. Before joining The Beacon, Maria acted as managing editor at 90.5 WESA and editor of Harvest Public Media at KCUR, where she researched and shaped important daily stories for regional audiences. She’s received regional and national recognition for her […] The post Maria Carter joins The Beacon as editor and lead reporter in Wichita appeared first on The Beacon.
Wichita ransomware attack shuts down multiple services. What comes next?
Wichita finds itself tossed back in time for a couple of weeks by a cyberattack on City Hall that’s upended basic ways of doing business online. So now residents need to head to Walmart or Dillons to pay their water bills. Parents who want to enroll their kids in swimming lessons must go to a […] The post Wichita ransomware attack shuts down multiple services. What comes next? appeared first on The Wichita Beacon.
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The Wichita Beacon is the city’s first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. We’re changing the face of journalism with an innovative model for reliable, truthful news here in the Midwest. And we’re partnering with you – our neighbors – to make it happen. The Wichita Beacon started publishing in July 2021 and is part of The Beacon, a regional nonprofit news network. Beacon stories are revelatory, contextual, data-driven and solutions-driven. The Beacon is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
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