Ira Boydston speaks frankly about the prospects of walking with his children to their elementary school in Kansas City’s Red Bridge neighborhood. “It’s across Red Bridge Road, which can suck to try to get across it,” Boydston said. (Boydston is a Beacon community engagement representative. View a program description here.) “It could be very challenging, especially […]
Kansas City needs to become more walkable. Here’s how that can happen
Posted inDIY Democracy, Education
How to get involved with a charter school board
Like traditional school districts, charter schools have different policies and procedures regarding transparency and the ease with which the public can access information.
Posted inElections, Kansas State Government, Local Government
How to research federal, state and local candidates on the November ballot in Wichita
For voters interested in researching candidates, here are the competitive races that will appear on ballots in Sedgwick County on Nov. 8, with links to each candidate’s campaign website (if one exists) and Ballotpedia page.
Posted inElections, State Government
“It’s a free speech issue”: A new Missouri law has voter registration groups on edge
In a typical election year, groups in Missouri like the League of Women Voters would have volunteers out and about right now, registering new voters and dispensing advice such as how to request absentee ballots. But civic engagement groups are rolling back their activity as the Nov. 8 general election approaches, thanks to a new […]
Posted inHealth
Community is key after experiencing a loss to suicide, Wichita mental health leaders say
This story on mental health contains data analysis by Gretchen Lenth, The Wichita Beacon’s Dow Jones data intern from this summer. Content warning: This story discusses suicide, suicide attempts and mental health in general. If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, check out The Beacon’s local mental health resource list. […]
Posted inElections, Kansas State Government
Political newcomers to Kansas House go uncontested
“Not everyone has the latitude to remove themselves from their places of employment for a period of time, especially a period of time that’s as excessive as this,” Carr said.
Posted inEducation, How To
Want to read a banned book? Here are books that have been recently challenged in the Wichita area
Banned Books Week is coming back to Wichita Sept. 18-24 thanks to the Wichita Public Library, which is highlighting books that get challenged in schools. One event the library is having centers around the book “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” On Friday, Sept. 23, the library will host a special live version […]
Posted inState Government
Does Missouri need another income tax cut? Lawmakers head to Jefferson City to decide
Missouri lawmakers are set to gather in Jefferson City this week after Gov. Mike Parson called a special session to cut the state’s income tax rate. Bolstered in part by federal coronavirus relief funds, the 2023 budget is the largest in state history, with $4.9 billion in the state’s general revenue fund. Legislators are at […]
Posted inWichitans You Should Know
New York, Paris, Milan, Wichita: Hazel Stabler makes waves in fashion and on the school board
Much as Wichita sits at the confluence of two rivers, Hazel Stabler lives at the confluence of two identities – fashion designer and school board member. Hazel and her husband, Hollis, retired to Wichita about 10 years ago. Originally from Emporia, Hazel is of Yaqui and Ojibwe heritage; her husband is Omaha. Hazel has a […]
Posted inLocal Government
When you gotta go, you gotta go. But where are all of Kansas City’s restrooms?
Bathroom habits aren’t something that people like to announce to the universe. But among friends and on social media channels, some have expressed frustration at the “public restroom deserts” across the Kansas City metro. In the Westport neighborhood, the only public restroom to be found is in the public library. After the Country Club Plaza […]