It’s been hard to avoid: yard signs, robocalls, postcards in the mail, Facebook ads and commercials on TV and YouTube. All admonishing Kansans to vote on Aug. 2 on the Kansas abortion amendment that would add language to state’s constitution to take away a state constitutional right to an abortion. The amendment was placed on […]
Follow the money: Who is funding Kansas abortion amendment ads?
Posted inElections, Local Government
Your 2022 primary election guide to Jackson County Legislature’s 2nd District
The primary election on Aug. 2 will see Jackson County voters choose party candidates for nine legislator races, as well as the county executive. Winners will advance to the general Jackson County ballot in November. In the 2nd District, however, the winner of the Democratic primary will face no opposition in November and will become […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Five candidates compete to represent the 2nd At-Large District in Jackson County Legislature
When Kansas City voters arrive at their polling place on Aug. 2, their ballots will show five Jackson County primary races for their county government. These include the county executive, their district’s legislator and three at-large legislators. After Crystal Williams, who represents the 2nd At-Large District, decided not to run for reelection this year, a […]
Posted inElections, State Government
Missouri legislative races to watch this election season
While competitive races for the U.S. Senate and House are underway at the top of Missourians’ ballots this year, a number of state legislative races in Missouri could set the tone for the upcoming session of the General Assembly. Missouri House Democrats say they are hoping to pick up several seats around the Kansas City […]
Posted inElections, Kansas State Government
Kansas will be the first state to vote on abortion after Roe. Here’s how we got here.
When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, the court not only repealed federal constitutional protections for abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, it shifted the battle over abortion rights to the states. Kansas is the first battleground. Voters here […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
A contest between Democrats: Who is running for Jackson County Legislature 3rd At-Large District?
Primary races for the nine seats in the Jackson County Legislature have drawn 29 candidates. While most of them will be elected in district races, three at-large legislators are elected by the entire county in the Jackson County election. One of those races, for the 3rd At-Large District, features a challenge to an incumbent. Democrats […]
Posted inEnvironment
How new building codes could help fight climate change
William Davies thinks action on climate change is urgent, and adopting new building codes in Kansas City would be a step in the right direction. “Folks are looking to Kansas City for leadership and we shouldn’t shy away from that,” said Davies, an organizer with the Sierra Club. “We’re not saying that this is the […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections
Kansas Voter Help Desk: Your questions answered
The Beacon is here to answer your questions about voting in the November general election. We will respond directly to readers’ questions as they come in, and we will also publish the answers here and in our newsletter. Submit your questions about voting in Kansas using this form, by email to miranda@thebeacon.media, or through The […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections
Kansas Voter Help Desk: Your questions answered
The Beacon is here to answer your questions about voting in the November general election. We will respond directly to readers’ questions as they come in, and we will also publish the answers here and in our newsletter. Submit your questions about voting in Kansas using this form, by email to miranda@thebeacon.media, or through The Beacon’s […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita spent nearly $8 million on overtime compensation in 2021. Here’s where the money went.
Fernando Rodriguez feels drained after returning home from a 14-hour shift driving a bus for Wichita Transit. It’s late in the evening and he doesn’t have the energy to do anything, but he still has a family to take care of — a wife and two children ages 6 and 16. Rodriguez is one of […]