Update: On April 25, Wyandotte County District Judge Bill Klapper ruled that a map setting new boundaries for the state’s four congressional districts is unconstitutional. The decision is likely to be appealed to the Kansas Supreme Court. How will you be represented in the Kansas Legislature for the next decade? It comes down to maps. […]
Redistricting will impact Kansas for the next decade. Here’s how it works.
Posted inKansas State Government
Redistricting will impact Kansas for the next decade. Here’s how it works.
Lawmakers redrew boundaries in 2022 for congressional districts, state legislature districts and state board of education districts.
Posted inHealth
COVID in Kansas City: Latest data and updates
The Kansas City Beacon has compiled the latest COVID-19 data for the metro area.
Posted inLocal Government
Behind closed doors: What a tree policy reveals about how Wichita crafts new regulations
A tree policy drafted by the city of Wichita became more focused on regulating trees on city-owned land — and leaving out private property — after a meeting that included a developer and a nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization. The city currently removes at least twice as many trees as it plants each year, a […]
Posted inState Government
Hesitant support continues for full cannabis legalization in Missouri, amid concerns about fairness and equity
The advocates who successfully campaigned for a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Missouri in 2018 are continuing to push the state toward recreational legalization of cannabis, but sharp disagreements have arisen over fairness in the market. The House Rules Committee on Tuesday afternoon advanced HB2704, called the Cannabis Freedom Act. It awaits full […]
Posted inEducation
This KC program uses mentorship to improve kids’ reading skills and love for books
“I try to make reading fun, and try to instill the passion for reading in the students that I work with,” said Mark Myers, who originally learned about Lead to Read at work and has been a mentor for several years. “But I get so much perspective from them and a real joy from working with them.”
Posted inState Government
‘This isn’t about athletics:’ Bill banning transgender athletes from school teams vetoed by Gov. Kelly
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a ban on transgender female athletes on Friday, striking down the hot-button issue for the second year and setting up a possible showdown with supporters of the measure when the legislature returns to the Kansas Statehouse next week. This year is the third in a row that a bill proposing restrictions […]
Posted inKansas State Government
‘This isn’t about athletics:’ Bill banning transgender athletes from school teams vetoed by Gov. Kelly
Editor’s note: We updated this story on April 19 to reflect that Rep. Susan Estes was absent for the April 1 vote on Senate Bill 160. Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a ban on transgender female athletes on Friday, striking down the hot-button issue for the second year and setting up a possible showdown with supporters […]
Posted inState Government
Potential budget surplus could mean tax credits for Missourians, but some would rather see programs funded
Update (April 21, 2022): This story has been updated to reflect the House’s passage of the bill. A $46 billion budget package passed out of the Missouri House earlier this month, after federal funds left the state flush with cash. The Republican-led House sent the Senate a budget proposal that leaves nearly $2 billion unspent […]
Posted inLocal Government
Condemnations of dangerous and dilapidated houses tripled in Wichita in 2021
There are some houses in Dana Edwards’ neighborhood that catch her eye — boarded-up homes, ones that look like the porches are falling in, abandoned houses. The city of Wichita owns some of them. “They catch your eye because they aren’t in the proper condition of a livable house,” said Edwards, who is the president […]