Voters are already trickling into the Sedgwick County Election Office to cast their ballots. Early voting runs through Nov. 1 and Election Day is Nov. 2. Ready to exercise your right to vote? Here’s a nonpartisan guide to make it as easy as possible. I’m an in-person voter in Sedgwick County. What do I need? […]
Wichita
Posted inLocal Government
‘I understand your concern’: Sedgwick County COVID Ambassador program beats back vaccine hesitancy
Mark Ayres considers himself a conservative. But that doesn’t mean he’s not vaccinated. It’s something he’s found himself repeating in conversations as a recently-trained Sedgwick County COVID Ambassador — a new county program training people to communicate information about COVID-19 and vaccinations. “The pathogen could care less what my political beliefs are,” Ayres said. “We’re […]
Posted inEducation
Wichita Board of Education candidates weigh in on COVID, engagement and diversity
How should Wichita schools keep students safe during the pandemic? How can parents be more engaged? How can the school system find post-pandemic success? With nine people running for four seats on the Wichita Board of Education, The Wichita Beacon surveyed the candidates on several issues ahead of the Nov. 2 election. In the race […]
Posted inEducation
The F word families dread: FAFSA season is here
It’s financial aid season across the U.S., and high school seniors and college students are already figuring out how they’ll pay for their education next year. A big part of that calculation will be the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a yearly financial aid application process for students who can’t pay for their post-high […]
Posted inLocal Government
Your pressing questions for Wichita City Council candidates answered ahead of the Nov. 2 election
This fall, six candidates are vying for three seats on the Wichita City Council. In District 3, incumbent Jared Cerullo faces Mike Hoheisel, while District 6 incumbent Cindy Claycomb is running against Maggie Ballard. The challengers in both races received the most votes in their Aug. 3 primaries. In District 1, incumbent Brandon Johnson contends […]
Posted inWatchdog
Fentanyl-laced drugs are in Wichita. Here’s what can be done to keep residents alive.
Dr. Heather Roe has a front-row seat in watching a generation of parents bury their kids. She’s an addiction medicine specialist running Harmony Medical Clinic, a facility that specializes in medical treatments for people addicted to opioids, alcohol and other substances. Drug addiction has been a national concern for years, but she’s seeing a dramatic […]
Posted inLocal Government
What is the impact of corporate money in Wichita City Council races?
Venture Investments Inc. Wichita Crossing LLC. Regency 21 LLC. In Wichita City Council races this year, vaguely named LLCs and corporations pepper the donation sheets of candidates. Since the council changed its campaign finance policies in 2015 to permit corporations and businesses to donate in city elections, these sources now make up a significant portion […]
Posted inLocal Government
How Wichita’s proposed nondiscrimination ordinance would work
UPDATE: On Oct. 12, the Wichita City Council voted 6-1 to pass the nondiscrimination ordinance. The council approved amendments to the measure proposed by Wichita’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board and rejected an amendment from City Council member Jared Cerullo to expand religious exemptions in the ordinance. This Twitter thread breaks down the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why cities across Kansas enacted LGBTQ protections — and what that means for Wichita
UPDATE: On Oct. 12, the Wichita City Council voted 6-1 to pass the nondiscrimination ordinance. The council approved amendments to the measure proposed by Wichita’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board and rejected an amendment from City Council member Jared Cerullo to expand religious exemptions in the ordinance. This Twitter thread breaks down the […]
Posted inEducation
Few Wichita students walk to school. Here’s why they should.
It’s not every day that fifth graders Terrance Brobst and Jackson Fasig get to walk to school together, but the days they do are some of their favorites. It’s one of the things they missed most when they were stuck at home during the pandemic’s remote learning stages. “We get to walk, talk with our […]