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.
City of Wichita
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
Wichita Black community presses school board member to back change in how members are elected
“Holistically and intrinsically, I like Black people representing me, but that’s not always the case… So, I look for, as Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, I look for the content of a person’s character. I look for someone who is African American but if that is not the case I look for someone who can do the things I just said.”
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education
Black activists in Wichita lead the way in USD 259 school board voting reform
Currently, five of seven school board members want to put school board election reform before voters. Diane Albert of District 1 and Hazel Stabler of District 6 currently do not believe the question is worth putting on the ballot.
Posted inHealth, Local Government
‘Much more death now than there was’: How fentanyl changed opioid addiction treatment in Wichita
The risk of an overdose is high while patients wait for addiction treatment. Specialists want more resources and fewer obstacles to harm-reduction measures.
Posted inEducation
August means back-to-school in Wichita. Here are local events to get you ready.
School is just about to begin in Wichita, and there are many things to get done: school meal forms, supplies shopping, vaccinations and more must be completed before the 2022-2023 school year begins. Here is a list of events that parents and students might enjoy or find helpful as the final days of summer bring […]
Posted inHealth, Local Government
Drug overdose deaths caused by fentanyl are skyrocketing in Wichita. Here’s what you need to know.
In the past four years, the number of people who died from drug overdoses annually in Sedgwick County more than doubled, a dramatic increase attributed almost entirely to fentanyl. The rise in fentanyl overdoses is a recent, growing problem that’s required an urgent response from the city, according to law enforcement and forensic scientists. Fentanyl […]
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 […]
Posted inEducation
How Wichita school safety plans address intruders
“Not too long ago we had the local police come in and train teachers,” said Nathan Washer, head of Wichita Collegiate School. “They were shown how to use whatever they could find to keep someone away from their students.”
Posted inDIY Democracy, Education, How To
Here is how to get involved with and understand your Wichita public school’s budget
“I hope that people don’t feel intimidated to get involved,” said Stan Reeser, president of the Wichita Board of Education. “It’s our job to listen to what they say, they’re the boss.”