In 2018, Sharice Davids tapped moderate views and flipped the Kansas 3rd Congressional District into Democratic hands. Davids, a mixed martial artist and first-generation college student, defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder. In doing so, she became the first LGBTQ Native American elected to Congress. Now she’s running for a fourth term against Lenexa oncologist […]
Kansas
Posted inKansas
Johnson County could be key to breaking the GOP’s supermajority in Kansas
A few moderate Republicans are the only reason transgender minors can still get gender-affirming care in Kansas. The GOP’s legislative supermajority tried to ban the practice until age 18. But conservatives fell two votes short of overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto — thanks to those Republicans. Kansas Republicans have a veto-proof majority in both the […]
Posted inState Government
Kansas families helping intellectually disabled kids are burnt out, doing care for free, KU study says
Kansans helping friends or family who have intellectual disabilities are burnt out. They miss work, sometimes get a new job entirely and regularly offer daily care while paying for that help from their own pockets, a University of Kansas study said. Those families appealed to the state for help, but the intellectual developmental disability, or […]
Posted inState Government
Medical marijuana still faces opposition from Kansas law enforcement
Kansas police are once again saying no to drugs — including medical marijuana. On Tuesday, groups representing police chiefs, sheriffs and peace officers across the state continued to shoot down the idea of legalizing medical marijuana. They argued that legal weed would create a more lawless Kansas where cartels roam the streets and opioid deaths […]
Posted inElections
How do I view my sample ballot? Your Missouri and Kansas guide
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Posted inElections
Kansas Board of Education: Your election guide to the 2024 showdowns
Half the seats on the Kansas Board of Education are up for election. The 10-seat board is losing three of the more moderate elected officials, which could swing the political leanings of the board to the left or right. The Beacon asked Board of Education candidates the same list of questions to see their priorities […]
Posted inElections
Kansas’ top election official suggests drop boxes over USPS for your mail ballot
This story was updated to include comments from the most recent conversation between Kansas and USPS officials. Kansans should think twice before mailing their ballots this election, the state’s top election official said. The warning comes after Scott Schwab, the secretary of state, said the U.S. Postal Service likely won’t address problems that led to […]
Posted inElections
Beryl New and Bruce Schultz run for northeastern Kansas State Board of Education seat
A retired teacher and a current Kansas State University professor are running for the state school board. Republicans have won this seat in the past five elections. Election day is Nov. 5. Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote and early voting starts Oct. 16. You can find your polling place and […]
Posted inElections
Betty Arnold and Jason Carmichael run for Wichita State Board of Education seat
Betty Arnold is running for another term on the state school board, but Army veteran Jason Carmichael is trying to take her place. Republicans have won this seat three times in the past five elections. Election day is Nov. 5, Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote and early voting starts Oct. […]
Posted inElections
Melanie Haas defends Kansas Board of Education seat against two challengers
Democrat Melanie Haas is trying to keep her Kansas Board of Education seat from two challengers. Republicans have won this seat three times in the past five elections. Election day is Nov. 5. Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote. Early voting starts Oct. 16. You can find your polling place and […]