Name: Kansas Legislature ends session — and prepares for an encore by Reflector Podcast
Duration: 25 min 35 s
Description: Kansas Reflector opinion editor Clay Wirestone talks with editor in chief Sherman Smith about an overstuffed veto session yielding drama aplenty — not that any of the drama was required — and the prospects of Gov. Laura Kelly calling lawmakers back for a special session to address tax cuts.

Kansas Reflector opinion editor Clay Wirestone talks with editor in chief Sherman Smith about an overstuffed veto session yielding drama aplenty — not that any of the drama was required — and the prospects of Gov. Laura Kelly calling lawmakers back for a special session to address tax cuts.

Kansas Legislature ends session — and prepares for an encore

Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, says former Attorney General Derek Schmidt had taken control of the Republican primary in the 2nd congressional district and that large numbers of potential voters remain disappointed with the presidential options of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.

Kansas political scientist examines 2nd District, presidential options

Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democratic candidate who seeks to reclaim the 2nd District seat in Congress, sees herself as “a strong, independent, moderate woman” appealing to Kansas voters who want difficult challenges resolved in Washington, D.C.

Nancy Boyda makes her pitch for 2nd District seat

Researchers and authors Mary Banwart and Teri Finneman talk about recent attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris for her gender after she replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic Party's presumptive presidential nominee for president.

Researchers see old misogynist playbook in attacks on Harris

Matt Kleinmann grew up in Overland Park and played basketball at the University of Kansas. He faces former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary in the 2nd District.

Matt Kleinmann runs for 2nd District nomination

Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief, and Marisa Kabas, founder of The Handbasket, talk about changes in Marion one year after police raided the newspaper office, and how the raid impacts journalism.

The Marion County Record raid: one year later

Kansas Reflector opinion editor Clay Wirestone hosts a conversation with editor in chief Sherman Smith, senior reporter Tim Carpenter and intern Grace Hills on the multitude of stories that emerged from the primary election — from the 2nd District congressional races to incumbents losing Statehouse races and implications for November.

Kansas Reflector staff dive into primary election storylines

Kansas is being left behind by neighboring states in terms of recreational and medicinal sales of marijuana, which is illegal in Kansas.

Inga Selders, a Prairie Village City Council member and founder of the Cannabis Justice Coalition, dives into this issue with Barry Grissom, a former U.S. attorney for Kansas who serves on the coalition's board.

Kansas cannabis coalition dedicated to legalizing recreational marijuana

Iian Ellis, a University of Kansas lecturer who grew up near London during formative years of punk music, says in a new book the attitude, symbols and sounds of punk rockers changed his life by encouraging him to question authority.

Kansas scholar identifies with punk ethic

Wichita police for decades discriminated against Black and Latino residents by placing them on a "gang list" for dubious reasons, subjecting them to enhanced scrutiny and harassment.

But earlier this year, the city agreed to settle a federal lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Kansas Appleseed, on behalf of the youth advocacy group Progeny, to alter the way police weaponize the "gang list" against minority community members.

Two attorneys who worked on the case — Kunyu Ching with the ACLU and Teresa Woody with Kansas Appleseed — talk about the settlement agreement and the long-term impact of the gang list.

How Kansas advocates forced Wichita police to remodel their 'gang list'

For years, the Kansas Legislature has grappled with the best way to help Kansans in need, including children in foster care. Lawmakers in two interim committees recently met to hear about progress, or the lack of it, in these areas. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone talks with reporter Anna Kaminski about the state's efforts to improve the child welfare system.

Kansas lawmakers give attention to child welfare system

The Kansas Reflector Podcast, hosted by senior reporter Tim Carpenter, presents voices from the people and politics of Kansas.

Kansas Legislature ends session — and prepares for an encore

Reflector Podcast

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