Clay Wirestone, Kansas Reflector opinion editor

We live in an attention economy, driven by social media gadflies and AI slop. Commentators abound who will feed your fear no matter the facts. Be wary of them. #ksleg

A Carnegie library opened in 1914 is still a lifeline for this rural Kansas town. With no popups. • Kansas Reflector I’ve come to Peabody to visit the birthplace of the first free library in Kansas. What better place than a civic temple to fact?

Opinion from @maxmccoy.com: A Carnegie library opened in 1914 is still a lifeline for this rural Kansas town. With no popups. #ksleg

World Cup ticketing brings waves of confusion, delay for Kansas soccer fans • Kansas Reflector Believe it or not, tickets for the United States’ largest sporting event — the World Cup — basically don’t exist.

World Cup ticketing brings waves of confusion, delay for Kansas soccer fans | via @ericthomasphoto.bsky.social #ksleg

From budget cuts to lack of volunteers, Kansas counties face increased fire response times • Kansas Reflector Amid budget shortfalls across the state, public safety departments are facing cuts. And service providers are sounding alarms about the impact those cuts could have, especially in rural communities.

From budget cuts to lack of volunteers, Kansas counties face increased fire response times | via @maya3smith.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas has amassed a $26 million fund from sports gambling revenue to help woo Chiefs, Royals • Kansas Reflector Kansas has been quietly building a pot of more than $26 million that can be used for attracting professional sports teams to the state, giving the state an edge in its “border war” with Missouri.

Kansas has amassed a $26 million fund from sports gambling revenue to help woo Chiefs, Royals | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

How the federal shutdown is playing out across the government • Kansas Reflector The first federal government shutdown in seven years has left hundreds of thousands of workers furloughed and members of the public struggling to understand what’s open, what’s closed and what might b...

How the federal shutdown is playing out across the government | via @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social, @jennifershutt.bsky.social, @ashleymurray.bsky.social and Shauneen Miranda #ksleg

Kansas Republicans shift focus from gerrymandering to anti-trans law in quest for a special session • Kansas Reflector Republican legislative leaders are urging lawmakers to support their push for a special session where they can both ban Kansans from altering gender markers on their driver's licenses and redraw congr...

Kansas Republicans shift focus from gerrymandering to anti-trans law in quest for a special session | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas ranks as 10th most religious state, while ‘nones’ continue to increase • Kansas Reflector The number of Kansans who are not affiliated with any religion, sometimes called “nones,” has doubled since 2007, in keeping with a national trend of a less religious but more spiritual America.

Kansas ranks as 10th most religious state, while ‘nones’ continue to increase | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas post-secondary schools see increased enrollment, plan for challenges ahead • Kansas Reflector Universities across Kansas celebrated a third year of growing enrollments on Wednesday, even as they prepare for the future challenges.

Kansas post-secondary schools see increased enrollment, plan for challenges ahead | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

With Republicans and Democrats at an impasse over how to keep the wheels of our nation turning, perhaps we should take a look at those comments from Kansas senators and representatives, to see how they’re pitching the whole mess to constituents. #ksleg

Kansas officials crack down on 'brazen' sales of marijuana and THC products with statewide raids • Kansas Reflector Kansas Bureau of Investigation director Tony Mattivi and Attorney General Kris Kobach announced a crackdown Wednesday on "brazen" sales of marijuana and THC as law enforcement raided 10 shops in six c...

Kansas officials crack down on ‘brazen’ sales of marijuana and THC products with statewide raids |
Via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

Fort Riley closes 15+ departments, furloughs employees after federal government shutdown • Kansas Reflector Fort Riley announced Wednesday that many civilian employees are furloughed as a result of the federal government shutdown.

Fort Riley closes 15+ departments, furloughs employees after federal government shutdown | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas disability service providers say conflict of interest rule could cause 'massive' problems • Kansas Reflector Complying with a federal policy designed to avoid conflicts of interest could cause “massive system disruption” for Kansans who have IDD.

Kansas disability service providers say conflict of interest rule could cause ‘massive’ problems | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Avoid Tylenol because of autism risks? Not so fast, says this Kansas scientist. • Kansas Reflector Studies suggest an association between heavy use of Tylenol and autism spectrum disorders, but a causal relationship remains to be established

Opinion from Syed Jamal: Avoid Tylenol because of autism risks? Not so fast, says this Kansas scientist. #ksleg

Lawsuit: Casey's 'overcharges' by not honoring advertised sale prices • Kansas Reflector The Casey’s convenience-store chain is facing a lawsuit alleging it overcharges consumers by not honoring sale prices at the cash register.

Lawsuit: Casey’s ‘overcharges’ by not honoring advertised sale prices | via Clark Kauffman #ksleg

Kansas cancer survivor fears for health care as Congress weighs premium tax credit extension • Kansas Reflector Dawn Wheeler, a small business owner in Edwardsville, receives treatment for her metastatic breast cancer almost weekly.

Kansas cancer survivor fears for health care as Congress weighs premium tax credit extension | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas judge dismisses Kobach's lawsuit over governor's refusal to give food program data to feds • Kansas Reflector A Kansas district court judge dismissed a case filed by AG Kris Kobach that challenged the right of Kansas to withhold personal SNAP data.

Kansas judge dismisses Kobach’s lawsuit over governor’s refusal to give food program data to feds | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Superintendent resigns from Kansas school district after allegations of sexual harassment, touching • Kansas Reflector Ty Theurer resigned Monday as superintendent of Comanche County schools amid public outrage over allegations he sexually harassed and inappropriately touched a student.

Superintendent resigns from Kansas school district after allegations of sexual harassment, touching | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

CoreCivic inks new contract with ICE while awaiting legal decisions on Kansas prison • Kansas Reflector CoreCivic signed a new contract valued at $60 million a year with ICE to house migrant detainees at its Leavenworth facility.

CoreCivic inks new contract with ICE while awaiting legal decisions on Kansas prison | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Loganbill: “Plainspoken Books is is really interested in telling authentic Midwest stories and getting them in front of a national readership. I’m thinking about Midwest politics, environmental issues, cultural stories, history, investigative journalism.” #ksleg

Sierra Club report calls out Kansas utility Evergy for failing to meet climate goals  • Kansas Reflector Evergy received an F for a “multi-year backslide” from renewable investments and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Sierra Club report calls out Kansas utility Evergy for failing to meet climate goals | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

U.S. Sen. Marshall of Kansas fears in-person town halls will lead to violence • Kansas Reflector Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said in-person town halls will lead to violence, but he doesn’t plan to stop holding them.

U.S. Sen. Marshall of Kansas fears in-person town halls will lead to violence | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Supreme Court sides with woman who lost job offer after she refused COVID-19 vaccine • Kansas Reflector The Kansas Supreme Court sided Friday with a woman who lost a job offer when she refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine, rejecting the employer's arguments that federal law supersedes a state law restricti...

Kansas Supreme Court sides with woman who lost job offer after she refused COVID-19 vaccine | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

We’re all afraid of political violence and retribution. But don’t be drawn into remaining silent. • Kansas Reflector We have arrived in a new country with unexpected urgency, accompanied by political violence and pressure on free speech.

Opinion from @maxmccoy.com: We’re all afraid of political violence and retribution. But don’t be drawn into remaining silent. #ksleg

Photographer’s K-State presentation showcases project on shrinking Kansas newspapers • Kansas Reflector The Kansas Mirror exists in as handheld art: an installment in an emotive, in-progress photo project that freezes our community papers.

Opinion from @ericthomasphoto.bsky.social: Photographer’s K-State presentation showcases project on shrinking Kansas newspapers #ksleg

Kansas abortion restrictions go on trial, with OB-GYNs taking the stand • Kansas Reflector A trial that could determine whether state-imposed abortion restrictions can remain in Kansas began Friday with testimony from the abortion providers behind the challenge.

Kansas abortion restrictions go on trial, with OB-GYNs taking the stand | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas partners with Evergy and TerraPower to explore building a next-generation nuclear power plant • Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce are partnering with TerraPower, a nuclear power company founded by Bill Gates, to explore locating an advanced nuclear power plant in the Sunflowe...

Kansas partners with Evergy and TerraPower to explore building a next-generation nuclear power plant | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Legislature closer to special session for partisan remapping of U.S. House districts • Kansas Reflector GOP leaders in the Kansas Legislature aim for a November special session to redraw U.S. House boundaries to run Democrat Sharice Davids out of office.

Kansas Legislature closer to special session for partisan remapping of U.S. House districts | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

The U.S. Constitution protects a variety of expression that broad majorities of people find tasteless, vulgar and unforgivable. Like it or not. #ksleg

Agriculture secretary announces major crops purchase, antitrust efforts at Kansas City conference • Kansas Reflector U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday plans to boost American farmers by purchasing millions of bushels of crops.

Agriculture secretary announces major crops purchase, antitrust efforts at Kansas City conference | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg