Martha and the Vandellas recorded an anthem for the civil rights era – and fought for fair pay • Kansas Reflector The CBS television show “It’s What’s Happening Baby” aired a music video featuring Martha and the Vandellas performing their hit song “Nowhere to Run” to kick off its national broadcast dedicated to D...

Opinion from Austin McCoy: Martha and the Vandellas recorded an anthem for the civil rights era – and fought for fair pay

National Guard 'follows the Constitution,' general says of troops possibly deployed to polls • Kansas Reflector The National Guard’s top general told Congress on Friday that it would follow the Constitution and the law.

National Guard ‘follows the Constitution,’ general says of troops possibly deployed to polls | via @jonshorman.bsky.social #ksleg

Limits on speech rights for military retirees at issue in Sen. Kelly case against DOD • Kansas Reflector Sen. Mark Kelly’s legal team is urging a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling while his First Amendment case moves forward.

Limits on speech rights for military retirees at issue in Sen. Kelly case against DOD | via @jennifershutt.bsky.social #ksleg

Food assistance audit finds potential $1.2 million paid to people living outside Kansas • Kansas Reflector A state audit found that as much as $1.2 million in food assistance payments could have been made to people living outside Kansas.

Food assistance audit finds potential $1.2 million paid to people living outside Kansas | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Four Kansas school districts violate federal law with gender-inclusive policies • Kansas Reflector The U.S. Department of Education told four Kansas school districts on Friday their gender-inclusive policies violate federal student protections.

Four Kansas school districts violate federal law with gender-inclusive policies | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

How plans to revive the veteran ‘claim sharks’ bill fell apart as Kansas legislative session ended • Kansas Reflector After lawmakers sustained Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto on the bill that would have allowed legally questioned for-profit consultants to charge veterans for help filing their disability claims, Veterans of ...

How plans to revive the veteran ‘claim sharks’ bill fell apart as Kansas legislative session ended | via @gracefromkansas.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s PSA meekly counters utopian AI promises  • Kansas Reflector Attorney General Kris Kobach — with some help from a nebulous technology group — has sounded an alarm about AI this week, releasing a PSA.

Opinion from Eric Thomas: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s PSA meekly counters utopian AI promises #ksleg

In rush to finish early, Kansas lawmakers jettison public input and risk poorly crafted bills • Kansas Reflector Democrats and advocates warn that the fast pace of the legislative session leads to shoddy bills and budget problems.

In rush to finish early, Kansas lawmakers jettison public input and risk poorly crafted bills | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social, @journalist-sherman.bsky.social, @kansascarpenter.bsky.social and @gracefromkansas.bsky.social #ksleg

Homeland Security’s SAVE program divides election officials as November nears • Kansas Reflector As the midterms approach, Republican and Democratic election officials are split over a powerful federal computer program at the center of President Donald Trump’s quest to expose noncitizen voters an...

Homeland Security’s SAVE program divides election officials as November nears | via @jonshorman.bsky.social #ksleg

First ICE officer charged with assault for threatening people with a gun in Minnesota • Kansas Reflector Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Thursday filed criminal charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer for allegedly brandishing his service weapon at two people during Opera...

First ICE officer charged with assault for threatening people with a gun in Minnesota | via @maxnesterak.bsky.social #ksleg

Justice Sotomayor apologizes for 'hurtful comments' about Kavanaugh at Kansas event • Kansas Reflector U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor formally apologized for critiquing a colleague while speaking in Kansas last week, admitting her remarks were “inappropriate” and “hurtful.”

Justice Sotomayor apologizes for ‘hurtful comments’ about Kavanaugh at Kansas event | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Democrats in Congress question RFK Jr. priorities • Kansas Reflector Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before Congress on Thursday that he’s not pleased with how spending cuts to programs that help lower-income Americans afford food wi...

‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Democrats in Congress question RFK Jr. priorities | via @jennifershutt.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas congressional candidates with military experience criticize Trump's handling of Iran war • Kansas Reflector Candidates for U.S. House and Senate express concern with President Donald Trump's handling of the war with Iran.

Kansas congressional candidates with military experience criticize Trump’s handling of Iran war | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansan shares personal story with U.S. Senate about life-altering veterans treatment court • Kansas Reflector Two former Army soldiers and a Marine ask U.S. Senate to invest in special treatment courts to help veterans with PTSD and substance abuse issues.

Kansan shares personal story with U.S. Senate about life-altering veterans treatment court | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas built America’s foundation. Now it can power our nation's future through data centers. • Kansas Reflector For the United States to remain competitive in the global market, we must build this infrastructure at scale, and Kansas should lead.

Opinion from Jan Kessinger: Kansas built America’s foundation. Now it can power our nation’s future through data centers. #ksleg

‘Brazen offenses’: Kansas lawmakers undermine public input in legislative process • Kansas Reflector Republican leaders in the Legislature this year repeatedly ignored traditional legislative practices designed to solicit public input, taking away Kansans’ opportunities to be heard.

‘Brazen offenses’: Kansas lawmakers undermine public input in legislative process | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Tax Day 2026: Democrats and Republicans battle over impact of new Trump tax cuts • Kansas Reflector The 2026 tax filing season closed Wednesday with the Trump administration and Republicans on Capitol Hill hailing success under last year’s massive tax cuts law, while Democrats said any benefits have...

Tax Day 2026: Democrats and Republicans battle over impact of new Trump tax cuts | via @ashleymurray.bsky.social #ksleg

How Republicans in Congress could fully fund ICE for years to come — and maybe do more • Kansas Reflector Republicans in Congress are once again looking toward the complex budget reconciliation process as a way to achieve some of their policy goals without Democratic votes.

How Republicans in Congress could fully fund ICE for years to come — and maybe do more | via @jennifershutt.bsky.social #ksleg

Two Kansas nominees for U.S. District Court answer questions about ties to Marion newspaper raid • Kansas Reflector U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee puts through the confirmation process three Kansans nominated by President Donald Trump to become federal judges.

Two Kansas nominees for U.S. District Court answer questions about ties to Marion newspaper raid | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas educators seek restart of superintendent search at Kansas School for the Deaf • Kansas Reflector Kansas officials are working to hire a superintendent at Kansas School for the Deaf, but some want the search redone to include deaf people in the process.

Kansas educators seek restart of superintendent search at Kansas School for the Deaf | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Republicans flout fiscal notes in rush to pass costly, contentious bills • Kansas Reflector House and Senate Republicans throughout this year's legislative session routinely brushed aside concerns about the projected costs of policies as a way of hushing objections from their political adver...

Kansas Republicans flout fiscal notes in rush to pass costly, contentious bills | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

An unholy war recruitment poster: Trump’s AI slop image depicts encroaching darkness • Kansas Reflector AI slop mimics genuine artwork but lacks substance and serves as clickbait. Its sole purpose is to draw fleeting attention.

Opinion from Huascar Medina: An unholy war recruitment poster: Trump’s AI slop image depicts encroaching darkness #ksleg

Updated with quote from governor, via @gracefromkansas.bsky.social: “I mean, part of the problem is that legislators are out there promising the moon to people when it comes to property taxes. The fact of the matter is the state has very little control over property taxes.” #ksleg

Kansas lawmakers lean on rule against 'impugning motives,' stifling criticism • Kansas Reflector Republicans have leveraged the written and unwritten rules — including one against impugning motives — that govern conduct, and silence dissent.

"The committee’s vice chair later told Stiehler in an email that she should 'know when to shut up,' and he asked her to send her husband and colleague to testify instead."

Awesome reporting (as always) from @anna-writes.bsky.social.

kansasreflector.com/2026/04/14/k...

#KSLeg

Trump’s DOJ wants personal voter data for ‘improper purposes,’ Michigan official says • Kansas Reflector The Department of Justice’s stated reason for obtaining sensitive personal data on millions of voters masks the Trump administration’s true intention for obtaining state voter lists, Michigan’s top el...

Trump’s DOJ wants personal voter data for ‘improper purposes,’ Michigan official says | via @jonshorman.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/04/14/r...

Are you smarter than a fifth grader on water issues? Kansas governor faces students' questions • Kansas Reflector Gov. Laura Kelly faced a sea of fifth graders Tuesday to answer their questions about water policy, conservation, and what the Legislature is doing to help the next generation.

Are you smarter than a fifth grader on water issues? Kansas governor faces students’ questions | via @gracefromkansas.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas State Board of Education turns inward for new state commissioner of K-12 education • Kansas Reflector The Kansas State Board of Education votes 7-1 to appoint state Department of Education employee Jake Steel to become commissioner of K-12 education.

Kansas State Board of Education turns inward for new state commissioner of K-12 education | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

'The people of Kansas lost': Last-ditch attempt at property tax relief devolves into finger-pointing • Kansas Reflector The Kansas Legislature's last-ditch attempt to make good on campaign promises to deliver property tax relief devolved into finger-pointing between candidates for governor and infighting among Republic...

‘The people of Kansas lost’: Last-ditch attempt at property tax relief devolves into finger-pointing | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas lawmakers lean on rule against 'impugning motives,' stifling criticism • Kansas Reflector Republicans have leveraged the written and unwritten rules — including one against impugning motives — that govern conduct, and silence dissent.

Kansas lawmakers lean on rule against ‘impugning motives,’ stifling criticism | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Republicans go all in on defunding the police as exhausting 2026 session burns itself out • Kansas Reflector The Kansas legislature went out in a spasm of dysfunction early Saturday, with lawmakers clashing over another doomed tax measure.

Opinion editor @claywires.bsky.social writes: Kansas Republicans go all in on defunding the police as exhausting 2026 session burns itself out #ksleg