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Voter guide: What’s at stake in the vote to retain Kansas Supreme Court justices?
In more than 60 years, no Kansas Supreme Court justice has been ousted by voters. But that hasn’t stopped campaigns from trying. And while no such campaign has made itself known yet this election cycle, one expert told The Beacon that attack ads might begin to appear around mid-October, and would likely oppose keeping the…
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MORE STORIES
A greyhound track without greyhounds featuring slot machines that aren’t slots
When Sedgwick County voted down a proposal to allow slot machines at billionaire Phil Ruffin’s dog racing track in 2007, the Wichita Greyhound Park shut down. For 15 years, it sat dormant while Ruffin tried to bring it back to life in some shape or form. He repeatedly — and without success — lobbied the…
One year later, Wichita works through 60 recommendations to avert another tragedy like Cedric Lofton’s
In response to the death of 17-year-old Cedric “CJ” Lofton a year ago, Sedgwick County asked 23 community members to form a task force to explore what systemic problems in foster care, emergency response and law enforcement contributed to his demise. The group was officially called the Community Task Force to Review Youth Corrections Systems…
Follow the money: Here’s how to research Kansas campaign finance reports
Follow the money, they say. Ever since the Watergate scandal, when then-President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign funded a 1972 break-in and wiretap at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., the phrase “follow the money” has been shorthand to describe the often fraught relationship between campaign donations and political influence. …
How to research federal, state and local candidates on the November ballot in Wichita
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.
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.
Follow the money: How casinos got what they wanted in Kansas’ sports wagering law
How we reported this story: The Wichita Beacon relied on publicly available information from company websites and press releases; business registration paperwork filed with agencies in at least five states; legislative documents including hearing testimony, lawmaker voting records and archived video feeds of legislative proceedings; and lobbyist registration directories and campaign finance data available from…
Who loses – and by how much – with legalized sports gambling in Kansas?
In 2020, the National Council on Problem Gambling told the Kansas Legislature the estimated social cost of Kansas adult problem gamblers is $829 million a year, from gambling-related bankruptcy, divorce, crime and job loss. Using the same methodology, adjusting for inflation and the new population census, The Beacon found that problem gambling would incur an…
Legalized sports betting comes to Kansas before the NFL season
The amount raised by sports betting will determine how much money is available to lure a professional sports team to Kansas, ideally the Kansas City Chiefs from across the state line. That’s because the majority of tax revenues from sports betting is earmarked for a fund for that purpose.
‘A North Star’: Gail Finney, Wichita native and state representative, dies at 63
“She was a North Star,” Danielle Johnson, vice chair of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, said. “She was so proximate to the community, a tangible leader, someone that you know is going to champion causes brought by the community. She led with a level of respect and grace that you don’t oftentimes see.”
Live coverage: Wichita’s 2022 primary election
The 2022 primary is no ordinary election day in Kansas. This year, every voter can vote — even unaffiliated voters who may be unaccustomed to voting in primaries. On all ballots: a proposed constitutional amendment that would remove the right to an abortion from the Kansas Constitution. On party-affiliated ballots: primary elections for U.S. Senate…
Follow the money: Who is funding Kansas abortion amendment ads?
It’s been hard to avoid: yard signs, robocalls, postcards in the mail, Facebook ads and commercials on TV and YouTube. All admonishing Kansans to vote on Aug. 2 on the Kansas abortion amendment that would add language to state’s constitution to take away a state constitutional right to an abortion. The amendment was placed on…
Kansas will be the first state to vote on abortion after Roe. Here’s how we got here.
When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, the court not only repealed federal constitutional protections for abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, it shifted the battle over abortion rights to the states. Kansas is the first battleground. Voters here…
¿Votará en las primarias de Kansas? Esto es lo que puede esperar al emitir su voto
Las elecciones primarias de Kansas son el 2 de agosto, pero los votantes no tienen que esperar tanto tiempo para votar. Ya sea que vote el día de las elecciones, por correo o antes de las elecciones en persona, The Beacon ha creado una guía para ayudarlo a prepararse. ¿Cómo verifico mi información en el…
Voting in the Kansas primary? Here’s what to expect when casting your ballot
The Kansas primary election is on Aug. 2, but voters don’t have to wait that long to vote. Whether you vote on election day, by mail, or early in person, The Beacon has created a guide to help you prepare for the Kansas primary. How do I check my voter registration information?When do I vote?Where…
Cómo registrarse para votar en las elecciones del 2 de agosto en Kansas
Esta historia fue traducida por Claudia Yaujar-Amaro. Esta historia también está disponible en inglés. Lea aquí. Las elecciones primarias en Kansas son el 2 de agosto, dando a los votantes la oportunidad de decidir quién aparecerá en la boleta electoral de noviembre para puestos muy importantes, incluyendo el de gobernador, fiscal general del estado y…
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