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Emporia State University to close child care center despite student and faculty objections
EMPORIA — Emporia State University will close the doors on its Center for Early Childhood Education after the upcoming school year, making it one of the only state university without any kind of on-campus child care. This shutdown is happening in the midst of a national child care crisis. In Lyon County, there are between […]
Kansas public schools sweep national policy debate titles for first time
TOPEKA — Three Kansas public high schools won all four national policy debate championships this year, an unprecedented accomplishment in an arena dominated by private schools. Policy debate has a rich history of being one of the most esteemed events in high school debate and forensics competitions. This is the first time Kansas schools have […]
Growing concerns voiced over Johnson County schools losing appeal amid education crisis
OVERLAND PARK — In years past, Kansas education has been a selling point for families moving to Johnson County. It has been a recruitment tool to encourage community growth and to pull in young professionals. Today, however, local leaders fear the collapse of their school system. “Essentially, we’re at the point where we’re looking at […]
Bob and Elizabeth Dole awarded Gerald R. Ford medal for distinguished public service
Kansas political icon Bob Dole was awarded the 2022 Gerald R. Ford medal for distinguished public service alongside his wife and former North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Elizabeth Dole accepted the award on both of their behalf July 1. Bob Dole died in December after battling lung cancer. He was 98. “Awarding the Gerald R. Ford […]
At naturalization ceremony, immigrants celebrate ‘beginning of a new life’ for Independence Day
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In the nearly 14 years she’s been in the U.S., Ming Zhang has completed her law degree, started a family and moved to Kansas. A day before Independence Day, she celebrated her naturalization alongside 46 other new citizens. Zhang, an Overland Park resident, gave her Oath of Citizenship outside the Children’s […]
Divisions over Kansas K-12 education spawn misinformation and anxiety at Overland Park forum
OVERLAND PARK — As she sat in the back of the conference room, behind rows and rows of people, she listened to this panel of four talk about Kansas classrooms. How long have the people on this panel spent in public schools, she wondered. More specifically, how long have they spent in Kansas ones? This […]
Kansas creates American Indian education advisory council
TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education has established a temporary advisory council to improve and reform American Indian learning systems in the state. Cheryl Harrison-Lee, chairwoman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said the creation of the council will help state education officials as they try to close enrollment gaps for underserved Kansans. […]
Kansas City protest emphasizes impact of Roe v. Wade ruling on marginalized bodies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hundreds of people came to Mill Creek Park on Friday despite the sticky summer heat to support reproductive rights and to protest the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Imije Ninaz, founder of the Nafasi Center, a nonprofit focused on providing resources to the Black queer, transgender, intersex and non-binary […]
Kansas political leaders, advocacy groups react to Roe v. Wade repeal
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers and activists across the political spectrum present emotional and starkly contrasting responses Friday to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ranging from celebration to outrage to calls for action. With a proposed constitutional amendment on the August primary ballot offering a vote on whether to maintain a […]
Newly appointed Emporia State president plans to bring business practices to higher education
EMPORIA — For more than seven months, the president’s office at Emporia State University sat nearly empty, filled only with necessities for the interim leader. Ken Hush didn’t plan on making that office his, but the time he spent as interim president persuaded him to apply for the permanent position. On Wednesday, he was named […]
‘Death by 1,000 cuts’: Kansas teachers demoralized by current environment
TOPEKA — Caught in a political crossfire and exhausted from the pandemic, Kansas teachers are putting down their books and leaving the profession. In a survey from the National Education Association, 55% of teachers indicated they were ready to leave the classroom. As of April 12, there were 1,381 teacher vacancies in Kansas, according to […]
Education, health care issues bring out candidates on last day to file for Kansas elections
TOPEKA — As the last day to file for Congress, the state Legislature and the Kansas Board of Education came to a close on June 10, many candidates say they hope to tackle education and health care if elected. “I’m running for my children,” said Olathe Democrat Matt Maciel, who filed for the 14th District. […]