Civil Rights
Election Day game plan paramount for Kansas voters amid pandemic, record turnout
TOPEKA — To minimize Election Day hiccups, voting rights advocates in Kansas are strongly encouraging voters to make a game plan before heading to the polls Tuesday. Amid a pandemic and record voter turnout, the 2020 general election will look and feel a little different in Kansas than in years past. Voters will be greeted […]
Members of Kansas racial justice panel balk at Fraternal Order of Police stipulations
TOPEKA — Members of Gov. Laura Kelly’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice are concerned about proposed limitations on an upcoming listening session with the Kansas Fraternity of Police. Kate Davis, director of regulatory affairs in the governor’s office, notified the commission that the Kansas branch of the FOP wants to limit participation in the […]
FHSU survey finds Trump leading in Kansas, half say BLM deepens racial divide
Annual poll by Fort Hays State University shows support for Trump, frustration with Black Lives Matter and desire to legalize recreational marijuana.
Senate candidate rejects GOP mailers distorting her votes on police budget
Kansas Senate candidate Lindsey Constance rips GOP mailers falsely claiming she supported defunding Shawnee police department.
KC Freedom Project’s Latahra Smith answers call for justice from wrongfully convicted
Lataruh Smith leads KC Freedom Project, a ministry working for people allegedly wrongfully imprisoned. Her fight is personal and professional.
Activist: Repeat caller weaponized Topeka police against autistic child
TOPEKA — An activist supporting a child with autism who was handcuffed and thrown to the ground by a Topeka police officer says the department is allowing residents to weaponize officers against minorities. The 14-year-old boy’s family and supporters are calling for increased accountability for those who file false reports or claims and that the […]
Biden in final debate vows immigration overhaul in first 100 days as president
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Thursday night distanced himself from the Obama administration’s handling of undocumented people that led to the highest rate of deportations of any presidency and said he would act swiftly on immigration as president. During the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Biden admitted the Obama […]
Topeka police audit finds concerning behavior by officer who used force on autistic child
TOPEKA — A Topeka police auditor determined an officer abided by department policy but used “concerning” judgment last month when he cursed at an autistic child, pepper sprayed the child’s dog, and handcuffed and threw the child to the ground, breaking the child’s wrist. Body camera video shows the officer yelling at the 14-year-old boy […]
Senate panel endorses confirmation of Robba Moran, three others
The Kansas Senate's confirmation committee votes to affirm nominations of two people to the State Banking Board and to the KU Hospital board.
‘Representation matters’: Kansas candidates hope to bring diverse voices to office
MANHATTAN — Stephanie Byers sits in her living room, surrounded by her collection of guitars, to participate in one of the many Zoom calls on her schedule. The Democratic candidate for the Kansas House said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced her to change the way she campaigns. In March, she walked the Wichita district’s streets, […]
Federal judge affirms constitutionality of Kansas’ 250-foot buffer zone at voting sites
The Kansas law forbidding electioneering within a 250-foot radius of voting sites is deemed constitutional by a federal judge.
COVID-19 infects Kansas judicial system with backlog of more than 1,700 trials
At least 1,700 criminal trials have been delayed due to COVID-19 in Kansas, and lifting statewide disaster declaration will overwhelm judiciary.