Kansas Reflector Podcast

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Kansas Reflector Podcast

The Kansas Reflector Podcast, hosted by senior reporter Tim Carpenter, presents voices from the people and politics of Kansas.

YWCA of Northeast Kansas invites community to challenge injustice

HOSTED BY: - May 29, 2023

YWCA of Northeast Kansas’ monthlong exploration of social justice anticipates some people might feel uncomfortable before talking more comfortably about the issue in terms of disability rights, housing, music and mental health. Allison Marker and Romae Isom of the YWCA talked about their effort on the Kansas Reflector podcast. Keep reading: YWCA of Northeast Kansas […]

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Child care, family leave at top of list for women’s advocates in Kansas and beyond

HOSTED BY: - May 22, 2023

Wendy Doyle, president and CEO of United WE, a nonpartisan nonprofit that advocates for women in business and civic leadership, said her women’s bill of rights would include family leave, lowering barriers for women to open businesses and ensuring affordable child care. Doyle and Jen Earle, CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners, […]

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How the Kansas Legislature impacted the lives of kids this year

HOSTED BY: - May 15, 2023

Kansas Action for Children’s Heather Braum, Daniel Klaassen and Erin Melton delve into legislation impacting the welfare, education and health of Kansas families. Keep reading: Kansas Action for Children sounds alarm on anti-vax, food security and child care bills Auto-generated transcript of this episode

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Wulf James appears on the Kansas Reflector podcast to talk about the Kansas State Library

A celebration of books and services with the Kansas State Library

HOSTED BY: - May 8, 2023

Wulf James on the Kansas State Library, which offers a journey into state government’s obscure past and access to modern library tools. Keep reading: Kansas State Library offers bestseller ebooks, obscure ag reports and view through a glass floor An auto-generated transcript of this episode

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Scott Schwab on election security and changes in state law

HOSTED BY: - May 1, 2023

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab talks about the integrity of state elections, the new presidential primary, advanced voting, and administrative cleanup. Keep reading: Kansas secretary of state convinced complaints about elections drive county clerks to retire Auto-generated transcript of this episode

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Progeny executive director Marquetta Atkins

Progeny leaders on systemic problems with juvenile justice

HOSTED BY: - April 24, 2023

Four members of Progeny, a Wichita-based youth advocacy group, talk about the groundbreaking 2016 juvenile justice reform bill, what still needs to be done to help at-risk youths, and how Kansas lawmakers approach the issue. Keep reading: ‘It’s set up to fail’: Kansas youth justice leaders discuss state’s lack of progress Auto-generated transcript of podcast

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Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said during the Kansas Reflector podcast the job of attorney general was a better fit for him than serving as governor. The Republican, elected in November, also addressed his legislative agenda and other key issues in the interview. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kris Kobach outlines priorities as Kansas’ top legal officer

HOSTED BY: - April 17, 2023

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who took office in January, talks about mass shootings, abortion, election rules, drugs, retail crime, transparency, transgender athletes and endangered birds. Keep reading: Auto-generated transcript of this episode

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Clay Wirestone, Rachel Mipro, Tim Carpenter and Sherman Smith record a podcast April 7, 2023, at the Kansas Reflector office in Topeka

Takeaways from the 2023 Kansas legislative session

HOSTED BY: - April 10, 2023

Kansas Reflector staff talk about taxes, LGBTQ attacks, abortion, public education and other prominent topics from this legislative session. Keep reading: Statehouse scraps: Kansas session shuts down for spring break with ridiculous all-night marathon Auto-generated transcript of this episode

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A Kansas Reflector reporter examines ‘unfolding environmental disaster’ in Leavenworth County

HOSTED BY: and - April 3, 2023

A Leavenworth county landfill has, in the words of a county commissioner, threatened an “unfolding environmental disaster” for Kansas. Neighbors, the landfill’s owner and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have become entangled in a fiery dispute that has at times involved real flames. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone talks to reporter Allison Kite about […]

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How the Kansas Legislature responded to last year’s abortion vote

HOSTED BY: - March 27, 2023

Chloe Chaffin, program lead for Loud Light and the chapter president of Washburn Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, and Leslie Butsh, field director with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, discuss the state of reproductive rights this legislative session. Keep reading: Kansas activists discuss abortion rights, Legislature’s response to amendment vote Auto-generated transcript […]

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Brian Jordan, executive director of the Kansas Association of School Boards, appears for a March 3, 2023, podcast recording at the Kansas Reflector office in Topeka

Engaged Kansas coalition encourages local public service

HOSTED BY: - March 20, 2023

Brian Jordan, of the Kansas Association of School boards, joins Brenden Wirth and Joel Leftwich, both of the Kansas Farm Bureau, to talk about Engaged Kansas — a new effort to encourage civic-minded folks to enter public life through service on the 6,000 positions on city councils, county commissions and school boards. The nonpartisan, nonpolicy […]

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Sen. Cindy Holscher appears at a desk in front of a microphone and behind a soundboard

Kansas senator, advocate talk medical marijuana

HOSTED BY: - March 13, 2023

Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, and George Hanna, co-director of the Kansas National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana, express frustration with hurdles to legalizing medical marijuana in Kansas — but still hold hope that the Legislature can pass a bill. Keep reading: ‘A little bit nerve-wracking’: Supporters of medical marijuana hold hope for Kansas […]

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