Kansas Reflector Podcast
Kansas Reflector Podcast
The Kansas Reflector Podcast, hosted by senior reporter Tim Carpenter, presents voices from the people and politics of Kansas.
Finney, Haley optimistic for marijuana reform in 2021
Despite action to legalize medical marijuana in more than three dozen states, law enforcement and factions of the medical community have succeeded in deterring comparable reform in Kansas. That could be about to change. Rep. Gail Finney and Sen. David Haley are optimistic the 2021 Legislature can advance a bill legalizing medical marijuana, something they […]
De La Isla reflects on Black Lives Matter, health care, COVID-19
Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla, the Democratic nominee for the 2nd District seat in Congress, says the police department is full of heroes, “but for us to say with a straight face that there is no room for improvement is crazy.” Her campaign is focused on expanding access to preventive health care, and she […]
Sen. Pat Roberts reflects on career in politics, military, journalism
Retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts shares personal insights into his 40-year career as an elected official in Washington, D.C., which was preceded by service in the U.S. Marine Corps and work as a journalist and congressional aide. Highlights from the conversation: “I have to admit that the state of politics — and going through a tough […]
KU professor reflects on reopening of K-12 schools
Dorothy Hines, assistant professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas, says K-12 students can explore COVID-19’s impact on their lives through TikTok, Instagram and other social media. And, she said, children returning to school buildings that were suddenly locked down in March as COVID-19 took hold need to know they are […]
Children’s advocates reflect on investments in quality-of-life programs
John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, and Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, outline concerns for more than 100,000 children living in poverty in Kansas. Wilson says thousands of kids would suffer protracted harm if spending were slashed on programs that feed, house, educate and promote quality […]
Political scientists reflect on primary results, prospects for November
Election analysts from Kansas universities say U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier needs to clearly define herself or risk Kris Kobach’s fate. “Can she develop a message to get that kind of Trump voter to also vote for her?” said Patrick Miller, a political science professor at University of Kansas. “What I’ll be interested in seeing going […]
Lee Norman reflects on management of pandemic
Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says boozy environments harbor perils of COVID-19 for anyone rejecting advice to social distance, wash hands and wear a mask. “They just immerse in virus when they do that,” Norman said. “There’s usually music. When people speak loudly, there’s airborne droplets. And they’re very […]
Susan Wagle reflects on her ‘most difficult year’
Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican with 30 years of experience in the Kansas Legislature, has never been mistaken for a shrinking violet. She took on an otherwise all-male Republican field to make the case she was best suited to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, the dean of Kansas politics. As the primary campaign […]
Kris Kobach warns GOP voters not to be fooled by general election oddsmakers
Former Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s loss to Democrat Laura Kelly in the 2018 governor’s race has given rise to the view of Kobach as a hardcore conservative unwilling or incapable of moving to the center to broaden his appeal. It is part of the calculus of influential Republicans who have embraced U.S. Rep. Roger […]
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, commerce secretary David Toland plan recovery from COVID-19
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and David Toland, secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, are working to retool state government’s investment strategy to expand the economy. It’s a difficult task made more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly says Kansas is better positioned to handle the economic fallout because of actions she took early in […]