A documentary making its Kansas premiere at the 2026 Tallgrass Film Festival in downtown Wichita called “Wood Street” tells the story of an Oakland, California, encampment.
About The Journal
Nearly 20% of Kansas Adults Struggle With Reading. Here’s What That Means for Them and the State
Studies show that about one in five adults in Kansas can decipher letters and even read simple words. But they can’t read well enough to understand instruction manuals, healthcare forms or safety warnings.
Studies show that about one in five adults in Kansas can decipher letters and even read simple words. But they can’t read well enough to understand instruction manuals, healthcare forms or safety warnings.
Wichita’s Largest Homeless Encampment Site Will Soon Be Razed and Guarded
80-plus homeless people living near Chapin Park will be housed or ejected. To prevent reentry, the city is considering removing trees and providing “constant monitoring” of the area.
80-plus homeless people living near Chapin Park will be housed or ejected. To prevent reentry, the city is considering removing trees and providing “constant monitoring” of the area.
A Graduation Marks First Steps to Reaching the American Dream in Great Bend
Since 2017, more than 87 people have graduated from the Barton County Core Communities program, indirectly affecting 100 children. One of 13 such programs currently operating in Kansas, with more soon to come, it helps lower-income families find stability and increases their chances of stabilizing their living situations, opening bank accounts and securing job promotions. But the road out of poverty can take years.
Since 2017, more than 87 people have graduated from the Barton County Core Communities program, indirectly affecting 100 children. One of 13 such programs currently operating in Kansas, with more soon to come, it helps lower-income families find stability and increases their chances of stabilizing their living situations, opening bank accounts and securing job promotions. But the road out of poverty can take years.
Documentary Shows Importance of Promoting Early Literacy
Recent screening of ‘Sentenced’ at Exploration Place shows how Illiteracy impacts daily life. Film and discussion event shows need for cross-sector collaboration.
Recent screening of ‘Sentenced’ at Exploration Place shows how Illiteracy impacts daily life. Film and discussion event shows need for cross-sector collaboration.
‘Collaborating and Partnering With Experts’: Fairmount Food Desert and the People Working to Combat It
The greatest food desert areas in Wichita are located in the southeast part of Wichita and Fairmount neighborhood, which is the neighborhood next to Wichita State University, from 17th and Hillside to 13th and Oliver.
The greatest food desert areas in Wichita are located in the southeast part of Wichita and Fairmount neighborhood, which is the neighborhood next to Wichita State University, from 17th and Hillside to 13th and Oliver.
With Juniper Arts, Vulnerable Kids Get to Be Kids Again
A Wichita nonprofit provides art and music classes to children in foster care and juvenile detention.
A Wichita nonprofit provides art and music classes to children in foster care and juvenile detention.
‘We Have to Be Realistic’: Kansas Housing Policies Under Examination in the Statehouse
Legislation aims to respond to housing shortage, lack of standards for habitation and protections for tenants facing evictions.
Legislation aims to respond to housing shortage, lack of standards for habitation and protections for tenants facing evictions.
Kansas Republicans Put Transgender Bathroom Restrictions Into Law, Overriding a Veto
Republicans voted to override the governor’s veto and put the restrictions into state law. It will require people to use bathrooms in public places that align with their sex assigned at birth.
Republicans voted to override the governor’s veto and put the restrictions into state law. It will require people to use bathrooms in public places that align with their sex assigned at birth.
Opinion: Black History, White Students
Generations of white children had learned to see unequal treatment as ordinary, expected and deserved. They learned to accept or to ignore injustice while developing an unearned sense of superiority. This damaged all of society, not just those oppressed by it.
Generations of white children had learned to see unequal treatment as ordinary, expected and deserved. They learned to accept or to ignore injustice while developing an unearned sense of superiority. This damaged all of society, not just those oppressed by it.
Unaligned or Opportunity? Wichita Service Providers and Homeless Advocates Debate 1% Sales Tax’s Ability to Fill Crucial Gaps
Workers in the homelessness ecosystem, people of lived experience and housing advocates weigh in on the special election.
Workers in the homelessness ecosystem, people of lived experience and housing advocates weigh in on the special election.
Does Kansas Need Immigrants Despite Crackdown? Key Business Leaders Say ‘Yes’
Leaders with strong ties to the agriculture industry and the Republican Party don’t criticize Trump’s immigration policies. But they do say Kansas and its consumers will be poorer if the state’s 80,000-some undocumented immigrants are pushed out.
Leaders with strong ties to the agriculture industry and the Republican Party don’t criticize Trump’s immigration policies. But they do say Kansas and its consumers will be poorer if the state’s 80,000-some undocumented immigrants are pushed out.
Using Conversation as a Social Glue in Rural Kansas
With polarization often dividing communities, parts of Kansas are launching novel engagement efforts to bring residents back together. The tactics vary from town to town, but an emphasis on face-to-face dialogue and making interaction meaningful are two of the principles that tend to unite the state’s varied bridge-building efforts.
With polarization often dividing communities, parts of Kansas are launching novel engagement efforts to bring residents back together. The tactics vary from town to town, but an emphasis on face-to-face dialogue and making interaction meaningful are two of the principles that tend to unite the state’s varied bridge-building efforts.
What Can Kansans Do About Abandoned Housing? Sue the Owners, for One
A legal test case in Leavenworth County is taking the litigious route to turn abandoned homes into affordable housing.
A legal test case in Leavenworth County is taking the litigious route to turn abandoned homes into affordable housing.
The Kansas Town That’s Become a Mecca for Contemporary Art
Founded in 2015, the Tallgrass Artist Residency has brought painters, poets, photographers, and more to Matfield Green, a Flint Hills town of just 50 residents.
Founded in 2015, the Tallgrass Artist Residency has brought painters, poets, photographers, and more to Matfield Green, a Flint Hills town of just 50 residents.
Reporter’s Notebook: De-Escalation, as a Journalist
Staff Reporter Stefania Lugli writes about her experience taking de-escalation training with other journalists reporting on homelessness.
Staff Reporter Stefania Lugli writes about her experience taking de-escalation training with other journalists reporting on homelessness.