Reporters fanned out across the Kansas City area to talk with organizations and people affected by a freeze in federal assistance. But Friday afternoon while legal battles continued in the federal courts, a Kansas agency announced that full SNAP payments would go out, at least this month.
Rural, Urban Locales Connect Through Science and Youth-Football
The first-ever Cosmo Bowl brought fifth- and sixth-grade teams from Buhler and Wyandotte counties for a college-gameday-style event. The effort was designed to raise funds for a science-themed early childhood center in Hutchinson.
The first-ever Cosmo Bowl brought fifth- and sixth-grade teams from Buhler and Wyandotte counties for a college-gameday-style event. The effort was designed to raise funds for a science-themed early childhood center in Hutchinson.
Demand for Food Aid: ‘This Crisis Isn’t Going Away’
Even prior to the government shutdown, local food banks and soup kitchens were seeing an increased demand for help. With federal SNAP funds facing an uncertain future, Wichita nonprofit directors who serve the needy are frustrated with Congress and social media stereotyping of the poor.
Even prior to the government shutdown, local food banks and soup kitchens were seeing an increased demand for help. With federal SNAP funds facing an uncertain future, Wichita nonprofit directors who serve the needy are frustrated with Congress and social media stereotyping of the poor.
Kansas Counted Fewer Homeless People This Year. Trump’s Policy Changes Risk Growing It Again
President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending federal funding for Housing First programs that offer permanent housing without requiring mental health or drug services. Homeless advocates say it could undo their work.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending federal funding for Housing First programs that offer permanent housing without requiring mental health or drug services. Homeless advocates say it could undo their work.
Swept Away: Realities of Homelessness Defy Strict Approach
The rate of encampment cleanups in Wichita has dramatically increased compared to last year, but still-visible homelessness frustrates community and city council members.
The rate of encampment cleanups in Wichita has dramatically increased compared to last year, but still-visible homelessness frustrates community and city council members.
ICE Detainees in Kansas Jail Complain of Overcrowding and Medical Neglect: ‘A War of Attrition’
Detainees in a Cottonwood Falls jail describe sleeping on the floor in overcapacity cells. Amid a national deportation surge, this jail is one of the region’s primary immigration detention centers.
Detainees in a Cottonwood Falls jail describe sleeping on the floor in overcapacity cells. Amid a national deportation surge, this jail is one of the region’s primary immigration detention centers.
The Volunteer Fire Departments Protecting Rural Kansas Face an Emergency – Finding Enough Joiners
Kansas is disproportionately reliant on volunteer firefighters. There are 499 departments across the state, 90% of them volunteer or mostly volunteer. Among the 50 states, Kansas ranks 17th for the proportion of fire service provided by all-volunteer or mostly volunteer firefighters. But Kansas fire officials say finding new volunteers to sustain that service is increasingly difficult.
Kansas is disproportionately reliant on volunteer firefighters. There are 499 departments across the state, 90% of them volunteer or mostly volunteer. Among the 50 states, Kansas ranks 17th for the proportion of fire service provided by all-volunteer or mostly volunteer firefighters. But Kansas fire officials say finding new volunteers to sustain that service is increasingly difficult.
NOAA Shifts Concern Those ‘Running a Race Against the Weather’
How will the roller-coaster of changes being leveled at NOAA and its weather forecasting arm impact Kansas? Experts say the horizon is cloudy, but there are observable consequences for Kansas agriculture and scientific knowledge as a whole. Some sunlight is poking through, however, in the form of new job listings and enhancements to weather communications.
How will the roller-coaster of changes being leveled at NOAA and its weather forecasting arm impact Kansas? Experts say the horizon is cloudy, but there are observable consequences for Kansas agriculture and scientific knowledge as a whole. Some sunlight is poking through, however, in the form of new job listings and enhancements to weather communications.
Women on the Rise: A Growing Share of Kansas Farmers
Erica Schlender reveres this ground, homesteaded by her great-great-grandfather, where he put down roots that continue to anchor her.
Erica Schlender reveres this ground, homesteaded by her great-great-grandfather, where he put down roots that continue to anchor her.
Opinion: The Battle Never Ends; It’s Not Supposed To
Current events and civil rights leaders offer an opportunity to engage civically, with the stakes even higher than the 1960s, columnist Mark McCormick writes.
Current events and civil rights leaders offer an opportunity to engage civically, with the stakes even higher than the 1960s, columnist Mark McCormick writes.
‘Tomorrow Is Not Guaranteed’: Medicaid Cuts Worry Kansas Hospitals and Nursing Homes
Concerns abound in Kansas after the president signed into law sweeping legislation that will cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, putting several hospitals at risk of closing and thousands of vulnerable Kansans in a perilous spot.
Concerns abound in Kansas after the president signed into law sweeping legislation that will cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, putting several hospitals at risk of closing and thousands of vulnerable Kansans in a perilous spot.
How Kansas Went to War Against Feral Pigs and Won
If you think that government can’t solve problems anymore, just ask a feral pig in Kansas. If you can find one. At a time when wild swine run amok in other states, a Kansas model shows how a state can cheaply and efficiently get the problem under control. Provided, of course, you’re willing to step on a few toes, including those of hunters.
If you think that government can’t solve problems anymore, just ask a feral pig in Kansas. If you can find one. At a time when wild swine run amok in other states, a Kansas model shows how a state can cheaply and efficiently get the problem under control. Provided, of course, you’re willing to step on a few toes, including those of hunters.
Kansas Takes Step Toward Pursuit of Statewide Functional Zero Homelessness
Officials and providers from across the state gathered last week to mark day one of a six-month action plan towards housing more people than there are becoming homeless.
Officials and providers from across the state gathered last week to mark day one of a six-month action plan towards housing more people than there are becoming homeless.
Why Kansas Is No Longer Last for Mental Health
After being labeled worst in the nation for mental health care and access to services in 2023, Kansas moved up the ranks to a modest 22nd for 2024. Officials point to changes made prior to the pandemic as reasons for improvement. Researchers and therapists say it’s because of enhanced public perception and normalization of mental health concerns.
After being labeled worst in the nation for mental health care and access to services in 2023, Kansas moved up the ranks to a modest 22nd for 2024. Officials point to changes made prior to the pandemic as reasons for improvement. Researchers and therapists say it’s because of enhanced public perception and normalization of mental health concerns.
Opinion: Isn’t the World Mean Enough Already?
Consider the changes wrought so far and the plight of the vulnerable: threats to Medicaid; food spoiling in ports while thousands starve; ending efforts to reunite children ripped away from undocumented parents. It has felt like cruelty for cruelty’s sake.
Consider the changes wrought so far and the plight of the vulnerable: threats to Medicaid; food spoiling in ports while thousands starve; ending efforts to reunite children ripped away from undocumented parents. It has felt like cruelty for cruelty’s sake.
Fearing Rejection, LGBTQ+ People Escaping Homelessness Seek Affirming Spaces
Family conflict is a common factor in youth homelessness, especially for queer youth. They can end up homeless when their sexual orientation or gender identity is not accepted or as they age out of the foster care system. As a result, queer youth are significantly more likely to experience homelessness.
Family conflict is a common factor in youth homelessness, especially for queer youth. They can end up homeless when their sexual orientation or gender identity is not accepted or as they age out of the foster care system. As a result, queer youth are significantly more likely to experience homelessness.