Kansas Reflector

Kansas Reflector is a nonprofit news operation providing in-depth reporting, diverse opinions, and daily coverage of state government and politics. This public service is free to readers and other news outlets.

Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify voices of people whose lives are affected by public policies but who might typically be left out of public debate. We seek to increase Kansans’ awareness of how decisions made by elected representatives and other public servants affect our day-to-day lives. We hope to empower and inspire greater participation in democracy throughout Kansas.

Launched in July 2020, Kansas Reflector is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. Kansas Reflector retains editorial independence.

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A husband and wife walk through a field.

Kansas farmers, ranchers plant seeds of change to erode stigma of mental illness

Farmers Mick Rausch, Donna Wise, and Ashley Beying shared their experiences with mental illness in agricultural settings during a meeting of the Kansas Farm Bureau.

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The Kansas River near Lawrence runs low. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas’ drought emergency order to remain in place as calendar flips to 2023

The state of Kansas will enter the new year adhering to the October drought declaration issued by Gov. Laura Kelly covering all 105 counties.

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Kansas’ wildfire puzzle: It’s about drought and wind, culture and financial resources

A prescribed burn association shares equipment to deliberately burn plant material that could feed unwanted wildfires on remote terrain far from big-city firetrucks and full-time firefighters.

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A combine drives through a field of wheat that is ready to be harvested

Growth in frequency of dry, hot, and windy conditions harm wheat yield

The compounding influence of adverse dry, hot, and windy climate patterns slashed wheat yield 4% in Kansas and five other Great Plains states over the past 40 years.

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‘It’s time to deal with this’: Kansas Water Authority wants to save Ogallala Aquifer

State water officials said Kansas has had a ‘de facto’ policy to eventually drain the aquifer.

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Keystone Pipeline has history of spills, warnings and fines. Kansas spill is largest yet.

As of Monday, 2,598 barrels of oil and water were removed from the 14,000 total barrels spilled into creek and farmland.

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