Local Columns

Opinion: Immigrants have made America great

It’s Fourth of July season! Time for barbecues and Chinese-made fireworks (watch out for those tariffs). For Independence Day, I suggest also celebrating some folks that really make America great: immigrants. Throughout our history, waves of immigrants have made our country stronger, ...

Opinion: A final plea regarding Trump’s big bill

Dear Sen. Jerry Moran, It’s me again, writing another of the no doubt thousands of letters and emails and texts that you’ve received over the past month, ever since the House of Representatives approved — by a one-vote margin — President Trump’s beloved One Big Beautiful Bill Act. ...

Opinion: Renewable energy faces uncertainty

Kansas is a national leader in renewable energy. Over 40% of our electricity is generated by wind. This has created thousands of jobs, over $11 billion in capital investment, and tens of millions of dollars in revenue to Kansas communities. A new federal tax and spending measure in Congress, ...

Opinion: Why did Kelly veto SNAP candy ban?

On April 4, Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill that asked the federal government to ban the use of SNAP, commonly called food stamps, for purchases of candy and pop. The bill instructed the Kansas Department for Children and Families to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ...

Opinion:Tourism program is a smart investment

In 2021, Kansas Tourism launched the Sunflower Summer program, opening the doors to our state’s zoos, museums, nature centers and historical sites to Kansas families — for free. Designed to help young Kansans explore and fall in love with their home state, the program has quickly proven to ...

Opinion: GOP should rethink voting restrictions

Are Republicans the new infrequent voters? In a new Catalist study, researchers say yes. Big shifts may be coming in both political campaigning and election laws. Unlike mis-reported “horse race” polls during election season, the Catalist study is public opinion polling done right. ...