By Sherman Smith | editor-in-chief
Good morning! Evergy wants regulators to make sure the confidential information the utility gives them won't be exposed by AI tools.
We're also reporting on the state's decision to stick with its vaccine schedule for kids, disregarding the president's order.
And columnist Eric Thomas is concerned about the connection between air conditioning and climate change.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Evergy urges Kansas regulators to be cautious about AI revealing confidential information
TOPEKA — Evergy filed a request with utility regulators to ensure its confidential data wasn’t uploaded to artificial intelligence platforms, highlighting a concern that the rapid growth and use of AI may release private information.
In a July 30 filing, Evergy asked the Kansas Corporation Commission to amend its standard protective order filed in regulatory cases to include protections from improper use of AI with regard to private information.
Confidential information is regularly given to regulators to help stakeholders in the decision-making process, said Matt Lucht, Evergy spokesman. But the company must also protect business, customer and infrastructure-related information from being disclosed, he said.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kansas sticks with ‘scientific evidence’ for vaccine schedule, despite Trump order
TOPEKA — Kansas won’t change its vaccine schedule to match the executive order from President Donald Trump but instead will continue to “trust in scientific evidence” and follow recommendations from major health organizations, a spokeswoman said.
In an executive order, Trump recommended separating the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination — although there aren’t separate vaccines available — and that all vaccines should be given in separate doctor’s visits.
Illustration by Eric Thomas for Kansas Reflector
OPINION
How the air conditioning of Kansas homes is like an old-timey carnival trinket
By Eric Thomas
I don’t remember many epiphanies that I had as a fourth grader. But I remember one.
I was standing in the tiled hallway of my suburban elementary school while other kids squealed and raced past the open classroom doors. On this day, the entire campus — the gymnasium, the parking lot, the playground and the classrooms — transformed into our annual carnival.
DOJ targets 3 more states in effort to axe in-state tuition for immigrants
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has sued New York, Connecticut and Vermont over laws that allow immigrants in the country without permanent legal status to pay in-state college tuition in the states where they live.
Documents show how feds spied on protesters, left-wing organizations and unions during Minnesota Surge
Homeland Security investigators secretly recorded conversations, infiltrated Signal chats and obtained financial records for labor unions and progressive groups as part of a wide-ranging surveillance effort during Operation Metro Surge, according to court documents filed Thursday morning.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
3 p.m. Sept. 26, Washburn Library in Topeka. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone will participate in the panel “Why UPK: University Press of Kansas Celebrates 80 Years.” Host: Kansas Book Festival.
2 p.m. Sept. 27, Red Rocks Visitor Center in Emporia. Host: Red Rocks.
7 p.m. Sept. 29, Raven Book Store in Lawrence. Book release event for opinion editor Clay Wirestone’s “Opinionated.” Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will moderate.
6 p.m. Oct. 12, Riverbank Brewing in Council Grove. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone talks about his book and the latest news. Host: Flint Hills Books.
6 p.m. Dec. 3, Prairie Star Restaurant in Manhattan. Host: League of Women Voters of Manhattan and Riley County.
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].
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