By Sherman Smith | editor-in-chief
Good morning! We have a robust lineup of news today: A request for an ethics investigation into Sen. Roger Marshall, questions about Deep Fission's plans for a novel nuclear project near Parsons, delayed sentencing for the former CEO of Beneficient, an examination of claims during the president's rally Monday in Park City, the death of a former state legislator, and a ballot question on noncitizen voting.
Meanwhile, columnist Mark McCormick says we should be beyond worried about whether the president will accept the results of midterm elections.
Be sure to check out the calendar at the bottom for our upcoming public events.
Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector
Campaign finance group seeks investigation into Roger Marshall’s alleged ethics violations
TOPEKA — A national campaign finance watchdog group requested the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee investigate U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas for using taxpayer funds to travel to political events and staff who work for both his office and campaign.
End Citizens United, a PAC that supports campaign finance guardrails, compiled allegations from the past six years examining Marshall’s travel, his office staff’s expenses and communications and the absence of paid campaign staff in federal campaign finance reports.
The 22-page letter details trips Marshall took to New Orleans, where he attended the Sugar Bowl, to New York City for television appearances that coincided with boosts in fundraising, and a pattern of arranging at least one official meeting for trips to Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia so that taxpayer dollars could fund the trips.
Deep Fission
Proposed Kansas nuclear reactor stock drops 50% after critical report calls it a ‘money pit’
TOPEKA — The company behind a pilot nuclear project near Parsons is under fire after a report said it is underestimating costs, overestimating the project’s energy efficiency and promoting an unrealistic timeline.
The report by Iceberg Research, which assesses publicly available financial information to look for irregularities, called Deep Fission a “money pit.”
Deep Fission said in a news release that the report is “highly misleading” and contains “numerous distortions, inaccuracies and mischaracterizations.”
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
OPINION
‘What, me worry?’ Yes, if you’re paying attention to threats surrounding the midterm election.
By Mark McCormick
As the November midterm elections draw near, much of the nation seemingly has channeled Mad Magazine’s smiling, redheaded, gap-toothed mascot Alfred E. Neuman and his catchphrase: “What, me worry?” But the nation has plenty to worry about.
Here’s what the current administration has done in the months leading up to November’s white-knuckle vote.
Lawyers for convicted felon who led Kansas venture once defended Sean Combs, Sam Bankman-Fried
TOPEKA — The former CEO of a company holding a special Kansas banking license avoided sentencing Wednesday on fraud convictions after his attorneys withdrew based on claims a communication breakdown made representation “unreasonably difficult.”
Republicans attempt to tie Kansas Democrats to extremism with spurious claims at Trump rally
PARK CITY — President Donald Trump’s campaign rally Monday in Kansas provided a platform for his misleading and hyperbolic claims, including the disputed assertion that protesters were being paid to interrupt him.
Former Kansas House member dies at 81
Former Kansas Rep. Larry Hibbard, a Greenwood County farmer and rancher who served in the House from 2013 to 2019, died Sunday. He was 81.
In 6 states, ballots include bans on noncitizen voting
Voters in six states are considering ballot measures in the midterm elections that would make it clear that only U.S. citizens may vote — and block local governments from expanding that right to others.
KANSAS REFLECTOR PODCAST
Long shot candidate connects with disaffected voters
Democratic U.S. House candidate Lauren Reinhold speaks with Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith about her campaign, affordability, immigration enforcement and her fondness for green bean soup.
Follow Kansas Reflector wherever you get your podcasts. Browse all episodes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
6 p.m. Oct. 22, Red Fern Booksellers in Salina. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone speaks and answers questions about his new book, “Opinionated.”
3 p.m. Oct. 25, Cox Communications Heritage Education Center in Topeka. Clay Wirestone speaks about his book. Host: Shawnee County Historical Society.
1o p.m. Nov. 14, Constitution Hall in Topeka. Clay Wirestone speaks with veteran journalist Jim McLean. Host: Kansas Oral History Project.
2 p.m. Nov. 15, Volland Foundation Alma. Clay Wirestone in conversation with editor Sherman Smith. Host: Volland, A Place for Art and Community.
6 p.m. Nov. 21, Flagship Books, Kansas City, Kansas. Clay Wirestone speaks and answers questions about his book.
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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