By Anna Kaminski | reporter
Good morning, and happy Friday. We’re reporting on the latest developments in two key races coming up this November. Both stories, coincidentally, center on political ads. You’ve seen ʼem. I’ve seen ʼem. (We’re all probably sick of ʼem.) But we bring you behind the scenes, so to speak, so you can learn what’s really going in Kansas.
Have a good weekend.
Baya Burgess for Kansas Reflector
Democrats’ ad links Ty Masterson to Sam Brownback; Kansas GOP nominee claims it’s a ‘lie’
TOPEKA — The Democratic Governors Association’s latest ad for Kansas gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher alleges Republican nominee Ty Masterson claimed a key role in shaping income tax cuts that cast the state into a budget abyss rather than promote economic growth.
Holscher, the Democratic nominee, has sought throughout the campaign to link Masterson with former Gov. Sam Brownback, especially his tax reform catastrophe. Masterson, after reviewing the DGA’s commercial, declared it a “lie” and argued the DGA engaged in deceptive editing.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Hamilton asks Marshall to cease and desist from ‘threats of frivolous litigation’ in Kansas race
TOPEKA — A lawyer for the Rev. Adam Hamilton’s campaign defended a recent political ad about medical debt that prompted Hamilton’s opponent, Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, to send the Democrat’s campaign a cease-and-desist warning.
Robe Lever for Getty Images
OPINION
As AI political deepfake advertisements go viral, state lawmakers struggle to keep up
By Stefani Langehennig
Imagine watching a political campaign video in which a candidate admits to taking a bribe. You recognize the face and voice. But the confession is entirely fabricated, thanks to artificial intelligence.
Now imagine that your state has passed a law against these AI-generated election deepfakes. Would that mean the video has to be removed from the airwaves?
As Kansans lose SNAP benefits, state lawmakers examine system hurdles
TOPEKA — More than 30,000 fewer Kansans are receiving federal food assistance benefits, including more than 13,500 children, after the passage of federal cuts in 2025, and current beneficiaries must navigate a system riddled with delays.
US Senate leaves nation’s capital in advance of midterms with much still undone
WASHINGTON — U.S. senators departed Capitol Hill on Wednesday night for their campaign break, leaving numerous policy disputes unresolved.
The chamber won’t return until Nov. 9 for the five-week lame-duck session, when party leaders will have to decide which bills they want to negotiate during what could be the final days of unified Republican control.
Feds provide Kansas, other states with guidance on new K-12 scholarship tax credit program
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released new guidance Thursday for participating states, scholarship-granting organizations and taxpayers as the federal scholarship tax credit program prepares to take effect in January.
Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike receiving medical care after failed execution
The Wednesday execution of Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike was halted after the state of Tennessee administered two failed rounds of its lethal injection protocol and federal public defenders filed an emergency appeal to end the execution and get Pike medical care.
The botched execution spanned more than two hours, according to media witnesses.
Gen Z isn't choosing a side. They're choosing issues.
WINDHAM, Maine – As 24-year-old Maya Brooks walked winding roads in rural parts of Maine, a water bottle hooked to her fanny pack and a stack of “lit” on absentee voting and candidates her group has endorsed in hand, she was focused on reaching voters who either haven’t voted in recent years or have shown they’re willing to vote for both parties.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
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.
5:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Frank Carlson Library in Concordia. Host: NCK Voters.
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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