By Sherman Smith | editor-in-chief
Good morning! Election season is upon us, even though we’re still five weeks away from the filing deadline. I covered last night’s forum in Shawnee where the leading Democratic candidates for governor made their case for the party’s nomination.
We’re also reporting on the glory of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the shooting at the White House press dinner, and the president’s proposed rules for asylum-seekers.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kansas Democrats running for governor clash on CoreCivic, party establishment in forum
SHAWNEE — Kansas Sen. Cindy Holscher positioned herself at a Sunday night Democratic forum as the anti-establishment candidate for governor with a history of winning in legislative districts formerly held by Republicans.
Her top opponent in seeking the party’s nomination, Kansas Sen. Ethan Corson, argued he is the only one who could win in the November general election.
The candidates staked out nearly identical policy positions during the 50-minute forum at the Aztec Shawnee Theater. The questions were submitted in advance by Kansas Young Democrats.
Both support raising the state’s minimum wage, making it easier to vote, and access to reproductive health care.
And they both identified the Republican supermajorities in the state House and Senate as their real opponent.
Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector
OPINION
A dreamland for bison: Kansas’ Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is an American gem
By Huascar Medina
A trail hike can walk you back into your soul. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve hiking trails provide over 40 miles for you to do so. Located two miles north of Strong City, the preserve is about a 30-minute drive west of Emporia on U.S. Highway 50. There is no charge to visit, and you can go anytime. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The tallgrass prairie is considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. It has been reduced to less than 4% of its original size, once covering over 170 million acres from the United States to Canada. What appears as rolling hills from a distance is a richly biodiverse ecosystem blanketed in tallgrass and wildflowers.
We’re extremely fortunate to have this national preserve in Kansas. It is the only national park unit dedicated to the tallgrass prairie. The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service jointly manage Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, which is home to bison.
Getty Images
Trump: Suspect in Washington press dinner shooting created a ‘manifesto’ for attack
The alleged shooter at Saturday night’s White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C., wrote a “manifesto” ahead of his planned attack, President Donald Trump said in a Sunday morning interview on Fox News.
Meanwhile, Trump and MAGA allies online said security flaws exposed by the incident prove the need for a new secure ballroom at the White House. Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Cabinet officials were safely evacuated from the Washington Hilton after shots were fired by a suspect said by officials to be armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives.
Asylum-seekers could lose right to work under proposed Trump administration rules
Currently asylum-seekers must wait six months after filing an asylum request before they can work legally, but the Trump administration is seeking to extend that to one year. No effective date has been announced.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
7 p.m. May 11, Books & Brews, Riverbank Brewing in Council Grove. Hosts: Flint Hills Books and Riverbank Brewing.
6:30 p.m. June 12, Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone will join a panel discussion: "From the Desk of William Allen White: What Can Journalism Today Learn from the Sage of Emporia?"
7 p.m. June 27, Park City Senior Center. Host: Park City Community Pride.
2 p.m. Sept. 27, Red Rocks Visitor Center in Emporia. Host: Red Rocks.
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].
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