By Clay Wirestone | opinion editor
Good morning! Welcome to our fine friend, the fall equinox. He has arrived to soothe us with temperate autumn breezes. Ahhh. Each day we spend with Mr. Equinox, we grow closer to him and his wisdom. Mmmm. I should probably stop writing about the equinox now and direct you to all the news below. Enjoy!
Screen capture from U.S. Senate video
Kansas GOP’s Marshall and Moran, Democrat Hamilton embrace agriculture legislation
TOPEKA — U.S. Senate candidates Adam Hamilton and Roger Marshall found consensus amid their combative Kansas campaign by endorsing farm legislation passed by a Senate committee without votes from Democrats.
The respective Democratic and Republican nominees for U.S. Senate criticized Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee for opposing the bill outlining revisions to federal law benefitting farmers or ranchers and delivering food aid to low-income Americans. The bill moved to the full Senate. The U.S. House passed its own version in April. The rival pieces of legislation were crafted to supplement a 2025 mega-bill that included agriculture and food policy.
Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas also urged lawmakers to find the courage to set party labels aside when considering bills pivotal to people tied to agriculture.
Federal farm bills historically have been revised every five years with bipartisan support, but political disputes inhibited passage of a new comprehensive five-year law since 2023.
Tim Carpenter / Kansas Reflector
Kansas Democrat Don Coover objects to U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt’s approach to unreleased Epstein files
TOPEKA — Kansas congressional candidate Don Coover expressed frustration with U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt’s refusal to help trigger a House vote on a bill pressuring the administration of President Donald Trump to release more documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Max McCoy / Kansas Reflector
OPINION
Harms spread across society, enveloping Americans in pain and anger. We can find a better way.
By Mark McCormick
Many people watched the brutal, sometimes deadly, ICE apprehensions with glee.
Others posed with the so-called Alligator Alcatraz signage in Florida. Attacks on Black professionals have driven Black America, according to the Urban League, into a recession.
Kansas reports two measles cases associated with US travel
TOPEKA — Kansas joined a growing list of states nationwide reporting measles cases with two cases apparently related to travel outside the state, a health agency said.
CNN, MS Now, Politico sue Trump over White House ban
WASHINGTON — The three news organizations that President Donald Trump has barred from entering the White House filed a lawsuit against the administration on Monday.
Medical groups, patients sue Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements
Medicaid enrollees from five states and leading medical organizations filed a lawsuit Friday challenging new Medicaid work requirements.
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.
6:30 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.
6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, Round Table Bookstore in Topeka, meet author Clay Wirestone.
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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