By Anna Kaminski | reporter
Good morning.
I have never known an airport without TSA or a September 11th without the events that took place 25 years ago. I was only 1 year old when it happened, and I wasn’t conscious when it did, but as journalist Ian Coss put it, “that day is a tiny opening through which every thread of American history must pass.”
In other news, I write this Thursday night after attending an award ceremony at which Kansas Reflector was given the honor of the Excellence in Media Award from the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus. To be part of a newsroom featured alongside so many impactful figures in Kansas and Missouri politics was humbling, and it reminded me that there is a quiet strength in being deliberate, passionate and fearless in our coverage of people and policies, no matter the political climate.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Federal judge strikes down Kansas law offering in-state tuition rate to qualified immigrants
TOPEKA — A U.S. District Court judge issued an order forbidding enforcement of a bipartisan Kansas law adopted in 2004 that allowed certain immigrant students at public colleges and universities to pay in-state tuition rates rather than higher out-of-state rates.
Beneficiaries of the controversial state statute have been community college or university students who were brought to the United States as children, completed a high school education in Kansas and agreed to seek citizenship while pursing a degree in higher education.
The judge’s injunction takes effect immediately, but it was unclear how it would be implemented on individual campuses across Kansas.
Eric Thomas for Kansas Reflector
OPINION
Kansas must be ruthless in spending its millions from social media settlements
By Eric Thomas
When Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, settled a lawsuit a few weeks ago, the tech giant agreed to pay more that $17 billion to a collection of 47 states, including Kansas. Over the next 10 years, Kansas will receive an estimated $134 million to address the damages of social media among teens.
The sensible goal for that money is clear: Prevent the next generation of Kansans from joining social media at all.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
How 9/11 changed the way America surveils its citizens
Twenty-five years after 9/11, the surveillance infrastructure built and expanded in its aftermath has become part of a far larger digital ecosystem — producing tools that can collect and analyze information on a scale unimaginable in 2001.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, did more than reshape the nation’s approach to terrorism. They changed the architecture of American intelligence and policing. They expanded how government agencies collect, share and analyze information, and brought national security tools deeper into ordinary law enforcement.
Kansas governor orders flags lowered for 9/11 anniversary
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Friday in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The lowering of flags from sunup to sundown will honor those who lost their lives in the attacks, Kelly said Thursday.
Trump plan to send $5K to every adult projected to cost $1.2T and ‘explode’ the deficit
WASHINGTON — A proposal by President Donald Trump to give $5,000 to each American adult if Republicans retain control of the U.S. House and Senate in November would “explode” the national deficit and worsen inflation, according to an analysis issued Thursday by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
The committee, whose board includes economists, bankers and former elected and administration officials from both political parties, estimates Trump’s plan would cost roughly $1.2 trillion.
At midterm convention, Trump pledges cash to voters if Republicans hold Congress
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump headlined the first night of the first Republican midterm convention Wednesday, seeking to rally his base ahead of the November elections and dangling a “Trump dividend” to voters if his party retains control of both congressional chambers.
While the Republican National Committee’s two-day event — dubbed a “Trump-a-palooza” by party Chair Joe Gruters — aimed to bolster support for major candidates, some vulnerable Republicans were notably absent.
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.
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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