By Morgan Chilson | senior reporter
Good morning! Kansas attorney general candidates found little common ground at a Tuesday debate. Agriculture leaders are speaking out about the need for immigration reform that offers solutions for workers and businesses. A Democratic PAC targets nine red states. And the big question Mark McCormick examines: Is the American Dream dead?
Whew. The election is offering a whirl of news every day, so I hope you’re taking time to get outside, bask in the beautiful weather and breathe deeply. Research shows trees and nature make us healthier, and we might want to pay attention.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Kansas attorney general nominees Kris Kobach, Chris Mann tussle in campaign debate
OVERLAND PARK — Republican Kris Kobach and Democrat Chris Mann clashed Tuesday in a debate on their top priority as Kansas attorney general, their perspectives on capital punishment and even what they considered their opponents’ greatest attribute.
Mann and Kobach were on stage for a one-hour debate sponsored by the Johnson County Bar Association that broadly tackled issues of law enforcement, the legal system and the judicial branch. They rarely agreed but shared wariness of potential abuse of AI-powered video surveillance systems and endorsed rigorous enforcement of state open meetings and records law.
Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector
Kansas agriculture and rural communities need immigrants, but system has failed them
TOPEKA — Blame for the lack of immigration reform to meet the needs of workers and the agriculture industry lies squarely with the federal government, and change must happen, one farmer said in response to September immigration raids in southwest Kansas.
“This is one of those rare situations where the humanitarian and economic interests align,” said Brian Vulgamore, a fifth-generation farmer and Kansas businessman.
Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector
Urban League asks: 'Is the American Dream dead?' In Kansas and US, obstacles look overwhelming.
OPINION
By Mark McCormick
The National Urban League, in its latest and 50th edition of the State of Black America, asks a haunting question: “Is the American Dream dead?" This question has a particular resonance with Black Americans as the nation marks its 250th birthday, but also a particular answer.
American enslavement lasted some 246 years. Segregation, another 89, and that just takes us to 1954. Racists killed teenager Emmett Till in 1955. Also that year, Rosa Parks and other Black citizens in Birmingham, Alabama, began boycotting city buses.
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids introduces healthcare reform package in response to federal cuts
TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids introduced healthcare legislation intended to benefit families grappling with rising Affordable Care Act premiums and to broaden federal support of rural hospitals.
Davids, the 3rd District Democrat seeking reelection against Republican Eric Jenkins, said the goal would be for Congress to restore access to ACA tax credits that could save Kansas families an average of $700 on annual premiums.
Top Democratic US Senate PAC commits to nine states, eyes more Republican targets
A leading Democratic campaign committee is projecting confidence in U.S. Senate toss-up races four weeks before Election Day, though it has yet to commit resources to the reddest states that have recently entered the Senate map.
Senate Majority PAC, which is run by allies of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, has bought ad time, or has commitments to do so, in nine states, Lauren French, the group’s chief spokesperson told reporters Tuesday.
Gen Z women want politicians who can make the ‘American dream’ feel attainable
Strike up a conversation with a Gen Z woman about politics, and affordability will likely come up within the first 30 seconds.
The cost of doing anything, whether it’s renting a home, staying in college or getting a drink, is the top issue motivating young women this election cycle. In a new The 19th/YouGov poll, a majority of Gen Z women said they were worried about paying for the cost of healthcare, housing, groceries and utilities — and in each category Gen Z women were more worried than Gen Z men.
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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