By Clay Wirestone | opinion editor
Good morning! We have fresh, hot-off-the-figurative presses news today, so let’s get right to it. Incidentally, if you’re in the Hiawatha area, Kansas Reflector editor in chief Sherman Smith and yours truly will be dropping by tonight. For the specifics, see the end of this newsletter. Catch you there!
Baya Burgess / Kansas Reflector
Gov. Laura Kelly selects Johnson County judge to fill vacancy on Kansas Supreme Court
TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly filled a vacancy Monday on the Kansas Supreme Court by selecting a Johnson County District Court judge who has focused on a civil case docket after a 20-year career in private practice.
The governor selected Chris Jayaram of Lenexa from among three finalists for the Supreme Court put forward by a nominating commission. Jayaram was placed on the district court bench in 2021 by Kelly.
“Kansans deserve justices who possess unquestioned integrity, deep legal knowledge, sound judgment and unwavering commitment to applying the law fairly and impartially,” Kelly said. “Kansans deserve justices who approach every case without fear or favor. Kansans deserve justices who follow the law — not politics, public opinion or personal preference.”
In 2025, Jayaram was a finalist for a Supreme Court opening that Kelly awarded to Leawood attorney Larkin Walsh. Jayaram earned his law degree in 1997 at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and received an undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas.
Jayaram is the trial judge in a pending lawsuit brought by abortion providers who challenged state regulations imposed on clinics. That case has been viewed in the context of a state Supreme Court decision in 2019 that declared the Bill of Rights included provisions guaranteeing women in Kansas the fundamental right to end a pregnancy.
Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector
Kansas incumbent faces far-left challenge from self-described communist in Democratic primary
LAWRENCE — The Democratic primary for a Lawrence House seat features two candidates who offer different visions for representing one of Kansas’ most progressive legislative districts.
Anna Kaminski / Kansas Reflector
Kansas business law expert strives for competitive balance in U.S. House race
TOPEKA — Kansas congressional candidate Colin McRoberts tells potential voters the 1st District has gone long enough without representation by someone who really wanted the job.
The words that Kansans use matter. Can we find the strength within ourselves to put pride aside?
OPINION
By Rebecca Phillips
Living in Topeka, one grows accustomed to driving past the Westboro Baptist Church members holding up their signs. The Phelps family members aren’t out in force like they used to be, but there’s no missing them at times, and it can make one’s day a bit frustrating to know that hate is still alive in Kansas and in America.
Democratic governors say proposed changes to federal grants would harm reproductive healthcare
A coalition of 23 state governors and the governor of Guam, all Democrats, submitted a joint comment to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget on Monday objecting to a proposed rule that would drastically change the federal grantmaking process, saying it threatens programs related to maternal health and reproductive care.
Judge blasts Trump for using the presidency to ‘manipulate’ courts in IRS case
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump “acted in bad faith” when he swiftly dropped his tax return lawsuit and directed his Cabinet members to establish a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, a federal judge in Florida ruled Monday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
6:30 p.m. July 14, Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha. Editor Sherman Smith will lead a discussion with opinion editor Clay Wirestone, Natalie Haag and Kevin Hill on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Brown County United.
5:30 p.m. July 23, Emporia Arts Center. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
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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