
By Sherman Smith | editor-in-chief
Good morning! Opinion editor Clay Wirestone is writing about Kansas Republicans partying like it’s 1692. We’re also reporting on the historic investment in data centers, and I talk to congressional candidate Lauren Reinhold for our weekly podcast.

Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector
OPINION
Season of the witch: Kansas Republicans party through the midterms like its 1692
By Clay Wirestone
Kansas Republicans are going medieval on Democrats this spooky season.
From gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson hurling allegations of witchcraft to the Kansas Republican Party deciding to spread the biblical “truth” about homosexuality (think Sodom and Gomorrah), the Grand Old Party has time traveled back hundreds of years. All they need to do now is stock up on scarlet letter “A”s to stitch on divorcees.
Meanwhile, some GOP appointees haven’t gotten the memo and are busy bearing false witness, but we’ll get to them in time.

Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch
Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history
The sheer size of investment in data centers is drawing concern as it surpasses all other historical booms and crowds out other more job-creating ventures.
Until now, no industry had driven the U.S. economy with such force since the railroad expansion of the late 1800s, when titans battled one another to lay the transcontinental tracks that would connect America from coast to coast.
Railroads in the 19th century consumed about $173 billion in today’s dollars and created more than 2% of the nation’s annual economic output (GDP) over 20 years.
KANSAS REFLECTOR PODCAST
Long shot candidate connects with disaffected voters
Democratic U.S. House candidate Lauren Reinhold talks with Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith about her campaign, affordability, immigration enforcement and her fondness for green bean soup.
Follow Kansas Reflector wherever you get your podcasts. Browse all episodes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
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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