By Sherman Smith | editor-in-chief
Good morning! We're reporting on the merger of two small political parties, an ethics complaint over a pastor's exploratory run for U.S. Senate, a Kansas Supreme Court decision in an Aggieville murder case, the meaning of human relationships in a reality with AI substitutes, and how the president's budget would gut libraries and museums.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Two Kansas alternative political parties merge in quest to build support for centrist candidates
TOPEKA — Two small political parties in Kansas agreed to a merger that organizers believe better serves interests of voters who feel underrepresented by the dominant Republican and Democratic parties.
The Free State Party and United Kansas Party, both seeking to move Kansas politics closer to the political center, plan to operate under the banner of United Kansas, the Free State Party. The apparatus would strive to influence the state’s electoral process by “restoring balance and accountability,” elevating the competence and decency of elected officials and play a role in making certain no political party governed “without meaningful opposition.”
“Quite simply, this makes too much sense not to do,” said Scott Morgan, executive director of United Kansas. “Kansans are ready for less yelling and more solving.”
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GOP ethics complaint says Kansas City-area pastor improperly used church resources
TOPEKA — Kansas Republican Party leaders filed a federal ethics complaint against a Kansas City-area pastor who recently began exploring an independent run for U.S. Senate.
GOP leaders allege Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, “blatantly used the corporate resources of the church” to publicize his February announcement to explore a run against Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Kansas Supreme Court rejects self-defense claims in slaying of U.S. Army soldier in Manhattan
TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed first-degree murder and attempted murder convictions Friday of a former U.S. Army soldier who admitted shooting a fellow soldier to death outside a Manhattan bar but argued the jury should have been allowed to consider his claim of self-defense.
AI companions can give constant support — but distort ideas about what a relationship really is
OPINION
By Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu
When the movie “Her” debuted in 2013, its plot felt like science fiction. But today people actually report being in relationships with AI companions.
Trump’s budget would gut local libraries and museums. Congress is not on board.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is looking to eliminate funding in fiscal 2027 for the agency that serves as the primary federal funding source for libraries and museums nationwide.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
11 a.m. April 25, West Wyandotte Public Library in Kansas City, Kansas. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone joins a panel discussion on the constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices.
7 p.m. May 11, Books & Brews, Riverbank Brewing in Council Grove. Hosts: Flint Hills Books and Riverbank Brewing.
6:30 p.m. June 12, Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone will join a panel discussion: "From the Desk of William Allen White: What Can Journalism Today Learn from the Sage of Emporia?"
7 p.m. June 27, Park City Senior Center. Host: Park City Community Pride.
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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