Kansas

Kansas Newspaper Publisher Sues Officials Over Violation of First Amendment Rights in Controversial Raid

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Marion, Kansas – The publisher of a Kansas newspaper that was raided by police in August is now taking legal action against the officials involved, accusing them of violating the paper’s First Amendment rights and retaliating against it. The controversial raid on the Marion County Record’s newsroom and the home of its editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, sparked concerns from press and free-speech advocates nationwide. Meyer is claiming that the stress caused by the raid led to the sudden death of his mother, Joan, who co-owned the paper with him. Multiple Marion officials have since … Read more

Kansas City Sees Surge in Jury Trials, Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels

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Kansas City, Missouri – The Kansas City area is experiencing a return to pre-pandemic trends when it comes to jury verdicts, according to the latest data released by the Greater Kansas City Jury Verdict Service. The number of jury trials has been steadily increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 2023 seeing a 30% rise compared to the previous year. This upward trend suggests that the region is making progress in recovering from the effects of the pandemic. One notable finding from the data is the increase in the average value of plaintiff-friendly jury verdicts in … Read more

Relentless Pushback: Kansas Republicans Unable to Pin Down the Elusive Meaning of Diversity

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TOPEKA, Kansas — A controversial bill in Kansas has sparked a heated debate among Republicans regarding the definition and promotion of diversity in the state. The proposed legislation, which aims to ban diversity training and education, has drawn criticism from those who argue it undermines efforts to address systemic inequalities. However, proponents claim the bill seeks to protect individuals from what they perceive as “divisive ideologies.” Kansas Republicans have been pushing for the ban on diversity training, but they have struggled to provide a clear and concise definition of what they mean by “diversity.” While … Read more

Kansas House Implements Unprecedented Transparency Measures, Revealing Lobbyists Behind Bills

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Topeka, Kansas – The Kansas House is taking steps to increase transparency and accountability in its legislative process. In an unprecedented move, the House now requires bills to list not only their sponsors but also the individuals or lobbyists who requested them. This new rule, established in January, aims to provide constituents with a clear understanding of the interests behind proposed legislation. Unlike the Kansas Senate and most other state legislatures, the Kansas House is the first to implement such a practice. While some states require lobbyists to disclose bills of interest in public reports, … Read more