Kansas politics round-up with Clay Wirestone and Sherman Smith

'Proud progressive' takes on Ron Estes with grassroots campaign

Cole Epley is one of four Democrats challenging U.S. Rep. Ron Estes in August, but Epley has differentiated himself from his fellow Democratic candidates by leaning into Democratic socialism and unapologetically progressive ideals. Kansas Reflector's editor-in-chief Sherman Smith speaks with Epley about his political origins, his approach to fundraising outside the bounds of the traditional party and his views on key issues such as immigration and abortion. New episodes of the Kansas Reflector Podcast drop on Mondays. Kansas Reflector staff interview elected officials, politicians, researchers, experts and everyday Kansans who are in the thick of Kansas politics and current events. Get the latest news from Kansas Reflector by signing up for our free newsletters at kansasreflector.com/subscribe.

Galena residents seek environmental testing at southeast Kansas landfill

Residents in Galena, Kansas, are worried that noxious smells and a smoldering fire at the town's landfill are polluting the air and affecting their health. They are pushing for more testing to ensure the environment in their southeast Kansas town is safe.

Kansas surgeon tailors U.S. Senate bid to future generations

Kevin Latz is one of 11 Kansas Democrats running to replace U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, and he said he is differentiating himself from the rest with his experience as a surgeon, physician and father. He said scientists are underrepresented in Congress, and his work making difficult decisions, operating under pressure and treating everyone as a patient mirrors that of a lawmaker's. His policy priorities span generations, but he is particularly passionate about gun safety policy and ensuring kids are protected from social media. New episodes of the Kansas Reflector Podcast drop on Mondays. Kansas Reflector staff interview elected officials, politicians, researchers, experts and everyday Kansans who are in the thick of Kansas politics and current events. Get the latest news from Kansas Reflector by signing up for our free newsletters at kansasreflector.com/subscribe.

Kansas politics round-up with Clay Wirestone and Sherman Smith

Kansas Reflector opinion editor Clay Wirestone and managing editor Sherman Smith break down the latest news in Kansas politics as election season heats up. They discuss the latest candidates, which races they're paying attention to and what Kansas Reflector has been covering in the lead-up to the Aug. 4 primary election. New episodes of the Kansas Reflector Podcast drop on Mondays. Kansas Reflector staff interview elected officials, politicians, researchers, experts and everyday Kansans who are in the thick of Kansas politics and current events. Get the latest news from Kansas Reflector by signing up for our free newsletters at kansasreflector.com/subscribe.

Kansas candidates attempt to appeal to voters in early campaign ads

Why was Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s name repeated four times in a ad from an outside group? Why did a Democratic candidate for Kansas governor begin her TV ad in a grocery store, and why did her primary opponent film his from his kitchen? Can a pastor translate his lifetime of public speaking experience to voters as he runs for U.S. Senate? Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, gives a play-by-play of Kansas politicians’ choices in their early campaign ads. He answers these questions and more with senior reporter Tim Carpenter in an interview woven with clips from a dozen campaign ads running ahead of the 2026 primary election. New episodes of the Kansas Reflector Podcast drop on Mondays. Kansas Reflector staff interview elected officials, politicians, researchers, experts and everyday Kansans who are in the thick of Kansas politics and current events. Get the latest news from Kansas Reflector by signing up for our free newsletters at kansasreflector.com/subscribe.