Kansas has long been plagued by a punitive system that has left thousands of drivers without legal driving privileges for extended periods—sometimes for years—simply because they were unable to pay traffic fines and court fees. With nearly 1 in every 15 drivers affected, the impact of suspended licenses reaches far beyond individual inconvenience, affecting economic … Read more
Two beloved Kansas City-area cocktail bars, Swordfish Tom’s and Drastic Measures, are grieving the sudden loss of two influential team members: Simone Mele and Justin Burnell. Both individuals were integral to Kansas City’s hospitality and service community, leaving behind a lasting impact on those who knew them. Who Were Simone Mele and Justin Burnell? Community … Read more
A devastating accident in Seward County, Kansas, resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy early Sunday morning. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) reported that Augustus J. Riley, a resident of Liberal, Kansas, was driving a 2009 Dodge Charger eastbound on Seward County Road 9 when the incident occurred. Accident Details According to the KHP, … Read more
In a significant legislative move, the Kansas Legislature has overridden Governor Laura Kelly’s veto to enact the “Help Not Harm Act,” effectively banning gender-affirming medical treatments for minors. This decision aligns Kansas with a growing number of states imposing similar restrictions. Legislative Action On February 18, 2025, the Republican-majority Kansas House voted 85-34, and the … Read more
In Nebraska, a father is facing significant challenges in renaming his two-year-old daughter, who was assigned the name “Unakite Thirteen Hotel” due to a bureaucratic error. This unusual name has led to numerous complications in securing essential services for the child. The Origin of ‘Unakite Thirteen Hotel’ The child’s father, Jason Kilburn, discovered that his … Read more
Oklahoma has taken a significant step forward in combating human trafficking by establishing a dedicated Human Trafficking Response Unit within the Attorney General’s Office. This initiative positions Oklahoma as one of the pioneering states in addressing this pervasive issue through a specialized task force. Formation of the Human Trafficking Response Unit In 2022, Oklahoma enacted … Read more
In an extraordinary case of bureaucratic confusion, Jason Kilburn, a 49-year-old Nebraska man from Valley, is embroiled in a months-long struggle to change his daughter’s legal name from the baffling “Unakite Thirteen Hotel” to a proper name that reflects her identity. This unusual error has left his toddler without a usable birth certificate or a … Read more
In a significant development within the Kansas House of Representatives, Democratic Representative Ford Carr has formally requested the initiation of a special investigative committee to examine allegations of inappropriate conduct by Republican Representative Nick Hoheisel. This request stems from a contentious exchange between the two lawmakers on the House floor, raising concerns about decorum and … Read more
In preparation for the upcoming severe weather season, Kansas will observe Severe Weather Preparedness Week from March 3 to March 7, 2025. As a key component of this initiative, a statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Residents across the state will hear tornado sirens as part of this … Read more
In response to Kansas’ escalating housing crisis, Representative Kyler Sweely has introduced House Bill 2328, aiming to authorize the use of prison labor for constructing housing units in underserved areas. This initiative seeks to mitigate the housing deficit while providing inmates with valuable vocational training. The Housing Shortage in Kansas Recent studies by the Kansas … Read more