KMUW

ICE detention center in Kansas can open after Leavenworth granted a private prison company’s permit The city commission voted to grant a permit allowing private corrections company CoreCivic to hold over 1,000 federal immigration detainees in a shuttered facility.

The city commission voted to grant a permit allowing private corrections company CoreCivic to hold over 1,000 federal immigration detainees in a shuttered facility. www.kmuw.org/2026-03-10/i...

Proposed constitutional amendment would put abortion back on the Kansas ballot The Kansas Supreme Court determined in 2019 that the state's constitution protects abortion because it protects a woman's right to personal autonomy.

The Kansas Supreme Court determined in 2019 that the state's constitution protects abortion because it protects a woman's right to personal autonomy. www.kmuw.org/government/2...

Kansans on food assistance won't be able to buy candy and soda beginning next February The state will use candy and soda definitions that are already set in its food and sales tax laws.

The state will use candy and soda definitions that are already set in its food and sales tax laws.
www.kmuw.org/government/2...

Kansas House introduces bill creating sports authority needed to complete Chiefs stadium deal Public ownership of the new Chiefs stadium would shield bonds for the project from the federal income tax.

Public ownership of the new Chiefs stadium would shield bonds for the project from the federal income tax.
www.kmuw.org/sports/2026-...

Derby High School students discuss their experience walking out in protest of ICE Three students explain why they wanted to participate in an anti-ICE walkout at their school.

Derby High School students discuss their experience walking out in protest of ICE www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

Sports betting protections in Missouri and Kansas get failing grades A new report finds that states with legalized sports betting aren't doing enough to protect people from gambling trouble.

A new report finds that states with legalized sports betting aren't doing enough to protect people from gambling trouble.
www.kmuw.org/sports/2026-...

Gas prices in Kansas and Missouri are among nation's lowest as they spike amid Iran war Gas prices average $2.92 in Kansas and $2.98 in Missouri. California tops the nation at $5.20 per gallon.

Gas prices average $2.92 in Kansas and $2.98 in Missouri. California tops the nation at $5.20 per gallon.
www.kmuw.org/government/2...

Wichita school board rejects push to reconsider closing 4 elementary schools USD 259 will close L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools as soon as the end of next school year.

USD 259 will close L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools as soon as the end of next school year.
www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

ICE detention center in Kansas can open after Leavenworth granted a private prison company’s permit The city commission voted to grant a permit allowing private corrections company CoreCivic to hold over 1,000 federal immigration detainees in a shuttered facility.

Kansas law targeting transgender people’s IDs and bathroom use will stay in effect, judge rules www.kmuw.org/2026-03-10/i...

ICE detention center in Kansas can open after Leavenworth granted a private prison company’s permit The city commission voted to grant a permit allowing private corrections company CoreCivic to hold over 1,000 federal immigration detainees in a shuttered facility.

The city commission voted to grant a permit allowing private corrections company CoreCivic to hold over 1,000 federal immigration detainees in a shuttered facility. www.kmuw.org/2026-03-10/i...

Remembering Jenny Wood We remember Wichita and Nashville musician Jenny Wood, who passed on March 7 at age 43.

"Strange Currency" remembers Wichita and Nashville musician Jenny Wood, who passed on March 7 at age 43. Listen to the episode here: www.kmuw.org/show/strange...

Today on "Wichita's Early Edition," we’ll hear how a Kansas law is unintentionally punishing foster parents who adopt the children in their care.
www.kmuw.org/podcast/wich...

Gas prices in Kansas and Missouri are among nation's lowest as they spike amid Iran war Gas prices average $2.92 in Kansas and $2.98 in Missouri. California tops the nation at $5.20 per gallon.

Gas prices average $2.92 in Kansas and $2.98 in Missouri. California tops the nation at $5.20 per gallon.
www.kmuw.org/government/2...

Kansas foster care law forced an adopted teen to move out of his new family home Child welfare advocates say Kansas foster care regulations unintentionally tear families apart. State law forced one family to decide between asking their adopted son to move out when he turned 18 or…

Kansas foster care law forced an adopted teen to move out of his new family home
www.kmuw.org/2026-03-10/k...

Kansas foster care law forced an adopted teen to move out of his new family home Child welfare advocates say Kansas foster care regulations unintentionally tear families apart. State law forced one family to decide between asking their adopted son to move out when he turned 18 or…

Child welfare advocates say Kansas foster care regulations unintentionally tear families apart. State law forced one family to decide between asking their adopted son to move out when he turned 18 or send four younger boys out of their foster home.
www.kmuw.org/2026-03-10/k...

Derby High School students discuss their experience walking out in protest of ICE Three students explain why they wanted to participate in an anti-ICE walkout at their school.

Derby High School students discuss their experience walking out in protest of ICE
www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

Wichita school board rejects push to reconsider closing 4 elementary schools USD 259 will close L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools as soon as the end of next school year.

USD 259 will close L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools as soon as the end of next school year.
www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

Community members rally against plan to close 4 Wichita elementary schools The rally comes ahead of a key vote Monday on the planned closures of L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools.

The rally comes ahead of a key vote Monday on the planned closures of L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools.
www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

Saba Sams on her novel 'Gunk' Beth Golay speaks with Saba Sams about her new novel, 'Gunk.' And Suzanne Perez brings us a review of Jeannette McCurdy's 'Half His Age.'

Marginalia: Saba Sams on her novel "Gunk"
www.kmuw.org/podcast/marg...

‘Sponge cities’ soak up rain to help fight floods. Kansas City may become one of few in the region Places such as Minnesota and Austin, Texas, already use green infrastructure like rain gardens to absorb stormwater and keep pollution out of streams and lakes. Now communities across the Kansas City…

‘Sponge cities’ soak up rain to help fight floods. Kansas City may become one of few in the region
www.kmuw.org/2026-03-09/s...

Wichita-Nashville musician Jenny Wood dies at 43 KMUW’s “Strange Currency” will air a musical tribute to Wood on Monday night from 8-10 p.m.

Musician Jenny Wood died over the weekend, according to an announcement from family members on social media. She was 43.
www.kmuw.org/music/2026-0...

Wichita mayor urges fiscal discipline, rebuilding of trust after sales tax vote Mayor Lily Wu said a new sales tax vote is not on the horizon, but city leaders will talk during the budget process about how to pay for several of the initiatives the sales tax would have funded.

Mayor Lily Wu said a new sales tax vote is not on the horizon, but city leaders will talk during the budget process about how to pay for several of the initiatives the sales tax would have funded.
www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

Community members rally against plan to close 4 Wichita elementary schools The rally comes ahead of a key vote Monday on the planned closures of L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools.

Community members are rallying behind an effort to persuade Wichita Board of Education members to keep four elementary schools open ahead of a key vote on Monday. www.kmuw.org/local-news/2...

Kansas bill would allow renters to pay landlords in increments The proposal would allow renters to pay their monthly rent in multiple payments so long as all is paid in full and on time.

The proposal would allow renters to pay their monthly rent in multiple payments so long as all is paid in full and on time.
www.kmuw.org/government/2...

Kansas governor will hand over SNAP recipient data to Trump administration after long fight Gov. Laura Kelly originally refused to hand over the data, leading the federal government to threaten withholding SNAP funds. The governor said she received additional privacy guarantees for how the…

Gov. Laura Kelly originally refused to hand over the data, leading the federal government to threaten withholding SNAP funds. The governor said she received additional privacy guarantees for how the data will be used. www.kmuw.org/government/2...

Harvester Arts and Neighboring Movement join forces to offer affordable artist studios Harvester Arts has teamed up with the Neighboring Movement on South Broadway to offer artist studios on the cheap. The groups have secured space in a former law office south of Kellogg, where the…

Harvester Arts has teamed up with the Neighboring Movement on South Broadway to offer artist studios on the cheap. The groups have secured space in a former law office south of Kellogg, where the rent is reasonable and artists can find a place to create. www.kmuw.org/podcast/art-...

A new breed of vet wants to make clinic trips 'fear free' for pets and their owners A handful of Wichita-area vets are part of an emerging movement in veterinary medicine called "Fear Free." The techniques aim to change how our pets feel about visiting the doctor.

A handful of Wichita-area vets are part of an emerging movement in veterinary medicine called "Fear Free." The techniques aim to change how our pets feel about visiting the doctor.
www.kmuw.org/news/2026-03...

Algae is a 'little vacuum' for microplastics. Midwest scientists think it could clean up the problem Tiny shards of plastic called microplastics are all over the environment and even inside human bodies. Researchers have found a type of bioengineered algae that can clean up these pesky particles.

Algae is a "little vacuum'"for microplastics. Midwest scientists think it could clean up the problem. www.kmuw.org/2026-03-04/a...

Kansas legislators want to eliminate state laws about silencers and sawed-off shotguns The Kansas bill is prompted by changes in federal law and the possibility of registration requirements regarding silencers and short-barreled shotguns being overturned completely.

Kansas lawmakers want to legalize silencers and sawed-off shotguns
www.kmuw.org/2026-03-04/k...

Kansas bill would allow renters to pay landlords in increments The proposal would allow renters to pay their monthly rent in multiple payments so long as all is paid in full and on time.

The proposal would allow renters to pay their monthly rent in multiple payments so long as all is paid in full and on time. www.kmuw.org/government/2...