News & Commentary

The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Sharon Brett is legal director at the ACLU of Kansas.

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. — A privately run maximum security federal prison in Kansas is dangerous and should be shut down when its contract expires at the end of this year, civil rights advocates and federal public defenders urged the White House in a letter.

TOPEKA — Kristi Gadino didn’t appear to be bothered by the “shockingly profane” language used by middle school students on her bus.

Wichita police wield the power to label anyone they deem suspicious as a gang member or associate. The Master Gang List, their confidential database, tracks the names of about 3,000 Wichita residents — even if they haven’t committed a crime. 

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Thursday she would commute or pardon the sentences of McCloud and seven others based on an exhaustive review of more than 200 applicants for clemency.

The ACLU of Kansas warned Uber Eats that its app profiles place transgender drivers at risk of harassment and violence, prompting the company to apologize Tuesday to a Kansas man and to resolve issues within the app that outed him.

Our system of government requires participation. It seems as though the Kansas Legislature wants to choose who participates. Voting is a right, not a privilege. Let’s keep working to make sure our lawmakers get the message.

A lawsuit filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice alleges the Wichita Police Department use of a gang list has disproportionately harmed communities of color.

Christopher McIntyre, a man battling terminal cancer was released from a Kansas prison Monday after corrections officials agreed his medical condition is so severe that he is not a threat to public safety. McIntyre is among 105 ACLU of Kansas clients who requested executive clemency.