News & Commentary

A federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union questions the security of a multistate voter registration database championed by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas on Wednesday issued a report critical of what it calls a “severe under-utilization” of diversion practices by county prosecutors across the state, but highlighted the practices of Shawnee County District Attorney Michael Kagay as an example of a positive exception.

"Kansas should adopt a more sustainable and comprehensive approach to criminal justice — an approach that will address issues like mental illness, addiction, rehabilitation and poverty instead of just throwing more and more offenders behind bars."

"Expansion of diversion programs alone may be inadequate to relieve the crowding pressures on the Douglas County Jail. But it is the kind of incarceration alternative that should be maximized as a means of offsetting the cost of jail expansion."

The Lawrence Journal-World outlines how the increased use of diversion could impact Douglas County.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has called for a school district in the Kansas City area to eliminate a policy prohibiting public complaints about individuals at board meetings.

We call on the Shawnee Mission School District to appoint an independent investigator to explore racial harassment allegations against Shawnee Mission South basketball coach Brett McFall.

“Who is Kris Kobach?” Kubic asks, repeatedly and with relish.

 A Muslim student athlete who refused to observe the national anthem for religious reasons at a basketball game in Kansas has been kicked off the team following altercations with a team supporter, who accused him of disrespecting the American flag, and a coach.