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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief

@journalist-sherman.bsky.social
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I write news stories of public interest.

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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Anna Kaminski @anna-writes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Some good news to start the week: Two nonprofits will abolish $34M in medical debt for +21,000 Kansans. “This isn’t actually about medical debt,” said Melissa Morales. “This is about a broken healthcare system that people can’t afford.” #ksleg kansasreflector.com/2026/10/05/n...
kansasreflector.com
Nonprofits to erase $34 million in medical debt for 21,000 Kansans • Kansas Reflector
More than 21,000 Kansans are set to receive a letter this month notifying them that their medical debt has disappeared.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 06/10/2026
Roger Marshall’s attack ad against Adam Hamilton contains unauthorized image of children | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg
kansasreflector.com
Roger Marshall's attack ad against Adam Hamilton contains unauthorized image of children • Kansas Reflector
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall's commercial critical of Democrat Adam Hamilton features unauthorized use of a picture taken of youth sitting in a Kansas chapel.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Morgan Chilson @crazeywriter.bsky.social · 15h
Lots of discussion during ICE raids in SW KS about whether it would raise the price of beef. The slow-down was too short (basically two days or so) to really have an effect, experts say. But ag relies on immigrant labor & reform is needed. kansasreflector.com/2026/10/06/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas agriculture and rural communities need immigrants, but system has failed them • Kansas Reflector
Blame for the lack of immigration reform to meet the needs of workers and the agriculture industry lies squarely with the federal government, and change must happen, one farmer said in response to Sep...
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
lydelle BLEAAAH!ster @babyshoes4cash.com · 02/10/2026
get ready for everyone to be extremely normal about this,
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“You have a group of people whose only crime is that they came into this country and don’t have a green card or don’t have the right paperwork. If that’s their only crime, then why are they locked into a facility?” #ksleg
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 28/09/2026
Follow us wherever you get your podcasts to hear the latest from the Kansas Reflector podcast. #ksleg open.spotify.com/show/4L6BD0r... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k... kansasreflector.com/podcasts/
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Themistocles’ Wall🇲🇽🇵🇷🇨🇷🇭🇳🇻🇪🇵🇦🇬🇵🇸🇻🇧🇿🇳🇮🇧🇷🇨🇴🇪🇨🇺🇾🇧🇴🇦🇷 @themistocleswall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
@anna-writes.bsky.social doing the lord’s work in Kansas kudos 👍🏼👍🏼
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 28/09/2026
Roger Marshall alleges defamation in new ad about former Kansas patient arrested while in debt | #ksleg via @anna-writes.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/09/28/r...
kansasreflector.com
Roger Marshall alleges defamation in new ad about former Kansas patient arrested while in debt • Kansas Reflector
Lawyers for a U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican running for reelection, sent his opponent a cease-and-desist letter demanding the Democrat stop airing an ad featuring one of the senator’s former ...
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Max McCoy @maxmccoy.com · 27/09/2026
Me talking about my @kansasreflector.com columns today at The Land Institute. Photo: Kim Horner McCoy
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Max McCoy @maxmccoy.com · 25/09/2026
I'll be appearing at The Land Institute's Prairie Festival at Salina tomorrow! Talking/moderating a panel at 3 and signing copies of "Elevations" around 6 with Wes Jackson and others.
landinstitute.org
Prairie Festival 2026
Celebrate 50 years of perennial possibilities at Prairie Festival 2026 with compelling keynote speakers, art, music, food, science, and more.
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
View from my front door this morning
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Max McCoy @maxmccoy.com · 21/09/2026
I'm speaking in Lawrence about data centers today.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 21/09/2026
Follow us on Apple or Spotify to hear the latest episodes of our weekly podcast. open.spotify.com/show/4L6BD0r... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k... kansasreflector.com/podcasts/
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and his wife put down roots in Sarasota, hosting fundraising events, obtaining real estate and fishing licenses and filing paperwork from the coastal Florida town | #ksleg via @anna-writes.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/09/18/u...
kansasreflector.com
US Sen. Roger Marshall leaves paper trail in Florida while calling Kansas home • Kansas Reflector
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall established deeper roots than previously disclosed in Sarasota, Florida, where he had a vacation home that he traveled to on official business and said he used for visiting fa...
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
🌸Ms. M6794🌸 @msm6794.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“Transgender folks are not the 1% of the world screwing everything up. I feel sorry for these people that their world is so small that I am the biggest thing in it. I’m more concerned about education & highways & econ opportunities than what’s on my driver’s license. I want everybody to succeed.”
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
US House Equality @ushouseequality.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My goodness, the @kansasreflector.com is on tiktok, immediate share. Bluesky is great for us 38-year olds [coughcough] but you also gotta reach the children.
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A Kansas Republican Party officer called the Secretary of State’s Office in July to ask why a new state law that regulates gender markers wasn’t being applied to the voter registration of a transgender Democrat running for a Kansas House seat #ksleg kansasreflector.com/2026/09/16/r...
kansasreflector.com
Records show Kansas election officials refused call to police gender markers on voter files • Kansas Reflector
A Kansas Republican Party officer called the Secretary of State's Office in July to ask why a new state law that polices gender markers wasn't being applied to the voter registration of a transgender ...
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Vice President JD Vance on Monday vouched for Kansas Republicans running for the U.S. Senate and the governor’s office, bucking Democrats who want to regain control of Congress in November #ksleg via @anna-writes.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/09/14/v...
kansasreflector.com
Vance rallies support for Kansas Republicans in pointed speech interrupted by protester • Kansas Reflector
Vice President JD Vance on Monday vouched for Kansas Republicans running for the U.S. Senate and the governor’s office, curbing threats from Democrats, who want to regain control of Congress in Novemb...
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Los candidatos a gobernador se enzarzaron en una verdadera pelea a puño limpio cuando subieron al escenario el sábado en la Feria Estatal de Kansas para un debate marcado por los cánticos y abucheos de una multitud entusiasta de seguidores en duelo #ksleg kansasreflector.com/2026/09/14/i...
kansasreflector.com
Candidatos a gobernador debaten sobre impuestos, centros de datos y vales en la Feria de Kansas • Kansas Reflector
Los candidatos a gobernador se enzarzaron en una verdadera pelea a puño limpio cuando subieron al escenario el sábado en la Feria Estatal de Kansas para un debate marcado por los cánticos y abucheos d...
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Some photos from Vice President JD Vance's rally Monday at Webco Manufacturing in Olathe, Kansas #ksleg
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Morgan Chilson @crazeywriter.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
VP JD Vance warned fraudsters not to screw with American taxpayers. In a quick trip to KS and MO, he held a campaign rally and held a news conference to announce a fraud crackdown on people who abused the Paycheck Protection Program during COVID pandemic. kansasreflector.com/2026/09/14/v...
kansasreflector.com
Vance warns fraudsters not to ‘screw the American taxpayer’ as operation uncovers $245M in losses • Kansas Reflector
The federal government is going after thousands of people suspected of stealing millions of dollars fduring the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Tim Carpenter @kansascarpenter.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
In Kansas Reflector podcast interview, Kansas GOP gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson talks about his past, state's future. kansasreflector.com/2026/09/14/k... @kansascarpenter.bsky.social
kansasreflector.com
Kansas Republican Ty Masterson concentrates gubernatorial campaign on generational change • Kansas Reflector
Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, the GOP nominee for governor, shares thought about his life and campaign to become the state's next governor.
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Vance announced the administration has identified 870,000 individuals suspected of abusing SBA programs, and that they will be cut off from future loans and grants #ksleg
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Vance arrives in Kansas City #ksleg
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Morgan Chilson @crazeywriter.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
@journalist-sherman.bsky.social and I are in the press pool for VP JD Vance today! Looking forward to hearing him talk about fraud and other national issues. www.tiktok.com/t/ZP83CHvvP/
tiktok.com
Reporter Morgan Chilson is covering Vice President JD Vance's visit Monday to the Kansas City area.
TikTok video by Kansas Reflector
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
With @crazeywriter.bsky.social in local press pool to cover JD Vance today in Kansas City #ksleg
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Max McCoy @maxmccoy.com · 13/09/2026
My @kansasreflector.com column today.
kansasreflector.com
Who bankrolls Emporia’s data center bid is the $3 million question. The answer is sought in court. • Kansas Reflector
Secrecy has been a hallmark of the data center assault on rural America, and few subjects have been as secret — or as enigmatic — as the money behind the proposed “digital campus” for my town of Empor...
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Black Intellect Media @blackintellect.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
In scorching Kansas State Fair debate, governor candidates fight over taxes, data centers, vouchers. Reporting by @journalist-sherman.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/09/12/i...
kansasreflector.com
In scorching Kansas State Fair debate, governor candidates fight over taxes, data centers, vouchers • Kansas Reflector
Candidates for governor engaged in a veritable bare-knuckled brawl when they took the stage Saturday at the Kansas State Fair for a debate punctuated by the typical chants and jeers of an enthusiastic...
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Via @anna-writes.bsky.social: Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and the Rev. Adam Hamilton, a Democrat, confronted a raucous crowd Saturday defending their stances on tariffs, the war in Iran and partisan politics. #ksleg kansasreflector.com/2026/09/12/c...
kansasreflector.com
Clamorous crowd dominates first Kansas U.S. Senate debate between Marshall, Hamilton • Kansas Reflector
HUTCHINSON — Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and the Rev. Adam Hamilton, a Democrat, confronted a raucous crowd Saturday defending their stances on tariffs, the war in Iran and partisan ...
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Some of my photos from today's action at the state fair debates #ksleg
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Kansas State Fair debate: Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton respond to a question about their residency in and outside of Kansas. #ksleg
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Candidates for governor engaged in a veritable bare-knuckle brawl when they took the stage Saturday at the Kansas State Fair for a debate punctuated by the chants and jeers of an enthusiastic crowd of dueling supporters #ksleg kansasreflector.com/2026/09/12/i...
kansasreflector.com
In scorching Kansas State Fair debate, governor candidates fight over taxes, data centers, vouchers • Kansas Reflector
Candidates for governor engaged in a veritable bare-knuckled brawl when they took the stage Saturday at the Kansas State Fair for a debate punctuated by the typical chants and jeers of an enthusiastic...
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Evelyn D. R. "Dell" Adams @dell-adams.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Sedate with destiny! This is worth reading btw
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Nolan Zugernat @zugernat.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Yeah it looks like the crowd is on the verge of getting out of control
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I'm at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson to cover the gubernatorial debate. The atmosphere is wild as always. #ksleg
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Happy to see two @kansasreflector.com authors on the Raven Book Store events board #ksleg
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Tim Carpenter @kansascarpenter.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Kansas Legislature extends state support to Wyandotte County storm recovery efforts for until October. kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansa... @kansascarpenter.bsky.social
kansasreflector.com
Kansas Legislature extends disaster declaration in response to Wyandotte County storm • Kansas Reflector
Kansas legislative leaders agree to extend until Oct. 4 a disaster declaration to provide state aid to Wyandotte County following a severe August storm.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 04/09/2026
Kansas Republicans assert state agency improperly shifted cash among disability service programs | #ksleg via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/09/04/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas Republicans assert state agency improperly shifted cash among disability service programs • Kansas Reflector
Several Republican members of the Kansas Legislature express irritation with a state agency's transfer of $24 million among state disability programs.
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Via @anna-writes.bsky.social: The Kansas attorney general’s race is the latest to gain recognition from national political observers, who began cautiously adding to Democrats’ November chances following the August primaries #ksleg kansasreflector.com/2026/09/01/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas attorney general's race nears toss-up designation in 'Democratic-leaning midterm' • Kansas Reflector
The Kansas attorney general’s race is the latest to gain recognition from national political observers, who began cautiously adding to Democrats’ November chances following the August primaries.
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
University of Kansas journalism graduate Lara Korte is suing the Pentagon after being fired from the Stars and Stripes for comments about the military publication’s editorial freedom | #ksleg via @maya3smith.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/09/01/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas journalism grad sues the Pentagon after being fired from Stars and Stripes • Kansas Reflector
A University of Kansas journalism graduate is suing the Pentagon after being fired from the Stars and Stripes for comments about the military publication’s editorial freedom.
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Max McCoy @maxmccoy.com · 31/08/2026
"Elevations: A Personal Exploration of the Arkansas River" will be released in paperback by the @univpressofkansas.bsky.social next week. Drop by the William Allen White state historic site in Emporia and help me celebrate, 4-6 pm Tuesday, Sept. 8. Buy a book and I'll buy you a drink!
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Morgan Chilson @crazeywriter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
KS pharmacist Will Anderson advocates for upping transparency of pharmacy benefit manager tactics (middlemen in the industry). He's pleased Kansas passed a law but it will take time for data to come through. Meanwhile, he's seeing revenues drop. kansasreflector.com/2026/08/31/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas pharmacist awaits data, expects state to save millions from transparency under new law • Kansas Reflector
A Lawrence pharmacy is losing revenue under a bipartisan law that holds the pharmacy industry to new standards of transparency.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 31/08/2026
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall ‘frustrated’ by beef imports as Kansan worries about selling cattle | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg
kansasreflector.com
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall ‘frustrated’ by beef imports as Kansan worries about selling cattle • Kansas Reflector
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall said he is “frustrated” President Donald Trump is importing beef from foreign countries, sparking fear among domestic cattle producers that the action could undercut their mar...
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
“We’ve really slipped into an authoritarian government type of situation. The city commission is debating on how to get rid of public comments. Our voices don’t matter to the people that have been elected to represent us.” #ksleg
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Anna Kaminski @anna-writes.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
A tornado-like storm hit KCK early Wednesday morning, damaging homes, trees and power lines without much warning for residents. Community leaders, who mobilized hundreds of volunteers, said it wasn't until days later that government agencies arrived to help. kansasreflector.com/2026/08/28/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas City groups band together in wake of surprise storm's severe damage, slow government response • Kansas Reflector
In the absence of immediate government response, community organizations in Kansas City, Kansas, banded together to help each other reckon with the effects of a tornado-like storm that damaged homes, ...
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Kansas Reflector @kansasreflector.com · 27/08/2026
Federal agencies threaten to punish two Kansas school districts over gender-inclusive policies | via @maya3smith.bsky.social #ksleg
kansasreflector.com
Federal agencies threaten to punish two Kansas school districts over gender-inclusive policies  • Kansas Reflector
The U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education announced a plan for increased enforcement against two Kansas school districts.
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Morgan Chilson @crazeywriter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A second data center story about what communities, specifically Loudoun County, VA., are doing to make sure data centers develop appropriately. Interesting how much they have learned, and how many questions remain. kansasreflector.com/2026/08/27/k...
kansasreflector.com
Kansas communities can learn from 'painful lessons' of data center developments in other states • Kansas Reflector
Kansas communities exploring data center development must put policies in place to protect the community and the environment.
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Reposted by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief
Tim Carpenter @kansascarpenter.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Former Kansan running for governor in Iowa likes to tout private school he helped start in Wichita, but shy when it comes to school's troubled finances and that stolen gun. kansasreflector.com/2026/08/25/i... @kansascarpenter.bsky.social
kansasreflector.com
Iowa gubernatorial candidate's personal loans sustain Kansas school he touts as better model • Kansas Reflector
The 2026 GOP nominee for Iowa governor avoids discussing uncomfortable financial details about the Kansas private school he co-founded in Wichita in 2018.
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Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector editor in chief @journalist-sherman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn champions the unconventional, hands-on private school he helped launch in Kansas as the best model for reinventing schools. But he doesn't mention the school's precarious finances #ksleg #ksed via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social kansasreflector.com/2026/08/25/i...
kansasreflector.com
Iowa gubernatorial candidate's personal loans sustain Kansas school he touts as better model • Kansas Reflector
The 2026 GOP nominee for Iowa governor avoids discussing uncomfortable financial details about the Kansas private school he co-founded in Wichita in 2018.
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