Kansas foster care providers and staff debate ways to reduce racism in system
In Kansas, disparities in treatment of Black children appear to start before birth. Black children are also consistently overrepresented in foster care.
Lawrence Human Relations Commission votes to advance CROWN Act
Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission on Thursday voted to ask city legal staff to draft an ordinance to implement the CROWN Act, a law that bans race-based hair discrimination. They also said goodbye to Commissioner Kay Emerson.
Church and state: Republicans revel in divine plan to turn Kansas into ‘conservative sanctuary’
This week, Kansas Reflector is publishing a series of stories that examine the influence of religious beliefs on state government. On Monday, they begin with a GOP official’s plans for turning Kansas into a conservative sanctuary.
White Kansas lawmaker denies racism in House: ‘This body is more compassionate and loving’
Debate over a police bill last week turned into a discussion of Statehouse racism, with a white lawmaker asserting the House was too “loving and compassionate” to pass racist policy. A Black lawmaker disagreed.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Indigenous Community Center’s event series to honor missing, murdered Indigenous people, spread awareness
A weeklong series of events in Lawrence aim to educate the community about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, who are often denied justice. All are invited to participate in solidarity.
Systemic issues highlighted in Lawrence community health assessment; health department seeks feedback
A recent assessment shows that inadequate wages, incarceration, lack of affordable housing, access to health care and more are top issues affecting public health in Lawrence and Douglas County. Health department staff members want to hear from the community to help shape the next health plan.
Physician asks Kansas lawmakers to ban racial diversity programs at medical schools, hospitals
A controversial physician and author urged the Kansas Legislature to ban hospitals and medical schools from compelling students and employees to pledge allegiance to critical race theory, affirmative action and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Vera Institute report on Douglas County jail spotlights racial disparities, charges driving incarceration
Almost one out of every three Black men ages 25-54 living in Douglas County were booked into the jail between 2017 and 2021.
That number is among findings in a recent report by the Vera Institute of Justice examining incarceration here.
Schmidt blasts Kelly’s justice commission despite his affirmation of racial bias by Kansas police
Republican governor candidate Derek Schmidt’s new campaign commercials castigate Gov. Laura Kelly for creating in 2020 a Commission on Racial Equity and Justice to search for solutions to problems within Kansas law enforcement agencies, despite affirming in October 2020 that he believed racial bias was present within Kansas law enforcement.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Ex-employee alleges Bert Nash supervisor asked her to change her natural Black hair style, discriminated against her
A former employee of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center alleges that her supervisor asked her to make her hair “more white looking” because her natural Black hair looked “messy and unkempt.”
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