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Missouri and Kansas Face Double-Digit ACA Premium Hikes

Missouri and Kansas Face Double-Digit ACA Premium Hikes

Insurance companies in Missouri and Kansas are proposing significant premium increases for ACA marketplace plans in 2027, with hikes ranging from 10% to 35%. The increases are attributed to rising healthcare costs and increased patient claims. The trend follows a similar pattern from the previous year, impacting individuals relying on the ACA marketplace for health insurance.
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J. Joan Wiggins Swyers Goodknight's Legacy Celebrated in Kansas

J. Joan Wiggins Swyers Goodknight's Legacy Celebrated in Kansas

J. Joan Wiggins Swyers Goodknight's Legacy Celebrated in Kansas
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Missouri and Kansas ACA Premiums Set to Rise Significantly in 2027

Missouri and Kansas ACA Premiums Set to Rise Significantly in 2027

Insurance companies in Missouri and Kansas are planning to increase premiums for health insurance plans sold through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace in 2027. Preliminary rate filings with state insurance regulators indicate that every carrier in these states is seeking to raise prices, with proposed increases ranging from 10% to 35% compared to 2026 rates. This follows a similar trend from the previous year. Insurers attribute the hikes to rising healthcare costs and an increase in patient claims, which they argue are eroding their profits. The proposed increases are part of a broader national trend, with a median premium increase of 15% requested by insurers across the U.S. for the upcoming year.
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Michael Hinton Advocates for National Recognition of Antique Tractor Preservation Day

Michael Hinton Advocates for National Recognition of Antique Tractor Preservation Day

Michael Hinton, known as 'America’s Antique Tractor Ambassador,' is leading a movement to celebrate agricultural history through Antique Tractor Preservation Day. His efforts have gained support from various state leaders, including Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran. Hinton's advocacy has led to official recognitions in states like Nebraska and Illinois, and he was invited to the White House for the Great American Agriculture Celebration. Hinton's passion for vintage farm equipment is rooted in his childhood and family ties, and he continues to promote the preservation of agricultural heritage across the nation.
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Salina Family Seeks Public Help After Ashes Stolen in Burglary

Salina Family Seeks Public Help After Ashes Stolen in Burglary

A family in Salina, Kansas, is appealing to the public for assistance following a burglary that resulted in the theft of a cherished family member's ashes. The incident occurred when the homeowner returned to find their house ransacked, with several items missing, including a light pink urn adorned with roses containing the ashes of the family's grandmother. Amanda Kirby, whose father-in-law's home was targeted, described the scene as 'gut-wrenching,' noting the disarray and the emotional impact of the theft. The family had intended to lay the grandmother's ashes to rest in north central Kansas. A neighbor reported seeing a man leaving the area as the homeowner arrived, and surveillance cameras captured a possible suspect. Salina Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest, while the family has added an additional $300 to the reward.
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Three Kansas House Incumbents Lose in Primary Election

Three Kansas House Incumbents Lose in Primary Election

In a significant political shift, three Kansas House incumbents, including two Democrats and one Republican, were defeated in the recent primary elections. Among the notable losses was Rep. Henry Helgerson, a long-serving fiscal conservative Democrat, who was unseated by former Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple. In another Wichita district, Democratic Rep. Ford Carr lost to Bonita Gooch, a local publisher. Meanwhile, in southeast Kansas, Republican Rep. Ken Collins was defeated by retired pastor Dan Muter. These results reflect a changing political landscape in Kansas, with new candidates poised to bring different perspectives to the state legislature.
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Ellis County Voters Reject Constitutional Amendment, Maintain Judicial Appointment Process

Ellis County Voters Reject Constitutional Amendment, Maintain Judicial Appointment Process

Ellis County voters, along with the majority of Kansans, have voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that sought to change the governor's method of appointing justices to the Kansas Supreme Court. In Ellis County, 56% of voters opposed the amendment, aligning with the statewide 'no' vote of 61%. The decision maintains the current judicial appointment process. The primary election also included several contested local races, with a voter turnout of 29.14% in Ellis County. Key races included the State Board of Education and the State Representative for the 110th District.
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Wichita Democrats Advance Katy Tyndell to Challenge Rep. Ron Estes for Congressional Seat

Wichita Democrats Advance Katy Tyndell to Challenge Rep. Ron Estes for Congressional Seat

Katy Tyndell, a Wichita attorney and business owner, has been selected by Kansas Democrats to challenge incumbent Rep. Ron Estes in the upcoming November election for the U.S. House of Representatives. Tyndell, who leads a nonpartisan civic engagement organization, won the Democratic primary over military veteran Chris Carmichael. Her campaign focuses on integrity, support for working families, and prioritizing people over partisan politics. Tyndell will face Estes and Libertarian candidate Drew Cranmer in the general election.
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Hailstorm Damage Forces Business Relocations in Salina, Kansas

Hailstorm Damage Forces Business Relocations in Salina, Kansas

Salina, Kansas, experienced significant hailstorm damage earlier this year, leading to the temporary closure of several businesses at Salina Central Mall. Among the affected was Joyful Noise Playhouse, which has now reopened at a new downtown location at 108 South Santa Fe after a three-month hiatus. The hailstorm caused widespread disruption, displacing multiple businesses that are still in the process of relocating. Joyful Noise Studios, the music education branch of the company, has also moved to 110 West Walnut. The reopening comes as part of the community's efforts to recover from the storm's impact, with local support playing a key role in the transition. The Sunflower Summer program is currently offering free admission to participating attractions, including Joyful Noise Playhouse, until August 8.
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Primary Results Set Stage for November Elections in Key States

Primary Results Set Stage for November Elections in Key States

Primary elections in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington have concluded, setting the stage for significant November matchups. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic Senate primary, defeating Haley Stevens. In Virginia, Suhas Subramanyam and Dave Beckwith will compete for the 10th Congressional District. The results reflect a mix of establishment and progressive victories, with El-Sayed's win highlighting a shift towards progressive candidates in some areas.
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Christian Zazueta, Charles Davalan among Dodgers prospects on the rise

Christian Zazueta, Charles Davalan among Dodgers prospects on the rise

Five Dodgers among top 30 prospects at Baseball America. Davalan named Midwest League player of month for July
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Missouri and Kansas Voters Reject GOP-Backed Ballot Measures, Uphold Direct Democracy

Missouri and Kansas Voters Reject GOP-Backed Ballot Measures, Uphold Direct Democracy

Voters in Missouri and Kansas have rejected ballot measures backed by Republican state legislatures that aimed to increase GOP influence. In Missouri, a proposal to make it harder for citizen-initiated amendments to pass was defeated. This measure would have required such amendments to win in every congressional district, while legislature-proposed amendments needed only a statewide majority. In Kansas, voters turned down a proposal to change the process of appointing state Supreme Court justices, which would have allowed voters to elect justices, potentially leading to a court more aligned with anti-abortion views. These results reflect a pushback against efforts to limit direct democracy and maintain voter influence over state governance.