In Kansas News
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt has entered the crowded Republican primary race for governor. Zane Irwin of the Kansas News Service reports.
Schmidt joins a growing pool of 2026 GOP candidates that includes former Governor Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Scott Schwab.
A pharmacist by training, Schmidt spent 14 years as a Kansas Senator and has served as insurance commissioner since 2019.
In her announcement video, Schmidt points to her experience in health policy as a provider, politician and patient.
“The biggest challenge of my life: beating breast cancer. It was scary and humbling.”
During her time as a lawmaker, Schmidt says she helped improve insurance coverage for children with autism.
For the Kansas News Service, I’m Zane Irwin.
And in Missouri News
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved Wednesday (yesterday) thirteen-billion-dollars’ worth of improvements for the state of Missouri. Some of those could help mitigate the buckling of roads caused by rising temperatures due to climate change.
Bill Buttlar is a University of Missouri professor specializing in pavement technology. He says Missouri roads have been in need of more funding to improve their condition.
“But, of course, um, you know you can always use more investment to bring the roads up to sorta the next level.”
Buttlar says some of that investment could go towards preventative measures which would lengthen the life of roadbeds.The Statewide TranSportation Improvement Program will kick off July 2026 and last until the summer of 2030.
Black Missourians can now express their natural hairstyles in educational settings without fear of repercussions. KCUR’s Brandon Azim (BRAN-duhn uh-ZEEM) explains.
It’s been dubbed The Crown Act….and it’s a bill that bans discriminatory practices on locs, braids, and other natural styles.It is now state law, since Gov. Mike Kehoe signed it with a slew of other laws on Wednesday.
Senator Barbara Washington of Kansas City, who sponsored the bill, said Black people historically have been denied jobs for not wearing straight hair.
"Afros in the 70s were considered militant, braids and dreadlocks are considered less elevated than one who wears a chemical or permanent in their hair."
California was the first state to pass the Crown Act due to a high school wrestler forced to cut his hair during a match.
For KCUR 89.3 Im Brandom Azim.