In Kansas News
There are less protections for birth control access in Kansas than in any other state, according to new research. Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga (wahn-GAHN-guh) of the Kansas News Service explains.
"The Population Reference Bureau, or PRB, a health research organization, recently released a scorecard grading each states’ policies on access to contraceptives.
Christine Power with PRB says the study considers Kansas policies to be restrictive. But what really hurts the state’s score is a lack of policies supporting accessibility.
“Such as contraceptive coverage, extended supply of contraceptives, and emergency contraception.”
Power says Kansas lawmakers should consider filling those gaps to promote access to contraceptives.For the Kansas News Service, I’m Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga"
A Kansas economist says proposed solar farms will still be a boon to the state despite expected increased energy prices.
The recent passage of the Trump Administration’s Big Beautiful Bill ended tax incentives for solar and wind energy projects. That will result in increasing costs for consumers.
Craig Compton with the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University says there are still economic benefits to green energy projects, like a proposed solar farm in Cherokee County. Compton says that project is expected to add millions of dollars to the southeast Kansas economy and increase the supply of energy.
"The increase in that supply curve can serve to reduce the cost"
Construction on the solar farm in Cherokee County is slated to begin in 2027.
And in Missouri News
A Springfield. MO-based pizza and entertainment business is preparing for a major brand transformation. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more.
"America’s Incredible Pizza was started in the southwest Missouri city in 2002 by Rick and Cheryl Barsness. The flagship store has expanded into five corporate-owned locations and one franchise across the U.S., with three franchises in Mexico.
As the business nears its 25th anniversary, executive vice-president and the Barsness’s daughter, Ashley McGuire, says it’s time for a refresh.
“You know, when most things turn 25, it’s time to look and see what you’ve done and where you’ve come from and how you’re going to relate to the future.”
McGuire says the purpose of the rebranding is to stay relevant. She’s not exactly sure what the rebranding will look like, but she says it could include some logo updates and room updates. She says they’ll roll out the changes in 2026."
There’s a growing affordability crisis for renters, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Its new report says most minimum wage earners in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas are likely to be rent-burdened. That means they pay more than 30-percent of their income on rent.
The report points to discriminatory housing practices, high rental costs and cutbacks to federal housing programs as parts of the problem.Dan Emmanuel [eh-MAN-you-ul] is the director of federal research for the coalition.
“I think a lot of rust belt midwest cities, you have a lot more challenges with preserving the quality of the housing stock. There, also challenges like on the income side."
Emmanuel says many Midwest cities have not prioritized new affordable housing.