Latest headlines from Sentinel KS, covering world, with clear attribution and direct links to the original publisher.
The owner of the Cozy Inn in Salina, Kansas has won another major court victory in his quest to paint a hamburger mural on the outside of his burger restaurant. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed a lower-court ruling that the City of Salina violated his First Amendment rights by ruling the mural […] The post Federal appeals court sides with Cozy Inn over mural appeared first on The Sentinel.
More than 150 parents, educators, health professionals and school leaders have presented an open letter to the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBOE) urging the panel to add education about the effects of social media to its draft technology policy for K-12 schools. The Screen Guardians group asks a single sentence on the subject be added […] The post Screen Guardians group urges state school board to add education to policy on technology in K-12 appeared first on The Sentinel.
With only days remaining until the mid-term elections, a Shawnee County judge has upheld a state law that requires the signature on a mail-in ballot to match the one on file for the voter in their county election office. First reported in the Sunflower State Journal, Judge Teresa Watson ruled that the four plaintiffs in […] The post Judge upholds state law requiring mail-in ballot signature match that on file in county election office appeared first on The Sentinel.
Recent guidance from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says storing cellphones in backpacks and lockers doesn’t meet state law requirements. Kansas State Senator Kenny Titus asked Kobach’s office for an opinion clarifying what the cellphone ban requires. “You ask whether the storage of personal electronic devices in students’ backpacks and lockers would satisfy HB 2299,” […] The post Attorney General issues cellphone guidance on storage in backpacks and lockers appeared first on The Sentinel.
Former Kansas congressman, CIA director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised American exceptionalism as he reflected on his career in delivering the keynote address at a gala celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kansas Policy Institute. The Sentinel is a subsidiary of KPI. Pompeo on his Wichita roots “This is a special place in […] The post Mike Pompeo reflects on his Kansas roots, extols America’s virtues at KPI’s 30th anniversary event appeared first on The Sentinel.
State assessment results jumped last year after the State Board of Education reduced proficiency standards, but Kansas is now back to modest gains, and outcomes remain far below SBOE’s stated goal of 75% of students proficient in reading and math. The state average for reading proficiency rose from 45% to 46% over the last year, while […] The post 2026 Kansas assessment scores show minor improvement based on lowered standards; ACT scores lowest in decades appeared first on The Sentinel.
USD 229 Blue Valley has been reducing hours for hourly workers, such as paraprofessionals, and cutting benefits in what district officials claim is a plan to curb a $10 million budget shortfall — but we now know the district gave some executives generous raises last school year. More than 20 Blue Valley executives got pay increases of more than […] The post Blue Valley, other districts giving major pay increases to executives while enrollment falls appeared first on The Sentinel.
New research from Kansas Policy Institute CEO Dave Trabert shows that enrollment declines are partly self-inflicted, especially in some urban and suburban districts. The Sentinel is a subsidiary of Kansas Policy Institute. Trabert said that while lower birth rates and population shifts are a factor, the data show there are other influences. “Lower birth rates […] The post Multiple reasons for Kansas school enrollment decline since 2020 appeared first on The Sentinel.
Kansas State Board of Education Attorney Mark Ferguson has taken exception to recent reporting by The Sentinel showing a potential violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. During the Oct. 13, 2026 meeting, Board Member Debby Potter asked for clarification of the purpose of an executive session during the discussion of the day’s agenda at […] The post State Board of Education attorney Mark Ferguson maintains no KOMA violation by board, but won’t identify the subject as required in state law app
USD 469, Lansing, school board member Kirsten Workman has been under fire by her colleagues for her student-focused outspokenness for some time. Indeed, the board is proposing policies that would essentially turn the board of education into a rubber stamp for the board president and superintendent of schools. The board voted Monday, Oct. 13, 2026, […] The post Lansing school board attempts to silence minority board members appeared first on The Sentinel.
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County is pushing back on a report by KMBC and repeated in a state legislative committee, that a state audit of UG finances found $40 million unaccounted for. In addition to the audit finding an error in the appropriation of $313,000 in road and bridge funds, KMBC reported on its […] The post Wyandotte UG rejects report claiming state audit found $40 million unaccounted for in county books appeared first on The Sentinel.
Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft has been selected to join the prestigious Rodel Fellowship class of 2027. According to a release from Croft, the Fellowship is a “highly selective, bipartisan leadership development program that brings together outstanding state and local elected officials from across the country.” Each year, the Rodel Fellowship selects 12 Republican […] The post Kansas House Majority Leader Croft selected to join 2027 Rodel Fellowship appeared first on The Sentinel.
A teacher at USD 251 North Lyon County recently accused a board member of violating an ethics policy recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) by placing a “vote no” sign in her yard on a school board issue. KASB says no such policy exists, and a legal expert says even if it […] The post North Lyon County Board of Ed member accused member of violating non-existent ethics policy appeared first on The Sentinel.
The Kansas State Board of Education, in cooperation with its attorney, appears to have violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) at the Oct. 13 meeting. As part of adopting the agenda, Board President Cathy Hopkins stated the Board would recess to executive session at the end of the meeting for “attorney-client privilege.” Board Member […] The post State Board of Education appears to violate Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) at recent meeting appeared first on The Sentinel.
Equipping school board members, district leaders and teachers with innovative but practical strategies to improve academic achievement was the focus of the annual Kansas School Board Resource Center (KSBRC) Summit. Like The Sentinel, KSBRC is a subsidiary of the Kansas Policy Institute. Over 150 educators and school leaders from 17 districts, along with authors and […] The post KSBRC Summit highlights “Innovation with Purpose” in Kansas school districts appeared first on The Sentinel.
