In an environment of declining news service, the Kansas Reflector has bucked the trend, starting the service in 2020 by offering in-depth reporting, and garnering awards along the way. At 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, you can learn what they’re all about, their experiences covering the Kansas legislature and the recent raid on the Marion County Record. The program location is the Front Door, 1615 10th Street, Great Bend.

Sherman Smith, editor of the Kansas Reflector, started the news service in 2020. A two-time Kansas Press Association journalist of the year, his award-winning reporting includes stories about education, technology, foster care, voting, COVID-19, sex abuse, and access to reproductive health care. Before founding Kansas Reflector, he spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal. 

Kansas Reflector is a nonprofit news operation providing in-depth reporting, diverse opinions and daily coverage of state government and politics. This public service is free to readers and other news outlets.

Join us to hear about staff experiences in news gathering, particularly covering the Kansas Legislature and the state of overall news coverage, from the Reflector’s perspective.

A question and comment time will provide opportunity for audience members to interact, become more informed and share perspectives on public policy and its effects in Great Bend and throughout the state.