Hunger in Kansas has drawn renewed attention in recent months. Through our new series, Feeding Solutions, The Journal will explore some of the efforts aimed at creating lasting solutions. #SolutionsJournalism #FoodInsecurity

Congratulations to Colin Burke of Salina South Middle School, winner of the 2026 Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®! 🏆 He'll represent Kansas at the #NationalCivicsBee Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall. Read about it & see more pix: kansasleadershipcenter.org/salina-stude...

”The whole thing's been an important part of our lives, and it's a way that we're able to give back and pay it forward.” ✍ Jacinda Hall 📸 Selena Rivas Favela

Leadership can be lonely. It doesn't have to be. Executive directors from 16 nonprofit organizations came together for the first Luminary Lab retreat to explore conscious leadership, tackle complex challenges and learn from one another. #KLCImpactSeries

Two group stage matches down. Two left to go, plus a round of 32 and quarterfinal matches on July 3 and July 11. Already the assessments are beginning.

Jeff Tuttle, the veteran photojournalist whose images have helped define The Journal for more than a decade, is not, if we're being honest, a huge fan of soccer. But that didn't stop Tuttle from capturing memorable images from the early days of Kansas City's hosting the 2026 World Cup.

What makes the National Civics Bee® so special? 🏆 In this conversation with Fayola Oyatayo, KLC President and CEO Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan shares why she's excited to welcome this year's finalists to Wichita. Join us this Saturday, June 27. KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee #NationalCivicsBee

Learning the ideas is one thing. Helping others put them into practice is another. That's what Equip to Lead is all about. Last week, 18 participants spent two days practicing facilitation skills, receiving feedback and preparing to share KLC ideas with others. #KLCpath #WhenEveryoneLeads

Sometimes progress looks like a cleaned-out workspace. As part of United Way of the Plains Day of Action, Kathy Lefler, Luvyna Mantle and Shannon Pope spent the day helping Rainbows United prepare for an office consolidation. #PeopleHelpingPeople #ForceForGood #DayOfAction

One week to go. 🏆 Returning emcee Fayola Oyatayo & keynote speaker Tanya Ramesh will join us June 27 for the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®. Free & open to the public. RSVP: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee #NationalCivicsBee

Despite the months of preparation, the launch of ConnectKC’s bus service to Arrowhead for the match between Argentinian and Algeria did not go smoothly. Fans reported long delays, traffic jams, and, in one social media post, an out of town bus driver who got lost. #WorldCup #KCMO #PublicTransport

After months of competition, 15 students remain. 🏆 The finalists for the 2026 Kansas State Finals of the #NationalCivicsBee have been announced. On June 27, they'll compete in Wichita for the opportunity to represent Kansas at nationals in DC. See the list & RSVP: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee

“It used to be we’d tag along with other cities and say, ‘Hey listen to us.’ Now we go alone.” ✍️ Dawn Bormann Novascone & Mark Wiebe 📷 Jeff Tuttle

Kansas nonprofits told us they need more support for developing people, navigating complexity and preparing for what's next. Today, the first Luminary Lab cohort begins as part of KLC's new Nonprofit Business Impact Series. #KLCImpactSeries

Last year, Tanya Ramesh won the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®. A few months later, she represented Kansas in Washington, D.C. and finished among the top five students in the nation. KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee #NationalCivicsBee

While on assignment for The Journal, photographer Jeff Tuttle caught up with riders in Biking Across Kansas on Highway 160 near Medicine Lodge. Here is some of what he captured.

“In Croatia, the third-most important thing in the world is soccer,” said Goran Dordevic, a Croatian refugee of the Bosnian War who immediately found a home at St. John after emigrating to the US in the 1990s. “The first most important thing is God and family.” ✍️ Mark Wiebe 📷 Jeff Tuttle

When young people are trusted with real challenges, they rise to meet them. 30 Prairie Schooner Mates spent part of Riverfest exploring how to make progress on issues they care about through #WhenEveryoneLeads. Thanks to Bank of America & Wichita Festivals Inc. for making this experience possible.

You're invited to the Kansas State Finals of the #NationalCivicsBee on June 27 in Wichita. Students from across KS will test their civics knowledge, present ideas for strengthening their communities and compete for a chance to represent KS in Washington, D.C. RSVP: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee

States with ever-enlarging paddling programs, like Iowa and Nebraska, say dedicated staff greatly improves public awareness and can greatly improve landowner awareness and cooperation. ✍️ Michael Pearce 📸 Selena Rivas Favela & Michael Pearce

They thought the opportunity had passed them by. Last week, 57 Wichita adults walked across the stage and proved otherwise. Behind every diploma was a story of persistence, sacrifice and a community that refused to give up on people.

Wabaunsee County and Riley County are neighbors. But recent news shows contrasts in their law enforcement philosophies. Learn more in the latest edition of Connecting Threads, a column that provides updates on Journal stories from the recent and distant past. ✍️ Bruce Janssen

What does the American Dream mean in 2026? More than 50 people gathered last night for Testing the American Dream, a live storytelling event from the Wichita Journalism Collaborative and The Journal. Through stories and conversation, participants reflected on opportunity, legacy, belonging & more.

Every story needs someone to help guide the room. Jessie Gray, emcee & founder of Flying Pig Improv, will help shape the evening as stories of the American Dream unfold. 📅 May 26 | 6–7 p.m. 📍 Roxy’s Downtown | Wichita Register: bit.ly/TestingAmericanDream

🚀 Looking for work that matters? KLC is hiring. ✨ Chief Financial Officer ✨ Accounting Operations Manager ✨ Program Associates (2 positions) If you’re seeking meaningful work in a mission-driven organization, this might be the right time to take a look: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/join-the-klc-team

Celebrating 3 years of Beka Starkey Keasling who has helped strengthen impact across KLC as director of learning networks. “One of the values I see lived out every day at KLC is connection. Our people show up for each other & genuinely care.” #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

What's behind the story of someone's American Dream? Hear from three of the storytellers who will be presenting Tuesday at Roxy's Downtown in Wichita. klcjournal.com/hear-from-th...

“Sentenced” examines the hidden crisis of childhood illiteracy. “It’s very hard to document the problem,” executive producer Tony Kriz said. “Because we don’t really know what a child’s future is gonna be.” ✍️ Jacinda Hall

Mold, sleep deprivation & toxic exposure aren’t just firefighter problems. They’re public safety problems. Wichita’s station crisis raises a bigger question: what would it look like to truly design fire stations around firefighter health? klcjournal.com/wichita-fire...

Maybe you've moved on from the issues that emerged during Wichita's failed sales tax vote. But The Journal hasn't. ✍️ Chris Green & @steflugli.bsky.social

A new chapter for civic reporting at The Journal starts this summer. Jessica Pearce joins us in July through a partnership with @reportforamerica.bsky.social as a Wichita-based reporter covering civics in Kansas. #RFADay #RFADay26

Not every version of the American Dream holds. Dalton Glasscock, vice mayor and District 4 city council member, will share what happened when his vision was tested – and what came next. 📅 May 26 | 6–7 p.m. 📍 Roxy’s Downtown | Wichita Register: bit.ly/TestingAmericanDream

Real experiences. Real turning points. Prophet N. Anyanwu Cox, human rights activist, reparationist, RN, MEd, will share a moment when her path shifted – and how she responded. 📅 May 26 | 6–7 p.m. 📍 Roxy’s Downtown | Wichita Register: bit.ly/TestingAmericanDream

In their final story for the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, intern Maleah Evans takes a look at a food desert in a Wichita neighborhood and the people working to address it.

What happens when two political opposites lead together? Jeff King and Mark McCormick explored the nation’s founding ideals, and what they still ask of us today. ✍️ Mark McCormick

With support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, KLC is launching Mobilize KC: a new initiative focused on strengthening leadership capacity and collaboration around economic mobility in Kansas City.

Kansans are flocking to public meetings statewide as numerous data center proposals are on the table. The boom follows a 2025 law offering a 20-year sales tax exemption to such projects. ✍️AJ Dome 📸 Selena Rivas Favela & AJ Dome

Former Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos turned himself in to ICE in Wichita Wednesday as friends and protesters watched. Asked if he regretted voting for President Trump, whose immigration crackdown he’s now caught up in, he said no. ✍️ Roy Wenzl & Travis Heying 📸 Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle

#InternationalCoachingWeek started with coffee & connection. ☕ Wichita-area coaches gathered yesterday with ICF Heartland members, including KLC faculty & staff Tim Link (MCC), Joyce McEwen Crane (MCC) & Seth Bate (PCC), and Leadership Coach intensive alumni. 📸 Ashley Watkins

"The only things that will change things now are divine intervention or political intervention," says Sarah Balderas, an attorney for Joe Ceballos. ✍️ Roy Wenzl 📷 Travis Heying / The Wichita Eagle #ksleg

One year of Amy Williams as chief business development officer! 🎉 Amy has spent the past year building partnerships and momentum for impact across communities. Her favorite part of KLC: “Seeing the positive impact KLC curriculum has on people from all walks of life.” #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

What happens when the American Dream doesn’t go as planned? Hugo Phan, digital editor & news reporter, shares a story about a time when that vision was tested – and how he responded. 📅 May 26 | 6–7 p.m. 📍 Roxy’s Downtown | Wichita Register: bit.ly/TestingAmericanDream

Some people inherit a clear path to the American Dream. Others have to fight to redefine it. This upcoming Wichita Journalism Collaborative event brings together personal stories, community conversation and deeper questions about what that dream means today. ✍️ Jacinda Hall

2 weeks remain to enroll in KLC’s Leadership Coach intensive. This 60-hour virtual training helps participants strengthen coaching skills, support meaningful progress in others and pursue ICF Level 1 accredited coach training. Registration ends May 25: kansasleadershipcenter.org/coach

Questions about due process, oversight and transparency surfaced this week as Leavenworth’s new community board began monitoring a reopened ICE detention facility. ✍️📸 Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga / Kansas News Service

Complex challenges rarely come with clean answers. KLC partnership developer Racquel Thiesen recently served as a judge for the inaugural Wichita State AMA Case Competition at WSU, where students tackled a real-world challenge & presented recommendations to community professionals.

Some stories begin where expectations fall apart. Julian Azcary Montes, entrepreneur & filmmaker, will share a moment when his vision of the American Dream was tested – and what came next. 📅 May 26 | 6–7 p.m. 📍 Roxy’s Downtown | Wichita Register: bit.ly/TestingAmericanDream

What happens when the only lawyer in town retires? Across rural Kansas, communities are facing a growing legal vacuum. The state is betting incentives can help build the next generation of attorneys willing to step in. ✍️ Zach Boblitt / KS News Service

KLC is bringing #WhenEveryoneLeads to Colby for the first time on June 16. This one-day program helps people build practical leadership skills for navigating challenges & making progress together. 📍 Colby Community College 📝 Register by 6/2: kansasleadershipcenter.org/when-everyon... #KLCPath

Connection doesn’t start here. It shows up here. At #OpenStreetsICT, a former student recognized Dani Gains, now our Journal manager, and stopped to say hello. #ActiveWichita #CivicEngagement