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Blaise Mesa
News ReporterBlaise Mesa is a reporter for the Kansas City Beacon. He is based in Topeka, where he covers the Legislature and state government. Mesa previously covered social services and criminal justice for the Kansas News Service. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago where he was one of the most decorated journalists in the history of the college’s newspaper. Mesa served as co-editor-in-chief of the Columbia Chronicle and was that organization's first executive producer. Mesa also spent a year reporting on local government for the Topeka Capital-Journal during the height of the pandemic.
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The federal subsidy can provide hundreds of dollars a month to help pay for the costs of child care. But only 12% of eligible Kansas families received the benefits — in part because many people still don't know it exists.
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A Kansas judge went against a foster care agency’s recommendation when she placed a girl with a foster parent rather than her grandparents. Critics say the case represents chronic problems with Kansas' heavily privatized foster care system and lack of state oversight.
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Missouri’s first legal sale of cannabis came in early February 2023. Kansas residents could immediately drive over and buy it legally, but risked arrest and prosecution if they brought their joints or gummies across the state line.
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Substance abuse contributes to around 13% of Kansas children entering foster care. Now, Kansas is testing a new Family Treatment Court in rural counties that will help parents complete addiction treatment and reunite with their kids.
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The tax credit is designed to help small businesses. Advocates say the state hasn’t done a great job spreading the word about the tax break.
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By some estimates, Kansas is short more than 84,000 childcare slots in order to meet current demand. And even when they find an opening, families can pay more than their mortgage to keep their kid enrolled. State legislators say fixing the issue is a priority.
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The rate increase was approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission on Tuesday morning. Regulators scaled back Evergy’s proposed electric rate hikes, saving Kansas City-area customers $6.07 a month.
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The Kansas attorney general downplayed expected changes to transgender residents' use of bathrooms and other facilities.
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Diversion is a popular alternative to burdening someone with a criminal record and possible jail time, but the fees that come with it can mean your wealth determines the type of justice available.
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Kansas lawmakers are holding a special meeting to review foster care issues.