Wichita Journalism Collaborative

07/03/2025

Jeff Jarman, director of the Elliott School of Communication, one of our partners, is leaving Wichita State University to work as a litigation consultant. Jarman played a role in the formation of the WJC in 2020 and has been a strong supporter of The Sunflower. Jeff will be missed, and we send good wishes on his next chapter!

Maleah Evans/The Sunflower Jeffrey Jarman, Director of the Elliott School of Communication[1] , is leaving the university after 29 years. He has accepted a full-time position to work as a litigation consultant and will officially retire from the university Aug. 20. “I knew it was something I w

07/02/2025

What questions do you have for the five people seeking to represent District 1? You can submit them on this form https://airtable.com/appvfv6XeKebH6tg4/shrtASz7dXbXmH4qj Plan to attend the forum on July 15 at the Marcus Welcome Center at 6 p.m.

Our Purpose: The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is a coalition of newsrooms and community partners joining forces to help meet news and information needs in and around Wichita. We aim to support and enhance quality local journalism. Learn More We all desire a place to call home, b

07/02/2025

From our partner, The Sunflower: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) visited Wichita on Sunday as part of an ongoing effort to address citizens in states without regular, transparent town hall meetings.

A Democratic political duo made Wichita a stop on their nationwide tour againstTrump policies Taliyah Winn/The Sunflower Editor's note: The Senate passed President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' Tuesday, 51-to-50 Nearly 1,700 people gathered at the Hughes Metroplex, north of Wichita State’s

06/30/2025

The proposed cut to the city’s property tax rate is so small that the vast majority of homeowners would still see an increase on their city property tax bill as property valuations continue to soar. Read more in this Reality Check from our partner Wichita Eagle

By Chance Swaim/The Wichita Eagle In our Reality Check stories, Wichita Eagle journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Story idea? [email protected]. Wichita city officials are considering a cut to the city’s property tax rate for the first time in

06/30/2025

The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is hosting a forum on July 15 with the five people who have filed for the District 1 seat on the City Council. We welcome your questions for the candidates. Submit questions here https://airtable.com/appvfv6XeKebH6tg4/shrtASz7dXbXmH4qj

06/27/2025

An update on a change of hours at Sedgwick County tag offices and a discussion to create a sales tax that would not include housing, food, utilities, and other necessities. Get the details on these and other items from the Sedgwick County Commission meeting in the Wichita Documenters notes.

Notes by Documenter Josh Pfleger Bernat

Residents are encouraged to attend the many local meet-and-greets hosted by commissioners. Few do currently. Firefighters will receive new gear and some commissioners are in favor of creating a sales tax. Housing, food, utilities, and other necessities would not be subject to it.

https://wichitadocumenters.org/meetings/sedgctycommissioners-sx44s #:~:text=Notes%20by%20Josh%20Pfleger%2DBernat

06/26/2025

Know where the candidates stand on issues important to District 1 at a forum on Tuesday, July 15, at 6 p.m. at the Marcus Welcome Center on Mike Oatman Drive at WSU. You can submit questions for the candidates now at this link https://airtable.com/appvfv6XeKebH6tg4/shrtASz7dXbXmH4qj

06/17/2025

The Symphony in the Flint Hills hosted its “Grand Finale” on June 14. Check out this story and accompanying photos from the Flint Hills Media Project, an 11-year experience-based learning project through the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University https://www.kmuw.org/music/2025-06-16/one-last-family-gathering-in-the-flint-hills The Elliott School is a Wichita Journalism Collaborative partner.

The Kansas City Symphony played at the final Symphony in the Flint Hills on the Evans Family Ranch in Chase County, Kansas on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

06/16/2025

Have you noticed Jeff Best’s Hobo Code Railings tucked beneath a downtown underpass? Stefania Lugli writes about the history and significance of the codes in this piece in which ran in The SHOUT and was shared with the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.

By Stefania Lugli/The SHOUT Editor’s note: This story is being republished with permission from The Shout, Wichita-based independent newsroom focused on artists living and working in Kansas. In downtown Wichita, Jeff Best's Hobo Code Railings is tucked beneath an underpass. The art piece cele

06/16/2025

Have you noticed Jeff Best’s Hobo Code Railings tucked beneath a downtown underpass? Stefania Lugli writes about the history and significance of the codes in this piece in which ran in The SHOUT and was shared with the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.

06/16/2025

Tom George is converting the former Black Bear Bosin Academy into apartments. He had the 20,000-square-foot building put on the National Register of Historic Places to protect the property and qualify for historic tax credits. He said the tax credits are “what makes a project like this doable.”

By Carrie Rengers/The Wichita Eagle The new apartments at the former Blackbear Bosin Academy, which is nestled in a neighborhood not far from 13th and Woodlawn, are almost ready for 23 renters. “It’s just a really cool building,” said Tom George, who has redeveloped three other former schools