EngageICT: Democracy on Tap

The two candidates running for Kansas' U.S. Senate seat met for a debate Thursday night hosted by KMUW and KWCH Channel 12. Republican U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall and Democratic state Sen. Barbara Bollier were asked to share their positions on issues such as the government response to the pandemic; health care and the Affordable Care Act; taxes; and law enforcement. If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to the full debate at the link above. You can also watch the Digital Democracy on Tap that followed below, where KMUW news director Tom Shine, KWCH anchor Michael Schwanke, AB&C Bilingual Resources marketing and outreach director Claudia Amaro, and ACLU of Kansas communications director Mark McCormick broke down the debate. https://youtu.be/7p-sCSzFRj0

The two candidates running for Kansas' 4th Congressional District seat met for a debate Tuesday night hosted by KMUW and KWCH Channel 12. Republican Rep. Ron Estes and Democratic candidate Laura Lombard were asked to share their positions on issues such as criminal justice reform, marijuana laws, and, of course, the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on the economy. If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to the full debate at the link above. You can also watch the Digital Democracy on Tap that followed below, where KMUW news director Tom Shine, KWCH anchor Michael Schwanke, and ACLU communications director Mark McCormick broke down the debate and answered viewers' questions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht5_cjYhtRY&t

On this episode of The Range, we talk to a trade expert about what the new U.S.-China agreement could mean for Wichita and Kansas. Her take: It's all hat, less cattle, as they might say down in Texas (or out in Dodge City).

KMUW hosted a mayoral debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as part of Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap in partnership with the Wichita Eagle and the Kansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Candidates Jeff Longwell and Brandon Whipple answered questions submitted by KMUW listeners, readers of the Wichita Eagle , and SPJ members. The debate was broadcast live on KMUW 89.1-FM and streamed via Facebook Live. Watch the video here: You can also listen to the full broadcast here:

Your voice matters, but is your message reaching the right ears? On March 12, Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap presented a discussion on effective ways to raise your voice and reach your representatives. Panelists: Janice Bradley, Local Activist Dalton Glasscock , Sedgwick County Republican Party Chairman Jessica Lucas , VP of Watkins Public Strategies Lavonta Williams , Former City Councilmember Here's the audio from the event: Here's the discussion that aired on Facebook Live:

The Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on the 2019 legislative session continued on February 12 at Roxy's Downtown with a discussion focused on education funding. A new governor could mean changes to education funding in Kansas. What implications could these changes have on area schools? We spoke with those who know. Panelists: Cory Gibson , Valley Center Public Schools superintendent Celia Llopis-Jepsen , Kansas News Service reporter Lynn Rogers , Kansas lieutenant governor Susan Willis , Wichita Public Schools chief financial officer

Our mini-series on the 2019 legislative session began on January 15, at the first Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap event of 2019. Our panelists discussed the topic of Medicaid expansion, including where Kansas now stands, how the topic will play out in Topeka and what major health care changes might be in store if expansion is approved. Panelists: Teresa Lovelady , HealthCore Clinic Cindy Samuelson , Kansas Hospital Association Tom Shine , KMUW Sheldon Weisgrau , Alliance for a Healthy Kansas Here's the audio of the event: Here's the discussion that aired on Facebook Live:

On December 11, the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on community building concluded with a conversation on the fate of Century II. Our panelists discussed the future of the iconic building and what's at stake. Panelists: Karla Fazio , Century II Citizens Advisory Committee Mary Beth Jarvis , Century II Citizens Advisory Committee Mitch Southerland , Music Theatre Wichita Larry Weber , Century II Citizens Advisory Committee

On November 13, the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on community building continued with a conversation on #Activism. Our panelists discussed social media activism, its trends and effectiveness. Panelists: Shea Blevins Diana Hartman Madeline McCullough Joseph Shepard Here's the audio of the event: Here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook Live:

The Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on community building kicked off on October 16 at Roxy's Dowtown. The topic of discussion was political philosophy. Panelists: Brandon Johnson, City of Wichita Council Member LaRissa Lawrie, WSU Graduate Student Dr. Heather Ondercin, Assistant Professor of Political Science at WSU Sheryl Wilson, KIPCOR Director Here's the audio of the event: Here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook live:

On September 11 the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap education mini-series wrapped up with a discussion on learning beyond the degree. Panelists: Elizabeth Bruncheen-Cartagena, K-State Research and Extension Micala Gingrich-Gaylord, Oxford Senior Living Troy Houtman, City of Wichita Parks & Recreation Kim Moore, Workforce, Professional & Community Education at WSU Here's the audio of the event: Here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook live :

The Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on education continued on August 21 at Roxy's Downtown with a discussion focused on community roles in education. Panelists: Prisca Barnes, Storytime Village, Inc. Janice Hardeman, Katherine Johnson Scholar Sisters Dr. Chad Higgins, Maize USD 266 Superintendent Dr. Alicia Thompson, Wichita Public Schools Superintendent Here's the audio of the event: Here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook live:

July 24, the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap education mini-series kicked off with a discussion of early learning. It’s was at Roxy’s Downtown. Panelists: Kathryn Mahoney, Compass Star Montessori Cornelia Stevens, TOP Early Learning Center Teresa Rupp, Child Start Kim McDowell, Wichita State University Here's the audio of the discussion: And here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook Live:

We’ve talked about climate and energy, and on June 5 the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap environment mini-series wrapped up with a discussion of Sustainability. We covered what businesses can do to minimize waste, what gardeners are doing to keep our soil healthy, and how you can do your part too. It’s was at Roxy’s Downtown. Panelists: Susan Erlenwein Mike Hastings Misty Cavanaugh Nancy Larson Here's the discussion: Here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook live:

In May, we focused on energy. On May 8 at Roxy's Downtown, we discussed different types of energy generation and what's going on here in Kansas, from wind to solar to nuclear power and everything in between. Panelists: Susan Erlenwein, director of Sedgwick County Department of Environmental Resources Brian Grimmett, energy and environment reporter at KMUW Tammie Rhea, program representative at Westar Energy Zack Pistora, lobbyist for the Kansas Sierra Club Tim Hess, senior manager for natural gas vehicles at Black Hills Energy Here's the discussion: And here's the video that aired on Facebook Live ( Part 1 , Part 2 and Part 3 ):

Our three-part Environment series began on April 10 at Roxy's Downtown with a discussion on Climate Change, from its broad extent to more specific effects on Kansas. Panelists: Rachel Myslivy, Climate + Energy Project Assistant Director Ken Cook, National Weather Service Meteorologist in Charge Susan Erlenwein, Sedgwick County Environmental Resources Mary Knapp, KSU Weather Data Library, Department of Agronomy Christopher Redmond, KSU Weather Data Library, Mesonet Manager Here's the discussion: And here's the video that aired on Facebook live:

The March Democracy on Tap event was held at Roxy's Downtown on Tuesday, March 13th. The topic: “Public Safety,” the third in our Social Health discussion series. Our expert panel will discussed the fire department, EMS, infrastructure and other public services that contribute to your health and the well-being of our community. Panelists: Chief Snow, Wichita City Fire Department Elora Forshee, Sedgwick County Director of Emergency Communications Scott Hadley, Sedgwick County Director of EMS Ken Cook, Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service Here's the discussion: And here's the video that aired on Facebook live:

The February Democracy on Tap event was held at Roxy's Downtown on Tuesday, February 27th. The topic: “Mandating Health,” the second in our Social Health discussion series. Our expert panel explored the laws intended to make our population healthier, from soda taxes, smoking and liquor regulations, to bike paths and everything in between. Panelists: Dr. Elizabeth Ablah, KU School of Medicine Tom Shine, director of news and public affairs at KMUW Becky Tuttle, Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita Here's the discussion:

The January Democracy on Tap event was held at Roxy's Downtown on Tuesday, January 30. The topic: Crime & Safety, the first event in our social health series. We discussed crime trends and how to make our community safer for everyone. Our panelists were: Dr. Andi Bannister, interim director of the WSU School of Criminal Justice Matt Johnson Darryl Carrington, WSU community liaison Wichita Police Lt. Wendell Nicholson Here's the discussion:

The December Democracy on Tap event was held at Roxy's Downtown on Tuesday, December 12. The topic: Volunteerism. Reporters from KMUW News were on hand to share their experiences with community volunteers and to field questions from the audience. Here's the discussion: Panelists: Stephan Bisaha Carla Eckels Nadya Faulx Deborah Shaar Brian Grimmett

The September Democracy on Tap event was held at KMUW on Wednesday, September 13. The topic: The Art of Teaching: Innovations in the Classroom. Here's the discussion: Panelists: Becky Elder—Northfield School Linda Amos—Wichita Montessori Allison Stucky—Riverside Elementary Kathleen Bastin—Coleman Middle

August's Democracy on Tap event, held at The Monarch, focused on Wealth on Health: The Impact of Debt on Well-Being, Here's the discussion: Panelists: Jeff Witherspoon, Consumer Credit Counseling Service Dr. Sam Brown, Wichita State Hugo Wall School Dr. Jessica Provines, Wichita State Counseling & Testing

July's Democracy on Tap event, held at The Anchor, focused on "off year" elections--what's on the docket and why you should care. Here's the discussion: Panelists: Damon Young, Chamber of Wichita Ernestine Krehbiel, former president of the League of Women Voters of Kansas Dr. Ken Kriz, WSU Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs Dr. Neal Allen, WSU Political Science