Kansas City Politricks: Donation Funded News Fights Future

Bright side . . .

Elon Musk recently reinstated the Twitter accounts of newsies after his conservative pals didn't provide necessary backup. 

And the Facebook threat of banning news is just a flex.

However . . .

It's more important that Facebook, Google & Meta control more than 50% of all digital advertising revue . . .

What does that mean???

Your favorite newspaper is probably not really a business but just another non-profit begging for donations like anybody else. Don't get me wrong . . . That donation money is WELL SPENT if it gave you a "warm fuzzy" and a sense of meaning for your earnings. 

But a dearth of resources has always been our problem with donation-based journalism . . . Donation-based support is simply far too vulnerable to partisan bias and often LACKS ANY REAL OBJECTIVITY THAT'S CRITICAL TO THE MISSION OF ANY "NEWS" ORGANIZATION WORTHY OF THE NAME. 

For most . . . It's just too hard or even unwise to challenge large donors. 

Moreover . . . People tend only to donate money to news sources with which they agree. 

For instance . . . There probably aren't very many NPR tote bags in the houses of most Fox News watchers. 

Don't worry, I don't have an answer to any of this, I just wanted to provide context to headlines that are brought to us by viewers like you and partisan funders . . . The future kings of the news game . . .

Bitter Cold Cowtown Complaints

Landlord ignoring your complaint? Here's how to get your apartment fixed.

As temperatures dip in the winter months, safe homes become all the more critical.

Show-Me Death Row Plea

Lamar Johnson makes the case for his innocence, but Missouri's attorney general stands in the way

A landmark hearing over whether Lamar Johnson's 1994 murder conviction should be vacated wrapped up Friday after a week of often startling and illuminating testimony. And while Johnson's continued confinement rests with Judge David Mason, legal experts say the result could have implications for how Missouri handles wrongful conviction cases.

Rock Chalk Artsy Advocacy

'Power to the People' exhibit in Wichita wallops visitors with radical ideals - Kansas Reflector

Jeromiah Taylor is a writer born and raised in Wichita. Ignoring any distractions, I breeze past a painting when an elderly usher stops me.

Show-Me Even More Tent Cities Coming Soon

Voters embraced affordable housing initiatives. Advocates say Congress should do the same * Missouri Independent

Voters in Colorado approved a statewide affordable housing initiative in November; while voters in nine cities across the country OK'd measures to finance the construction of affordable housing, preserve existing rental properties and support renters. But as housing costs soar, analysts and advocates say more needs to be done and argue that federal action is needed.

Newspaper Vs Kobach Redux

Kris Kobach targets the Biden administration over climate, Kansas farmers be damned

OPINION AND COMMENTARY He hasn't taken the oath of office yet, but Kansas Attorney General-elect Kris Kobach already faces a defining decision: Will he defend ordinary Kansans - and their environment - or the interests of fossil fuel companies? If you think you already know the answer, you're probably right.

Too Late To Save Kansas From Drying Up?!?

This is the first time the Kansas Water Authority has voted to save what's left of the Ogallala

COLBY, Kansas - The board that advises the Kansas governor and Legislature on water policy now says the state needs to dramatically cut farming irrigation to stop draining the Ogallala aquifer. The vote by the Kansas Water Authority on Wednesday signals a call for a major shift in state policy.

Equity Remedial Lesson . . . 

Olathe focuses on equity audit, DEI while achievement plummets - The Sentinel

Student achievement is precipitously dropping in Olathe USD 233, but district administration and the board majority seem more concerned about an equity audit and pushing the tenets of critical race theory under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Show-Me Latest Library Outrage

Missouri gets 10,000 public comments on new library rule labeled 'political censorship'

Amid mounting opposition, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's office has received more than 10,000 public comments on its proposed rule that would threaten public libraries' state funding for making "age-inappropriate materials" available to minors. Thursday was the last day residents could submit comments on the proposed rule, which would bar public library employees from granting minors access to materials without first receiving parental permission.

Developing . . .