Hi, this is Kacen Bayless from The Kansas City Star.

The White House keeps coming to Kansas.

President Donald Trump went to Park City. Vice President JD Vance traveled to Olathe. And, now, the vice president is set to return for a rally at a steel company in Topeka.

The barnstorming tour marks an extraordinary show of attention for Kansas, a state Republicans have dominated in U.S. Senate races for nearly a century. But, this year, a once-sleeper race is drawing national attention, big donors and visits from the top leaders of the Republican Party.

For some, the race between Sen. Roger Marshall and the Rev. Adam Hamilton simultaneously represents a potential reckoning for Kansas and a barometer for the country.

“It’s the No. 1 race in the eyes of the nation because it’s become a possible metaphor for this election,” said Bob Beatty, a political scientist at Washburn University who closely tracks Kansas campaigns.

Ahead of Vance's rally, I examined how Kansas became one of the most closely-watched states in this year's midterms. Here's a free gift link to our coverage, which you can read without a subscription: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article317751985.html?giftCode=6d1328a5be6f4b6c0c3bb22262a654913af9e72ce796daff08a3b1f98ca8c1fd

I’ve seen many political campaigns come and go, but the level of lying in these commercials has been eye opening.

It’s not that I haven’t seen some of this before, but this year has beaten anything I’ve seen. Am I the only one who thinks the commercials are beyond the pale?

1892: Curtis (32) arrives at the Congressional Convention, shocked to find big business interests there to convince him to bow out so that Governor Thomas Osborn can take his place.

He declined for several reasons:

1. He'd spent months at his own expense to get to where he was
2. he'd be a laughingstock if he did
3. just, no.

Then he was threatened with them simply taking his votes away.

To solve the matter without delay, Curtis went to the Shawnee County Delegation, told them what was up, and encouraged them to decide behind closed doors: Would they support the candidate they came with, or one who declined to run but now wanted all their votes for free?

Curtis was soon nominated the Republican candidate for Congress.

Gracious in victory, he allowed the big business group to give him a ride home in their private train car since it was heading that way to return the many Topeka politicians it had driven to the convention for the sake of upending his chances.

Arriving in town, the depot was flooded with well-wishers who heard the news. Friends and neighbors were cheering and applauding. Overcome by it all, Curtis could not give the speech many might have expected, and so his neighbor, J.B. Johnson, a lawyer representing a particular big business interest, spoke on his behalf with kind words for their hero, and predictions of great things to come.

Curtis served in Congress until 1907, then the Senate, and in 1928 was elected Vice President.

[photo credit: Topeka Plaindealer, 06/20/1902 (when he was 42), pg 1.]

Go go www.kawvalleyalmanac.com to download free .pdf with functional links of this week's almanac

Anyone have a favorite place for a celebratory meal?

Looking for recommendations of used book stores, antique malls, plant nurseries, thrift stores, good eats, great coffee, historic public parks and downtowns, art markets, farmers markets, tool stores, anything you consider a must visit. I want to take some daytrips with my partner, we finally have some time off together coming up after a good stretch of not and I wanna make the most of it.

I’d say a day trip is preferred but we aren’t opposed to an overnight and enjoy a good drive.

Thank you for any suggestions!

I had found that my Youtube account had completely erased this clip. Then I looked into reddit and found it. Roger Marshall denying the election. https://youtu.be/KffGO1BJ6JA?si=rdQ5pfqlP7snR42F

Trying to buy a starter home in joco right now is actual madness. every time we see a decent 3 bed pop up under 350k, some faceless LLC swoops in with an all-cash offer way over asking.

It's honestly so depressing. my partner and I spent all weekend getting our pre-approval sorted out with McGowan mortgages just so we could be ready to put an offer down immediately, but half the time the house is pending before we can even get a tour scheduled.

Like, even if you have the best Kansas loan officer in your corner working late, a normal W2 family just can't compete with massive out-of-state investment firms waiving inspections and throwing cash around.

Is anyone else stuck in this cycle? Thinking about just giving up and renting forever, or moving way further out west where we actually stand a chance. gonna go eat my feelings in chili and cinnamon rolls now tbh.

Mr. Lahn cast an Iowa ballot in the 2024 general election. But voting records that have not previously been reported show he requested that his ballot be mailed to him — in Kansas.

I saw Skylo advertised on IG. It’s supposed to be a place for star-gazing here in Kansas. You rent a converted grain silo. But there was very little actual factual information about the place. I’d like to know where it is and any other information available. Thanks!

Share this video outside of this subreddit to help show undecided voters that Sen. Marshall doesn't care about Kansans!

For more shareable content about the Hamilton/Marshall race: click here!

For content about Cindy Holscher's race for Gov: click here!

Any poll workers out there? I’ve signed up for the first time this year and one early voting day I’m assigned to happens to fall on Halloween day. What would you recommend for wardrobe? Can we lighten the mood by adding a little Halloween costumage or is that frowned upon? I’m talking maybe a festive top and a silly spider clip in my hair or something mild like that. Any other tips for getting through a long day at a busy location are most welcome. Thanks!