David Morantz
@davemorantz.bsky.social
Father, husband, attorney, zookeeper.
Last night’s big win in Kansas for independent courts was important for the nation. www.vox.com/politics/497...
The quiet way Republicans are trying to undo abortion rights again — starting in Kansas
Red-state courts kept abortion legal. Now voters might change the courts.
vox.com
“Mr. Hamilton, who has been campaigning across the state, will face Mr. Marshall, who comes from a more rural part of Kansas.” Wrong. Marshall comes not from a more rural part of Kansas. He comes from Florida. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/u...
Pastor Adam Hamilton Wins Kansas Democratic Senate Primary
The Rev. Adam Hamilton will be a serious underdog against Roger Marshall, a Republican, but Democrats think the state could be competitive if the November environment is favorable enough to them.
nytimes.com
Supporters of politicizing the Kansas Supreme Court get desperate with messaging in final days of campaign. #VoteNo kansasreflector.com/2026/08/03/f...
Fact check: Kansas organization's mailer on constitutional amendment ignores details of cases • Kansas Reflector
Group championing constitutional amendment requiring election of Kansas Supreme Court justices sidelines murder case details to make a point.
kansasreflector.com
“A ballot referendum in Kansas that’s generated little national attention could set off a nationwide arms race to politicize state courts.” #VoteNo on Aug. 4. www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
The sleeper referendum that could reshape the national judiciary
Kansas voters will decide whether to change how they select justices for the state’s highest court — and opponents worry it could trigger a new national arms race.
politico.com
Former Kansas Republican lawmakers explain how the Aug. 4 constitutional amendment would gut public school funding. #VoteNo kansasreflector.com/2026/07/30/j...
Judicial selection amendment could ravage rural Kansas communities. School funding is at stake. • Kansas Reflector
Public school children could suffer if judges are more concerned about campaign checks than protecting their right to an education.
kansasreflector.com
Kansans can vote this embarrassment out of office this November.
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last wk.Sen. Roger Marshall: "Who didn't have a friend who took this vaccine and had some time of complication? A stroke, a blood clot, a young man getting some type of heart inflammation. That's what destroyed the trust in the American people for our government."
The Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission ensures an impartial court of qualified jurists. #VoteNo on Aug. 4. kansasreflector.com/2026/07/28/w...
What I learned from serving on the Kansas Supreme Court nominating commission • Kansas Reflector
Serving gave me confidence in a system designed to evolve so that no single governor, administration or group permanently shapes its work.
kansasreflector.com
Good column from two former Kansas governors. #VoteNo “Our courts are not just another institution. They are the last firewall against partisanship and special interest influence in a world increasingly defined by both.” kansasreflector.com/2026/07/27/t...
Two former governors: Party labels belong in elections, not on the Kansas Supreme Court • Kansas Reflector
There is a growing effort to turn judgeships into elected positions, allowing billionaire donors to flood judicial races with money.
kansasreflector.com
“An informed electorate is essential to democracy, and you can’t have that without a free and vigorous press — nationally, regionally, locally.” kansasreflector.com/2026/07/26/t...
The distance between the police and public is literally widening. So is the accountability gap. • Kansas Reflector
Not long ago every newsroom had a police scanner. I’m not talking about the days when ashtrays overflowed with cigarette butts and a bottle of scotch was kept in a desk drawer to toast special occasio...
kansasreflector.com
Good amendment explainer from retired judges Lawton R. Nuss (KS) and Thomas R. Phillips (TX). “We have seen both systems up close. Kansas has the better one by a mile.” www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Electing Kansas supreme court justices would turn them into politicians | Opinion
A Wisconsin judicial election last year drew $100 million in political spending, much of it from out-of-state billionaires with agendas. | Opinion
kansascity.com
Spent yesterday at the University of Kansas for youngest child’s orientation and was reminded that there are still kind people in this world. Thank you, good Samaritan.
Kansas City was one of the tourism winners of the World Cup. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/t...
Did the World Cup Live Up to Tourism Expectations? Here Are the Winners and Losers.
Host cities, hotels, tourism boards and more had lofty expectations for the World Cup, but some struck gold, while some fizzled. Here’s the breakdown.
nytimes.com
Excellent column from a retired chief justices of the Kansas and Texas supreme courts about the dangers of judicial elections. #VoteNo on Aug. 4. “We have seen both systems up close. Kansas has the better one by a mile.” www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Electing Kansas supreme court justices would turn them into politicians | Opinion
A Wisconsin judicial election last year drew $100 million in political spending, much of it from out-of-state billionaires with agendas. | Opinion
kansascity.com
Supporters of Kansas Supreme Court amendment obfuscate facts, run an anonymous website and work in the shadows. #VoteNo kansasreflector.com/2026/07/21/p...
Pushing judicial amendment, Kansas GOP officials cite anonymous website tied to high-profile lawyer • Kansas Reflector
With the amendment vote set for Aug. 4 and fundamental rights for Kansans at stake, the anonymity of the website sure leaves a sour taste.
kansasreflector.com
An old but frightening story from Texas of the dangers of electing supreme court justices, as Republicans are trying to import to Kansas. #VoteNo www.texastribune.org/2020/02/24/w...
A wealthy Panhandle financier wants to change the way Texas selects judges
After losing a case at the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, millionaire Salem Abraham set out to mathematically test the idea that campaign contributions influence the elected justices. Now he want...
texastribune.org
Great compilation of the best photographs from the World Cup. No. 1 features Kansas City. www.theguardian.com/football/ng-...
Top 30: from half a million World Cup photos, why I love these the most
Our picture editor chooses his favourite images from the tournament including Lionel Messi’s cathedral, that delicious diving header from Jude Bellingham and a humbling scene in Gaza
theguardian.com
“As he emerged on the field for the post-match celebrations, boos came from the crowd of more than 80,000 spectators.” www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/u...
Trump Relents From Spain-Bashing to Present Its Team the World Cup Trophy
Mr. Trump, who this month referred to Spain as “hopeless,” seemingly had little choice but to exhibit diplomacy on Sunday as he handed the golden trophy to the country’s players.
nytimes.com
Late posting this. Just got back from trout fishing in the Ozarks. My @kansasreflector.com column today.
The ‘developer’ of a Kansas data center swore under oath he wasn’t involved. My town is bamboozled. • Kansas Reflector
The debate over the data center proposal has been fierce in Emporia, mirroring arguments in Kansas and across the rest of the country.
kansasreflector.com
Please sub in England and France at the hydration break.
“Legal experience, good character and professional respect are important qualities in a Supreme Court justice, and the current selection process has ensured the highest-quality candidates sit on our state’s highest court.” #VoteNo kansasreflector.com/2026/07/16/h...
How does Kansas choose its Supreme Court justices? Through a rigorous process that ensures quality. • Kansas Reflector
If Kansas changes the way we select state supreme court justices there would be no way to ensure that justices are qualified.
kansasreflector.com
Good reporting on a non-profit hospital’s aggressive debt collection practices. And good work by Kansas Legal Services. kansasreflector.com/2026/07/14/a...
A Kansas hospital garnished wages of patients who qualified for free care. Then they fought back. • Kansas Reflector
A Kansas hospital and sheriff's office say they are reevaluating their compliance with state and federal law after 11 patients challenged medical debt lawsuits.
kansasreflector.com
The stakes couldn't be higher with this vote on August 4th. VOTE NO — and tell your friends!
A good look at why the pay-to-play youth system hampers US soccer. “Developing into a top soccer player, therefore, requires some degree of privilege in the United States, contrary to other countries where the sport is an all-class game.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
U.S. soccer’s ‘pay-to-play’ problem: The lightning-rod issue explained in a World Cup context (Gift Article)
USMNT's World Cup ouster has plenty focused on the country's youth development system, a complex —and costly — element in a bigger picture
nytimes.com
Abortion rights are on the ballot Aug. 4 in Kansas. #VoteNo kansasreflector.com/2026/07/13/f...
Four years after 'Value Them Both,' Kansas abortion rights are back on the ballot Aug. 4 • Kansas Reflector
The amendment calling for elections of Kansas Supreme Court justices has one central motivation: Allowing officials to limit or ban abortion.
kansasreflector.com
Frustrated by the appointed court’s support of abortion rights, which has been affirmed resoundingly by voters, Kansas Republicans are pushing an Aug. 4 referendum to abolish the state's current system to elect justices.
Kansans Will Vote on an Elected Supreme Court. The Target: Abortion.
Frustrated by the appointed court’s support of abortion rights, which has been affirmed resoundingly by voters, Republicans are pushing an Aug. 4 referendum to elect Kansas justices.
nyti.ms
Great story on KC, its soccer tradition and its embrace of the World Cup. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/b...
Kansas City, the Smallest World Cup Host, Has the World at Its Feet
The city has a proud history with the sport thanks to Lamar Hunt, who owned the Kansas City Chiefs and co-founded Major League Soccer.
nytimes.com
