More than a dozen Wichitans and journalists gathered at Wichita’s Advanced Learning Library on Thursday to engage in a meaningful discussion about local elections. Here’s what they talked about.
During Wichita Journalism Collaborative’s weekly pop-up newsroom, a single question was posed: “What do you want to hear candidates talk about as they compete for votes?” This question stems from the efforts of dedicated journalists aiming to elevate the quality of dialogue about elections beyond a candidate’s aspirations by placing the concerns and priorities of our community at the center of discussion.
Here are some questions that emerged from our News Connect chat:
- What will the day in the life of the mayor look like for you?
- Do you believe the school board is currently on the right path? If not, in what direction should it steer?
- How can we foster more equitable and inclusive development and education in our community?
- How will you address crony capitalism?
- In what ways would you reform the city government’s bidding processes?
- How should the ratio of rentals in neighborhoods be regulated?
- Are there viable alternatives to compliance for maintaining neighborhoods?
- Why are houses being demolished rather than renovated, and what’s your perspective on this?
- How does the City plan to invest in the neighborhoods surrounding Wichita State University?
The Wichita Public Library also introduced its Informed Voter Page during the meeting. This webpage serves as a one-stop shop to empower citizens with information on how to actively participate in the election process. It also provides insight into current election issues and which candidates are running for local, state, and federal office.
Each Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., members of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative convene at our weekly pop-up newsroom to foster connections with community members. This week’s program was to celebrate Democracy Day, a nationwide journalistic initiative in which news organizations report on democracy processes and potential threats. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.
Future News Connect gatherings provide a space for open dialogue on topics such as housing, elections, and more. Stay updated with us on WJC’s Facebook page.