Abigail Censky
Politics & Government ReporterIt’s my job to explain statewide politics to our audience with clarity and context. Sometimes that means tracking developments in the Legislature and shining light on things that alter the laws, the taxes and the services of state government. Other times it means traveling throughout the state to amplify the voices and stories of Kansans. And, critically, I strive to hold our public officials accountable. You can reach me at abigailcensky@kcur.org.
I have covered politics across the Midwest for NPR and its member stations. I'm interested in covering the growing pains as political outsiders becoming political insiders, and how policy impacts everyday life for Kansans. My work aims to open the often-exclusive world of politics to anyone.
Before coming to Kansas, I was named a public radio rising star and one of the top statewide political reporters in Michigan by the Washington Post.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Southwest Studies from Colorado College.
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Republicans will control the redistricting process in Kansas next year. Right now, they face an uphill battle to convince residents in the suburbs of Kansas City that they won’t gerrymander the maps to supercharge Republican power.
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The agreement promises services that could help hundreds of people leave nursing homes and live on their own.
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Over the decades, the Lesser Prairie Chicken has become a purity test for Kansas politicians and a proxy in the battle between industry and private landowners versus environmentalists.
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As the delta variant pummels Kansas, there's confusion about who has the authority to issue pandemic restrictions that could curb the spread of COVID.
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Union members rejected a contract offer and walked off the job this week complaining about stagnant wages and sometimes being forced to work six- and seven-day weeks.
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Now that Congress has killed a major bill changing election rules, redrawing legislative and congressional lines will fall to the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. That could endanger the only Democrat representing Kansas on Capitol Hill.
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During the pandemic, many school boards, city and state governments pivoted to using social media to broadcast their meetings. Now some are running into problems with Big Tech for spreading medical misinformation.
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The Democratic governor has warred with Republican leaders in the Legislature over emergency orders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Republican budget hawks put an end to the earmarks in Congress a decade ago. Now earmarks are back, and Kansas Republicans in Congress are in a bind: do they take a pass on earmarks and let their districts miss out on money?
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Republicans are pushing Gov. Kelly to eliminate the $300 additional weekly unemployment payments because they say the money makes it harder to fill open jobs.