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Matthew Kelly
@bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
350 followers 50 following 160 posts
Reporter covering Kansas state government for The Kansas City Star & The Wichita Eagle, mkelly@kcstar.com for tips, he/they
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bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
KC Royals to Overland Park? Suburbia seethes over prospect of JoCo stadium
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
KC Royals to Overland Park? Suburbia seethes over prospect of JoCo stadium
“I’d rather see them build that stadium in a neighborhood where the people really need the jobs and the economic development.”
www.kansascity.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
The threat of financial penalties came amid a dizzying week of legal battles over whether food aid could be released during the shutdown.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
USDA threatened states over ‘unauthorized’ SNAP payments. Is Kansas at risk?
The threat of financial penalties came amid a dizzying week of legal battles over whether food aid could be released during the shutdown.
www.kansascity.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:26 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
“If you want to bully people —particularly the free press — if you want to bully them, there’s a price to pay. And that price is going to be in the millions,” said Eric Meyer, owner and editor of the Marion County Record.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Kansas county apologizes, agrees to pay $3M over small-town newspaper raid
“If you want to bully people, particularly the free press ... there’s a price to pay. And that price is going to be in the millions.”
www.kansascity.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Jose “Joe” Ceballo is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. with Mexican citizenship. Criminal charges came a day after he won re-election.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Small-town Kansas mayor was re-elected. Then he was charged with illegally voting
Jose “Joe” Ceballo is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. with Mexican citizenship. Criminal charges came a day after he won re-election.
www.kansascity.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
5 years & 2 rejections later, Kansas town approves new high school sports complex
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5 years & 2 rejections later, Kansas town approves new high school sports complex
Louisburg voters twice rejected versions of the baseball and softball complex. This year, thing turned out differently.
www.kansascity.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
“We’re going to have some fun in D.C.,” Penn said in May. “We’re going to break a few eggs, make a few omelettes. Make a couple (of) people cry, and that’s what we look forward to doing because America has to change.”
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Meet the former Kansas lawmaker fighting for Trump admin to keep SNAP aid frozen
“We’re going to have some fun in D.C. We’re going to break a few eggs, make a few omelettes. Make a couple people cry,” Penn said in May.
www.kansascity.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Matthew Kelly
grice1911.bsky.social
Kansas Republicans fail to muster votes for redistricting special session. A story via @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Kansas Republicans fail to muster votes for redistricting special session
“Today, we’ve won the first round in this fight against gerrymandering, but their plan to cheat the system isn’t over,” Sharice Davids said.
www.kansascity.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:50 AM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Longtime Johnson County lawmaker Rob Olson says there’s nothing questionable about the $260,000 he paid out. Some see ethical red flags.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Olathe candidate’s payments to consultant raise red flags, ex-lawmakers say
Longtime Johnson County lawmaker Rob Olson says there’s nothing questionable about the $260,000 he paid out. Some see ethical red flags.
www.kansascity.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
“I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children,” Kelly said in a press release.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Kansas governor signs onto lawsuit challenging Trump admin over SNAP freeze
“I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program.”
www.kansascity.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
This is the former lawmaker who once told me she couldn’t answer my questions because she needed to check on the dog that she left in her car during a two-hour event on a 90-degree day.
amp.kansas.com/news/local/e...
Police report says former KS lawmaker threatened second-graders. She says that isn’t so
The woman, who was substitute teaching at a Wichita Catholic school, says she was falsely fired by the diocese.
amp.kansas.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
The interruption to food assistance next month would be one of the most consequential impacts yet of a government shutdown that has now stretched into its fourth week.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Thousands of Kansans won’t get SNAP payments next month if shutdown continues
An interruption to food assistance would be one of the most consequential impacts yet of a government shutdown entering its fourth week.
www.kansascity.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Throngs of KC-area residents took their outrage and fear to the streets, along with their signs and costumes, for “No Kings” events.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
‘No Kings’ 2.0 rally takes over Kansas City on nationwide day of Trump protests
Throngs of KC-area residents took their outrage and fear to the streets, along with their signs and costumes, for ‘No Kings’ events.
www.kansascity.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:25 AM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Scenes from No Kings 2.0 protests in Kansas City this afternoon
October 19, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Reposted by Matthew Kelly
grice1911.bsky.social
Missouri says 100K signatures to repeal voting map aren’t valid. That’s not all. Here’s the latest via @kacen.bsky.social
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Missouri says 100K signatures to repeal voting map aren’t valid. That’s not all
The legal actions illustrate a remarkable attempt to thwart Missourians from striking down the map that splits Kansas City.
www.kansascity.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
GOP officials are facing tough questions about their connections to staffers associated with hateful messages revealed this week.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Young Republicans’ ties to Kansas politicians scrutinized after racist text scandal
GOP officials are facing tough questions about their connections to staffers associated with hateful messages revealed this week.
www.kansascity.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Matthew Kelly
grice1911.bsky.social
Kansas Young Republicans disbanded after leak of hateful, racist messages. The latest via @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Kansas Young Republicans disbanded after leak of hateful, racist messages
One group chat member, who has since been fired as a spokesperson for AG Kris Kobach, reportedly used the N-word more than a dozen times.
www.kansascity.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:36 AM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Kansas officials mum on ousted museum director, sword: ‘Doubt President Trump knew’
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Kansas officials mum on ousted museum director, sword: ‘Doubt President Trump knew’
“I knew nothing of it. I doubt President Trump knew anything about this story either.”
www.kansascity.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
The Missouri Attorney General’s office has subpoenaed patient medical records and “adverse event documentation” from Planned Parenthood.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Why Missouri attorney general is demanding abortion patient medical records
The Missouri Attorney General’s office has subpoenaed patient medical records and “adverse event documentation” from Planned Parenthood.
www.kansascity.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
A 911 call-taker coached the Sigma Alpha Epsilon men to perform CPR on an unconscious chapter member.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/e...
KU sanctions fraternity after underclassman hospitalized first day of classes
A 911 call-taker coached the Sigma Alpha Epsilon men to perform CPR on an unconscious chapter member.
www.kansascity.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:20 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Dawn Wheeler said it’s unnerving to know that her future ability to keep up with chemotherapy expenses could hinge on whether lawmakers can reach an agreement to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits.

It’s terrifying for someone like me,” she said.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
KC-area cancer patient depends on tax credit. Will Congress let it expire?
A single shot she must receive every other week costs around $10,000 each time, she said.
www.kansascity.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
In a letter to colleagues, Kansas’ top GOP lawmakers said AG Kris Kobach believes this issue is “even more important than redistricting.”
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Fuming over transgender driver’s license ruling, Kobach asks for special session
In a letter to colleagues, Kansas’ top GOP lawmakers said AG Kris Kobach believes this issue is “even more important than redistricting.”
www.kansascity.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:02 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
After a two-year ban, trans Kansans will be allowed to change the gender markers on their driver’s licenses and state ID cards.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
After 2-year ban, trans Kansans will get to change gender on driver’s licenses
The Kansas Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal marks a second high-profile legal defeat for Kobach this week.
www.kansascity.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Gov. Laura Kelly called Attorney General Kris Kobach’s lawsuit against her “low-rent political theater” and a waste of taxpayer money. A judge just threw it out.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Judge throws out Kobach’s lawsuit over Gov. Kelly’s refusal to give feds SNAP data
Gov. Laura Kelly called Attorney General Kris Kobach’s lawsuit against her “low-rent political theater” and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
www.kansascity.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:16 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
Christy Davis believes she knows rural Kansas better than Roger Marshall. The former USDA official is challenging him as a Democrat in 2026.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Democrat to challenge Roger Marshall next year for U.S. Senate seat in Kansas
Christy Davis believes she knows rural Kansas better than U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall. The former USDA official is challenging him in 2026.
www.kansascity.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM
bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
The court ruled that a Leawood rehabilitation center was wrong for denying a prospective employee a religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Kansas Supreme Court upholds expanded religious exemption for COVID-19 vaccine
The court ruled a Leawood rehabilitation center was wrong for denying a prospective employee a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate.
www.kansascity.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:27 PM