Topic: Wichita Eagle

Interview of Steve Kraske, September 11, 2025

Interviewed by McLean Jim

In this 2025 oral history interview, Steve Kraske reflected on his 33-year career as a political reporter and editor for The Kansas City Star covering the Kansas Statehouse. Kraske shared his memories of the Mike Hayden- Joan Finney gubernatorial race, the Bob Dole - Bill Roy US Senate race, and the conservative rise that began when the self-described “Rebels” such as Rep. David Miller, Rep. Kerry Patrick, and Tim Shallenberger were elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. In this interview, Kraske shared his observation that reporters “don’t hope for bad things because we Show Morehave hard questions. You hope all of this makes for a better state, a better community, a better country.”

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

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Interview of John Hanna, December 19, 2025

Interviewed by Jim McLean

John Hanna recalled his long career as one of the top journalists in Kansas in this 2025 interview with Jim McLean. Hanna described how covering the Kansas legislature has changed from the years when several reporters were able to cover multiple committees each day to now where a single reporter has “to tell big, broad stories to the largest audience possible.” He observed that there is “still a need for good journalism to help organize and make sense of what’s going on and to write about patterns and trends and context.” Hanna acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining Show Morethe AP style of balancing every story and giving each side equal coverage when you know one of the sides is demonstrably not true. He observed that there is an organized campaign by national groups that are getting legislatures to act and that it is “important for the reader to understand—where it’s coming from, how money is being spent, who benefits, who doesn’t.”

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

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Interview of Dale Goter, January 6, 2026

Interviewed by McLean Jim

In this 2026 oral history interview, Dale Goter looked back at the evolving landscapes of Kansas journalism and state politics. Goter, a veteran journalist who later became the lobbyist for the City of Wichita, offered a unique perspective on how the relationship between the press and elected officials shifted over several decades. He described a "golden age" of Statehouse news coverage when major news organizations maintained fully staffed bureaus in Topeka. That presence allowed for rigorous, daily coverage of the Kansas Legislature, which Goter characterized as essential for maintaining public accountability. He expressed concern over the subsequent decline of coverage, Show Morenoting that the loss of dedicated statehouse reporters left a void sometimes filled by partisan messaging rather than objective reporting. Goter stated that as a journalist, “You’re always going after the power structure because that’s where the power is, and that’s where the abuse of power is.” Journalists are "conditioned to look for controversy. You’re looking for conflict, controversy, and corruption. That puts you at odds with government all of the time. You’re perceived as a liberal because you’re going against government.” Goter shared his thoughts on changes in the Statehouse culture. He points out that there used to be a “level of oratory that took place on the Senate floor, people like Ed Reilly, . . . Frank Gaines, and Tom Rehorn. They could get up. They were stem winders." Goter transitioned from the press gallery to a role as lobbyist for Wichita in 2006. He described the nuances of lobbying for the city from a ‘public good’ perspective not commonly found among the ranks of lobbyists. Goter explained that effective lobbying relies on building long-term relationships and providing credible information to lawmakers, a process that became increasingly difficult due to rising political polarization.

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

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