Topic: Kansas State Collegian

Interview of Leroy Towns, September 5, 2025

Interviewed by Jim McLean

In this 2025 oral history interview, Leroy Towns described how his interest in politics led him to a 44-year career as a reporter, press secretary, and educator. During the interview, Towns recalled his unconventional start as a student reporter covering the Vietnam War for the Kansas State Collegian before beginning a career as a Statehouse correspondent for The Topeka Capital-Journal and then for the Harris News Group. Towns reflected during the interview on his shift from reporting when he became press secretary for Governor Robert Bennett. A significant portion of the interview focused on his decades-long role as chief of Show Morestaff for Pat Roberts, when Roberts represented Kansas in Congress. From that vantage point, Towns recalled witnessing the nationalization of politics and a decline in bipartisan collegiality. Throughout the interview, Towns offered insights into the evolving media landscape and the loss of local news coverage.

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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