Good morning Wichita! It’s Monday, May 13 and here’s what you need to know to start your week.
Wichita leaders have made commitments to address mental health services and homelessness in Sedgwick County, pledging specific actions such as fully staffing crisis units and enhancing psychiatric care.
In a recent study, researchers found that job applicants with distinctively Black names face persistent hiring biases, with significantly fewer callbacks compared to those with White-sounding names.
Finally, Kansas has passed a new bill that will make it easier for drivers with suspended or revoked licenses to drive legally. The bill is expected to benefit over 200,000 Kansans. These are the top stories as you begin your day.
Wichita leaders commit to action on mental health and homelessness at Nehemiah Convention
Wichita leaders have made pledges to address the pressing issues of mental health services and homelessness in the county. At the Nehemiah Convention, attended by over 1,300 constituents, city, county, and state officials vowed to take specific actions by the end of the year. Proposed solutions include fully staffing crisis units, enhancing psychiatric care, and providing transportation funding. Additionally, ongoing funding for a housing-first model and a homeless ID program were promised. The convention, organized by Justice Together, aimed to turn discussions into tangible actions for a better Sedgwick County.
Racial bias in hiring persists: Evidence of 24% gap in callbacks favoring White applicants
New research from the University of California – Berkeley and the University of Chicago highlights the persistent hiring biases faced by job applicants with distinctively Black names. The study, which responded to over 83,000 job postings at Fortune 500 companies, reveals that applicants with White-sounding names received significantly more callbacks than those with Black names, with some companies showing a shocking 24% racial gap in callbacks. The findings underscore the need for companies to move beyond performative allyship and implement standardized HR processes to promote equitable hiring.
Kansas’ new law aims to make it easier for suspended drivers to get back on the road
Kansas has passed a new bill, SB500, which will make it easier for drivers with suspended or revoked licenses to drive legally. The bill will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will automatically restrict, rather than suspend, the licenses of drivers who have not paid their traffic fines and court costs within 30 days. Courts will also be required to offer waivers, reductions, and payment plans for fees, fines, and costs. The bill is expected to benefit over 200,000 Kansans with suspended licenses, although some aspects of the legislation remain unclear.
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