New Publication - Opinionated: Kansas Journalists Who Proved Why Commentary Matters—Then and Now

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Rezul -- The University Press of Kansas announces the publication of Opinionated: Kansas Journalists Who Proved Why Commentary Matters—Then and Now by Clay Wirestone. "What's the matter with Kansas?" William Allen White once famously asked. In Opinionated, Clay Wirestone demonstrates that White was only one voice in a vibrant tradition of Kansas journalists who used commentary to shape public life, challenge injustice, and strengthen democracy.

In this engaging and insightful history, Wirestone revisits the golden age of Kansas journalism—from the 1920s through the 1970s—when local newspapers were central to civic identity and opinion pages drove meaningful debate. Through vivid portraits of figures such as Mamie Boyd, Lucile Bluford, Hollie T. Sims, and Bill Meyer, Wirestone shows how hometown editors confronted political corruption, racial injustice, and threats to press freedom with courage and conviction. Their work not only informed their communities but also influenced broader conversations about rights, responsibility, and the role of a free press.

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At a moment when local newspapers are shrinking and public trust in media is under strain, Opinionated offers both a compelling history and a timely argument: strong, community-rooted commentary is not a relic of the past, but is essential to the health of American democracy today.

Perfect for journalists, students, historians, and anyone concerned about the future of local news, Opinionated affirms that free expression is not a luxury of the past but a living necessity.

Key Features & News Angles:

• Timely and Urgent Topic: Arrives amid national debate about local newspaper closures, media consolidation, and attacks on press freedom.
• Kansas with National Reach: Explores how Kansas journalists shaped conversations that reverberated far beyond state lines.
• Civil Rights History: Highlights the work of Lucile Bluford and Hollie T. Sims, expanding the narrative of Midwest civil rights activism.
• Women in Journalism: Celebrates Mamie Boyd's groundbreaking leadership in a male-dominated profession.
• Modern Press Freedom Tie-In: Connects to the 2023 Marion County Record police raid and ongoing First Amendment concerns.
• For Classrooms and Newsrooms: Ideal for journalism, media studies, history, and political science courses.
• Author Platform: Clay Wirestone is an award-winning opinion editor with deep roots in Kansas media and national credibility in discussions about commentary and democracy.

Learn more about the book here: https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700643059/

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