Red Couch Rewind - The Eye on NE Kansas Podcast

Local leaders are among those looking ahead as we move through January. In this episode, hear from Shawnee Co. Sheriff Brian Hill, Topeka Chamber president Juliet Abdul and Topeka Rescue Mission executive director LaManda Broyles. We also learn about a community Mental Health First Aid class, and get an update on mental health initiatives in the Flint Hills region.

As more than a foot of snow blanketed Northeast Kansas, Topeka's city leaders faced backlash over their statements about removing snow from residential streets. Topeka City Manager Dr. Robert Perez sat down with us, and apologized. Also in this episode, hear from Kansas Legislative leaders, new Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt, and a Manhattan, Kan. native who's written two books about the late Pr...

What factors might put someone at greater risk for homelessness? Research from Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries might offer insight. We hear about it, and get an update on the City of Topeka's efforts to address homeless in this week's episode - and a little Farm Bill talk, too. 00.00 Dr. Jennifer Ifft of Kansas State University shares why having Congress reach agreement on a new Farm Bill matters...

Mireya passed away at the age of 8, following complications from being shaken as an infant. Her adoptive parents are honoring her legacy by working to prevent it from happening to any other child -- and honoring Mireya's kindness. They highlight our guests this week. .00 The realignment of a major highway has the nonprofit Let's Help relocating. Their new executive director updated the effot. 6.15...

Kansas primary elections are Aug. 6! We hear from the Democrats seeking the state's 2nd Congressional District seat and from the state's top election elections official. We also chat with THE Melissa Etheridge! .00 The Democrats seeking the state's 2nd Congressional Dist. seat got some one-on-one time. We start with Nancy Boyda. 6.30 Democrat Matt Kleinmann is challenging Boyda in the 2nd Dist. 11...

Topeka area leaders hit the road for a visit to Boise, Idaho; and you're invited to take a road trip to historic Nicodemus, Kan. .00 Topeka leaders are on their annual inter-city visit. Do these trips really make a difference? We get some insight 5.45 Topeka's National Night Out is coming up, and we get the latest on the community-wide celebration that's planned 10.40 Nicodemus is ready to see its...

New faces, new projects - and people vying for a new job all visit the Red Couch in this episode.   .00 Topeka's new city manager Robert Perez makes his first visit to the Red Couch 6.00 Hear why Topeka is undertaking its first-ever summer Point in Time count of the community's homeless population 11.05 Shawnee Co. is making progress on several projects. Commissioner Bill Riphahn has the update 16...

You know it's election season when candidate swing by the Red Couch! Two more of the five GOP hopefuls in Kansas' 2nd Congressional district paid a visit, while we also hosted the family of the late Broadway composer Steven Lutvak.   00.00 Homeownership month....do you REALLY need to earn what new studies say you need to earn to realize the dream? 6.10 Campaign time! Dist. 2 GOP candidate Michael...

Shawnee Co. District Attorney Mike Kagay's office recently received a grant to target human trafficking. One component of the plan - a new task force - is officially up and running. 00.00 Mike Kagay 5.45 Get know new Topeka Zoo director Christina Castellano 11.20 We're introducing you to candidates in the August primaries! First up: Chad Young, one of five candidates seeking the GOP nomination for...

Human trafficking is real, and it's happening in our area. People in the Topeka area developed a new tool to help fight it.   .00 Hear how coalitions and advocates are helping people find resources and information about human trafficking more easily. 7.00 Meet the YWCA of Northeast Kansas' new leader 12.20 How do we connect parents with affordable child care? Learn about Family Forward 18.10 Ahead...

May 17, 2024 marked 70 years since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Brown v. Board of Education. No one knows that history better than the children who lived it, particularly in the birthplace of the case - Topeka, Kan. In this episode, we hear from Beryl New, Glenda Washington and Monique Pittman Lui, who are planning commemoration events and all attended segregated schools in variou...

We pause this week to observe May's Mental Health Awareness Month. A special edition of Eye on NE Kansas focused on WIBW's "Hear me. See me." campaign.

We wrap up Sexual Assault Awareness Month and move into Mental Health Awareness Month in this week's episode. Plus, a couple of history lessons!   .55 What does affordable housing have to do with preventing sexual violence? We look at the connection. 6.15 Holocaust Remembrance Day takes on extra meaning this year. Our guest explain why we must never forget. 10.50 Topeka's rich Black history is on...

Our focus on Sexual Assault Awareness Month continues. This week we hear how we ALL can take action.   00.00 Shawnee Co. DA Mike Kagay looks at the latest crime trends and shares how his office approaches cases involving sexual violence 5:30 Michelle McCormick with KS Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and Rachel Grollmes with YWCA NE Kansas Center for Safety and Empowerment talk about...

Rick Faris was twice Grammy-nominated with the group Special Consensus. His solo debut earned him the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Association's New Artist of the Year award. Now, he's being inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. Before the ceremony, he visited the Red Couch to catch up - and show off one of his songs!

We break through the myths surrounding sexual volence with our latest guests for Sexual Assault Awareness Month....just one top in a busy week at the Red Couch. 00.00 Who will replace Richard Nienstedt as Topeka's City Manager? Hear the one quality he thinks the person should possess....and the one task he thinks will be finished before he departs 5.15 Shawnee Co. Commissioner Bill Riphahn talks t...

The 80s you will love this one! Pop star Tiffany performed during the Greater Topeka Partnership's annual meeting, held at West Ridge Mall. Before the big day, she visited Eye on NE Kansas where we dished about malls, her career and advice to young musicians!  Hear the interview...after we address a couple more serious topics.   00.00 Michelle and Anna from the KS Coalition Against Sexual and Dome...

We wrap up Women's History Month with two very special sets of groundbreaking guests - one from the legal arena, the other in athletics.   00.00 Kansas Chief Justice Marla Luckert and retired Topeka City Attorney Linda Jeffrey - both Washburn Law alums - share their lessons in leadership 9.40 Intergenerational perspectives on women in athletics from retired Washburn women's basketball coach Patty...

Our celebration of Women's History Month continues with two women who confronted the issues of sexual and domestic violence, and two others who work to inspire young Latinas! 00.00 Sharon Sullivan and Marilynn Ault changed the conversation about sexual and domestic violence and human trafficking. 10.35 Veronica Padilla and Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield both are successful career women, and past nat...

March is Women's History Month, and we're inviting some of Topeka's extraordinary women to the Red Couch to celebrate!   00.00 Washburn Law School Dean Jeffrey Jackson took the 'interim' off his title about a month ago. Hear what's next for him. 5.50 Search for a new job from the comfort of home! KansasWorks is hosting a week-long virtual hiring fair 10.30 What does it take to be VIPS? Meet Topeka...

Melissa welcomes guest co-host Aimee Copp Hasty for conversations about mental health and domestic violence in the workplace. Plus, we start a celebration of Women's History Month   00.00 Topeka-based Advisor's Excel has personal reasons for making the mental health of their employees a key focus. Here's what they're doing   5.50 If you suspect a friend or colleague is impacted by domestic violenc...

Storm season is around the corner! We talk preparedness, primaries, and important anniversaries in this week's show.   00.00 Election season hasn't started this early in Kansas for several decades! What you need to know about the Presidential Preference Primary. 5.30 The week of March 4 is Severe Weather Awareness Week. Jake Henry with Shawnee Co. Emergency Mgt. helps us prepare 10.35 This May mar...

Even ER nurses can ignore their own health! A personal message for Heart Month, and a play that will have you rocking out were all part of the Red Couch this week!   00.00 A new program at Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging will provide respite for people with dementia and their caregivers 6.10 Forge has a lot of irons in the fire! How they're helping young professionals connect 10.15 ER Nurse Mish Aben...

From the highest highs to the lowest of lows, this week's podcast starts with reflections on the tragedy at the Kansas City Chiefs victory celebration.   1.55 What's up at Washburn? Hear an update from WU President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek 7.15 It's election season, Kansas! Sec. of State Scott Schwab reminds us of the upcoming deadlines for the Presidential Preference Primary 12.20 POTHOLES! Interim T...

While our area is focused on the Kansas City Chiefs returning to the Super Bowl, Shawnee County is thinking ahead to summer fun! Commissioner Aaron Mays talks about available summer jobs, plus why they want state lawmakers to reinstate the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Becoming the Better You! Hear about the message of an upcoming youth summit Hear me. See me. NAMI Kansas board member S.J. Hazim...