View from 100

Sheriff Jay Armbrister sat down with Douglas County Administrator Sarah Plinsky to talk about the inner workings of local government in Douglas County. Sarah shares her journey from Lawrence kid to county administrator, explains why Douglas County is the “middle child” of Kansas counties and breaks down how property taxes and the county budget actually function. They talk candidly about leading through tornadoes, historic flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the growing complex...

In this episode of the View from 100 podcast, Sheriff Jay Armbrister and recently retired Capt. Jason Grems sit down with former Douglas County Sheriff Loren Anderson, who hired both of them in the late 1990s, to trace the evolution of the Sheriff’s Office and Loren’s remarkable career. Anderson reflects on growing up near Clinton, joining the office in 1965 under Sheriff Rex Johnson, working his way from deputy to undersheriff and eventually serving 12 years as sheriff. He oversaw majo...

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister sits down with Dr. Kirsten Watkins, CEO of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and Emily Farley, Chief Advancement Officer, to explore how a community of Lawrence’s size has built one of the most comprehensive behavioral health systems in Kansas. They outline the Bert Nash Center’s role as a safety-net provider for all ages and all levels of need, describe its network of facilities and explain the vision for the forthcoming Youth Recovery Center...

Sheriff Jay Armbrister sits down with community outreach coordinator Morgan Haney and recent Citizens Academy graduates Hannah Bolton (founder, Cardinal Housing Network) and defense attorney Matthew Fredrick to explore how the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office opens its doors to the public. They break down what happens over the seven-week, nine-session DGSO Citizens Academy — from reentry simulations and jail tours to dispatch, firearms and traffic-stop scenarios — and how experiential le...

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister interviews Jessica Glendening, chief public defender in Douglas County, in a conversation about different aspects of the legal system. Glendening discusses her 16-year career in criminal defense, including her roles in Shawnee and Douglas counties. She explains the differences between public defenders and retained attorneys and prosecutors, the challenges of managing caseloads and the importance of addressing clients' non-legal needs. Glendening als...