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Kansas National Guard deploys helicopters to wildfires burning in Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas National Guard will deploy helicopters in an effort to put out wildfires in several counties in central and western Kansas, several state departments said in a news release Thursday. Gov. Laura Kelly declared a state of disaster emergency last week because of the risk of fire. According to the […]
Kansas AG’s natural gas well presents possible conflict of interest as he investigates industry
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has a financial interest in the sale of natural gas, prompting calls for him to disclose more information about his earnings as he investigates gas companies for potential price gouging during February’s severe freeze. Schmidt, the state’s top law enforcement official, is investigating whether companies raised natural gas prices, which […]
‘Americans always rebuild’: Biden promotes infrastructure investments in Kansas City speech
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — President Joe Biden on Wednesday visited the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to tout the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill he signed into law last month, expected to bring billions in spending on roads and bridges, clean water, public transportation, high speed internet and more to Kansas and Missouri. The president said […]
‘Statesman,’ ‘hero,’ ‘favorite son’: Well wishes pour out after death of Sen. Bob Dole
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Reverence for U.S. Sen. Bob Dole’s service as a soldier in World War II, a longtime senator and fixture in Washington, D.C., was evident Sunday morning following the announcement of his death. In the hours after the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced Dole, 98, had died following a battle with lung cancer, […]
Consumer advocates fear hedge funds’ influence could mean more spending, rate hikes at Evergy
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Four of the five members on Evergy’s finance committee, tasked with recommending management and investment decisions to the board of directors, were selected by activist hedge funds that critics worry are asserting undue influence over the electric utility. That involvement, consumer advocates say, could drive up rates for Evergy’s 1.6 million […]
Douglas County hires nonprofit to establish indigent defense office for misdemeanors
LAWRENCE — Douglas County will hire a Lawrence nonprofit to establish a public defender office for those facing misdemeanors in district court, replacing a panel of attorneys who are currently appointed to handle a host of cases. In Kansas, a state board pays for indigent defense for those accused of felonies who can’t afford a layer. […]
Free legal service for $400? Douglas County Commission considers competing public defender ideas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A for-profit consortium of lawyers would charge low-income residents $400 for public defense services that are currently free under a proposal before the Douglas County Commission. The commission is evaluating two proposals meant to establish a public defender, or indigent defense, office to handle misdemeanor cases — one by a nonprofit […]
Alligator snapping turtle, nearly extinct in Kansas, could be listed as threatened species
Federal wildlife officials have proposed listing the “dinosaurs of the turtle world” as a threatened species, citing habitat loss across much of their range. Alligator snapping turtles have powerful jaws that come to a point and tough spiny shells. Adult males can weigh nearly 250 pounds, making them the largest freshwater turtle in North America. […]
Kansas trails U.S. average in nursing home staff vaccinations as federal deadline looms
Even as nursing homes worked late this summer to get Missouri over the halfway mark in employee vaccinations, the state fell further behind peers, dropping to last in the nation. And while neighboring Kansas has fared better, both states have large swaths of nursing home staff to get vaccinated before a federal deadline next month. […]
Anti-masker’s profane outburst targeting Kansas Reflector editor restored to video recording
An anti-masker’s profane outburst targeting Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith is now posted online after initially being edited out of a video of a Kansas legislative committee meeting, prompting concerns about the Legislature’s transparency. Justin Spiehs, who referred to himself as a doctor, appeared before the Leigslature’s Special Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact […]
Report allows Kansas residents to see what contaminants are in their drinking water
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas and Missouri residents may be drinking unsafe amounts of arsenic, nitrates and other chemicals — even if their provider is meeting federal drinking water requirements, according to data published Wednesday by an environmental group. The Environmental Working Group released its most up to date tap water database, compiling testing information […]
On top of $1B fallout from February cold snap, natural gas prices expected to climb this winter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a historic cold snap depleted natural gas reserves in February, prices for heating could be as much as 30% higher this winter, prompting concerns about increasing bills for Kansas and Missouri customers. Kansas is already grappling with the $1 billion fallout from this winter’s cold snap, when natural gas prices […]