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Kansas House panel approves bill to extend executive orders on health care staffing shortages
TOPEKA — A Kansas House committee approved legislation Thursday codifying temporary suspension of regulations on health care providers included in the governor’s recent executive orders, sending the bill to the full chamber for debate. In response to the worsening COVID-19 situation and caseload at many health care sites, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a 15-day executive […]
Kansas lawmakers, officials march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., call for unity
TOPEKA — In anticipation of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Kansas lawmakers, civil rights advocates and other government officials spoke Thursday of unity among Kansans as a key to weathering challenging times and making positive progress as a state. Gov. Laura Kelly pointed to the acts of selflessness and teamwork displayed over the COVID-19 […]
Kansas Board of Regents, Democrats praise governor’s proposal to freeze college tuition
TOPEKA — Kansas college students could soon benefit from a continued effort to minimize rising college tuition, pending approval on a provision in the governor’s budget. In her budget, Gov. Laura Kelly included a request from the Kansas Board of Regents to pay $45.7 million to universities so that the institutions can freeze tuition for […]
Kansas House energy panel switches leaders after letter to state utility regulator
TOPEKA — House leadership removed the chairman of the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee after the panel’s former chairman escalated tensions with colleagues by sending a contentious letter urging Kansas regulators to delay utility rate increases from February’s polar vortex. House Speaker Ron Ryckman said the decision to remove Rep. Joe Seiwert, a Pretty […]
Kansas Legislature kicks off 2022 session as coronavirus, election-year politics flare
TOPEKA — The 2022 Legislature convened Monday in Topeka to begin policymaking with election-year politics looming large and coronavirus-related legislation, as well as redistricting, front and center over the coming months. The 125 representatives and 40 senators will begin committee deliberations this week, hoping to pass legislation Gov. Laura Kelly sees fit to sign. As […]
Kansas legislative session promises more debate on COVID-19, critical race theory
TOPEKA — As Kansas lawmakers converge Monday in Topeka to work out issues with the ever-present COVID-19 illness, election law and the state’s economic wellbeing, some advocates are hopeful humanity, not political gamesmanship, can shine through in 2022. An election year, mixed with public outcry over the handling of the pandemic, sets up a noteworthy […]
Kansas organizations seek end to ‘pernicious practice’ of juvenile fines and fees
TOPEKA — A coalition of Kansas organizations are seeking to end the “pernicious practice” of extracting wealth from children and their families through fines and fees in the legal system. According to the National Juvenile Defender Center, based on juvenile courts that track income levels, the youths’ families have an annual income of less than […]
Kansas officials, advocates grapple over election integrity and voting access
TOPEKA — After a 2021 legislative session packed with election proposals, Kansas officials and advocacy groups again are looking at both election integrity and accessibility issues. Election laws passed last year by the Republican-led Legislature, including one that threatens felony prosecution for any activities that could be mistaken as the work of an election official, […]
House Democrats want Kansas voters to decide on Medicaid expansion, marijuana legalization
TOPEKA — A trio of newly proposed Kansas constitutional amendments would see the issues of Medicaid and marijuana put up to a public vote. House Democrats announced Thursday three amendments to the state constitution to expand Medicaid, legalize medical marijuana and legalize recreational marijuana. They do not lay out the details but instruct the Legislature […]
Wichita couple hope their close call with COVID-19 encourages others to get vaccinated
TOPEKA — Wichita resident Thomas and Holly Eckler chose to wait on vaccinating themselves against COVID-19, but things changed after the husband and pregnant wife contracted the illness, sending her to the hospital and jeopardizing their unborn child’s health. While Thomas Eckler’s symptoms were minimal in comparison, hospital staff placed Holly Eckler, who was 25 […]
Kansas Division of Vehicles resumes services in all but one county despite workforce shortage
TOPEKA — Kansans can now have access to services provided by the Division of Vehicles for the Kansas Department of Revenue in all but one country driver’s license office that provided service before the pandemic, although workforce remains a concern at most locations. All 116 driver’s license offices closed soon after the onset of COVID-19 […]
‘Rational distrust’ of health system spurs COVID-19 racial disparities, KU associate professor says
TOPEKA — As racial inequities related to COVID-19 persist in Kansas, an associate professor argues difficulties persuading many Americans in communities of color to get vaccinated stems from a rational distrust of the health system. Eligible Black Kansans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at a rate of 38% and Indigenous Kansans at a rate of […]