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Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Anthony Powell to retire June 30
TOPEKA — Judge Anthony Powell is preparing to retire from the Kansas Court of Appeals after nine years in the role. Powell, appointed to the state appeals court in January 2013 by then-Gov. Sam Brownback, will step away June 30, the court announced Monday. After his appointment, Powell was the first judge to continue to […]
Kansas nurses call for action to protect health workers against workplace violence
TOPEKA — Kansas nurses are demanding more be done to protect health workers in response to the attack Wednesday at an Oklahoma hospital and rising violence against medical staff. The shooting at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa resulted in four deaths and left several more injured. It is a reminder that more protections are needed […]
Kansas voting advocates navigating new maps and law as registration deadline approaches
TOPEKA — Kansas voting advocacy organizations are grappling with what new congressional and legislative maps mean for registration efforts, while also navigating a new law that interferes with their work. The Kansas Supreme Court issued separate rulings last month declaring the congressional and legislative maps approved by the Republican-led Legislature complied with the state constitution. […]
Kansas small businesses set to receive $50 million for COVID-19 relief
TOPEKA — A new law will provide $50 million to reimburse Kansas small businesses that suffered early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The storefront property tax relief law earmarks federal dollars for property tax refunds to businesses affected by forced closure or reduced occupancy during the early wave of COVID-19 cases. With no vaccine available, the […]
Kansas GOP governor candidate Derek Schmidt selects U.S. Senate staffer as running mate
Attorney General Derek Schmidt files as GOP candidate for governor, names McPherson staffer for U.S. Sen Marshall as running mate.
Kansas coalition initiative connects Latino domestic violence victims to community services
TOPEKA — A new statewide initiative is working to increase awareness of community services available to Latino victims of sexual and domestic violence, taking into account the unique circumstances that keep many from accessing help. The multimedia program, Together We Can Help, was initiated by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence in response […]
Immigrants face new reality and old fears under a Kansas law banning ‘sanctuary’ cities
TOPEKA — Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says fear is a given in a mixed-status household. Growing up in Dodge City with an undocumented parent, Rangel-Lopez constantly feared his father coming home with news that immigration agents had detained his mother. And he says fear of deportation kept his mother from reporting an abusive ex-husband who fled with […]
KU Health working with Kansas schools to prevent and treat athlete injuries
TOPEKA — When Doug Wiesner, the youth sports medicine director for the University of Kansas Health System, cut his teeth in the field, treatment often went as far as a Dixie cup filled halfway with water. The thought process was it would make a tougher athlete, he said. Wiesner is now working with Kansas City […]
Kansas Cost Share Program grants $7 million for 11 transportation projects
TOPEKA — Kansas is awarding $7 million to 11 transportation projects across the state through the Cost Share Program. The state-run initiative is intended to improve safety, job retention and growth, and improve access and mobility to cities and counties through transportation. The projects chosen to receive the additional funding include a highway in Johnson County, […]
Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman, other reps join list of retiring lawmakers
TOPEKA — House Speaker Ron Ryckman confirmed Monday he would not seek reelection, along with nearly a dozen other representatives who announced plans to step away from the Legislature. The decision confirmed speculation the Olathe Republican would not run again. Ryckman was first elected to the House in 2012 and served an unprecedented three terms […]
Kansas legislative session closes with pair of overrides, calls for better drug policy
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers wrapped the 2022 legislative session Monday by overturning a series of vetoes from the governor, tying up loose ends on remaining bills and debating a resolution taking issue with proposed Word Health Organization regulations. A bill approved before the House adjourned the session with minimal opposition would amend the Controlled Substances […]
Kansas Republican attorney general candidates wrangle over experience, electability
PITTSBURG— Sen. Kellie Warren and former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach repeatedly clashed Thursday over who was best suited to ensure a GOP victory on election night and battle Democratic administrations at the state and federal levels. On one side was a candidate with experience in statewide office but blemishes on his election record. […]