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Kansas election officials begin certifying results with several races too close to call
TOPEKA — As election officials finish counting ballots cast during the 2020 election, counties across Kansas are turning Monday to the outlier ballots with mismatched signatures, ID issues and more. Election results in Kansas are not official until counties canvass the results of state and national races. The canvass occurs in the weeks following the […]
U.S. Mint releases new coin honoring Kansas’ Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
TOPEKA — The U.S. Mint on Thursday released a new coin set honoring Kansas’ Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the only site within the National Park Service dedicated to the natural history of the tallgrass prairie. The quarters feature a regal fritillary butterfly against a backdrop of bluestem and Indian grass — both of which are […]
As GOP cements supermajority in Legislature, Democrats realize ‘they can just really walk over us’
TOPEKA — Republicans retained a supermajority in both the Kansas House and Senate on Tuesday, reaffirming their control over Kansas policy and leaving Gov. Laura Kelly and Democratic legislators limited options with which to counter. The results from the 2020 general election, albeit unofficial as mail-in ballots and provisional ballots continue to be counted, indicate […]
Kansas Legislative races: Kansas Democrats fall well short in effort to break Republican supermajority
TOPEKA — Republicans retained their supermajority hold over the Kansas House and Senate on Tuesday, handing a crushing defeat to the Democratic Party despite record turnout and fundraising. Many eyes were on the top of the ticket ahead of Tuesday’s election, but results in races for the Kansas Legislature could influence other elections for years […]
Kansas voters champion civic duty, having their voice heard in record-breaking election
TOPEKA — Citing economic, social and health crises, some Kansas voters on Tuesday emphasized the importance of voting and expressing their views through civic action in this record-breaking election. Early estimates from the Kansas Secretary of State’s office indicated more than 1,350,000 people will vote this year. That would be an increase of more than […]
Kansas election officials prepared for potential voter suppression, electioneering
TOPEKA — The Kansas Secretary of State’s office on Monday dismissed growing concerns ahead of Election Day that voter intimidation or suppression tactics will impact results. Amid a pandemic and unprecedented turnout, local election officials’ ability to accurately and reliably conduct an election has been called into question by concerned voters. The shift in U.S. […]
Election Day game plan paramount for Kansas voters amid pandemic, record turnout
TOPEKA — To minimize Election Day hiccups, voting rights advocates in Kansas are strongly encouraging voters to make a game plan before heading to the polls Tuesday. Amid a pandemic and record voter turnout, the 2020 general election will look and feel a little different in Kansas than in years past. Voters will be greeted […]
Law enforcement, community mental health resources burdened by overwhelmed state hospital
TOPEKA — Law enforcement and community mental health centers have long played a role in assisting mentally ill Kansans, but amid reduced capacity at Osawatomie State Hospital, police departments and service providers are struggling to keep these issues from boiling over into their communities. Five years ago, OSH imposed a still-active moratorium on voluntary admissions […]
Members of Kansas racial justice panel balk at Fraternal Order of Police stipulations
TOPEKA — Members of Gov. Laura Kelly’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice are concerned about proposed limitations on an upcoming listening session with the Kansas Fraternity of Police. Kate Davis, director of regulatory affairs in the governor’s office, notified the commission that the Kansas branch of the FOP wants to limit participation in the […]
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, legislators agree to work with counties on mask mandate
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday she won’t pursue a statewide mask mandate under the condition legislative leaders aid her in convincing Kansas counties to implement their own requirements. Kelly convened a bipartisan group of legislators Tuesday to ask for support in calling a special session to pass emergency legislation implementing a mask mandate […]
KU chancellor: Collaboration, planning key to low campus COVID-19 positivity rate
TOPEKA — The leader of the University of Kansas credits collaboration between school administrators and local health authorities, in addition to a comprehensive return-to-school plan, for the campus’ low COVID-19 positivity rate. KU required testing for students and faculty at the beginning of the semester before shifting to random testing of the campus population. Administrators […]
Legislators warm up to possibility of independent monitor for Kansas foster care system
TOPEKA — A Kansas legislative committee placed bipartisan support behind consideration of an independent agency to monitor services and complaints in Kansas’ maligned foster care system. The Office of the Child Advocate would be tasked with assuring children in the system receive adequate care through services provided by the Kansas Department of Children and Families, […]