Author

Tim Carpenter

Tim Carpenter

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International. He has been recognized for investigative reporting on Kansas government and politics. He won the Kansas Press Association's Victor Murdock Award six times. The William Allen White Foundation honored him four times with its Burton Marvin News Enterprise Award. The Kansas City Press Club twice presented him its Journalist of the Year Award and more recently its Lifetime Achievement Award. He earned an agriculture degree at Kansas State University and grew up on a small dairy and beef cattle farm in Missouri. He is an amateur woodworker and drives Studebaker cars.

Daniel Shipp, a Nebraska higher education administrator, was selected Friday to serve as president of Pittsburg State University in southeast Kansas. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Pittsburg State University)

Nebraska college administrator selected president of Pittsburg State University
By: - April 8, 2022

Nebraska higher education administrator selected as new president of Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Gov. Laura Kelly signed a collection of bipartisan bills approved by the Kansas Legislature, including a measure allowing people with disabilities to open savings accounts with the state treasurer.(Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Gov. Laura Kelly signs bipartisan bill creating disability savings program
By: - April 8, 2022

Gov. Laura Kelly signs bipartisan bill allowing people with disabilities to create special savings account with state treasurer.

The Kansas Supreme Court conducted oral argument Wednesday night in a case challenging ouster of the Kansas Highway Patrol colonel in 2019. The former KHP leader filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, but a federal judge asked the state Supreme Court for help interpreting state employment law. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Supreme photograph)

Kansas Supreme Court works to clarify state law for lawsuit filed by former KHP colonel
By: - April 7, 2022

Kansas Supreme Court asked by federal judge to referee meaning of poorly written state employment law tied to lawsuit filed by former KHP colonel.

Two members of the Kansas House say they heard Rep. Paul Waggoner, R-Hutchinson, claim the gender pay gap was due to men working harder than women. The comment purportedly occurred during a Women's History Month event. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Two Kansas House members say representative offered ‘we work harder’ defense of gender pay gap
By: and - April 6, 2022

Two women in the Kansas House say a male colleague, during Women's History Month event, said the gender pay gap was due to men working harder than women.

Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan, and chairman of the House Taxation Committee, ushered through the House a bill cutting state tax revenue by $90 million annually. Contents of the measure was drawn from 29 different bills. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas tax reform bundle sent to governor amassed from shards of 29 different bills
By: - April 5, 2022

Legislature sends Gov. Kelly bill with collage of tax adjustments but big-ticket reforms, including food sales tax, on ice until lawmakers return April 25.

Perry Wiggins, executive director of the Governor's Military Council and a retired U.S. Army three-star general, urged the 2022 Legislature to approve a Statehouse grounds memorial to Gold Star families. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)

Kelly signs legislation authorizing Gold Star family memorial at Capitol
By: - April 4, 2022

The Legislature unanimously approved and Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill authorizing installation of a Gold Star family memorial on the Statehouse grounds.

Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, said the competitive integrity of sports teams for girls and women had to be protected from an influx of transgender athletes through a bill sent to Gov. Laura Kelly. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)

Disputed Kansas anti-transgender sports bill either a personal affront or saving grace
By: - April 4, 2022

Kansas Legislature forwarded a bill banning transgender athletes from participating in public school sports teams for girls and women.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman, left, said it was inappropriate for the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission to issue subpoenas to members of the Kansas Legislature during the session. Rumors of the subpoenas has circulated for weeks and led to allegations of wrongdoing by House Democrats. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas Statehouse subpoenas, pay-to-play allegations, consultants’ feud disrupt end of session
By: - April 3, 2022

The atmosphere at the Capitol gets tense with allegations of unethical conduct, politically infused litigation and old-fashioned partisan feuding.

Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, ushered through the Kansas House a bill opening Kansas to legal sports gambling under a system operated by casinos and regulated by the Kansas Lottery. The Kansas Senate hasn't voted on the bill. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas sports wagering bill earmarks 80% of state revenue to pro sports stadium
By: - April 2, 2022

The House passed a bill opening the state to legal sports gambling under control of casinos, but the Senate adjourned without voting on the bill.

House members complete an unusual procedure of voting by standing or sitting to resolve an attempt by Rep. Linda Featherston, D-Overland Park, to vote "present" on a bill expanding immunity of hospitals treating health care providers. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas lawmaker tries to sidestep COVID-19 bill, ends up casting deciding vote for passage
By: and - April 1, 2022

The Kansas House takes the unusual step of forcing a member to vote on a bill extending hospital liability protections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GOP lawmakers push rule designed to force out Kansas ethics commission director
By: - April 1, 2022

GOP lawmakers want to require state ethics commission director to be licensed attorney, but interest in reform may be political rather than regulatory.

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, D-Overland Park, leans in to make a point with House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita. On Thursday, Clayton opposed a bill linking food stamp access for able-bodied adults to holding down a job for at least 30 hours a week or enrolling in a job training program. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas Legislature ties SNAP for able-bodied adults to job training or part-time job
By: - March 31, 2022

Kansas Legislature sends Gov. Laura Kelly a bill requiring food stamp participants to work at least 30 hours per week or enroll in a job training program.

RETURN TO HOME