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.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said wearing masks, improving testing capacity and isolating people infected with COVID-19 was the best approach during the pandemic as long as there is no approved vaccine. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

KDHE shifting gears on public report of site-specific COVID-19 clusters in Kansas
By: - September 23, 2020

KDHE is altering metrics used to place COVID-19 outbreaks on a weekly list of site-specific clusters in Kansas.

Vicki Schmidt, the Kansas commissioner of insurance, attended a legislative committee meeting Monday for endorsement of the $535,000 sale of the vacant Woman's Club of Topeka building on the National Register of Historic Places. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Legislative committee endorses sale of historic Topeka building for $535,000
By: - September 22, 2020

Sale of the Woman's Club of Topeka building for $535,000 to a group planning to renovate the historic structure is another step closer to reality.

Kathy Winters, facing, hugs Cindy Poe during a hearing on foster care Monday in which they described the personal agony of having their grandchildren placed in foster care by the state of Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Heartbroken grandparents make emotional appeals for Kansas foster care reform
By: - September 22, 2020

Foster parents, extended family members cut off from grandchildren share their pain with members of Kansas Legislature.

Kansas organizations advocating for people with disabilities and elderly individuals are urging Lee Norman, left, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Gov. Laura Kelly to resume and expand public disclosure of COVID-19 clusters. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Disabled, elderly advocates eager for KDHE reporting of site-specific COVID-19 outbreaks
By: - September 21, 2020

Advocates of elderly and disabled people in Kansas are urging KDHE to resume facility-specific reporting on spread of COVID-19 infection.

Two Kansas lawmakers walking long road to legalizing medicinal marijuana
By: - September 21, 2020

Kansas legislators David Haley and Gail Finney are optimistic the 2021 Legislature can advance a bill legalizing medical marijuana.

The Kansas unemployment rate in November increased for the first time in six months to 5.6%. The rate in November 2019 was 3.1%, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the rate to a high of 11.9% in April (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Unemployment rate in Kansas declines to 6.9% in August
By: - September 19, 2020

The COVID-19 influenced unemployment rate in Kansas fell to 6.9% in August, a drop of 0.3%. It's still well above the 3.1% rate in August 2019.

Gov. Laura Kelly directed flags in Kansas be flown at half-staff until sundown Monday in honor U.S. military personnel killed in a suicide bombing attack at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas politicians pay tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By: - September 19, 2020

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly ordered U.S. flags in Kansas be flown at half-staff to honor late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Alan Conroy, executive director of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, speaks Friday to the board of trustees before discussion of the system's 1.7% return on investment last fiscal year, well below the 7.75% target. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas’ public pension system’s portfolio suffers from COVID-19 market volatility
By: - September 18, 2020

TOPEKA — The investment portfolio at the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System earned a fraction of the 7.75% return projected for last fiscal year, a consequence of economic challenges spawned by COVID-19, officials said Friday. KPERS reported a return of 1.7% in the fiscal year ending June 30, which reflected a startling 11.7% loss during […]

Coronavirus remains plague on Kansas’ tourism, entertainment and winery industries
By: - September 17, 2020

Government mandates and consumer anxiety in the COVID-19 pandemic continues to undermine tourism and entertainment businesses across Kansas.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier reported raising $13.5 million in the third quarter for the largest single-quarter fundraising total of any candidate in Kansas history. She is running for the open seat in Kansas against GOP nominee Roger Marshall. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Former GOP U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum endorses Democrat Barbara Bollier
By: - September 17, 2020

Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, a Republican who served 18 years in that job, is endorsing Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Barbara Bollier.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the spread of COVID-19 provided extra incentive for people to get an influenza vaccination. He expects Kansas hospital resources to be stretched this fall and winter from exposure to the flu and coronavirus. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

KDHE secretary temporarily halts disclosure of specific COVID-19 cluster sites
By: - September 16, 2020

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment temporarily halted Wednesday release of precise information about COVID-19 clusters to modify metrics relied upon to inform the public about hot spots of the spreading virus. KDHE secretary Lee Norman plans to resume the reporting on clusters next week after modifying the list to concentrate attention […]

Rep. Tom Sawyer, the House Democrat leader from Wichita, is expected to file a complaint Monday seeking ouster of Rep.-elect Aaron Coleman, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas lawmakers moving ahead with audio-visual technology upgrade at Capitol
By: - September 16, 2020

Kansas Legislature leaders agree to continue development of an audio-visual modernization project at the Capitol that may cost $5 million.

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