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.

Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, said a University of Kansas labor study indicated colleges and universities in the state needed to do more to serve growing demand in the workplace for graduates with bachelor's degree. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Labor study: Kansas faces shortfall of 34,000 college-educated workers through 2030
By: - September 25, 2023

A new University of Kansas economic study indicated Kansas was on pace to fall 34,000 short in terms of college-educated workers through 2030.

Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson, said a state audit showing 30% of 18,000 executive branch employees were working remotely in April illustrated why state policy should reflect evolving sentiment about being anchored to the office of a state agency, board or commission. Other state legislators raised concerns about worker productivity, IT security and vacant office space. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Popularity of remote work by Kansas executive branch employees raises interest in policy reform
By: - September 23, 2023

Kansas Legislature's auditors say 30% of 18,000 executive branch workers have remote work assignments and up to 45% were eligible to work from home.

Members of the bipartisan special legislative compensation committee, comprised mostly of former House and Senate members, expressed support for a new base salary of $45,000 annually. The committee has yet to resolve differences on how to handle legislator pension benefits and other details of a proposal to be submitted to the Legislature. (Screen capture of the Kansas Legislature's YouTube channel)

Kansas special committee leans harder toward raising legislators’ annual base salary to $45,000
By: - September 22, 2023

A special committee studying compensation for the Kansas Legislature warms to idea of $45,000 base salary, but has other compensation issues to resolve.

Jon Rolph, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, led colleagues and higher education officials through a discussion Wednesday to reduce requests for $570 million in new state funding to a more palatable amount. The full board is expected to vote Thursday on a unified higher education budget proposal. (Screen capture from the Kansas Board of Regents livestream)

Kansas Board of Regents sculpt $300 million plan for boosting state aid to public higher education
By: - September 21, 2023

The Kansas Board of Regents is working to pare down more than $500 million in budget requests by the state's 32 public colleges and universities.

U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas, sided with some of the House's most conservative members on a series of votes against U.S. funding of Ukraine's war against Russia. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

GOP advocacy group pressures Kansas’ Estes, Mann to support new Ukrainian aid package
By: - September 20, 2023

A conservative GOP organization is lobbying Kansas U.S. Reps. Estes and Mann to support a new round of military aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Corn, soy and wheat farmers are struggling with inflation and the economic effects of the war in Ukraine. (Jill Hummels for the Kansas Reflector)

Marshall expresses irritation with possible change to temporary visa program for farm workers
By: - September 19, 2023

GOP U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Senate agriculture committee member, objects to proposed reform of a temporary visa program for farm workers.

Two former captains with the Topeka Fire Department filed discrimination lawsuits in the past week against the City of Topeka alleging racial and gender inequities. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. District Court lawsuit)

Two retired Topeka Fire Department captains file lawsuits alleging discrimination
By: - September 19, 2023

Two former captains with the Topeka Fire Department filed discrimination federal lawsuits against the City of Topeka alleging racial and gender inequities.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat seeking reelection Nov. 8 against GOP nominee Amanda Adkins said Adkins lack credibility on economic issues because she endorsed Gov. Sam Brownback disastrous tax policies. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)

Tour exposes U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids to peril of political delay in finishing new farm bill
By: - September 16, 2023

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, one of two Kansas members on the House Agriculture Committee, conducted a tour to prepare for negotiations on a new farm bill.

Gov. Laura Kelly addressed participants in the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference this week during an economic development tour that included visits in Japan and South Korea with companies with businesses in Kansas. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of submitted photo)

Gov. Kelly personally affirms Kansas’ economic development ties with Japan, South Korea
By: - September 15, 2023

Gov. Laura Kelly visited Japan and South Korea to affirm international business alliances and make the case for wider corporate investments in Kansas jobs.

A sign outside a business says "now hiring"

Kansas jobless rate stable at 2.7% in August, loses ground in private-sector employment
By: - September 15, 2023

The unemployment rate in Kansas hovered at 2.7% in August, which was unchanged from July and a slight improvement over the 2.8% posted in August 2022.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, embraced a decision by U.S. House leadership to begin a committee-level impeachment investigation of President Joe Biden. Marshall opposed impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, but believes misconduct by the Biden family warrants the inquiry. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Senate's YouTube channel)

Marshall, Estes offer enthusiastic support for U.S. House impeachment inquiry of Biden
By: - September 13, 2023

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas welcome the House speaker's authorization of an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

University of Kansas researchers published a report connecting tobacco company investments in food brands during the 1990s and adoption of marketing tactics used to sell cigarettes to better attract consumers to exceptionally palatable foods laden with addictive sugar, sodium and fat. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

KU research: Tobacco companies’ investment in hyper-junk foods still seizing nation’s palate
By: - September 9, 2023

University of Kansas researchers document influence of tobacco companies on marketing of hard-to-put-down U.S. foods laden with fat, sugar and salt.

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