Author

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.
Son, sister of slain Hays resident urge Kansas House members to amend estate law
By: Tim Carpenter - January 18, 2023
The grieving son and sister of a homicide victim urge Kansas House to approve a bill preventing accused killers from inheriting estate assets of the deceased.
Kansas State launches statewide partnership to leverage expertise in economic development
By: Tim Carpenter - January 17, 2023
Kansas State University and NetWork Kansas formed an alliance to better deliver economic development expertise to local communities in all 105 counties.
Leavenworth County farm winery blending litigation, politics in bitter property tax dispute
By: Tim Carpenter - January 17, 2023
Leavenworth County's property tax classification of a farm winery raises questions in the Legislature about separating agricultural and commercial use.
Three Kansas Board of Education newcomers make presence felt at inaugural meeting
By: Tim Carpenter - January 15, 2023
Three new members of Kansas Board of Education make presence felt at their first meeting on COVID-19 funding, nutrition programs and hiring an attorney.
Kansas’ four-year universities, colleges request greater state support of need-based scholarships
By: Tim Carpenter - January 14, 2023
Kansas' four-year higher education institutions seek state investment in scholarships, while two-year colleges request funding to expand academic programs.
Kansas governor’s budget ends food sales tax, expands Medicaid and offers 5% raise to workers
By: Tim Carpenter - January 12, 2023
Gov. Laura Kelly's budget ends the state food sales tax in April, offers 5% raise to qualified state workers, expands Medicaid and invests in education.
Former Washburn administrator selected president of Topeka university
By: Tim Carpenter - January 11, 2023
A former Washburn University administrator was convinced to leave Midwestern State University in Texas after less than one year to become WU's president.
KU researchers assert FCC map of high-speed broadband access in Kansas ‘highly inaccurate’
By: Tim Carpenter - January 11, 2023
KU researchers say the Federal Communications Commission's map of broadband access grossly exaggerates access to high-speed internet across the state.
Kansas Highway Patrol outlines persistent recruiting, retention obstacles despite 30% salary bump
By: Tim Carpenter - January 11, 2023
A Kansas Highway Patrol captain says the 30% increase in base trooper pay in 2022 was needed, but recruiting and retention remains a high hurdle.
Kelly creates early childhood task force with first executive order of second term
By: Tim Carpenter - January 10, 2023
Gov. Laura Kelly's first executive order of her second term creates a task force studying barriers to affordable, quality early childhood education.
Kansas GOP in the House, Senate preach unity at start of 2023 legislative session
By: Rachel Mipro and Tim Carpenter - January 9, 2023
TOPEKA — It’s all about unity and bipartisanship, according to Kansas leadership at the start of the legislative session. Gov. Laura Kelly said she would seek to work with opposing parties to find common ground during her Monday swearing-in ceremony. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Wichita, said the governor’s call for political civility […]
Kansas Gov. Kelly calls for ‘civility and kindness’ in second inaugural speech
By: Allison Kite and Tim Carpenter - January 9, 2023
It’s time to turn down the volume and reject the divisive politics of Washington, D.C., Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday. Instead, she said, Kansas leaders should be “guided by civility and kindness, even when we disagree.” “Perhaps, especially when we disagree,” Kelly said. Kelly, a Democrat, took the oath of office and began her second […]