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.
Kansas Chamber’s legislative script dives into tax, regulation, workforce and legal issues
By: Tim Carpenter - January 9, 2023
The Kansas Chamber asks 2023 Legislature to lower income and sales taxes, create an apprenticeship program and make changes to lower energy costs.
Gov. Laura Kelly launching second term poised to balance centrist philosophy of governing
By: Tim Carpenter - January 8, 2023
Gov. Laura Kelly to stay in the middle of the road politically in her second term, while GOP House and Senate plan to make use of their supermajorities.
Retiring Kansas senator’s gift to colleagues: A bill proposing ‘overdue’ raise in salary
By: Tim Carpenter - January 7, 2023
Retiring Manhattan Sen. Tom Hawk proposes increase in daily legislator salary from $88 to $320 — enough to raise overall compensation to about $50,000.
Kansas Catholic clergy sexual abuse investigation targets 14 suspects; prosecutions unlikely
By: Tim Carpenter - January 6, 2023
Attorney General Derek Schmidt releases short summary of 4-year sexual abuse investigation of Catholic clergy by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Manhattan city commissioner selected to complete Senate term of Democrat Tom Hawk
By: Tim Carpenter - January 6, 2023
Kansas Senate will have three newcomers — two Republican, one Democratic — due to resignations, The latest addition Usha Reddi of Manhattan.
Kansas pays $10,000 to settle lawsuit filed by inmate stabbed by white supremacists
By: Tim Carpenter - January 5, 2023
Kansas settles for $10,000 lawsuit filed against Department of Corrections employee after a violent attack on an inmate by incarcerated white supremacists.
Southeast Kansas Republican senator to resign ahead of 2023 legislative session
By: Tim Carpenter - January 4, 2023
State Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a southeast Kansas Republican, says he will step down Sunday, one day before opening of the 2023 legislative session.
Topeka site selected for construction of $49 million residential home for veterans
By: Tim Carpenter - January 4, 2023
Site adjacent to VA medical center in Topeka selected for proposed construction of $49 million residential facility for veterans.
Kansas farmers, ranchers plant seeds of change to erode stigma of mental illness
By: Tim Carpenter - January 4, 2023
Three Kansans familiar with mental health challenges facing farmers and ranchers share insights into getting help and overcoming lingering stigma.
Kansas’ longest-serving attorney general passes away at age 89
By: Tim Carpenter - January 3, 2023
Former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan passed away at age 89 following four terms in office and a scandal involving allegations of sexual harassment.
Kansas lottery ticket sales rise, casino revenue slips in wake of legal sports wagering
By: Tim Carpenter - January 2, 2023
Legal sports wagering in Kansas attracted $536 million in bets in three months of operations while traditional casino revenue fell and lottery sales surged.
KU Health System doctors express praise for Fauci’s leadership from HIV to COVID-19
By: Tim Carpenter - January 1, 2023
University of Kansas Health System physicians praise retiring Anthony Fauci, despite U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall's campaign to undermine Fauci's credibility.