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 Republicans throw haymakers at Democrat Kelly, prepare for 2022 cycle
By: Tim Carpenter - April 24, 2021
Kansas Republican Party pounds Democrat Kelly at annual convention as potential GOP nominees prepare for showdown in 2022.
Kansas GOP lawmakers eager to rally partisan allies to challenge Kelly’s veto surge
By: Tim Carpenter - April 24, 2021
Kansas GOP legislators cobbling together roadmap forallies drawn to overriding series of vetoes by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
Democratic Kansas governor vetoes GOP-inspired voting, firearm and flag bills
By: Tim Carpenter - April 23, 2021
Gov. Laura Kelly rejected election reform bills crafted by the GOP-led Legislature in response to allegations of voter fraud in 2020.
Gov. Kelly signs legislation creating workforce development scholarship program
By: Tim Carpenter - April 23, 2021
Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a bill creating a college scholarship to encourage students to develop skills needed in the Kansas economy.
Kansas state treasurer touts federal legislation on paid family leave
By: Tim Carpenter - April 21, 2021
Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Rogers joins coalition of 17 state treasurers supporting federal paid medical leave for all workers.
Kelly cautiously welcomes healthy revision of state revenue projections
By: Tim Carpenter - April 20, 2021
Kansas analysts boosted projections for state tax revenue, which will be used as leverage to override the governor's veto of a tax-cut bill.
Kansas transitioning to 10-digit dialing ahead of new 988 suicide prevention number
By: Tim Carpenter - April 20, 2021
Kansans in 785 and 620 area codes can prepare for 10-digit dialing on local calls to accommodate the national 988 suicide prevention hotline.
Colyer takes plunge in Republican race for governor, earns backing from Marshall
By: Tim Carpenter - April 19, 2021
Former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer takes next step in 2022 race for governor, earning endorsement from U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.
Kansas opts for bonding to help consumers with energy price shocks, transition from coal
By: Tim Carpenter - April 19, 2021
Kansas joins pack by allowing utility companies to issue bonds, but questions remain about degree consumers benefit from retirement of coal plants.
Shultz formally takes reins of labor department plagued by challenges
By: Tim Carpenter - April 16, 2021
The Kansas Department of Labor officially has a secretary at the helm as the unemployed struggle with fallout from COVID-19.
Gov. Kelly vetoes massive tax reform bill pushed through by GOP
By: Tim Carpenter - April 16, 2021
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes major tax bill pushed through Legislature by Republican majority.
Kansas unemployment rate declines to 3.7% in March
By: Tim Carpenter - April 16, 2021
TOPEKA — The unemployment rate in Kansas dropped slightly by 0.1% in March as the state’s economy added more than 12,000 private-sector jobs since February, officials said Friday. The Kansas Department of Labor and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the seasonally adjusted rate for March was 3.7%, down from 3.8% in February. However, […]