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 voters to decide constitutional amendment question on election of county sheriffs
By: Tim Carpenter - April 27, 2022
Legislature grants November voters chance to decide if sheriffs are elected instead of appointed to 4-year terms. (Riley County lone exception.)
Legislature passes bill mandating Kansas counties use watermarked paper ballots
By: Tim Carpenter - April 27, 2022
Legislature sends Gov. Laura Kelly a bill requiring an array of changes to improve public confidence in the voting system in Kansas.
Kansas Senate overrides veto of legislation creating parental bill of rights for K-12 education
By: Tim Carpenter - April 26, 2022
Kansas Senate votes to override Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of educational bill of rights legislation, moving the political drama to the Kansas House.
Legislature deflects Democrats’ maneuvering on clergy reporting mandate, food sales tax
By: Tim Carpenter and Noah Taborda - April 26, 2022
Kansas Democrats turn to obscure procedure to force votes on a measure requiring priests to report child abuse and to slash the state's food sales tax.
Kansas activists opposed to COVID-19 mandates greet legislators with rally at Capitol
By: Tim Carpenter and Sherman Smith - April 25, 2022
Kansans opposed to COVID-19 mandates were at the Capitol to urge legislators to pass bills aimed at limiting government reach in health emergencies.
KPERS weighs cutting anticipated investment return rate despite political pressure to delay
By: Tim Carpenter - April 22, 2022
KPERS weighs cutting 7.75% anticipated rate of return due to poor market trends, but skeptical Senate GOP leaders urged trustees to make a case for change.
Report: Kansas’ shortage of long-term care facility staff fourth worst in nation
By: Tim Carpenter - April 22, 2022
Kansas ranked No. 4 worst in the U.S. in terms of labor shortages at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
U.S. Sen. Kassebaum looks in mirror, sees GOP moderates like herself no longer viable in Kansas
By: Tim Carpenter - April 21, 2022
Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum speaks on the value of bipartisanship, rise of news echo chambers and the late U.S. Sen. Bob Dole's humor and leadership.
New driving privilege for 15-year-olds opens preferential path to religious activities
By: Tim Carpenter - April 20, 2022
Gov. Laura Kelly signs bill enabling 15-year-olds with a restricted driver's license to pilot vehicles to any type of religious activity.
Democrat Kelly dangles vetoes in front of GOP legislators eager for fresh fight
By: Tim Carpenter - April 19, 2022
TOPEKA — The legislative process in Kansas is a numbers game that folks conveniently boil down to the trifecta of 63, 21 and one. This odd set of figures represents the narrowest margin in which bills can be passed in the House and Senate — 63 in the House and 21 in the Senate. The […]
Kelly signs bill expanding authority of Kansas advanced practice RNs
By: Tim Carpenter - April 18, 2022
Gov. Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation removing regulatory hurdles to advanced practice registered nurses operating more independently.
Former Kansas State president Jon Wefald, 84, passes away in Minnesota
By: Tim Carpenter - April 18, 2022
Former Kansas State University president Jon Wefald, a fan of Wildcat football, dies in Minnesota at age 84.