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 transgender sports bill: Epitome of fair play? Or, brazenly unconstitutional?
By: Tim Carpenter - February 23, 2021
TOPEKA — Former University of Kansas pole vaulter Callie Hicks offered assurances Tuesday that failure to impose a state law restricting transgender athletes to competitions based on biological gender at birth would destroy girls and women’s sports programs. She was among two dozen people drawn to the Senate Education Committee’s hearing on a bill requiring […]
Kansas Chamber leads charge to torpedo state Board of Tax Appeals nominee
By: Tim Carpenter - February 23, 2021
Allegations of conflict of interest flashed during the Kansas Senate confirmation hearing for a nominee to the state Board of Tax Appeals.
Kelly seeks state, federal funding to restore Kansas unemployment trust fund, fix IT system
By: Tim Carpenter - February 22, 2021
Kansas officials seek $37 million from the state and additional federal funding to upgrade and maintain the unemployment benefit computer system.
U.S. Sen. Moran on mission to make certain Kansas vets get shot at COVID-19 vaccine
By: Tim Carpenter - February 22, 2021
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and VA officials estimate 70% of veterans in the Kansas region can be vaccinated for COVID-19 by summer.
Kansas Senate bill forces all K-12 students back to in-school instruction in March
By: Tim Carpenter - February 22, 2021
Two major Kansas public education organizations wary of forcing K-12 students back to in-person instruction by March 26 during a pandemic.
Kansas consumer advocates flag lack of rate-cut pledge in Senate bill tied to coal plant retirement
By: Tim Carpenter - February 21, 2021
Kansas Senate exploring bill backed by Evergy to issue bonds to finance coal-plant retirements, but questions remain about benefits to ratepayers.
Retired Col. Lynn Rolf: Coordinated offensive needed to bring veterans home to northeast Kansas
By: Tim Carpenter - February 20, 2021
There is movement in the Kansas House on two bills that could lead to construction of a $50 million nursing home for veterans in northeast Kansas.
Small town Kansas takes on big problem of deafening railroad engine horns
By: Tim Carpenter - February 19, 2021
Mike Mackay and Robin Macy are closing in on a challenge, expensive project to transform Belle Plaine into a "quiet zone" for railroad traffic.
Gov. Kelly nominates Sedgwick County prosecutor for appellate court
By: Tim Carpenter - February 18, 2021
Gov. Laura Kelly selected a Sedgwick County prosecutor with 20 years on the job for a vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Coalition of 17 state treasurers calls for $350 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to municipalities, states
By: Tim Carpenter - February 18, 2021
Seventeen state treasurers appeal to Congress for $350 billion in direct aid to cities and states struggling with revenue shortfalls in the pandemic.
Former U.S. Sen. Dole to undergo treatment for lung cancer
By: Tim Carpenter - February 18, 2021
Former U.S. Sen. Robert Dole, the GOP nominee for president in 1996, says he has stage 4 lung cancer and is preparing to undergo treatment.
Kansas House proposes state university tuition rebates for online courses, skipped academic days
By: Tim Carpenter - February 17, 2021
Kansas House committee wants state universities to give 100% tuition refund for online classes and 50% refund for every day cut from calendar during pandemic.