Author

Tim Carpenter

Tim Carpenter

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.

Calvin Reed, the Kansas governor's nominee for secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said Kansas needed to address shortages in the transportation industry, starting with producing more land surveyors.

KDOT secretary looking for path out of Kansas’ transportation industry labor shortage
By: - August 1, 2023

Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Calvin Reed is eager to address workforce issues as the state presses ahead with the 10-year Eisenhower transportation program.

Christine Osterlund, deputy chief of operations for Kansas' Medicaid program, joined U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and Gov. Laura Kelly at a news conference to raise awareness about a challenging application process for thousands of Kansans who might lose KanCare coverage. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Report: Children comprise two-thirds of Kansans removed from state’s Medicaid program
By: - July 31, 2023

Advocacy organization Kansas Action for Children says two-thirds of Kansans removed from Medicaid in the current review process have been children.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, said he would vote against the House-passed resolution to avoid a shutdown of the federal government. (Screen capture/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas’ Marshall, Moran vote for bipartisan defense spending bill adopted by Senate
By: - July 28, 2023

Kansas' Republican U.S. senators voted for Senate's defense spending and policy bill, which conflicts with the House measure backed by Kansas GOP lawmakers.

Erik Smith, appointed superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol by Gov. Laura Kelly, said the law enforcement agency would adhere to a federal judge's decisions to avoid constitutional problems with search-and-seizure techniques relied on by troopers in traffic stops. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

New KHP leader eager to rectify troopers’ flaws, rejects claim agency at ‘war’ with drivers
By: - July 28, 2023

KHP superintendent Erik Smith said agency would adhere to a federal judge's orders in wake of a constitutional challenge to traffic enforcement tactics.

The Kansas Department of Corrections says the vacancy rate for uniformed officers at Lansing Correctional Facility was 27.8%, a shortage of 88 personnel. The prison was site of a violent inmate disturbance Friday in the maximum-security unit. (Kansas Relector screen capture from Google Maps street view)

Kansas appoints new leadership at Lansing Correctional Facility, Larned State Hospital
By: - July 27, 2023

Kansas officials chose internal candidates to fill leadership jobs of warden for Lansing Correctional Facility and superintendent of Larned State Hospital.

Members of the Munson family with a stake in a sixth-generation livestock and crop farm near Junction City — from left, David Munson, Aidan Munson Simu, Michelle Munson Simu and Deanna Munson — oppose efforts by City Hall officials to attract a meatpacking plant to land adjacent to Munson property along Interstate 70

Skeptics claim Junction City’s secretive maneuvering to entice meatpacker won’t pass smell test
By: - July 26, 2023

Talk of locating a meatpacking plant at Junction City along I-70 inspires conflict about government secrecy, economic growth and a rural way of life.

Kansas Department of Education commissioner Randy Watson, left, praised launch of a pilot program Tuesday providing apprenticeships for 15 aspiring educators who would gain hands-on experience while earning four-year degrees in education. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas launches pilot for teacher apprenticeship program with 15 newcomers
By: - July 25, 2023

Kansas launches pilot program with 15 aspiring teachers interested in completing an apprenticeship leading to a college degree in education.

A Kansas Bureau of Investigation handler and the K-9 unit's Jiren demonstrate Monday the process of detecting packaged fentanyl. Kansas officials announced a new unit dedicated to undermining the black market in the lethal drug. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

New Kansas law enforcement initiative getting help from dogs to chase down fentanyl traffickers
By: - July 24, 2023

Federal, state and local law enforcement marked creation in Kansas of a task force and a canine unit dedicated to fighting fentanyl trafficking

Michael Schneider, president of McPherson College, said the college had secured commitments for $250 million to secure a $500 million donation. The anonymous benefactor of the Kansas liberal arts college also pledged another $500 million to the endowment. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from McPherson College video)

Gift of $1 billion to McPherson College sparking extraordinary educational journey
By: - July 23, 2023

Anonymous donor raises pledge to McPherson College to $1 billion after Kansas liberal arts college secures matching commitments of $500 million.

Amber Shultz, secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor, acknowledged huge challenges in delivering unemployment aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, but was convinced the state was in a better position in 2022. (Screen capture/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas unemployment rate slides to 2.8% in June, breaking seven-month freeze at 2.9%
By: - July 21, 2023

Kansas' jobless rate declined in June to 2.8% — the lowest figure since August 2022 — and followed seven months with an unemployment rate of 2.9%.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, right in blue, was the lone member of the six-person Kansas delegation to support legislation broadening state and federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriage. (Submitted)

Davids posts robust $600,000 fundraising total in 2nd quarter, tops among Kansas incumbents
By: - July 21, 2023

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids’ fundraising haul of $600,000 in the second quarter of 2023 was more than twice the total of other members of the Kansas congressional delegation, but U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran easily maintained his financial advantage with a campaign account stuffed with nearly $3.5 million. Davids, the delegation’s lone Democrat, was […]

The administration of Gov. Laura Kelly said an inquiry had been launched into allegations of a state employee and "concerned taxpayer" about potential misuse of aircraft by the Kansas Highway Patrol's aviation unit. The allegations center on pilots obtaining flight credentials of little use to the KHP and of using a helicopter for trips to Kansas City restaurants. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

U.S. District Court judge derails employment lawsuit filed by women at Kansas Highway Patrol
By: - July 20, 2023

TOPEKA — A U.S. District Court judge resolved in favor of the state of Kansas without a trial the lawsuit alleging the recently retired Kansas Highway Patrol superintendent engaged in discrimination against female employees in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Six plaintiffs in the 2021 lawsuit alleged former KHP Col. Herman Jones and Jones’ top […]

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