Author

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.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reports discovery of an invasive, people-attacking species of crayfish in McPherson State Fishing Lake. (KDWP)

Aggressive, destructive species of crayfish in Kansas likely spread by anglers

By: Tim Carpenter - July 23, 2021

Large, aggressive crayfish species capable of outmaneuvering native aquatic animals identified for first time in the wild in Kansas.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is preparing to appeal to the Kansas Supreme Court the controversial Johnson County District Court judge's ruling invalidating a new state law overhauling emergency powers that touch upon actions of the judicial, legislative and executive branches of state government. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)

Attorney general to appeal emergency-power decision, warns of ‘legal anarchy’

By: Tim Carpenter - July 22, 2021

Kansas attorney general appealing court ruling that state's emergency-power law unconstitutional, claims action can lead to "legal anarchy."

Three Kansas Republicans in Congress want the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend by 90 days the public comment period on a proposal to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. (Greg Kramos/USFWS)

Trio of Kansas GOP lawmakers seek more time to critique prairie chicken listing

By: Tim Carpenter - July 21, 2021

Kansas congressional members seek more time to rebut federal proposal to list lesser prairie-chicken under endangered species act.

Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who also served in the Obama administration's Cabinet, is subject of a new Washburn University and KTWU documentary "Red State/blue Governor: Kansas' Kathleen Sebelius." (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

COVID-19 surge: Unvaccinated frustrate Sebelius, socialist ‘lunacy’ irritates Colyer

By: Tim Carpenter - July 21, 2021

Former Democratic Gov. Sebelius ready to restrain unvaccinated, while former GOP Gov. Colyer refers to the notion as "crazy socialist idea."

World War II veteran Sidney Walton, 102, met Tuesday with Gov. Laura Kelly at the Capitol during a 50-state tour to raise awareness and financial support for veterans and frontline nurses. Kelly presented him with a Kansas flag. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas officials honor 102-year-old World War II vet raising money for frontline health workers

By: Tim Carpenter - July 20, 2021

World War II veteran, 102, visits Kansas Capitol to raise money to honor frontline workers in COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says the agency's latest health report offers in-depth look at key medical and behavioral challenges facing Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

KDHE report affirms education, income, race and gender influence health risks

By: Tim Carpenter - July 19, 2021

Kansas' latest statewide health survey affirms poor, minorities and undereducated most at risk for serious health challenges.

Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, who lost the 2018 Republican primary for governor, said in an interview GOP candidates in Kansas can't get media coverage consistent with reporting on Democratic candidates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Colyer’s narrow miss in 2018 fueling resurgent GOP campaign for governor

By: Tim Carpenter - July 12, 2021

TOPEKA — Republican Jeff Colyer is confident he would have defeated Democrat Laura Kelly in the November 2018 race for governor. The impediment to a Colyer-Kelly showdown, of course, was that Colyer fell 172 votes short of beating Kris Kobach in the closest statewide GOP primary election in Kansas history. “Everybody agrees that if we […]

Building wetlands along waterways best option to deter runoff from Midwest crop fields

By: Tim Carpenter - July 11, 2021

New research suggests construction of large wetlands the most cost-effective way to limit chemical runoff and sediment loss in Midwest states.

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, the Republican serving the 2nd District in Congress, shared his five-point crisis list and responded to constituent concerns during a town hall forum in Ottawa. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

LaTurner urges COVID-19 vaccination, dismisses idea of state or federal mandates

By: Tim Carpenter - July 9, 2021

OTTAWA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner is convinced the United States faces crisis on five fronts tied to the economy, energy independence, border security, cyber attacks and cultural erosion. The list offered by the freshman GOP congressman at a town hall Thursday in the Ottawa Public Library didn’t highlight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed […]