Briefs

University of Kansas law professor Lumen Mulligan pointed to flaws in the U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing state legislators to intervene into lawsuit defended by a state attorney general so broader interests of a state could be heard. Mulligan argues in a recent University of Colorado law journal article precedent made clear the state couldn't be represented by both the attorney general and other state officials. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

More than 50 Kansas colleges, universities take part in three-day, free application initiative

BY: - November 7, 2023

Kansas residents can avoid application fees Tuesday through Thursday at more than 50 Kansas colleges and universities, both public and private.

Estes: House bill gutting EPA budget part of strategy to ‘kneecap’ federal regulators

BY: - November 6, 2023

U.S. Reps. Ron Estes and Tracey Mann of Kansas express anger about lesser prairie chicken, water quality regulations by supporting 39% budget cut to EPA.

Gov. Laura Kelly renews her call for Medicaid expansion during a June 29, 2023, appearance in Olathe for a new mental health hospital.

As rural Kansas emergency department announces closure, Gov. Kelly and Statehouse Republicans clash over Medicaid expansion

BY: - November 2, 2023

TOPEKA — A Fort Scott emergency department is scheduled to close its doors, leading to increased concerns about the state’s rural hospital shutdowns.  Ascension Via Christi will close its Fort Scott emergency department Dec. 20, following steady declines in visits and economic challenges that limited the department’s effectiveness.  “After exploring the options available, it was […]

Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, speaking here last year after U.S. forces left Afghanistan, says he will back a bipartisan bill aiding Afghan military allies in the United States and abroad. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Senate YouTube channel)

Moran’s amendment on VA reimbursement for ambulance services clears Senate

BY: - November 2, 2023

U.S. Senate passes amendment sought by Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas delaying Department of Veterans Affairs' plan to cut reimbursement for ambulance services.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday the creek near Washington, Kansas., covered in crude oil in December 2022 was flowing naturally after months of remediation work. The disaster occurred when a 36-inch Keystone pipeline burst. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of EPA photograph)

EPA restores regular water flow in Kansas creek devastated by 2022 oil pipeline break

BY: - November 1, 2023

EPA says restoration work had returned water flow to normal in Mill Creek, the Kansas stream polluted by oil in the December 2022 Keystone pipeline break.

Kansas State University researchers are studying use of equipment to crush in the field the seeds of herbicide-resistant weeds that lower yields of wheat, soybeans and milo in the Midwest. (Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Kansas State University to lead climate change food-strengthening initiative

BY: - October 31, 2023

TOPEKA — Kansas researchers will turn their focus to wheat, millet and other crops in a federally funded attempt to tackle world hunger. The U.S. Agency for International Development awarded Kansas State University $22 million to research how best to promote the growth of crops as climate change and global instability continues to derail the […]

Child sex abuse survivors (from left) Tess Ramirez, Joe Cheray, Lesa Patterson-Kinsey and Kim Bergman appear at their advocacy table March 21, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka

Survivor says sex crimes report shows Kansas must do more to fight abusers

BY: - October 30, 2023

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse who successfully advocated for legislative action earlier this year says newly released crime statistics show more work is needed to protect Kansas children from predators. Kim Bergman and other survivors demonstrated at the Statehouse for weeks, meeting with lawmakers and educating the public about the prevalence and impact of […]

“We’re going to do everything that we can from here, but really the answer is Congress has to act,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Oct. 26, 2023, one day after a mass shooter killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston, Maine.

White House calls for stronger gun policy reforms after Maine shooting

BY: - October 26, 2023

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called on Congress on Thursday to strengthen gun safety laws in the wake of the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine. Jean-Pierre opened Thursday’s press briefing with a statement on the shootings, saying President Joe Biden stepped out of a state dinner Wednesday night to receive an initial briefing on […]

A school board member and two classroom teachers explore for the Kansas Reflector podcast their views of sweeping K-12 education reform legislation pending at the Capitol in Topeka. The agenda includes a law making it easier to ban books or label classroom or library books as potentially harmful to children. (FangXiaNuo/Getty Images)

Kansas, Nebraska universities to collaborate on adding teachers of color in public schools

BY: - October 26, 2023

A $3.9 million, three-year grant will be used by Kansas State University to increase teacher diversity in Dodge City schools and five districts in Nebraska.

Brad Loveless, secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, appears at a March 17, 2021, hearing before the House Agriculture Committee.

Kansas wildlife secretary Brad Loveless to retire next year

BY: - October 25, 2023

The secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism plans to retire, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. Brad Loveless has led the department since the start of Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration in January 2019. He intends to retire in 2024, when a new secretary is appointed. The governor’s office said the administration will […]

Kansan tied to alleged $1 million kickback scheme with nuclear weapon parts maker

BY: - October 21, 2023

U.S. Department of Justice indicts Missouri and Kansas businessmen in alleged $1 million fraud scheme tied to manufacturing components of nuclear weapons.

University of Kansas chancellor Doug Girod said the KU Endowment Association had raised $1.6 billion of a $2.5 billion sought under the "Ever Onward" campaign running through 2028. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from University of Kansas video)

University of Kansas formally launches campaign to raise record $2.5 billion by 2028

BY: - October 20, 2023

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas unveiled a fundraising campaign to generate $2.5 billion in contributions by 2028 for benefit of students and faculty as well as academic and research facilities. The KU Endowment Association’s campaign known as “Ever Onward” would be the largest in the history of KU and the KU Health System. At […]