Briefs

The dome of the Kansas Statehouse soars above those working in the building. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas House passes legislation to clarify language in juvenile justice system

BY: - February 8, 2023

TOPEKA — Lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday to help shape juvenile justice reform. The House voted 123-0 to pass House Bill 2033, which would change the criteria for admitting young offenders to juvenile crisis intervention centers and better define standards for behavioral health crises. The legislation is meant to address gaps within the juvenile justice system, […]

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, said presence over Kansas of a Chinese spy balloon was evidence of President Joe Biden's shortcomings in the national security realm. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. Senate YouTube channel)

Marshall, Moran point to China spy balloon as proof of national security lapses

BY: - February 3, 2023

Sen. Roger Marshall, Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas say drift of Chinese spy balloon over Kansas shows President Biden's national security shortcomings.

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)

Kansas AG announces plan to sue Biden administration over lesser prairie chicken protections

BY: - February 1, 2023

TOPEKA —  Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach plans to sue President Joe Biden’s administration over the lesser prairie chicken, calling federal protections for the bird illegal and potentially devastating to landowners and businesses in the state.  In a Tuesday announcement, Kobach said the listing of the bird as a threatened species failed to consider Kansas’ […]

Gov. Laura Kelly

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly cleared to return after doctors say COVID-19 test was inaccurate

BY: - January 12, 2023

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s office says she doesn’t have COVID-19 after all. The office issued a statement Thursday saying her physician and state health officials believe an initial test earlier this week produced a “false positive” result. Her subsequent tests have been negative, the statement said. The governor appeared at a series of events […]

Kansas governor tests positive for COVID-19, experiencing minor symptoms

BY: - January 10, 2023

TOPEKA —  Gov. Laura Kelly has tested positive for COVID-19 just two days into the legislative session.  Kelly is currently self-isolating with minor symptoms after testing positive Tuesday morning, according to a news release sent out later in the day. She is fully vaccinated. Kelly appeared at a series of events throughout the weekend, up […]

New order puts Keystone pipeline cleanup under EPA oversight

BY: - January 9, 2023

Owners of the Keystone oil pipeline must complete their cleanup of a massive spill in northern Kansas under oversight of the federal government, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday. The EPA and TC Energy, which operates the Keystone pipeline, signed a cleanup agreement last week, according to a news release from the EPA. It requires […]

Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, standing, a Republican from Baxter Springs in southeast Kansas, plans to resign Sunday one day prior to opening of the 2023 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Southeast Kansas Republican senator to resign ahead of 2023 legislative session

BY: - January 4, 2023

State Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a southeast Kansas Republican, says he will step down Sunday, one day before opening of the 2023 legislative session.

care facility recommends construction in Topeka adjacent to the Veterans Administration medical center. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)

Topeka site selected for construction of $49 million residential home for veterans

BY: - January 4, 2023

Site adjacent to VA medical center in Topeka selected for proposed construction of $49 million residential facility for veterans.

Former Attorney General Robert Stephan, who served four terms as the state's top law enforcement officer, died at age 89. The Republican left office in 1995. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas’ longest-serving attorney general passes away at age 89

BY: - January 3, 2023

Former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan passed away at age 89 following four terms in office and a scandal involving allegations of sexual harassment.

Gov. Laura Kelly appears on stage in front of a campaign banner

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly picks budget director to lead Department of Administration

BY: - January 3, 2023

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly has appointed her budget director to serve as secretary of the Department of Administration as she kicks off her second term. Adam Proffitt will take over the agency formerly led by DeAngela Burns-Wallace, whose last day is Friday. Proffitt has been the governor’s budget director for the past two years. […]

Physician Steven Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, praised retiring doctor Anthony Fauci for making important contributions to public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a view not shared by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from KUHS YouTube channel)

KU Health System doctors express praise for Fauci’s leadership from HIV to COVID-19

BY: - January 1, 2023

University of Kansas Health System physicians praise retiring Anthony Fauci, despite U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall's campaign to undermine Fauci's credibility.

U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Kansas Republican, says President Joe Biden was wrong to rewrite the EPA rule on federal regulation of waterways to deter pollution by repealing the rule put in place by President Donald Trump. (Michael Gerstein/Michigan Advance)

Kansas U.S. Rep. Estes blasts Biden administration’s revision of clean water rules

BY: - January 1, 2023

U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Kansas Republican, objected to President Joe Biden's revision of federal clean water rules diminished by President Donald Trump.