Civil Rights
Kansans caravan in mourning for COVID-19, demand legislators reject ‘politics of austerity’
TOPEKA — A caravan of cars circled the state Capitol building in mourning Monday for more than 1,400 Kansans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and to demand state legislators act to curb the growing number of people who are facing utility shutoffs. A line of six cars adorned with signs and messages of […]
Kansas legislative leaders eager to develop plan for fortifying Capitol against COVID-19
Kansas legislative leaders are weighing what public health steps are necessary to protect lawmakers from COVID-19 when next session starts in January.
Latino Kansans work to fill Spanish-speaking news media and information gap
TOPEKA — While living in Wichita, Claudia Amaro has twice jumped in to remedy the striking lack of critical information getting out to the local Latino community, launching first a Spanish-language newspaper and later a radio program. Research indicates a gap between growing Latino populations and the number of Spanish-language or bilingual media sources available […]
His free speech rights threatened, Haskell student journalist fights back
A student journalist’s questions in Lawrence have put him at odds with his university and given him a taste of media attention. Jared Nally, 27, is the editor-in-chief of The Indian Leader, the nation’s oldest Native American-run student newspaper, at Haskell Indian Nations University. Nally, a member of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma, has been […]
Kansas AG wades into Pennsylvania ballot-deadline conflict
Kansas' GOP attorney general seeks U.S. Supreme Court clarity on whether constitution lets Pennsylvania to extend mail-in ballot deadline past Election Day.
Kansas election officials begin certifying results with several races too close to call
TOPEKA — As election officials finish counting ballots cast during the 2020 election, counties across Kansas are turning Monday to the outlier ballots with mismatched signatures, ID issues and more. Election results in Kansas are not official until counties canvass the results of state and national races. The canvass occurs in the weeks following the […]
As GOP cements supermajority in Legislature, Democrats realize ‘they can just really walk over us’
TOPEKA — Republicans retained a supermajority in both the Kansas House and Senate on Tuesday, reaffirming their control over Kansas policy and leaving Gov. Laura Kelly and Democratic legislators limited options with which to counter. The results from the 2020 general election, albeit unofficial as mail-in ballots and provisional ballots continue to be counted, indicate […]
Republican Marshall prevails in bruising U.S. Senate race against Democrat Bollier
Expensive, historic Kansas campaign for U.S. Senate among Republican Roger Marshall, Democrat Barbara Bollier and Libertarian Jason Buckley draws to close.
Kansas voters champion civic duty, having their voice heard in record-breaking election
TOPEKA — Citing economic, social and health crises, some Kansas voters on Tuesday emphasized the importance of voting and expressing their views through civic action in this record-breaking election. Early estimates from the Kansas Secretary of State’s office indicated more than 1,350,000 people will vote this year. That would be an increase of more than […]
Kansas election officials prepared for potential voter suppression, electioneering
TOPEKA — The Kansas Secretary of State’s office on Monday dismissed growing concerns ahead of Election Day that voter intimidation or suppression tactics will impact results. Amid a pandemic and unprecedented turnout, local election officials’ ability to accurately and reliably conduct an election has been called into question by concerned voters. The shift in U.S. […]
Election Day game plan paramount for Kansas voters amid pandemic, record turnout
TOPEKA — To minimize Election Day hiccups, voting rights advocates in Kansas are strongly encouraging voters to make a game plan before heading to the polls Tuesday. Amid a pandemic and record voter turnout, the 2020 general election will look and feel a little different in Kansas than in years past. Voters will be greeted […]
Members of Kansas racial justice panel balk at Fraternal Order of Police stipulations
TOPEKA — Members of Gov. Laura Kelly’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice are concerned about proposed limitations on an upcoming listening session with the Kansas Fraternity of Police. Kate Davis, director of regulatory affairs in the governor’s office, notified the commission that the Kansas branch of the FOP wants to limit participation in the […]