Civil Rights
Sen. Tyson petitions President Trump for pardon of two Kansans caught in gun silencer case
A GOP state senator seeks a President Trump pardon for two Kansans convicted of felony crimes for selling and buying a firearm silencer.
Kansas law enforcement agencies operate with U.S. surplus firearms, armored vehicles, rocket launchers
ACLU of Kansas offers online data portal with information on voting, racial justice issues and surplus military weapons given to law enforcement agences.
New Kansas data set shows ICE targets thousands annually who committed no crime
TOPEKA — Thousands of people who are arrested or removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have no criminal conviction or just a minor traffic offense, according to records compiled into a new statewide data tool made available by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas. Information sourced from the Syracuse TRAC system details the number […]
AG warns Legislature to take final votes in person at meetings in Topeka, or risk legal challenge
Kansas AG opinion says Legislature amid COVID-19 must meet in the city of Topeka and take final action votes in person at a meeting place.
KCC orders utilities to keep waiving fees, offer payment plans for overdue bills
TOPEKA — The Kansas Corporation Commission on Tuesday extended a mandate requiring utilities to offer 12-month payment plans and waive late fees for those struggling to pay their bills. The commission, which oversees public utilities in the state, issued the original order in May, and it was set to expire at the end of the […]
Repeat 911 caller in Topeka targeted people of color several times before officer hurt boy
TOPEKA — Dispatch call logs indicate a Topeka woman has made more than a dozen 911 calls in the past two years — several targeting people of color — the most recent of which culminated with a police officer handcuffing a Black, 14-year-old boy with autism and roughly forcing him to the ground for having […]
Kansas prosecutor accused of ethical misconduct concedes to denying two defendants fair trials
Kansas prosecutor in hot water for misleading juries in murder and rape cases since overturned admits to denying defendants fair trials.
Internal state investigation of KHP superintendent: Col. Jones’ conduct not sexual harassment
Document shows Kansas Department of Administration concluded in March allegations against KHP Col. Herman Jones didn't constitute sexual harassment.
Kansas defense attorney labels death penalty ‘peak horror’ of racism in justice system
Three opponents of capital punishment urge repeal of a Kansas death penalty law anchored in the justice system's legacy of racism.
Two former KHP majors file lawsuit, claim dismissals echo warning not to be ‘subversive’
Two former Kansas Highway Patrol majors file federal lawsuit claiming wrongful termination and alleging sexual harassment of female employees.
Detainees say private prison denies COVID-19 tests, treatment while awaiting trial
TOPEKA — People awaiting trial at CoreCivic’s Leavenworth prison for federal detainees say the private company has failed to provide adequate testing or medical care amid an “uncontrolled outbreak” of COVID-19. First-person accounts and court documents reveal the facility’s staff hasn’t provided testing for detainees who were exposed to the virus and in some cases […]
Kansas post-election audit shows no signs of foul play in record-breaking election
TOPEKA — Kansas election officials say the record-breaking 2020 general election avoided any major issues or discrepancies despite unpredictable circumstances amid COVID-19. The Kansas State Board of Canvassers — composed of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general — met Monday to certify election results in a year that saw historic turnout. This year, […]