Politics + Government
Democrat Lynn Rogers formally files, launches campaign for full term as state treasurer
Kansas state Treasurer Lynn Rogers launches Democratic campaign for the job, having been appointed in January 2021 by Gov. Laura Kelly.
Frustrated Democrats call for GOP help on federal gun laws after mass school shooting
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday implored Senate Republicans to work with Democrats to pass bipartisan gun control legislation, following a mass school shooting that took the lives of 19 children and two teachers in Texas. Tuesday’s massacre was the nation’s second-deadliest mass school shooting since another at Sandy Hook Elementary […]
FDA chief cites ‘egregiously unsanitary’ conditions at Michigan baby formula plant
WASHINGTON — The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told Congress on Wednesday that he’s found no evidence of intentional delay or malfeasance within the agency — though it took months to act on a whistleblower report of what he called “egregiously unsanitary” conditions at an infant formula plant in Michigan. FDA Commissioner […]
Kansas Cost Share Program grants $7 million for 11 transportation projects
TOPEKA — Kansas is awarding $7 million to 11 transportation projects across the state through the Cost Share Program. The state-run initiative is intended to improve safety, job retention and growth, and improve access and mobility to cities and counties through transportation. The projects chosen to receive the additional funding include a highway in Johnson County, […]
Kansas politicians offer prayers, direct lowering of flags in wake of Texas school massacre
Kansas' elected officials offer prayers in wake of the Texas elementary school massacre, but don't advance specific policy proposals for curtailing gun violence.
Kansas Statehouse payroll worker has history of theft charges
TOPEKA — An employee in charge of payroll at the Kansas Statehouse recently agreed to a felony plea deal after stealing more than $40,000 from employee health savings accounts while working as a bookkeeper for Soldier Township. Pamela Buckhalter also faced a felony theft charge in 2008 after she was accused of stealing more than […]
Where did the Kansas Legislature’s moderates go? The Kansas Chamber targeted them.
Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. J.C. Moore served two years as the Republican representative for District 93 and has written more than 300 articles for local newspapers and his website, “Current Events […]
NOAA forecasts busy Atlantic hurricane season, with at least 3 major storms
WASHINGTON — The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be the seventh in a row with an above-normal number of storms, according to a forecast the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released Tuesday. NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad said the agency expects there will be between 14 and 21 named storms, with six to 10 […]
Kansas Farm Bureau’s PAC endorses four GOP incumbents, silent on 3rd District race
TOPEKA — The political action committee of the Kansas Farm Bureau endorsed Tuesday the reelection of Republicans U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Reps. Ron Estes, Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann. The PAC — Voters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends — didn’t endorse anyone in the 3rd District race involving Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice […]
Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman, other reps join list of retiring lawmakers
TOPEKA — House Speaker Ron Ryckman confirmed Monday he would not seek reelection, along with nearly a dozen other representatives who announced plans to step away from the Legislature. The decision confirmed speculation the Olathe Republican would not run again. Ryckman was first elected to the House in 2012 and served an unprecedented three terms […]
One group’s not-so-impossible dream: progressive majorities in the Kansas Statehouse by 2026
Cast your mind ahead to November of 2026. In that month, in that year, activists in Kansas could well be celebrating as voters send progressive majorities in both the state House and Senate. Wait, you say. What? That’s the ambitious aim of the nonprofit group Prairie Roots, headed up by executive director Peyton Browning. The […]
Kansas legislative session closes with pair of overrides, calls for better drug policy
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers wrapped the 2022 legislative session Monday by overturning a series of vetoes from the governor, tying up loose ends on remaining bills and debating a resolution taking issue with proposed Word Health Organization regulations. A bill approved before the House adjourned the session with minimal opposition would amend the Controlled Substances […]