Politics + Government
Kansas Republican ready to ‘pull out all the stops’ as she takes on Jerry Moran and the Deep State
TOPEKA — Joan Farr’s campaign flyer is designed to get attention. The 67-year-old appears armed with an assault rifle, wearing a yellow bikini beneath a black jean jacket, curls of reddish-brown hair under a straw cowboy hat. The flyer says she is “GUNNING for the U.S. Senate” in both Kansas and Oklahoma. On her website, […]
Biden pitches a summer gas tax holiday as price hovers around $5 a gallon
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress and state legislatures to provide a temporary reprieve from gas taxes — but members of his own party and Republicans appeared opposed, making it look unlikely on the federal level. In addition, many state legislatures are out of session for the year and aren’t expected […]
U.S. Senate moves forward on gun safety legislation
WASHINGTON — The Senate is poised to pass a bipartisan bill later this week that could become the most comprehensive federal gun safety legislation in years, including billions in new mental health funding. Senators on a procedural vote late Tuesday agreed 64-34 to start debate on the gun control bill, which would also have to […]
Schmidt proposes sweeping policy to exempt retirement benefits from state income tax
Kansas GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt proposes a plan to eliminate state income taxes on retirement benefits or income.
Davids welcomes, GOP denounces president’s decision to turn corner on federal fuel tax
Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas welcomes president's call for 3-month federal fuel tax holiday, but seeks suspension of tax through Jan. 1.
Brian Wilson’s Kansas City concert sweeps past and present together into a wistful wave of change
No one likes to dwell on getting older, pondering the grand sweep of time that carries us from childhood to geezerdom. Age may be a blessing, but let’s not examine that blessing too carefully, lest we strain our back. On Monday, however, I had no choice. Founding Beach Boy and chamber pop genius Brian Wilson […]
Trump led pressure campaign on state election officials, Jan. 6 panel says
Former President Donald Trump was directly involved in efforts to pressure state officials in Georgia, Arizona and elsewhere to overturn the 2020 election results in their states, according to evidence the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack presented Tuesday at the panel’s fourth hearing this month. Trump and his attorneys knew that […]
Brownback agrees with U.S. Supreme Court ruling on state funding of religious schools
Former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback released a statement agreeing with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday, which stated a Maine school voucher program cannot exclude funding for sectarian education. The program – which is unique to Maine because more than half of its school districts operate without a public high school – appropriates taxpayer money […]
Kansas doctors see early demand for COVID-19 vaccines for young children
TOPEKA — COVID-19 vaccinations for kids as young as six months old began Tuesday across the country, and Kansas doctors say demand is already high. Last week, both Moderna and Pfizer received emergency use authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the vaccination […]
Kansas to give child care workers $53M in appreciation pay
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced a $53 million program to deliver bonuses to 22,000 child care workers at licensed facilities in Kansas. Child care workers will receive a one-time payment between $750 and $2,500, depending on the hours they work, in late July. The governor said the appreciation bonuses are “a reward […]
Kansas Supreme Court issues full opinions on legislative, congressional redistricting cases
Kansas Supreme Court issues full written decisions affirming constitutionality of legislative and congressional redistricting maps ahead of 2022 elections.
Certification for community health workers opens doors for culturally competent care in Kansas
TOPEKA — As a deaf-blind interpreter in Spain, Ton Miras Neira found a need for more health workers focused on empowering and understanding underrepresented communities. So when Neira came to the United States in 2012, he began a career as a community health worker — frontline public health workers who are either trusted community members […]