Politics + Government
Affidavit: Rep. Steve Watkins lied about address change, not voting
A Shawnee County sheriff’s detective in her affidavit report says U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins lied to her when he claimed he didn’t actually vote in a local election and wasn’t responsible for listing a UPS store as his home address. Video surveillance and a review of mail-in ballots provide the basis for three felony charges […]
Kansas officials endorse expenditure of $254 million in federal COVID-19 aid
The State Finance Council agreed to invest $254 million in federal COVID-19 aid in education, public health and economic development initiatives.
Local control takes shape as school districts across Kansas plan for reopening
Many of Kansas’ largest public school districts are pushing their start date until after Labor Day to provide additional preparation time in light of a surge in COVID-19 infections — but smaller and mid-size districts are taking more immediate measures or offering hybrid learning opportunities. School boards are making these decisions in the wake of […]
Kansas executive order extends option to renew driver’s licenses online
Gov. Laura Kelly renews executive order allowing people under 65 to apply for driver's license renewals online.
Democrats see opportunity for Senate seat in Kansas GOP primary battle
National Republican and Democratic groups are pouring millions of dollars into the Kansas Republican Senate primary, an effort to influence the race before the general election battle. The money comes as some see vulnerability in the traditionally deep-red state. The last time Kansas sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate was in 1932, the same […]
New tool makes driver’s test prep accessible for Spanish-speaking Kansans
Spanish-speaking Kansans can practice for their driver’s test in their first language by using a newly developed Alexa skill. The tool, released by the Kansas Department of Revenue in partnership with the Information Network of Kansas, is the first driver’s license practice test in the nation to accommodate both English and Spanish speakers. According to […]
Judge dismisses Democrats’ voting lawsuit against SOS Scott Schwab
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab says Democrats and the ACLU should stop filing frivolous elections lawsuits that waste taxpayer dollars.
New Kansas privacy law crimps contact tracing for COVID-19
TOPEKA — The Shawnee County Health Department took the extraordinary step of issuing a public health advisory July 7 warning travelers COVID-19 cases had been linked to the restrooms and food court at an Interstate 70 service area. Given the steady flow of humanity through the rest stop east of Topeka from July 2 to […]
Get in ‘good trouble’: John Lewis’ words ring out in Capitol one more time
WASHINGTON — The immortal words of the late civil rights leader John Lewis rang out from the U.S. Capitol on Monday during a private ceremony in celebration of his life. “You must find a way to get in the way,” he said in a recording of a 2014 commencement speech he gave at Emory University. “You […]
Gov. Laura Kelly sounds COVID-19 alarm — again — as number of cases mounts
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly warned Kansans on Monday indifference about wearing masks and social distancing may lead to new restrictions to battle COVID-19.
Gov. Laura Kelly urges railroads in Kansas to maintain two-person crews
The Kansas Department of Transportation, with Gov. Laura Kelly's blessing, calls for maintaining two-person crews in railroad locomotive engines.
New Kansas policy makes lung cancer screening free for at-risk patients
A new Kansas Department of Health and Environment policy makes lung cancer screenings available at little to no cost for Medicaid recipients at high risk of the disease. The policy, which went into effect July 1, adds low-dose CT scans to KanCare coverage for people between the ages of 55 and 77 who currently smoke […]