News
U.S. Senate Republicans again block debate on voting rights legislation
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the advance of voting rights legislation Wednesday, the second time this year — thwarting again Democrats’ attempts to pass federal protections for voters amid a slew of new state elections laws. “When we are faced with a coordinated effort across our country to limit the freedom to vote, we […]
Safer Classrooms Workgroup talks mental health, COVID-19 precautions in Kansas schools
Kansas schools need mental health resources and continued precautions such as masking and testing, according to Wednesday’s Safer Classrooms Workgroup meeting. Marci Nielsen, chief COVID-19 coordination adviser to Gov. Laura Kelly, told the group the state’s daily COVID-19 cases have declined through October, along with testing and vaccinations. As of Wednesday, the Kansas Department of […]
Kids ages 5 to 11 next in line for COVID-19 vaccines as White House rolls out plans
WASHINGTON — Smaller needles. Redesigned shipments to ease the storage needs in pediatricians’ offices. And enough vials of the COVID-19 vaccine to inoculate the 28 million U.S. children between ages 5 and 11. Those are among the plans announced by the White House on Wednesday as federal and state officials prepare for a regulatory decision […]
Thirteen-year quest for payment of child support exposes Kansas bureaucracy, incompetence
Kansas mom's bid for $53,000 to unpaid child support grinds into 13th year. Bureaucracy of privatized system leaves Missouri deadbeat dad beyond reach.
National parks nominee pledges to ramp up workforce, improve staff morale
President Joe Biden’s choice to lead the National Park Service told a U.S. Senate panel Tuesday he would work to rebuild the agency’s workforce, which has shrunk even as park attendance hits new records. Charles F. Sams III, of Oregon, would be the first enrolled tribal member to lead the National Park Service. He is […]
Kansas lawmaker wants more input on criminal justice reform before final report
TOPEKA — A state representative hopes to bring in community stakeholders and organizations to provide additional insights for a criminal justice reform panel’s recommendations. Rep. Gail Finney, D-Wichita, told members of the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission she often hears from various organizations that have specific issues they see within the community. The panel of […]
Kansas State University professor fights climate change with soil, carbon sequestration
MANHATTAN — Two carts nestle in a corner of Throckmorton 2209. As she lets the door close, Tiffany Poydras, a master’s student in agronomy at Kansas State University, stops speaking abruptly. “I almost said the D-word,” she said. Dirt. The carts were filled with small, round, foil containers holding what many people would call dirt. […]
Feds seize property of Kansas City companies accused of COVID relief fraud
The federal government has seized two vehicles, and is threatening to seize a lake house, allegedly purchased illegally with COVID-19 relief money by a Kansas City-area businessman. The property was seized from several real estate companies incorporated in Kansas by Joseph Campbell, with most operating under a version of the name Titan Fish. According to […]
FHSU president: Kansans reap benefits from delivery of degree programs to students in China
Fort Hays State University's programs for educating Chinese students helps moderate tuition rates for Kansas students and assists with FHSU's bottom line.
Statewide efforts to preserve Santa Fe Trail highlight its 200 years
This time last year, Lynda Fort got cabin fever. As a way to pass the time, she started driving along the Santa Fe Trail, beginning in Marion County and ending up in Rice County. It took three days of driving, and in that time she sought out all 67 of the markers in the southwest […]
How a Mississippi court case could pave the way for new abortion bans across the U.S.
WASHINGTON — A six-week abortion ban in Texas enacted in September forced those seeking abortion services in the Lone Star State to look across state lines for care. But the timing couldn’t have been worse for Texans living near the state’s eastern border. The law took effect as neighboring Louisiana was reeling from the destruction […]
Criminal justice stakeholders endeavor to bridge dual supervision communication in Kansas
TOPEKA — Kansas criminal justice advocates and stakeholders are ironing out how to best streamline instances in which multiple agencies supervise an offender simultaneously. The current focus for the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission Subcommittee on Dual-Supervision is ensuring better information-sharing standards between involved agencies. In many instances, dual supervision can lead to duplication of […]