News
One Kansan’s death helps place politics of masks at Capitol into perspective
Death of Kansas Sen. Oletha Faust-Gadeau's brother to COVID-19 offers insight into debate about lack of a mask mandate in the House and Senate chambers.
3 Democrats test positive for COVID-19 after sheltering with maskless Republicans during Capitol riot
WASHINGTON — The leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said Tuesday she had tested positive for COVID-19, and blamed Republicans who refused to wear masks in a secure room where lawmakers were kept during the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said those Republicans “mocked colleagues and staff” who […]
Governor renews effort to consolidate Kansas social welfare programs into one agency
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly announced plans Monday to renew an effort toward forming a single agency that would absorb social welfare programs from two state agencies. The governor said she plans to file a reorganization order creating the Kansas Department of Human Services. The new agency would include current services at the Department for […]
Kansas Legislature commences annual session amid roiling COVID-19 pandemic
Uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic serves as incentive for the 2021 Legislature to move quickly on budget bills, reform legislation.
Kansas man who ran for Topeka City Council appears in video of fatal shooting at U.S. Capitol
TOPEKA — A former candidate for the Topeka City Council who can be seen in a video that shows the fatal shooting inside the U.S. Capitol says he has notified the FBI of his involvement in the breach. Will Pope also says he didn’t damage any property and that he entered the building with rioting […]
Scorned Kansas Rep.-elect Coleman answers demands for his resignation or ouster
Rep.-elect Aaron Coleman of Kansas City, Kansas, says any effort to expel him from the Kansas House is an attack on the will of voters.
U.S. Senate insiders: Bollier’s money, message no match for political gravity propelling Marshall
Campaign insiders say Marshall exploited voter views of abortion, gun rights in U.S. Senate campaign to overcome Bollier fundraising advantage.
Financial scandal intensifies interest in independent oversight for Kansas foster care
TOPEKA — Revelations of financial mismanagement at Saint Francis Ministries and the state’s handling of a whistleblower complaint could become the catalyst for installing an office of the child advocate. The CEO of Saint Francis, the state’s largest foster care provider, resigned in November after an investigation revealed he hid financial losses from the board […]
Marijuana advocates hope collaborative bill is key to legalizing medicinal use in Kansas
TOPEKA — After a shortened session dashed hopes for medicinal cannabis legalization in 2020, proponents of the plant are taking a fresh approach for the upcoming legislative session. Last year, two separate bills were filed pushing for medicinal use, but both died in committee, despite a push to consider cannabis legislation in June when lawmakers […]
Kansans who traveled to D.C. bonded in spiritual war, organizer says
TOPEKA — Glen Burdue says the “prayer warriors” who joined him in this week’s rally in Washington, D.C., bonded in a spiritual war to wrestle control from corrupt politicians, lying journalists, Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and Chinese influence. He and his like-minded patriots represent the majority, Burdue said, and will prevail in reclaiming their country. […]
Kansas Supreme Court reverses lower court, upholds state’s worker compensation law
Kansas Supreme Court unanimously reverses lower court to affirm constitutionality of state law guiding worker compensation decisions.
After request by Kansas governor and others, Biden to distribute all vaccine doses
WASHINGTON — More COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available to states sooner under changes that the incoming Biden administration is expected to make to how the Trump administration has been allocating those shots. That’s according to comments a Biden transition spokesman made to CNN on Friday, indicating that President-elect Joe Biden will shift to “releasing available […]