News
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas suit that tried to overturn election results
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday turned aside a Texas lawsuit that sought to derail the presidential election results from four battleground states, despite pressure on the justices from President Donald Trump on social media. “Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections,” according […]
Kansas House leader warns legislators after GOP colleague tests positive for COVID-19
A state representative in Kansas tests positive for COVID-19 after attending Capitol meetings where House, Senate picked new leadership.
Kansas fatalities linked to COVID-19 surpass 2,000 after two-day spike of 131 deaths
Gov. Laura Kelly orders flags be flown half-staff to memorialize more than 2,000 Kansans who have died in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foster care provider fired employee who falsified 165 reports of visits with children, parents
TOPEKA — A Saint Francis Ministries investigation revealed 165 falsified reports about service provided to children and families and led to the firing of two employees, officials said Friday. Laura Howard, secretary for the Kansas Department for Children and Families, said her agency was moving quickly to address concerns about the falsified documents, as well as […]
Disciplinary office says prosecutor was dishonest or incompetent, asks for suspension
TOPEKA — A state official trying prosecutor Jacqie Spradling on ethics charges says her pattern of misleading juries about evidence in high-profile cases warrants the indefinite suspension of her law license. The prosecutor’s actions in Dana Chandler’s double murder trial suggest she was either incompetent or intentionally dishonest, said deputy disciplinary administrator Matt Vogelsberg. Spradling […]
More than half of U.S. House Republicans back Texas suit claiming election ‘irregularities’
WASHINGTON — More than 100 U.S. House Republicans on Thursday backed a longshot Texas lawsuit that seeks to delay the certification of presidential election results for Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, battleground states that President-elect Joe Biden won. In asking to join the suit filed in the U.S. Supreme Court, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson led […]
‘Is cruelty just the point?’: Coalition demands end to utility shutoffs
TOPEKA — Every week, Claire Chadwick says, an Evergy truck enters her low-income apartment complex in Johnson County to force another struggling family into an impossible financial situation. Chadwick said the electric utility sent an employee to confront her at her door without prior warning after she missed two months of payments. Through threatening and […]
States just one step away from COVID-19 vaccine rollout after federal panel OK
WASHINGTON — A federal advisory panel on Thursday gave the green light to a COVID-19 vaccine developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer, completing the next-to-last regulatory step before states begin a massive national vaccination effort. The Food and Drug Administration still must give its approval on the Pfizer vaccine’s emergency use, but the agency is […]
Kansas prosecutor accused of ethical misconduct concedes to denying two defendants fair trials
Kansas prosecutor in hot water for misleading juries in murder and rape cases since overturned admits to denying defendants fair trials.
Kelly picks her lieutenant governor to be Kansas state treasurer
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly is appointing Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers to the soon-to-be-vacant position of Kansas state treasurer, citing his experience in banking and public service. The decision lifts Rogers, a Wichita Democrat, to the higher-profile job now occupied by Jake LaTurner, a Republican who was elected to Congress in November. Kelly must now […]
Moran praises COVID-19 vaccines, offers public injection to boost confidence
TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran on Thursday pledged his support for COVID-19 vaccines in response to polling that suggests half the country refuses or is reluctant to accept an injection. Kansas leaders expect to receive 23,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine within the next week, pending Food and Drug Administration approval, which could come […]
Current and former Kansas political players throw support behind Texas election lawsuit
TOPEKA — Kansas joined 16 states Wednesday in calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a lawsuit brought by Texas that calls for a review of voting procedures in the 2020 general election in four swing states. The suit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, demands that Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and […]