News

Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System, answers questions during a virtual media briefing Friday. (Screenshot by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas governor tests negative for coronavirus after House speaker says he caught virus

BY: and - August 7, 2020

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday following disclosure by House Speaker Ron Ryckman that he had been hospitalized for a week with coronavirus in July. A political firestorm erupted on Thursday following Ryckman’s disclosure that he tested positive for the coronavirus on July 13. He was criticized for delaying for […]

House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, said the 2021 Legislature would have benefit of new safety protocols to limit potential spread of COVID-19. He said a bright spot in the process was implementing new live streaming capabilities to make House and Senate work more transparent. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman infected, hospitalized with COVID-19 in July

BY: - August 6, 2020

Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman acknowledged Thursday he was infected last month with COVID-19 and spent a week in the hospital. The Republican from Olathe said he recovered from the illness, tested negative for the virus and received clearance from a doctor before attending a meeting last week with the governor and other legislative leaders. […]

Gov. Laura Kelly and Jurgen Richt, a Kansas State University professor, on Thursday discuss COVID-19 research being conducted at the university's Biosecurity Research Institute in Manhattan. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas State biosecurity researchers deliver tutorial to Gov. Laura Kelly on COVID-19

BY: - August 6, 2020

Kansas State University researchers explain to Gov. Laura Kelly research at Biosecurity Research Institute on COVID-19, other lethal pathogens.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (July 29, 2020, photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Coronavirus trends, testimonials humble and educate top Kansas health official

BY: - August 5, 2020

Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman said rural counties lacking mask mandates have struggled more than their urban counterparts to contain COVID-19 in recent weeks. In the 15 counties with mask ordinances, Norman reported a rapid dropoff in cases per 100,000 people over a four week period. He said in the 90 […]

The Kansas Supreme Court issued an opinion Friday overturning a Kansas Court of Appeals decision in businessman Gene Bicknell's legendary tax case. The Supreme Court said Bicknell was a resident of Florida, which has no state income tax, during the period in which Kansas officials claimed he owned millions of dollars in state income taxes on sale of a company comprised of Pizza Hut franchises. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas attorney general asks feds to ease driver’s license reinstatment

BY: - August 5, 2020

Attorney General Derek Schmidt endorses federal reform to reduce impediments to renewal of a driver's license not tied to motorist safety issues.

Salina Rep. J.R. Claeys, right, defeated in Tuesday's Republican Party primary incumbent Sen. Randall Hardy by nearly 3,000 votes as part of a conservative surge against moderates. No Democrat filed in District 24. (Kansas Reflector)

Kansas primary undercuts GOP moderates in Legislature; rogue Democrat clings to victory

BY: - August 5, 2020

GOP's moderate wing in Kansas Senate takes beating in primary, while Dem House candidate who called for GOP to die of COVID-19 clings to one-vote lead.

Gov. Laura Kelly, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and other public and business leaders discuss details of the Urban Outfitters investment during a virtual news conference Wednesday. (Screenshot/Kansas Reflector)

Urban Outfitters plans $350M investment near Kansas Speedway

BY: - August 5, 2020

Urban Outfitters announced plans Wednesday to invest $350 million in a new, 880,00-square-foot distribution center to be built in Wyandotte County. The multinational retail company, which sells clothing and other consumer goods, says it will create 2,000 jobs through the long-term investment. State officials said public incentives involved with the deal won’t be finalized or […]

U.S. House, 2nd District: LaTurner crushes U.S. Rep. Watkins in GOP primary

BY: - August 4, 2020

U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins, crippled by voting fraud charges, loses GOP primary to Jake LaTurner, who will meet Democrat Michelle De La Isla in November.

U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, right, the 1st District congressman and GOP nominee for U.S. Senate, welcomes President Donald Trump's latest executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . (Veronica Coons/Great Bend Tribune)

U.S. Senate: Marshall defeats Kobach in GOP primary, will face Bollier

BY: - August 4, 2020

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall defeated GOP rival Kris Kobach on Tuesday in a U.S. Senate primary thronged with mud-slinging fortified by out-of-state cash and meddling by optimistic Democrats. The two-term congressman from the 1st District led a pack of 11 men after a mad dash to the far right in which candidates tried […]

U.S. House, 3rd District: Amanda Adkins wins crowded Republican primary, Sharice Davids next

BY: - August 4, 2020

OVERLAND PARK — Amanda Adkins emerged victorious Tuesday from a crowded Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, in a race that focused heavily on who would match up best with Democratic incumbent Sharice Davids in the November general election. Adkins, an Overland Park resident, defeated four challengers, tallying […]

Salina Republican Tracey Mann, upper right, defeated Bill Clifford, of Garden City, in the 1st District primary Tuesday, while Garden City Democrat Kali Barnett, lower left, prevailed in a primary campaign against Christy Cauble Davis, of Cottonwood Falls. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)

U.S. House, 1st District: GOP candidate Tracey Mann prevails in bitter primary feud

BY: - August 4, 2020

Former Lt. Gov. Tracey Mann wins 1st District GOP primary for U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall's seat, setting a November showdown with Democrat Kali Barnett.

Republican senator presses reluctant GOP leadership for billions in state, local aid in next relief deal

BY: - August 4, 2020

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, is making a strong push to rescue ailing state and local governments in a fifth coronavirus relief bill — but his party’s leaders are resisting as they debate the contours of the next package. The freshman senator is pressing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for […]