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Gov. Kelly signs legislation creating workforce development scholarship program
Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a bill creating a college scholarship to encourage students to develop skills needed in the Kansas economy.
Congressional panel splits on regulation of orphaned oil and gas wells
Members of a U.S. House Natural Resources panel agreed Thursday on the need to clean up and cap abandoned oil and gas wells, but disagreed along party lines about the extent of the federal government’s role in well regulation. The Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee hearing was held to consider a bill introduced by Rep. […]
This Hoxie restaurant owner proves rural western Kansans have good taste
Without looking at a map, who knows where Hoxie is? Some of you are raising your hands. For the folks who are struggling: It’s where you get Seattle-style sushi in a town of maybe 1,200 people. As far as big cities go, Hoxie’s about 270 miles east of Denver and 350 miles west of Kansas […]
Political science professors evaluate Legislature, candidates for governor
Political scientists Bob Beatty, of Washburn University, and Michael Smith, of Emporia State University, consider the work of the House and Senate this legislative session, as well as the performance of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Republicans who want to take her job in 2022. Read more about the governor’s […]
As GOP shifts strategy from election lawsuits to laws, voting rights advocates issue warnings
As Republican-led legislatures continue a systematic push to pass laws they say are aimed at ratcheting up election security, voting rights advocates worry the entire nation could soon look a lot like Tennessee, where voter turnout and voter registration figures are among the lowest in the country. The policy debate over voting rights and election […]
Riley County caught between lawmakers and KDHE in debate over who controls vaccine prioritization
MANHATTAN — After the Kansas Department of Health and Environment prevented the Riley County Health Department from rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations according to the county’s specific needs, some state legislators want to minimize the state’s power to intervene in how counties make such decisions. A few weeks ago, Riley County health officials announced they were […]
Kobach teamed up with Wichita businessman to sell COVID-killing device. An investigation found no validity to their claims.
NEW YORK CITY — In early October, Kris Kobach, Kansas’ former Secretary of State, and Daniel Drake, a Wichita-based venture capitalist-turned-CEO, made a sales pitch to Kansas legislators. The duo wheeled in what looked to lawmakers like a “refrigerator” — a shiny metal box Drake called a “revolutionary” device that would “kill COVID” and bring […]
House committee considers new barbering regulations, banning misuse of barber poles
TOPEKA — Kansas barbers are again pushing for a bill creating the Kansas Barbering Act, an overhaul of state standards for cutting hair professionally. The bill would modify licensing standards to ensure all Kansas barbers receive a proper education, authorize the Kansas Board of Barbering to increase fees for testing and creates new criminal penalties for violating […]
Haskell student journalist challenges school’s First Amendment restrictions in court
LAWRENCE — Haskell Indian Nations University is facing a First Amendment lawsuit from its student newspaper after the school allegedly cut the paper’s funding and sought to prevent the newspaper’s editor from conducting newsgathering after critical coverage of the university. The Indian Leader, Haskell’s student newspaper, filed suit earlier this week against Haskell president Ronald […]
U.S. House passes sweeping voting rights package
The U.S. House passed sweeping voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance and ethics reform late Wednesday night along party lines in a 220 to 210 vote, but the historic package will face an uphill battle in the Senate as no Republicans currently support the bill. Even though Democrats control Congress and the White House, their slim […]