A bill that would ban gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses and birth certificates drew hundreds of opponent comments despite appearing on a committee agenda just 24 hours before the Tuesday hearing.
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins underscored the force of the Republican supermajority and its 2025 policy wins in his response to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s final State of the State address.
Gov. Laura Kelly said during her State of the State speech that Kansas would have suffered in managing the government, advancing economic activity and elevating the quality of life if voters had chosen a governor who confused toxicity for leadership.
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen pressed the Legislature on Tuesday to expand funding for specialty courts and asked lawmakers to collaborate on solutions to the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas.
The 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature burst to life Monday as Republicans and Democrats staked out public policy priorities, welcomed members to fill unexpired terms and awaited Gov. Kelly’s final State of the State speech.
The Kansas Legislature convenes Monday for the final session with Gov. Laura Kelly amid uncertainty about potential redrawing of the state’s congressional map to disenfranchise voters who elected U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.
Republican legislative leaders agreed to pay former Emporia State University president Ken Hush $50,000 to spearhead their efforts to slash spending at public universities.
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen formally stepped into the job of chief justice Thursday by framing the delicate work of the state’s highest court as a crucial public service and proclaiming the citizenry’s diversity of perspective strengthened the rule of law rather than challenged it.
Hugo Phan / KMUW
A bipartisan bill introduced in Kansas would prohibit students across the state from using cell phones during school hours.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
From rec center access fees and some transit fares to the many key city positions changing hands and elected offices on voters’ ballots, here are key things Lawrence folks should know going into 2026.
