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Johnson County officers kill a stabbing suspect at Panasonic plant. Here’s what we know
The Panasonic plant in De Soto shut down after officers shot a person suspected of stabbing another. The suspect is dead, and the stabbing victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe KANSAS NEWS
Kansas legislative leaders create special committee to rebuff federal COVID-19 mandates
Top House and Senate lawmakers agreed Monday to establish a special committee to examine options for thwarting federal policy layered with COVID-19 government mandates tied to the pandemic that so far killed more than 6,000 residents of Kansas.
Advocates, experts recommend reforms to inadequate Kansas payday loan system
A consumer finance expert is recommending Kansas make payday loan reforms that could save consumers more than $25 million per year while still maintaining credit access.
Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service
LGBTQ foster kids in Kansas have no guarantee they’ll land in homes that accept their identity
The Kansas Department for Children and Families says it works to make sure gay, lesbian and transgender foster children end up in welcoming homes, but nothing in state law requires special consideration.
Who will get a booster shot? A Q-and-A about what the feds are saying
Booster shots soon will begin rolling out to some Americans who received the two-shot vaccine made by Pfizer — after a contentious and confusing federal approval process that isn’t over yet.
Tribal health providers working to build on Kansas vaccination successes
In light of data showing Indigenous people are more likely to contract COVID-19, tribal health leaders are working toward further successes in vaccinating Native populations.
Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector
Evergy scales back plans to add solar power by 2024, will keep Lawrence plant partially open
Evergy will convert part of its Lawrence coal plant to run occasionally on natural gas despite earlier plans to shutter it completely and fall short of earlier pledges to add massive amounts of solar power to the electric grid, the utility revealed in regulatory filings this week.
Kansan charged in Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol near scene of fatal shooting
A Wichita man involved in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol faces eight criminal counts for allegedly surging to the front of the crowd and pushing a law enforcement officer down a flight of stairs.
Kansas middle schooler death prompts urgency from COVID-19 school safety panel
The recent death of a Kansas middle school student from COVID-19 raised the urgency Wednesday of a panel focused on pandemic school safety to implement precautionary measures across the state.
KU maps bring into colorful focus lingering racial segregation of K-12 schools
Researchers at the University of Kansas produced colorful interactive maps providing visual representations of an increasingly multicultural society that sustains a K-12 school system characterized by racial segregation.
David Condos / Kansas News Service
Here’s a glimmer of hope that the delta surge in Kansas is slowing
This summer, the delta variant of COVID-19 filled Kansas hospital beds at a dizzying speed. A month ago, the numbers plateaued, then started a gradual downward slope.
Former prosecutor, cop Chris Mann, of Lawrence, launches campaign for Kansas attorney general
Lawrence attorney and former police officer Chris Mann is the first Democrat to launch a campaign for the party’s nomination for Kansas attorney general.
Kansas criminal justice commission reviews cost-effective recommendations for state lawmakers
Legal experts and state legislators serving on a panel to reform the Kansas criminal justice system are optimistic their next set of recommendations will gain traction when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.
Kansas foes of COVID-19 vaccinations push for political protection from mandates
A program sponsored by an anti-vax group offered a concentrated sample of activists, politicians and health professionals with an interest in minimizing government’s role in dictating individual health decisions, especially as it related to vaccines. Few wore masks.
Criminal justice panel hashes out potential changes to Kansas criminal offender registry
Criminal justice advocates, experts and law enforcement are debating potential changes to the Kansas drug and sex offender registry, including whether registries should be made public and an exit mechanism for some offenders.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kansas anti-vax group boasts 16 sponsors ahead of ‘freedom rally’ in Lenexa
A prominent anti-vaccination group has planned a “freedom rally” for Monday in Lenexa with the sponsorship of a nursing agency, midwifery, dental office, chiropractors, pharmacies and businesses that promote the healing properties of elderberries, tea biotics, red light therapy, hemp and gluten-free baked goods.
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