State news

Senate Democrats questioned a plan to require all election-related state lawsuits to be filed in Shawnee County, supposedly to prevent voting rights groups from looking for favorable venues.

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Crime & Courts July 28, 2021 – 1:17 pm

Despite Douglas County DA refusing to prosecute, nonprofits still wary to resume voter registration

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez said Tuesday that she won’t prosecute anyone under a new state law that caused nonprofits to halt voter registration efforts at the start of July, but the groups won’t immediately resume engaging with voters.

Education July 27, 2021 – 8:36 am

Seismic athletic move by Oklahoma, Texas rattles political field in Kansas

LAWRENCE — Disclosure of intent by the University of Oklahoma and University of Texas to […]

Health July 26, 2021 – 9:44 am

Kansas racial equity panel calls attention to early childhood, maternal health disparities

A Kansas racial equity panel report has pinpointed maternal and early childhood health, vaccine equity and Medicaid expansion among areas that could improve racial inequities in healthcare.

Health July 23, 2021 – 3:26 pm

Kansas governor: ‘We’re trying everything we can’ to get people vaccinated from COVID-19

Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday reaffirmed the state’s commitment to convincing the unvaccinated half of the state’s population to get a life-saving shot. Only 51.4% of eligible Kansans are fully vaccinated from COVID-19.

State Government July 22, 2021 – 6:23 pm

Kansas kicks 7K off unemployment benefits for failing to meet new work search requirement

About 7,000 Kansans lost unemployment benefits this week because they did not meet a deadline to sign up for a new state program designed to help people find a job.

Crime & Courts July 22, 2021 – 9:49 am

Attorney general to appeal emergency-power decision, warns of ‘legal anarchy’

The Kansas AG wants the state Supreme Court to consider overturning a ruling that struck down a law that granted students, parents and employees the opportunity to challenge public school district policy and reduced a governor’s authority during statewide emergencies.

Health July 21, 2021 – 9:51 am

COVID-19 surge: Unvaccinated frustrate Sebelius, socialist ‘lunacy’ irritates Colyer

Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius generated political blowback by comparing people rejecting COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals who brazenly threatened the health of others by driving while intoxicated or by fouling air in public spaces with cigarette smoke.

State News July 20, 2021 – 1:55 pm

Kansas officials honor 102-year-old World War II vet raising money for frontline health workers

Sidney Walton, 102, is in the final stage of a 50-state tour to offer people a chance to visit with a veteran of World War II and to raise money for charity.

State News July 20, 2021 – 10:46 am

Haven school board candidate lured into sharing racist ideology with teenage anti-fascists

Josh Wells describes himself as the leader of a Proud Boys group, promotes an all-white nation state, and peddles false conspiracy theories about the financial plot behind COVID-19 and how police instigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He’s also a candidate for the school board in Haven, Kansas.

Health July 19, 2021 – 1:58 pm

KDHE report affirms education, income, race and gender influence health risks

The state’s newly released survey of public health revealed more than one-third of 18- to 24-year-old adults hadn’t undergone a cholesterol test in the past five years.

State News July 19, 2021 – 9:47 am

Striking Frito-Lay workers contemplate sacrifice in fight for better wages, work conditions

It is more than 90 degrees outside the Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, but standing in the picket line feels cool compared to inside the warehouse, where at 7 a.m. most days temperatures are already peaking over 100, said Reyna Corbus.

Health July 17, 2021 – 1:30 pm

‘Never pay the first bill’ and other advice to battle a suspiciously high hospital bill

by Celia Llopis-Jepsen, Kansas News Service

Legal experts say just because you received care doesn’t entitle a hospital to a bonkers high price. Still, fighting an unreasonable bill takes some work. Here’s how to do it.

Crime & Courts July 16, 2021 – 11:06 am

New Kansas law cracks down on sexual extortion, spousal abuse, fleeing police

Kansas lawmakers are praising a new law that creates the crime of sexual extortion and removes a spousal exemption to sexual battery. It also prohibits a court from ordering a victim of a crime to undergo a psychological evaluation.

Education July 15, 2021 – 4:06 pm

Kansas judge strikes down law providing speedy challenge to mask mandates in schools

The Legislature’s attempt to promote “legal anarchy” in response to COVID-19 precautions in public schools is unconstitutional, a Johnson County District Court judge ruled Thursday.

State News July 15, 2021 – 11:41 am

Kansas ACLU’s executive director steps down