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Kansas Legislature overturns veto to pass free speech bill honoring Charlie Kirk
House and Senate Republicans overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto Thursday to preserve a bill they say will protect free speech in the name of Charlie Kirk, despite objections.
Kansas Legislature overturns veto to pass free speech bill honoring Charlie Kirk
House and Senate Republicans overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto Thursday to preserve a bill they say will protect free speech in the name of Charlie Kirk, despite objections.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe KANSAS NEWS
KBI seeks $114.4 million for new headquarters and exit from ‘horrible’ neighborhood in Topeka
The director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation proposed construction of a $114.4 million headquarters to replace buildings that subjected employees to fire-safety dangers and security threats from “homeless people and drug addicts.”
Emerging blueprint spells out details of Kansas initiative to improve literacy instruction
Developers of the state’s new student literacy initiative are pushing ahead with plans to create university centers of excellence and a special credential tied to retraining teachers in a quest to have 90% of third- to eighth-grade students read at or above grade level.
Kansas settles case exposing long psychiatric care wait times for inmates
Kansas officials have settled a lawsuit over delays in providing mental health evaluations and treatment for incarcerated individuals in county jails.
Mother returns to Kansas Statehouse with photo of boy who died in foster care, pleading for change
Sherry Lesher stood before lawmakers Thursday holding a photo of her son — who died seven years ago in state custody — pleading for reform.
The CDC wants more Kansas farm workers to get their flu shots this season
The falling temperatures also signal the thick fog of flu season. But in rural areas of Kansas, people are less likely to get vaccinated for the flu. This year, that has health care professionals worried, specifically for those who work with livestock.
Kansas tax revenue projected to decline by $72M after tax cut bill
Kansas is expected to take in about $72 million less in tax revenue next year than initial estimates projected, officials said.
Federal judge delays trial for Kansas man who participated in Jan. 6 attack
A federal judge granted a request to delay the trial of a Topeka man who blocked officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
Kansas foster care compliance report raises concern with ‘sleep-only’ placement of children
The court-appointed monitor for Kansas’ settlement of a foster care lawsuit challenged the state’s reliance on “sleep-only” housing because the practice didn’t contribute to satisfactory outcomes for children and distorted statistics.
About 1,500 Kansas students change school districts under new open enrollment policy
Kansas school districts showed caution in allowing transfers through a new open enrollment option that lets students attend school outside their home district, data presented Wednesday to the Kansas State Board of Education showed.
Kansas suicide and crisis hotline sees post-election spike
The state suicide and crisis hotline received a record number of calls a day following the election, with LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking lines seeing especially high traffic.
Topeka man who participated in Jan. 6 attack requests trial delay after Trump victory
A Topeka man who blocked officers on Jan. 6, 2021, during an attack on the U.S. Capitol building asked a federal court to delay his trial after Donald Trump won the presidency.
Kansas officials meet in secret to offer $150K settlement in Lansing prison death
Gov. Laura Kelly and legislative leadership approved Thursday a $150,000 settlement in a lawsuit stemming from a 2023 killing in a state prison.
Kansas governor pardons five, commutes sentences for two in crimes involving drugs, sex, murder
Gov. Laura Kelly granted clemency to six men and a woman convicted of crimes that involve drugs, sex, and the second-degree murder of a newborn baby. The high-profile clemency request for Sarah Gonzales-McLinn is still under review.
Kansas GOP’s political muscle in general, primary elections strengthen legislative supermajorities
Senate Republicans could welcome a 31-9 majority when the 2025 Legislature convenes. The Senate GOP’s edge was 29-11. In the House, the GOP majority could expand to 88-37 from 85-40.
Kansas sees high voter turnout, smooth elections, two tight legislative races
As county officials across Kansas continue to submit final vote counts, the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office’s post mortem of the 2024 election indicated a smooth transition of power.
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