State news
Latest
Kansas House dramatically amends bill aimed at constraining local property tax increases
The Kansas House voted Wednesday to alter significant provisions of a bipartisan property tax reform bill granting the public a direct voice in decisions by local government to raise property taxes more than 3% annually.
Want more state news?
You can read Associated Press coverage of Kansas stories and more online for free here.
KCUR also has paywall-free news from around the state at this link.
We post many, but not all, stories from the Kansas Reflector. Read more of their coverage here.
We also frequently post stories from the Kansas News Service. Read more of their coverage here.
TOP TAGS
Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe KANSAS NEWS
Attorney raises questions with evidence, interrogation in Kansas death penalty case
An attorney for death row inmate Kyle Flack on Monday pointed to unidentified DNA, cellphone evidence, an unlawful police interrogation and rushed trial as reasons to overturn the capital murder conviction.
Kansas lawmakers rebrand complaints with public education in push for ‘school choice’
Lawmakers in the Kansas House began laying the groundwork last week for redirecting taxpayer money from public to private schools by holding a two-hour hearing on complaints two parents have with diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Kansas regulators approve $11.47 bill hike for Black Hills customers
Customers of Black Hills Energy will see, on average, another $11.47 on their monthly bills under a settlement agreement. The hike lasts five years.
Hands-free cellphone policy sorely needed for Kansas drivers, bill backers say
A bill under consideration in the Kansas Senate Transportation Committee would create a hands-free cellphone policy for Kansas drivers under 18, plus all drivers in a construction zone or school zone during designated hours.
Kansas Republican defends gerrymandering and partisan politics as ‘just things that happen’
Rep. Steve Huebert during a four-hour House debate Tuesday defended an obvious attempt by Republicans to gain an upper hand in congressional races through redistricting as simply “a political process.” Lawrence reps are displeased.
Law enforcement officers, legislators resist Kansas House bill banning no-knock warrants
Advocates for Kansas legislation prohibiting no-knock search warrants on Monday triggered indignation and rebukes from legislators with experience as investigators, attorneys and judges in Kansas.
Kansas Senate rejects bid to force health workers to treat patients regardless of COVID-19 vax status
The Kansas Senate defeated an amendment to a COVID-19 bill that would have forced thousands of health care professionals — physical therapists and athletic trainers, physicians and nurses, acupuncturists and contact lens distributors — to treat patients regardless of their vaccination status or infection experience.
Kansas Republicans introduce map to divide KC metro, place Lawrence in 1st District
A Kansas House committee has introduced four competing maps that would redraw the state’s congressional districts and attempt to lock down partisan advantages. In one map, Lawrence would move to the district that stretches to Colorado.
Kansas abandons efforts to trace contacts for COVID-19 infections
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Tuesday it would stop contact tracing for COVID-19 at the end of the month because of a lack of cooperation and a surge in new cases.
Kansas bill promises speedy review of untested sexual assault kits
Kansas advocates say a bill approved by a Senate committee Thursday will ensure survivors who undergo sexual assault exams will have their evidence kits tested in a timely fashion.
Kansas House panel approves bill to extend executive orders on health care staffing shortages
A Kansas House committee approved legislation Thursday codifying temporary suspension of regulations on health care providers included in the governor’s recent executive orders, sending the bill to the full chamber for debate.
Kansas State Board of Education adopts policy to stem substitute teacher shortage
The Kansas State Board of Education unanimously agreed Wednesday to suspend until June a requirement that licenses for substitute teachers be limited to applicants who completed 60 credit hours of college courses.
Kansas Board of Regents, Democrats praise governor’s proposal to freeze college tuition
Kansas college students could soon benefit from a continued effort to minimize rising college tuition, pending approval on a provision in the governor’s budget.
Kansas governor asks for simple food tax relief, resilience in State of the State speech
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday used her annual State of the State address to propose eliminating the sales tax on food with a simple 13-word phrase, freezing college tuition rates, investing in law enforcement, and funding a state water plan abandoned by previous administrations.
Kansas Supreme Court’s chief asks for more reliable judiciary funding model, 23 new judges
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert on Tuesday proposed adoption of a judicial branch budget model tied to general state revenue rather than volatile court fee funds and requested state resources to add 13 district judges and 10 magistrate judges.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first



