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Kansas Supreme Court chief justice to retire by early February
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert will step down from her position at the start of the new year and retire within weeks, she announced Friday.
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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’ proposed vaccination freedom reform attracts heavy dose of skepticism
On the to-do list for the Kansas Legislature’s special session will be laws making it easier for a person to claim a religious exemption to vaccination mandates, and they’ll likely consider granting unemployment benefits to anyone fired for refusing to be vaccinated or to undergo regular testing.
Lee Norman steps down as Kansas health secretary, months after internal dispute
Lee Norman stepped down Thursday from his high-profile cabinet post as the chief medical officer in Kansas, where he managed the state’s response to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.
Norman retreated from public view in June following a tense exchange with the governor’s chief of staff, who wanted Norman to stay in his lane and avoid sensitive political issues when speaking to news reporters.
Health agency urges Kansans to take COVID-19 precautions for holiday season
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is advising Kansans to follow the pillars of infection control and take steps to keep themselves and family safe from COVID-19 during the holiday season.
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
A private company asked Kansas to hide public information, so the state obliged
Emails between an auditing firm and Kansas show how quickly the state bent to the company’s wishes to keep information out of public view. Experts say this reflects a disturbing national trend.
Locations, other details released for Kansas redistricting town halls
Kansas legislative staff released details Wednesday about how to participate in upcoming public meetings on redistricting.
Kansas makes COVID-19 booster shots available for all adults
All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.
Aaron Coleman For Kansas / Contributed Photo
Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman allegedly hit brother, threatened grandfather on night of his arrest
Coleman tried to “shame” his brother for wanting to get baptized, according to an affidavit. Coleman then pushed his brother backwards, hit him in the chest and spit on him, the document says.
Kansans should focus on geography, culture, policy in redistricting forums, advocates say
While guidelines for testimony and the redistricting process remain up in the air, advocates for fair maps in Kansas are advising residents to look at past frameworks when speaking to lawmakers at upcoming town halls.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Cutting food sales tax shouldn’t lead to cuts in services for low-income families, advocate says
Bipartisan proposals to cut or reduce the state sales tax on groceries will help Kansans who are forced to choose between food and other basic needs, an advocate says.
Kansas Chamber, anti-vaxxers critique proposals for dealing with vaccine mandates
Eric Stafford, lobbyist for the Kansas Chamber, wants legislators to understand that businesses don’t want mandates “from either side.”
Kansas hearing on vaccine mandates provides stage for Holocaust comparisons
Daran Duffy wore the Star of David while complaining about COVID-19 vaccine mandates, inviting the wrath of one Democrat, who was cut off and told to be respectful.
Kansas Republicans force special session to deal with federal vaccine mandates
Republican leaders announced Thursday they had gathered the signatures necessary to force a special session for the week of Thanksgiving to respond to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service
Here’s what it would take to remove a Kansas lawmaker charged with domestic battery
Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman could face a second legislative complaint after a domestic battery charge. And it appears less likely he’d emerge with a simple reprimand like he did last time.
Pediatrician to Kansas schools: Don’t give in to stupid lies about masks
Vernon Mills has a strong message for school officials who are tired of fighting with angry community members over the benefits of making students and staff wear face coverings.
Photo Illustration-Carlos Moreno And Peggy Lowe / KCUR 89.3
FBI has investigated Kansas City, Kansas, Police for decades, but prosecution of bad cops is rare
As a federal grand jury investigates Roger Golubski, a former KCKPD detective, FBI documents dating back to the 1990s reported police beat Black people routinely, were said to be involved in the drug trade and ignored the crack cocaine problem. One FBI effort was dubbed “Tarnished Star.”
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