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Kansas lawmakers may censor how universities talk about race in classes
A state law requires Kansas agencies and universities to eliminate any policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether they should also regulate the content in college courses.
Kansas lawmakers may censor how universities talk about race in classes
A state law requires Kansas agencies and universities to eliminate any policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether they should also regulate the content in college courses.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansas legislators to host second round of redistricting town hall meetings in November
Kansas lawmakers announced Tuesday they will hold a second round of town hall meetings to gather public input on the redistricting process, but they won’t attend the meetings in person.
Kansas senator makes plea deal in DUI case after driving wrong direction on I-70
Sen. Gene Suellentrop entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanor charges Monday that stemmed from an incident in March in which he drove for miles in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 before stopped by law enforcement officers.
Abigail Censky / KCUR
Why new political maps could give more power to Kansas college towns
For decades, college towns like Lawrence, Manhattan and Emporia lost the political power of their students when it came to state legislative districts. For the first time in more than 30 years, Kansas will count all of its college students in the towns where they go to school for redrawing state legislative districts next year.
Thirteen-year quest for payment of child support exposes Kansas bureaucracy, incompetence
A mother’s testimony about failure of the state’s child support collection system to deliver more than $53,000 owed by her daughter’s father inspired a rousing assault by legislators on state contractors Maximus and YoungWilliams.
Kansas lawmaker wants more input on criminal justice reform before final report
A state representative hopes to bring in community stakeholders and organizations to provide additional insights for a criminal justice reform panel’s recommendations.
Academic achievement measures at Kansas schools drop during pandemic
In the first year and a half of the pandemic, Kansas schools have seen a decrease in enrollment and attendance and an increase in truancy and chronic absenteeism.
Kansas rep. celebrates ‘Columbus Day’; Native American lawmakers eager to rename holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Lawrence Rep. Christina Haswood, a Democratic member of the House Water Committee, said she found it curious that Rep. Ron Highland hosted an event intentionally labeled to bring attention to Columbus Day.
Audit: Inadequate IT security at Kansas schools leaves vital information exposed
A legislative audit revealing many school districts are not practicing basic security measures for information technology systems raised eyebrows Tuesday from a panel of legislators.
Kansans create special chamber of commerce to advance business of medical cannabis
Advocates of legalizing marijuana sales formed the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce to move the political, business and health debate forward in a state bordered by dispensaries in Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri and a renewed push to open markets in Nebraska.
Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector
Kansas strikes deal to bring state into compliance with federal voter registration law
The administration of Gov. Laura Kelly reached agreement with a coalition of civil rights organizations to provide additional voter registration information to people on public assistance and bring the state into compliance with the National Voter Registration Act.
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.
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.
Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector
Kansas House member takes plea deal in Wellsville school case
State Rep. Mark Samsel negotiated a deal with Franklin County prosecutors resulting in probation for guilty pleas to three counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct emerging from strange physical and verbal encounters with students at Wellsville High School.
Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service
Groups worry Kansas criminalized voter drives, but Republicans say they’ll prove otherwise
Voter registration drives in Kansas have slowed to a trickle while a new election law is challenged in court, but Republicans are undeterred.
Kansas legislator navigates personal journey from hesitancy to acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine
Salina Rep. Steven Howe was among Republican conservatives in the Kansas House skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines, but encouragement of trusted friends and family convinced him to accept Pfizer’s vaccine in August.
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