Reports of tensions in Topeka [6 sources]
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Access to Justice group works to increase resources, attract attorneys to rural Kansas TOPEKA — A “civil justice crisis” in state courts and across the country requires systemic change, and Kansas’ multifaceted approach is making a difference, a Kansas Supreme Court justice said Monday. The state is addressing attorney shortages in rural areas and adding self-help resources for Kansans representing themselves, among other projects designed to make the […]
Kansas landowners push back on power line project as regulators cite reliability needs TOPEKA — Kansas utility regulators are weighing the benefits and costs of approving construction of a $493 million transmission line that would travel through four southwest counties. Multiple Kansas landowners protested the line’s construction and route during nearly three days of hearings in March at the Kansas Corporation Commission, which will make a decision on […]
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights notified four Kansas school districts (Kansas City, Olathe, Shawnee Mission, and Topeka public schools) that their gender-inclusive policies allegedly violate federal student protections, according to Assistant Secretary Kimberly Richey.
Stalemate in Kansas Legislature leaves Lenexa educational farm in regulatory limbo TOPEKA — Shawn Lagemann asked the Kansas Legislature to wade into a dispute pitting her vision of agricultural tourism and education against the city of Lenexa’s blueprint for regulation and zoning of rural properties in the path of economic development. Lagemann, CEO and co-owner of Walnut Pond Agricultural Discovery Center, said the plea for help […]
Kansas governor nixes bill requiring high schoolers to pass citizenship test TOPEKA — Kansas legislators were unsuccessful in their attempt to mandate high school students pass an American citizenship test to graduate. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill on Thursday that also would have required students to receive instruction on communist, fascist and socialist regimes.
Kansas sends letters telling people to repay $67.4M in unemployment benefits dating to the pandemic TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Labor is notifying more than 8,500 individuals that they collectively were overpaid $67.4 million for unemployment insurance and must repay the funds. Nearly half owe more than $5,000 and could face liens or garnished wages if they don’t respond. Some of the overpayments were issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former mayor of Kansas town pleads guilty to misdemeanor election crimes, hopes to avoid deportation TOPEKA — A former Kansas mayor and immigrant charged with voting illegally pleaded guilty to lesser charges Monday, a move expected to allow him to remain in the United States. Former Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos reached a plea agreement with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office to drop the severity of charges related to voting illegally […]
Kansas opts into voucher-style program, which critics say will help private schools TOPEKA — Kansas and 28 other states have opted to participate in the Trump administration’s school voucher-style program, which supporters say will benefit both public and private schools. But in Leah Fliter’s opinion, that’s likely not how it will play out. Fliter, who is part of the lobbying team for the Kansas Association of School […]
Kansas judge rebuts state attorneys’ conflict of interest suggestion in anti-abortion law case TOPEKA — A Kansas judge declined to pause his decision-making in a consequential abortion law case after state attorneys said his application to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Supreme Court causes a conflict of interest. Johnson County District Court Judge K. Christopher Jayaram said Monday in a memo the state’s request appeared “pretextual and […]
Empire electric company requests ‘substantial’ rate increase, raising customers’ bills about 40% TOPEKA — An electric utility company serving Cherokee County requested a $15.8 million rate increase from Kansas utility regulators, which would increase an average residential bill by 40%. The Empire District Electric Co., which operates as Liberty, serves more than 8,400 Kansas residential customers, as well as nearly 1,350 commercial and industrial customers. In December, […]
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate touts business background, integrity in fight for Kansas seat TOPEKA — As a teenager, Sandy Spidel Neumann said someday she would become a U.S. Senator.
Kansas revenue forecast shows sliding income tax collections and budget shortfalls TOPEKA — Kansas revenue forecasters expect income tax collections to fall below previous predictions for this year and next, complicating a budget outlook that shows the state plunging deep in the red for the next five years. A group of economists from two state agencies, the Kansas Legislative Research Department, the University of Kansas, Kansas […]