One Person Dead, Four Injured in Topeka Apartment Fire
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW-TV) — One person was killed and at least nine other people left without a place to live after fire tore through an apartment building in Topeka Wednesday night. WIBW-TV reports the fire was reported at an apartment complex in the 700 block of SW Western Ave. around 9 p.m. One person was declared dead at the scene. Four have been hospitalized. City officials say the residents of nine units in the complex have been displaced. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.
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KU Faculty Union Rallies as Contract Talks Near Impasse
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LT) — Members of the University of Kansas faculty union staged a rally on campus Wednesday as contract talks between the union and the university near an impasse. The Lawrence Times reports the rally took place while the union’s bargaining team met with administration negotiators. The university gave the union what it called its “last, best and final offer” last week. If the two sides don’t reach an agreement, the negotiations could be declared at an impasse and enter mediated negotiation.
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Kansans Can’t Use SNAP to Buy Candy, Soda Beginning Next Year
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Kansans who get food assistance will be barred from using it to buy soda or candy beginning next year. Democratic governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the waiver necessary to make that change to the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The new restriction will go into effect next February. The Legislature passed a bill last year requiring the governor to seek the waiver. Kelly vetoed the bill but the Republican-controlled legislature overrode the governor's veto. Kansas joins 21 other states that bar SNAP recipients from using the benefits to purchase soda or candy.
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Kansas Lawmakers Consider Law Mandating Voter Roll Comparison with National Citizen Database
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas lawmakers are working on legislation to remove possible noncitizens from the state’s voter registration list, though statistical analysis shows that noncitizen voting is extremely rare. The bill directs the secretary of state to compare the statewide voter database with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE system, twice a year and once six months prior to any federal general election. SAVE is a database that checks a person’s immigration or citizenship status for public services. The legislation comes despite noncitizen voting being a statistical anomaly, according to Kansas Secretary of State General Counsel Clay Barker. “Removal for being a non-citizen on the voter rolls is usually in the single digits,” Barker said. Republicans argue the legislation is a simple data-sharing plan with the federal government and not focused on non-citizen voting.
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Transgender Kansans Face Uncertainty as Identity Document Case Heads to Court
UNDATED (KNS) — Transgender Kansans who had their identity documents invalidated by a new law say they face uncertainty as a court hearing over the policy approaches. The Kansas News Service reports that the law invalidated driver’s licenses and birth certificates that have had the gender marker changed. A state judge could decide Friday whether to block the law from taking effect while it faces challenges in the courts. Iridescent Roney, a transgender woman who was born in Kansas, says officials at the state office that handles birth certificates weren’t prepared to help her comply with the law. “They were confused. They didn't know what to do. They even told me there's a chance that I just don't have a birth certificate anymore,” she explained. Supporters of the law say that government documents should reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth.
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Kansas Detention Officer Charged with Crimes Against Children
GREENSBURG, Kan. — A Kiowa County detention officer has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes against children. Kiowa County is in south central Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of 36-year-old Dustin Dean Chartier on Wednesday. The KBI says two children were involved. Chartier faces multiple counts, including rape, aggravated sexual battery, and indecent liberties with a child. He was booked into the Reno County Correctional Facility.
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Kansas Considers Cellphone Ban for Drivers in School, Construction Zones
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSN) — Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal for drivers to use a handheld cellphone in school and construction zones. KSN reports the restrictions would be in place when children are present in school zones and workers are present in construction zones. Officials with AAA testified in favor of the bill. They say one in four crashes in Kansas is due to inattentive driving. If the bill becomes law, drivers cited for breaking it would face a $60 fine.
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Kansas Lawmakers Continue to Evaluate Proposal on In-School Screen Time Restrictions
UNDATED (KMUW) — Kansas lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would ban digital devices in elementary school classrooms. It would also limit the time middle school and high school students could use school-owned devices in class. Supporters say the bill would protect student privacy and mental health, while improving their ability to learn. But state officials say students take state exams on digital devices. Frank Harwood, who is with the state Department of Education, said “If this bill were enacted for next school year, we would not be able to implement the state assessment nor would districts be able to do the required dyslexia screeners.” Harwood says it could be difficult to enforce screen time limits for students in certain classes or college credit programs. KMUW reports that many districts would also have to spend more on textbooks and printed materials.
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University of Kansas Faculty Senate and University Senate Call for No-Confidence Vote in KU Chancellor
UNDATED (KCUR) — We’ll know by the end of Wednesday whether University of Kansas faculty and staff have lost confidence in the chancellor. In an email to faculty and university senators, Faculty Senate and University Senate leadership said KU finances are "uncertain", and they called for an independent audit. They cited the cost of rebuilding the football stadium and its associated one billion dollar hotel and retail project, and a new pay structure for student-athletes. KCUR reports that KU is using tuition and taxpayer money to fund the $20 million student-athlete payroll that kicked in July 1st. KU Athletics projects a $15 million deficit this year. This also comes after the University offered a 1%, across-the-board pay hike to the faculty union. KU said that was its last, best offer.
UPDATE: Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Joe Monaco told KPR via e-mail that "The university does not provide any dollars – tuition, state general fund or otherwise – to Kansas Athletics. Kansas Athletics is a fully self-sustaining enterprise that operates entirely on revenues it generates itself."
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University of Kansas Disputes KCUR Reporting on Funding for Student Athletes
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — The University of Kansas is pushing back on a report by KCUR Radio that claimed the university was using tuition and taxpayer money to pay its student-athletes. Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Joe Monaco told KPR that "the university does not provide any dollars – tuition, state general funds or otherwise – to Kansas Athletics." Monaco added, "Kansas Athletics is a fully self-sustaining enterprise that operates entirely on revenues it generates itself."
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Kansas Lawmakers Considering Changes to Gun Regulations
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize silencers and sawed-off firearms. Federally, silencers and sawed-off firearms are legal, but need to be registered with the government. Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach supports the change. He says the difference between federal and state law is a trap for gun owners, who may not realize silencers are still illegal under Kansas law. Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says his concern with the change is the criminal use of silencers and sawed-off firearms. “Our issue with this particular bill isn't the law-abiding citizens of the state of Kansas, it's the criminals that we deal with on an everyday basis that possess guns and use them in nefarious ways,” he explained. Easter wants the bill to include a felony charge for people who commit crimes with the gun modifications.
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Kansas City Museum Seeks 1980s Toy Donations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCUR) — A national museum in Kansas City is on the hunt for childhood toys from the 1980s. KCUR reports that museum officials want people to check closets, attics, and basements because the museum is seeking donations from the public. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures could be interested in taking that old My Little Pony, Care Bear or Ninja Turtle toy off your hands. They’re making plans for a special exhibit in 2027 that features toys from what some consider the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons. Senior manager Madeline Rislow says they aren’t just looking for pristine examples, either. “Some of my favorite objects in the collection are kind of beat up, because they were loved," she explained. If you’re interested, send an email to objectdonation@toyandminiaturemuseum.org or contact the museum by April 30th. (Read more.)
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KU, K-State Advance in Big 12 Women’s Tourney
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR)— The Kansas State Wildcats advanced to the Big 12 Women's basketball tournament quarterfinals after an upset win over nationally-ranked Texas Tech Thursday, 58 to 51. The Wildcats will play Oklahoma State Friday morning at 11. Meanwhile, the Kansas Jayhawks are getting ready for their next matchup at 8 o'clock Thursday night against Colorado.
The Jayhawks will try to avenge their home loss on Feb. 1 against Colorado. KU coach Brandon Schneider says there’s one particular stat that bothers him from that game, which went into overtime. "We put ‘em at the free throw line 39 times, which is very unlike us," Schneider said. KU advanced to the second round of the Big 12 tournament after a Wednesday night win over Central Florida, 56-35. Jaliya Davis, the freshman from Blue Valley North High School, finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Like the Jayhawks, Colorado is trying to enhance its hopes of making the NCAA tournament.
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