Governor Extends Kansas Tax Deadlines
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Kansans will have a little more time to file their state taxes this year. Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday that Kansans will now have until May 17th to file their state tax returns. The move affects 2020 individual income taxes, fiduciary income taxes, and Homestead or Property tax relief refunds. Kelly's announcement follows the Internal Revenue Service's announcement that it is extending its deadlines for taxpayers to file federal returns until May 17th, bringing Kansas in line with the IRS tax-filing and payment deadline extension. In making the announcement, Kelly said "Kansas families are still assessing the full scope of the conomic challenges brought on by the pandemic. Extending the deadline gives needed relief for Kansans to fully account for the pandemic's impact and complete their state returns accurately." No additional forms are required to benefit from the extension. The due dates for Kansas individual estimated tax payments has not changed. Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced Friday that Missouri residents also now have until May 17th to file state taxes.
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KU Men Advance in NCAA Basketball Tournament
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP/KPR) - In the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the University of Kansas defeated 14-seed Eastern Washington yesterday (SAT), 93-84. The Jayhawks advance to the second round of the tournament. They'll play 6-seed at 8:40 p.m. CDT tomorrow (MON). The late start time means that Jalen Wilson may be able to join the team after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. David McCormack was cleared to play in yesterday's (SAT) game against Eastern Washington after he was sidelined with the coronavirus earlier this month. After a shaky start, McCormack ended up scoring 22 points against the Eastern Washington Eagles.
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Racial Justice Panel's Proposals Stall in Kansas Legislature
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Legislature has so far not acted on proposals from a racial justice and equity commission established last year by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly. The Commission on Racial Justice and Equity has released more than 30 recommendations to state legislators regarding policing practices, including proposals to ban no-knock warrants in drug cases and against hiring officers who have previously been fired for racially biased policing. Lawmakers say they've prioritized other issues this session. Commission co-chairwoman Shannon Portillo said the group’s work is really for the “long haul” and the commission looks forward to continuing to work with lawmakers in future sessions.
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Congressman Cleaver Denounces Violence after Georgia Mass Shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II is denouncing racism and violence in the wake of the Atlanta-area massage businesses shootings that claimed eight lives. Cleaver, whose House district covers the Kansas City area, met Friday with community leaders and advocates in a demonstration of support for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Cleaver has tweeted that he is “heartbroken” for the victims and their families of the attack that sent terror through the Asian American community, which has increasingly been targeted during the coronavirus pandemic.
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KU to Stop Requiring Entrance Exams
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas is doing away with the requirement that incoming freshmen take a standardized test - like the ACT or SAT - to be admitted. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that new standards approved this past week by the Kansas Board of Regents are scheduled to be in place for the freshman class that begins in the spring 2022 semester. The change allows any student with a 3.25 high school GPA to be admitted without taking the ACT or SAT. Under the old rules, freshmen had been required to take either the ACT or SAT, or else seek relief from a special review panel that could waive the requirement.
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Wichita Police Investigate Possible Homicide
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police have found the car of a woman whose death is believed to be a homicide. Police spokesman Charley Davidson said yesterday (SAT) afternoon that a 911 call from a citizen led officers to the 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis that belonged to 38-year-old Natasha Arvidson. The Wichita Eagle reports that the car had at least one car window hd been broken out. The discovery came one day after EMS crews went to a home and found Arvidson injured. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police consider her death to be criminal and had asked for the community’s help finding her vehicle.
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Man Shot by Wichita Police was Armed with BB Gun
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man shot by police multiple times in the parking lot of a Wichita fast-food restaurant was on parole and holding a BB gun when officers confronted him. The Wichita Eagle reports that 34-year-old George Phillips was seriously injured but is expected to survive. Wichita police Captain Jason Stephens said at a news conference Friday that police responded Thursday night when a woman called 911 and said that her 37-year-old friend was being threatened by her ex-husband. Officers spotted their vehicle outside a Braum’s restaurant, saw there was a “physical altercation” between the two people inside and attempted to remove Phillips from the passenger seat. Body-camera footage that was released showed one officer yelling “drop the gun” before officers fired multiple shots.