Kansas Expects $760 Million More in Tax Revenue; Fight over Tax Cuts Heats Up
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new Kansas fiscal forecast is predicting that inflation will boost state tax collections more than previously expected. Wednesday's new forecast is intensifying the dispute between Democratic Governor Laura Kelly and the Republican-controlled Legislature over how to cut taxes. Legislators also are likely to face increased pressure to add new spending to what already is set to be a relatively generous, $22 billion-plus state budget for the 12 months beginning July 1. The forecasters increased their projections for tax collections through June 2023 by $760 million. Kelly wants to eliminate the state's 6.5% sales tax on groceries, while Republican lawmakers are proposing to phase it out over three years.
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Kansas Banks $500 Million for Emergencies; Gives Pay Raises to State Employees
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas will set aside $500 million to deal with future financial problems, give state employees a 5% pay raise and increase spending across state government. Governor Laura Kelly signed budget legislation into law today (WED) that contains the bulk of the state's $22 billion-plus budget for the 12 months beginning July 1, aside from money for the state's public K-12 schools.
Kansas State Budget Bill Extends Health Coverage for Low-Income Mothers
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - The new state budget includes new funding for dozens of state programs, including one to extend health coverage to low-income mothers. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic the federal government paid to expand Medicaid coverage to new mothers from 60 days to a full year. The emergency money has run out. But Kansas will use a combination of state and federal dollars to keep the extended coverage in place. David Jordan heads a coalition of groups that lobbied for the extension. He says it’s critical to the health of new mothers, who can develop serious complications - including postpartum depression - months after giving birth. “A quarter of deaths postpartum happen in the period after 60 days of coverage. So, extending postpartum coverage can save lives," he said. The extension will increase the state’s annual share of Medicaid costs by about $4 million and provide coverage to an additional 9,000 women living just above the federal poverty level. The new state budget also includes, for the first time, money to extend dental coverage to more than 150,000 Kansas adults receiving Medicaid.
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Train Derails in North-Central Kansas After Collision with Commercial Vehicle
REPUBLIC COUNTY, Kan. (KSNT) – Multiple train cars have derailed and are upright blocking Highway 36 in Republic County, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. KSNT TV reports that Trooper Ben Gardner tweeted about an injury crash just west of Courtland involving a commercial motor vehicle and a train at 9:02 am. The Belleville Telescope reported US. Highway 36 has been closed. Fog may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A Belleville telescope reporter on the scene reported the driver of the semi had only minor injuries. ( Read more.)
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Kansas Families Will Have to Start Paying for School Meals Again
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW/KNS0 - Public schools in Kansas could soon stop offering free meals for all students. COVID-19 pandemic legislation had been paying for the meals, but that could soon end. Federal subsidies the past two years have allowed Kansas schools to stop charging for breakfast and lunch. Many also offered free grab-and-go meals during remote learning and over the summer. But those waivers are set to expire at the end of this school year. That could leave Kansas districts scrambling to manage meal applications and raising the price of school lunches for some students. Haley Kottler is with the anti-poverty nonprofit Kansas Appleseed. She says free meals helped families cut costs during the pandemic. "For parents, it opens up the pocketbooks to provide more food for themselves and their families," she said. "And so we are very concerned about the waivers ending.” In 2019, about half of Kansas public school students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch based on their family income.
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Douglas County Gives Preliminary Approval to Solar Farm Standards
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) - After hearing more than an hour and a half of public comments Wednesday evening, Douglas County commissioners gave preliminary approval to a set of rules for future solar farms in the county. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the rules outline a number of limits for solar farms in the county, from how large they can be — up to 1,000 acres — to how far they must be set back from roads, homes and other structures. Commissioners voted Wednesday night to approve those standards, pending a minor technical change about grading at solar farm sites. The commission will still need to officially adopt the regulations via a resolution at a future meeting. About 20 people showed up to speak in person about the solar standards, and there were also five online commenters. Many of them said they were against approving any regulations allowing for commercial or utility-scale solar farms, but most made it clear that they were specifically opposing larger-scale developments, not solar energy in general. Some of those commenting were against one potential development in particular: NextEra, a Florida-based energy firm, has expressed interest in developing a 3,000-acre solar farm partially located in southeast Douglas County. Most of Wednesday night’s speakers said they live either in that area of the county or just over the county border in Johnson County, in Gardner or Edgerton. That’s the other side of the proposed NextEra project, referred to on the firm’s website as the West Gardner Solar Project. ( Read more.)
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KC Man Dies After Detention Officers Find Him Unresponsive in Lyon County Jail Cell
LYON COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) - A Kansas City man has died after Lyon County detention officers found him unresponsive in his cell Tuesday night. WIBW TV reports that detention officers were on their regularly night cell check when they found inmate Marcus Heard, of Kansas City, Kansas, unconscious in his cell. Detention officers say the 30-year-old man was the only person in the cell. They called for an ambulance and started CPR. However, officials say those efforts were ineffective and Heard was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. Officers say it appeared the incident was self-inflicted by the victim. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will investigate the death, as required by state statute. Lyon County officials say there were no indications from Heard that he may have considered self-harm. An autopsy will be performed as part of the KBI's investigation. ( Read more.)
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Lawrence Woman Charged with Sex Crime Against 4-Year-Old
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) - A Lawrence woman is facing charges in Douglas County District Court of lewd fondling of a 4-year-old. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the woman, 29-year-old Ashlyn Marie Sloan, is charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child in connection with two incidents in July and December of 2021, according to a charging document in the case. The victim is listed as being 4 years old at the time, which makes the charge an off-grid person felony, the most severe kind. The document lists over 30 witnesses related to the case, including hospital records. Sloan has a court appearance scheduled for May 10. ( Read more.)
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Louisiana Man Sentenced for Enticing 12-Year-Old Kansas Girl to Engage in Sex Activity
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — A Louisiana man must serve nearly 16 years in federal prison for trying to entice a 12-year-old Kansas girl to exchange sexually explicit video clips and engage in sexually explicit video chats. KSLA TV reports that Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. has also ordered 45-year-old Johnny Lee Henderson to be placed on five years of federal supervised release once he completes his term. Federal prosecutors announced the sentence Wednesday. Henderson pleaded guilty December 13 to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The charge arises from communications between him and a girl in northeast Kansas from January through March, 2020. At that time, Henderson was a registered sex offender in Louisiana as a result of a conviction in 2006 for sexual molestation of a juvenile, federal prosecutors said.
It was March 2020 when the 12-year-old girl’s mother complained to police in Baldwin City, Kansas, that the child had been communicating with a man from Shreveport on social media and via cellphone. The mother claimed that the two had exchanged sexually explicit video clips of each other and had engaged in sexually explicit video chats. Searches of the phone records, logs and social media accounts for the girl and “Chuck” revealed evidence of numerous sexually explicit video clips that were sent to “Chuck” as well as messages from him encouraging and enticing the child to produce and send them to him, authorities said. ( Read more.)
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One Person Dies After Car Strikes Home in Miami County
BUCYRUS, Kan. (AP) — The driver of a car has died after the vehicle went airborne, struck the roof of an eastern Kansas home and landed on its side. The Miami County Sheriff's Office says the accident happened Wednesday afternoon in the town of Bucyrus. Deputies responding to a 911 call found a 2018 Dodge Charger flipped on its passenger side in the backyard of the home. Authorities say the driver went over a set of railroad tracks and lost control. The vehicle struck a ditch before going airborne. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people were inside the home, but were uninjured. Authorities believe the driver may have been speeding.
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Kansas Man Sentenced for Role in January 6 Capitol Riot
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A 32-year-old Kansas man has been sentenced to two years of probation for participating in the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol. Mark Roger Rebegila, of St. Marys, was also sentenced Wednesday to 30 days of home detention, a $2,000 fine and 60 hours of community service. Prosecutors say the man went into the U.S. Capitol twice that day and entered two offices. He was not accused of any violence or property destruction. Rebegila apologized for his actions. He's the third of eight Kansans charged in the riot to be sentenced.
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Evacuation Orders Lifted for Western Kansas Town Threatened by Fire
LEOTI, Kan. (AP) - Evacuation orders have been lifted in a western Kansas town threatened by fire at a fertilizer plant. Officials in Wichita County have removed barricades to the town of Leoti and those evacuated from the town have been allowed to return home. Parts of the town were evacuated Tuesday because hazardous materials were involved in the fire at a Nutrien Ag Solutions plant in Leoti. No injuries were reported.
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Recreational Marijuana Use Coming to Missouri? Petition Passes Signature Requirement
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A group pushing for a constitutional amendment legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana in Missouri says it has collected more signatures than needed to put the issue on the ballot. But leaders of Legal Missouri 2022 say they want to gather even more signatures before the May 8 deadline. The group announced Tuesday that it has collected 200,000 signatures on petitions but wants to gather thousands more to ensure it has enough cushion to put the issues before voters in the November general election. The ballot initiative would allow Missourians over 21 to possess, consume, and cultivate marijuana. It also would expunge criminal records for most prior, nonviolent marijuana offenses.
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Under Missouri Bill, Workers Could Sue over Vaccine Mandates
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Under a Missouri bill, workers required to get vaccinated by their employers could sue if they have negative reactions to the vaccine. The GOP-led House gave the vaccine liability bill initial approval Wednesday. The measure was introduced in response to COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Under the measure, employers who make their workers get a vaccine could be held liable if workers experience negative side effects. Proponents argued that bosses should be held accountable for medical complications if they make employees get vaccinated. Critics argued that private business owners should be allowed to decide whether to mandate vaccinations without the threat of lawsuits.
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Missouri House Passes Bill on Race, Parents' Roles in Public School
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri bill would put restrictions on how race is talked about in K-12 public schools. This week, the GOP-led House voted 85-59 in favor of the bill, with some Republicans opposing the measure. Students, parents and teachers could file complaints for alleged violations of the bill with Missouri's attorney general or the state education department. Critics say it could scare educators from having difficult conversations about history and race. But supporters say it's meant to prevent students from being indoctrinated in school.
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Kansas Wildfire Season Should Be Winding Down but Seems to be Heating Up
HAYS, Kan. (KNS) - The Kansas wildfire season typically winds down around this time of year. But after months of drought, high winds and dry grass are creating prime fire conditions across the state. That’s bad news for firefighters. Chip Redmond is a volunteer captain with a rural department in Pottawatomie County, where he’s responded to more than a dozen wildfires in the past two weeks. He says his crew is frustrated and exhausted. "We are wore out," he said. "Equipment has been breaking because it's just been used excessively… it's running us ragged.” To make it worse, many departments, including Redmond’s, are shrinking. The National Volunteer Fire Council says the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide has dropped more than 15% since the 1980s.
(Additional Reporting...)
Little Relief in Sight During Kansas Wildfire Season
HAYS, Kan. (KNS) - Ongoing drought in Kansas is intensifying the state’s already long, dangerous wildfire season. Excess dry grass leftover from last year has provided the fuel for fires to burn hotter and more aggressively than normal. And, there have been stronger winds that help fires spread. In parts of north-central and northeast Kansas, wildfire danger indicators have been at -- or near -- record levels for more than a month. And Chip Redmond, a K-State meteorologist, says long-term weather projections don’t offer much good news. “Everything is the wrong way right now," he said. "Everything points to much drier conditions and warmer, even as you go into summer.” An advisory warning of critically dry conditions and extreme fire behavior covers most of Kansas through early next week. It’s the first time the state has seen this type of advisory since 2018.
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Kansas Deputy Sentenced for Stealing Cash, Drugs, Weapons from Evidence Locker
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - One of two former Sedgwick County sheriff's employees accused of stealing cash, drugs and weapons from the department's evidence unit has been sentenced to a suspended jail term and one year of probation. The Wichita Eagle reports that 47-year-old Marc Gordon was sentenced after pleading guilty earlier this month to one count of official misconduct and three counts of theft, all misdemeanors. Prosecutors say Gordon was a property and evidence technician with the agency when he and a supervisor stole more than $7,700 in cash, several pounds of cocaine, meth and other drugs and several Samurai-style swords. The missing evidence led the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office to dismiss or review dozens of drug cases.
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City of Lawrence Will Return Sacred Boulder to the Kaw Nation
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KNS) - A $5 million grant will help the Kaw Nation and University of Kansas move a sacred boulder from a city park in Lawrence to Kaw tribal land near Council Grove. White settlers forced the Kaw Indians from the area in the 1800s. And then turned the 20-ton quartzite boulder into a monument to their own arrival. James Pepper Henry is vice chairman of the Kaw Nation. "We're virtually invisible to the people of Kansas right now," he said. "I would say, if I were to survey 10 people in the streets of Lawrence and ask them where the name of their state comes from, 9 out of 10 people could not tell you that the state of Kansas is named after the Kaw people or the Konza people.” A plan is now being crafted for the Lawrence park to recognize the Kaw and other Indigenous peoples who were forcibly removed from the region. Funding for the project comes from the Mellon Foundation.
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Bombardier Chooses Wichita for New U.S. Headquarters
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) - Bombardier has announced that its Wichita facility will become its new U.S. headquarters. The aerospace company says Wichita was a logical choice because of its roots in aviation and opportunities for growth. Michel Ouellette is an Executive Vice President with Bombardier, which is based in Montreal. "The history of business aviation was written here and I'm so pleased to announce a new chapter here today," he said. "We're all a part of it so be proud. This is great moment in time." The company says it's now actively recruiting to fill more than 180 jobs in Wichita and nearly 500 jobs across the U.S. In addition to becoming the new U.S. headquarters, the manufacturer also announced the formation of Bombardier Defense - an expansion of its specialized aircraft division. The company says the defense market is a key growth area for them.
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Bombardier Makes Wichita Its American Headquarters
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Bombardier officials say Wichita will now be the company's U.S. headquarters, and it is planning to fill nearly 200 jobs in the city. The company announced Tuesday that Wichita will be the home of the newly named Bombardier Defense division. Bombardier officials said they are recruiting up to 500 jobs across the country, of which about 200 will be in Wichita. Bombardier also confirmed it has received additional orders for modified versions of its Global 6000 aircraft, as part of a potential $465 million order from the U.S. Air Force.
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Kansas Governor Announces Food Company’s $110 Million Investment in Olathe
TOPEKA, Kan. (Kansas Reflector) — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly touted Tuesday a food company’s $110 million investment for an automated distribution center in Olathe that could create more than 125 new jobs. The distribution complex for Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, will span nearly 20 million cubic feet. Company officials say the facility modification will decrease costs and increase reliability for the company to handle and transport goods. Kelly says the project represents a win for the whole state. “Lineage Logistics’ decision to build the Smithfield Foods distribution center in Kansas is confirmation that our central location, strong infrastructure and world-class workforce are exactly what companies need to expand business operations,” Kelly said. Lineage designed the warehouse to be state-of-the art. “This advanced, fully-automated new facility speaks volumes to the innovation we are excited to have in Kansas," said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. ( Read more.)
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Kansas Competes with other States to Lure $4 Billion Megaproject
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Kansas has been on an economic development roll lately. But a decision on what could be the biggest business recruitment prize in state history keeps getting delayed. Just this week, a pharmaceutical company and a major food producer announced plans to invest more than $750 million in new Kansas facilities. But state officials are still waiting to see if a $1 billion incentive package that lawmakers approved in February will be enough to win the competition for a $4 billion mystery project. Officials can’t name the company, but numerous published reports say Panasonic is looking at locations in Kansas, Oklahoma and perhaps Texas to produce electric vehicle batteries. Oklahoma’s Republican Governor, Kevin Sitt, is making a late push to keep that state in the running with new incentives. "I’m asking the Legislature to do what we call some special mega-legislation," he said. Kansas officials declined comment when asked what was delaying the company’s decision.
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Kansas Governor Vetoes Special Pension Measure for Lawmakers
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure tucked into a budget measure that would have allowed Kansas legislators to reconsider a decision not to join the state pension system for teachers and government workers. The state constitution gives governors the power to veto individual items in spending bills even while signing them. Kelly used it Wednesday to strike what she called "an exclusive opportunity" for members of the Republican-controlled Legislature that's not available to other public employees. State law currently gives lawmakers one chance to decide whether they will participate in the state pension system. The vetoed provision would allow them to reverse course before their 2023 session starts.
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Kansas City Man Allegedly Stabbed Child During Police Chase
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The Jackson County Prosecutor's office says a Kansas City man stabbed a toddler during a police chase. KCTV-TV reports the 18-month-old boy underwent emergency surgery and remains in intensive care. Blue Springs police say the chase began early Monday when Tabatha Ong drove away from a crash. Prosecutors say 24-year-old Anthony Beighley-Beck, a passenger in the car, stabbed the child during the chase. Court documents say he later told investigators he was afraid the boy would be given to relatives who would abuse him. Beighley-Beck is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Tabatha Ong is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
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Kansas Woman Guilty of Fraud, Stealing $1 Million from JOCO Court
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A 61-year-old woman who worked for the Johnson County District Court has pleaded guilty to a fraud and tax scheme netting about $1 million. Dawna Kellogg, of Williamsburg, Kansas, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to wire fraud and filing a false tax return. Prosecutors say Kellogg managed the Johnson County District Court's accounting department. Between January 2007 and June 2017, she stole a total of about $1.1 million from the court. Sentencing is scheduled for August 16.
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Cause of Explosion, Fire at Haven Gas Plant Still Unknown
HAVEN, Kan. (AP) _ Investigators still don't know what caused an explosion and fire at a gas plant in south-central Kansas last week. The State Fire Marshal's office says investigators have not been able to determine what caused the blast at the Haven Midstream Gas Plant last week, but no foul play is suspected. Two people suffered minor injuries in last Thursday's explosion at the plant near Haven.
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New Rules Affect Young Kansas Drivers
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Fifteen-year-olds in Kansas will be able to drive by themselves to and from worship services and other religious activities, starting in July. Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has signed into law a bill approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to expand driving privileges for holders of restricted licenses. The law already allows 15-year-olds to drive by themselves to and from work. This change will allow them to drive to and from religious activities from 6 am to 9 pm. A restricted license also already allows 15-year-olds to drive anywhere at any time if an adult with a valid license is sitting in the front passenger's seat.
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New Kansas Laws Establish Boll Weevil Program, Let Drinkers Roam Freely at State Fair
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - One new Kansas law will make the state fair home to drinkers who are free to roam the fairgrounds with their alcohol. Another new law allows the state to tax each bale of home-grown cotton up to $2 to pay for efforts to get rid of the bug that ruins cotton crops. On Monday, Governor Laura Kelly signed bills on beer and wine sales at the state fair and another to create a program for combating boll weevil infestations. At the state fair, patrons 21 and older already can consume beer and wine in designated buildings and areas, but the new law will allow them to walk outside those areas with their drinks within boundaries marked off with a barrier.
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These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays, 11 am weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today!