Kansas Tax Receipts in June Exceed Estimates by More than $17 Million
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – Total tax receipts in Kansas exceeded expectations last month. The state also closed its fiscal year ahead of projections. For the month of June, Kansas brought in nearly a billion dollars in tax revenue - about $989 million. That's $17 million more than expected. The extra revenue allowed the state to close out its fiscal year nearly $26 million ahead of projections. Kansas ended the fiscal year June 30th with total tax collections of more than $10 billion. Governor Laura Kelly praised the news, crediting her administration with attracting new businesses, expanding the workforce and growing the economy. She also said she looks forward to working with the Legislature next year to provide Kansans with more tax relief.
Governor Laura Kelly announced today (WED) that her administration helped create or retain more than 60,000 jobs since she first took office. Kelly said the surge in economic activity over the last several years has resulted in Kansas being awarded three consecutive "Gold Shovel Awards" from Area Development Magazine for attracting business projects and significant new jobs. In addition, Site Selection magazine has also recognized the state with two consecutive Governor’s Cups for having the most capital investment per capita in the nation.
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Kansas Audit Questions Strength of Local Election Security Policies
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — County election security policies in Kansas don't appear to be strong or detailed enough, and the state doesn't appear to be giving counties enough guidance on how best to oversee voting, according to an audit released Thursday.
The report from the auditing arm of the Republican-controlled Legislature is the second on election security issues this year and was initiated amid an ongoing circulation of baseless election conspiracy theories among GOP conservatives. The first report, released in February, said auditors couldn't tell whether county election workers are being adequately trained “because no one tracks this, and state law says very little about it."
Like their counterparts in other states, Kansas supporters of former President Donald Trump have suggested that fraud is a major issue in the state's elections despite the lack of evidence of a significant problem. However, rather than attempt to bolster or undercut such claims, the two audits this year have focused on election procedures and whether they represent election security gaps.
For the latest report, auditors examined election security procedures in 15 of the state's 105 counties and found that none of those counties had comprehensive security policies or guidance. The audit said most of the counties had inadequate procedures for testing voting machines' accuracy after elections or for securing their voting machines from unauthorized access while they are deployed.
“We have some work to do,” said state Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and vice chair of the legislative committee directing the auditors' work.
The audit suggested that money and personnel plays a role: The more populous counties surveyed generally were better at following best practices outlined by the federal Election Assistance Commission than the more rural ones. Yet even the auditors avoided suggesting that election procedures ought to be uniform across the state.
Asked whether the Kansas secretary of state's office might have separate sets of guidance for the most populous counties and the others, state elections director Bryan Caskey said: “To me, there's 105 ways of doing things, not two.”
Secretary of State Scott Schwab's office pushed back on auditors' suggestion that it isn't providing enough guidance on security issues to county officials. Its formal response to the audit said its training for election officials deals with security issues and the office is working on more standardized policies and forms.
Caskey said security regulations will be updated before the 2024 election and Schwab's office passes along guidance on best practices from multiple federal agencies. He noted that the agencies don't have a single, common list of practices that guarantee a secure election, making guidance “a never-ending job.”
Still, Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and another audit committee member, said a single list of best practices for county officials “absolutely makes sense."
“I do think that it'd be overwhelming for county clerks, especially small counties, that may just recently have been elected to that position, to try to discern what are the best practices from so many different agencies or outlets,” Williams said.
Sen. Ethan Corson, a Prairie Village Democrat and audit committee member, said while lawmakers should encourage Schwab's office to provide more guidance, they shouldn't impose mandates without providing the funding to meet them, especially in rural counties.
“This is a tricky issue,” Corson said.
(–Additional Reporting–)
Audit Calls for More Training, Guidance for County Election Workers
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – A new Kansas audit calls for more training and guidance for county election workers. The audit reviewed the election policies and practices of 15 counties. These included the purchase of certified election equipment, and securing ballots when they are transferred from polling places to county offices. The audit found that elections run differently from one county to the next, and some lack strong security practices. It also found none of the counties have adequate written policies. Audit supervisor Andy Brienzo says larger counties have stronger security, and smaller counties may have less security because of inefficient guidance and a lack of resources. The audit notes that the Secretary of State’s Office, which oversees elections in Kansas, agreed with its recommendations and some efforts to make improvements are underway.
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Chase by Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ends in Death of Shooting Suspect
EL DORADO, Kansas (AP) — Authorities say a woman who was fatally injured in a crash while being chased by the Kansas Highway Patrol on Wednesday had just fled the scene of a shooting. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the shooting between El Dorado and Shumway around 10:30 a.m. The shooting victim was taken to a Wichita hospital with critical injuries.
The patrol said a trooper soon spotted the suspect's pickup and a brief pursuit ensued. Trooper Chad Crittenden said the officer performed a maneuver using his vehicle to try to force the pickup to spin out and stop. The pickup then hit a sign in a business parking lot in the Wichita suburb of Bel Aire. The driver, a woman in her 60s, died at the scene. Her name has not been released. Crittenden told reporters that the trooper tried to force the stop because the woman was a suspect in a shooting and was getting ready to travel into a highly populated part of northern Wichita. He said he didn't know her hometown.
Details on the shooting in Butler County were not immediately released. The patrol is investigating the crash, while the Butler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting.
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Loud Boom in Downtown Lawrence Caused by Fireworks Down Storm Drain
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KMBC) – People in downtown Lawrence reported a loud noise Wednesday afternoon. KMBC-TV reports that the Lawrence Police Department investigated, and found that it was caused by fireworks that two people had thrown down a storm drain. The sound of an explosion was reported around 4:30 p.m.
Police said the suspects threw one firework near the bridge at 2nd and Locust. Downtown cameras helped police discover the suspect’s vehicle. They contacted the driver and one passenger. A report has been filed and charges could be possible, police said. Police also said no one was injured.
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Fireworks Determined to Be Cause of Riley County Fires
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) – Riley County officials say that two recent fires were caused by fireworks. WIBW reportsextensive damage to a home and two vehicles in northern Riley County when fireworks debris stored in a garbage can caught fire, then spread from a garage to the attic. Four residents and one cat escaped the fire with no injuries reported. Riley County firefighters also reported a small brush fire Tuesday near High Plains Ranch Road and North Seth Childs Road had been caused by fireworks as well. No structures were damaged in the brush fire, and the fire only affected a small area. That blaze was quickly extinguished.
Tips from the Kansas Fire Marshal regarding safe fireworks use and disposal can be found here.
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Executives Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR/KC Star) – Two executives with a company based in Overland Park have been charged with conspiring to commit $1.9 billion in health care fraud. The Kansas City Star reports that 39-year-old Brett Blackman and 49-year-old Gregory Schreck of HealthSplash Incorporated were indicted in Florida for allegedly submitting false Medicare claims. Officials are calling it one of the largest such schemes prosecuted in Justice Department history. The indictments were announced as part of a nationwide crackdown on health care fraud.
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Spike Observed in Kansas Highway Patrol Reports over Holiday Weekend
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR/WIBW) - The Kansas Highway Patrol saw a spike in reporting activity over the 4th of July holiday weekend. WIBW reports that the Highway Patrol released its annual Independence Day report, with two fatal accidents, 31 DUI arrests, 1146 speeding tickets, and 1085 motorists needing assistance. Each category represents an increase over the past two years, including a dramatic increase in DUI arrests.
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Downtown Topeka Post Office Reopens
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR/KSNT) - The downtown Topeka post office is back in business. KSNT reports that the building has reopened its doors after being closed for over a month. The USPS closed the building in late May when asbestos was discovered during renovations. Repair work is now complete and the post office has resumed operating on its regular hours.
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Drug Overdose Deaths Rates on the Rise in Kansas, Missouri
UNDATED (KSHB/KPR) — Deaths from drug overdoses are on the rise nationwide. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the death rate was at 13.2 overdose deaths per every 100,000 people in 2011. Just 10 years later, that number more than doubled -- rising to 32 overdose deaths per 100,000 people. Death rates from overdoses have also increased in both Kansas and Missouri.
A new effort is underway in Kansas City to help people recover from drug addiction. KSHB TV reports that a program called "Envision Recovery" is operated by a man who got clean himself. David Zelk is a former addict who's now helping others conquer their own addiction. "Envision Recovery" provides housing, job assistance and other services for those looking to break free of drugs.
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City of Wichita Could Add Mold to City Housing Code Violations
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – Some Wichita city council members want to add mold control to the city’s housing code this summer. The city’s building code lays out regulations for safe and healthy housing, such as adequate ventilation and plumbing. But City Council member Brandon Johnson says he frequently hears from tenants with severe mold in their apartments – and there’s nothing in the city code that addresses it. Health officials say mold can cause major respiratory issues, especially in vulnerable populations like youth and the elderly. This spring, an apartment complex in south Wichita garnered media attention after it became clear some units had severe mold. Several tenants complained of health problems.
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Beloved Kansas City Zoo Chimpanzee Euthanized
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KC Star) – The Kansas City Zoo announced Wednesday that one of its chimpanzees was etuhanized after being diagnosed with significant health problems. The Kansas City Star reportsthat the 24-year-old chimpanzee, Dafina, was born and spent her entire life in the Kansas City Zoo, according to a written statement posted on Facebook. The Zoo statement said she was known to the animal staff as “smart, playful, mischievous, sweet, and brave.” Over recent days, the chimpanzee suffered a decline in health stemming from an inoperable tumor, which led to renal failure. She received care from the facility’s veterinary staff until the “difficult decision” was made to euthanize her, according to the statement.
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St. Joseph Man Drowns at Smithville Lake on Fourth of July
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSHB) — A 22-year-old St. Joseph man drowned on the Fourth of July at Smithville Lake. KSHB TV reports that Carlos Antonio was swimming at Little Platte Swim Beach Tuesday evening when he went into the water and never resurfaced. The Missouri Highway Patrol says Antonio's body was later recovered.
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Storage Costs Affecting Grain Purchase Pricing
UNDATED (HPM) — The cost to store grain at elevators or farmer-owned co-ops is high right now. That’s due to growing interest rates, high crop prices and rising transportation costs. Harvest Public Media reports that grain elevators are paying more than ever to store farmers’ wheat, corn and soybeans. As a result, ag economists expect many elevators and co-ops will likely pay less for grain this year to offset the high storage costs. Scott Harre, who buys grain for a co-op in rural Illinois, says the market’s been a challenge for elevators and co-ops too.“It's frustrating from the standpoint you're not able to make the margins that you intend and think you should be able to make," he said. "It's not really any fault of your own.” Many in the grain markets say they’ll keep a close eye on interest rates and drought conditions in the coming weeks.
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Tougher Work Requirements Coming for SNAP Benefits
UNDATED (HPM) — Congress recently expanded work requirements for those who get food assistance, raising the age up to 55. Just a few months earlier, the state of Kansas had raised the age limit even higher. Congress expanded the work requirements during debt ceiling negotiations, a move that would normally take place during Farm Bill negotiations.
Harvest Public Media reports on the tougher work requirements for food assistance in Kansas, and what they can tell us about food access nationwide.
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Earthwork Artist Stan Herd Creates Image of Bob Dole in Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — Earthwork artist Stan Herd is creating a giant image of the late Kansas Senator Bob Dole, just outside the Dole Institute on KU's west campus. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Herd uses the ground as his canvas - using soil, coal, flowers, rock and mulch to further enhance his designs. The longtime Lawrence resident has earned international acclaim for his earthwork designs. The Bob Dole image should be completed later this month - just in time for the Dole Institute's celebration of the late senator's birthday. A free public celebration will be held July 22nd, which would have been Dole's 100th birthday. (Read more.)
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This summary of area news is curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Tom Parkinson and Kaye McIntyre. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays and updated throughout the day. These ad-free headlines are made possible by KPR members. Become one today. You can also follow KPR News on Twitter.