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Members of the Kansas Senate are being urged to preserve a state economic development agency that's currently on the budgetary chopping block. Governor Sam Brownback wants to fold the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, or KTEC (KAY-tek), into the Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents. But Nitrite Solutions C-E-O Jeremy Jones says KTEC is worth keeping around. 00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa78f400000Governor Brownback, however, says Kansas has too many stand-alone economic development agencies. Former Governor Kathleen Sebelius also tried to give KTEC the axe, but lawmakers voted to continue funding for it.

Lawmakers are considering two very different proposals to tackle a funding problem in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, or KPERS (kay-pers). The system faces a projected 7.7 billion dollar deficit over the coming 30 years. The House bill would shift new workers to a 401(k)-style investment plan. The Senate version would keep employees in a traditional pension, but study if a 401(k) plan is a good idea. Governor Sam Brownback charged the Senate with looking into the issue, but he hasn’t said which proposal he favors.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa793de0000Both versions would have the state and employees putting more money into KPERS. For more on the two proposals, tune in later this hour.

Capt. Larry Taylor received the award from President Biden for flying into heavy enemy fire to save four members of a reconnaissance team from almost certain death as they were about to be overrun.

Photo by Stephen KorandaThe Kansas Supreme Court is considering whether Democrat Chad Taylor should be removed from the ballot as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Taylor’s attorney told the justices yesterday (TUE) that Secretary of State Kris Kobach did not have the authority to reject Taylor’s request to withdraw from the race. The justices had pointed questions for both sides, but they had more questions for Kobach's attorney. KPR's Stephen Koranda reports.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7d0bc0000Kobach’s attorney, Edward Greim (grime), told justices that Taylor’s letter didn’t specifically say he is incapable of serving in the office and that’s required by law.The justices asked Greim repeatedly if a candidate needs to include certain wording to withdraw, or can declare in another way that they’re incapable of fulfilling the duties. Justice Lee Johnson pointed out that the law doesn’t say the candidate needs to declare in writing that they’re incapable of serving.“To follow your interpretation, we have to add language. Declaration in writing to the secretary of state. We have to add that language to get to your interpretation,” says Johnson.“Your honor, I respectfully disagree. I mean, if the declaration can be made at home to someone’s goldfish or something, then the statue is unenforceable. It means nothing,” says Greim.A quick decision is expected. Ballot printing is scheduled to begin later this week.

At least two people are dead after severe weather swept across Texas and Oklahoma overnight, causing extensive damage and outages, authorities said.

In the new public phase of the impeachment inquiry, William Taylor's is the fifth transcript of testimony released. Democratic lawmakers called his closed-door deposition a game-changer.

Morning Edition's First Amendment series looks at the cost of speaking out or staying silent in the scientific community, amid pressure from colleagues or officials in Washington.

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Conservative Republicans beat multiple moderates in Kansas legislative races.

Partisan divisions were on display as Republican lawmakers gave Trump frequent standing ovations, while Democrats sat stone faced, held signs and walked out of the chamber in protest.