News & Media
Kansas Legislature passes spending plan that would put state $460M in the hole within three years
The Legislature adopted a spending plan Thursday that fully funds public schools, provides pay raises for state employees, eliminates DEI initiatives, polices pronouns in emails, and puts the state on a course to blow through billions in reserves and face a budget shortfall within three years.
Police investigate a Kansas city council member’s citizenship after a complaint left via voicemail
At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, which was packed with residents who were upset about last week’s raid by federal authorities at El Toro Loco restaurants in Lenexa and Kansas City, Kansas, Arroyo revealed that city police had recently investigated her citizenship status and required her to prove her citizenship.
Kansas Republicans punt immigration bill after kicking opponents out of hearing
A Republican-led Senate committee declined Monday to take action on a bill that would prohibit people in Kansas without permanent legal status from receiving public benefits, including in-state tuition, and permit higher bond prices for those charged with crimes.
Kan. Democrats Fight Back Tour arrives to Hays
Kansas House Democrats stopped in Hays for their inaugural Fight Back Tour, a statewide effort to engage with Kansans.
‘We got to fight’: Kansas Dems protect abortion despite Republican efforts to ban it
Kansas voters in 2022 resoundingly rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have banned abortion in the state. However, the fight for abortion rights is not over.
ICE detains up to 12 people in Kansas City area raids at Mexican restaurants, advocates say
An immigration advocacy group says the raids were carried out by Homeland Security Investigation agents about midday on Wednesday at El Toro Loco restaurants in Lenexa and Kansas City, Kansas.
Kansas LGBTQ+ foster kids’ rights in jeopardy under new law protecting religious parents
The way Kansas LGBTQ+ youths in foster care are placed into homes could change after lawmakers forced a bill into law that permits foster children to be placed with families who don’t affirm a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity based on the parents’ religious or moral beliefs.
Capitol Update: Rep. Susan Ruiz says federal ‘cruelty’ on immigration having impacts in Kansas
It has been at least thirty years since the U.S. made significant changes to our immigration laws. We came close to changes during the Biden administration, but then-candidate Trump asked Congress to block those efforts because he wanted to run on this issue.
In some states with laws on transgender bathrooms, officials may not know how they will be enforced
When North Dakota restricted which bathrooms transgender students can use in public schools and universities this year, the school district in the state’s largest city promised to ignore the new rules.
These child welfare policies and funding priorities will be pushed by Kansas lawmakers
Improving child welfare in Kansas, particularly in the foster care system, will be top of mind for some legislators as they return to Topeka in January after holding several lengthy meetings between sessions.
In Kansas City, LGBTQ+ Support Systems Are Emerging Slowly
Past Advocates and New Leaders Work Toward Unifying the Community, While Acknowledging Challenges
House committee tables bill awarding no-bid contract extensions to KanCare providers
Bipartisan group wants opinion from attorney general on legality of maneuver
House adopts bill standardizing training, assessment on potential abuse of kids under 5
Small contingent of GOP legislators object to program’s cost, advocacy by physicians
Susan Ruiz hopes the ‘rainbow wave’ carries her to a seat in the Kansas Legislature
Susan Ruiz’s decision to run for office parallels the thinking of so many other people after the 2016 presidential election.