News Archives:
Feds Receive Kansas No Child Left Behind Waiver Application
Wed, February 29, 2012
A request from the Kansas Department of Education seeking a waiver from the provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law has been formally received in Washington.
Immigration Laws Center Of Public Discussion
Wed, February 29, 2012
The League of Women Voters put on a public discussion Tuesday to address some of the myths surrounding immigration laws in Kansas.
Wichita Voters Reject Ambassador Hotel Tax Plan
Wed, February 29, 2012
Wichita voters rejected a proposed tax incentive for the downtown Ambassador Hotel development in a Tuesday special election.
Standing Room Only As Residents Addressed Legislators
Tue, February 28, 2012
They raised concerns like funding public education, lowering taxes, concerns about wage theft, wise selections of appellate judges, voter ID issues and the ability to sell full strength beer and wine.
Some Lawmakers Criticize Brownback’s Involvement In Redistricting
Tue, February 28, 2012
When lawmaker return to the Topeka Wednesday, they’ll continue work on redistricting. Some legislators are criticizing Governor Sam Brownback’s involvement in the process.
Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant Remains Offline
Tue, February 28, 2012
The only nuclear power plant in Kansas remains out of service following a malfunction more than six weeks ago.
Some Lawmakers Question If Brownback’s Education Plan Can Pass This Session
Mon, February 27, 2012
Senate Vice President John Vratil, from Leawood, says there are not enough supporters to get the bill out of a committee in the Senate.
Kansas Water And Energy Discussion Wednesday
Mon, February 27, 2012
Registration is almost at capacity for the the Kansas Water Issues Forum scheduled in Wichita on Wednesday. This year’s theme is Just Add Water, Kansas and the Economy.
Voter Registration Bill Hinges On State Official Readiness
Mon, February 27, 2012
Senators say a voter registration bill’s fate will depend on whether state officials are ready to put the law into effect.
Local Bands Use New Strategy To Fund Album Production
Fri, February 24, 2012
Kickstarter.com allows artists, writers, and musicians to raise funds for creative projects. Jedd Beaudoin spoke with members of two local bands about their experiences.
Lawmakers Pass Bills To Beat Deadline
Fri, February 24, 2012
Lawmakers have been busy over the last few days, debating and passing dozens of bills on the floor of the House and Senate.
Historic Slave Shackle Has Wichita Ties
Fri, February 24, 2012
In the 1800s, Wichita businessman set a slave free and held on to the iron shackle that’s on permanent display at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka.
Advance Voting On Ambassador Hotel Guest Tax Underway
Fri, February 24, 2012
Polling sites across the city are set up for those who want to vote early in person before Wichita’s special election day Tuesday.
House Approves Arts Check-Off On Income Tax Form
Thu, February 23, 2012
There are currently four other check-offs that allow people to donate money to programs like Meals on Wheels and breast cancer research.
House Passes Kobach Bill
Thu, February 23, 2012
The Kansas House has approved Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s bill to require some potential voters to prove their U.S. citizenship ahead of this year’s presidential election.
Five Companies Submit Bids For Kansas Medicaid Privatization
Thu, February 23, 2012
The State of Kansas has received bids from five private, managed care organizations seeking a share of the Kansas Medicaid program.
House Votes To Move Up Citizenship Requirement For Voter Registration
Wed, February 22, 2012
The bill moves ahead a requirement for people to prove citizenship when registering to vote for the first time in Kansas. That law is currently set to take effect in January 2013.
Estimates Show Tax Plan Would Weigh On Low Earners
Wed, February 22, 2012
Revenue estimates for the House Republican income tax plan show that the lowest income earners would be the only bracket that would see their tax rates go up.
House Passes Health Care Compact Bill
Wed, February 22, 2012
Kansas House members say the state should have the right to join an interstate compact to fight federal rules for health care programs.
Senate Committee Considering Governor’s Education Plan
Wed, February 22, 2012
A Senate committee is looking at Governor Sam Brownback’s plan to overhaul education funding.
Hall Family Foundation Donates More To NCI Effort
Tue, February 21, 2012
The Hall Family Foundation has donated $10.5 million to support an initiative to win National Cancer Institute designation for the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Kansas Water Policy Changes Moving Forward
Tue, February 21, 2012
Lawmakers continue to move forward on changes to Kansas water policy aimed at improving conservation efforts and prolonging the life of water supplies.
House Shifts On Pension Plans
Mon, February 20, 2012
A Kansas House committee appears to be backing away from a proposal to start a 401(k)-style plan for new teachers and government workers.
Wichita Transit Seeks Public Input
Mon, February 20, 2012
Wichita Transit is hosting several public open houses this week to discuss potential transit improvement concepts.
Kansas Mission Of Mercy Provides Free Dental Care To 2,144 Patients
Mon, February 20, 2012
Kansas Dentists and their support staff provided dental care worth $1.5 million this weekend.
The Benefits Of Health Accreditation
Mon, February 20, 2012
Sedgwick County Health Department Director Claudia Blackburn talks about the new process and benefits of public health department accreditation
Large Collection Of African-American Art Visits Wichita
Fri, February 17, 2012
The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection features more than 70 works by influential African-American artists from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
Man Arrested At Statehouse Will Not Face Federal Charges
Thu, February 16, 2012
A law enforcement spokeswoman says a man detained after homemade bombs were found inside a pickup near the Kansas Statehouse will not face federal charges.
E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Sprouts From Sandwich Chain
Thu, February 16, 2012
The CDC blames clover sprouts sold at Jimmy John’s restaurants for an outbreak of E. coli in five states, including Kansas.
Voters’ Rights Group Wants Kobach’s Calendars, Work Records
Thu, February 16, 2012
Some voters’ rights advocates are asking Secretary of State Kris Kobach to turn over documents showing how much time he spends on official duties.
KS House Panel Passes Bill Challenging Federal Health Law
Thu, February 16, 2012
A House committee has endorsed a bill that would allow Kansas to join a multi-state compact being formed to challenge the federal government’s authority to set health policy.
Pompeo To Hold Individual Meetings
Thu, February 16, 2012
U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo is planning to hold one-on-one meetings with constituents next week in Wichita.
Police Say Explosives Found Near Statehouse
Thu, February 16, 2012
Police in Topeka say they found explosives in a vehicle near the Statehouse yesterday.
Quilts Held Secrets For Escaping Slaves
Thu, February 16, 2012
Two quilters and an author will discuss how they have used their talents to tell the story of African-American history during an event Saturday at Newman University.
Bombs Found Near KS Statehouse, Threats Made Against Gov
Wed, February 15, 2012
Capitol Police have been investigating at least two security threats.
KCC Will Examine Westar Rate Increase Proposal
Wed, February 15, 2012
Kansas Corporation Commission members say they will scrutinize Westar Energy’s contention that its shareholders need to make a 10 percent return on their investment in the utility.
Lawyers At Odds Over Bill To Allow Some Illegal Immigrants To Work In Kansas
Wed, February 15, 2012
A bill in the Legislature would allow some illegal immigrants to work legally in Kansas, but lawyers have been giving legislators conflicting information.
New Sports Complex Approved For STAR Bonds
Wed, February 15, 2012
The site plan includes three hotels and retailers with a goal of increasing tourism for Wichita and the region.
Legislators Propose Welfare Drug Testing
Tue, February 14, 2012
A group of Kansas lawmakers have proposed a bill that would require some Kansas welfare recipients to pay to be tested for drugs.
NBAF Unfunded In President’s Budget
Tue, February 14, 2012
The 2013 budget proposed by President Obama includes no new funding for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan.
Bill Would Allow Some Illegal Immigrants To Work In Kansas
Tue, February 14, 2012
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would give some illegal immigrants the chance to work legally in Kansas.
Driving Safety Reminders After Season’s First Snowy Commute
Tue, February 14, 2012
A Wichita city official has reminders for winter driving after reports of several accidents during Monday’s snowy commute.
Multiple Alcohol Bills In State Legislature
Mon, February 13, 2012
The Kansas Legislature is spending more time than usual on alcohol-related bills during the current session.
House Leadership Unveils Plan To Cut Taxes, Cap Government Spending
Mon, February 13, 2012
House leaders have released the details of their tax proposal.
Wesley Hospital Opens Breastfeeding Clinic
Mon, February 13, 2012
Wesley Medical Center expanded their birth care services Friday by opening an out-patient lactation clinic for new mothers.
Committee Votes To Halt Health Reform Spending
Mon, February 13, 2012
Kansas lawmakers are again signaling their opposition to the federal health reform law.
Congressman Continues To Pressure Air Force On Hawker’s Exclusion From Contract
Fri, February 10, 2012
US Representative Mike Pompeo said Thursday he continues to work with Hawker Beechcraft to put pressure on the Air Force.
Secretary Of Revenue Says Administration Could Compromise On Part Of Tax Plan
Fri, February 10, 2012
Governor Brownback’s administration now seems open to compromise on at least one part of their tax proposal.
Kansas To Receive $50 Million In Mortgage Settlement
Fri, February 10, 2012
Kansas will receive about $50 million from a multi-billion dollar settlement over improper actions by mortgage lenders.
Dental Program Provides Help To Low-Income Kansans
Fri, February 10, 2012
As part of our Sound Mind and Body health series, KMUW’s Frank Dudgeon talks with Dr. Hal E. Hale about the Mission of Mercy dental project.
Rep. Pompeo Says Birth Control Mandate Is Unconstitutional
Thu, February 09, 2012
Congressman Mike Pompeo spoke out Thursday about a federal law that requires religious based institutions to provide their employees with free contraceptive coverage.
Intrust Bank Arena In Black, But Behind 2010
Thu, February 09, 2012
At the weekly county commissioner’s meeting Wednesday Intrust Bank Arena reported a small 2011 profit, down significantly from 2010.
Group Criticizes Governor’s Tax Plan
Wed, February 08, 2012
Terry Forsyth, head of the Working Kansas Alliance, says the governor should focus more on legislation that would directly grow jobs, to improve the state economy.
House Committee Endorses Proof-Of-Citizenship Bill
Wed, February 08, 2012
A Kansas House committee has endorsed Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s proposal to require some potential Kansas voters to prove their U.S. citizenship ahead of this year’s presidential election.
Democrats Vow To Fight For Veterans’ Services
Wed, February 08, 2012
Democrats on the Kansas House Appropriations Committee say they don’t understand why the Republican majority on the panel is blocking the expansion of services for Kansas veterans.
Budget Approved To Complete 13th Street Improvement
Wed, February 08, 2012
Relocation of the existing utilities is scheduled to be completed by this summer with construction work to begin immediately after.
Brownback Administration Begins Look At Medicaid Contracts
Tue, February 07, 2012
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration expects to decide this summer which private companies will manage the state’s $2.9 billion Medicaid program.
Preliminary Boundry Proposal Presented To Board, Focus Group
Tue, February 07, 2012
In a plan outlined Monday night by Wichita School Board Superintendent John Allison, three elementary schools will close and one high school and one elementary school will be relocated.
Election Commissioner Talks Voter ID
Mon, February 06, 2012
Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman discusses how voters can prepare for the new Kansas voter ID law.
Film Spotlights Man Wrongfully Incarcerated For 20 Years
Mon, February 06, 2012
Darryl Hunt was wrongfully convicted of a brutal rape and murder in 1984, then cleared through DNA evidence in 1994, but remained incarcerated and entangled in the criminal justice system until 2004.
Brownback Names Head Of New Children And Families Department
Fri, February 03, 2012
The Department for Children and Families will be created along with the proposed Department of Aging and Disability Services under an executive reorganization order.
Rural Communities Meet To Collaborate
Fri, February 03, 2012
A conference and brainstorming session focusing on issues facing rural Kansas kicks off Friday in Newton.
No Vaccine Exemption Bill This Year
Thu, February 02, 2012
A bill that would expand the number of exemptions allowed for parents who don’t want their children to be immunized apparently will not go to a vote this year.
New Bill Would Provide Oversight Of Medicaid Privatization
Thu, February 02, 2012
A bill called the KanCare Accountability Act has been introduced in the Kansas House.
Redistricting Proposal Includes Changes For Manhattan, Lawrence
Thu, February 02, 2012
A Senate committee has approved a map redrawing the state’s congressional districts.
Inter-Faith Ministries To Hold 12th Annual Souper Bowl
Thu, February 02, 2012
Inter-Faith Ministries will host their annual Souper Bowl event Friday to increase awareness of hunger insecurity in the Wichita area.
Senate Committee Approves Redistricting Map
Wed, February 01, 2012
The new map still needs approval from the full Senate before it moves on to the House for further consideration.
Brownback’s Office Says He Warned Legislators About Open Meetings Law
Wed, February 01, 2012
Gov. Sam Brownback’s staff says he warned lawmakers not to violate the state’s open meetings law while attending dinners at Cedar Crest mansion.
Environmental Impact Statement Required for Sunflower Project to Proceed
Wed, February 01, 2012
A federal judge in Washington says the expansion of a coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas can’t go forward without a federal environmental impact statement.
Brownback Touts Education Proposal Before Business Leaders
Wed, February 01, 2012
Governor Sam Brownback is continuing his pitch for a plan to overhaul the school funding formula, saying the proposal could help the state avoid lawsuits over education finance.
Mayor Brewer Sets Sights On Diversification In State Of The City Address
Wed, February 01, 2012
In his State of the City Address Tuesday night, Mayor Carl Brewer said despite being challenged by dwindling revenues and continuing obligations, Wichita is healthy, focused and moving forward.
