Government

Possession of fentanyl test strips will no longer be a crime in Kansas. The new state law also means pharmacies, online retailers and harm-reduction programs will be able to legally distribute the strips.

A federal prosecutor who President Joe Biden nominated to become a U.S. district judge in Kansas has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Gov. Laura Kelly shot down a proviso in the state budget bill allocating $250,000 for the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park in Kansas City, historically an important stop on the Underground Railroad. One of the site’s top supporters, Kansas City Democrat Rep. Marvin Robinson, broke party lines to help Republicans override Kelly's veto of a transgender athlete ban.

Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption failed a state inspection in October, launching the license revocation process, and it has faced growing scrutiny following media reports that animals were housed in unsanitary conditions.

Emergency allotments that took effect in 2020 for those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will end next month. Many expect the decrease will be especially challenging for low-income families.

Gov. Laura Kelly said during her inauguration address that Kansas politicians should work together for good policy. But her agenda likely faces strong opposition from Republican lawmakers.

The latest lawsuit points to a dramatic rise in the Latino population in Dodge City over the past 20 years. No Latino candidate has been elected to the city commission this century.

The road to even partial legalization of marijuana has been a long and rocky one. Last session, the Kansas House approved a medical marijuana bill, while a Senate proposal died in committee.

Kansas state Rep. Dan Hawkins has been chosen to be House speaker after serving four years as majority leader.

Republican state Senator Gene Suellentrop from Wichita will resign from his seat in January.