Republican legislators have narrowly failed again to enact a broad package of tax cuts over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. A vote Monday in the state Senate against overriding Kelly’s veto of tax cuts worth $1.5 billion over the next three years made it likely that lawmakers would end their second annual session in a row without major reductions. The Senate vote was 26-14, but that was one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority. Kelly suggested the tax plan’s mix of income, sales and property tax cuts would lead to future budget problems for the state. Republican leaders strongly…
Author: AP News
BY DAVE SKRETTA KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce have agreed on a two-year contract extension that would keep him with the Super Bowl champions through the 2027 season, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the extension had not been announced. The 34-year-old Kelce, who was chosen by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 draft, has become their career leader with 11,328 yards receiving. He also has 75 touchdown receptions and, most importantly, has helped…
BY JOHN HANNA AND SEAN MURPHY TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will remain among the handful of states that haven’t legalized the medical use of marijuana or expanded their Medicaid programs for at least another year. Republican state senators on Friday blocked efforts to force debates on both issues before the GOP-controlled Legislature’s scheduled adjournment for the year Tuesday. Supporters of each measure fell short of the 24 of 40 votes required to pull a bill on each subject out of committee. Backers of both proposals argue that they have popular support yet have been thwarted going on a decade in each case. Kansas doesn’t…
Kansas is poised to require internet pornography sites to verify that visitors are adults. It would join Texas and a handful of other states despite concerns about privacy and how broadly the law could be applied. The proposal in Kansas cleared the Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday after the House approved it on a 92-31 vote. The state Senate approved the measure unanimously last month, and it goes next to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. At least eight states including Texas have enacted such laws since 2022, and more than 20 more are considering them, including Oklahoma. Supporters say they’re protecting kids…
Kansas Republicans have advanced proposals to limit the state’s involvement with individuals and companies from China and other U.S. adversaries. Bills approved Wednesday by the Kansas House would prevent them from owning farmland or business property, limit state investments in their companies and restrict the use of foreign-made drones. The bills target what are called countries of concern. Besides China, the list includes Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Venezuela as well as any U.S.-designated terrorist group. Some GOP conservatives want to go even further, while Democrats suggest the measures are fueled by xenophobia. All three bills go next to the…
A man who was briefly handcuffed in the chaos that followed a deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally is suing a Tennessee congressman. The suit claims the congressman falsely accused Denton Loudermill Jr. in social media posts of being one of the shooters. Loudermill filed the federal lawsuit this week against U.S. House Rep. Tim Burchett, of Tennessee. The suit alleges the remarks were “highly offensive, derogatory in the extreme, and defamatory.” Burchett’s spokeswoman says the office doesn’t comment on pending or active litigation. The Feb. 14 shooting outside Union Station killed a well-known DJ and…
Republican legislators have approved a bill that would require Kansas abortion providers to ask their patients why they want to terminate their pregnancies and then report the answers to the state. The Senate passed the bill on a 27-13 vote Tuesday. The House approved it earlier this month. It goes next to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. She is a strong abortion rights supporter and is expected to veto the bill. However, supporters appear to have exactly the two-thirds majorities they would need to override a veto. Lawmakers are pursuing the measure even though Kansas affirmed abortion rights in a statewide…
Federal officials say milk from dairy cows in Texas and Kansas has tested positive for bird flu. The virus has also been detected in New Mexico. Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the flu virus is the Type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and occasionally infect people. The virus is affecting older dairy cows in the three states, causing decreased lactation and low appetite. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the milk supply remains safe. Experts say livestock appear to recover on their own within seven to 10 days.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three men from Kansas City, Missouri, face firearms charges, including gun trafficking, after an investigation into the mass shooting during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade and rally, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City said that 22-year-old Fedo Antonia Manning, was charged in a 12-count complaint. Ronnel Dewayne Williams Jr., 21, and Chaelyn Hendrick Groves, 19, were charged in four-count complaints. The charges were filed Monday and unsealed Wednesday, after the men were arrested, a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Court documents that were part of the…
BY DAVE SKRETTA – Updated 11:04 PM CDT, March 9, 2024 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and star Chris Jones have agreed to the framework of a five-year contract that includes $95 million guaranteed and keeps the All-Pro defensive tackle off the upcoming free-agent market, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press late Saturday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract details were still being finalized. But the money that is guaranteed is expected to come over the first three years with another two years…