Kansas

Kansas lawmakers use subpoena to force Ford County clerk to cooperate with election audit • Kansas Reflector

Published

1 year ago

August 6, 2024

Kansas lawmakers use subpoena to force Ford County clerk to cooperate with election audit • Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s bipartisan auditing committee voted to issue a subpoena to compel the Ford County clerk to cooperate with the state’s security examination of voting-related documentation and equipment used in the 2022 general election.

House and Senate members participating in the committee meeting Monday took the extraordinary step of immediately relaunching the election security audit investigation that had been stalled long ago by Ford County Clerk Debbie Cox.

The committee directed Cox to comply with audit team information requests helpful in evaluating accuracy of voting machines relied on during the statewide election two years ago. In addition, Cox must provide auditors access by Aug. 14 to storage units, ballots and devices used to count votes in that election.

Rep. Shannon Francis, a Republican from Liberal in southwest Kansas, offered the motion to affirm the post-auditing staff’s authority to investigate Ford County’s election processes. He proposed a separate motion triggering Article 10, Chapter 46 of Kansas statute that outlined how investigating committees could use power of a subpoena to compel individuals to cooperate with audits. Both motions were approved without debate.

“If any person fails to make any books, accounts, contracts or records, files, documents and correspondence, confidential or otherwise, related to such audit available to the post auditor or any officer or employee of the division of post audit upon request … the post auditor shall report such failure immediately in writing to the legislative post audit committee, the governor and the attorney general,” Francis said.

Cox wasn’t at the audit committee’s brief meeting at the Capitol. She was given until 1 p.m. Aug. 14 to transfer requested materials to auditors.

When the Division of Post Audit initiated a 15-county review of election security standards, they discovered Ford and Chase county officials sealed most election documents in the same containers with original paper ballots. The practice of locking away ballot activity documents or equipment transfer records in containers with ballots didn’t comply with the Kansas Open Records Act mandating retention and inspection of certain election-related records.

In addition, Ford County refused to let the Legislature’s auditors inspect the county’s election management computer. That meant auditors couldn’t determine whether the election computer was properly disconnected from the internet or had non-election software installed on it.

Kristen Rottinghaus, deputy of the auditing division, said the legislative committee’s objective was to answer two basic questions about election security in Ford County. They are the same questions directed at the 13 counties featured in the audit report released in mid-2023.

The examination in Ford County would address accuracy and security of voting machines used in the November 2022 election, she said.

“And,” Rottinghaus said, “their policies and procedures for ensuring the security of storage units, ballots and devices used to tabulate votes during that same election.”

In July 2023, the auditing division reported to the Legislature that the 13 cooperating county governments had adequate overall election security practices but none met all 55 best practices or state laws during the 2022 primary or general elections. Auditors concluded most of the 13 counties examined in that audit provided inadequate levels of security for ballots and tabulation machines.

“They’re also missing or have weak practices in several important areas,” the audit report said. “That means security isn’t as good as it could or should be.”

The auditors recommended Secretary of State Scott Schwab provide counties with standardized election forms and policies. In addition, auditors proposed Schwab train county election officers on what election materials could be sealed in ballot containers and kept from public view.

“Secretary of state’s office officials told us county officials often indiscriminately seal election documents with ballots,” the audit said. “But this doesn’t align with the purpose of ballot sealing, which is to maintain an accurate paper record of the election results.”

Auditing of county election security practices in Kansas was driven by Republican state legislators convinced by former President Donald Trump’s false claim President Joe Biden stole the 2020 presidential election in a multi-state conspiracy.

Trump, who carried Kansas in the 2016 and 2020 elections, has continued to perpetuate that myth on the 2024 campaign trail.

In 2018, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed a lawsuit against Cox challenging her decision to move the city’s voting location serving a population of 27,000 people to a facility outside city limits. The suit claimed the change interferred with a fundamental right to vote and disproportionately would impact Hispanic voters.

Cox also forwarded to then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach a letter from ACLU Kansas requesting a voter help line, but wrote on top of the document, “LOL,” meaning to laugh out loud.

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Kansas

Kansas football transfer portal tracker: Jan. 4 developments for KU

Published

6 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Kansas football transfer portal tracker: Jan. 4 developments for KU

LAWRENCE — The Division I transfer portal window for college football is open from Jan. 2 through Jan. 16, and that means Sunday is another chance for the Kansas football program to shape its roster.

The Jayhawks already gained one public addition earlier this offseason in Grand Valley State transfer Jibriel Conde — whose signing was announced Dec. 4. Conde, who is making the jump up from Division II, is a 247Sports-rated three-star defensive lineman in the portal and is listed by KU as a defensive tackle. On Saturday, a number of current Kansas players — including redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Marshall, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Keaton Kubecka and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Blake Herold — also outlined in social media posts on X that they are locked in with the program for the 2026 season.

Marshall is set to compete for the starting quarterback job next season. Kubecka has the chance to step up into a more significant role at wide receiver. Herold is in line to be a key part of Kansas’ defensive line.

Those positives, though, don’t outweigh the fact that there has been a sizable group of players who have revealed their intentions to transfer away. Looking overall, when it comes to those whose decisions became public before and after the portal opened, the significant names to know include redshirt senior safety Lyrik Rawls, redshirt junior linebacker Trey Lathan and freshman quarterback David McComb. Lathan led KU in tackles in 2025.

Check in here for more updates during this transfer portal window about a KU team that finished 5-7 during the 2025 season, with transfer ratings as outlined by 247Sports.

Kansas football transfer portal additions

Jibriel Conde (3-star defensive lineman from Grand Valley State) — KU lists him as a defensive tackle

Kansas football transfer portal departures

Joseph Sipp Jr. (linebacker)

Jacoby Davis (cornerback)

Dylan Brooks (defensive end)

Jaidyn Doss (wide receiver)

Carter Lavrusky (offensive lineman)

Trey Lathan (linebacker)

Tyler Mercer (offensive lineman)

Harry Stewart III (running back)

Caleb Redd (3-star edge) — KU lists him as a defensive end

Aundre Gibson (3-star cornerback)

David McComb (3-star quarterback)

Kene Anene (3-star interior offensive lineman) — KU lists him as an offensive lineman

Laquan Robinson (3-star safety)

Jameel Croft Jr. (3-star cornerback)

Logan Brantley (3-star linebacker)

Greydon Grimes (3-star offensive tackle) — KU lists him as an offensive lineman

Jon Jon Kamara (3-star linebacker)

Lyrik Rawls (3-star safety)

Damani Maxson (3-star safety)

Jaden Hamm (tight end)

Bryce Cohoon (wide receiver)

JaCorey Stewart (linebacker)

Johnny Thompson Jr. (running back)

Efren Jasso (punter)

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

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Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Hundreds of people packed the Gem Theatre over the weekend to celebrate Kwanzaa.

The celebrations run nightly through January 1. Each night highlights a different core value, including unity, cooperation and faith.

The event features local vendors and performances. Organizers say it’s a great way to start the new year.

The Kwanzaa celebration is free and open to everyone.

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Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 27, 2025

Published

1 week ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 9-8-9

Evening: 6-5-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Red Balls: 01-23, White Balls: 12-15

Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-12-24-26-42, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-10-20-47-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Super Kansas Cash numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

03-07-17-20-27, Cash Ball: 24

Check Super Kansas Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.

By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:

Kansas Lottery Headquarters

128 N Kansas Avenue

Topeka, KS 66603-3638

(785) 296-5700

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.

When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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