Kansas
Kansas legislators looking to change development process for state budget
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas legislators want to change the way the state comes up with its budget.
A Special Committee on Budget Process and Development met on Thursday. Members of the House and Senate, including Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, discussed how they would want to go about making the budget in the Legislature.
“I look at this as an opportunity to examine a process that is probably flawed and find opportunities to make it better. We need to spend more time diving into the budget process and figure out how to do it more effectively and efficiently. I’m very excited to find solutions that can help us better serve all Kansas taxpayers and look forward to our next meeting as a committee.”
A lack of sufficient review time was cited as the biggest factor motivating any changes.
“What we’re going to be looking at is possible systemic changes to how we actually craft a budget by the State Legislature and moving forward in an earlier fashion than what we have done in previous years or maybe even for decades,” Committee Chairman Rep. Troy Waymaster said during the meeting. “We are compressed by a very aggressive schedule and trying to analyze the, I believe, 78 budgets that we have with the state agencies and the Departments and trying to get that done within a course of five to six weeks.”
The budget is currently developed by the governor and state agencies, and then submitted to the Legislature. There’s a series of deadlines and hearings legislators can access throughout October and November, but they don’t truly see a draft until that submission in January.
“We’re going to be looking at what other states are doing in regards to the process as being created by the Legislature,” Rep. Waymaster continued. “This is not to say that we’re not going to adhere to what the governor may propose, what this does is it ask it lets us escalate the process in a quicker fashion so when we return in the beginning of January we can start the budget analysis on those smaller budgets.”
Rep. Waymaster released a statement after the meeting stating a bill would be introduced when the legislature returns in January 2025.
“The current budget process that we have in place has been utilized for decades and its time to look at a new way of generating our state budget. We took great strides today in identifying a budget process that better serves the taxpayers of the state of Kansas. As appropriators of the state finances, the legislature is going to introduce a budget bill in the onset of the legislative session in January of 2025, and begin the analytical process of how we can reduce spending and have a more concise budget process.”
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home
KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.
As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.
“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”
The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.
“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”
Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.
“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.
Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.
There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.
“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.
The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.
“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.
You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.
Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal
Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.
“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.
“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”
Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.
He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.
FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”
Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.
“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.
Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.
With Post Wires
Kansas
Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention
SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.
Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.
With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.
Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.
“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.
She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.
“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.
Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.
“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.
Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.
“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.
Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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