Kansas

Laura Kelly vetoes two election bills, tells Kansas lawmakers to ‘focus on real issues’

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2024

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Laura Kelly vetoes two election bills, tells Kansas lawmakers to ‘focus on real issues’

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday vetoed two election-related bills passed by the Republican-led Legislature.

Kelly vetoed House Bill 2614 and House Bill 2618.

“Restrictive voting legislation of any kind is wrong,” Kelly said in a veto message. “Instead of making it more challenging for Kansans to participate in our democracy or focusing on problems that do not exist, I would urge the legislature to focus on real issues impacting Kansans.”

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, views it differently.

“We can never rest on our laurels when it comes to the security of Kansas elections,” Hawkins said in a statement. “These common-sense pieces of legislation simply shore up current election laws and ensure the federal government isn’t putting its thumb unfairly on the scale in either direction.”

HB 2614 makes changes to advance voting, adding additional requirements for someone who delivers another voter’s ballot for them. The provisions would make it easier to enforce the state’s relatively new law banning anyone from delivering more than 10 advance ballots.

Supporters of the bill consider such activity to be ballot harvesting, while opponents say it helps certain voters participate in elections, such as those in nursing homes.

“This bill is an attempt to disenfranchise Kansas voters by enacting burdensome and unnecessary requirements that are designed to restrict and suppress advanced voting,” Kelly said. “Kansans have a right to participate in our democracy, but time and again some politicians have tried to interfere in the voting process. I will continue to oppose efforts that place obstacles between voters casting their ballots and making their voices heard.”

HB 2618 would also amend a relatively new state law that is being challenged in court. Republicans believe the change would decrease the chances the law is struck down as unconstitutional. That law criminalizes impersonation of an election official, which civic groups allege effectively criminalizes their voter registration activities.

“There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud or instances of individuals impersonating election officials in Kansas,” Kelly said.

The bill would also ban election offices from using any federal funding for election-related activities, like voter registration, without express permission in both state and federal law.

“Additionally, there is no reason to potentially restrict the use of federal funds for election purposes,” Kelly said. “Kansas is already one of the lowest-ranking states for use of utilizing federal funding. Accepting these dollars helps Kansas ensure smooth administration of our elections.”

HB 2614 didn’t have veto-proof majorities in both chambers. Neither did HB 2618, but it would have supermajorities if previously absent Republicans show up for an override attempt and vote with their caucus.

Hawkins indicated that override attempts will happen.

“House Republicans will continue fighting to keep our elections secure and ensure voter confidence,” he said.

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

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Kansas

Kansas basketball vs WVU final score, highlights: Jayhawks suffer loss

Published

21 minutes ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Kansas basketball vs WVU final score, highlights: Jayhawks suffer loss

Kansas basketball’s regular season continued Saturday, Jan. 10, with a Big 12 Conference game on the road against West Virginia, and saw KU lose 86-75.

The No. 21 Jayhawks struggled mightily down the stretch in the second half. The Mountaineers fed off of their home crowd. Had KU won, it would have been the first time WVU lost at home this season.

Here is what happened during this game in Morgantown, West Virginia:

The Jayhawks are running out of time, as the Mountaineers appear to lead comfortably with about four minutes left in regulation. It’s a 22-5 run for WVU right now. Kansas has hit just two of its last 14 shots from the field.

West Virginia is now on a 13-0 run, and leading by five points with about nine and a half minutes remaining in regulation. Kansas hasn’t scored in more than five minutes. KU also has missed its last eight shots from the field.

Kansas hasn’t scored in more than three minutes, and West Virginia has used that drought to go on a 7-0 run. The Mountaineers could also tie the score coming out of this break, as a WVU player scored while getting fouled going into this timeout. It’s important to note that it’s not just Bryson Tiller who’s in foul trouble for Kansas with four fouls, as Flory Bidunga has three fouls.

Darryn Peterson is up to 20 points and six rebounds, as he’s continued to connect on every opportunity from the free-throw line. Foul trouble, though, has started to become a problem. Kansas has a starter in Bryson Tiller who’s up to four fouls, and West Virginia has two starters who are up to three fouls.

Brenen Lorient has thrived on the way to nine points, as West Virginia holds a slim lead with a little less than five minutes left in the first half. The Mountaineers have been able to gain an advantage from behind the arc. KU still hasn’t established long-range shooting as a threat, with WVU putting itself in a position for an upset.

3-point shooting hasn’t played a major role in the game so far, with the Jayhawks not even hitting one yet today. However, KU still holds a slim lead with about 11 and a half minutes remaining before halftime. Darryn Peterson has tried to be that standout talent for Kansas, but the shots haven’t fallen.

Kansas is trailing early, as the Jayhawks have struggled to see Darryn Peterson get going. Bryson Tiller has not lived up to his potential on the defensive end. Look for KU to do more to involve Flory Bidunga.

Pregame

Check out the starting lineups

Kansas coach Bill Self previews game

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia game time

Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Time: 11 a.m. (CT)
Location: Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia

What channel is Kansas basketball vs West Virginia game on today?

Kansas basketball’s game against West Virginia will be broadcast on FOX during the 2025-26 college season. Streaming options include Fubo. It’s a chance for KU to earn another road win this season.

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia betting line

Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Saturday, Jan. 10

Spread: Kansas by 3.5
O/U: 138.5

Kansas basketball 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at Kansas’ last three games:

Dec. 22 (home): Davidson — Kansas won 90-61
Jan. 3 (away): UCF — Kansas lost 81-75
Jan. 6 (home): TCU — Kansas won 104-100

West Virginia basketball 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at West Virginia’s last three games:

Dec. 22 (home): Mississippi Valley State — West Virginia won 86-51
Jan. 2 (away): Iowa State — West Virginia lost 80-59
Jan. 6 (home): Cincinnati — West Virginia won 62-60

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia score

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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Kansas

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.

We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.

Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.

If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.

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Kansas

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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