Kansas

‘Somehow exploitable’: Election security debate returns to Kansas Statehouse – Kansas Reflector

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

‘Somehow exploitable’: Election security debate returns to Kansas Statehouse – Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Russian hackers, George Soros and the Chinese. In the few days since the 2024 Kansas legislative session started, debate about election security has already resumed and a heap of election bills are up for discussion.

Republican legislators are once again pushing concerns about advanced ballots, drop boxes and voter registration, despite zero evidence that widespread election fraud happens in the state or national levels.

During a Thursday meeting of the House Committee on Elections, Vice Chair Rep. Paul Waggoner, R-Hutchinson, said anyone with “any sensibility” would realize the issue is nonpartisan.

“If you have security flaws in your voter machine that are somehow exploitable, you don’t know if it’s going to be George Soros exploiting it or some Russian hacker or the Chinese or any other sort of ideological persuasion,” Waggoner said. “You have to realize that hacking is a fairly nondenominational profession.”

Breaking party lines, two other committee Republicans cautioned against one-sided hearings and claims of election hacking. Rep. Leah Howell, R-Derby, and Rep. Kenneth Collins, R-Mulberry, referenced September 2023 hearings held by the Special Committee on Elections.

“We have a pretty good system here,” Collins said. “The county people, they’re doing their best, and I don’t think there’s any widespread hacking or anything going on.”

During the September hearings, Chairman Republican Sen. Mike Thompson had outside groups testify about voter conspiracy theories to justify further extreme election regulations.

One group claimed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly reached a “secret agreement” to send voter registration forms to people who receive state services. The program informs people of opportunities to register to vote and stems from federal voting rights law.

The hearings sparked outrage from voter rights groups as well as a letter from Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who told committee members that Kansas elections continue to be safe and secure.

“All of us should take seriously the security and accuracy of our elections,” Howell said Thursday. “But I also think that we should be careful to be very discerning. … Some of the things that I noticed that they said could not be accurate and were not consistent.”

Some of the ideas talked about in September are reflected in newly introduced legislation. Thompson sponsored a bill about advance ballots Thursday in the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs.

Senate Bill 343 bans county election officials from sending out advance voting ballot applications to voters unless the application has already been requested by the voter.

Thompson, who chairs the committee, said the bill was needed because an election official in Johnson County had sent out many unrequested advance ballot applications. He said $75,000 worth of ballots had been printed in what was an “unnecessary expenditure.”

He also introduced a bill requiring more voter identity verification for advanced voting. The bill would require that a voter identity verification form be attached with advance ballots.

“We already have to give our DL number; not sure why more would be needed,” tweeted Rep. Stephanie Clayton, D-Overland Park. “Assuming under this bill we would have to sign mail ballots in our own blood.”

In the release of his 2024 legislative agenda, Schwab himself emphasized election security.

The secretary of state has worked to modernize and improve election laws with lawmakers ahead of the election cycle to “provide voters transparency, security, and accountability in the state’s election system,” the release read.

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Kansas

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

Published

17 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Museums across the United States are struggling with declining attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kansas institutions are bucking the national trend strong visitor numbers.

A recent survey by the American Alliance of Museums asked more than 500 museums nationwide and found traffic remains down since the pandemic began in 2020.

Kansas museum reports record attendance

The Kansas Aviation Museum experienced its highest attendance year ever in 2024, according to Ben Sauceda, president and CEO of the museum.

“2024 was our highest record attendance year ever as a museum, and so we’re seeing a lot of momentum around that,” Sauceda said.

Sauceda credited state programs for boosting museum visits across Kansas.

“Things like the Sunflower Summer Program that Kansas offers. That has been a huge boost to attendance in museums across our state,” he said.

The Gathering Place also reported increased traffic since the pandemic, according to museum officials.

Adam Smith, president and CEO of Exploration Place, said Kansas museums have remained stable.

“I think in general, Kansas is, you know, we’ve seen, we’ve been pretty solid, actually,” Smith said.

Financial challenges persist nationally

The national study shows one-third of museums reported loss of federal grants and contracts impacted them this year.

Museum leaders said institutions must adapt to succeed in the current environment.

“Even as museums, we are still businesses that have to operate in a manner of innovation and creativity. And so again, I think the ones that are finding success right now are the ones that are learning and finding ways to innovate and change and meet the demands of the market where they’re at right now,” Sauceda said.

Smith emphasized the importance of family engagement.

“And so finding ways in which families like to spend time together while creating unique learning or exposure opportunities is how you have to move forward,” he said.

Museums like the Kansas Aviation Museum continue advocating at the state level for renewal of the Sunflower Summer Program for the 2026-2027 season.

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Kansas

Disease found in multiple states confirmed in cattle brought into Kansas

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Disease found in multiple states confirmed in cattle brought into Kansas

EL DORADO, Kan. (KWCH) – Bovine theileriosis, a disease that has been found in multiple states around the country, has now been confirmed in cattle brought into Kansas, according to state and federal animal health officials.

The parasite damages red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, weakness, and significant financial losses for cattle producers. As of now there is no approved cure for bovine theileriosis.

Experts encourage cattle producers to maintain good working relationships with their local veterinarians.

“Just encourage them to have a good working relationship with their local vet and talk to them. Their vet has heard about it. Their vet can talk to them more about symptoms to look for, supportive care options, and ways to help control it if they do get it,” said Braxton Butler, a veterinarian with the El Dorado Livestock Auction

A report from the Kansas Ag Connection says that while the disease is tick-borne, it may also spread through blood transfer, including contaminated needles or equipment. Experts urge cattle producers to tighten up herd management and sanitation practices.

The disease poses no risk to humans.

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Kansas

High winds and reduced visibility close I-70 in western Kansas

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

High winds and reduced visibility close I-70 in western Kansas

High winds caused the closure of Interstate 70 in Kansas.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, just after 11 a.m. on Dec. 18, I-70 was closed between the Colorado state line and US-83 highway, just east of Colby, after blowing dust caused reduced visibility.

Earlier that day, the National Weather Service in Goodland issued a High Wind Warning for several counties in the area until 6 p.m., with a Blowing Dust Warning issued until 3 p.m.

The NWS said severely limited visibilities are expected and travel in the area was dangerous and possibly life-threatening. The service cautioned that high winds also could move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages.

Precautionary and preparedness actions for this type of weather include to be ready for a sudden drop in visibility as plumes of blowing dust will create pockets of it. Those encountering blowing dust or sand on the roadway are advised to pull off the road as far as possible and put the vehicle in park, turning lights all the way off and keeping the foot off the brake pedal.

According to NWS, winds this strong make driving difficult, particularly for high profile vehicles and caution is advised if driving is necessary.

Finally, wind and dust could make for poor air quality, causing issues for people with respiratory problems.

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