Rice County News

Moran Wants to Alter College Financial Aid Law to Benefit Farm, Small Business Families

Monday, April 24

By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas endorsed legislation repealing a new federal formula for determining student financial aid that could lower college assistance to children of parents operating small businesses or family farms.The controversy arose with development of... Read More.

Kansas Wants to Make It Easier to Hire Out-of-State Teachers

Monday, April 24

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is joining a fledgling effort that could one day make it easier to hire teachers from other states. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a bill that Governor Laura Kelly signed last week makes Kansas the latest member of the... Read More.

Kansas Releases March Jobs Numbers

Monday, April 24

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state of Kansas has released its latest labor market report. The report for March shows a seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9%, which remains unchanged from February.The department says the state’s seasonally-adjusted total non-farm jobs have increased by 37,000 over... Read More.

Kansas Governor Vetoes Flat Tax Plan, Proposes One-time $800M Rebate

Monday, April 24

By Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday she was vetoing a flat tax package that predominantly favors the most wealthy Kansans and proposing instead a one-time rebate of $450 per taxpayer.The GOP-dominated Legislature passed a plan in... Read More.

Kansas Governor Signs Bipartisan Water Funding Plan

Friday, April 21

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed into law a bipartisan funding plan to preserve water. The plan helps address a growing water crisis in the western part of the state.The new Kansas law adds $35 million this year for state... Read More.

Kansas Revenue Forecast Expects Surplus to Grow to $3 billion, Pending Tax Cuts

Friday, April 21

By Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — Budget analysts and economists expect cooling inflation and modest growth to push state revenues slightly higher than expected over the next couple of years, preserving a surplus cushion of billions of dollars.The projection is expected to shape... Read More.

Kansas Governor Vetoes Bills Dealing with ‘Abortion Reversal’, Mail-in Ballots, Child Care

Thursday, April 20

By Rachel Mipro, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly shot down a scientifically unsound “abortion reversal” bill, one of several pieces of legislation she rejected in a round of vetoes met with outrage from Republicans.Kelly announced her veto of House Bill 2264 Wednesday.... Read More.

No Mandatory Jail Time for Kansans with Suspended, Revoked Driver’s Licenses

Thursday, April 20

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bill to remove mandatory jail time for Kansans caught driving with a suspended or revoked license.People can lose their licenses because of issues like unpaid fines. If they’re caught driving without a valid license,... Read More.

Tornadoes, High Winds and Hail Hammer Eastern Kansas

Thursday, April 20

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - As many as five Tornado Warnings were issued for northeast Kansas Wednesday night, affecting a number of counties. The National Weather Service says Tornado Warnings were issued for Lyon, Morris, Chase, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Clay, Marshall and Nemaha... Read More.

Shop Kansas Farms to Hold Market of Farms in Lyons

Thursday, April 20

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Shop Kansas Farms (SKF) will hold its third Market of Farms on Saturday, April 29, in Lyons featuring farmers and ranchers from across the state selling homegrown beef, pork, poultry, eggs, honey, jams, jellies and more.“We’re excited to return to the... Read More.

Go Orange for National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 17-21

Wednesday, April 19

TOPEKA, Kan. - Buildings and other locations across Kansas will be lit up in orange lights to help raise awareness of work zone safety for the week of April 17-21.Numerous KDOT buildings across the state will be lit in orange in honor of National... Read More.

Kansas Governor Announces New State Park, other Laws on Insurance, Fishing Permits and Donations

Wednesday, April 19

By Rachel Mipro, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA< Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a bill establishing Lehigh Portland Trails as a state park, adding the Allen County nature area to the list of 27 other state parks.The park is built on the site of... Read More.