TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will remain among the handful of states that haven’t legalized the medical use of marijuana or expanded their Medicaid programs for at least another year. Republican state senators on Friday blocked efforts to force debates on both issues before the GOP-controlled Legislature’s scheduled adjournment for the year Tuesday. Supporters of each measure fell short of the 24 of 40 votes required to pull a bill on each subject out of committee. Backers of both proposals argue that they have popular support yet have been thwarted going on a decade in each case. Kans ..read more

Pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses are getting very different responses from elected officials in red and blue states.   Texas is seeing pushback after immediately responding to a peaceful demonstration with arrests, and Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has threatened expulsion for students who engage in unsanctioned activism, while New York has made clear the National Guard will not be called in as authorities negotiate with the flagship Columbia University encampment.   “In general, officials are dispersing these camps before they can form more forcefully in re ..read more

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A sweeping tax plan vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly is getting a second chance after Legislators voted to override the veto decision Friday. Kansas representatives voted to override Kelly's veto at 104 to 15 on April 26. The tax package, Substitute for House Bill 2036, now moves to the Senate for a final vote. It was initially passed by the Senate at 24-9, which isn't enough to override the veto if the senators keep their votes the same. “Kansans need tax relief and revenue estimates tell us it’s time to make that happen. With this significant, bipartisan vote of 104 to 15 to o ..read more

INDEPENDENCE (KSNT) - Former Kansas Attorney General and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt is making a run for Kansas' Second Congressional District. Schmidt's announcement on Friday comes after Republican Congressman Jake LaTurner announced that he wouldn't be seeking re-election last week. “My family and I are grateful for the many friends and neighbors who have reached out to let us know they believe we have more to offer Kansas,” said Schmidt, a fifth-generation Kansan. “I feel a calling to serve, so I am excited to announce that I am running. I strongly believe that America ..read more

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Donald Trump's presidential immunity case. The former president claims he cannot be criminally prosecuted for his actions leading up to and on January 6th because he was acting in an official capacity. Ultimately the outcome of this case could play a major role in the upcoming election just months away. It's a reality not lost on the justices. Justice Neil Gorsuch at one point said the court is now writing a rule for the ages that would impact not just this presidency but presidents down the road. Attorneys representing Trump ar ..read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KSNT) - With the recent passage of a massive foreign aid bill for Ukraine and other U.S. allies, how did Kansas' representatives and senators vote on the spending bill? Kansas representatives and senators were divided on the disbursement of billions in foreign aid to Ukraine during votes on the issue earlier this month. Their choices can be found below: Kansas Representatives Sharice Davids (D) - Yes Ron Estes (R) - No Tracey Mann (R) - No Jake LaTurner (R) - Yes Kansas Senators Roger Marshall (R) - No Jerry Moran (R) - Yes Kansas cold case investigation into dead, mi ..read more

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) blasted conservative commentator Tucker Carlson on Tuesday for playing a leading role in demonizing the idea of sending military aid to Ukraine, saying the former Fox News host wound up “where he should have been all along” when he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a megaphone during a fawning interview earlier this year. “I think the demonization of Ukraine began by Tucker Carlson, who in my opinion ended up where he should have been all along, which was interviewing Vladimir Putin,” McConnell said, referring to Carlson’s two-hour interview w ..read more

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A newly released report shows Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is ranked as one of the most popular governors in the nation. Business intelligence company Morning Consult says Kelly is in the top ten list for most popular governors across the U.S. following the release of a new report in April 2024. She takes the number eight spot in the overall rankings with a 62% approval rating against 30% who disapprove of her performance: Phil Scott (R-VT) Mark Gordon (R-WY) Chris Sununu (R-NH) Andy Beshear (D-KY) Kay Ivey (R-AL) Kristi Noem (R-SD) Brian Kemp (R-GA) Laura Kelly (D-KS) Ned Lamo ..read more

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The clock is ticking for Governor Laura Kelly. She has just a few more days to make a decision on a number of bills sitting on her desk. That includes a mega tax package, which would change how much Kansans pay on income taxes, property tax, social security, and more. Statehouse reporter for the Kansas Reflector Rachel Mipro, state and local government professor Bill Fiander, and political science professor and commentator Amber Dickinson joined 27 News Capitol Bureau Chief Rebekah Chung to break everything down ..read more

(NEXSTAR) – A criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is currently underway in New York City courtroom, with prosecutors and Trump’s defense giving their opening arguments Monday. Jury selection had taken just four days last week, though the trial itself could last months. The trial concerns allegations that Trump had falsified business records related to a $130,000 payment made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who said Trump was reimbursing him for a hush-money payment made to adult film actress known as Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleges she ..read more