By Clay Wirestone | opinion editor
Good morning! Today’s newsletter contains so much content I can barely recollect it all. Trials! Judgments! Running mates! Old filing systems! You get the idea, I suppose. I could tell you all about it now, or you could just scroll down. Let’s try that.
Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector
Federal jury clears KBI director of wrongdoing in ouster of former bureau administrator
TOPEKA — A federal court jury concluded a four-day trial Thursday by declaring Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi did nothing procedurally wrong by driving out the law enforcement agency’s associate director over accustrations of contributing to a toxic work environment.
The jury unanimously sided with Mattivi in a lawsuit filed by former Associate Director David Hutchings, who claimed the director unilaterally dismissed him from the KBI in violation of his constitutional right to due process. Hutchings argued Mattivi possessed authority to remove him from the administrative job for any reason, but was required by state law to demote him to a KBI special agent job before dismissal proceedings through the civil service system.
Mattivi defense lawyer Tom Lemon convinced the jury Hutchings voluntarily resigned from the KBI after a one-on-one meeting with Mattivi in June 2023.
Lemon concluded Hutchings was initially motivated to exit the KBI because a quiet departure would allow him to avoid an embarrassing personnel fight likely to reveal allegedly unethical or illegal acts. However, Lemon said Hutchings reversed his decision to resign after consulting with an attorney and in anticipation of landing a payout of $335,000 or more.
Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector
Judge halts Kansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors, questions credibility of state witnesses
TOPEKA — A Kansas judge blocked the state from enforcing portions of a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, allowing transgender kids in Kansas to undergo hormone therapy and use puberty blockers.
In a 117-page Friday ruling, Douglas County District Court Judge Carl Folsom said provisions of Senate Bill 63, dubbed the Help Not Harm Act,” likely violate the Kansas Constitution. He also disputed the credibility of most of the state’s expert witnesses, who testified before the court in November.
Tim Carpenter / Kansas Reflector
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ethan Corson joins forces with Salina business director
TOPEKA — Johnson County Sen. Ethan Corson’s Democratic campaign for governor turned Wednesday to a running mate with central and western Kansas roots and experience promoting economic and workforce development.
Kansas secretary of state moves 60-year-old system from paper to online
TOPEKA — Secretary of State Scott Schwab held up a stack of lottery regulation documents stained with a ring of coffee.
United Kansas Party nominates Lawrence’s Scott Morgan in secretary of state’s race
TOPEKA — The newly formed United Kansas Party nominated Lawrence resident Scott Morgan to mount a campaign for Kansas secretary of state.
When a president settles his own lawsuit to create a fund for allies, fundamental questions arise
OPINION
By Austin Sarat
Thomas Hobbes took a very dim view of rebels and insurrectionists. He believed that insurrectionists relinquish their status as citizens the moment they seek to overthrow the government and should never be rewarded for doing so.
Protesters at the US Capitol rally for voting rights after Supreme Court ruling
WASHINGTON — About 100 rallygoers gathered on Capitol Hill Wednesday to hear from activists and members of Congress protesting the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down federal protections for the voting power of minorities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
6:30 p.m. June 12, Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone will join a panel discussion: "From the Desk of William Allen White: What Can Journalism Today Learn from the Sage of Emporia?"
5:30 p.m. June 16, Bradbury Alumni Center at Washburn University in Topeka. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
6 p.m. June 24, Groover Labs in Wichita. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
6 p.m. June 25, Clint Bowyer Community Building in Emporia. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
7 p.m. June 27, Park City Senior Center. Host: Park City Community Pride.
2 p.m. Sept. 27, Red Rocks Visitor Center in Emporia. Host: Red Rocks.
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].
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