By Anna Kaminski | reporter
Good morning, and happy Friday.
The Kansas Department of Labor mistakenly overpaid more than 8,500 people in unemployment insurance claims, some of which date back to the COVID-19 shutdown. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith reported they collectively owe more than $67.4 million.
We also have a story on the fallout from this year’s legislative infighting, which has trickled down to county-level tax proposals, and it appears no one got what they wanted. Plus, Kansas high schoolers won’t be required to pass an American citizenship test to graduate after Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill on Thursday, and a Kansas State University program is seeking to address a nationwide shortage of veterinarians.
Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector
Kansas sends letters telling people to repay $67.4M in unemployment benefits dating to the pandemic
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Labor is notifying more than 8,500 individuals that they collectively were overpaid $67.4 million for unemployment insurance and must repay the funds.
Nearly half owe more than $5,000 and could face liens or garnished wages if they don’t respond. Some of the overpayments were issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amy Selm, deputy labor secretary, and Nicole Struckhoff, deputy unemployment director, told reporters 2,700 of the cases involve suspected fraud.
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Collateral damage from Kansas Legislature’s property tax feud kills six county sales tax requests
TOPEKA — Leavenworth County Sheriff Andy Dedeke and Labette County Commissioner Terry Weidert were reassured the Kansas Legislature would grant permission to place on countywide ballots proposals raising sales tax rates.
At the start of the 2026 legislative session in January, Dedeke explained during a Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee hearing a plan to ask Leavenworth County voters to consider a one-fourth cent sales tax increase to generate revenue for Leavenworth County’s emergency communications system. Weidert shared with senators the idea of funding the Parsons Fire Department and nine volunteer departments in Labette County through a one-eighth cent sales tax hike.
“I’m just going to say, ‘Support the bill,’ ” the sheriff said.
Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector
Kansas ag leaders weigh solutions for veterinarian shortages that affect rural communities
TOPEKA — Kansas and the nation face a veterinarian shortage, and state agriculture experts are collaborating to draw more vets to practice in rural areas.
Kansas State University officials are supporting programs that introduce veterinary students to rural lifestyles and gathering data to understand where shortages exist, said Brad White, director of K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute and director of the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas.
Kansas governor nixes bill requiring high schoolers to pass citizenship test
TOPEKA — Kansas legislators were unsuccessful in their attempt to mandate high school students pass an American citizenship test to graduate.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill on Thursday that also would have required students to receive instruction on communist, fascist and socialist regimes.
Storage is key to a strong healthy energy future. Wyandotte County deserves responsible investment.
OPINION
By Dorothy Barnett and Ty Gorman
Kansas communities are showing up for commonsense energy storage solutions. So why are local leaders rejecting them?
How Trump’s order on mail ballots threatens Postal Service independence
President Donald Trump’s executive order on mail voting would shatter decades of U.S. Postal Service independence intended to shield it from partisan politics, postal experts and attorneys say.
Postal experts said Trump ordering the postmaster general to take any action — let alone on a matter as sensitive as elections — violates guardrails in federal law against presidential control of the mail.
US Justice Department downgrades risk of state-licensed medicinal marijuana
Medicinal marijuana products that are legal at the state level will see looser federal regulation under an order the U.S. Department of Justice published Thursday, while a process that could remove the drug in all forms from the federal list of the most dangerous drugs is set to begin in late June
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
11 a.m. April 25, West Wyandotte Public Library in Kansas City, Kansas. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone joins a panel discussion on the constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices.
7 p.m. May 11, Books & Brews, Riverbank Brewing in Council Grove. Hosts: Flint Hills Books and Riverbank Brewing.
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?"
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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