Dylan Lysen
Social Services and Criminal Justice Reporter, Kansas News ServiceAs the Kansas social services and criminal justice reporter, I want to inform our audience about how the state government wants to help its residents and keep their communities safe. Sometimes that means I follow developments in the Legislature and explain how lawmakers alter laws and services of the state government. Other times, it means questioning the effectiveness of state programs and law enforcement methods. And most importantly, it includes making sure the voices of everyday Kansans are heard. You can reach me at dlysen@kcur.org, 816-235-8027 or on Threads, @DylanLysen.
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Kyle Flack was sentenced to death in 2016 after he was convicted of killing three adults and a child. He had argued police violated his right to remain silent during interrogations.
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Gov. Laura Kelly’s likely doomed push for Medicaid expansion is aimed at setting the table before this fall’s election. But Republican leaders want to focus on other ideas, like cutting taxes.
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Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said the state will listen to residents and lawmakers opposing the new design and try again.
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Nearly one-third of Kansas election officials have left since 2020 amid harassment and criticism fueled by unsubstantiated voting fraud claims. The continued scrutiny may cause additional stress in 2024.
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A new survey finds more than two-thirds of Kansans support legalizing recreational marijuana, but Republicans in the Kansas Senate keep blocking legislation to allow cannabis for even medical uses
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That would bump most lawmakers up to $43,000 a year. Supporters say the pay increase will help regular Kansans run for office without making a financial sacrifice.
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Republicans want to cap property value increases each year, while Democrats want to shift the tax burden away from residential homeowners to businesses and farms. But a tax expert argues both may be too wide-reaching
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A Republican lawmaker sparked ethics concerns after he threatened to cut at least a million dollars from the agency if it bans deer baiting. And he said another lawmaker that owns a hunting lodge would help him.
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Thousands of retired public employees in Kansas have never seen an increase to their pension pay, and inflation is eating away the value of those payments. Advocates argue the Legislature owes them a boost.
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Fewer Kansas farmers are signing up to grow hemp each year, likely because of the diminishing demand for CBD oil. But hemp advocates say there are markets for hemp fiber and grains that could still be a boon for Kansas.