Laura Kelly

A major tax incentives package approved Monday by Kansas lawmakers will help the Chiefs build a new $3 billion domed stadium.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is about to begin her final year in office. She joined KCUR's Up To Date to talk about her policy priorities heading into the 2026 legislative session in Topeka, as well as the prospects for Democrats in next year's midterm elections.

Kris Kobach, the Republican attorney general, says that several Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents have been trained to make arrests in collaboration with federal immigration authorities. He talked about the state's recent law enforcement initiatives, plus his clashes over legal authority with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, in an interview with KCUR's Up To Date.

Kelly, a Democrat, said that she has repeatedly asked the Republican attorney general to sue on behalf of Kansas but he has refused. Meanwhile, Kris Kobach argues that he is in charge of the state's prosecution or defense.

As November looms, states are trying to sort what options they can offer beneficiaries to fill the gap in food assistance. Kansas' Democratic governor is suing the USDA for refusing to fund SNAP during the shutdown, while Missouri is telling recipients to stretch their benefits.

Democrats and Republicans have different proposals to keep feeding hundreds of thousands of Kansans. Food banks are preparing for an influx of demand.

More than two dozen Democratic-led states, including Kansas, are suing the Agriculture Department after the Trump administration said it would not use emergency funds to pay SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

Politico exposed racist and homophobic messages sent by leaders of the Kansas Young Republicans. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said the state GOP modeled similar behavior in its own social media posts.

Kansas has been trying to sway the region’s NFL and MLB teams to cross the border. Lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri have lobbed tax incentives and construction fund packages at the teams.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants states to provide personal information about SNAP applicants dating back to 2020. But Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is refusing, despite the threat of losing millions in federal funding and a lawsuit from state Attorney General Kris Kobach.

The federal government is trying to withhold funds from the state. But there is a way Kansas can keep the money.

President Trump wants Kansas to shift its congressional boundaries to help elect another Republican from the state.