Tyson Foods to invest $320M in new chicken plant in Kansas

Tyson Foods Inc. will invest $320 million in a new chicken-processing plant in northeastern Kansas employing 1,600 people so that it can keep up with a growing consumer demand for fresh poultry, the company and state officials announced Tuesday. The Smithfield, Arkansas-based meat-producer unveiled its plans during a news conference in Tonganoxie with Gov. Sam Brownback and other state and local officials.

Politicians denounce Gov. Brownback at Working Kansas Alliance’s Labor Day picnic

Paul Davis, a Democrat who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas' 2nd district, said Labor Day is a celebration of the American worker and the labor movement. Kansas House Minority Leader Jim Ward, who is running for governor, recognized the labor movement's contributions to securing the 40-hour week, workplace safety laws and overtime pay.

Words matter when coupled with thoughtful deliberation

Words, the stock in trade of politics and public policy, express value with as much volatility and meaning as any commodity, stock or bond. Words can be used subtly in ways that let us find meanings in the deeds and thoughts of people across time from many cultures and environments.

Kansas Democrat shares ideas after spurning run for governor

Democratic state Rep. Cindy Holscher campaigned and voted for a dramatic shift in Kansas tax and budget priorities during the 2017 legislative session. The Johnson County representative embraced repeal of an income tax exemption to owners of 330,000 businesses and endorsed an increase in the state's personal income tax to close a budget deficit.

5 faith facts about Sam Brownback: Political champion of religious freedom

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, President Trump's nominee for international religious freedom ambassador, describes religious freedom as "the choice of what you do with your own soul." If confirmed, the 60-year-old, two-term Republican governor, former U.S. senator and onetime presidential candidate would be the first politician confirmed as the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Kansas Gov. Brownback nominated as Trump’s religious ambassador

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback will be nominated as President Donald Trump 's ambassador at large for international religious freedom, the White House announced. Brownback, 60, became Kansas' governor six years ago after serving in the U.S. Senate from 1996-2011 and the House for one term.

Union: Kansas prison forcing officers to work 16-hour shifts

This March 23, 2011, photo shows the El Dorado Correctional Facility near El Dorado, Kan. A union representing state employees disclosed Friday, July 21, 2017, it filed a grievance earlier this month with Kansas' top corrections officials alleging that officers at the maximum-security prison are being forced to work 16-hour shifts.

Kansas faces skeptical state Supreme Court on school funding

Attorneys for Kansas will try to convince an often skeptical state Supreme Court on Tuesday that the funding increase legislators approved for public schools this year is enough to provide a suitable education for kids statewide. The high court is hearing arguments about a new law that phases in a $293 million increase in education funding over two years.

State legislation closes pool’s water slide

The closing of Chanute's water slide was because of state legislation that stemmed from a fatal accident in Kansas City last year. Chanute Parks Director Todd Newman told the Parks Advisory Board at its monthly meeting Thursday evening that the local water slide closed Saturday, along with all others more than 15 feet high in the state.

Insurance commissioner, possible gubernatorial candidate advises responsible spending

Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer says he would advocate for increasing efficiency and reducing spending as he weighs a run for Kansas governor, a month after lawmakers overrode GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's veto to raise taxes. Selzer, a Leawood Republican and certified public accountant, first told the Kansas City Star he was weighing a gubernatorial run, but he said he hasn't decided whether he'll pursue the nomination.

Kansas tax hike hailed as fix doesn’t quite balance budget

The big income tax increase Kansas legislators enacted over Gov. Sam Brownback's veto won't balance the budget by itself, despite immediately boosting the state's credit outlook. Even though the reversal of most of Brownback's income tax cuts will inject $1.2 billion in new revenue through June 2019, lawmakers will have to continue relying on some of the same fiscal patches they've employed in recent years to keep the books balanced as state law requires.