Top 5 Kansas news stories
March 30 2026
Kansas Lawmakers Pass Property Tax Protest Petition Bill
Legislature Overrides Two Kelly Vetoes
Trump Pledges Farm Aid Amid Tariff, War Pressures
Royals Host Twins in 2026 Home Opener Monday
Central Kansas Faces Sharp Weather Swing This Week
Kansas Lawmakers Pass Property Tax Protest Petition Bill
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas voters could soon gain the power to force cuts to local government spending under a property tax reform bill passed by lawmakers Friday on the final day of the regular legislative session. The legislation establishes a direct mechanism for residents to challenge local budgets that call for spending more than the previous year, requiring local leaders to cut spending to the prior year's level if at least 10% of registered voters in a taxing jurisdiction sign a protest petition. However, the centerpiece reform lawmakers have promised for two years — a constitutional amendment to cap year-over-year property valuation increases to single digits — failed to advance, with legislative leaders vowing to try again during the veto session in two weeks. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican running for insurance commissioner, called the protest petition bill a major step toward reining in local spending and giving taxpayers a direct path to push back on property tax increases. The bill now heads to Gov. Laura Kelly, who could sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature. The legislation passed the Senate 22-18 and the House 63-59, falling short of a veto-proof majority in both chambers, and no House Democrats voted for it.
Greg Loving
Legislature Overrides Two Kelly Vetoes
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature on Friday overrode two vetoes by Gov. Laura Kelly, enacting laws that provide income tax deductions for residents enrolled in health care sharing ministries and extend protections to crisis pregnancy centers. The House voted 87-37 and the Senate 30-9, mostly along party lines, to overturn Kelly's rejection of Senate Bill 368, which treats ministry contributions similarly to traditional insurance premiums. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, celebrated the overrides by ringing a bell outside the House chamber, a gesture that drew immediate frustration from Democratic lawmakers. The crisis pregnancy center bill extends legal protections to centers that provide alternatives to abortion and allows them to receive state grants, with supporters arguing the measure levels the playing field for faith-based organizations. Critics, including Kelly and Democratic lawmakers, contended the legislation directs taxpayer money to centers that provide misleading or incomplete medical information. When Kelly vetoed the health sharing ministry measure Thursday, she warned that such ministries are unregulated and can leave people with large medical bills, and Citizen Journal reported March 27 that she also expressed concern the bill limits the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's ability to investigate or penalize health entities operating outside established guidelines.
Greg Loving
Trump Pledges Farm Aid Amid Tariff, War Pressures
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday announced expanded small-business loan guarantees for farmers, casting himself as a champion of American agriculture amid the strain of tariffs and rising costs from the war in Iran. Speaking before hundreds of farmers at the White House — with a giant, golden tractor parked in the driveway — Trump declared the expansion would drive down grocery costs. He also said he was urging major tractor manufacturers, including John Deere and Caterpillar, to produce cheaper equipment and vowed his administration would cut regulatory mandates on farm and trucking machinery. The announcement comes as American agriculture faces a squeeze from both the administration's trade policies and the economic ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
New York Times
Royals Host Twins in 2026 Home Opener Monday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals return to Kauffman Stadium on Monday afternoon to host the Minnesota Twins in the 2026 home opener, with first pitch set for 3:10 p.m. and pregame ceremonies beginning around 2:30 p.m. Parking lots open at 9 a.m. and stadium gates at noon, with fans encouraged to arrive early. Opening Day festivities include team introductions, the national anthem performed by CitiLimitz and a flyover from Whiteman Air Force Base A-10 aircraft. Left-hander Kris Bubic is scheduled to start for Kansas City against Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. The Royals enter the home opener at 1-2 after dropping their opening series in Atlanta.
KMBC
Central Kansas Faces Sharp Weather Swing This Week
WICHITA, Kan. — Central Kansas will see a sharp weather swing this week as today's highs near 90 degrees give way to cooler temperatures and increasing storm chances by Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Wichita. Monday's forecast calls for highs in the upper 80s across the region, with 87 degrees in both Hutchinson and Wichita, along with windy conditions and elevated fire danger in western areas. Tuesday's temperatures will drop roughly 10 degrees, with Hutchinson falling to 79 and Salina to 77, before isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms move in Tuesday evening and overnight. Storm chances range from 25% in Great Bend to 40% in Hutchinson and 51% in Wichita, with small hail, gusty winds and locally heavy rain possible.
National Weather Service
Sources
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