Kelly Lets Nursing Educator Standards Bill Become Law Without Signature

Kansas Bans Cell Phones in School, Construction Zones

Nebius Data Center Dominates Independence Mayoral Race

Wichita Schools Weigh New Bond After Voters Rejected $450M Plan

Kansas Farmers Squeezed as Iran War Drives Up Input Costs

Kelly Lets Nursing Educator Standards Bill Become Law Without Signature

TOPEKA, Kan. — Senate Bill 334, which lowers educational requirements for nursing educators in Kansas, will become law without Gov. Laura Kelly's signature. The bill was drafted to address critical workforce shortages in nursing by expanding the pool of eligible educators. Kelly acknowledged the urgent need to staff nursing programs but declined to sign the legislation, citing concerns that relaxed standards could compromise patient care. The governor argued that nurses are on the front lines of everything from preventive care to emergency trauma response, and that the state has a responsibility to ensure they receive the highest quality education possible. Kelly said she was concerned the lowered requirements would leave prospective nurses unprepared.

Nursing educator standards lowered as Kelly lets bill pass without signature

Senate Bill 334 becomes law despite governor’s concerns over academic rigor and training quality

citizen journalGreg Loving

Kansas Bans Cell Phones in School, Construction Zones

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation prohibiting drivers from using cell phones in school and construction zones. House Substitute for Senate Bill 366 will initially rely on warning citations to educate the public before $60 fines take effect July 1, 2027. Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Overland Park, said the measure is a commonsense step to curb distracted driving, which contributes to too many crashes and fatalities in the state. Rep. Shannon Francis, R-Liberal, called for building a culture of safety among Kansas drivers, noting that distracted driving remains one of the most significant preventable causes of traffic fatalities. The legislation also authorizes specific lighting for vehicles and trailers operating in highway construction and maintenance zones. Kelly signed several other bipartisan measures the same day, including House Bill 2519, which extends Kansas Open Records Act exceptions, and Senate Bill 55, which provides protections against property and casualty insurance contractors.

New law bans cell phone use while driving in school, construction zones

Bipartisan legislation will impose $60 fines for distracted driving beginning in 2027

citizen journalGreg Loving

Nebius Data Center Dominates Independence Mayoral Race

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Voters head to the polls Monday in Independence to choose between Councilwoman Dr. Bridget McCandless and former Roofers Local 20 Business Manager Kevin King in a mayoral race dominated by the controversial Nebius AI data center. The Independence City Council approved billions in tax breaks for the Dutch AI firm's proposed 400-acre campus on March 2, sparking fierce opposition from residents who gathered more than 100,000 members in a Facebook group opposing the project. A judge ruled that residents could not force a public referendum on the incentives, and both mayoral candidates support the project but disagree on how to allocate an estimated $50 million in new tax revenue over five years. McCandless, who voted for the incentive package, has said the money should address a range of needs including roads, parks and restoring bus service, while King has argued public safety staffing shortages must come first. The planned campus near Missouri 78 and Little Blue Parkway would be about 2.1 million square feet with energy capacity up to 1.2 gigawatts.

Axios KC · KCUR · KSHB

Wichita Schools Weigh New Bond After Voters Rejected $450M Plan

WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita Public Schools is considering a new bond proposal for the November ballot, about a year after voters narrowly rejected a $450 million bond. District leaders plan to share information at Monday's Board of Education meeting, pointing to school buildings that average more than 60 years old and aging infrastructure that cannot be addressed through existing capital funds. District communications supervisor Susan Arensman said the buildings have crucial needs involving major projects. The district is hosting seven community sessions throughout April to gather feedback and discuss potential improvement projects. Officials have not yet formally introduced the bond proposal to the Board of Education and anticipate bringing a formal recommendation at the June 1 meeting.

KWCH

Kansas Farmers Squeezed as Iran War Drives Up Input Costs

WICHITA, Kan. — Kansas farmers are facing soaring input costs as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global supply chains heading into spring planting season. Fertilizer, fuel and labor costs have all climbed sharply, with Sumner County farmer Robert White reporting that the price of urea fertilizer on his operation jumped from $370 a ton to $850 a ton within days of the conflict's escalation. The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, choking a major shipping lane and driving up global prices on fertilizer and oil despite President Trump's threats on Truth Social demanding Iran reopen the strait within 48 hours. White said farming runs on narrow margins under normal conditions, and tripling or quadrupling key input costs will test which operations can survive. He expressed particular concern for younger farmers, including his sons, who lack the working capital to absorb the shock.

KWCH

Sources

1. Axios KC / KCUR / KSHB
2. KWCH
3. KWCH

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