Kansas Projected to Run Deficits Through 2028

Former Coldwater Mayor Pleads Guilty in Noncitizen Voting Case

Ford County Firefighter Dies on Duty

Ex-Jayhawk Lokedi Wins Second Straight Boston Marathon

Kansas Experts Warn of Early, Active Tick Season

Kansas Projected to Run Deficits Through 2028

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas will run a deficit every year through 2028, according to updated Consensus Revenue Estimates released Monday that show income tax collections falling below previous predictions. The new estimates lower revenue collections by $127.4 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, with the state now expected to spend $702.7 million more than it collects this year, $407.6 million more next year and $427 million more in 2028 — drawing down the state's $2 billion surplus fund. The decline is driven largely by falling income tax receipts, partially offset by better-than-expected interest earned on idle funds. Gov. Laura Kelly criticized GOP leadership for ending the session before the estimates were released, arguing lawmakers rejected a 2.5% pay raise for state employees while approving a 4% raise for themselves and a 10% raise for their own staff. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican running for state insurance commissioner, pushed back and said the Legislature's work points toward long-term fiscal sustainability. Economists cited risks including the Iran military conflict, market volatility and inflation, but described the Kansas economy as "resilient and largely stable," noting Boeing's reacquisition of Spirit AeroSystems and Panasonic's planned expansion at its De Soto battery plant as positives.

New revenue estimates project state deficits every year through 2028

Updated fiscal forecasts show Kansas spending hundreds of millions more than it collects for years to come

citizen journalGreg Loving

Former Coldwater Mayor Pleads Guilty in Noncitizen Voting Case

COLDWATER, Kan. — Former Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos pleaded guilty Monday to three misdemeanor counts of disorderly election conduct, resolving a state case that drew national attention after he was charged last November with voting illegally as a noncitizen. Ceballos, 55, was born in Mexico and holds a green card; he resigned as mayor after the felony charges were filed and said he had voted in past elections without realizing his legal status prohibited it. According to Ceballos, federal officials learned of his voting only because he disclosed it himself on an application for U.S. citizenship. Under the plea agreement, Ceballos received a $2,000 fine and a suspended six-month jail sentence, avoiding the years in prison he could have faced on the original felony charges. The hearing lasted about five minutes, and District Judge Sidney R. Thomas approved the deal without objection from the Kansas attorney general's office.

Residents of the small southwest Kansas town rallied to Ceballos's defense after the charges were filed, putting up bright yellow yard signs reading "Please Support Joe Ceballos" and filling the local newspaper with letters attesting to his civic work, which included installing American flags on Main Street and organizing a downtown Christmas tree. A standing-room-only crowd packed the courthouse Monday, and applause broke out when Thomas approved the deal. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the case illustrates the consequences of lacking citizenship verification for voters, and said his office has no role in any immigration or deportation proceedings. The Trump administration previously pledged to pursue deportation if Ceballos was convicted; his attorney said a federal investigation remains a possibility. Ceballos said he still hopes to eventually become a U.S. citizen and potentially run for mayor again.

New York Times

Ford County Firefighter Dies on Duty

FORD COUNTY, Kan. — Ford County Fire and EMS Firefighter/Paramedic William Cory "Liam" Price died Sunday after suffering a medical emergency while on duty, the department announced on social media. Price had served with the department since September 2018. Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Davis asked the community to keep Price's family, friends and colleagues in their thoughts. Authorities released no additional details about the circumstances of the medical emergency.

Hays Post

Ex-Jayhawk Lokedi Wins Second Straight Boston Marathon

BOSTON — Former University of Kansas runner Sharon Lokedi won her second consecutive Boston Marathon on Monday, finishing in 2:18:51 and capturing her third World Marathon Majors title. Lokedi, a Kenya native, set the Boston course record last year at 2:17:22 and won the New York City Marathon in 2022. She competed for the Jayhawks from 2015 to 2019 in cross country and track and field, and holds five KU records in distance running. During her Kansas career, Lokedi won 12 Big 12 championships and earned First Team All-American honors 10 times across cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. She also earned All-Big 12 First Team cross country recognition in 2015, 2017 and 2018, and All-Midwest Region honors from 2015 through 2018.

KWCH

Kansas Experts Warn of Early, Active Tick Season

WICHITA, Kan. — Kansas health and extension officials are warning residents that ticks have emerged in large numbers this spring, with experts attributing the early activity to warmer-than-average weather. Cassandra Olds of Kansas State University said tick season has been starting earlier each year as spring arrives sooner. Experts recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and insect repellent containing DEET when entering grassy or wooded areas. Kansas has four common tick species, including the lone star tick, whose bite can trigger alpha-gal syndrome — an allergy to red meat. Pet owners are advised to use tick-prevention medications in addition to regularly checking their animals. Ticks are typically active in Kansas from March through November.

KWCH

Sources

1. New York Times
2. Hays Post
3. KWCH
4. KWCH

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