hcj

Top 5 Kansas news stories

November 6 2025

Greg Loving

06 Nov 2025 • 5 min read

Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos. (City of Coldwater)

Coldwater Mayor Charged With Voter Fraud Day After Reelection

State Officials Expect Hundreds More Voter Fraud Cases Using Federal Database

GOP Leaders Delay But Don't Drop Redistricting Plans Targeting Democrat

Kansas Ranks Middle of Pack in State Tax Competitiveness

Mild Weather Continues Before Weekend Cold Front Arrives

Coldwater Mayor Charged With Voter Fraud Day After Reelection

Coldwater Mayor Jose "Joe" Ceballos faces criminal charges for three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Wednesday, one day after Ceballos won reelection. Kobach said Ceballos is not a U.S. citizen but rather a legal permanent resident and citizen of Mexico, making him ineligible to vote or hold office. If convicted, Ceballos could face up to 68 months in prison and fines up to $200,000.

KSN

State Officials Expect Hundreds More Voter Fraud Cases Using Federal Database

Kansas officials announced they are using a federal citizenship database to identify potentially ineligible voters on state rolls, with Attorney General Kris Kobach and Secretary of State Scott Schwab saying they expect to find hundreds of cases. The state is now using the federal SAVE database to verify voter registration information, joining 26 other states in the effort, though officials emphasized the Coldwater mayor case was not discovered through this system. Secretary of State Schwab, previously skeptical of widespread voter fraud claims, said he now believes the issue requires attention after reviewing database results. Kobach, who has long advocated for stricter voting regulations including proof of citizenship requirements, said even a small number of ineligible voters among Kansas's 2 million registered voters matters and warrants prosecution.

Kansas Reflector

GOP Leaders Delay But Don't Drop Redistricting Plans Targeting Democrat

Kansas Republican legislative leaders abandoned plans for a special session to redraw congressional maps this week but vowed to make redistricting a top priority when lawmakers reconvene in January. House Speaker Dan Hawkins failed to gather enough signatures in his chamber to call the special session planned for Friday, though Senate President Ty Masterson had secured the necessary two-thirds support in his chamber. The GOP effort aims to redraw U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids' Johnson County district to favor Republicans, eliminating the state's only Democratic congressional seat through gerrymandering. The delayed redistricting push is part of a national mid-decade redistricting wave, with Republican efforts underway in Kansas, Nebraska, Florida and Indiana, while Democrats pursue similar strategies in California, Illinois, Maryland and Virginia. Masterson expressed high confidence in advancing other Republican priorities on gender identity and public assistance when the 2026 legislative session begins Jan. 12, though details on property tax relief and redistricting maps remain unclear.

CJOnline / Kansas Reflector

Kansas Ranks Middle of Pack in State Tax Competitiveness

Kansas ranked 23rd among states in the Tax Foundation's annual state tax competitiveness index released Nov. 3, placing the state near the middle nationally. The Tax Foundation said Kansas has a "fairly standard tax code" with few features making it distinctly competitive or uncompetitive across five categories including individual income taxes, corporate taxes, sales and excise taxes, property and wealth taxes, and unemployment insurance taxes.

Tax Foundation

Mild Weather Continues Before Weekend Cold Front Arrives

Kansas will see pleasant weather through Friday with highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s under mostly sunny skies before a strong cold front arrives this weekend bringing no precipitation but sharply colder temperatures. Saturday's highs in the 60s will plummet to the lower 40s Sunday, with Monday morning temperatures dropping into the 20s and wind chills making it feel like 15 to 20 degrees. The cool-down will be brief, however, with temperatures rebounding to the 60s by Veterans Day and near 70 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.

KWCH

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