Latest news with #DanHawkins
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
4 The People: Kansas stadium discussions; downtown security plans
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers will likely be going back to Jefferson City for a special session in less than a month to try to keep the Chiefs and the Royals in their state in the next decade. Kansas Republican Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins joins us to tell us what leaders in his state are trying to do to take one or both teams. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri The agreement that the Kansas Legislature passed in June of 2024 ends June 30, 2025. The language of the bill passed says that , but Hawkins says at least at this time, they don't plan on extending it. Business owners and residents in downtown Kansas City, Missouri have spoken out about crime in the last month. Downtown Council Vice President Sean O'Byrne joins us to explain how they're trying to . O'Byrne confirmed that his entity wants three armed security guards to roam Grand from 6th Street on the north to 14th Street on the south from 2 p.m. to midnight. He's also in support of a modular jail the city could build in about six months. FOX4's also following the federal investigation into who were shot and killed after an event at the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night. Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were soon identified as the victims. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Milgrim grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas. She began working for the embassy in 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Metro
25-05-2025
- General
- Metro
I never cried after my near-death crash - then I found a box
I briefly woke up from a coma in the ICU and heard two nurses discussing something about the World Trade Centre and a plane. Then everything went hazy and I passed out again. When I finally woke up, I was told I was at Central Middlesex Hospital and I'd missed one of the biggest moments in recent history – because I almost died. Nine days earlier, on September 2, 2001, I'd put on the first ever gig by British rock band The Darkness at the club night I used to run in Kings Cross. I'd organised it as I knew their guitarist Dan Hawkins – I was simply putting my mate's new band on as a favour. I was driving home to Staines in my 1968 Morris Minor when, at 4:44am, my mate James and I were hit head-on at 99mph by teen joyriders being chased by police. I was in a coma for two weeks. Luckily for us, not only were the police already there, there was a fire station nearby and we were cut out of the car in four minutes. I was told by doctors that if they hadn't been so quick, we would have died. We were literally bleeding to death in a car that resembled a crushed bean can. We were rushed to hospital and both put on life support. We had broken almost every bone and both had serious head injuries. Initially, they thought they might have to amputate my right arm and right leg, but luckily I got to keep both. It's a miracle we survived. In fact, my wife Helen was told to prepare for the worst – but James and I pulled through. We were both in hospital for six months and I had more than 80 hours of operations. The first to save my leg took eight hours. Even The Darkness came in and visited me in hospital but I can't remember it – I wish I could, but I've got huge amounts of amnesia both before and after the crash. I do have a vivid memory of screaming in pain during my first physio though. I don't get any flashbacks. My brain saved me from PTSD by immediately erasing the crash, my rescue, and being in the ICU. My wife and brother went through it, not me. They still have nightmares to this day. I was out of action for a year and was lucky not just to have support from family and friends, but The Musicians' Union too. I was signed to Sony as a solo artist at the time, having created and written the songs for Sophie Ellis-Bextor's band theaudience in 1996. As I was incapable of playing any instruments, I couldn't earn a living and the Musician's Union gave me essential financial support, since it took years for compensation from the accident to come through. But my career took a new turn. Once my injuries had healed enough, a friend of mine, BBC Radio London's Gary Crowley, invited me to go onto his show to talk about the latest music releases. I'd done stuff like that before as a guest on shows and I really enjoyed it. Gary said I was a natural and encouraged me to do a post-grad degree in Broadcast Journalism, which I did in 2004 at the University of Westminster. After that, I got a job producing music programmes at the station. I'm now the station's travel presenter and Brentford FC commentator and I love my job. But I remain a musician at heart. So it was serendipitous that during a clear-out in the Covid lockdowns, my family found The Box – a gruesome keepsake of the night of the crash, containing photos, police statements, and court reports – and asked if I'd like to see it. It was the first time I cried over the whole event. I've still not seen the photos of my beautiful car, crumpled to nothing, and I don't want to – everything else inside the box was bad enough. But among the paperwork, there were two blood-splattered mini-discs that had been in the car. One wouldn't play, but the other was full of demo songs with me singing. I had no idea where I'd recorded or what they were about, bar vaguely being about love and capitalism. Then last year, my old friend Nigel Butler, who's now a top record producer, agreed to work on them. I was chuffed since he's worked with everyone, from One Direction to Aerosmith. He isolated my vocals and turned it into a solo album called 'When Lord God Almighty Reads The News', which is out on green vinyl on June 6, the day before my 60th birthday. I'm in esteemed company. Scottish indie label Last Night From Glasgow, who just released an LP by Peter Capaldi, are putting it out. So far, the singles have had lots of play on BBC 6 Music but it's strange to hear yourself, from the past, singing songs you don't remember writing. People are often filling in the gaps for me before and after the crash, as I don't remember much of 2001 at all. More Trending After all, memory is a shared experience and songwriting is a precious part of that – these songs are almost a time capsule from that year. But I'm so proud of this record. It's proof good things can come out of the worst situations and that you've got to cherish life. View More » These songs and I both survived that crash – I know I'm lucky to be alive. So I absolutely cherish every moment. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I've been prevented from divorcing my abusive estranged husband for 20 years MORE: My cousin sent a text that devastated me – I wish he'd called MORE: This Japanese walking trend can make you live longer — it's a shame it's so annoying
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas House speaker launches campaign for insurance commissioner with pro-Trump rhetoric
Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, announced his run for state insurance commissioner on May 13, 2025, which was followed up with a fundraising event in Downtown Topeka. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Longtime Republican legislator Dan Hawkins declared Tuesday his intention to run for Kansas insurance commissioner in an announcement laced with pro-Trump sentiments. Hawkins, an insurance agent from Wichita, followed the announcement with an event in downtown Topeka attended by fellow legislators, government officials and lobbyists, the early supporters of a nearly two-year campaign. He is the first candidate for insurance commissioner to announce he will seek the office in 2026. 'As I considered my next steps and how I can continue to serve my fellow Kansans, it became clear that my decades of experience helping individuals and small businesses navigate the complexities of the insurance industry could be especially beneficial to people across the state,' he said in a statement. Hawkins, 64, was first elected to the House in 2012, and he has served as House speaker, the chamber's top leadership position, since 2023. During the most recent legislative session, Hawkins led a supermajority of House Republicans who were set on enacting conservative legislation. They successfully overrode a flurry of vetoes by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Hawkins is a husband, father and grandfather. He is a graduate of Emporia State University and a veteran of the Kansas National Guard, and he has been in the insurance business for three decades, specializing in employee benefits. While in public office, Hawkins has been a staunch opponent of Medicaid expansion, the state-level process that would allow low-income adults to be covered under the public insurance program. His campaign for insurance commissioner is rooted in conservative Republican values. The first words that appear on his campaign website are: 'PRO-LIFE. PRO-GUN. PRO-TRUMP.' He characterized the hallmark of his time as House speaker as leading 'the charge to stop Laura Kelly's radically liberal agenda.' Hawkins will seek the GOP nomination in the 2026 primary. His current term as a legislator expires at the end of 2026. The insurance commissioner oversees the Kansas Insurance Department, which regulates insurance companies that operate in the state. Hawkins said creating a 'competitive insurance environment' in Kansas would be his objective if elected. He believes deregulation would increase consumers' options, lower costs and make insurance issues easier to navigate. 'No Kansan should be denied coverage,' he said. 'Just like President Trump has made it his mission to make life miserable for foreign cartels, it will be my job as insurance commissioner to do the same for any insurance company that does not follow the law.' In a statement of substantial interest filed April 22, Hawkins reported that he receives commissions from six insurance companies, ranging from medical to dental to life insurance. He is on the payroll at his own insurance agency, the Hawkins Group, and at Conrade Insurance Group, which is based in Newton. Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is Hawkins' campaign treasurer. 'One only needs to talk with Dan for a few minutes to see his love for our state and its people,' Eisenhower said in a statement. 'The insurance industry can be very complex and confusing and it's important that Kansans have an advocate in the insurance department.' Hawkins' announcement is the latest in a trickle of candidacy declarations. Current Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt hasn't said whether she will seek a third term. She is expected to join a crowded governor's race. Most recently, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, who filled former Gov. Sam Brownback's position in 2018 after Brownback left for a post in the first Trump administration, filed paperwork assigning a treasurer to a gubernatorial campaign but hasn't made a formal announcement. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and conservative podcaster Doug Billings have also declared intentions to run as Republicans. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican, and Lt. Gov. David Toland, a Democrat, also are widely expected to run for governor.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas House speaker first to announce campaign for insurance commissioner
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, announced a campaign to become the Kansas insurance commissioner on May 13. Hawkins was elected to the House in 2013. In 2023, he was elected House speaker by House Republicans. He was previously elected House majority leader. In his announcement, Hawkins said he's prioritized cost-of-living issues in the Kansas Legislature, and lists his accomplishments as abolishing food sales taxes, eliminating income tax on Social Security, eliminating the state's share of property taxes and reducing income taxes. Outside the Legislature, Hawkins has a background in insurance. "As I considered my next steps and how I can continue to serve my fellow Kansans, it became clear that my decades of experience helping individuals and small businesses navigate the complexities of the insurance industry could be especially beneficial to people across the state," Hawkins said in a news release. He said his goals, if elected, include reducing insurance costs by increasing competition, ensuring Kansans aren't wrongly denied coverage and maintaining an easily navigable insurance system. He also lists standing with President Donald Trump as a priority on his website, and praises him in the news release announcing his candidacy. "Just like President Trump has made it his mission to make life miserable for foreign cartels, it will be my job as Insurance Commissioner to do the same for any insurance company that does not follow the law," Hawkins said. Hawkins biography says he "led the charge to stop Laura Kelly's radically liberal agenda" and has overturned vetoes to usher in tax reform, prohibit transgender athletes in girls' sports and ensure election integrity. No other candidate has filed to run for insurance commissioner in the 2026 elections. Current Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, a Republican, was elected to the role in 2018 and reelected in 2022 — when she received the highest percentage of the vote of any statewide candidate. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Dan Hawkins is first candidate to file for insurance commissioner
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas revenue exceeds April projection as individual income tax collections top estimate
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins offered different perspectives on a state tax revenue report for April that showed collections above expectations but below receipts in April 2024. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Revenue from income, sales and an assortment of tobacco, liquor and energy taxes in Kansas exceeded projections in April by 1.3%, but represented a year-to-year decline of $83 million from April 2024, state officials said. The state reported $1.33 billion in total tax collections last month as the Kansas Department of Revenue took in $17.6 million more than anticipated by state fiscal analysts. The monthly total represented a reduction in revenue of 5.9% from April of last year. 'Kansas' current financial health is strong, but we must remain committed to fiscally responsible budgeting to ensure lasting stability in the future,' said Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican expected to seek the GOP nomination for insurance commissioner in 2026, said the latest monthly report indicated the governor's hesitancy to support larger tax cuts was misplaced. In June 2024, Kelly signed a three-year $1.3 billion tax cut bill. 'It's very encouraging to see April revenue numbers come in greater than expected,' Hawkins said. He said the monthly report in April demonstrated Kelly's 'dire predictions were all just an attempt to derail much-needed tax relief.' In the 2025 legislative session, the Republican-led House and Senate passed a bill earmarking future state revenue surpluses to reduction in individual or corporate income tax rates. Lawmakers had promised to focus on property tax reform during the annual session, and did replace a 1.5-mill state property tax levy with revenue from income and sales tax collections. 'I hope in the future the governor will stop with the doom and gloom and join us in looking out for the best interests of Kansas families,' Hawkins said. In April, individual income tax collections were $684 million, which amounted to an unexpected surged of $10 million. That total was 1.5% above the monthly estimate. In April 2024, the state took in $740 million in individual income taxes. That equated to a year-to-year decline of $55 million or 7.5%. Corporate income tax collections in Kansas settled at $316 million last month, the Department of Revenue said. That was $1.3 million or 0.4% greater than projected. However, the tally was below the $338 million received in April 2024 and amounted to a reduction of 6.4% or $21 million from a year ago. The Department of Revenue said state retail sales and compensating use tax receipts for April were $296 million — $5.5 million or 1.9% above the estimate. In April 2024, Kansas took in $1.2 million or 0.4% less in sales and compensating use taxes.
