Latest news with #K.S.A
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Evergy to pay shareholders after favorable earnings report
Video aired Aug. 11, 2024. TOPEKA (KSNT) – Evergy announced that it would be paying shareholders a dividend after it reported a $2.3 million earnings increase. According to Evergy's Q1 2025 Earnings press release, the company had favorable earnings that it attributed to retail rates, transmission revenue, favorable weather and decreased transmission charges in Kansas. As a result, the company will be paying shareholders a $0.667 dividend for every share they owned before the ex-dividend date. Those dividends will be paid to shareholders on June 20, 2025. According to Evergy has increased its shareholder dividend for 20 consecutive years with an average annual increase of 1.97%. In the three months prior to March 31, 2025, Evergy paid $153.6 million in dividends. Deputies working deadly car vs. pedestrian crash in Shawnee Co. Evergy said that the largest factor in its increased earnings per share (EPS) was an increase in retail rates for Evergy Missouri West which covers areas of St. Joseph and Overland Park. The company also listed decreased transmission delivery charges for Evergy Kansas Central, which covers the northeast part of Kansas, as a factor. 'We are reaffirming our 2025 adjusted EPS guidance range and remain laser-focused on delivering against our financial targets while delivering affordable and reliable electric service to our 1.7 million customers,' said David Campbell, chairman and chief executive officer. 'Our long-term outlook remains bright – relative to our size, the backlog for large customers evaluating Kansas and Missouri is one of the most robust in the country, and we look forward to announcements later in the year.' According to a March 31 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, in April, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) issued an order adjusting Evergy Kansas Central's retail prices for updated transmission costs. The company said the new prices, effective in May 2025, are expected to increase the company's annual retail revenue by $55.9 million compared to 2024. DOGE funding cuts impact volunteer efforts across NE Kansas KCC Spokeswoman Linda Berry told 27 News that those transmission costs are a separate line item on customer bills. She said regulated electric utilities are allowed to adjust their Transmission Delivery Charges based on changes in cost under K.S.A. 66-1237(c). The KCC must accept the proposed changes on a 'subject to refund basis' within 30 days of the application. She said the KCC can make order changes, including refunds, if irregularities are later found. Last year, 27 News reported on Evergy's Q3 earnings report, wherein the company attributed rate hikes as the primary driver of earnings. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sterling police: Don't take from thrift shop drop-off
STERLING, Kan. (KSNW) — The Sterling Police Department is urging residents to respect donation policies after a string of thefts at the Sterling Thrift Store's drop-off shed. According to police, multiple people have been caught removing items from the donation shed behind the store in recent weeks. Officers say the activity has persisted despite efforts by thrift store staff to address the problem with 'patience and understanding.' 'They've asked us to step in and clarify that this is not acceptable behavior,' police said in a social post. Scam call exposed at Decatur County Sheriff's Office Authorities emphasized that once items are placed inside the shed, they legally become the property of the Sterling Thrift Store—even if the person removing them was the original donor. Taking anything from the donation area without permission is considered theft. The store, which operates as a non-profit, uses the donated goods to support community members in need. Police say unauthorized removal of donations undermines that mission and takes away resources from those the store is trying to help. The donation shed is now under video surveillance. Anyone caught taking items without permission may face legal consequences, including criminal trespass under K.S.A. 21-5808 and potential theft charges under K.S.A. 21-5801. Community members who witness suspicious activity around the donation area are urged to contact the Sterling Police Department at 620-278-2100 before notifying store staff. 'We know Sterling is a close-knit community,' police said in the social post. 'Let's work together to make sure our donation process remains honest, helpful, and fair to everyone.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kansas House passes childcare licensing, training requirement bill
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas House of Representatives passed house bill 2294 on Thursday, with an overwhelming vote of 103-15. The bill addresses childcare licensing and training requirements, and for the most part, is highly agreed upon. 'There are lot of good things in this bill,' said Dr. Brandan Kennedy, a certified pediatrician and board chair of the Immunize Kansas Coalition. 'There are some things that will streamline childcare in the state of Kansas. And so, I think that there's things that are favorable that everybody agrees on.' Whistleblower sues Children's Hospital after controversial firing Dr. Kennedy says that there is a part of the bill that 'the majority of the medical community is really concerned' about. The immunization requirements listed in the bill include an exemption for 'religious beliefs' of the parent or guardian. The authors of the bill use the definition of 'religious beliefs' found in a 2021 statute regarding employer COVID-19 vaccine requirements. According to K.S.A. 44-663, ''religious beliefs' includes, but is not limited to, theistic and non-theistic moral and ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong that are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.' Dr. Kennedy thinks that the definition 'widens the gap for what people can say in order to try to sidestep any vaccine requirements.' Kennedy used recent measles cases in Kansas as an example. 'We're already in an uphill battle in Kansas because we don't have sufficient vaccination rates against measles in order to maintain herd immunity,' he said. 'It put us at a risk for an outbreak and we're seeing the consequences of that. Anything, I think, that weakens requirements and potentially lowered those rates only increases our risks.' Kennedy and the coalition are asking that lawmakers give experts a chance to review the impact of that definition. 'All we're asking is that those amendments are removed and that they're vetted appropriately through the appropriate committees so that there are opportunities to discuss the potential implications on the health of all Kansans.' As a pediatrician for nearly 30 years, Kennedy says he's seeing sick children. 'We've already seen consequences in doing what I do. I've had to take already take care of some children with vaccine-preventable diseases who are seriously and critically ill.' Kennedy also said that he understands the situation that parents have been put in regarding vaccine choice. 'I am never going to tell you that a vaccine has a 0% risk. There's not a 0% risk with anything. And in medicine, we always have to weigh risk versus benefit. I totally validate people's fear and anxiety are around the entire situation. They hear a lot of things, and they see a lot of things. And unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation.' By and large, the coalition says the bill is a positive for Kansans, and that reviewing the definition of 'religious beliefs' would keep the vast majority of the legislation surrounding other topics. 'This would not change the effectiveness of the bill,' Kennedy said. 'The remaining part of the bill? I think everybody is in favor of.' Kennedy says the only job he has is to protect children. KC Farm School brings back annual spring sale on plants, seeds 'We're just trying to do our best and to be the most effective at protecting children against these illnesses,' he said. 'And all you'd have to do is be in my shoes and see one or two of these kids and how sick they are to understand. Many of those kids don't have a voice. And we as pediatricians, we, many times have to be their voice. And like I said, you know what we want to try to do is what's best for them and lowers their risk for health problems and harm.' The bill heads to the Kansas Senate for discussion. Fox4 reached out to several local lawmakers who voted to approve HB2294, none of them returned our requests in time for this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill aims at eminent domain reform
Mar. 21—TOPEKA — A bill has targeted eminent domain laws in Kansas as a Barton County landowner awaits a decision on a taking affecting construction of Grain Belt Express's electric transmission line. Senate Bill 262, authored and introduced by the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs on Feb. 11, was referred to the Committee on Judiciary on Feb. 14. Sen. Tory Marie Blew (R-Great Bend) is the vice-chair of the Affairs Committee. Sen. Blew was in Topeka Thursday attending a long session on the Senate Floor; after a recess Friday the Senate resumes on Monday at 10 a.m. She explained that her Affairs committee is exempt from certain procedural deadlines. "Anyone can introduce a bill in any committee, but Fed and State is an exempt committee so the bill never 'dies,'" she said. A hearing on the bill has yet to be scheduled. The bill in similar form was introduced in the House as HB 2187 by Kansas Rep. Brett Fairchild (R-St. John) on Jan. 31 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. About SB 262 Senate Bill 262 is an extensive revision of K.S.A. 26-501, 502 and 507, which have been on the books since 1963 with some definitions revised in 2007. As introduced on Feb. 11, 2025, the bill seeks to eliminate the legislature's authority to seize private property for economic development purposes and to narrow the definition of "public use" in eminent domain cases. One of the key provisions of Senate Bill 262 mandates that any agency intending to acquire private property must provide a good faith offer of compensation to the property owner at least 30 days before filing an eminent domain petition. This offer must be the minimum compensation amount and cannot be reduced or revoked once made. The bill also prohibits the taking of private property for the purpose of transferring it to a private entity, reinforcing the notion that eminent domain should only be used for public benefit. This change addresses growing concerns among property owners and advocates who argue that previous laws allowed for excessive government overreach in property acquisition. Additionally, of a good faith offer exceeds the appraiser's award, the greater amount may be subject to appeal only by the property owner. Debate surrounding Senate Bill 262 has been notable, with proponents arguing that it protects property rights and ensures fair compensation for landowners. Critics, however, express concerns that the bill may hinder necessary economic development projects by making it more difficult for agencies to acquire land for public infrastructure or community improvements. A landowner's support Tammy Hammond, founder, owner and CEO of Rosewood Services in Barton County, this week submitted written testimony to Sen. Kellie Warren, chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary to be offered at a future hearing in consideration of the bill. Currently, Hammond is awaiting the decision of a court-appointed panel of appraisers charged with determination of the contested value of approximately 30 acres of Rosewood Ranch being sought as easement property for Invenergy's Grain Belt Express. GBE plans to construct a 780-mile, 5,000-volt direct current transmission line through Kansas, which includes locating and building several support towers averaging 150 feet in height on four tracts of Rosewood property. After filing a petition invoking eminent domain, GBE and Hammond participated in a condemnation hearing held March 7 and Barton County Courthouse. Along with hearing testimony from witnesses on both sides, the panelists adjourned the hearing to view the Ranch where staked-out locations indicated where the towers were planned to be placed. In her testimony, Hammond noted that she was "encouraged to see that the current senate bill addresses fair compensation, especially since Invenergy has not compensated landowners adequately. In my own case, the easement agreement is not even written correctly and does not properly describe the prior use of the land for which compensation is being sought. "I want to make sure that any legislation that is passed cannot simply be circumvented by corporate interest that run counter to the welfare of Kansans. It's crucial that lawmakers understand the future threats to our land, given strategies on the part of private developers to take property for new projects with the encouragement of state and federal governmental agencies."
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Why DCF is not answering questions in Hutchinson child's death
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) — Since the death of a 4-year-old girl in a Hutchinson house fire on Feb. 1, KSN News has attempted to get the Kansas Department for Children and Families to answer questions and release documents in the case. The bodies of the child, Naomi Payton, and her aunt, Kalsey Payton, 32, were found in a home that had been set on fire. The child's uncle, Wendell Payton, 37, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated arson, aggravated endangering of a child, and two counts of interference with a law enforcement officer. On Feb. 3, KSN put in a Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) request asking for records in the case. After the uncle was charged, KSN updated the request, seeking information and documents related to the case and any details about DCF involvement. In particular, we wanted to know if there had been any reports of abuse or neglect. KSN has also asked for an on-camera interview about the case, which was declined. How could the halt on pennies affect collectors? DCF provided KSN with a small summary of facts on Feb. 6, giving Naomi's age and date of death and saying she and her sister were in a kinship placement with a paternal aunt and uncle. DCF said the case is under investigation by law enforcement and considered KSN's KORA request closed. On the same day, KSN refiled its request, asking to keep the request open, and to provide the records, or provide the legal explanation why the requests for documents were denied. On Wednesday, DCF responded that the requested records are not subject to public disclosure at this time, citing privacy while also referencing a law that allows some records to be released. The response said: 'As you know, K.S.A. 38-2212(g) provides an exception in the event of the death of a child who is in the custody of the secretary. See K.S.A. 38-2212(g)(1) and (g)(4). DCF has not completed its investigation of whether the child died as a result of child abuse/neglect and, as a result, DCF is unable to release information.' Kansas law protects many details relating to DCF's handling of a case, and the agency will redact details that are not allowed by law to be released. KSN has requested and received documents in child death cases in the past, including in the death of Evan Brewer, the boy found encased in concrete in the home he lived in with his mother and her live-in boyfriend, later convicted in the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
