Latest news with #TopekaCapital-Journal
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas launches website to entice federal workers 'in need of new opportunities'
Kansas is looking to hire laid-off or discouraged federal workers — and made a new web page to attract the workforce to the state. Since taking office, Donald Trump's administration has made a goal of reducing the federal workforce. Thousands of federal workers were offered a deferred resignation in January, and agencies were given instructions to plan for reductions in force. Reporting from The New York Times suggests the administration is seeking to cut nearly 150,000 positions on top of the 130,000 that have already been cut or accepted a buyout. 'As many federal employees find themselves in need of new opportunities, I'm excited to launch a web page that showcases all the great career opportunities Kansas has to offer,' Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release. 'With highly rated schools, low cost of living, and a competitive housing market, our state is ready to welcome new employees and their families with open arms.' The website highlights incentives incoming employees can take advantage of, like the Rural Opportunity Zone program which offers repayment of student loans or state income tax credits. The website redirects job seekers to jobs with the states, counties, local governments and the private sector. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: State of Kansas wants job seekers laid off from federal government
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of Topeka expects hefty outside attorney fees in defense of police officers
Topeka will pay a hefty legal fee to defend police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor Lowery, a Black man. The Topeka City Council approved a contract with the Watkins Calara law firm. The city will pay $225 per hour to the primary attorney on the case, $200 per hour for associates and $125 per hour for legal assistants. The city estimated the cost to the attorneys will be more than $50,000. Council members David Banks and Christina Valdivia-Alcalá voted against the contract, with Valdivia-Alcalá criticizing the city. "I believe that these types of cases where there continues to be the killing, the brutal killings of Black males by our police force, I think something is going to have to change," Valdivia-Alcalá said. "Whether that's the releasing of body cam footage, being more open with the community on what's going on, looking seriously at de-escalation and use of force, etc., etc. "Sometimes we are going to have to negotiate a settlement rather than trying this to death in court." Banks asked whether the city defends employees even if they know wrongful action occurred. Topeka is legally obligated to defend any employee of the city if they are being prosecuted or sued over a work-related action, said Nick Jefferson, chief of litigation. On Oct, 13, 2022, five police officers shot and killed Lowery. They said they fired because he was carrying a knife. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay concluded police acted justifiably in firing 34 shots that killed Lowery, whom Kagay said carried a knife when police initially shot him, then dropped it and picked up a wrench before additional shots were fired. The city refused to release the body cam footage, but it was released to reporters by LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, an attorney representing Lowery's family members in the wrongful death suit against Topeka's city government and others. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka OKs outside firm to defend police officers in fatal shooting
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Why former Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex worker is suing for discrimination
A correctional facility in Topeka is being sued for discrimination and retaliation. Former Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex employee Brady Greeve is suing the correctional complex, the Kansas Department of Corrections and three employees from said complex. Greeve had worked for the juvenile complex, 1430 N.W. 25th St., since April 2022. Before working there, he worked at two other Kansas correctional facilities, according to U.S. District Court District of Kansas documents. In his lawsuit, Greeve's legal counsel outlines five reasons for the lawsuit: disability discrimination; retaliation in violating of the Kansas Act Against Discrimination; interfering with, restraining or otherwise hindering Greeve's use of legal rights; retaliation in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act; and retaliation in violation of Kansas Common Law. In July 2022, Greeve was in a motorcycle accident that caused physical and mental disabilities, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder, according to court documents. The following September, he was then injured on the job further exacerbating these disabilities. Between the time of the injury and December 2022, Greeve missed work multiple times due to the injuries he sustained. According to Greeve's lawsuit, he made sure to communicate this with his supervisors. Jeff Zmuda, secretary of corrections and Maj. David Bissell, corrections complex acting superintendent and complex, failed to inform Greeve of his rights under multiple disability and workers compensation laws, according to the lawsuit. In March 2023, Greeve filed a request for accommodations to have an additional day off each week, which was approved. However, Greeve received a reprimanding letter about the additional days off near the end of April. Greeve said he addressed the concern with his supervisors multiple times and received "no meaningful response." On May 19, 2023 Greeve was suspended without pay. He inquired about the suspension to a supervisor, according to court documents, who responded with, "I'm just doing what I'm told." In June, Greeve submitted a second accommodations request despite already being approved. His supervisor then told him, "Maybe you just need to start coming to work, bud." On July 13, 2023, Greeve was fired for violating the attendance policy. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Former Topeka corrections employee is suing for discrimination
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas lawmakers overturn Gov. Kelly's veto of three-day grace period repeal
Kansas lawmakers overturned Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a bill repealing the bill, meaning all mailed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day. Previously, ballots received up to three days after Election Day could be counted if a postmark indicated the post office had received it on or before Election Day. Kelly called the reversal an "attack on rural Kansans," and said the bill was a "bipartisan solution" to mail delays when it passed in her veto message on Monday. House Republican leaders responded the same day by promising to override the veto, saying setting a "firm election-day deadline, we reaffirm Kansans' trust in our elections." The override passed with 30 votes in the Senate, three more than needed, and 84 votes in the House, which is the minimum number of votes to overturn a veto. It's the third attempt to repeal the three-day grace period, with the past two attempts falling short. More: Kansas governor vetoes repeal of vote by mail grace period. Override is expected This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas Republicans pushed through a three-day grace period
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Satanic group to hold Black Mass outside Kansas statehouse
Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans' daily lives. 'One Nation Under God' is committed to reflecting America's voices, values and communities by covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here. (NewsNation) — Christian groups are condemning a Kansas-based satanic group's plans to hold a Black Mass at the statehouse. After outrage, Gov. Laura Kelly said the March 28 event would be held outside the capitol building, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Vatican releases first photograph of the pope in a month as he celebrates Mass in hospital chapel Kelly denounced the event but said she is obligated to protect freedom of expression.'There are more constructive ways to protest and express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols,' Kelly said in a statement. 'However, as governor, I also have a duty to protect protesters' constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, regardless of how offensive or distasteful I might find the content to be.' Satanic Grotto describes itself as an organization for an 'independent and non-denominational satanic church.' A Black Mass is an intentionally blasphemous parody of a Catholic Mass. 'The overall theme in it is expressing the hurt and anger and some of the feelings that come from being oppressed by a religion you didn't ask for and didn't consent to,' Michael Stewart, president of Satanic Grotto, told the Topeka Capital-Journal. Google under fire for allegation it's censoring faith-based content In a statement, the Archdiocese of Kansas in Kansas City said, 'We are deeply disappointed that such blasphemous acts that are intended to mock Catholic worship, the beliefs of all Christians, and those who believe in the one true God, are being allowed on the Kansas Statehouse grounds.' The archdiocese says it's exploring legal options. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
