Kansas schools

It's been five years since students had to wear masks in class or tap into lessons online. But Kansas educators say children who began their schooling at the start of the COVID pandemic are still at risk of falling behind.

Kansas schools now have $10 million in state funding to use AI to detect guns. But ZeroEyes, one of the few companies offering this service, has sent police false alerts before — and it won't say how often.

Kansas has reported 37 cases. Wichita hasn't had a case since 2017.

Kansas artists and cultural organizations would be stripped of state grants if the Kansas Legislature adopts a Senate-approved budget, which entirely eliminates funding the Kansas Arts Commission. The impact would be felt even harder in smaller and rural communities.

At least 23 Kansans have tested positive for measles. Health officials urge full vaccination against the disease.

While Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran spoke at a luncheon at the K-State campus in Olathe, protesters lined the street imploring him stand up to the Trump administration as it takes aggressive, and at times illegal, steps to reshape the federal government.

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson urged districts to cancel breaks or extend the school year to make up for snow days. He is also proposing half-day summer school for young students who are struggling in reading and math.

Kansas education leaders plan to deny accreditation to Urban Preparatory Academy in Wichita, a private school run by Bishop Wade Moore, an outspoken advocate for tax-credit scholarships and other school choice measures. Moore calls the move "politically motivated."

Thousands of retired public employees in Kansas have never seen an increase to their pension pay, and inflation is eating away the value of the those payments. Advocates argue the Legislature owes them a boost.

Missing school has become a crisis statewide. More than one in four Kansas students were chronically absent during the 2021-22 school year, which means they missed at least 10% of instruction time. That figure nearly doubled over the previous two years.