Latest news with #JohnsonCounty
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas attorney general cautions Johnson County on renewing public safety tax
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the Johnson County Commission should not hold an election to renew a . He warned that the commission exceeded its authority in putting the tax on the November 2025 ballot. Overland Park police receive $500K grant from QuikTrip for Fire Training Center 'Imposing new taxes on the people of Kansas is something that can be done only under tightly limited situations and as specifically allowed by Kansas law,' Kobach said. 'Johnson County is breaking the law by imposing this new tax for this purpose.' The money raised would fund mental health and emergency medical services. Kobach's opinion, sought by Kansas Republican Senator Mike Thompson, warned that a court would find the resolution null and void because the tax is really a 'new' tax, not a renewal. Lenexa man sentenced for killing wife, son during police standoff In a statement, the county said commissioners are reviewing and considering the opinion: 'While the opinion does not carry the force of law and is not binding on courts or other entities, the Board of County Commissioners is reviewing and considering its content.' The existing quarter-cent Public Safety Sales Tax III was initially approved by Johnson County voters in 2016. It is currently set to expire on March 31, 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Second Johnson County lawmaker enters Democratic primary for Kansas governor
A second Johnson County Democratic lawmaker has taken the plunge and announced a bid to become the next governor of Kansas. State Sen. Ethan Corson of Fairway joined Overland Park Sen. Cindy Holscher in the primary field, launching his campaign in an official statement Tuesday. 'I'm a lifelong Kansan, a dad with young kids, and a proud product of our public schools,' said Corson, 43. 'I'm running for governor to create opportunity for the next generation of Kansans, so they can build a life here.' In short, he said, that means making sure Kansas has both the best schools in America and the most affordable housing options. In a separate news release Tuesday morning, Lt. Gov. David Toland — long rumored to harbor gubernatorial aspirations — announced that he would not seek the job, choosing instead to focus on economic development work in his other role as commerce secretary. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who can't run again due to term limits, appeared to throw her weight behind Corson's candidacy in a post to X that stopped just short of an explicit endorsement. 'When I think about the type of leader Kansas will need to keep us on the path to prosperity — it's someone laser focused on the issues Kansans really care about,' Kelly said. 'Someone who understands how to bring people together to get good things done for Kansas. That's exactly who Ethan Corson is.' Holscher also welcomed him to the race. 'The more the merrier! Kansans deserve to hear from all the candidates,' Holscher said in a campaign statement. 'I'm confident that voters will learn I'm the best choice in this race, because I've proven I know how to fight, win, and move Kansas forward.' Besides Corson and Holscher, the only other Democrat who has filed to run is Marty Tuley, a Lawrence personal fitness trainer. Deep Johnson County field With Corson's entrance into the race, half of the 12 candidates vying to succeed Kelly live in Johnson County. On the Republican side, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, former County Commissioner Charlotte O'Hara and conservative podcaster Doug Billings all hail from the state's wealthiest and most populous county. Excluding Colyer, who became governor in 2018 after Sam Brownback's resignation, Kansas last elected a Johnson County governor in 1975. A Johnson County Democrat hasn't served as chief executive in over a century. The county has long fought to shake the reputation that its candidates are out of touch with rural Kansas voters. Officials with both parties and some independent commentators say the paradigms that have held Johnson County candidates back in the past may be shifting. Who is Ethan Corson? Corson was first elected to the Senate in 2020, cruising to re-election by nearly 30 percentage points last November. He's pitching himself to voters as a bipartisan problem solver. Corson, who serves as a ranking member on the Senate's tax, transportation and judiciary committees, said he's always been focused 'on the kitchen table issues that matter to Kansans: strong public schools and lower taxes for working and middle-class families.' Among his legislative achievements, Corson cites his votes to help eliminate the state tax on groceries, remove taxes on Social Security and deliver targeted tax relief for seniors, veterans and middle-class Kansans. In impassioned speeches on the Senate floor this spring, Corson squared off against Republican lawmakers over their decision to create an automatic mechanism for lowering state income tax rates without first passing the property tax reform they promised to combat soaring valuations. Corson has also been an outspoken opponent of the Republican-backed constitutional amendment proposal aiming to reshape the Kansas Supreme Court by switching to direct election of justices. Corson attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and journalism before returning for a law degree. After graduating, Corson worked as an attorney in Washington D.C., going on to serve as a senior advisor to Obama-era Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and as chief of staff at the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. According to his release, in that role, Corson helped manage a team of over 2,200 employees across 75 countries — 'experiences that gave Ethan a perspective on how to recruit businesses to Kansas and how to help Kansans, especially our farmers, ship their products around the world.' Corson returned to Kansas in 2019 to serve a stint as executive director of the state Democratic Party. 'But for Ethan, it all comes back to public education,' the release says. 'It's the education Ethan received in the Shawnee Mission School District — and the teachers and coaches who touched his life — that made his path possible.' Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
05-07-2025
- CBS News
Officer shot after several suspects open fire late Fourth of July in Johnson County, officials say
Several suspects are in custody after a police officer was injured in a shooting in Johnson County late Fourth of July, the Alvarado Police Department announced. Just before 11 p.m., the department was called to the 1200 block of Sunflower Lane on a report of a suspicious person. When officers arrived, they saw a person who appeared to be carrying a firearm, according to the news release. Alvarado PD said that when one of the first responding officers tried to engage with the person, an unknown number of suspects opened fire. At least one bullet struck the officer in the neck, police said. The injured officer was flown from the scene to a Fort Worth hospital, was treated and later released, Alvarado PD said. The suspects tried to flee the scene. According to Alvarado PD, several armed suspects were taken into custody with the help of local agencies, including the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. At this time, the suspects' names have not been released, and police are investigating the motive. Police are asking anyone with information concerning the incident to call 817-790-0919.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Kansas Supreme Court vacates capital murder conviction in Johnson County case
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Supreme Court announced Friday that it is reversing a capital murder conviction for a Johnson County case in which a man was accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend in 2018. The decision comes after the state Supreme Court said it found 'multiple instances of prosecutorial error' that deprived the defendant's right to a fair trial. 'My client, Devonte Wash was convicted of the capital murder of his girlfriend Ashley Harlan. We have advanced five assignments of error. We believe they all have merit,' Wash's attorney, Laura Stratton said. Jacob Gontesky, representing the State, says Wash was convicted due to a mountain of evidence in the case. 'They convicted him on the surveillance video. On his lies to police, on his admitted lies to police. On his angry urging that his girlfriend get an abortion to abort that baby,' Assistant District Attorney Gontesky said. Watch FOX4 News free on streaming TV devices by downloading WDAF+ The Johnson County District Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case, said Friday that it had no comment on the state Supreme Court's decision. Now, the case is being sent back to the Johnson County District Court. Harlan's family was not aware of the recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling when they were contacted by FOX4 Friday. In 2022, the defendant, Devonte Wash, was convicted of capital murder in the shooting death of 23-year-old Ashley Harlan and her unborn child. Harlan was found dead inside an Olathe home on Jan. 30, 2018. She was about 20 weeks pregnant. Wash, who was 26 at the time, was arrested and charged months after Harlan's death. A jury trial was held in the spring of 2022 in district court. Wash was found guilty following a three-week trial, and he was without the possibility of parole. On Friday, the Kansas Supreme Court shared its decision in a written statement. The decision, detailed in a 56-page document, comes after the court heard in January. It highlighted two errors in the case. It said the prosecutor 'repeatedly referenced evidence before the jury the Johnson County District Court had excluded.' It also said that during closing statements, the prosecutor 'improperly suggested certain disputed facts were undisputed—a prosecutorial tactic the court has consistently condemned.' 'Given the limited and circumstantial nature of the evidence against Wash, the court concluded these errors were not harmless,' the state Supreme Court said in its statement Friday. 'It stated the prosecution's actions filled crucial evidentiary gaps with improper tactics, failing to meet the state's obligation to ensure a fair trial.' The case has been remanded to the district court for further proceedings. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX4 for the latest updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Fireworks in Iowa City? New law loosens restrictions around Fourth of July, New Year's Eve
Johnson County residents can celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang. Changes to Iowa law in 2025 mean that fireworks can now be used across Johnson County on July 3 and 4. Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin and other communities previously restricted the use of fireworks, even around Independence Day. Senate File 303 stops county supervisors and city councils from enforcing restrictions on July 3, the Fourth of July, and on New Year's Eve on Dec. 31. Counties and cities are free to restrict firework use on the remaining 362 days of the year. More: Iowans could shoot off fireworks on 4th of July, New Year's Eve under bill sent to Reynolds If cities don't set restrictions, fireworks are legal throughout the summer, between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., June 1 through July 8. Here's what to know before you start shooting off fireworks: Despite the broader changes to Iowa law, it's not legal to shoot off fireworks for the entire 48 hours from July 3 through July 4. Fireworks are permitted between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on July 3 and 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. everywhere on the Fourth of July, regardless of local restrictions. More: Johnson County residents unite to combat rent hikes, issues at local mobile home parks In unincorporated Johnson County, fireworks are permitted between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. between July 3 and July 5. Fireworks can be used at other times, but use requires a permit issued by the county. The punishment for using fireworks remains unchanged. Violators are subject to a $250 fine, plus court fees and other surcharges. More: State Historical Society of Iowa to shutter Iowa City's Centennial Building. Find out why Novelty fireworks, including sparklers, are legal. Coralville asks that residents "be mindful" of their neighbors, including those with pets, young children or military veterans, and requests that they find ways "to celebrate without the bang." Iowa City encourages residents to speak directly to their neighbors about illegal fireworks use. The city does mention the non-emergency line, (319) 256-6800, if residents feel they need to make a report. Iowa City's Jazz Festival will be capped off by a fireworks show on Saturday, July 5, beginning around 9:30 p.m. Coralville will also hold a fireworks show at its 4thFest, with festivities beginning at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Can Johnson Co. residents use fireworks on July 4? New law says 'yes'
