Gov.-elect Laura Kelly plans to explore fine print on the state government’s no-bid contracts and place economic development incentive programs under a spotlight. Kelly, who served on the Senate’s budget committee for years, said during an interview for the Capitol Insider podcast, she would authorize evaluations of state incentive programs purported to create jobs and of large state contracts issued without open bidding.

John Doll said one reason he got out of coaching was that he couldn't handle losses. "I'm the worst loser in the world," he said.

A Leavenworth County commissioner who used racially insensitive language at a public meeting last week has resigned, saying his remarks were "misinterpreted."

Mike Kasl died last week while making the Christmas wreaths that inspired fellow tree farmer Chris Seets. On Tuesday, Seets presented one of her mentor’s final creations to Gov. Jeff Colyer as part of an annual celebration at Cedar Crest in Topeka that includes delivery of a Kansas-grown Christmas tree.

State Rep. Steven Becker, R-Buhler, was not the only write-in candidate who failed to win in Reno County. Neither God - who received a vote for Kansas governor - nor Jesus, written in more than once, won, although they revealed voter intent.

One non-registered voter in Hutchinson cast a ballot that was counted in the Nov. 6 general election. Reno County Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager said this isn't the first time a provisional ballot voter has fed the ballot into the electronic ballot box instead of putting it in the provisional ballot envelope. Once fed into the machine, the ballot became part of the tally.

Major donors contributed most of $500,000 sought to expand and upgrade the memorial to slain Kansas law enforcement officers on the Statehouse grounds, officials said this week.