Topeka area news

Committee kills bill to increase alcohol taxes

The House Taxation Committee on Wednesday tabled a proposal that would have doubled the wholesale alcoholic beverages tax and earmarked the increased revenue to social services. The action essentially kills the bill.

Senate committee approves fix to fuel tax mistakes

A Senate committee has approved a measure designed to correct problems that arose when the state made errors in the distribution of fuel tax revenue.

Parkinson: Kansas jobless rate 'discouraging'

The first Kansas unemployment report for 2010 is out, and Gov. Mark Parkinson calls the numbers "discouraging."

Kansas alliance to unveil ad on gambling addiction

A new television ad is in the works from a group aiming to raise public awareness of gambling addictions.

Six plans involvement in Supreme Court's Phelps case

The highest court in the land will look at a Topeka group for picketing military funerals and the Kansas' Attorney General wants in on the action.

For saving lives from colon cancer, no test trumps colonoscopies

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and today several area health organizations teamed up to raise awareness about the disease.

City Council talks guns

Police Chief says Topeka needs gun law against "Open carry" law.

Plass Street closed Wednesday for gas line work

Plass will be closed between 10th and 11th Wednesday for gas line work.

Kan. woman pleads guilty to identity theft

A northeast Kansas woman has pleaded guilty to an identity theft scheme carried out with stolen checks and driver's licenses.

Parkinson set to sign into law indoor smoking ban

Gov. Mark Parkinson will sign into law the statewide ban on indoor smoking in public places later this week.

Topeka man sentenced after trying to rob federal agent

A Topeka man has been sentenced to 17 years on drug and firearm charges in connection with an incident in which he was shot wile trying to rob a federal agent.

Property tax legislation gets major alteration in committee

A legislative committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would give voters an opportunity to decide whether a local governing body could increase property taxes by more than the rate of inflation.