Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The top administrator at the Kansas Department for Children and Families plans to retire Dec. 1 after months of scrutiny of the agency's oversight of services for abused and neglected children.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's office announced department Secretary Phyllis Gilmore's retirement Friday and said her nearly six-year tenure had "transformed the department into an agency of opportunity" to combat childhood poverty and help poor and disabled adults.

But Democratic legislators have been calling for Gilmore to step down since a scathing state audit of the foster care...