Author: Brandon Peoples

Following his retirement announcement recently from the Kansas Legislature, Sen. Jeff Longbine has been making his way across the 17th district, thanking local officials and constituents. The Emporia Republican was at Monday’s Geary County Commission meeting. Longbine has represented the 17th district for 10 years. Joining Longbine at Monday’s Geary County Commission meeting was Mike Argabright, (R-Olpe), a former superintendent at USD 252 Southern Lyon County, whom Longbine has endorsed as his successor in the upcoming election. Argabright is currently the only listed candidate for the 17th district, which encompasses all of Lyon County, but also includes portions of Geary,…

A top Kansas State University official is departing the university this summer for a position at another school. According to a Tuesday news release, Vice President for Research David Rosowsky will become the senior advisor to the president of Arizona State University in early July. Rosowsky joined K-State in July 2021, to lead the university’s research enterprise. Under his tenure, the total extramural awards funding increased to $225 million. Rosowsky launched K-State’s Economic Prosperity Plan, with a goal of creating 3,000 new jobs and $3 billion in additional investments in Kansas by 2029. To date, that plan has generated just…

Some in Manhattan have long clamored for a Red Lobster restaurant, but that prospect looks even dimmer now that the chain has abruptly closed dozens of stores across the country, including three of its Kansas stores due to financial struggles. CNN reports that the company is liquidating restaurant inventory from restaurants including kitchen equipment, furniture, tables and chairs. The auction is being conducted through Thursday by TAGeX Brands, a leading restaurant liquidator. Red Lobster is reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy protection after declines in recent years due to a variety of factors, with some experts citing corporate mismanagement. Last fall,…

A ransomware attack continues to cause disruptions for Ascension patient care. Locally, a Via Christi spokesperson said Monday that all physician offices and care sites remain open and operational in Kansas. Despite challenges, doctor’s appointments are proceeding as planned. Ascension’s retail pharmacies in Kansas are currently not able to fill prescriptions, but that does not impact the Manhattan hospital’s pharmacy, which continues to fill prescriptions. Most hospital services, including surgeries, clinics and testing remain operational as normal, but the organization says patients can expect longer wait times. Nationally, the healthcare system reported Monday that its priority remains on providing safe…

Updated Story Published 5/14 at 2 p.m. by Peter Rice The Riley County Police Department welcomed Senator Jerry Moran on Monday to announce $250,000 in secured grants going towards their crime scene investigation lab. RCPD lab technician Michael Cherms invited Sen. Moran where he identified the need to improve both the working conditions for lab personnel and evidence preservation. Public information officer Ashley Tokoi said the department ended up receiving more grants than expected thanks to Moran. The crime lab originally reached out about improving their fume hoods… Tokoi added that the department will conduct a review sometime in the…

A Manhattan woman has filed for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. Kim Zito announced in a Monday news release her candidacy, after filing with the Secretary of State’s office. Zito filed by petition, collecting over 400 signatures. Candidates filing by petition are required to obtain 2% of registered voters in the same party. To date, Zito’s campaign has raised over $41,000. Zito’s top election issues include protecting abortion rights, property tax relief, Medicaid expansion and fully funding public schools and special education. Zito ran as a Democrat two years ago but was defeated by Republican Mike Dodson,…

With students leaving Manhattan for the summer, city crews will be hard at work on construction projects beginning this week. As previously reported, the full intersection closure at Denison and Kimball goes into effect Monday as only local traffic to NBAF and Meadowlark Hills will be able to stay on Kimball from North Manhattan Ave. City officials say all other traffic on Kimball will be diverted south. The final closure will allow work to begin on the third and final part of the final phase of the ongoing North Campus Corridor project. The official detour for Denison, according to city staff, will be…

Kansas City Chiefs ambassadors returned to Manhattan this week as the latest member of the Chiefs family toured local resident and Manhattan-Ogden school board member Curt Herrman’s “Chiefseum” — the world’s largest collection of Chiefs memorabilia, according to Guinness. The collection now boasts over 1,600 unique items. Jerry Cornelison is a former offensive tackle, who played professionally in both the American and Canadian Football League as well as collegiately at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Wednesday was his first trip to Herrman’s shrine to the back-to-back Super Bowl champions. At 87, Cornelison is the oldest living former Chiefs player and one…

The Manhattan City Commission will operate as a foursome, at least for now. Long-time city commissioner and former mayor Wynn Butler resigned Thursday after being cited for a DUI crash into a Manhattan liquor store Wednesday evening. RCPD noted in its arrest report his blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit. No injuries were reported. Butler made no excuses for his actions in an overnight message to News Radio KMAN. According to City Ordinance Article II Sec. 2-20, Susan Adamchak is now Manhattan’s new mayor. She becomes mayor only five months into her tenure, following election to the board last…

Manhattan Mayor Wynn Butler was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of DUI after crashing his vehicle into a storefront. The incident happened around 8 p.m. at the Candlewood Liquor Store, in the Candlewood Shopping Center. Butler confirmed overnight to KMAN that his brakes failed, but also admitted to having had four beers earlier in the evening. He has submitted his resignation from the city commission, effective immediately. Interim City Manager Jason Hilgers provided the following statement to News Radio KMAN Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported. Store owner Mike Irvin says he and his wife Lisa were not present…