MANHATTAN — The iconic voice of a native Kansan is slated to be the new voice of TV news network, CNN. Dave Lewis has agreed to terms with the network which has been struggled the last few years with credibility and declining viewership. “CNN approached me last fall about their desire to “freshen up” their presence,” Lewis said in a statement released today. “They felt my voice in today’s world of “Fake News” would be a big step in bringing viewers back.” Lewis did not reveal the financial terms he and CNN agreed to, other than to say he was…
Author: KMAN Staff
MANHATTAN — New leadership is now steering direction with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. President and CEO Jason Smith began work in Manhattan March 25, replacing longtime President Lyle Butler, who retired in February. Smith is making his way across the community getting acquainted and stopped by the KMAN studios for a brief introduction recently. Smith is from Oklahoma, and has worked in college towns both in Norman, Oklahoma and Lincoln, Nebraska. Smith and others from the Chamber of Commerce have been going through a listening tour around the area, in an attempt to identify room for improvement in…
INDEPENDENCE — A Kansas sheriff is suspended without pay while a case against him is investigated. KOAM-TV reports a court issued the suspension to Montgomery County Sheriff Robert Dierks on Friday. Undersheriff Richard George will be acting sheriff. Court documents say Dierks was charged with two misdemeanors after he tried unsuccessfully to interfere in the drunken driving arrest of his girlfriend. He is charged with interference with law enforcement and witness intimidation. Dierks’ then-girlfriend, Valerie Smith, was pulled over in January 2018 on suspicion of drunk driving. Prosecutors allege Dierks tried to talk deputies out of taking Smith to jail,…
WICHITA — Kansas farmers are planning to plant this spring more corn and soybeans on their land, and fewer acres of sorghum. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Friday that growers intend to seed 5.7 million acres of corn, up 5 percent from a year ago. Soybean acreage is expected to be 4.95 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Farmers indicated that they will put in just 2.75 million acres of sorghum, down 2 percent from a year ago. Winter wheat acres, seeded in the fall, are expected to total 7 million in Kansas. That is down 9…
TOPEKA — The Kansas House has rejected a move to repeal part of a state law allowing concealed carry of firearms on college campuses. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Lawrence Democratic Rep. Barbara Ballard on Thursday offered an amendment to an unrelated gun bill that would have added college campuses to a list of places exempt from the state’s concealed carry law. The law requires that most government-owned buildings allow people to carry concealed firearms unless there is adequate security to prevent anyone from bringing in a weapon. Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas, and Ballard told lawmakers…
A retired Big Red One soldier earned the Distinguished Service Cross for the first time in 49 years for his actions during a 2008 Afghanistan deployment. Gahanna, Ohio-native Sgt. Robert received the honor in a ceremony at Fort Riley Thursday, March 28. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest Army award below the Medal of Honor. It’s awarded for “extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.” Debolt had previously been awarded the Silver Star, which is now upgraded to the Cross. “I would take a bullet or take a burn for any…
Darrell Oliver, 59 of Kansas City was arrested while at the Riley County Police Department on March 28, 2019, at approximately 4:45 PM. Oliver was arrested on two Riley County District Court warrants for theft and two counts of forgery. Oliver was issued a total bond of $5,000.00. Oliver was still confined at the time of this report.
TOPEKA (AP) — Three Kansas State University students who were barred on Wednesday from the Kansas Statehouse for a year have been reinstated. The Kansas City Star reports capitol officials on Thursday reversed the ban that was imposed after the students helped hang large banners saying top Republican legislators who oppose expanding Medicaid have “blood on their hands.” Capitol Police Officer Scott Whitsell he imposed the ban because the students violated a policy on demonstrations. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Three Kansas State University students who were barred from the Kansas Statehouse for a year have been reinstated. The Kansas City Star…
Thursday’s show featured a conversation with Manhattan Regional Airport Director Jesse Romo and Pawnee Mental Health Executive Director Robbin Cole.
More than a dozen people spoke in favor of creating a mandatory rental inspection ordinance in the City of Manhattan during Tuesday’s City Commission meeting. A majority of the commission was in favor of city staff further exploring a mandatory inspection program, but no ordinance was passed. Since Manhattan’s rental registration program began in 2017, more than 13,000 rental properties have been filed with the city. Though the program does not require any mandatory code inspections, Manhattan Assistant Fire Chief Brad Claussen says they’ve performed about 99 per year since 2011 — when Manhattan’s mandatory inspection program was rescinded. Commissioner Jerred McKee…