TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly has signed an executive order creating an advisory group that aims to improve education in Kansas. The governor told reporters Thursday that educating children is one of the most important obligations of elected leaders and one of the best economic and civic investments to make in Kansas. The Governor’s Council on Education will look for ways to enhance early childhood education, create relationships between the education and the business community and develop partnerships to address workforce needs in Kansas. Kelly says improving education means not only fully funding public schools, but also looking for ways…
Author: KMAN Staff
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas plans to use a $1 million gift to establish a new chemical engineering research laboratory. Richard and Elizabeth Hoover, of Northport Michigan, both graduated from the university in 1971. They now live in Northport, Michigan. Richard Hoover said in a news release that he hopes the lab will give students more hands-on research experience so they will be better prepared for the job market. Richard Hoover worked in several positions for Dow Corning, including as CEO of Dow Corning Asia in Tokyo for six years. His wife worked for the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche…
Officers filed a report for burglary in the 12000 block of LKW Rd in Leonardville on January 24, 2019, at approximately 11:40 AM. Officers listed Donald Nelson, 79, of Leonardville as the victim when it was reported an unknown suspect entered his shop building and stole miscellaneous tools. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,250.00. Police ask that anyone with information contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00. Officers filed a…
The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Bramlage Coliseum on February 11th, but one team member stopped by Manhattan early on Thursday. Julian Zeus McClurkin stopped by Champion Teamwear in part to commemorate their uniform deal with the Globetrotters, but also to preview the upcoming match. Tickets went on sale Wednesday — they can be purchased online with the promo code “MATT”, or by calling Matt Hartman at 678-497-1885 or emailing him at Hartman@harlemglobetrotters.com. Kansas State University faculty and staff along with their families are eligible for a 34 percent discount per ticket. Manhattan area residents and Champion employees lined up for a chance to…
Area residents who earn $54,000 or less can receive free income tax preparation assistance. Coordinated by the Riley County K-State Research and Extension, the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will open a site at the Manhattan Public Library. They’ll provide services six days a week, starting January 30 and running through February 16. From then, they’ll be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until April 15. Volunteers will help taxpayers with federal and state tax returns, 1040 returns including but not limited to those with child tax credits, earned income tax credits, and educational cost credits. They will not…
Thursday’s show included Sunflower CASA Project Executive Director Stacy Tidwell highlighting services available in the region and an upcoming CASA volunteer training event in February. The second half of Thursday’s show featured Pawnee Mental Health Executive Director Robbin Cole speaking to a new transitional housing service through a grant and an update on the community crisis stabilization center.
Gov. Laura Kelly wants to act swiftly to expand Medicaid, and mentioned during her State of the State address that she will be forming a bipartisan group to work on the initiative. She announced the working group of healthcare stakeholders has been officially formed Thursday. The group — asked to provide input on KanCare expansion as well as help the proposal through the Kansas legislature — is expected to have a finalized plan for expansion by Kansas Day on Jan. 29. “I’ve made no secret that expanding Kansans’ access to affordable, high-quality healthcare is one of my top priorities as…
WICHITA — The number of lawsuits alleging that a private Catholic college in Wichita unfairly fired employees has grown to four with the filing of two new ones. The Wichita Eagle reports that former Newman University counseling program director John Walker claims in one of the new suits that his 2018 firing was retaliation for reporting information about an October 2017 overdose death at an off-campus party. The gathering led to the temporary suspension of three baseball players. The other suit was filed by former School of Social Work director Sue Ellen Gardner, who says she was terminated without good…
KANSAS CITY — The former coach and a choreographer for a Kansas high school dance team are denying they prevented a black student from performing during an event because her skin was “too dark” and clashed with the costumes. Former student Camille Sturdivant has sued the Blue Valley School District, alleging she was discriminated against after complaining about how she was treated. Choreographer Kevin Murakami released a statement Tuesday saying the allegation was “absolute nonsense.” He says he treated all dancers with respect. The lawsuit also alleges Murakami and former coach Carley Fine exchanged racist text messages about Sturdivant after…
TOPEKA — Some Democrats are protesting new rules in the Kansas House because they still allow unrecorded votes by committees on legislation. The House approved its operating rules Wednesday on a 104-15 vote. The rules will be in effect for 2019 and 2020. Leaders from both parties said the rules contain changes designed to make the legislative process more open. They require more disclosure of information about who seeks bills and are aimed at making it easier to track when they’re completely rewritten. But some Democrats said the changes aren’t significant and that the GOP-controlled House needs to require recorded…