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…
Author: KMAN Staff
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…
Officers responded to the report of an injury accident in the 2300 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd on January 23, 2019, at approximately 12:15 PM. When officers arrived on scene they found a 2007 Jeep Patriot driven by Mariah Garcia, 20, of Manhattan had left the roadway and overturned. Garcia was transported to Via Christi for treatment of her injuries. David Voter, 48, of Manhattan was arrested in the 900 block of Thurston in Manhattan on January 24, 2019, at approximately 2:20 AM. Voter was arrested on a Riley County District Court Warrant for two counts of forgery. Voterwas issued…
After six years of work, Fort Riley’s Public Health Department achieved something Cpt. Joshua Mosier called “historic.” The Public Health Department at Fort Riley is the first military organization to both seek and receive national certification by the Public Health Accreditation Board. A ceremony announcing the news was held in Irwin Army Community Hospital Wednesday — Cpt. Mosier narrated. The PHAB is a non-profit organization that has a set list of standards for public health departments. They accredit departments who meet their standards on a voluntary basis with the goal of improving and protecting public health “by advancing the quality and…
The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Bramlage Coliseum in February, but one team member will be in Manhattan Thursday. Zeus will visit the Champion Teamwear office along with Manhattan Mayor Mike Dodson from 2 to 3 p.m. They’re located on 520 McCall Road. His appearance is a precursor to the Globetrotters game that will take place in Bramlage on Monday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. 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 be emailing him at Hartman@harlemglobetrotters.com. Kansas State University faculty and staff…
A 2019 Manhattan High graduate graduated from U.S. Air Force basic training. According to Joint Hometown News Service, Airman Brent P. Wade completed an eight-week training program including instruction in military discipline and studies, the Air Force’s core values as well as basic warfare principles and skills. Wade was trained at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. As part of his basic training, Wade also received four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. The JHNS reports that Wade is the son of Joy Wade, also of Manhattan.
Wednesday’s guests included Blue Valley-Randolph Superintendent Brady Burton updating us on the district’s ongoing bond project, the Governor’s proposed plan for education funding and winter weather. Biosecurity Research Institute Director Stephen Higgs joined us for updates going on at the Manhattan facility. Finally, KMAN’s Nick McNamara joined In Focus with a discussion on Radon Action Month from Riley County Health Department Health Educator Ed Kalas.
Motorists were asked not to report non-injury accidents Tuesday after Riley County Police and Geary County Sheriff’s entered emergency accident reporting phase. The EARP ended at noon today. As a result, RCPD will have additional officers on duty at department headquarters today from noon to 4 p.m. to assist with filing accident reports while the EARP was in effect. To file a report, both parties and vehicles involved in the accident must be present. Driver’s licenses, vehicle tags and insurance information are required. Officers will also need additional information including the location and time of the accident as well as…
TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says she wants a review of state sentencing guidelines. The Democratic governor said in an interview Tuesday with The Topeka Capital-Journal’s editorial board that she wants to redirect an overcrowded prison population to receive treatment instead of a cell. Kelly says many of the people who are incarcerated don’t belong in prison. They lose their job, their family and become unemployable. Prison reform could find bipartisan support in the Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning says he thinks it would get a lot of attention, adding it’s been talked about not only in Kansas…
TOPEKA — Kansas House committees are considering two bills that would repeal the secretary of state’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Former Secretary of State Kris Kobach fought to have that authority while he was in the office and was successful in 2015 . Kobach argued that having the authority to prosecute election crimes would stop what he contended was widespread fraudulent voting by illegal immigrants. The Wichita Eagle reports that in 3.5 years, Kobach prosecuted 10 to 15 cases of voter fraud. None of the defendants were illegal immigrants. Attorney General Derek Schmidt says Scott Schwab, who replaced Kobach…