TOPEKA — Departing Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer isn’t ruling out a future run for public office but says he will be looking at opportunities in both business and government service. The Republican governor was not specific about his plans during a recent Associated Press interview, except to say he and wife Ruth will take “a little vacation” after leaving office Jan. 14 to Disney World. He said: “I’ll never to say no to public service where I can make a real difference.” Colyer was elevated from lieutenant governor to governor in January when then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback resigned to take…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA — A Republican leader in the Kansas House who was ousted from his position will serve as chairman of new Rural Revitalization Committee. Departing Majority Leader Don Hineman’s new assignment for 2019 and 2020 will have him leading a committee that will examine challenges facing rural areas that include declining populations and limited access to broadband service. He was appointed by House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a fellow Republican from Olathe who grew up in southwest Kansas. Hineman is a farmer and rancher from Dighton. He is a GOP moderate and was re-elected to the House this year but…
WICHITA — Prosecutors will review a crash that killed a 24-year-old Kansas man for possible criminal charges. The Wichita Eagle reports that Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lanon Thompson says the collision that killed Logan Owens remains under investigation. He says the agency intends to present its findings to the Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett’s Office. Owens was a passenger in a vehicle that ran a stop sign and collided with another vehicle around 3:30 a.m. Thursday. The crash report says the man driving the vehicle carrying Owens was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The other driver received…
TOPEKA — Kansas is one of the few states without a law prohibiting legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately after they leave office. The Wichita Eagle reports 38 states have some form of a “cooling off” period for lawmakers who wish to become lobbyists after serving in office. Kansas’ lack of a waiting period came to attention recently when Rep. Lynn Jenkins began setting up a lobbying firm while still in Congress. Jenkins’ new lobbying firm plans to work at the state and federal levels. Federal rules require Jenkins to wait a year before lobbying at the federal level, but no…
MANHATTAN — With the holidays just around the corner, T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter Director Deb Watkins says gifting a pet can be a wonderful thing at Christmas time if it’s well thought through. Watkins says that you have to consider all the factors when looking for a pet during the holidays, sometimes it’s better to wait. Watkins says creating a routine is key during the holidays to help you furry friends adapt and keep calm whether they are new to the family or they’ve been around for years. If you’re already a pet owner, Watkins suggests some tips to taking care of…
President Donald Trump signed the 2018 farm bill on Thursday. When he did, standing not far behind him was Glenn Brunkow, director of the Kansas Farm Bureau’s first district which includes multiple counties including Pottawatomie County. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly referred to as the farm bill, passed with support from both sides of the aisle in congress — the U.S. House of Representatives passed it 386 to 47 and the U.S. Senate passed it 87 to 13. It allocates $867 billion in funding for subsidies for farmers, $600 million of that for grants and loans to small…
PARSONS — A 24-year-old man is jailed after a two-day police chase that ran through four Kansas counties on roads and through fields at speeds sometimes over 100 mph. Kansas Highway Patrol spokesman Chad Crittenden said the chase started Wednesday night when officers received a report of a stolen vehicle and potential kidnapping near Parsons. Troopers lost site of the truck but the chase resumed Thursday when Pratt County officials saw the truck. The Hutchinson News reports Crittenden said the chase went through fields, county roads and highways in Pratt, Kiowa, Edwards and Pawnee counties. The chase ended in an…
LEAVENWORTH — A former hospital worker at Fort Leavenworth who tried to kill his boss by setting her on fire has lost an appeal of his conviction. The Kansas City Star reports Clifford Currie was convicted of assault with intent to commit murder for the September 2016 attack on First Lt. Katie Blanchard. She was seriously burned during an attack at the Munson Army Health Center at Fort Leavenworth. Currie, now 56, was a civilian employee there. Currie was sentenced last year to 20 years in federal prison. Currie argued in his appeal that the prosecutor made several improper statements…
MANHATTAN — After opening presents on Christmas, be careful how you dispose of your boxes. What you have in your trash pile could be a potential advertisement to would-be burglars looking for an opportunity to take your new gifts. Riley County Police Department Officer Rachel Pate says it’s best to not leave that stuff in your front yard. Pate explains other ways people can protect themselves during the holidays. Pate says keeping all doors to your homes and vehicles locked will also eliminate that opportunity for theft. She also has tips for residents to avoid being a victim of porch pirates.…
Members of the military and their immediate families can take advantage of some discounted shopping just in time for last minute holiday purchases. The Manhattan Town Center is hosting their annual Military Appreciation Weekend this weekend. Multiple stores, even those who don’t typically offer military discounts, have exclusive discounts for military members and their families in thanks for their service. Just remember to bring your military I.D. as well as register at the booth in center court to pick up your discount flier. Other deals include discounted photos with Santa, raffles at JCPenney and a chance to win a $500…