WICHITA — Democrats and voting rights advocates are ramping up voter registration drives across Kansas in the wake of recent court rulings allowing thousands of people to more easily register with a federal form or at motor vehicle offices without providing citizenship documents. But the state’s Republican Party contends those court cases are “practically irrelevant” to the November election. GOP Executive Director Clay Barker says it isn’t putting party emphasis on registration because its numbers are so high in Kansas and registration “tends to take care of itself.” Republicans comprise 45 percent of the state’s 1.76 million registered voters. Unaffiliated voters make…
Author: KMAN Staff
Several arrests were reported this past weekend, including a couple high bond amounts. An 18-year-old man faces a $50,000 bond after his arrest by RCPD Friday. Roy Cephas, of Manhattan, was arrested while in the 700 block of Allen Road. Cephas was arrested on the offense of failure to appear which was listed on a warrant from Geary County. A 44-year-old Manhattan man was arrested Saturday on a “no bond” warrant. William Henson was taken into custody on the offenses of violation of a protection order, criminal trespass, and intimidation of a witness or victim. RCPD reports Henson was arrested after…
TOPEKA — The Federal Emergency Management Administration has denied an appeal from Kansas officials for a federal disaster declaration for several counties affected by May storms. FEMA says the state’s original request for a federal declaration for the public assistance grants was denied. Several counties were included in that request after they were hit by severe weather that included thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding during the last week of May. The state appealed FEMA’s initial decision on Aug. 31. FEMA has denied the appeal, reaffirming its original findings that the damage caused by the storms did not warrant a major disaster declaration, which…
Wamego was once again somewhere over the rainbow Saturday. The town celebrated annual OZtoberFest activities — events that honor all things “The Wizard of Oz.” Below are photos from a portion of the day, which included wine-tasting at the Oz Winery, a car show, live music, panel discussions with Oz experts and plenty of festival-goers in Oz-themed costumes.
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — There is little doubt, now, that Kansas State’s defense is among the Big 12’s elite. But in Saturday’s league opener, the Wildcat offense made that fact irrelevant. West Virginia rallied from a 16-3 deficit in the fourth quarter to top K-State, 17-16, on Saturday afternoon at Milan Puskar Stadium. Matt McCrane missed a 42-yard field goal that would have given the Wildcats the lead with two minutes left. But K-State’s offense, which scored three points in the second half, is what ultimately lost the game. Jesse Ertz finished 10-of-30 passing for 166 yards, an interception and…
TOPEKA — While Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is avoiding the issue, a Democratic legislator says Kansas is likely to divert additional funds from highway projects to balance its budget. Brownback declined to say Friday whether he would propose the diversion of highway funds to other government programs during the fiscal year that begins July 1. It’s a move he and other governors have used regularly in the past when faced with budget problems. Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly of Topeka said the state isn’t likely to have any other choice to fill short-term gaps in the budget. She predicted Brownback will propose…
WICHITA — Agribusiness giant Cargill has selected the building site housing the Wichita Eagle as its new headquarters for its protein operations. The company said in a news release Friday that the property would be redeveloped into a newly constructed office complex accommodating about 800 people. Cargill says it has signed a letter of intent with a local investment group to acquire and develop the site, without disclosing the terms. Wichita is home to the company’s beef business and its turkey and cooked meat business, which includes deli meats. Its processed-protein services, such as its North American egg business and food distribution,…
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A federal judge is taking a hands-on approach to the notice Kansas will send to thousands of voters informing them of their eligibility to cast a ballot in November. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Friday gave Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and the American Liberties Union until noon Monday to submit a joint draft for her review. She has also set a telephone status conference for Wednesday to discuss any revisions. Robinson canceled contempt proceedings for Kobach after he agreed to concessions that register and notify people who applied at motor vehicle offices or with a…
The Kansas State Student Governing Association passed a resolution Thursday night that clarifies inclusivity guidelines for outside schools hoping to join the Big 12 if and when the conference expands. The resolution largely reinforces protections for members of the LGBT community from discrimination and will go before university presidents of the Big 12. The vote passed 38-18 and the resolution was amended to strike out language that specified Brigham Young University, which, like Baylor, is a faith-based university that is exempt from federal Title IX regulations. Student Body President Jessica Van Ranken told KMAN Friday the amendment gave the resolution…
WICHITA — Authorities say a Kansas deputy is hospitalized after flipping his car while chasing a fleeing driver. The Wichita Eagle reports that the pursuit started around 1:30 a.m. Friday after the deputy attempted to pull over a car. A Sedgwick County dispatch supervisor says the deputy overturned his car during the pursuit. The deputy was taken to a Wichita hospital with what was reported to dispatch as serious injuries. The dispatch supervisor says a standoff with the driver ended around 5:15 a.m. Friday.