TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Revenue plans to lay off nearly 60 employees as the agency moves its information technology services to a private company. The Wichita Eagle reports the state awarded no-bid contracts worth nearly $60 million dollars to CGI Technologies, which was severely criticized after the botched rollout of the federal health care website in 2013. Agency spokeswoman Rachel Whitten says the 56 IT employees affected by the changes will be able to apply for CGI jobs in Topeka, or could find other jobs within the department or state government. The department signed at least two contracts…
Author: KMAN Staff
Host Brady Bauman shared his thoughts on K-State baseball coach Brad Hill, who announced Tuesday he’d be stepping down at the end of the season. Bauman covered K-State baseball during his time at the Manhattan Mercury. Guests Wednesday morning included Wamego USD 320 Superintendent Tim Winter, Rock Creek USD 323 Superintendent Kevin Logan, and Big Lakes Developmental Center President and CEO Lori Feldkamp.
The Secretary of the U.S. Army, Dr. Mark T. Esper, visited and spoke with soldiers and spouses of the 1st Infantry Division as he toured Fort Riley Friday. The visit was Esper’s first to the area since he was sworn in as the 23rd Secretary of the Army last November. Esper started his busy day by joining Soldiers of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., for a functional fitness PT session. Esper also met with officers, noncommissioned officers and spouses of the 1st CAB for breakfast before joining the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., as…
WICHITA — The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal judge to order Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to pay $51,646.16 in attorney fees and other damages as punishment for violating a court order. The ACLU detailed its costs in a court filing Monday. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson found Kobach in contempt of court last month for violating her order in a lawsuit challenging a Kansas law requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Robinson didn’t impose a fine at the time but ordered Kobach to pay for damages, including attorney fees. The ACLU sought…
Tuesday’s guests were Riley County Commission Chairman Marvin Rodriguez and Riley County Counselor Clancy Holeman.
TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has signed legislation fixing a flaw in a new public school funding law as the state Supreme Court prepares to consider whether it increases spending enough. Colyer’s office tweeted photos Monday from a signing ceremony at the Olathe public schools’ headquarters. The bill ensures that the state phases in a $534 million increase in spending over five years as intended. At @OlatheSchools this morning to sign the school funding bill fix. This bill gets more money in the classroom and adds accountability without raising taxes on hardworking Kansas families. #ksleg pic.twitter.com/kcjnqccWnF — Governor Jeff…
Monday’s guests were Cathy Dawes and Pamela Kempton, who discussed the Manhattan Arts Center production of “Timeless Music” on May 15. Kempton is the director and Dawes is one of its performers. Also on Monday’s show were Mike and Lisa Irvin of Flint Hills Foster Teen Camp.
Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck told the Manhattan Mercury Friday there was “no criminal action” in an officer-involved shooting in Wamego two months ago that left one man dead. Ethan Straub, 25, of Wamego, was shot and killed during an altercation with law enforcement on Feb. 26. Five officers from four agencies — including Wamego and St. George police departments, sheriff’s deputies and Kansas Highway Patrol — fired at Straub. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the case and sent the results to Schuck, according to the Mercury. Straub allegedly attempted to carjack a vehicle at Kreem Kup Drive In…
WICHITA — A federal indictment charges Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell with financial crimes related to campaign funds. The indictment unsealed Friday includes five counts of wire fraud, five counts of bank fraud and two counts of money laundering. The 33-year-old Wichita man was issued a summons to appear May 9 in court. O’Donnell did not respond to phone and email messages, and court records do not indicate an attorney. Prosecutors allege O’Donnell put campaign money into his personal bank account and filed false reports with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. O’Donnell, a Republican, was elected to the Kansas State…
TOPEKA — Kansas legislators have approved pay raises for state workers and extra funds to partially reverse past spending cuts on state university campuses. The House and Senate passed a bill Thursday that would add millions of dollars in new spending to budgets approved by lawmakers last year for the state’s current fiscal year and the next fiscal year beginning in July. The House vote was 98-23. The Senate vote was 26-14, and the bill goes to Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer. The bill provides an additional $15 million to state universities to undo most cuts made in their operating budgets…