WICHITA — Kansas is appealing a judge’s ruling that the state must release candidates’ applications for two county commission openings filled by Gov. Sam Brownback. The state has filed a notice of appeal in the lawsuit brought by The Salina Journal and The Associated Press seeking the disclosure of information on more than two dozen applicants for newly created Saline County Commission seats. Saline County residents voted in November 2014 to expand the commission from three to five members. The AP and the newspaper argued that applicants’ names and other details are public information. Brownback’s office argued they are personnel…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA — University of Kansas officials face questions from two legislative committees about using $327 million in out-of-state bonds to finance campus construction projects. The House Appropriations Committee and Senate Ways and Means Committee were having separate hearings Tuesday on the financing for what the university is calling its central district project. The project includes the construction of new science buildings and student housing. Both committees have included spending restrictions for the university in legislation for keeping the state budget balanced through June 2017. Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Tim Caboni said Monday that the university is looking forward to…
TOPEKA — A bill that would expand a new state tax-credit system that pays for scholarships for low-income students to attend private schools has passed a hurdle. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a majority of the House Education Committee approved the expansion Monday. Next, it needs to pass a vote on the House floor. Currently, the program allows certain businesses to donate money for private school scholarships. In return, they can deduct part of the donation value from their tax bills. Proponents say it expands educational options. Opponents say it hurts state coffers and may be unconstitutional. Under the expansion,…
Riley County commissioner Robert Boyd and county register of deeds Debbie Regester have announced they will file for re-election Tuesday morning. Both made their announcements first on KMAN. Boyd was elected to his first term as representative of Riley County’s 2nd District in 2012 and touted his leadership experience. “It’s with humility and excitement that I announce my candidacy for the Riley County commission to the 2nd District,” Boyd announced during his appearance on KMAN’s “In Focus” Tuesday morning. “The position of Riley County commissioner is very much a hands-on position as it actually handles day-to-day business of the county.”…
In this edition of In Focus, Cathy Dawes speaks with Riley County Commissioner Robert Boyd.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education accepted a bid to repair the West Elementary playground. At Monday’s meeting, Director of Operations Larry Hannan handed out the bid specification from four (4) bidders for the West Elementary Playground drainage project. After discussing the different components of the bids, and suggestions by Bryan Padgham, a motion was made to accept the bid by Riley Construction in the amount of $41,549 after additions. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 1. Board member Amy Schwein left the meeting early. In other business, the Board continued the facilities discussion with BBN Architects.…
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education has revised their Food Service Policy. At Monday’s meeting, Food Service Director, Laura Fails, requested and was approved for adding an additional food service worker. Then the focus shifted to the current Food Service Policy for students whose accounts are negative. According to Superintendent Denise O’Dea, USD 320’s policy is to never deny a student a meal. The current policy states that students in grades K-8 shall not be denied a school meal unless authorized by the superintendent. Students in grades K-12 whose meal accounts reach a negative balance of $50 or greater will…
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education approved a new financial literacy class for the 2017-18 school year. At Monday’s meeting, Principal Tim Winter introduced Teacher Travis Graber who developed the class for the Business Department. The proposed Financial Literacy class will be required for graduation and offered to Junior’s and Senior’s in years 2017-18. Graber said the Financial Literacy class was created to educate high school students about sound money management skills and the financial planning process, and help teens begin to develop positive behaviors that are necessary to attaining financial maturity and achieving a secure future. According to the…
Corey Dean and Wyatt Thompson break down the K-State basketball weekend. The men upset #1 Oklahoma at Bramlage, 80-69. What does that mean going forward for the Wildcats? The women picked up their third straight loss losing at West Virginia over the weekend. The women get Oklahoma next while the men have Baylor. They’ll break down the rest of the Big 12 hoops weekend and what lies ahead this week. K-State baseball is fast approaching plus more on K-State football on the recruiting trail. All that and much more on “Wildcat Insider” on KMAN. https://1350kman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1-MBB-upsets-OU.mp3 https://1350kman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-Wade-Big-12-POW.mp3 https://1350kman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3-FB-recruiting.mp3…
One of the men responsible for a string of September 2015 robberies which sent the K-State campus into lockdown was to be sentenced Monday morning; however, things did not go as planned. Jonathon Ryan Elliot, 20, pleaded no contest in January to one count of aggravated robbery after admitting he participated the robberies in September by providing transportation and keeping stolen goods. Elliot was to be sentenced Monday, but pending an evaluation by the courts he will be sentenced on March second. Prosecutors are seeking the standard sentence for the crime, which ranges between 5 and 19 years. Elliot’s sentencing delay follows the sentencing…