TOPEKA — Republicans upset with GOP Gov. Sam Brownback failed by one vote to override his veto of a bill dealing with a canceled power plant. The vote Tuesday came after Brownback’s warning that an override would jeopardize Kansas’ credit ratings. Senators voted 26-13 to override, but critics needed one more vote for a two-thirds majority of 27 in the 40-member chamber. Republican Sen. Jeff Melcher of Leawood was absent and couldn’t be reached. Bipartisan opposition to the $20 million power plant forced Brownback to cancel it last month. The state would have demolished a government building near the Statehouse and its…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers have approved a bill that allows faith-based groups on public college campuses to restrict membership based on religious beliefs. The bill passed 80-39 in first-round approval Tuesday in the House. It passed overwhelmingly in the Senate last year. If the bill wins final approval in the House, it will go to the governor for his signature. The measure prevents universities from withholding funding based on a group’s decision to allow only members who share the organization’s beliefs. Supporters say the bill is a response to pressure for school religious organizations to accept anyone as a member, even if…
After being arrested on arson charges, a Manhattan man appeared in Riley County Court Tuesday. Donnie Hill appeared via webcam for a status hearing, after he was charged with arson and theft of property in February. Hill’s counsel used the appearance to schedule a second hearing with the court, as they continue to gather facts. KMAN previously reported that Hill was found near the 615 Yuma St. home he allegedly set a blaze, with lacerations to his arm prior to his arrest. Hill will return to the courtroom on March 29.
The man accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old K-State Student made a court appearance on Tuesday. Richard Smith made his way into the courtroom for a status hearing pertaining to charges of criminal possession of a firearm and drug possession. Smith was previously convicted of crimes in Pottawatomie County, carrying a five year ban on firearm possession. It was learned that the case will move forward with a preliminary hearing on April 12th. Smith is accused of the self-defense killing of Tyler Nelson in December 2015. Nelson had mistakenly tried to enter Smith’s home, believing it to be his own.…
The Sunset Zoo is involved in a new project involving a maned wolf pup named Fin and Labrador puppy named Matty and has set up a blog site to keep track of the furry pair. Assistant Zoo Director Ella Casey describes her front row seat the last month and a half as the young animals play and grow up together. Fin had to be removed from his newbie mother who was having difficulty adjusting to life with a baby–and the zoo searched and found a puppy playmate via social media and a local Chapman family. The blog site features a variety…
TOPEKA — A Wichita-area lawmaker says he was the one who advised the governor to withhold information about the state’s potential credit downgrade. Republican state Sen. Ty Masterson of Andover made the statement about an hour into a Republican caucus meeting Monday in which the party’s lawmakers weighed overrides to two recent vetoes by Gov. Sam Brownback. The Wichita Eagle reports that an attempt to override one of the vetoes was halted last week when the governor disclosed on social media that doing so could’ve resulted in a credit downgrade for the state. Most lawmakers were unaware of the possibility. The vetoed…
A status hearing was held Tuesday morning in the Riley County District Courthouse for Luis Aguirre as his case prepares to be retried for the 2009 murders of Tanya and Juan Maldonado in Ogden. During the hearing, Judge Meryl Wilson accepted a waiver signed by Aguirre, giving up his right to a speedy trial. Aguirre was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole, but the conviction was overturned by the Kansas Supreme Court after it was decided that police had violated the his Miranda rights during interrogation. According to Aguirre’s attorney, Jeffrey Wicks, many things will need to be assessed before…
Two people received treatment for minor injuries following a car accident Monday afternoon. Ieasha Wallace-Garvin, 24, was driving west in a 2007 Chevy Cavalier on Fort Riley Boulevard when she rear-ended a 2012 Toyota Prius being driven by Benjamin Shubert, 31, at the intersection of Fort Riley and South Manhattan Avenue. Wallace-Garvin and Shubert received treatment for minor injuries at the scene, but declined transport to Via Christi Hospital. Wallace-Garvin was given a citation for inattentive driving. ### A Council Grove man was arrested yesterday evening for failure to appear. Riley County Police arrested Colby Gant, 27, shortly before 6:30 p.m.…
Today’s guests on In Focus were: Bryanne Howe with Big Brothers/Big Sisters Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Pres. Lyle Butler
A Riley County farmer testified in Topeka earlier this week. Mary Mertz was born and raised in Chicago before she married a Kansan and relocated to Riley County. More than 20 years later, Mertz is hard at work in the dirt and advocates for agriculture with Kansas Farm Bureau. Mertz spends her time producing crops and informing the general public on where exactly their food comes from. Senator Pat Roberts has made national headlines recently with a resolution he has introduced in defense of genetically modified organisms. The resolution would require the USDA to create a GMO food labeling system…