IOLA, Kan. (AP) A Texas company that makes oilfield equipment says it plans to expand and add about 100 jobs in Iola. State commerce officials announced Tuesday that Catalyst Artificial Lift, a Gainesville, Texas company that manufactures oilfield reciprocating rod pumps, bought a 150,000-square foot manufacturing building in Iola. The company says it will expand its current workforce in Allen County from 22 employees to 120 workers during the next five years. Catalyst’s bought a building that formerly housed the Haldex facility, which closed in 2011 after its operations were relocated to Mexico, costing 160 people their jobs. Catalyst was…
Author: KMAN Staff
HILLSDALE, Kan. (AP) The search continues for two suspects who broke into a northeast Kansas home and tied up the female resident. The search began Tuesday and was concentrated for most of the day northeast of Louisburg in Miami County. Authorities say three men broke into a home in the unincorporated town of Hillsdale Tuesday morning. Police said they tied the woman up, ransacked her home and fled. After a car carrying the suspects was stopped, one of the men was quickly captured but the other two escaped into the woods.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) University of Kansas police are investigating several acts of vandalism at campus buildings this month. The vandalism began July 12 when someone caused $5,000 damage in a bathroom at Wescoe Hall and benches on the building’s ground floor. Damage was later reported at Blake Hall, Fraser Hall, Malott Hall and Stauffer-Flint Hall. The total damage was estimated at $9,000. The Lawrence Journal-World reports all the buildings were unlocked because people were working inside. It’s not clear if all the vandalism incidents are related.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) University of Kansas researchers have received a $1.2 million grant to test whether an iPad voice output application can help children with autism. The researchers will train preschoolers with autism and their classmates to use the app. The researchers want to determine whether the technology can improve their deficits in communication, social reciprocity and play skills. The four-year study will be led by Kathy Thiemann-Bourque, a University of Kansas assistant research professor at the Juniper Gardens Children’s Project in Kansas City, Kan. She says many young children with autism have complex communication needs but do not develop…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) A new program aims to deliver tips to new parents over their cell phones. The Kansas Early Childhood Advisory Council and Kansas Project LAUNCH have awarded $40,000 in mini-grants to communities across the state. The money will help promote a texting campaign designed to provide parents with easy access to health information. Project coordinator Cristi Cain told 6News Lawrence that the program’s key demographic is low-income mothers, who are active texters and are more likely to be reached that way. Expecting mothers or new moms can sign up for the free service by texting “baby” to 511411…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) After some hesitation from a top Republican, Kansas legislative leaders have decided that a committee monitoring the state’s overhaul of its Medicaid program will have two days of meetings later this year. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Senate President Susan Wagle said this week that she wanted to hear from the leaders of the House and Senate health committees before committing to meetings of the oversight committee. Medicaid covers medical services for the needy and disabled. Gov. Sam Brownback turned over administration of most of the program this year to three private health insurance companies. Democrats said…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Topeka appears ready to boost its utility franchise fee so that some new revenue to fund its budget comes from churches, schools and Kansas government agencies. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that most City Council members have endorsed raising the fee to 6 percent from 5 percent. Kansas Gas Service and electricity supplier Westar Energy pay the fee on their gross receipts and pass it along to customers. The council believes the increase will raise nearly $1.2 million next year. Council members backed the idea after a financial adviser told them it would be fairer than boosting property…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A federal judge has delayed the trial of three California residents accused of trying to steal nearly $83,000 worth of beef from a southwest Kansas slaughterhouse. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Tuesday set the case for a jury trial beginning Nov. 12 in Wichita. Trial had previously been set for August. An indictment charges Oganes Nagapetian, 53; his wife, Larisa, 46; and his brother, Tigran Nagapetian, 50, with conspiracy to violate U.S. laws. All are from North Hollywood, Calif. Prosecutors allege the three tried to steal a semi-load of processed beef in November 2011 from the…
On today’s InFocus, Cathy takes a look at Climate Change with interviews from a variety of experts including Chuck Rice, Ben Champion of Kansas State. St. Rep. Dennis Hedke, Meteorologist Mike Smith, and Joseph Craine. Below we not only have today’s InFocus, but the entirety of each interview as some were unfortunately not able to be heard live. [mp3-jplayer]
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