CHEROKEE, Kan. (AP) Kansas school boards are having trouble finding people to serve. The Kansas Association of School Boards says in the last 12 years, school districts across the state have consistently had 50 to 70 seats empty. The Joplin Globe reports 62 positions were empty in 2011, the latest available data. Doug Moeckel, an executive with the association, says school boards often have to make difficult budget and personnel decisions, which can cause conflict for board members. He says many people want to serve but are frustrated when they realize the school districts don’t have the resources to provide…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A Sedgwick County judge is considering whether to allow evidence of a 1989 murder during a trial in a Wichita woman’s death in 2011. Tyrone Walker, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Janis Sanders, 44, who died in June 2011 in Wichita. When Sanders was killed, Walker was on parole for the murder of Tamara Baker, 25, whose body was found in 1989 near Lawrence. Sedgwick County prosecutors are asking a judge to allow evidence of the first murder in Walker’s trial in Sanders’ death. The Wichita Eagle reports prosecutors contend the two…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Wichita police say a 4-year-old boy was critically injured when he was accidentally shot in the head with an air rifle at his home. Police Sgt. Bart Brunscheen says the boy was hospitalized Sunday evening after being shot with a .177-caliber air rifle. He says the pellet penetrated the boy’s skull. Brunscheen says a male in the home apparently was cleaning the rifle when it fired.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Board of Education will get an update this week on school-related legislation and an effort to develop new standards to guide science instruction in the state. The board is meeting Tuesday in Topeka, then moves Wednesday to state schools for blind and deaf students in the Kansas City area. Several education-related bills are under consideration in the Legislature, including one that would make it easier to open charter schools. The board has been receiving regular updates on science standards, even though a final vote isn’t expected until at least May. Kansas and 25 other states…
HAYS, Kan. (AP) A Kansas Court of Appeals panel travels to Hays this week to hear oral arguments in eight cases. The Hays Daily News reports the three-judge panel will convene Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ellis County Courthouse. The docket includes appeals in cases involving legal and medical malpractice, child custody, drunken driving, mineral rights and other legal issues. The three judges will also render decisions on 10 cases that were submitted without oral argument. The 13-member Court of Appeals sits in Topeka, but often sends three-judge panels to conduct business in other parts of Kansas.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Attorneys involved in a Kansas school funding lawsuit are preparing for a conference call with Chief Justice Lawton Nuss to discuss the state Supreme Court’s schedule for reviewing the case. Monday morning’s call was set up by Nuss to discuss deadlines. But attorneys also expected to address the appointment of a mediator to oversee negotiations aimed at settling the litigation. The court already has said the negotiations will occur as the case moves forward. Several school districts and parents and guardians of students sued the state in November 2010. The state is appealing a January ruling by…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House is preparing to take final action on a bill that supporters say is an attempt to encourage cooperation between the Kansas Turnpike Authority and the state Department of Transportation. Some House members fear the bill up for a vote Monday is a step toward a merger and diverting revenues from the 236-mile turnpike to other uses. The House’s vote will determine whether the bill passes and goes to the Senate. It stops far short of Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal for a merger of the transportation agencies. Instead, it expands the specific authority of KDOT…
On today’s InFocus, Cathy talks with Dr. Susan Nelson, Clinical Associate Professor at Kansas State’s Pet Health Center, followed by Kristi Ingalls, Senior Donor Recruitment Representative with American Red Cross. [mp3-jplayer]
A work session over policies for leave and weather was on the agenda for the Pottawatomie County Commission Monday afternoon, but the morning contained a few other items. Leu Lowery, Public works director, brought forth the issue of replacing water meters at Timbercreek and also about the work being done on Westmoreland road for Bigelow bridge. Leslie Campbell, Health Department administrator, brought a request for approval of six grant applications, which the commission approved unanimously. The Justice Center was also on the agenda and more change orders were decided upon including the sub pump, outside faucets for water, tables, and a couple of others. The commission will meet again next Monday beginning…
With Saturday’s loss at Oklahoma State, the K-State men slide down two spots in this week’s Associated Press and USA Today coaches’ top 25. The 25-6 Cats are now #11 in the AP and #12 in the coaches’ poll. Kansas tumbles three positions in each poll to #6 in the coaches’ and #7 in the AP after their loss at Baylor. Oklahoma State moves down one spot to #14 in the AP and #15 in the coaches’. No other Big 12 team is receiving votes in either poll. Gonzaga is #1 for the second straight week, and is now followed…