TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House isn’t ready to back off a state policy requiring utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from wind and other renewable resources by 2020. House members voted 63-59 on Thursday to send a bill revising the policy back to a committee. The bill would have set the renewable energy standard for utilities at 15 percent starting in 2018. Supporters of the bill said the current standard is likely to raise consumers’ costs. Opponents of the legislation said Kansas now has a favorable climate for developing wind farms. The House action came as the…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) An embattled Kansas military school is asking a federal judge to rule at least partially in its favor after a former cadet admitted lying about being taped, bound and gagged against his will. St. John’s Military School argues in a court filing Thursday the former student has said in a sworn deposition the alleged incident began as a joke and that he asked his classmates to send a picture of it to his mother so she would take him out of the school. Michael Kelly is among 11 former cadets who have sued the Salina boarding school…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Experts say the deep snow covering much of Kansas only made things worse for wildlife in the state. Jim Pitman, a state small game biologist, says birds and other wildlife were already having trouble finding food or cover after two years of extreme drought. Now the parched land is covered by several inches of snow, making the search even harder. The snow could help revive habitat in the long run. But in the short term, Penner says the conditions are difficult, particularly for prairie birds. Penner said several birds also are being killed by drivers because they…
Parents and schools across the nation are struggling to understand the impact of looming federal budget cuts. The Obama administration says 70,000 children and 14,000 teachers will be effected in early education alone, if cuts are long lasting.
DERBY, Kan. (AP) A Kansas optometrist admits he collected $500,000 for eye exams that he didn’t perform. Forty-seven-year-old Wade D. Abbey of Derby pleaded guilty Thursday to five counts of wire fraud in the scheme that netted $583,060. Federal prosecutors allege that Abbey and his wife, Mindy L. Abbey, were paid extra fees for every eye exam they performed at Vision Doctors of Optometry in Derby. They allegedly gave false information about the number of exams to an accountant, who paid them based on that information. Abbey will be sentenced May 16. Mindy Abbey is awaiting trial.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Senators are set to take a final vote on a bill that would require many of Kansas’ elected officials and applicants for certain welfare benefits to undergo drug testing. The measure would require testing of applicants for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and legislators. A finding of reasonable suspicion of drug use would trigger more testing and treatment. The Senate will vote on the bill Thursday. Supporters say the measure is aimed at helping the poor kick their addictions, get needed job training skills and find employment. Opponents…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Gov. Sam Brownback says he is considering a program that would reward universities and technical colleges for helping startup companies. During a meeting of economic advisers Wednesday, the governor said it’s only an idea and no details of how to structure the program have been finalized. But he says the schools could be paid $2,000 to $5,000 to sponsor startup companies. He says the program would help create an entrepreneurial atmosphere in the state. The Wichita Eagle reports Graham Toft, president of the consultant group GrowthEconomists Inc., suggested Kansas should rebrand itself by focusing on its educated…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Not even a record-setting snowfall could stop some Wichita thieves. And they hit the city where it hurts, stealing catalytic converters from seven vehicles parked at the city’s parks and recreation department’s yard. Police say the thieves stole the equipment early Tuesday, during the heaviest snowfall. City officials say the thefts came as parks department employees needed to help remove snow from parking lots. Thieves prize the catalytic converters because they contain valuable metals that can be sold for scrap. KAKE-TV reports the city says the thefts will cost taxpayers about $5,000.
Internationally-recognized authors of Zoobiquity, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz M.D and Kathryn Bowers, will provide a free lecture on Wednesday, March 13th at 7pm inside the Sunset Zoo Nature Exploration Center. Attendees will experience an image-filled talk as Barbara and Kathryn share what animals can teach us about our health and the science of healing. Following the lecture, the authors will host a book-signing session. Funding for the event is provided by the Friends of Sunset Zoo and several Kansas State University entities including the College of Veterinary Medicine, Academic Excellence Fund, College of Human Ecology and Department of Human Nutrition. The Zoo lecture is part of…
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) The former director of the Arkansas City Senior Citizens Center is charged with theft and misusing public funds. An attorney for Edward G. Greene waived a reading of the six felony charges against his client during a hearing Wednesday. Greene is charged with three counts of theft, two counts of making false information and one count of misuse of public funds. Prosecutors allege he took funds in excess of $100,000. Greene posted $10,000 bond Tuesday night after he turned himself in to Cowley County authorities. He did not attend Wednesday’s hearing. The Arkansas City Traveler reports…