TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas securities commissioner has resigned and announced plans to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Aaron Jack’s immediate departure was announced in a news release Tuesday. Jack is seeking the 2014 Republican nomination for state insurance commissioner. He previously served in the Kansas Legislature from 2009 to 2011. Jack says he has “greatly appreciated” the chance to serve. Gov. Sam Brownback has appointed Josh Ney interim commissioner. Ney joined the commission as a staff attorney in 2011 after working in the Jefferson County attorney’s office. Brownback praised Jack in the release, saying the securities office had…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) School officials are voicing opposition to a Senate bill that would change the way Kansas has distributed funds for students at risk of failure for more than 20 years. Administrators and education lobbyists told the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday that the definition used to hand out extra money to help schools serve poor students worked. They argue that students from low-income families traditionally struggle academically because they come to school with fewer skills. Under the Senate proposal, schools would continue to receive extra money to serve kindergarten through third-graders who qualify for government subsidized school meals.…
LIBERAL, Kan. (AP) An English runner won the annual trans-Atlantic pancake race in record time Tuesday, beating the winner of the southwest Kansas leg of the race by 8.3 seconds. It was the second win for Devon Byrne, 19, of Olney, England. She carried a pancake in a griddle over a 415-yard course in 56 seconds, besting the time of Liberal winner, Caitlyn Demarest, six hours later. Legend recounts that the race began in 1455 when an Olney housewife ran to Shrove Tuesday church services still carrying a pancake in a frying pan. Liberal made it a friendly international competition…
GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) Representatives of more than 20 Kansas downtown programs are working to restart the Kansas Main Street organization, which was shut down last year by the state. Before the program was ended, Kansas Main Street provided member communities with help for downtown revitalization and small-business development. The state Department of Commerce eliminated the program last year, citing budget problems. Directors from 25 Kansas downtown programs met last week in Hutchinson to sign articles of incorporation. The articles were signed by eight directors representing five geographical areas. The Garden City Telegram reports the group will meet again next…
WESKAN, Kan. (AP) A western Kansas couple is having fun and swelling with pride as they watch their son’s career take off with the band Fun. The latest big moment was Sunday, when Ed and Cindy Harold of Weskan watched their son, Nate, play bass guitar with Fun during the Grammy Awards. The band won Grammys for song of the year and best new artist. The Hays Daily News reports the Harolds have twice gone to New York to see Nate in concert, and saw a show in Denver. Ed Harold says his son has repeatedly said that he never…
EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) A Kansas woman, who was to go on trial in the death of her young daughter, will instead have a new plea hearing next month. Alyssa Haag, of El Dorado, was scheduled to go on trial Tuesday for first-degree murder in the March 2012 death of 18-month-old Jayla Haag. Instead, KAKE-TV reports a new plea hearing is set for March 15. Prosecutors allege Jayla Haag died of injuries caused by child abuse. Officials say the girl had bruises all over her body, multiple burn scars and six missing teeth.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax plan is facing a crucial early test of its support among Kansas legislators. The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday to debate a bill containing the governor’s tax proposals. The legislation would revise the state’s sales and income tax laws further after last year’s massive individual income tax cuts. Brownback’s goal is to position Kansas to eventually eliminate personal income taxes. His plan calls for phasing in a second round of cuts in individual income tax rates over the next four years. But the governor and lawmakers also…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House has honored a member who died last year by putting his name on the wooden ballot box he built for use in races for leadership positions. The chamber unanimously adopted a resolution Monday bestowing the honor on the late Rep. Bob Bethell. The Alden Republican had served in the House since 1999 and died in a one-car accident while driving home after the 2012 legislative session ended. Bethell, a Baptist minister and talented wood worker, made the ballot box because he thought leadership elections deserved something better than the shoe boxes previously used. He…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas Senate committee is preparing to consider term limits for some elected officials, including several statewide officeholders. Four proposals on the topic were scheduled for hearings Tuesday before the Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee. One proposal would limit the state treasurer and insurance commissioner to three consecutive four-year terms. Another measure would limit the attorney general and secretary of state to two four-year terms. Members of Congress from Kansas would be limited to 12 consecutive years per chamber two straight terms of six years in the U.S. Senate, or six terms of two years…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking public comment on a plan to clean up contamination at the former Unocal Chemical Distribution site in Wichita. The public comment period on the draft plan posted on the agency’s website opened Monday and closes March 12. The agency will also hold a meeting next month to outline its preferred cleanup plan and solicit public participation. The session is set for March 5 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Wichita’s Office of Environmental Health.