TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A statewide nominating commission has named a western Kansas judge, a Kansas City-area prosecutor and a Topeka attorney as finalists for a vacant seat on the state’s second highest court. But Thursday’s announcement means the commission passed over Gov. Sam Brownback’s chief counsel and a prominent judge who is a former legislator. That could fuel a debate over the judicial selection process. The finalists are Stevens County District Judge Kim Schroeder, Senior Deputy Johnson County District Attorney Steven Obermeier and Topeka attorney Teresa Watson. Brownback attorney Caleb Stegall and Sedgwick County District Judge Tony Powell, who formerly…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A new survey shows Kansas elementary students are still learning cursive writing but interest in teaching the subject is waning. The Kansas education department said Wednesday a survey found 90 percent of the state’s school districts teach cursive writing, generally in third grade. But nearly 23 percent of those who responded said they don’t consider cursive a high priority. And about 6 percent said they expect to eventually reduce the time spent teaching the subject. The Lawrence Journal-World reports supporters also are concerned that new Common Core State Standards in English will mean even less cursive education.…
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) Overland Park officials will ask the Kansas attorney general whether the city can impose more restrictions on people who want to openly carry firearms. The city voted in September to allow gun owners to openly carry weapons in public places, with some restrictions. After complaints from citizens, the city was considering requiring those who want to openly carry weapons to meet the same requirements as those for concealed carry licenses. After the Libertarian Party of Kansas threatened to sue, the public safety committee voted Wednesday to defer the proposal until it heard from Attorney General Derek…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) Plant officials at Siemens Wind Energy in Hutchinson say new orders will help the company avoid more layoffs for now. The Hutchinson News reports the plant recently received orders to supply parts for wind farms being built in Southern California and Chile. Siemens announced in September that it was cutting 60 percent of its Hutchinson workforce. The layoffs were completed this week, leaving the plant with 150 workers. It once had more than 400 employees. Siemens also laid off 570 people at its Fort Madison, Iowa, plant and 62 others around the country. Jim Jones, interim plant…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Lottery Commission has approved a change of management for the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane. The commission on Wednesday approved the merger of Boyd Gaming and Peninsula Gaming, transferring Peninsula’s management contract for the Kansas Star to Boyd. The commission regulates companies that operate casinos for the Kansas Lottery in Dodge City, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kan. Boyd spent $1.45 billion to buy Peninsula’s five casinos, including the Kansas Star. The deal is expected to close in December. The Wichita Eagle reports Boyd must pass background checks and be licensed by the Kansas Racing and…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins have been elected to leadership positions by fellow congressional Republicans. GOP senators picked Moran on Wednesday to serve as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, their campaign organization. Moran was elected to the Senate only in 2010. But he served in the House for 14 years before that, and he also is a former Kansas legislator. House Republicans named Jenkins as their conference vice chairwoman, their fifth-highest leadership position. Jenkins was first elected in the 2nd Congressional District of eastern Kansas in 2008 after serving six years as…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Supreme Court is preparing to take up an ethics case against former Attorney General Phill Kline over his actions during investigations of abortion providers. The court was hearing arguments from attorneys Thursday. Five of the seven justices removed themselves from the case, requiring the appointment of substitutes. Kline was Kansas attorney general from 2003 to 2007 and Johnson County district attorney in 2007 and 2008. A three-member panel of the state Board of Discipline of Attorneys has recommended Kline’s law license be suspended indefinitely. Kline has strongly denied any ethics violations. The disciplinary panel contends…
LECOMPTON, Kan. (AP) Lecompton residents are hoping Steven Spielberg’s new movie about Abraham Lincoln will spur interest in the historic eastern Kansas town. The movie, “Lincoln,” which is scheduled to be released this week, is based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals.” Events in Kansas and Lecompton that led up to the Civil War are covered in the book. It was the Lecompton Constitution, which would have admitted Kansas as a slave state and was rejected, that split the national Democratic Party and helped Lincoln get elected as president in 1860. Lecompton Historical Society president Paul Bahnmaier told…
Authorities say at least four people are dead after a train slammed into a parade float headed to a West Texas event honoring wounded veterans.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says the BP settlement is the just the latest step in ongoing efforts to seek justice for the massive 2010 Gulf oil spill.