Author: KMAN Staff

A scaled-back version of an ordinance to address overcrowding in bars was passed Tuesday night by the Manhattan City Commission, giving some powers to the Riley County Police Department to monitor the growing problem. City staffers presented a proposal that would allow Riley County Police officers to enforce overcrowding violations, which up till now could only be done by the Manhattan Fire Department. The proposed ordinance also called for increased fines of up to $2,500, clarifying the authority of the RCPD to enforce overcrowding, and the ability of an officer to close down an establishment for up to 24 hours…

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A federal judge on Monday granted conditional class-action status to a lawsuit filed on behalf of an estimated 700 workers at the Creekstone Farms Premium Beef slaughterhouse in Arkansas City. U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren ruled that the class would include all hourly production employees who have been subjected to so-called “gang time” compensation practices for the past three years. The practice pays employees only for time the product is moving on the line, plus 10 minutes to put on and take off protective gear. “We are pleased with the ruling,” said Mark Kistler, the Overland Park…

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has formally submitted an executive order to legislators to reorganize three state agencies that deal with social services. The order signed Monday by Brownback is part of his administration’s plan to overhaul the state’s $2.9 billion Medicaid program, which provides health coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly. The changes sought by Brownback will take effect July 1, unless one chamber votes to reject his order by April 6. The order would shrink the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services so it would focus on services to children and families, removing it from…

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Gov. Sam Brownback has hit the highlights of his legislative agenda and touched on some specific proposals in meeting with two dozen Kansas legislators at his official residence. Brownback had the gathering Monday evening, amid ongoing questions about other events with lawmakers in January. He allowed an Associated Press reporter and photographer to observe. The governor said afterward that the meeting was typical of the ones he’s had previously. He had seven meetings at the residence in January with fellow Republicans on 13 legislative committees, and the Shawnee County district attorney is investigating whether they violated the…

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A group of Topeka woman is mixing crafting and activism. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that the women call themselves The Craftivists. The group has its roots in a crafting night four friends had together. Two years ago, the focus shifted when the women made handmade cards and poems for then-Gov. Mark Parkinson. The notes were a thank-you for restoring funding to Planned Parenthood and a criticism for his work with Sunflower Electric Power Corp. on a power plant expansion in Holcomb. Now, the women’s projects include jewelry, buttons and pendants. They also turn old windows into art…

Manhattan/Ogden NEA Representative Usha Reddi discusses an upcoming presentation on Governor Sam Brownback’s school finance plan during her bi-weekly update on KMAN.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A memorial service for U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown has been scheduled for this Saturday. The 104-year-old judge was the nation’s oldest sitting judge when he died Jan. 23 at an assisted living center in Wichita. A celebration of his life is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at College Hill United Methodist Church. Brown was appointed as a federal district judge in 1962 by then-President John F. Kennedy. In 1979, Brown officially took senior status, a type of semiretirement that allows federal judges to work with a full or reduced case level. He continued to carry a…

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House has honored a member who died last year after battling cancer. House members adopted a resolution Monday praising the late Rep. Rocky Fund. The Hoyt Republican served in the House from January 2007 until his death in April 2011 at the age of 60. Fund’s widow, Linda, and other family members were present as House Speaker Mike O’Neal praised Fund’s public service and his character. The resolution noted that he was active in his community and served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was the manager of a rural water district…