LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) While train-related fatalities dropped dramatically across the country in the last 20 years, the numbers in Kansas have remained steady. The Federal Railroad Administration says Kansas has averaged 16 train fatalities per year in the last 20 years. Last year, 19 people died in train-related fatalities. Across the country, train fatalities dropped from 1,170 in 1992 to 644 last year. Darlene Osterhaus, director of the train-safety organization Kansas Operation Lifesaver, has helped coordinate hundreds of workshops across the state to increase awareness of the dangers of trains. She says she can’t pinpoint why Kansas train fatalities have…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas House committee appears to be backing away from a proposal to start a 401(k)-style plan for new teachers and government workers. The House Pension and Benefits Committee began work Monday on a new plan for overhauling the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Chairman Mitch Holmes, a St. John Republican, and Vice Chairman John Grange, an El Dorado Republican, outlined separate proposals for a retirement plan for new hires. Their proposals wouldn’t continue existing KPERS plans that guarantee benefits up front based on a worker’s salary and years of experience. But benefits also wouldn’t be based…
KMAN’s Chris Swick takes a look at staging when selling your home for KMAN’s Morning News.
MANHATTAN — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will present Kansas State University’s spring 2012 Landon Lecture at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, in McCain Auditorium. “We’re excited to bring Secretary Vilsack to Kansas State University,” said Jackie Hartman, university chief of staff, director of community relations and chair of the Landon Lecture Series. “As head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he guides the nation’s efforts in food safety and security and animal health — all areas in which Kansas State University is a recognized national and international research and outreach leader.” Vilsack has served since January 2009 as…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) More talk on the new federal biosecurity lab near Kansas State University as Kansas leaders are regrouping and searching for alternatives for funding construction As KMAN news first told you early last week, President Barack Obama’s 2013 budget proposal doesn’t include any construction funds for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility. The budget does allocate some money to transfer research to Kansas from an aging lab in Plum Island, New York. Governor Sam Brownback and legislative leaders say the $650 million project means too much to the nation’s food safety and the state’s economy to delay construction.…
PHOENIX (AP) The former top executive of the Fiesta Bowl has reached a plea deal with Arizona prosecutors to settle allegations related to a political donations scandal. Arizona Attorney General’s spokeswoman Amy Rezzonico confirmed Sunday that John Junker will appear in court on Tuesday. A person with direct knowledge of the deal said Junker will plead guilty to a felony charge. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because the deal has not been filed in court. The Arizona Republic first reported the deal with Junker in Sunday’s editions. They quoted defense attorney Stephen Dichter…
LOS ANGELES (AP) Bill Haas made the biggest putt of them all Sunday at Riviera – the putt that won the Northern Trust Open. Haas closed with a 2-under 69 and wound up in a three-way playoff when Phil Mickelson made a birdie putt from just outside 25 feet on the 18th hole, and PGA champion Keegan Bradley joined him with a 12-foot birdie putt. The tournament was decided on the second extra hole, the par-4 10th, perhaps the most interesting par 4 in golf. Haas had to play safe from behind the green, then rolled in a 45-foot birdie…
BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) An assistant coach of the Creighton University women’s basketball team has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Bellevue police arrested Carrie Moore early Sunday. Officers had been called to a McDonald’s around 2:50 a.m. by employees who’d found Moore asleep in her vehicle. It was sitting in the drive-thru lane. Sarpy County authorities say the 26-year-old’s blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. A public phone listing for Moore could not be found. It’s unclear whether she has an attorney. Online court records don’t yet list the case. Creighton University officials declined to comment.
NEW YORK (AP) A.J. Burnett’s rocky tenure in pinstripes is over. The Yankees and Pirates have completed a trade Sunday that sends the much-maligned pitcher to Pittsburgh for a pair of minor leaguers. New York will also give the Pirates cash to cover part of Burnett’s hefty salary. The teams agreed to the deal Friday, but it was subject to Burnett passing a physical. He was at Pirates camp Sunday in Bradenton, Fla., to take his exam. Commissioner Bud Selig also had to approve the deal because of the money involved. Pittsburgh will pay $13 million of the $33…