TOPEKA, Kan. — A federal judge ordered Kansas to pay $1.42 million to attorneys who succeeded in getting the federal courts to strike down a state law requiring new voters to show papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ruled Wednesday that the attorneys suing the Kansas secretary of state’s office over the law should receive more than $1.07 million to cover their fees and another $350,000 for litigation expenses. The law was championed by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who led former President Donald Trump’s now-defunct voter fraud commission. Kobach is running…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. — A top Republican lawmaker in Kansas says he’s concerned about President Joe Biden’s plan to resettle almost 500 Afghan evacuees in the state because he doesn’t know how well they’re being vetted. Senate President Ty Masterson said Wednesday that he’s worried both that the evacuees could come to Kansas with COVID-19 infections and that vetting by Biden’s administration won’t keep terrorists or terrorist sympathizers out. Biden’s administration began notifying governors Wednesday of where it plans to resettle nearly 37,000 Afghan evacuees, and 490 are set to come to Kansas. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s office declined comment, but…
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas schools are seeing a growing number of COVID-19 outbreaks, and school-aged children are getting infected more frequently than any other age group. The state Department of Health and Environment’s latest data shows 63 active COVID-19 clusters in schools across the state as of Wednesday. Those clusters were responsible for 408 cases and one hospitalization. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the number of active clusters is up from 31 with 179 cases last week. Also, 34 of this week’s reported clusters are new. The state’s data shows there were 450 new cases per 100,000 children aged 5…
The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police. Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property and criminal discharge of a firearm in the 2700 block of Moehlman Rd. in Manhattan on September 15, 2021, around 3:20 p.m. Officers listed a…
On Thursday’s edition of In Focus we spoke Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Jason Smith for the full hour.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran offered the opening statements Wednesday morning as the Senate Judiciary dealt with the FBI’s handling of the sexual assaults of multiple gymnasts by former Olympic and Michigan State doctor Larry Nassar. Moran’s comments included a question he said was asked when he first met with the group of Nassar’s victims. Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Maggie Nichols, and McKayla Maroney all testified after Moran highlighted the issue of FBI field agents failing to further investigate after claims were initially made. Moran and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal co-sponsored a bill following an investigation into systemic abuse in the U.S. Olympic…
The Manhattan City Commission heard a group of proposals on Tuesday for potential parking fees for both on-street and off-street parking once the new Aggieville garage goes on line. Up for further discussion will be the potential of charging those who park in the garage after 8 p.m. as a way to gain additional revenue, though it isn’t in the plans currently, according to Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers. Currently, parking enforcement is an eight-to-five process and Commissioner Usha Reddi questioned if enforcement shouldn’t occur later, to help maximize fees. Hilgers said it can be addressed in the future. Plans…
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is indicating that she’s wary of President Joe Biden’s mandate that companies with 100 or more employees require their workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that she said Tuesday at an economic development event that she needs to hear more details. Her office issued a statement last week to that effect. But the Journal-World reported that Kelly later made comments indicating that a mandate may not be her preference. She said she prefers that Kansas continue to work cooperatively with businesses. Most Republicans in the…
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Crowds gathered to protest for a second straight night at a University of Kansas fraternity house where a member is accused of sexually assaulting another student. The Kansas City Star reports that about 250 people arrived Tuesday on the lawn of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house. They chanted “no means no” and “kick him out” for hours as about a dozen police officers stood watch. Private security guards also were present. A spokesman for the fraternity said the organization has been made aware of the allegations involving one of its new undergraduate members and the university…
On Wednesday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with USD 383 Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid and board member Darell Edie. Manhattan Christian College President Kevin Ingram also joined the program.