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Headlines for Saturday, August 31, 2019

KPR News Summary image
KPR News Summary image

Lawsuit by Muslim Engineer Settled Just before Kansas Trial

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A court notice shows the federal lawsuit filed by a Muslim aerospace engineer has been settled days before the trial over allegations of discrimination stemming from a party at a Kansas lake. The filing Friday in U.S. District Court does not detail settlement terms between Munir Zanial and the Spirit Boeing Employees Association. The trial that had been scheduled for Tuesday is cancelled. The Malaysian national of Indian ancestry rented a pavilion at the group's lake in 2017 to celebrate Malaysian Independence Day. The lawsuit alleges the association suspended his rental privileges and reported him to authorities. It alleged an American flag had been desecrated by Islamic State group symbols. But the flag was actually a Malaysian flag and the guests included people of Malaysian Indian ancestry, some wearing hijabs.

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El Dorado Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Porn Charges

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 35-year-old Kansas man who is registered sex offender has admitted producing and distributing child pornography. Daniel Eric Merida, of El Dorado, pleaded guilty Thursday to six charges related to child pornography. He will be sentenced November 18th. Court records indicate Merida admitted to starting an online relationship with a 12-year-old girl in 2012 that lasted six years. During that time, Merida persuaded the girl to take explicit photos of herself. Federal prosecutors say authorities found Merida with child pornography during a March 2018 search. They also found child porn on Merida's phone. Merida was convicted in 2014 of a child sex crime in a Colorado case.

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Former Linn County Attorney Sentenced for Theft

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former east-central Kansas county attorney was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for stealing electronics and equipment from the county. John Sutherland, a 69-year-old from Mound City, was sentenced Thursday for mail fraud and lying to federal investigators. He was also ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution and a total fine of $11,000. Sutherland was Linn County attorney for about 20 years before leaving the job in January 2017 after losing a re-election campaign. U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said in a statement Sutherland stole 350 to 500 items from Linn County. KCTV reports the items included cell phones paid for by the county that were not used for county business, a television and a computer. Sutherland also agreed to surrender his law license.

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Colorado Judge Arrested in Kansas on DUI Suspicion

DENVER (AP) — A part-time county judge in Colorado has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Kansas. The Denver Post reports Baca County Judge Debra Gunkel was arrested outside Tribune, Kansas, on Aug. 17. Greeley County, Kansas, prosecutor Charles Moser said no decision has been made on filing charges. No phone number could be found for Gunkel. The newspaper says her attorney didn't return a phone call or email. Court records show Gunkel pleaded guilty in October to driving under the influence in Colorado and was given a deferred sentence, meaning that case could be dismissed if she doesn't commit another crime for two years and completed other requirements. Colorado courts spokesman Rob McCallum says officials are awaiting the outcome of the Kansas case before before taking any action.

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Man Arrested in Mexico for 2012 Dodge City Murder

DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — A suspect in a 2012 murder in Ford County has been returned to Kansas after being arrested and extradited from Mexico. Ford County Attorney Kevin Salzman said 23-year-old Miguel Solis is a suspect in the death of Miguel Tol Juarez, who died in August 2012. The Dodge City Daily Globe reports Solis is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, one count of attempted aggravated robbery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm. He is being held on $4 million bond. Investigators say Solis was one of three Dodge City males who shot Tol Juarez at his home during an attempted robbery. The other two suspects were arrested shortly after the death but Solis fled to Mexico. Solis' next hearing is scheduled for September 5th.

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Manhattan Official Kicks Off Senate Campaign

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas city official is running for the U.S. Senate next year as a Democrat. The Kansas City Star reports that Manhattan City Commission member Usha Reddi launched her campaign Thursday and hopes to become the first Hindu to serve in the Senate. The 54-year-old Reddi is an elementary school teacher who has served on the city commission since 2013 and is now Manhattan's mayor pro tem. She also ran unsuccessfully for a State Board of Education seat in 2012. Four-term Republican Senator Pat Roberts announced in January that he's not seeking re-election in 2020. Reddi is the third Democrat to launch a campaign, after former federal prosecutor Barry Grissom and former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda. Democrats have not won a Senate race in Kansas since 1932.

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Kansas Insurance Commissioner Controls Malpractice Company

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas insurance commissioner will take supervisory control of a company that provides malpractice insurance to nearly 500 medical professionals in Missouri and Kansas. A Shawnee County judge last week placed Physicians Standard Insurance Company in rehabilitation mode with Kansas regulators. The action comes after Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt filed a petition seeking the action, with the consent of the company's board of directors. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports company's financial condition has declined since 2018 but the order gives PSIC the chance to remain solvent while working to rehabilitate its situation. Most of the physicians covered by PSIC work in Missouri but the company is based in Kansas. Under the court order, PSIC will continue to operate and malpractice policies will remain in effect.

 

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