Numerous Tornadoes Reported in Western, Southwestern Kansas
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) The National Weather Service reports numerous tornadoes hit western and southwestern Kansas last night (FRI). Storm surveys are in progress this morning (SAT) after eight tornadoes were reported in Edwards, Ford, and Ness counties last night, with destructive winds and large hail. The National Weather service is warning residents of central and western Kansas that more severe storm are possible through the weekend, with widespread heavy rainfall and the possibility of significant flooding and flash flooding predicted for Monday and Tuesday.
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Kansas Foster Care Kids Again Staying in Offices
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Abused and neglected children are again sleeping overnight in the offices of Kansas foster care contractors because homes cannot be found for them quickly enough. According to the Department for Children and Families, more than 70 children have been kept overnight in the offices of the two nonprofit agencies providing foster care services beginning in January. That's when Democratic Governor Laura Kelly took office. Her Republican predecessor's administration kept children from sleeping in offices during its final months. The state agency provided statistics in response to questions from The Associated Press after it received a tip that the practice had returned. Kelly, legislators and child welfare advocates have repeatedly cited the practice as a sign of serious problems in the child welfare system since it came to light in 2017.
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Kansas Prison Cancels Visits to Inmates, Citing Drug Use
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state prison in western Kansas is not allowing inmates to have visitors this weekend in hopes of combatting the flow of contraband drugs that are being blamed for a death there. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Jeanny Sharp said Friday that the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility is trying to determine how drugs are getting into the institution and visitors are one possible source. Four inmates died at three prisons in late April, including one in Larned. Corrections officials believe all the deaths were tied to contraband drugs, though they are not sure specifically what substances. Sharp said another Larned inmate was hospitalized this week, and 20 Larned inmates have been found to be under the influence of drugs during the past 30 days.
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Missouri Offers Truce to Kansas in KC Business Incentive Battle
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are renewing a truce offer with Kansas in a long-running battle over businesses in the Kansas City area. Legislation given final approval Friday would prohibit Missouri tax incentives from being used to lure businesses from the Kansas side of Kansas City to move across the state line. But it would take effect only if Kansas adopts a similar policy within the next two years. Missouri passed a similar measure in 2014, but Kansas never agreed, and the offer expired in 2016. Since then, both states have continued to battle for businesses in the Kansas City area. The Missouri bill now goes to Governor Mike Parson. It would apply to businesses in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.
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Kansas Governor Vetoes GOP Tax Relief Plan
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a tax relief plan from the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature for the second time in two months. Kelly's action Friday is likely to lead to an effort by GOP lawmakers to override her veto on May 29, their last day in session this year. She said the measure would "decimate" the state budget. The bill was designed to provide relief to individuals and businesses that have been paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws at the end of 2017. It would save taxpayers roughly $90 million during the budget year beginning in July and about $240 million over three years. It was less than half the size of a GOP tax relief plan that Kelly vetoed in late March.
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Two Charged in Wichita Stabbing Death
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two people are charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of a man whose body was found inside a vehicle taken from his home. KAKE-TV reports 25-year-old Royce Thomas and 24-year-old Micaela Spencer, both of Wichita, are both charged in the death of 50-year-old William Callison. Police say friends reported they last saw Callison on Sunday evening. On Monday afternoon, they called police to report someone was driving Callison's truck. Investigators later found the truck and a connected recreational vehicle in the driveway of a private home. Callison's body was inside the RV. Thomas and Spencer made their first court appearances Thursday. They both also face two counts of theft and other charges.
They each remain jailed on $500,000 bond.
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Kelly Cancels No-Bid Contracts Worth More than $110 Million
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Governor Laura Kelly's administration is canceling two no-bid contracts valued at more than $110 million that were negotiated by Kansas Revenue Department officials from previous administrations. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the 10-year contracts with CGI Technologies were awarded to overhaul and outsource its information technology systems. The state has paid $28 million to CGI under the agreements reached while Republicans Sam Brownback and Jeff Colyer were governor. Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart said CGI didn't adequately perform its contractual obligations. Kelly said the no-bid contract process produced agreements that weren't in the state's best interests. She said the bidding process ensures contracts are transparent. The governor sent a letter terminating the contacts Thursday but her administration had been reviewing IT operations in the revenue department since taking office in January.
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Autopsy: Topeka man Fatally Shot by Trooper was on Drugs
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An autopsy report says a Topeka motorist who was fatally shot by a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in November was under the influence of methamphetamine. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Shawnee County District Coroner Ransom Ellis said the autopsy found methamphetamine, amphetamine and marijuana in the system of 35-year-old Jarmane Logan. He died of a single gunshot wound. Investigators say the trooper and a Topeka police officer were being dragged through the snow by Logan's vehicle when he was shot. Logan was trying to drive away with two women the officers were trying to take into custody. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in January that the shooting was justified. The trooper's name hasn't been made public.
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Kansas Regents Frustrated by Universities' Request for More Tuition
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Despite an increase in state funding for higher education, four the Kansas' six major universities are asking for tuition increases for next year. During a meeting Wednesday, some members of the Kansas Board of Regents expressed frustration with the university administrators for seeking increases. The Wichita Eagle reports the board will vote on the proposals in June and it is unclear if there are enough votes to approve them. University officials said the proposed increases would be the smallest in decades. The University of Kansas and Wichita State are asking for a 1 percent increase for Kansas residents. Emporia State requested a 2.5 percent increase and Kansas State is seeking a 3.1 percent hike. Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State did not ask for higher tuition.
