GOP Newsletter Talks About 'KNEA Trolls'
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Republican Party has sent out a newsletter that offers advice on dealing with "trolls" from the Kansas National Education Association. The Wichita Eagle reports that the newsletter sent Friday talks about clashes with "KNEA Trolls" in a section titled "HOW TO DEAL WITH TROLLS WHO CHALLENGE THE EDUCATION REFORM BILL." The Legislature passed a school finance bill in April that coupled increased funding with several reforms, including the elimination of state-mandated hearings before a public school teacher can be fired. The KNEA opposed the bill and has dogged conservative candidates throughout the summer. Kansas GOP executive director Clay Barker says the intent was to show members how to combat falsehoods. KNEA spokesman Marcus Baltzell stressed in an email that the organization represents thousands of eligible voters.
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Crews Demolish Partially Collapsed KC Church
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Crews are demolishing a northeast Kansas City church that partially collapsed with children inside. The Kansas City Star reports that demolition began Thursday on the Rios De Agua Viva Church. Work continued through Saturday. Walls at the church collapsed August 7th with more than 60 people inside, including children attending a vacation Bible school. No one was injured. The city determined the rest of the three-story building must be demolished because structural engineers found that it was unsafe. The building was insured and the church said previously that it was planning to move to Kansas City, Kansas.
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Man Convicted of Pottawatomie County Killing
WESTMORELAND, Kan. (AP) — A St. Marys man has been convicted of unintentional second-degree murder in the New Year's Day shooting death of a friend. Twenty-two-year-old Pablo Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced September 25th for the killing of 24-year-old Levi Bishop of Rossville. Pottawatomie County jurors returned the guilty verdict Thursday. The Manhattan Mercury reports that Bishop was shot while riding around St. Marys with Gonzalez and two others looking for another party to ring in the New Year. They all had been drinking heavily. The defense described what happened as an accident. Gonzalez testified that he had put the gun to his own head, thinking it was unloaded. He said Bishop told him not to, but he turned the gun on Bishop, saying it wasn't loaded and pulled the trigger.
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K-State Researchers Find Food Safety Habits Vary By Country
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University researchers have found widespread variations in the food safety practices used in different countries. The researchers worked with 100 consumers from India, Korea, Thailand, Russia, Estonia, Italy, Spain and two U.S. cities. From country to county, there were differences in how poultry and eggs are consumed, stored, handled and prepared. For instance, most of the consumers in Argentina and Colombia stored meat on higher shelves, putting them at a higher risk for contamination. That's because juices from the meat can leak onto ingredients on lower shelves. Differences also were found among countries in how eggs are stored and cutting boards are cleaned. The findings were published in the journal Foods. The study is part of a larger project to develop science-based messages about food safety.
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KS Research Could Make Solar Energy More Attractive
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — University researchers and utilities are conducting solar panel research that could make the energy source more attractive for Kansas users. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a lab at the University of Kansas is working on producing flexible panels that will be more cost-effective than current silicon models. The technology they're using would print a "solar ink" on a panel and use that to generate electricity. Meanwhile, Westar Energy recently made $1 million in grants to 15 schools and nonprofits around Kansas. The money will be used to install solar setups that have capacities ranging from 10 to 30 kilowatts. The data will be available to residents and business owners who are considering installing solar panels and want to know what kind of results they can expect.
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Fort Larned Celebrates 50th Anniversary As Park
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — It's going to be a big weekend at the Fort Larned National Historic Site about 130 miles northwest of Wichita. The fort is celebrating the 50th anniversary of becoming the Fort Larned National Historic Site — making it the first national historic site in Kansas. The Wichita Eagle reports President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law that made the fort an historic site on August 31st, 1964. The fort itself stretches back to 1859, when it served several thousand soldiers for 19 years. Chief Ranger George Elmore says the fort was chosen as a national historic site because it was one of the best preserved forts from the Indian Wars era. Nine of the original buildings still stood in 1964, and the parade ground was intact.