Sedgwick County Judge Rules to Not Release Voters' Names
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Secretary of State Kris Kobach says a Democratic legislator has failed to convince a Sedgwick County judge to release the names of voters who cast provisional ballots. Representative Geraldine Flaharty of Wichita filed the lawsuit Friday. She narrowly trails her Republican opponent, so those votes could help her. Kobach says a judge ruled against Flaharty, citing a federal law proteciting voters' names. The Associated Press couldn't obtain the judge's order Friday night. Provisional ballots are used when it's unclear if a voter is at the correct polling place. The ballots are reviewed later. A similar lawsuit was filed in Shawnee County by Democratic Representative Ann Mah of Topeka. But in that case, the judge ordered Friday that the names be released. Mah trails her Republican opponent by 27 votes.
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Machinists Release Details of Bombardier Contract Offer
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Officials of the Machinists union have released details of a contract offer that could end a monthlong strike at Bombardier Learjet's Wichita aircraft plant. Union spokesman Bob Wood described the offer Friday as a "substantial improvement" over the proposal that prompted the October 8th walkout. The union is recommending approval when members vote Saturday. Bombardier Learjet is proposing a five-year contract that keeps wages unchanged in the first year but raises them 1 percent in each of the following years. It also includes a $2,500 signing bonus, and lowers employees' share of health insurance premiums from the amount the company proposed earlier. The Machinists represent about 825 workers at the aircraft plant. Bombardier Learjet declined comment Friday.