Topeka FritoLay Workers Reject Contract
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Workers at Topeka's FritoLay plant have voted against a proposed contract, paving the way for a strike to begin tomorrow (MON). The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that union leaders and FritoLay managers reached a tentative deal this week but members rejected the proposed contract after two days of voting Friday and yesterday (SAT). KSNT-TV reports about 400 members of Local 218 voted over the two days, with the overwhelming majority of them voting to strike. More than 500 FritoLay workers are expected to participate.
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Olathe Proud Boy to Remain in Custody
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) - An Olathe man will remain in jail pending trial for his part in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The Kansas City Star reports that a federal judge on Friday denied a request from William "Billy" Chrestman to be released from custody. Chrestman is accused of being one of five Kansas City-area Proud Boys who conspired to storm the Capitol. The five appeared last week in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia via video and telephone. Chrestman has been held since his arrest on February 11th.
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Kansans Warned of Blue-Green Algae in Lakes
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - This 4th of July weekend, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism are urging people that visit Kansas lakes to watch out for blue-gree algae. The departments issued a press release warning people that harmful algae blooms can develop quickly and are unpredictable. Active warnings are currently in effect for Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Milford Lake in Geary County, and Big Eleven Lake in Wyandotte County. A complete list of lakes under a blue-green algae advisory can be found on the KDHE website: https://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/.
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Johnson County Dominates Redistricting Committees
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Johnson County has the most seats on legislative committees that will draft redistrcting proposals next year. Three of nine members of the Senate Redistrcting Committee are from Johnson County; so are four of 17 House committee members. Johnson County is not only the state's most populous county but also a county likely to gain political clout because of population shifts. Lawmakers redraw congressional, legislative, and State Board of Education districts once every decade. The Senate committee's chair is Vice President Rick Wilburn and its vice chair is President Ty Masterson. Minority Leader Dinah Sykes is also a member.