Kansas Lawmakers Question Staffers on Tax Revenue Shortfalls
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas legislators are concerned about lower-than-anticipated sales tax collections by the state over the past few months. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a budget study committee's members quizzed legislative staff members Monday about possible explanations. Possibilities they discussed included online sales, a softness in the national economy and Kansas City-area consumers driving across the state line to Missouri to make purchases. Republican Senator Jim Denning of Overland Park said that if collections follow current trends, sales tax revenues will fall short of expectations by between $30 million and $50 million for the fiscal year that began last month.
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Brownback Claims New Federal Carbon Emissions Rules Will Hurt Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Governor Sam Brownback says the final version of a federal rule for cutting carbon emissions from power plants is "twice as bad" for the state as the original version outlined a year ago. The governor said Monday that changes announced by President Barack Obama will force Kansas to reconsider how it responds. A law enacted earlier this year authorizes the state's health and environment secretary to draft a plan to comply with the federal rule. It can include voluntary agreements with utilities to cut emissions of greenhouse gases but a legislative committee must sign off on it. The final federal rule requires more aggressive emission reductions for Kansas by 2030. The rule drew praise from the Kansas environmental groups.
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Kansas Lawmakers to Reopen Debate Over Police Body Cameras
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are reopening their debate over requiring body cameras for police, and a key Republican says he's determined to resolve issues that kept lawmakers from enacting such a policy. Local officials and law enforcement groups remained concerned Tuesday about the potential costs and limiting access to the recordings. Such proposals have been a response to the August 9, 2014, fatal shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old who had scuffled with a white officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Body-camera proposals introduced earlier this year in the Kansas House and Senate did not clear committee. A joint committee plans to study the issue this summer and fall. Chairman and Republican Representative John Rubin of Shawnee says requiring body cameras protects the public while also shielding officers from unwarranted allegations of misconduct.
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Kansas Ends $25 Cap on Cash Benefits from ATMs
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has eliminated a $25-per-day limit on ATM withdrawals with cash assistance cards. The state Department for Children and Families said Tuesday that it was rescinding the policy before it could be put into effect for 15,000 poor residents receiving cash assistance each month. The department confirmed its action in a statement to The Associated Press before making it public. Legislators approved the withdrawal limit in April as part of a measure rewriting rules for cash assistance. The limit was designed to prevent benefits from being converted to cash for non-essential spending. Questions from U.S. officials prompted concerns that the federal government might withhold funds from Kansas. Lawmakers in June approved a follow-up measure giving department Secretary Phyllis Gilmore the authority to raise or eliminate the limit.
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Judge Denies Cherokee County's Temporary Injunction
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has denied Cherokee County's request for a temporary injunction to stop construction of a casino in Crawford County. Cherokee County sued last month after the state awarded a contract for a state-owned casino in southeast Kansas to Kansas Crossing Hotel & Casino, to be built south of Pittsburg. Cherokee County supported a competing proposal for a casino that would have been built in their county. The Joplin Globe reports District Court Judge Larry Hendricks ruled Friday that the board that recommended the Crawford County Casino did so after having numerous hearings and based on advice from independent experts. Richard Hilderbrand, chairman of the Cherokee County Commission, said commissioners still want to block the Crawford County casino and are evaluating their next move.
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Another Suspect Charged in Pittsburg State Student Slaying
PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Another suspect has been arrested and charged in the October robbery and slaying of 20-year-old Pittsburg State University student Taylor Thomas. The Joplin Globe reports that 25-year-old Juan Salas-Rueda was arrested Friday in Wheaton, Missouri, on charges of felony murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and obstruction of the capture and prosecution of suspect, Bryan Bridges, whose whereabouts remain unknown to authorities. According to court documents, Salas-Rueda waived extradition on Friday and was transported to the Crawford County jail, where he remains in custody on a $2 million bond. He made an initial appearance Monday in Crawford County District Court, where a status conference was set for his case on August 25.
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Police Search Near Derby for Missing 4-Month-Old Boy
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police are conducting a search along railroad tracks and a wooded area near Derby for a 4-month-old boy who was last seen with his father. The search began Monday near 55th Street South and K-15, Wichita police confirmed. The Wichita Eagle reports that K-9 units along with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department were called in to support the search. Police say Vincent Moore's mother reported him missing last Thursday. She told police the boy and a 2-year-old child were with their father for visitation beginning June 5. She said the father did not return the children and took them to Texas before returning to Wichita. The father was arrested Wednesday on unrelated warrants. The 2-year-old was with him but Vincent was not.
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Police: Man Fatally Shot in Rural Butler County
EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — A man has died after being shot in El Dorado in rural Butler County. According to Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet, officers responded to a call Sunday night at a residence and found a man with a gunshot wound. Herzet said the victim was shot after an altercation with the homeowner. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday morning. Authorities said the homeowner is cooperating with police in their investigation.
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Man Arrested in Sexual Assault of Stepdaughter, 12
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter in Wichita. The Wichita Eagle reports the man faces charges of rape of a child 13 and under, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and sexual assault of a child. Wichita police Lieutenant James Espinoza said a 30-year-old woman returned home Saturday evening from running errands and found that the house was locked. After repeatedly ringing the doorbell, her husband answered the door and the woman said she learned he had sexually assaulted the girl. Espinoza said authorities do not believe this is the only time the girl has been assaulted.
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Police Search Near Derby for Missing 4-Month-Old Boy
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police are conducting a search along railroad tracks and a wooded area near Derby for a 4-month-old boy who was last seen with his father. The search began Monday near 55th Street South and K-15, Wichita police confirmed. The Wichita Eagle reports that K-9 units along with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department were called in to support the search. Police say Vincent Moore's mother reported him missing last Thursday. She told police the boy and a 2-year-old child were with their father for visitation beginning June 5. She said the father did not return the children and took them to Texas before returning to Wichita. The father was arrested Wednesday on unrelated warrants. The 2-year-old was with him but Vincent was not.
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Ex-Senate Candidate: Board Has Ended Probe of Facebook Posts
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ A Kansas radiologist who lost a hard-fought primary battle to Republican Senator Pat Roberts says the state's medical board has dropped an investigation into whether he violated patient privacy by posting X-ray images of severe medical injuries. Milton Wolf says the medical board has determined he committed no wrongdoing by posting the images on Facebook. Wolf, one of his attorneys and a former campaign staffer issued email statements Monday saying that the Board of Healing Arts had closed an investigation started last year. Wolf is a Leawood radiologist who had tea party backing in challenging Roberts in last year's Republican primary. Roberts won the four-candidate race with 48 percent of the vote. Wolf received nearly 41 percent.
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Topeka Police Officer Fatally Shoots Retired Judge's Dog
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka police have confirmed that an officer fatally shot a retired judge's dog in his backyard while responding to a security alarm that activated at the home. The police department said Monday that an officer shot the canine twice after it began charging at him in an aggressive manner last month. The 26-pound, miniature pinscher-boxer mix named Josie belonged to Harriette Macnish and her husband, James Macnish, a retired Shawnee County district judge. Harriette Macnish tells The Topeka Capital-Journal that she couldn't blame Josie if she confronted the officer because the officer was a stranger to her. Macnish said Monday that she has found some consolation in Josie's death from neighbors and friends, along with two Topeka officers who came by her home to share their condolences.
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Use of Bat Boys Suspended After 9-Year-Old's Death
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The National Baseball Congress is suspending the use of bat boys and girls during its World Series in Kansas following the death of a 9-year-old boy who was hit by a bat. Kaiser Carlile died Sunday after he was hit in the head by a batter's practiceswing during the Liberal Bee Jays' game a day earlier. He was wearing a helmet. The Wichita Eagle reports that the general manager of the National Baseball Congress later decided to suspend the use of bat boys and girls. The organization is planning to honor Kaiser at games Monday and Tuesday. The city of Wichita owns the facility and is deciding whether to investigate the death.
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Coach, Teammates Fondly Remember Kansas Bat Boy
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Members of the Liberal Bee Jays, a semi-pro Kansas baseball team, say the 9-year-old bat boy who died after being accidentally hit by a batter's practice swing on Saturday was energetic and hard-working, and had a nearly constant smile. The coach and players of the Bee Jays said Monday that Kaiser Carlile was an important member of their team and always reminded them to play hard and have fun. Kaiser died a day after he was hit Saturday during the Bee Jays' game at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita. The boy, who lived in Liberal, was wearing a helmet at the time. The National Baseball Congress is planning several events to honor Kaiser.
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7 Minnesota Basketball Players Accused of Wichita Assault Spree
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Seven young basketball players in Wichita for a weekend tournament are arrested after police say they went on an assault spree over the weekend. The boys were from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and ranged in age from 12 to 18 years old. Wichita Police say the boys were in town for the Mid America Youth Basketball tournament. Police spokesman Lieutenant James Espinoza says officers responded around 11 p.m. Sunday to a home where a 48-year-old man reported that the group of teens approached him as he stood on his front porch. Espinoza says the youths yelled at him and threw rocks, bottles, bricks and concrete chunks. Espinoza says the group also beat a 28-year-old man who fled from the house, and a later 32-year-old man who was riding his bicycle.
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Taco Bell Fires Employee for Insult on Officer's Food
NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — A Taco Bell restaurant in Newton has fired an employee who wrote an insult on the wrappers of tacos ordered by a police officer and his fiancee. Police and Taco Bell officials say the employee wrote "PIG" on the to-go orders for the couple Saturday in Newton. The officer complained to the restaurant and pictures of the taco wrappers circulated on social media. A spokesman at Taco Bell's corporate headquarters said Monday that the worker was fired and that Taco Bell strongly supports law enforcement. The company apologized to the officer, his fiancee and all Newton police officers.
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USDA: Kansas Corn, Soybean Crops in Good Shape
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas corn and soybean crops were generally in good shape last week as farmers got into their fields an average of 5.7 days. The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says temperatures were above normal in the eastern half of the state and below normal in the west last week. Most of the state received half an inch or more of rain during the week. The USDA statistics says 89 percent of the state's corn crop was fair or better, with 8 percent poor and 3 percent very poor. The soybean crop rated 5 percent excellent, 45 percent good, 41 percent fair and 9 percent poor or very poor.
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Officials: 8 Traffic Fatalities in Western SD Over Past Week
STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — State officials say eight people have died in traffic accidents in western South Dakota over the past week as bikers have flooded the state for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Department of Public Safety says four people have died in the city of Sturgis and four have died in western South Dakota since July 28. Last year at this time, the patrol reported only one traffic fatality. The most recent deaths include riders from North Dakota and Kansas. Sixty-three-year-old Rose Ann Richard was thrown from her motorcycle near Sturgis on Interstate 90. The Belfield, North Dakota, woman died Monday of her injuries. Forty-two-year-old John Rowlett, Jr., of Wichita, Kansas, lost control of his motorcycle Monday while on state Highway 87. He collided with a rock and died of his injuries.
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Officials: 8 Traffic Fatalities in Western SD Over Past Week
STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — State officials say eight people have died in traffic accidents in western South Dakota over the past week as bikers have flooded the state for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Department of Public Safety says four people have died in the city of Sturgis and four have died in western South Dakota since July 28. Last year at this time, the patrol reported only one traffic fatality. The most recent deaths include riders from North Dakota and Kansas. Sixty-three-year-old Rose Ann Richard was thrown from her motorcycle near Sturgis on Interstate 90. The Belfield, North Dakota, woman died Monday of her injuries. Forty-two-year-old John Rowlett, Jr., of Wichita, Kansas, lost control of his motorcycle Monday while on state Highway 87. He collided with a rock and died of his injuries.
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Officials: 8 Traffic Fatalities in Western SD Over Past Week
STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — State officials say eight people have died in traffic accidents in western South Dakota over the past week as bikers have flooded the state for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Department of Public Safety says four people have died in the city of Sturgis and four have died in western South Dakota since July 28. Last year at this time, the patrol reported only one traffic fatality. The most recent deaths include riders from North Dakota and Kansas. Sixty-three-year-old Rose Ann Richard was thrown from her motorcycle near Sturgis on Interstate 90. The Belfield, North Dakota, woman died Monday of her injuries. Forty-two-year-old John Rowlett, Jr., of Wichita, Kansas, lost control of his motorcycle Monday while on state Highway 87. He collided with a rock and died of his injuries.
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2 Kansas Siblings Sentenced for Robbing Missouri Bank
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two Kansas City, Kansas, siblings have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a Missouri bank robbery. U.S. Attorney Tammy Dickinson says 25-year-old Charles Spencer was sentenced Tuesday to eight years and six months in federal prison, while his 29-year-old sister Virginia Spencer was sentenced to 10 years and three months. Prosecutors say the two stole nearly $12,000 at gunpoint from the Bank Midwest in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, on May 23, 2014. A customer who used the bank's outside ATM called 911 after her car was nearly struck by the Spencers' fleeing vehicle, driven by 23-year-old Steven Robinson of Kansas City, Kansas. The three were caught after their car crashed following a high-speed pursuit. Robinson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years and eight months behind bars.
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$1.8 Million Lottery Ticket Sold in Northeast Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Lottery says someone who purchased a Super Kansas Cash lottery ticket in northeast Kansas is holding a $1.8 million jackpot winner. Lottery officials say a ticket matched all five numbers and the Super Cashball on Monday night. The last mega-jackpot in the Super Kansas Cash lottery was paid on Feb. 9 when a Merriam resident won just over $1.7 million. Winning players have one year from the date of each drawing to claim their prizes.
