Governor Denies Budget Woes
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Republican Gov. Sam Brownback argues that Kansas legislators shouldn't tinker further with tax laws next year. He says the state budget is in good shape despite a projected shortfall because his economic policies are working. The governor spent much of a recent Associated Press interview throwing out statistics aimed at bolstering his argument that deep cuts in personal income taxes he championed in past years are boosting the economy. The state has struggled to balance its $15 billion budget since those reductions; it hiked sales and cigarette taxes earlier this year and still faces a projected deficit of about $160 million for the fiscal year that begins in July. Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka says the state's budget problems show that Brownback's policies have failed.
===============
Hutchinson Toddler Dies from Gun Shot
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) _ A Kansas prosecutor says a handgun that killed the 3-year-old son of a sheriff's deputy did not belong to the child's father. Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder says the gun that killed Kaden Nagel on Friday belonged to ``a friend'' of someone at the apartment where deputy Andrew Nagel was living temporarily. The Wichita Eagle reports Kaden died early Friday morning after finding a loaded .40-caliber Glock in a South Hutchinson apartment and accidentally shooting himself with it. The prosecutor says he doesn't anticipate any charges will be filed in the case.
=============
Wind Power Lines Halted by Missouri Farmers' Opposition
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ With the approval by Illinois regulators for its part of a 780-mile transmission line to carry wind power from the Kansas high plains to Eastern power grids, Missouri farmers are the only ones standing in the way of the $2.2 billion project. The Star reports the battle pits Houston-based Clean Line Energy against a row of Missouri farmers stretching from Buchanan County in the west to Ralls County in the east.
=============
"Fast Track" Doctor Law Sees no Results
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Several new state laws intended to boost the ranks of doctors in underserved areas have yet to produce any actual results. The laws in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas allow new medical school graduates to start treating patients immediately, without going through years of traditional residency programs. But Missouri regulators are still trying to implement the law more than 18 months after it first passed. There are more than 6,200 places nationwide with a shortage of primary care physicians. But the new laws have been opposed by some of the nation's most influential medical organizations, including the American Medical Association. The groups say residency training remains important.
============
Sports Results
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Wayne Selden scored 22 points, Frank Mason had 18 and second-ranked Kansas used a big second half to beat Oregon State 82-67 on Saturday night in its annual trip to the Sprint Center. Perry Ellis added 13 points and Devonte Graham had 10 for the Jayhawks, who trailed by as many as 14 in the first half before outscoring the Beavers 25-9 to begin the second.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) _ Senior Jalen Jones scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Texas A and M pulled away for a 78-68 victory over Kansas State Saturday. The Aggies led 43-42 with 13:47 remaining before outscoring the Wildcats 23-6 over the next eight minute. The Aggies snapped a three-game winning streak for KSU in the battle of former Big 12 foes.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Zach Brown scored 14 points to lead a balanced Wichita State offense as the Shockers beat No. 25 Utah 67-50 on Saturday. Markis McDuffie had 13 points and Fred VanVleet added 10 for Wichita State. Six Shockers made a 3-pointers.
Lawrence, Kan. _The Kansas Women's Volleyball team is headed to the Final Four. Ninth ranked Kansas upset number one seed USC to earn a trip to Omaha. The Jawhawks take on Nebraska Thursday in the second semi-finals.
