FBI Reviewing Death of Restrained Kansas Teen
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say the FBI is reviewing the death of a Black teenager who died after he was restrained at a Kansas juvenile detention center. Sedgwick County Commissioner David Dennis said Friday that the FBI has asked for all information regarding the death of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton. He died in September after he was restrained facedown for more than 30 minutes at the Wichita detention center. Dennis commented at a commission meeting called to discuss a recommendation from a community task force that the U.S. Department of Justice be asked to investigate Lofton's death. Dennis said the county provided all the information requested by the FBI, which is part of the Justice Department.
===========
Kansas Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Triple Killing
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld a man's conviction in the shooting deaths of three people in Lawrence in 2017. Anthony Roberts Jr. was convicted in 2019. The shooting started after two groups from Topeka got into a fistfight in downtown Lawrence and ended with up to 20 shots being fired. Roberts was convicted of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder. The Supreme Court ruled Friday rejected Roberts' argument that the Douglas County District Court judge should have instructed jurors that they could consider a voluntary manslaughter conviction. The court also ruled the evidence was sufficient to uphold Roberts' convictions.
==========
Kansas Governor Vetoes Redistricting Plan
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed a Republican redistricting plan that would make it harder for the lone Kansas Democrat in Congress to win reelection this year. GOP lawmakers promised to try to override the veto Kelly issued Thursday. However, if they do, the new lines are likely to face court challenges. The measure would split the Kansas City area into two congressional districts and cost Democratic U.S. Representative Sharice Davids some of the territory in her 3rd District where she performs best. The map also would move the liberal northeast Kansas community of Lawrence into in the 1st District of central and western Kansas.
==========
KU Investigating Death of Student in Dorm
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - The University of Kansas is investigating after a student was found dead in his dormitory room. The Kansas City Star reports that KU public officers were called to Gertrude Sellards Pearson residence hall Thursday, where they found a male student dead in his dorm room. The cause of death is under investigation. Foul play is not suspected. KU said the name of the students will not be released out of consideration for his family.
==========
Kansas Provides $2 Million for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has awarded $2 million in grants to the operators of travel centers on Interstate 70 and the Kansas Turnpike to install charging stations for electric vehicles. The state Department of Transportation announced grants Friday for stations in seven locations. The grants are financed with funds from legal settlements with German automaker Volkswagen Corp. over a 2015 emissions-testing cheating scandal. The stations are to be installed along I-70 at Oakley, WaKeeney, Russell, Abilene and Maple Hill, west of Topeka. On the turnpike, the stations are to be installed a t the Matfield Green service area in central Kansas and the Belle Plaine service south of Wichita.