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Fox News has struck a deal averting a trial in the blockbuster defamation suit filed by the election-tech company Dominion Voting Systems over spurious claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential race.

Kansas Representative Kevin Yoder told a group of constituents at a town hall meeting in Olathe last night that he wants to fix private health insurance markets rather than moving the U.S. toward expanded government health coverage. The forum was Yoder's first face-to-face town hall meeting with constituents since President Trump's election in November.

Here are the headlines for our area, compiled by KPR news staffers.

Here are the headlines for our area, as compiled by KPR news staffers. Check back for updates throughout the day.

These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today!

From the breakout Brooklyn band Geese to the Puerto Rican star and soon-to-be Super Bowl halftime performer Bad Bunny and dozens in between, NPR Music shares its picks for the best songs of 2025.

Officials: 20 Percent Turnout for KS Primary ElectionTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials say about 20 percent of the state's 1.74 million registered voters took part in this month's primary elections. Secretary of State Kris Kobach chairs the three-member State Board of Canvassers, which certified the results of the August 5 primaries on Wednesday. Nearly 351,000 ballots were cast. Kobach had predicted 22 percent turnout. The 20 percent participation was the lowest for a Kansas primary election since 2006, when it was 18 percent. Turnout in the last primary in a non-presidential election year in 2010 was 25 percent. Logan County in western Kansas had the highest turnout, at 40 percent. The lowest turnout, less than 12 percent, was in Labette County in southeast Kansas.==============================Kansas Board OKs 92-Year-Old's Voter RegistrationTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas board has approved the voter registration of a 92-year-old woman after she and her daughter presented copies of census records and a page from a battered family Bible to prove she was born in the U.S. Evelyn Howard of Shawnee went before the State Election Board on Wednesday because she had no birth certificate. Daughter Marilyn Hopkins said she was born in a midwife's home in Minnesota in February 1922. Kansas requires new voters to provide a birth certificate or other proof of their citizenship when registering. Howard moved to Kansas from Missouri in 2013 and sought to register as a Republican voter earlier this month. The three-member board's decision was unanimous. The page from the family Bible recorded the birth of Howard and two siblings.==============================Schodorf Releases Income Tax ReturnsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The Democratic challenger to Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has released the past three years of personal income tax information and is challenging her opponent to do the same. Jean Schodorf released her return transcripts on Wednesday in a bid to force Kobach to prove his claim that he spends only an average of 4.9 hours per week on his private law practice. Critics contend Kobach spends too much time outside Kansas as the architect of anti-immigration laws across the nation. Kobach says he has already made public how much time he averages in his private law practice and calls Schodorf's move a political stunt. Schodorf's returns listed total annual income ranging from $51,128 to $136,098. Her federal income taxes ranged between $2,374 and $18,234 during those three years.===============================Agco Announces Employee Layoffs in HesstonHESSTON, Kan. (AP) — Agco, an agriculture machinery manufacturer, is laying off 24 hourly workers at its plant in Hesston and more cuts are expected. The plant's human resources manager, Tom Nutting, says the layoffs will involve the plant's machining, fabrication and laser operations. The plant also is dropping from three shifts to two. The first layoffs will be effective Tuesday, with more layoffs next month. The Wichita Eagle reports Danny Hawkins, treasurer for United Steelworkers 11228, said Wednesday the union had been told about 80 production workers and 6 percent of the plant's management and administrative staff will eventually be laid off. He says employees also are being asked to work fewer hours. The company blamed the layoffs on a reduced demand for agricultural machinery, caused by lower farm incomes.==============================Topeka Jeweler Accused of Buying Stolen GoodsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man is accused of knowingly buying stolen jewelry at his Topeka store, then reselling it as scrap gold. The U.S. Attorney's office says 53-year-old John Dasher, of Silver Lake, made a first court appearance Thursday on 32 counts of money laundering and one count of transporting stolen property. Court records did not list an attorney for Dasher. Prosecutors said Dasher bought gold jewelry at his store, The Diamond House, that he knew had been stolen in home invasions in the Topeka area. The indictment alleges he melted the stolen jewelry and sold it as gold scrap to precious metal wholesalers. Authorities allege the wholesalers paid Dasher more than $430,000 from November 2008 to April 2013.==============================Kansas Gets One-Year Waiver of Federal Schools LawKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas has received a one-year extension of a waiver that gives it more flexibility in meeting some of the provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind education law. The U.S. Department of Education also granted an extension Thursday to Indiana. Kansas first was granted a waiver in 2012, but was told last August it was at "high risk" of losing it because the state hadn't taken enough steps to use student achievement data as part of teacher evaluations. Interim Kansas Education Commissioner Brad Neuenswander said he was "pleased." The Kansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says education evaluation systems will incorporate the student data as a "significant" factor this year. But those student growth measures will not be used to make personnel decisions until the 2017-18 school year.==============================3 KS Districts Recommended for 'Innovative' StatusSALINA, Kan. (AP) - Three Kansas school districts have received initial approval to become special innovative districts, which would make them exempt from many state education regulations. The Coalition of Innovative School Districts on Wednesday recommended that Kansas City, Hugoton and Blue Valley districts be designated as innovative. A fourth request, from the Santa Fe Trail District, was not approved. The Kansas State Board of Education must approve the coalition's recommendations. A 2013 law allows districts to be exempt from certain state regulations involving public education if they present plans to improve student achievement. Up to 10 percent of the state's school districts can be members. The Concordia and McPherson districts were the first two member districts selected as part of the coalition.===============================KHP Seeks Witness to Pedestrian Death OVERBROOK, Kan (AP) - Authorities are asking the public for help in finding witnesses to the hit-and-run death of a northeast Kansas pedestrian. Twenty-year-old Timothy Kemble of Carbondale was found dead around 5am Sunday along U.S. Highway 56 in Osage County. The Kansas Highway Patrol said Thursday that investigators hope to talk with anyone who was driving on the highway near Overbrook between 4:30 and 5:30 am Sunday. Investigators are also trying to locate the driver of a tractor-trailer that was in the area at that time. The Highway Patrol says the driver is not a suspect, but could have helpful information. ===============================Cessna's Independence Plant Delivers 10,000th PlaneWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Cessna Aircraft's Independence plant has delivered the 10,000th single-engine airplane built at the plant since the first delivery in June 1996. The company says the milestone plane, a Cessna Skyhawk, was delivered recently to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, along with two other Cessna Skyhawks. The Wichita Eagle reports that the airplane has a custom paint job noting the milestone. Cessna builds most of its single-engine piston products in Independence, including the Skyhawk, Turbo Skylane JT-A, Stationair and TTx. It also produces the Citation Mustang and Citation M2 jets. The company's Garmin avionics training center is also at the plant.===============================Famous KC Barbecue Restaurant Dropping "Oklahoma" NameKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The well-known Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Que restaurant is changing its name to reflect that it has no current ties to the state of Oklahoma. The restaurant, which has three locations in the Kansas City area, will be known as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que by the end of the year. The restaurant has made several national lists of best barbeque stops. It has attracted celebrity diners and recently served about $1,400 worth of food to Air Force One when President Barack Obama was in Kansas City. The Kansas City Star reports the business started in Oklahoma but hasn't had a restaurant in that state for 17 years. Co-owner Jeff Stehney says the company is proud of its roots but the name change reflects where it has been based for nearly two decades.==============================Missing 3-Year-Old Missouri Girl FoundEXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) — Police say they have located a missing 3-year-old girl safe with her biological mother. The Kansas City Star reports that Excelsior Springs Police Captain Clint Reno says an Amber Alert had been issued earlier for Ramy Demboski, who was taken earlier in the day from her father's home. Police said an adult was watching Ramy when a woman came to the door saying her car had broken down and she needed help. After the stranger left, the adult noticed Ramy was missing. Police say the girl has been the subject of a custody dispute.=============================Fort Leavenworth to Break Ground on New CenterLEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - Fort Leavenworth is planning a groundbreaking ceremony next week for a $15.6 million battleground simulation training center. Fort officials announced that the ceremony Wednesday will begin construction of a Regional Simulation Center, which will house the hardware, software and technology that simulate battlefield activity. The new center will provide training for the staffs and commanders of large units and a corps to help improve communication, coordination and planning skills. The Army says it will save money by consolidating the training technology, which currently is scattered at each corps and division headquarters. The Leavenworth Times reports construction of the 36,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed by January 2016.=============================== Smoking Materials Caused KU Fraternity FireLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Investigators say a fire at a University of Kansas fraternity house was caused by improperly disposed of smoking materials. No injuries were reported after the fire Tuesday at the Sigma Chi fraternity house. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire official Shaun Coffey said Thursday the fire caused an estimated $150,000 in damage. Flames were contained to the third floor but lower floors had smoke and water damage. The Lawrence Journal-World reports fraternity members said a bathroom and bedrooms sustained the most damage. The 74 residents of the home were allowed to return to the house Tuesday evening. Coffey said he did not know what type of smoking materials caused the fire.===============================Kansas State University to Offer Massive Open Online CourseMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University has announced that a health and wellness course will be its first "massive open online course." The school joins dozens of leading universities that have begun offering free, digital versions of their most popular courses. The so-called MOOCs allow tens of thousands of students to take a class at the same time. But dropout rates often hover around 90 percent. The Kansas State course will teach about the changes that can be made to improve health, physical fitness and overall well-being. The first cycle of the course will be taught October 6 to November 15, with content remaining open to students until December 12. Assistant human nutrition professor Linda Yarrow says the class format encourages instructors to be creative and innovative in their educational offerings.==============================Hutchinson Urged to End Housing ProgramHUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - The Hutchinson Housing Commission is recommending that the city council allow a two-year-old housing incentive program to expire. The Hutchinson News reports the New Construction Housing Incentive Program was created amid a deep housing slump. The program offers a rebate on the city portion of property taxes for any new home bought between January 21, 2013, and December 31 of this year. Housing Program Manager Irene Hart said last month that it was rarely used and did not spur new housing in the city. She says only six new homeowners received rebate checks when they were delivered in July. The incentive expires in December, and the commission unanimously voted Wednesday to advise the city council not to renew it.============================Kobach Reappoints Johnson County Election ChiefTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has appointed the top elections official in the state's most populous county to another four-year term. Kobach had a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday for Johnson County Election Commissioner Brian Newby. Newby has held the job since being appointed to fill a vacancy in January 2005. His current term expires Sunday. The secretary of state appoints election commissioners in the state's four most populous counties - Johnson, Sedgwick, Wyandotte and Shawnee. Elected clerks supervise elections in the state's 101 other counties. Johnson County has almost 378,000 registered voters, or nearly 22 percent of the 1.74 million statewide. Newby is a former Sprint Corp. executive and Shawnee city council member. As election commissioner, he's been honored by national groups for counties and election officials.=============================== Effort Underway to Bring Movie Theater to HiawathaHIAWATHA, Kan. (AP) — A group of residents in Hiawatha are trying to bring a movie theater back to the northeast Kansas town. Hiawatha's Twin Theatre closed about a week ago after voters in April rejected an initiative that would have funded the construction of a new city-owned theater. Now, a nonprofit group called Hiawatha ACES has launched a fundraising drive to buy and renovate the 40-year-old Twin Theatre. The St. Joseph News-Press reports that the group estimates it would cost $200,000 to update the theater. For now, small improvements and maintenance will begin, with a goal of reopening the theater by the holiday season. However, a second proposal to fund a city-owned movie theater will be on the ballot in November. If it passes, the plans to renovate the Arrow Twin will stop.===========================Panel Sides with Gas Firm in Kansas Land Rights DisputeWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A court-appointed panel of petroleum engineering experts has sided with Omaha-based Northern Natural Gas over what it should pay for condemning nearly 9,200 acres in southern Kansas. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Wednesday gave the parties until September 16 to file objections to the recommendations in the panel's 85-page report. The panel's findings stem from 19 days of trial on compensation for gas producers and owners of land surrounding the company's underground gas storage facility. That trial was marked by conflicting testimony by experts for the company and experts for affected property owners in Pratt, Kingman and Reno counties. The panel is recommending the company pay $7.3 million for storage rights and for gas underlying the land, far below the more than $100 million property owners wanted.==============================Small Plane Crash-Lands Near Kansas AirportEL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Highway Patrol says a pilot and his passenger escaped injury when a small, twin-engine plane made a crash landing near an airport. The incident happened shortly before 11 am Wednesday at the El Dorado Airport in Butler County. Authorities say the pilot was doing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings when the plane lost power in one engine. The 1966 Cessna 310K then landed hard in a field near the airport.===============================Pakistani Educators to Speak on Terrorism at JCCCOVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) - A panel of college leaders from Pakistan will speak at Johnson County Community College about the role of education in fighting terrorism in their country. The educators from the Sukkur Institute of Business Administration are scheduled to speak the evening of September 18 at the Overland Park campus. The U.S. Embassy has provided the college a grant to work with the Pakistani school. The event is open to the public and starts at 7 pm in the college's Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. A public reception will begin at 6 pm in the Nerman Atrium.==============================Conference Examines Future of Water in KansasMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - The Governor's Water Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas will highlight policy and research developments on water issues in the state. The Kansas Water Office announced Wednesday the conference will be held November 12-13 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan. Among the conference topics are working with available resources, developing additional supply sources and management practices for water use in Kansas.==============================Report: Student Loan Education LackingMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - A new report finds that most universities aren't offering students enough help in understanding the financial burden posed by student loans. Two Kansas State University professors helped write the white paper, called "Financial Literacy in Higher Education: The Most Successful Models and Methods for Gaining Traction." The report outlines different ways to educate students, ranging from classroom-based programs to individual counseling. The paper also identified a need for financial education at universities, noting that many universities do not have a program. Associate professor Sonya Britt says financial issues are one of the top reasons that students drop out of college. She also stressed that most incoming college students haven't benefited from financial literacy courses in high school and lack basic money management skills.============================Lawyer Says Wichita Lawn Mower Accident Not a CrimeWICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The attorney for a home day care owner who ran over a toddler with a lawn mower says the accident was not a crime. David Moses say last week's incident is not aggravated endangerment of a child. He says his 39-year-old client didn't act recklessly. Moses says she feels terrible about what happened to the 18-month-old child. The woman has not been charged. She was arrested last week on suspicion of aggravated endangerment and later released. The girl was critically injured by the push mower on August 21. Police continue to investigate the cause. The state has issued an emergency suspension of the day care's license. Neither the identity of the child nor an update on her condition has been released.==============================Kansas City to Expand Bike Sharing ProjectKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A program that allows people to rent bicycles is expanding in Kansas City. Bike Walk KC has received funding to expand the cycle sharing program into the Westport, Country Club Plaza, Brookside, Waldo and 18th Street and Vine neighborhoods. The 13 new stands will join 12 stands that have been available in downtown Kansas City since 2012. The programs allow riders to rent bikes for a day or the year. The bikes are fitted with GPS devices and kept on bike racks throughout the city. Bike Walk KC Executive Director Eric Rogers says about 5,000 riders used the bikes in both 2012 and 2013 and a 10 to 20 percent increase is expected this year. The long-term goal is to have 200-300 stands throughout the metro area.==============================Wichita Official Warns of Illegal DumpingWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita official says an increased number of illegal dumping cases are putting a strain on city workers. Director Tom Stolz tells KAKE-TV that the city has recorded nearly 4,000 cases of discarded trash on public and private land so far this year. That's about total amount recorded in a typical year. Stolz says some people dump items such as mattresses to avoid trash fees. Wichita employs 15 inspectors who deal with the dumping as well as residential and zoning complaints. Stolz says the increase in waste work takes time away from other jobs. He also says the trash is unsightly.=============================== US Says Oklahoma Schools Not Meeting StandardsOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Federal education officials say Oklahoma's public school standards aren't sufficiently preparing students for college or careers and will pull a waiver that lets the state bypass some provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to the state Thursday saying that while Oklahoma had benefited from the flexibility, it couldn't justify an extension. Assistant Education Secretary Deborah Delisle said Oklahoma had promised to carry out plans to improve education for all students. This year, however, Oklahoma overturned its Common Core standards and adopted those in place in 2010. Delisle told Oklahoma offiicials they "can no longer demonstrate that the state's standards are college- and career-ready standards." Educators in Indiana and Kansas were granted one-year waivers Thursday, allowing them to continue state-developed programs.==============================No Injuries in Chiefs' Bus Accident in WisconsinGRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say a tour bus bringing the Kansas City Chiefs to their Wisconsin hotel before Thursday night's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers was involved in an accident. The Outagamie County sheriff's office says it was escorting the Chiefs' buses from the airport to the hotel Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle entered the intersection and collided with one of the five buses. Two adults and three children were in the vehicle that struck the bus. One of the children had a minor cut to the head and was taken by ambulance to a hospital. No one on the Chiefs' bus was hurt. Police are investigating.==============================Royals Lead Division But Attendence Still MeagerUNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Royals continue to lead their division, even while local fans stay away from Kauffman Stadium. Fewer than 18,000 fans showed up on Wednesday to watch the Royals erupt for six runs in the eighth inning of a 6-1 comeback victory against Minnesota. The win puts the Royals 2 ½ games ahead of second-place Detroit in the AL Central. Meanwhile, Royals manager Ned Yost is imploring fans to show up for their remaining home games. Kansas City entered the game with the fifth-worst average attendance in the league.==============================Michigan's Beilein Receives NCAA's Frederick Sportsmanship AwardANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — University of Michigan basketball coach John Beilein has been named the 2013-14 recipient of the NCAA's Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award. The Frederick Award, first presented in 2009 to honor the late University of Kansas and Illinois State athletic director, is given to "an NCAA member institution coach or administrator who exhibits a lifelong commitment to sportsmanship and ethical conduct, leading by example and promoting positive fan involvement in and out of competition." Beilein says he's certain there were other coaches who deserved the award, but he's honored to be chosen. Beilein led the Wolverines to a 28-9 record last season, and Michigan won the Big Ten title.

Judge Declines to Dismiss KS School Funding CaseKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has declined to dismiss a northeast Kansas lawsuit challenging the state's cap on how much money residents in a school district can raise through taxes. U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum ruled Tuesday the plaintiffs can continue pursuing claims that the cap violated their constitutional rights of equal protection. The plaintiffs are parents in Johnson County's Shawnee Mission School District. They allege the Legislature acted without a rational basis in the way it altered the state's funding formula. As part of the formula, districts are restricted in how much money they can raise beyond what the state provides so wealthy school systems won't have an unfair advantage. But Lungstrum rejected the parents' claim that the cap impairs their due process rights to fund and support education.================Lightning Ignites Northeast KS Oil Tanks LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Authorities in northeast Kansas are blaming a lightning strike for an explosion and fires at an oil tank farm. The Leavenworth Times reports that no injuries were reported when three 8,500-gallon crude oil tanks were struck around 4:30 am Wednesday in northern Leavenworth County. Emergency management officials say two of the tanks exploded. One went airborne and landed about 200 yards away. The top of a third tank was blown off, and most of the oil inside burned. Flames were visible from five miles away. Firefighters allowed the oil in the tanks to burn itself out, along with a 1,000-gallon propane tank that also ignited. The company that owns the tank farm was cleaning up about 2,000 gallons of crude oil that spilled onto the ground.================KS Sends Letter to Corps About Control of Lake Recreation AreasTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials are seeking to take control of recreational areas at lakes managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in effort to reduce overlap of services and expenses. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Governor Sam Brownback has sent a letter to the Pentagon seeking to end federal management of certain recreational areas at reservoirs where both the state and Corps of Engineers operate. The Corps of Engineers operates 17 reservoirs in Kansas, including Tuttle Creek, Clinton and Perry. It is unclear how many of the lakes the state would take over. Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Secretary Robin Jennison said it made little sense to have state and federal governments each spending money for recreational activities, such as fishing, camping and boating.================Schodorf Announces Run for Secretary of StateWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Republican state Senator Jean Schodorf has formally announced that she'll run for Kansas secretary of state next year as a Democrat, hoping to challenge incumbent Republican incumbent Kris Kobach. In remarks prepared for her kickoff event Wednesday, Schodorf vowed to fix what she calls a voter registration "mess." About 17,200 registrations are on hold because the prospective voters haven't presented proof of U.S. citizenship. Kobach says those incomplete registrations are not a problem. Schodorf also criticized Kobach over his outside work on immigration issues. Kobach says he works full-time in the secretary of state's job, and that what he does in his spare time is up to him. Schodorf lost her Wichita-area Senate seat after conservative Republicans targeted her in the August 2012 primary. She has since become a Democrat.================Counties Sue KS Officials over Decrease in FundsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Fifty-two Kansas counties have filed suit claiming the state shortchanged them by about $7.6 million in making payments from a fund set up to offset the effects of declining oil and natural gas production. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Shawnee County District Court. It contends Governor Sam Brownback's administration improperly accelerated a cut in payments mandated by budget legislation approved this year. The state sets aside part of the tax it collects on oil and gas production to help counties facing declining production. Payments are distributed in October, based on the previous fiscal year's tax collections. The counties contend that the state must wait until next year to reduce payments. The Department of Revenue says there is confusion about the law.================KS Legislators Conclude Higher Education TourLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators say a two-week tour of the state's public colleges and universities has provided a good exchange of information ahead of their 2014 session. Members of the House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means committees finished the tour Wednesday at two campuses of the University of Kansas. Lawmakers submitted dozens of detailed questions to higher education officials about universities' budgeting ahead of the tour, and they've received more than 200 pages of answers. But in the past, tours of campuses, prisons and state hospitals have allowed legislators to judge conditions for themselves and talk to workers, inmates and patients. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Ty Masterson says the visits with campus leaders are giving legislators the answers to questions about allocating state funds.================Clothing Found on Body Matches That of Missing Olathe ManOLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The lawyer for the family of a missing northeast Kansas man says a body found Tuesday matches the description of the man, who has been missing since Sunday. Attorney Henry Cox says Johnson County sheriff's deputies contacted the family of 22-year-old Brad Cook of Olathe on Tuesday to confirm what clothing Cook was wearing when he disappeared. Cox says the clothes on the body found in De Soto match what Cook was wearing. Cox told The Kansas City Star that deputies would not say anything about the cause of death. A medical examination will be conducted Wednesday. Cook left his home in Olathe without his cellphone or wallet. His motorcycle was found a few hours later in a strip mall's parking lot in De Soto.================ FDA: Reser's Recall Prompted by Routine Food CheckBEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) — A U.S. Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman says a Reser's Fine Foods recall of packaged salads produced at its Topeka plant was prompted by a routine check of products sold in Canada. FDA spokeswoman Juli Ann Putnam said Tuesday that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found Listeria monocytogenes (mon-oh-SYT'-oh-jeens) in some ready-to-eat Cheesy Macaroni salad and Reser's issued a voluntary recall of affected products. Putnam says a follow-up inspection of the plant by the FDA and the state of Kansas determined there was a potential for cross-contamination with other products, so the recall was expanded. In all, some 450 products sold under the name of Beaverton, Oregon-based Reser's and others were recalled. Listeria can produce fever, headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and can be fatal for people with weak immune systems.================ KS Rule on Utility Shutoffs Taking EffectTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A rule that prevents utilities from disconnecting Kansas customers during extreme cold will take effect on November 1. The cold weather rule is enforced by the Kansas Corporation Commission and runs from Friday through March 31. The rule bars utilities from disconnecting electric or natural gas service for nonpayment when temperatures of 35 or lower are forecast for the following 24 hours. Utility companies must offer customers a 12-month payment plan to maintain or re-establish service. Shutoffs must be announced 24 hours in advance, and may be carried out only if the temperature is expected to top 35 degrees for 48 hours.================ No Charges in KCK Party Bus DeathKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — No criminal charges will be filed after a Kansas woman fell to her death from a party bus. The Kansas City Star reports that the family of 26-year-old Jamie Frecks responded Tuesday in a statement released through their attorneys. The statement said the family appreciated the investigative work of the Wyandotte County district attorney's office and understood the burdens of pursuing criminal charges. The family also is pursing civil litigation, and said in the statement that they hope to learn more as discovery continues. Frecks died while celebrating a friend's bachelorette party May 4 when she fell out of the 1999 wheelchair van-turned-party bus. She fell when the bus' side double doors suddenly opened on Interstate 35 in Kansas City, Kansas and she was hit by several vehicles.================FHSU President to RetireTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Fort Hays State University President Ed Hammond says he'll retire as the western Kansas school's top administrator at the end of June 2014. Hammond announced his plans Wednesday. He has been the university's president since 1987 and is now the longest-serving president in the state university system. Hammond noted that he turns 70 in the spring and said it's time for the university to transition to new leadership. Kansas Board of Regents Chairman Fred Logan called Hammond an innovator in higher education. During Hammond's tenure, Fort Hays State formed a Virtual College to offer online courses and began a partnership to offer courses at Chinese universities. The university's enrollment grew from about 5,700 students when he took over to a record of more than 13,400 this fall.================Fire District Treasurer Accused of Stealing $427KTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former treasurer for a Kansas rural fire district is facing federal charges accusing him of stealing more than $427,000 from his employer over a five-year period and leaving the district unable to pay its bills. Prosecutors say 67-year-old Holton resident Richard Bontrager was charged Tuesday with one count of embezzlement. He is accused of making unauthorized transfers from the Mayetta Rural Fire District's bank account into an account belonging to him and his wife at the same bank from 2008 through 2013. Bontrager, who had served as treasurer since 1994, also is accused of issuing checks with forged signatures of board members payable to a fictitious entity he created. Nobody answered a phone at his home, and it was unclear in online court documents whether he had an attorney.================Former KC Worker Admits Insurance FraudKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former Kansas City municipal court employee has pleaded guilty in a scheme to use an insurance member benefit program to illegally rack up tens of thousands of dollars in gift cards. The U.S. attorney's office says 43-year-old Crystal Burgin-Woods admitted Wednesday that she made fraudulent submissions to the city's health insurance program on behalf of 383 employees. Those claims resulted in the issuance of 939 gift cards worth nearly $186,000. The fraudulent submissions included claims that a 3-year-old child had completed four triathlons, three marathons, two duathlons and three half marathons. Five other employees also have pleaded guilty in the scheme. Each of the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000.================KS Store Owner Admits Trafficking in Counterfeit GoodsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita store owner has admitted trafficking in fake luxury items bearing such designer labels as Prada and Chanel. Glenda Sue Morgan pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of trafficking in goods bearing counterfeit trademarks. Morgan and her business, The Fabulous Store LLC, were indicted in April on charges of conspiracy and trafficking. In exchange for Morgan's plea Tuesday, prosecutors agreed to drop at sentencing the remaining charges against her and all charges against the store. Prosecutors allege Morgan sold handbags, wallets, sunglasses and jewelry bearing brand names that were not made by the companies. Investigators seized 400 replica items with a retail value of $14,000. The goods would have been worth $140,000 had the trademarks been genuine. Sentencing is January 17.================KS Motorist Killed in Ditch AccidentNESS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A western Kansas man has died after trying to free his pickup truck from a muddy ditch. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the accident happened shortly before midnight Tuesday on a Ness County road southwest of Ness City. The patrol says 46-year-old Ness City resident Darren Eugene Mcvicker was driving south when his pickup repeatedly entered the ditches on both sides of the road. The truck became stuck in one ditch, and Mcvicker was trying to get the vehicle out when he fell under the rear tire and was run over.================Take-Back Effort Lands 450 Pounds of Unused DrugsLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence and Douglas County residents disposed of more than 450 pounds of unused prescription drugs over the weekend during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The Lawrence Journal-World reports more than 160 people dropped off unwanted drugs in Lawrence on Saturday in an event that happens twice a year in conjunction with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Abuse of prescription medications has been identified as one of the nation's top drug problems. As part of the effort to remove unwanted or unused drugs from local medicine cabinets, Douglas County Sheriff's Office also has been running an ongoing take-back service since July.================ KS School Enrollment Grows Slightly in 2013TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Preliminary enrollment figures show the number of Kansas students attending public schools grew by less than 1 percent this fall. The raw figures disclosed Tuesday by the Kansas Department of Education were based on the September 20 enrollment count. The figures show there were nearly 460,000 full-time equivalent students attending Kansas public schools. The figure is different than the headcount enrollment which counts actual students in attendance. However, students who are in kindergarten are counted as halftime students. Actual headcount figures won't be released until enrollment numbers are audited. Legislators use the number of full-time-equivalent students to base state funding, which is currently $3,838 for the 2013-14 school year.================ Man Found in Wrecked Car in Wichita Was ShotWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a man who died after a rollover crash in southeast Wichita was shot before the wreck. Investigators are trying to determine if the man who died after the accident early Tuesday was killed by the gunshot or the car crash. The car came to rest in the yard of a private residence. No one else was injured. Emergency crews freed the 47-year-old man from the car but he died at a Wichita hospital. His name has not been released. Police discovered the victim had been shot in the torso, and also found a bullet hole in the car. Wichita police Lieutenant Todd Ojile says the man did not live in the area and investigators aren't sure where he was going.================ Kingman County Rejects Tax Hike for Law EnforcementKINGMAN, Kan. (AP) — Kingman County voters have rejected a tax increase that would have been used to build a new law enforcement center. Unofficial returns from Tuesday's voting showed the measure lost 802 to 749. The proposal was for a new one-quarter percent retailers' sales tax for 20 years and to extend a current three-quarters percent sales tax, also for 20 years. KAKE reports that the county planned to use the sales tax revenue and payments from a commercial wind farm to build an $11.8 million law enforcement center. It would have housed the county sheriff's office and Kingman police.The current law enforcement center was built in 1959. Supporters of the tax say the current center is outdated and too small.================ Reward in Unsolved KC Murder Grows to $4,000KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The reward for information in the shooting death of a Kansas City man has increased to $4,000. Investigators are asking for the public's help in the June 30 death of 47-year-old David Ruth in northern Kansas City. KMBC reports that police believe Ruth was shot during a robbery at his home. His firearms were taken and his truck was found abandoned more than 10 miles from his home. Police say an anonymous donor recently contributed another $2,000 to the reward for information leading to an arrest. Ruth was the brother of Sergeant Danny Ruth of the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Danny Ruth says he's confident the killer will eventually be caught.================ Fort Scott Ends Partnership Talks with PSUPITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Talks to change and improve an existing partnership between Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University have stalled. The community college's Board of Trustees on Monday voted to discontinue the discussions. The Joplin Globe reports that the two schools have had a partnership since 1985, with some Fort Scott operations in Crawford County. Community college students also can take courses and live in Pittsburg State dorms. Senior officials at both schools were discussing a more formal partnership, with a goal of being more efficient. Fort Scott president Clayton Tatro says he was surprised by the board's decision. He says the primary concerns seem to be about governance issues and a loss of identity for the community college.================ Royals Snare Gold Glove AwardsMajor League Baseball Gold Glove awards have been announced. Kansas City catcher Salvatore Perez, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer and Royals left fielder Alex Gordon were all named to the American League Gold Glove squad.

Happy week of Thanksgiving! Here's a summary of area news headlines, as prepared by KPR news staffers. This ad-free summary is made possible by KPR listener-members.

These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays, 11 am weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today!