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Across the Midwest, some city codes threaten people with fines for having milkweed on their property. But experts say many places have dropped those rules to support monarchs with urban and suburban butterfly gardens.

Democrat Paul Davis Raises $1.1M in Kansas Governor's RaceTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic challenger Paul Davis has raised more in contributions this year than Republican Governor Sam Brownback, but the incumbent is entering the fall campaign with more cash on hand. Finance reports filed Monday by the two campaigns show Davis raised more than $1.1 million in cash contributions from January through July 24. Brownback's total was about $744,000. But Brownback's campaign also received a $500,000 loan on July 23 from Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer. He made a similar loan in December, only to see it paid back within days in early January. The Davis campaign reported nearly $566,000 for the period and had $1.32 million in cash left. Brownback spent about $370,000 on his campaign and ended with $2.37 million in cash.===============================Number of Children in State Custody at Record High in KansasTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The number of Kansas children in state custody has risen to all-time highs as the number of child abuse and neglect complaints also is climbing. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports about 7,000 children were in state custody at the beginning of June, including 6,168 in out-of-home foster care placement. Kansas Children's Alliance executive director Bruce Linhos says workers and government officials are struggling to find a cause for the increase. An in-depth report by the Kansas Health Institute last month included comments from some advocates blaming state policies for straining poor families. But a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families attributes the increase to heightened awareness and reporting of child abuse and neglect.===============================Orman Says He's "True Alternative" in Kansas Senate RaceTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas businessman says his vigorous campaign for the U.S. Senate as an independent candidate makes him the true alternative to Republican incumbent Pat Roberts. Greg Orman of Olathe said Monday during a Statehouse news conference that his supporters gathered signatures from more than 10,000 registered voters to get him on the November general election ballot. He needs 5,000 valid signatures to qualify and plans to submit them Tuesday. Orman said his ability to gather signatures and raise campaign funds shows he's more viable as a candidate than Democratic hopeful Chad Taylor. Taylor campaign manager Brandon Naylor says Orman has no solid political base. Roberts faces tea party challenger Milton Wolf in the August 5 GOP primary. Taylor faces Lawrence attorney Patrick Wiesner in the Democratic contest.===============================Kansas Capital Case Rulings Prompt Legislative IreTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Supreme Court decisions overturning two brothers' death sentences for a robbery, rape and killing spree in Wichita are likely to fuel another push by conservative Republicans to change how the justices are picked. Senate Majority Leader and Nickerson Republican Terry Bruce says the judicial selection process will be an issue when legislators reconvene in January. Bruce said the rulings in the cases of Jonathan and Reginald Carr were no surprise because many members of the GOP-dominated Legislature believe the justices have shown an "activist" streak. The Supreme Court last week voided the Carr brothers' death sentences and returned the case to Sedgwick County District Court for more proceedings. The court has yet to uphold any death sentence imposed under the state's current capital punishment law enacted in 1994.===============================Lawrence Police Investigating HomicideLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence police and state authorities are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found at a house. Police say officers found the woman's body at a home Saturday afternoon. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Lawrence police are investigating the death, which police consider a homicide. Police said no additional information would be released Sunday.===============================Man Seeks Smoking Ban on Popular Lawrence StreetLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A software developer who moved to Lawrence less than a year ago has started an online petition seeking to ban smoking on one of the city's most popular streets through downtown. Mike DuPont says he's sick of walking on Massachusetts Street and smelling like cigarette smoke when he gets home. He says a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars has pushed smokers outside, where they often disobey restrictions meant to keep them away from entrances. DuPont says that when his family moved to Kansas in October, he chose Lawrence because of its downtown area. Several smokers on Massachusetts Street told The Lawrence Journal-World they would oppose such a ban because they feel current restrictions are strict enough.===============================Police: Counterfeit Money Turning Up in SalinaSALINA, Kan. (AP) — Salina police say several businesses have reported receiving counterfeit $20 and $100 bills over the weekend. Police Captain Mike Sweeney says four fake $100 bills were used to purchase a prepaid Visa card at a convenience store between 10:50 pm and 10:55 pm. He says two counterfeit $20 bills were used at the same store Sunday afternoon. The Salina Journal reports that a different store reported receiving three counterfeit $20 bills on Saturday, while another took in two fake $20 bills on Sunday.==============================Newton Man to Stand Trial in Child's DeathNEWTON, Kan. (AP) — A 21-year-old Newton man will stand trial in the death of an 18-month-old child found dead in a car seat. The Wichita Eagle reports Jason M. Bugner has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2012 death of Farrah Pendland. According to an amended autopsy report, the girl died by strangulation after she was fastened into a car seat by only its top buckles and placed on the edge of a futon mattress while Bugner was in another room. The report says Bugner later found the car seat partially overturned and the toddler suspended with the car seat strap around her neck. Bugner waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday and will stand trial August 25. He's being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on $100,000 bond.==============================KCK Abortion Clinic ClosesKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — One of four remaining clinics that provide abortions in Kansas has closed amid a hostile political climate and financial challenges. Its outgoing manager said Monday the decision was also prompted by a "lack of gratitude" from a young generation of women who take its abortion services for granted. The Aid For Women clinic in Kansas City, Kansas, disclosed on its website that the clinic closed Saturday. Patients are being referred to two clinics in suburban Kansas City and one in Wichita. Clinic manager Jeff Pederson says he is tired of it all and that closing the clinic is the most politically expedient thing he could do. He says enough abortion clinics are still open to absorb the patients. But he says it's just a matter of time before another one closes.===============================Judge Dismisses Suit Against Kansas DCFWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Sedgwick County judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing a state agency of failing to protect a toddler before she was killed. The Wichita Eagle reports that Sedgwick County District Judge William Woolley ruled recently there can be no claim of negligence against the state Department for Children and Families in the case of 18-month-old Jayla Haag. The child died in 2012 with injuries that included brain swelling, bleeding around her eyes and teeth that had been forcibly removed. The lawsuit claimed DCF was informed that Jayla was being abused and did nothing to protect her. DCF spokeswoman Theresa Freed said the agency appreciates the judge's "careful consideration of this case." Randy Rathbun, the attorney who brought the lawsuit on behalf of Jayla Haag's father, says he'll appeal.===============================Wichita Man Accused in Fatal CollisionWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police have released the names of three people killed in a hit-and-run weekend crash. The victims were identified Monday as 21-year-old Emily Phillips, of McPherson, and Jake Hallacy and Zachery Taylor, both 26 and from Valley Center. All three were passengers in a car that police say was struck around 2 am Sunday by a speeding SUV that ran a red light at a west Wichita intersection. The car's driver remained in a hospital Monday, and a fourth passenger was treated and released. Police said the SUV's 31-year-old driver ran from the scene but was later arrested at a Wichita home. He was being held on suspicion of three counts of second-degree murder and other charges. Authorities said there was no sign that the man had used his brakes.===============================Kansas Inmate Sentenced for Attacking ProsecutorHUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas inmate has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for attacking a county prosecutor in a Reno County courtroom. The Hutchinson News reports that the sentence imposed Monday on Michael Sherman, of Hutchinson, will run consecutive to the nearly 14 years he is already serving for molesting a 4-month-old baby. Sherman apologized in court to Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder for the July 2013 assault but indicated he'll appeal the sentence and his conviction for attempted first-degree murder. The attack occurred as Sherman was being sentenced for aggravated criminal sodomy. Sherman leaped from his chair and put Schroeder in a headlock before others in the courtroom pulled him away. Sherman testified last month that he wanted to "go after" Schroeder but did not intend to kill him.==============================Health Officials See Drop in Missouri Rabies CasesLEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) — State health officials in Missouri say although three rabid bats have been found this summer in a Kansas City suburb, the statewide number of rabies cases is down. One person was bitten by one of the rabid bats found in Lee's Summit since June 1 and has been treated for the bite. The Kansas City Star reports there have been 14 rabies cases reported in animals this year in Missouri. Seven were rabid bats and the others were infected skunks. Officials also say the number of cases this year is substantially lower than the 39 rabies cases reported for the same time last year. Missouri usually has about 50 rabid animals that are detected annually. Kansas has had 26 cases of animal rabies reported this year.==============================KCMO Misses Demolition GoalKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Despite promises of an aggressive campaign to demolish blighted buildings around Kansas City, officials acknowledge they're only halfway toward their two-year goal. The city promised to raze 1,000 decaying and abandoned buildings in two years, but has managed to take down about 500. Mayor Sly James points out that the city previously had been averaging about 100 demolitions a year. The demolition list has grown to 1,340 structures. And with each house demolition costing the taxpayers nearly $10,000 on average, the city won't catch up at this rate given the current $1.6 million set aside annually for that purpose. But the city says it's going to continue the effort.==============================Wichita Signs Business Agreement with Chinese Delegation WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Wichita has announced plans to work with a city in China to develop aviation business opportunities. Delegates from Xi'an, China visited with Wichita officials on Thursday to sign a memorandum of understanding that the two cities will develop economic and trade opportunities centered on aviation. They're expected to work on education, training, airport management and other aspects of the aviation business. The deal comes as the Chinese government considers opening the country to general aviation. Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer says the relationship will benefit Wichita because the Chinese will think first about Wichita companies before companies in other parts of the world.==============================Wichita Driver Reports Highway GunfireWICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A Wichita teenager says someone shot at her from another vehicle while she was driving but she managed to get away. KAKE-TV reports the girl said she was driving in south Wichita at 12:30 pm Sunday when another car pulled out of a parking lot and started following her. The girl says she called 911 and was able to get away from the other vehicle. Wichita police confirmed that the incident happened and that investigators were able to recover a bullet from inside the girl's car. The victim says she didn't get a good look at a suspect or the vehicle involved in the shooting.==============================K-State Considers $150 Million Food Research LabLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University is considering a $150 million research facility that would focus on food and complement the planned National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility adjacent to the university. K-State President Kirk Schulz has requested $5 million in state funding for next year to begin planning the Food Systems Research and Education Facility. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the proposal was discussed briefly Tuesday at a Kansas Board of Regents budget session. Schulz says the project might be years down the road, but he wants to get legislators and other state officials familiar with the request. The 200,000-square-foot facility would focus on the food supply, including developing higher-yielding crops and more intensive cropping systems, along with improved processing and distribution.==============================Kansas Judge Rescinds Order Sealing Murder Case RecordsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A judge has rescinded an order sealing court records in the case against a man charged in a quadruple murder in southeast Kansas. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 11th Judicial District Judge Robert Fleming on Friday rescinded the order he entered in May sealing court records in the legal proceedings against David Cornell Bennett Jr. Bennett's charged in the deaths of a Parsons mother and her three children. Fleming ruled his previous order didn't meet the requirements of a 1981 Kansas Supreme Court case that said records could be sealed on the basis of "clear and convincing evidence" to ensure a fair trial. Fleming says he'll lift the seals August 4, giving attorneys time to submit motions requesting sealing of documents that comply with the high court's decision.===============================Kansas Man Found Dead on Longs Peak IdentifiedROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (AP) — Officials have released the name of a Kansas man whose body was found on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson says a climber was on the Keyhole Route of the 14,259-foot peak when he and his group saw the body 18-year-old Nicholas L. Hellbusch, of Lenexa, below The Ledges area Friday morning. Park rangers reached the body about three hours later and flew it by helicopter to a nearby meadow. Investigators have not said how Hellbusch died.==============================Lawrence Man Sentenced for 1997 RapeLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A 41-year-old Lawrence man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for raping a University of Kansas student in 1997. Robert E. Grey was sentenced Friday to the least amount of time possible under Kansas sentencing guidelines. He was convicted in a retrial in May for raping a 20-year-old university junior. The new sentence is 16 months shorter than one issued after Grey's first conviction in 2009. A Kansas Court of Appeals panel awarded Grey a retrial last year after finding that prosecutorial misconduct deprived him of a fair trial the first time. The case went cold for years until authorities linked a fingerprint found on the victim's car to Grey. Grey has already served nearly seven years, which will count toward time served.==============================Comcast Cancels Event at KS State Senator's HomeOLATHE, Kan. (AP) - Comcast has canceled a promotional event at the home of a Kansas state senator. The cable company announced the open house in a recent news release that paired Republican state senator Julia Lynn of Olathe and promotional language about its home security service. After queries from The Kansas City Star about an elected official endorsing a commercial service, Comcast moved the event to another home. Comcast spokeswoman Mary Beth Schubert says Comcast didn't provide Lynn with any free products, equipment or services. Earlier this year, a Senate committee that Lynn chairs introduced a bill to keep cities from starting their own TV or broadband services. The measure died in the committee. Lynn says she thought the Comcast demonstration would give her a better understanding of how security technology works.==============================Audit: $23K Missing From Cherokee CountyCOLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) - Cherokee County officials say an audit of the county treasurer's office shows that more than $23,000 is missing from county bank accounts. County Commissioner Richard Hilderbrand said Friday that the special audit of funds from 2011 shows a difference of more than $18,000 between what the bank account shows and what the treasurer's office shows. In 2012, the difference climbs to more than $23,000. Juanita Hodgson, who has been treasurer for 12 years, says while she doesn't know the exact cause of the discrepancy, she believes the problem could be human error. The Joplin Globe reportsthat Hilderbrand says an auditor is expected to give the board a formal letter the first week of August that will show the findings in detail.==============================Kansas City Clinic to Offer HIV DrugKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas City, Kansas, clinic is offering a medication used to prevent infection in people at high risk of getting the AIDS virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration two years ago approved the HIV drug, Truvada, for HIV prevention. The Kansas City Star reports that Sharon Lee, CEO of Family Health Care in Kansas City, Kansas, is holding a weekly clinic for people who want to take the drug. Lee says the clinic is among the first of its kind in the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines recommending that doctors offer Truvada to people at substantial risk of HIV infection.==============================Report: Kansas City Airport Terrorist Travel HubKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A report compiled when Kansas City was seeking federal terrorism and emergency response grants claims Kansas City International Airport is a hub for terrorist travel. The February 7 document prepared by Kansas City area emergency management officials seeking federal security grants was sent to the Department of Homeland Security to provide a threat picture for the Kansas City region. The report says KCI is a primary hub for known or suspected terrorist travel. Kansas City Police Capt. Daniel Gates says he sent the report to the Federal Emergency Management Agency so FEMA could evaluate the region's terrorism risk. Gates says the report shouldn't create fear. Mayer Nudell, a terrorism and security expert, says the report could have been amped up to win federal funds.==============================Judge Steps Down in Midst of Capital Murder caseTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has recused himself from a capital murder case after the defendant filed a complaint accusing the judge of disregarding his rights. Phillip Cheatham was convicted of capital murder in 2005 and sentenced to death for the slayings of Annette Roberson and Gloria Jones in December 2003. The Kansas Supreme Court last year overturned the capital murder conviction and death sentence because of ineffective counsel. Shawnee County District Judge Mark Braun stepped down Friday at the start of what was expected to be a lengthy motions hearing. His decision means all of the motions upon which he already had ruled will have to be heard again by a different judge, and the scheduled January 5 trial date will be pushed back.==============================Junction City Police Investigating Man's DeathJUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — Junction City police are investigating the death of a man who was reportedly run over by a truck. Police Lt. Jeff Childs says in a release that officers were called to a disturbance early Saturday and then received a second call asking for an ambulance for a person who'd been run over by a truck. Officers found 23-year-old Cody Allen Martin of Junction City lying in the roadway. Martin was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Childs says an autopsy has been scheduled.===============================Chiefs Offensive Line a Grab-Bag at Training CampST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The presumptive favorite to win the starting right guard spot with the Kansas City Chiefs worked out with the third team on Monday. The guy who is challenging him for the spot slid over to center during another portion of the workout. Rishaw Johnson and Zach Fulton are just the start of the offensive line shuffle. After watching three linemen who started last season depart in free agency — all within hours of each other — the Chiefs are trying to cobble together some sort of protection for quarterback Alex Smith that can also manage to open up running lanes for Jamaal Charles during training camp. And with lingering questions about the health of left tackle Eric Fisher and an ankle injury to starting right tackle Donald Stephenson, that job hasn't gotten a whole lot easier.

The Topeka City Council has repealed a city ordinance outlawing domestic battery. It’s the latest in an ongoing dispute between the city and county over who should prosecute the crimes. Council members who voted to repeal the ordinance say it puts the city in a better position to negotiate with the district attorney. Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7a3570000Because of budget cuts, Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor has stopped prosecuting any misdemeanor crimes committed in the city limits, including domestic battery. The city says they also don’t have the money to handle the cases. Opponents told the council that repealing the domestic abuse ordinance sends a bad message and is a step in the wrong direction. Amber Versola (ver-SO-luh) is with the Kansas branch of the National Organization for Women.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7a3570001There are still state laws that bar domestic battery. But the disagreement between the city and county means some people arrested in Topeka are not being charged with crimes. So far, at least 18 people arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery have been set free without facing charges.

Topeka City Council members are considering the repeal of a law that would force the Shawnee County District Attorney to prosecute misdemeanor domestic battery cases. D-A Chad Taylor said he could no longer prosecute such cases because of budget cuts. The cases are now being referred to municipal court. During a work session earlier this week, Interim Topeka City Manager Dan Stanley proposed a short-term solution to the problem that would split the costs of prosecution between the city, the county and the D-A's office at least through the end of the year.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7a2840000Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten was not among those in favor of the city helping to pick up the tab. He proposed that city council members ask Shawnee County commissioners why they can't come up with the estimated $350,000 the D-A says he needs to continue taking the cases. Eight suspects have been released from jail after their charges were declined for prosecution by the District Attorney's office. The city says it does not have the attorney staff to handle prosecution of the misdemeanor domestic battery cases.

James Taylor, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox and Angélique Kidjo are among the artists performing on Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, airing on PBS this evening.

McDonald’s says Quarter Pounders will return to its menu at all of its restaurants after it said testing ruled out beef patties as the source of an E. coli poisoning outbreak tied to the burgers.

Kansas Court to Hear US Senate Ballot Dispute Next WeekTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court will hold a hearing next week on a petition by the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate to get his name removed from the November ballot. The court on Thursday scheduled arguments on Democrat Chad Taylor's petition for 9 am Tuesday. Chief Justice Lawton Nuss said in a two-page order that the court was hearing the case without a review by a lower court because of the need for an authoritative ruling. Taylor dropped out of the Senate race last week. But Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach said Taylor's withdrawal letter didn't comply with a state law limiting when nominees' names can be removed from the ballot. Taylor's withdrawal could boost the chances of independent candidate Greg Orman defeating three-term GOP Senator Pat Roberts.===============================Kansas High Court Hears Offender Registry CaseTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The attorney representing a convicted child molester has urged the Kansas Supreme Court to take a fresh look at the state's criminal offender registry because social media has made the Internet the new town square for public shaming. Attorney Chris Joseph said during oral arguments Thursday that the world has changed dramatically since 2003, when the U.S. Supreme Court found criminal offender registration was not punitive. But Assistant Attorney General Christopher Grunewald argued that justices should overturn a Kansas judge's finding that removed a Lenexa man's name from the offender registry. The state contends the case seeks to end the dissemination of public information to third-party websites. The outcome of the case has implications for people whose listing requirements were retroactively lengthened when the state changed its law in 2011.===============================Candidate's Claim in Kansas Senate Race Disputed TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is attacking a key argument made by the Democratic candidate waging a legal battle to get his name removed from the ballot in the U.S. Senate race. Kobach on Thursday released an affidavit from Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Brad Bryant contradicting a sworn statement from Democrat Chad Taylor. Kobach provided a copy of Bryant's statement exclusively to The Associated Press before posting it online and said it would be key evidence. Taylor submitted his statement to the Kansas Supreme Court in petitioning it to force Kobach to remove his name from the ballot. Taylor said Bryant assured him that a withdrawal letter Taylor wrote was sufficient to get his name off the ballot. In his statement, Bryant said he never did so.===============================Kansas State University Restricts Travel to African CountriesMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University is restricting travel of university-sponsored students, faculty and staff to several African countries affected by the Ebola virus. The university said in a letter Wednesday to the Kansas State community that it will deny university-sponsored travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which have been placed on a federal travel alert list. Travel requests to nearby Nigeria and the Congo will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The university also said that anyone who has traveled to those countries in the last four weeks needs to be screened at the Lafene Health Center on the Manhattan campus. The Manhattan Mercury reports that as of Wednesday, 16 people who were screened were found to be not at risk of contracting Ebola.===============================Capital Charge Filed in Topeka Officer's DeathTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A 30-year-old man has been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a Topeka police officer. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor announced Wednesday that he had filed the charge against Ross Preston Lane, who was being held without bond. Kansas law allows the death penalty for the slaying of a law enforcement officer. Police Corporal Jason Harwood was shot to death Sunday after stopping a car in east Topeka. Lane also was charged with possessing a stolen firearm and criminal possession of a firearm as a past felon. Another 30-year-old man, Anthony Allen Ridens Jr., was charged with obstructing apprehension of a felon and possession of a stolen motorcycle.==============================KS GOP Wants Appointee Removed from Education Task ForceTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Governor Sam Brownback and some Republican state senators say a man appointed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Davis to a school efficiency task force should be removed because of comments he made in 2011 about school consolidation. Davis appointed John Vratil, a Republican who is a former vice president of the Kansas Senate, to the task force. The panel is studying ways for schools to use more of their state funding for classroom instruction and less on other expenses. Majority Leader Terry Bruce, a Hutchinson Republican, says Vratil said in a 2011 interview with the Topeka Capital-Journal that rural school districts should accept that they will have to consolidate.===============================Kansas Corn Crop Forecast Larger than AnticipatedWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The latest government forecast on Kansas crop production is painting a far rosier picture than had been anticipated for most fall crops just a month ago. The National Agricultural Statistics Service predicted Thursday that Kansas growers would bring in 578 million bushels of corn this season. That figure is 14 percent above last year's production. Higher yields that are averaging 154 bushels per acre are making up for the fact that harvested corn acreage this year is expected to be down 6 percent this year to 3.75 million acres. Production of grain sorghum in Kansas is now estimated to come in at 182 million bushels, up 10 percent from a year ago. Harvest of soybeans is forecast at 147 million bushels, up 15 percent from last year.===============================Missouri Enacts 72-hour Abortion Waiting PeriodJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri women seeking abortions will face one of the nation's most stringent waiting periods, after state lawmakers overrode the governor's veto to enact a 72-hour delay that has no exception for rape or incest. The new requirement will take effect 30 days after Wednesday's vote by the Republican-led Legislature. About half the states, including Missouri, have 24-hour waiting periods. The new law will be the second most-stringent behind South Dakota, where weekends and holidays don't count in the 72 hours. Utah also has a 72-hour delay, but grants exceptions for rape, incest and other circumstances. Democratic Governor Jay Nixon had denounced the measure as "extreme and disrespectful" toward women. Planned Parenthood, which operates Missouri's only licensed abortion clinic, has not said whether it will challenge the 72-hour law in court.===============================Commission Approves $3.5M for Westar EnergyTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Westar Energy has agreed to delay a request for a rate increase related to nuclear power plant upgrades as part of an agreement approved by a state commission. The Kansas Corporation Commission on Tuesday approved a plan that would allow Westar to receive about $3.5 million in revenue related to costs that haven't been recovered for improvements at the La Cygne power plant. Westar also agreed not to ask for a rate increase until March. That means about two-thirds of the company's customers who are expected to see an increase of about 16 cents on their bills won't pay more until October 2015. Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light own the plant together and need to make upgrades to comply with federal emissions rules.===============================Woman Sentenced for Texting-While-Driving FatalityPRATT, Kan. (AP) — A southern Kansas woman has been placed on a year of supervised probation for a texting-while-driving crash that left another driver dead. The Pratt Tribune reports that 36-year-old Jennifer Dale, of Preston, must also pay a $1,000 fine under the sentence she received Wednesday. Dale pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of vehicular homicide in the December 2012 crash that killed 78-year-old Virginia Sell, of Stafford. Authorities said Sell had slowed on Kansas 61 to make a left turn when her car was rear-ended by Dale's vehicle. The impact sent Sell's car into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer. Sell was thrown from her car and died at the scene. Dale's probation requires her to speak at six schools about the consequences of texting while driving.===============================Not Guilty Plea in Death of Kansas Woman's FetusWAKEENEY, Kan. (AP) - A northwest Kansas man charged with killing his ex-girlfriend's fetus by putting a crushed abortion pill on her pancake has entered a not guilty plea. The plea was entered Tuesday for Scott Bolling during his arraignment on a first-degree murder charge in the death of the 8- to 10-week old fetus. He is accused of causing Naomi Abbott to lose her fetus in January by lacing her food with the drug mifepristone. Bolling also is charged with aggravated battery and misdemeanor distribution of adulterated food. The Salina Journal reports Bollig's attorney, Dan Walter, was granted an deadline extension for discovery of information. During Bollig's preliminary hearing in July, WaKeeney Police Chief Terry Eberle testified that Bollig admitted to putting the drug on a pancake he served to Abbott.==============================Kansas Senator's Team Using Romney in Voter CallsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Senator Pat Roberts is trying to bolster his support among GOP and unaffiliated voters in Kansas with a recorded telephone message from former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Roberts's campaign said the call with Romney's endorsement was going to 400,000 voters across the state Wednesday. Roberts is in a tougher-than-expected race for re-election against independent candidate Greg Orman. Orman is running as a centrist, and his campaign says voters are tired of gridlock in Washington. Romney was the 2012 Republican nominee against Democratic President Barack Obama. In the message, Romney calls Roberts a trusted conservative. Romney says Roberts is needed in Washington to block the agenda of Obama and Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Orman has said voters are interested in solving the nation's problems, not partisanship.===============================Body Found in Lawrence Creek IdentifiedLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A body found in a Lawrence creek last month has been identified as that of a 57-year-old man. Two people walking in Burcham Park discovered the decomposed remains August 31, in a small creek near a bridge over the Kansas River. Police said Wednesday the Douglas County coroner has identified the man as Lawrence resident Mark Kemberling. Officers said there was no sign of foul play, but the cause of death may not be known for several weeks. Investigators also don't know how long Kemberling had been dead. They're asking to hear from anyone with information about the case.===============================FBI Probes Vandalism at Congressman's OfficeKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal investigators are looking into what appears to have been an attempt to firebomb a U.S. congressman's office in Missouri. Kansas City police were called to U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver's office in Kansas City around 2:50 am Thursday after an alarm sounded at the building. Police Sergeant Kari Thompson says two alcohol bottles — one rum and one Jagermeister — were found shattered on the ground outside below a broken office window. Thompson says paper towels were sticking out of the necks of the bottles and it appeared they had been ignited but were extinguished during flight. Cleaver was in Washington, D.C., and there were no staff members in the building at the time. FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton says the agency is investigating the incident.===============================Suspected Intruder Turns Out to Be New School EmployeeMAIZE, Kan. (AP) — Reports of a suspicious man seen trying to get into a southern Kansas school turned out to be a new employee who forgot the correct way to enter the building. The Wichita Eagle reports that Wichita police and officers from the Maize School District began searching for the man based on a description from a witness who saw someone rattling outside door handles at the school Monday afternoon. As a result of the witness report, staff members at other Maize schools also were placed in a state of heightened awareness. The school district posted a statement on its website Wednesday saying the man had legitimate reasons to be in the building but was not following the district's safety protocol. The statement says the employee was being dealt with administratively.===============================Former Bank Worker Sentenced for EmbezzlementKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City woman is going to prison for embezzling more than $650,000 from the bank where she worked. The U.S. Attorney's office says 54-year-old Lisa L. Taylor was sentenced Thursday to six years and six months without parole. Taylor pleaded guilty in February to defrauding UMB Bank, where she worked as a closing account specialist from May 2006 until October 2010. Eleven of her friends and relatives in Missouri and Kansas also pleaded guilty to taking part in the conspiracy. Taylor admitted generating 377 fraudulent checks, some of them payable to friends and relatives who cashed the checks and gave Taylor part of the proceeds. The scheme also involved $97,000 worth of checks made payable to fictitious names. Taylor forged the signatures and deposited the checks into her own bank account.==============================Overland Park Residents Evacuate During Apartment FireOVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Firefighters helped evacuate residents during a fire at an Overland Park apartment complex shortly before a roof collapsed. No residents were injured during the fire early Wednesday at the two-story Aspen Lodge Apartments. The fire was brought under control in less than an hour. The Overland Park fire department said in a news release that residents from 16 units are displaced. The apartment management and Red Cross are working to help find new homes for residents. One Overland Park firefighter was taken to a hospital with minor medical issues. Officials say the fire started after someone discarded a burning cigarette in a planter on a balcony and the blaze quickly spread to the wood roof and the rest of the building.==============================$12.5M to Repair Amtrak Route in Colorado, KansasPUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — A $12.5 million federal grant will pay for urgent repairs on the route of Amtrak's Southwest Chief in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, but funding for upgrades in southern Colorado and New Mexico remains uncertain. U.S. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado announced Tuesday the Transportation Department approved the grant after Kansas and Colorado communities committed $9.3 million. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says the money will pay for repairs allowing passenger trains to maintain 60- and 70-mph speeds. Magliari says BNSF Railway, which owns the tracks, runs only slower-speed freight trains and doesn't need to keep the track up to high-speed standards. Magliari says Amtrak is discussing funding for repairs in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico with state officials and BNSF. ==============================Mental Exam for Atchison Man Charged in Fatal ChaseLEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - An Atchison man charged after a police chase ended in the death of a 5-year-old girl will undergo a mental competency evaluation. A Leavenworth County District Judge on Wednesday approved the mental examination for 30-year-old Marcas McGowan, who is charged with first-degree felony murder and several other charges in the July 18 chase near Leavenworth. Authorities allege McGowan abducted Cadence Harris from a home they shared with the girl's mother in Atchison. Cadence was found dead from a gunshot in McGowan's car after a police chase ended when McGowan was shot after he pointed a gun at officers. The Leavenworth Times reportsthe competency evaluation will be done through The Guidance Center in Leavenworth. A September 24 hearing is scheduled to determine McGowan's competency to stand trial.===============================2 Charged in Death of Joplin ManJOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - Two men are charged with second-degree murder in the beating and strangling death of a 71-year-old Joplin man. Joplin police say 21-year-old Anthony Carter and 26-year-old Kristopher Smith, both of the Joplin area, were arrested and charged Wednesday in the death of David McKibben, a treasurer at the First Baptist Church. McKibben's body was found in his apartment Saturday. The Joplin Globe reports police said in a news release that the suspects appeared to target McKibben and his death was not a random act of violence. Some items were taken from McKibben's home but police would not say if he was killed as part of a robbery or if the items were taken as an afterthought. Online court records do not show that either suspect has an attorney.===============================Kansas Authorities Reject Inmate's Parole RequestTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The state's prisoner review board has denied parole for a man convicted of beating to death a Kansas elementary school teacher in 1990. The Kansas Prisoner Review Board on Wednesday decided to deny parole until September 2017 for 42-year-old Peter Spencer. Spencer pleaded no-contest to first-degree murder when he was 18 years old. He was convicted of killing 36-year-old Sherryl Crowder, who lived in Manhattan and taught in Wamego. An autopsy showed she was sexually assaulted and died of internal bleeding from a blow to the head. A Kansas Department of Corrections spokesman says the board denied parole in part because of the serious nature of the crime. Spencer is serving a life sentence at the Lansing Correctional Facility.================================Royals Lead Division After Shut Out of TigersDETROIT (AP) — James Shields allowed two hits over seven innings as the Kansas City Royals edged Detroit 3-0 on Wednesday night to take a one-game lead over the Tigers atop the AL Central. Shields gave up a single to Ian Kinsler leading off the first. Then he picked off Kinsler — and retired every other batter he faced until another Detroit single in the seventh. The Tigers put two on base that inning, but Shields worked out of the jam. Rick Porcello pitched well for the Tigers, but Kansas City pushed across two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain. Alcides Escobar added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.===============================Mykhailiuk Lands at Kansas After World Cup OusterLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — In the course of a week, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk went from playing against some of his biggest heroes on the U.S. team at the World Cup to figuring out where all his classes were on the University of Kansas campus. Talk about a whirlwind for the 17-year-old shooting guard from the Ukraine. Mykhailiuk rose to prominence on the international circuit, where players often sign with pro teams out of high school rather than attend college. But his dream is to play in the NBA, and Mykhailiuk thought playing at Kansas gave him a better chance of realizing it. Now, after playing of the Ukrainian team the past couple weeks in Spain, he'll begin trying to chase that dream with the Jayhawks.===============================Personnel Changes Give Chiefs a New Look in Week 2KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was back on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice field Wednesday after serving his weeklong suspension following an arrest last November. He wasn't the only player who wasn't there a week ago. After getting routed by Tennessee in their season-opener, and losing Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson and starting defensive tackle Mike DeVito to season-ending injuries, the Chiefs were forced to frantically retool ahead of Sunday's game in Denver. Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, who spent the past four seasons with the Broncos, was signed on Monday, while linebacker Jerry Franklin has been elevated to the practice squad. The Chiefs also turned over half of their practice squad in the search for help.===============================Dissecting the Kansas City Chiefs' Terrible Season OpenerKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Was last year a smoke-and-mirrors mirage? Did the Kansas City Chiefs go from 2-14 to 11-5 and the playoffs on the strength of dumb luck? There's an argument to be made for it after their season-opening loss to Tennessee. Alex Smith threw three interceptions after receiving a big contract extension. Running ball Jamaal Charles touched the ball 11 times after getting his own new deal. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was suspended. First-round draft pick Dee Ford got on the field for just three snaps. Defensive starters Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito were lost to season-ending injuries, too. Now, the Chiefs will have to pull out of a downward spiral at arguably the toughest place in the AFC: Denver. They visit the Broncos in Week 2 on Sunday.

It's spring and that means Monarch butterflies are on the move.

An exhibition in Washington, D.C., features some 75 works — paintings, photographs, videos and installations — reflecting on displacement and relocation. Many of the artists are immigrants themselves.

Entertainment mogul Scooter Braun discovered Justin Bieber and has managed the careers of Ariana Grande and K-pop star Psy. Now some of his biggest stars are reportedly parting ways with him.