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  • Two adults have been charged with murder in the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooting... Kansas lawmakers think a grant program could help boost the number of childcare providers in the state... lawmakers consider allowing public schools to hire chaplains... and today is the deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation in Kansas before the presidential preference primary. Details inside.
  • Coming off a 10-and-6 season and a playoff appearance, the Kansas City Chiefs are under greater national scrutiny this season. It begins with a national telecast tonight (FRI) in the Chiefs' first exhibition game. Kickoff is at 7 o'clock. Kansas Public Radio's Greg Echlin has more.
  • The Alcove Spring Historic Park in Marysville, Kansas, will host the Orchestra on the Oregon Trail, an all-day experience with music and events for all ages Sunday, September 6.
  • A Kansas City mother of six who was helped by a police officer is now in jail on drug charges. The woman made headlines in July when she was caught allegedly shoplifting items for her children, only to a police officer buy the items for her. After the officer's gesture was picked up by the news media, the public donated more items and about $6,000 to the woman.
  • University officials today (THUR) made the case for increasing tuition costs at Kansas schools. The Kansas Board of Regents heard the proposals as part of their monthly meeting. The increase at the University of Kansas would be 5.5 percent for undergraduate students. KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little says the school has seen significant state funding cuts in recent years, but they aren’t trying to replace that on the backs of students. 00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7981e0000Gray-Little says they are looking for ways to increase efficiency to help absorb the funding cuts. The proposed increases for resident undergraduate tuition range from 3.6 percent at Fort Hays State to 6.8 percent at Emporia State. The Board of Regents will take final action on the plans next month.
  • TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Negotiations are at a standstill between the Kansas House and Senate over the state's sales tax rate and proposals to cut individual income taxes. Three senators and three House members appointed to reconcile the differences between their chambers on tax issues had no meetings scheduled Monday. Republican Governor Sam Brownback and GOP leaders in the Republican-dominated Legislature want to follow up on individual income tax cuts enacted this year with more cuts. But the two chambers disagree over Brownback's proposal to stabilize the budget by keeping the sales tax at 6.3 percent, rather than letting it drop to 5.7 percent in July, as scheduled by state law. The Senate approved Brownback's sales tax plan. House GOP leaders have proposed setting the rate at 6 percent.
  • Revisit the special evening with NPR's Juana Summers at the Dole Institute of Politics.
  • Kansas Governor's Plan Ends Home Property Tax DeductionTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is proposing to eliminate an income tax deduction for the property taxes paid by home owners. Legislators in both parties said Wednesday they were surprised to learn that the conservative Republican governor's proposals included eliminating the income tax deduction for property taxes. They said they didn't know it was a part of the plan until the Senate Ways and Means Committee agreed to sponsor Brownback's tax plan. The governor mentioned the proposal briefly in documents his office released last week but didn't talk about it in his State of the State address. The governor also proposes to eliminate a popular income tax deduction for interest paid on home mortgages. Brownback's plan also would set up automatic cuts in individual income tax rates in the future.================Kansas House Panel Passes Judicial Selection ChangeTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state House committee has endorsed a proposed change in the Kansas Constitution to give the governor and legislators more power over appellate court appointments. The measure advanced Wednesday by the Judiciary Committee would allow governors to name whomever they want to fill vacancies on the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. The appointments would require Senate confirmation. The measure would scrap the statewide, attorney-led commission that screens applicants for the appellate courts and names three finalists for the governor. The current selection system has no role for lawmakers. The Judiciary Committee's voice vote in favor of the measure sent it to the full House for debate. Supporters said the measure will make judicial selection more open. Critics said the change will make the courts less independent.================Kansas Leaders Discuss State's Military Future TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Governor's Military Council is preparing to make the case for maintaining the presence of the armed forces in Kansas ahead of likely cuts in defense spending. At a meeting Wednesday, the council focused on the potential loss of spending and personnel at Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and McConnell Air Force Base. The Department of Defense projects cutting 114,000 personnel nationwide by 2021. The council is also watching the competition among states to house the new KC-46 air refueling tanker. The Air Force announced earlier this month that McConnell and Topeka's Forbes Field were finalists. Decisions on where to base the tankers are expected later this year.================Kansas Officials Discuss Possible Prison LegislationTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas corrections officials say they plan to propose legislation aimed at easing overcrowding in the state's prisons. Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts told a Senate committee Tuesday that legislation supported by Governor Sam Brownback could free up as many as 800 prison beds in the next two years. Roberts told the Senate Judiciary Committee the legislation would include $5 million over two years. It also would give probation supervisors more authority and create graduated penalties for probation violators. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Roberts's goal is to make supervision of high-risk offenders and reducing recidivism top priorities. Roberts said the recommendations came from his department's Justice Reinvestment work group. It was established last year in conjunction with the Pew Center for the States and the U.S. Justice Department.================Emporia Man Accused of Stalking More than 20 WomenEMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — A 60-year-old Emporia man has been arrested following a long investigation into obscene letters sent to more than 20 women. Radio station KVOE reports that the man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of 47 counts of stalking and 47 counts of promoting obscenity. No charges had been filed as of Wednesday. Authorities say the stalking investigation involved more than 20 women in Emporia and surrounding Lyon County. Some of the women began receiving the letters in late 2011. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation worked with Emporia police and Lyon County deputies on the case. Investigators used video surveillance and handwriting samples to support a search warrant that led to the arrest. Authorities are notifying victims of the arrest.================ Kansas Police Seeking ImposterBELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Police across Kansas are looking for a man they say is pretending to be a law enforcement officer to try and cash bad checks. The man surfaced Monday in Belle Plaine, where he allegedly tried to convince clerks at two businesses to cash checks. Belle Plaine police chief Gordon Fell says the clerks didn't fall for the story, partly because the man claimed to be a sheriff's deputy from Adams County. There is no Adams County in Kansas. KAKE-TV reports that Fell says he has heard from other Kansas law enforcement agencies with similar reports. Fell says legitimate law enforcement officers would never try to cash a personal check at a business. He's concerned the man is trying to take advantage of trust for officers, particularly at rural businesses.================ Feds Extend 5 Kansas River Sand Dredging PermitsLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has extended five sand dredging permits for the Kansas River for one year. The corps says in a news release that three other dredging permits will end in May between Eudora and the Bowersock Dam in Lawrence because the riverbed has dropped more than 2 feet. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the current dredging permits authorized five companies to dredge 2.2 million tons annually. The permits expired at the end of last year, but the companies sought reauthorization and wanted to dredge 3.2 million tons of sand. An environmental consulting firm hired by the companies is expected to report on the environmental impact by early March. The conservation group Friends of the Kaw wants the corps to stop all dredging on the river.================ Topeka Will Pay $45,000 Penalty for Zoo ComplaintTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The city of Topeka will pay a $45,000 penalty to settle a federal complaint over rules violations at the city's zoo. The city council voted Tuesday to settle the complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in December 2011. The USDA alleged 51 rules violations at the zoo dating from 2006. Shelly Starr, of the city attorney's office, said the civil penalties were based on violations resulting in nine animal deaths. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that zoo director Brendan Wiley says he's happy the matter is resolved so the zoo can move into a new era. Wiley became director after the USDA criticized it for the numerous animal deaths, its professional accreditation was tabled and most of its management left or were fired. The zoo has regained full accreditation.================St. John's Military School Cadet Leader ArrestedWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas military school says it has suspended an 18-year-old cadet leader who was arrested last week on allegations of sexual battery against a younger student at its Salina campus. St. John's Military School said Tuesday that the cadet's leadership responsibilities were taken away and he was reassigned to another company while arrangements were being made to send him home to Virginia. The Associated Press is not identifying the suspect, who was arrested Friday, because formal charges have not been filed. President Andy England says the school immediately started an investigation and, based on its findings, notified police and the state's child welfare agency. The incident comes as St. John's is fighting a lawsuit filed by 11 ex-cadets that alleges a culture of abuse existed at the school.================Wichita Police Arrest 6 Suspects in Man's DeathWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police have made two more arrests in the killing of a 34-year-old man — bringing the total number of suspects to six. Police arrested a 27-year-old man Tuesday and a 32-year-old man turned himself in at City Hall. Lieutenant Doug Nolte says police are not looking for anyone else in the death of 34-year-old Shawn Lindsey. Police believe he was killed January 11 and his body was dumped in a wooded area. His girlfriend reported him missing on January 13 and utility workers found his body three days later. Officers arrested two men early last weekend and two others late Sunday. Two of the suspects are twin brothers. Police believe Lindsey knew the first four men arrested and had worked with two of them at a machine shop.================Burglars Grab Electronics from Wichita TargetWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Wichita are looking for two men who stole thousands of dollars' worth of electronics from a Target store. The break-in happened around 4 am Wednesday at the Target near the Towne East Square shopping mall. KSNW-TV reports that burglars hit the same store last August and took 16 iPads. In the latest incident, two men wearing dark clothes, gloves and ski masks broke out two glass front doors and left with iPads, iPods, digital cameras and several laptop computers. Police said no employees were in the store at the time.================ KC-Area Hospitals Will Share Patient InformationKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — More than a dozen Kansas City-area hospitals will use a regional computer network to share their patients' medical information more efficiently. The hospitals' participation in the Lewis and Clark Information Exchange was announced Tuesday. It allows the hospitals immediate access to such information as the patients' laboratory results, medication histories, allergies, immunizations and medical reports. The Kansas City Star reports that Heartland Health, a St. Joseph-based health organization, created the computer network several years ago but turned it over to a board to operate. Some of the hospitals participating are Truman Medical Centers, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Children's Mercy Hospital, the University of Kansas Hospital and Olathe Medical Center. Advocates say health information exchanges reduce costs by eliminating duplicate tests and the need to copy and fax medical records.================2 Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide in KansasHOISINGTON, Kan. (AP) — The Barton County Sheriff's office says a couple died in an apparent murder-suicide at their rural home. Sheriff Brian Bellendir says in a news release that the bodies of 35-year-old Justin Heggemeier and 39-year-old Michelle Heggemeier were found Tuesday night at a farm northeast of Hoisington. Officers went to the house after a juvenile called to say shots had been fired at the home. Bellinder says it appears Justin Heggemeier shot his wife at close range and then killed himself. The juvenile apparently hid in the closet and was not injured.================ Electrical Problem Caused Fatal Dodge City FireDODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — Dodge City fire officials say a blaze that killed a woman and child two days after Christmas was caused by an electrical malfunction. Fire Captain Ken Spencer said the December 27 fire began in an area where a space heater was plugged into an extension cord running behind a couch. The Dodge City Daily Globe reports that the home did not have any fire alarms. Fifty-one-year-old Luz Maria Conejo and 2-year-old Pablo Antonio Coca-Conejo died of smoke inhalation in the fire. Four people were able to escape the blaze.================93-Year-Old KC Man Charged with Murdering Wife KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 93-year-old Kansas City man has been charged with killing his 95-year-old wife in what investigators are calling a homicide and an attempted suicide. The Jackson County (Missouri) prosecutor filed the second-degree murder charge Wednesday against Harry Irwin, who remained hospitalized with self-inflicted stab wounds in his chest. Police have not said how Grace Irwin died. Paramedics who were called to the couple's home around 6:30 am Wednesday found her in bed, with blood on her head. A paramedic told police Harry Irwin was unresponsive in a chair, with blood on his shirt and arms. The paramedic says Irwin regained consciousness and said he had killed his wife and himself, then asked, "Why am I awake?" Neighbors said the wife had been in poor health. The couple's children and grandchildren visited them often.================Kansas State Signs Agreement with Eisenhower CenterMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University and the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum have signed a partnership to strengthen research opportunities between the two institutions. The agreement was signed Tuesday by U.S. Archivist David Ferriero and Kansas State President Kirk Schulz. Elements include student internships, academic conferences, public lectures, exhibits and curriculum development. Schulz said the partnership with the Eisenhower center, located in Abilene, fits the university's goal of becoming a top 50 research university by 2025. Kansas State and the Eisenhower center have had similar partnerships for military history and 20th century studies since 2001. Karl Weissenbach, director of the Eisenhower Library and Museum, says the partnership will increase the center's visibility with the university community. Eisenhower's brother Milton, a 1924 Kansas State graduate, was the university's president from 1943 to 1950.================ KU Student Organizes Bone Marrow DriveLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A student at the University of Kansas is organizing a bone marrow donor registry drive in honor of her husband, who has cancer. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the drive is scheduled to take place February 4 at the KU campus in Lawrence. The organizer is KU student Sharilyn Matthews, whose husband, Jonathan, has lymphoma. His doctors say they've found several potential donor matches for him and the family is hopeful that help is on the way. His wife is organizing the drive to help the donor registry, which is called Be The Match. Workers will swab potential donors' cheeks and store their genetic information, then notify people if a match comes up.================ Principal Gets Diversion on Prostitution ChargeTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Topeka assistant high school principal has entered into a diversion agreement with the Shawnee County prosecutor's office on a charge that he patronized a prostitute. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 42-year-old Jeff L. Moss was arrested August 17 in an Internet prostitution sting that resulted in 12 arrests in Topeka. Moss was placed on administrative leave from his job as Highland Park High School's assistant principal after his arrest, and the school board voted to terminate his contract September 6. He was charged with the misdemeanor count in October. In the diversion deal, Moss must complete certain requirements to have the criminal charge dismissed. He also has to pay $170 in court costs and fees.================ Kansas Aviation Museum to Open Learning CenterWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita is planning to open an interactive learning center that features flight simulators, a weather station and educational stations. The new center is expected to open March 16. It is sponsored by Boeing with support from the Lattner Family Foundation and the city of Wichita. Features will include a mock control tower with a radio connection to a Cessna 210 simulator. Visitors can use a computer-aided system to design an air foil and test it in a virtual wind tunnel. They can also build the foil and test it in a real wind tunnel. Over the next year, the museum plans to start a new club for children, a merit badge program, home school programs and other activities.================ Insider Knocks Kansas Judicial Selection ProcessTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A member of the Kansas commission that screens applicants for the state's appellate courts says the panel was biased against conservative candidates in its most recent deliberations. Commission member Felita Kahrs of Topeka said Tuesday the commission finally advanced one conservative's nomination to the governor last month to avoid angering legislators seeking to change the selection process. Kahrs provided a copy of testimony for a Kansas House committee to The Associated Press before it met Tuesday. It's unusual for someone involved in that process to advocate change. Kahrs is among four non-lawyers on the nine-member commission and was appointed by Republican Governor Sam Brownback in 2011. The commission nominates three finalists for appellate court vacancies. The governor makes the appointment, with no role for legislators. Supporters say that process eliminates political influence.================ KDOT Seeks Comments on Biking, Walking NeedsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An online survey has been posted by the Department of Transportation as Kansas officials seek to gauge public opinion about opportunities for bicycling and walking around the state. The department said Tuesday there is an online survey on its website for residents to identify statewide biking and pedestrian needs. There are two versions of the survey — one to be filled out by adults, the other by parents on behalf of children. Becky Pepper, KDOT's bicycle-pedestrian coordinator, says the responses will help the agency decide how to use what she calls limited resources for bicycling and pedestrian facilities in Kansas. Pepper says one key issue is whether urban, rural and suburban residents have different views on biking and walking. The survey will be used in a study scheduled to be completed this fall.
  • Democrat Files for Kansas 1st District SeatTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas State University history professor and former Manhattan mayor has filed for the Democratic primary in the state's 1st Congressional District. Jim Sherow filed the paperwork Wednesday to put his name on the August 5 ballot. The seat is currently held by conservative Republican Representative Tim Huelskamp, who is seeking a third term. Sherow joins Bryan Whitney of Wichita in the Democratic primary. Huelskamp is being challenged in the Republican primary by Alan LaPolice of Clyde. The 1st Congressional District is the state's largest, covering all of western and most of central Kansas. Sherow says he wants to promote cooperation in Congress and represent the Kansas district's agricultural interests. Huelskamp was removed from the House Agriculture Committee in 2012 by Speaker John Boehner.==============================Topeka City Council Passes Two Anti-Discrimination OrdinancesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The Topeka City Council has approved two ordinances aimed at reducing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in that city. The council approved a measure yesterday establishing a domestic partnership registry for same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The second ordinance would ban the city from discrimination in hiring based on gender identity. The measure also requires the city of Topeka to provide health coverage for any city employees registered with the city as being part of a domestic partnership. The council chamber was full for the meeting, with residents speaking for and against each of the proposals.==============================More Than Half of Kansas in Drought EmergencyWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Drought conditions are continuing to worsen in Kansas despite recent rain, prompting Governor Sam Brownback to declare half the state in a drought emergency. All 105 counties are now under some type of drought status. Brownback issued an updated declaration Wednesday putting 56 counties in the most serious emergency category. Twenty-six have been placed under warning status, and 23 in a watch status. The emergency designation makes counties eligible for use of water from certain lakes. Brownback says in a news release Kansans need to know that no matter where they live in the state, the drought is not over. He says some areas have been in drought for almost five years. The lack of precipitation is depleting soil moisture, drawing down reservoir levels and slowing stream flows.==============================$25 Million Gift for KU Med Center BuildingKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Officials with the University of Kansas Medical Center say a $25 million donation from the Hall Family Foundation will allow the center to construct a medical education building. The donation, announced Tuesday, will be the lead gift for the $75 million building on the Kansas City, Kan., campus. The medical center has sought to build in the education center for years, saying its accreditation was threatened by its current outdated structure. The Kansas City Star reports the new building will allow the medical center to train more students in updated facilities that reflect modern teaching methods. Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said the Hall Family's donation made construction of the building possible.=============================Morgan to Take on Kansas Secretary of State KobachTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence Republican is challenging incumbent Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, saying he wants to restore sanity to the office. Scott Morgan announced Wednesday he was filing for the race. His background includes working for former Kansas Republican senators Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum. Kobach is seeking a second term. He has taken strong positions in Kansas and other states on election laws and immigration issues, and is currently embroiled in federal litigation over Kansas laws requiring proof of citizenship from people registering to vote. Morgan says Kobach isn't serving the office or Kansas residents by pursuing his agenda. Former state senator Jean Schodorf, of Wichita, is running for secretary of state as a Democrat after switching her affiliation from the Republican party.==============================Selzer Files for Kansas Insurance CommissionerTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Another Republican candidate has filed for the August primary to be the next Kansas insurance commissioner. Ken Selzer, of Leawood, filed his paperwork Tuesday with the secretary of state. Selzer is an accountant and a managing director of a global reinsurance firm. The candidates are vying to replace Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, a Lawrence Republican and former state senator, who isn't seeking a third term. Other GOP candidates are Beverly Gossage, of Eudora, director of a health insurance consulting company, and David Powell, an El Dorado insurance agent. State Senator Clark Shultz, of McPherson, a former Kansas House Insurance Committee chairman, has indicated that he plans to run but has not yet filed for the race. Democrat Dennis Anderson, an Overland Park businessman, is also seeking the office.==============================Salina Police Return Fire at Armed ManSALINA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Salina say a man is hospitalized after exchanging gunfire with officers investigating a domestic disturbance. KSAL-AM reports that the incident happened Wednesday afternoon. Police Captain Mike Sweeney says the officers were talking with a woman at a park across the street from the house where the disturbance was reported. Sweeney says a man approached with a rifle and began firing at the officers. Two officers took cover as a third returned fire at the man, who was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. None of the officers were hurt.==============================KS Governor Shuffles Agency HeadsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is shuffling his administration, naming the head of the state's aging and disabilities agency to be his new budget director. The governor announced Tuesday that Shawn Sullivan, secretary of the Department for Aging and Disabilities Services, will be the state's new budget director. He takes over for Jon Hummel, who had filled the post on an interim basis. Sullivan will remain director of hospitals while serving as budget director. Brownback is filling the KDADS vacancy with Kari Bruffet, who has been serving as director of the Division of Health Care Finance in the Department of Health and Environment. Bruffet has played in a lead role in implementing the state's KanCare Medicaid program for the poor, elderly and disabled. Both appointments are effective June 9.==============================Libertarian Umbehr Files for Kansas GovernorTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Libertarian Keen Umbehr has put his name on the November ballot for Kansas governor. The 55-year-old attorney from Alma filed the paperwork Tuesday to make his bid official. Umbehr says taxes and civil liberties will top his agenda. His running mate is his son, Dr. Josh Umbehr, a Wichita physician. Republican Governor Sam Brownback and his running mate, Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, filed last week in their bid for a second term. Democrat Paul Davis, the current House minority leader, is also running for governor with Jill Docking as his running mate, but they have not yet filed. The filing deadline is June 2.==============================Crum to Retire from Kansas HouseWICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ A Republican lawmaker from from south-central Kansas is retiring from the state House of Representatives. Rep. David Crum of Augusta served on the KanCare Oversight Committee. He says he has decided to leave the Legislature after serving for eight years will not seek re-election this fall. Crum also served as chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee. He joins Republican State Representative Richard Carlson of St. Marys among lawmakers who say they will not seek re-election this year.==============================Former City Clerk in KS Charged with EmbezzlingTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The former city clerk of a small, northeast Kansas community has been accused of embezzling at least $186,000 in public funds. The U.S. Attorney's office said 61-year-old Alice Riley, of Topeka, was indicted in federal court Tuesday on one count of interstate transportation of stolen funds. Riley's attorney told The Topeka Capital-Journalthere would be no immediate comment. Riley was the city clerk for Auburn, a rural community of about 1,200 people in southwest Shawnee County. Prosecutors allege that Riley began embezzling city funds in 2009, issuing duplicate payroll checks to herself and depositing other city checks into her personal accounts. She's accused of trying to hide the alleged embezzlement by creating false entries in Auburn's books and bank statements.==============================Suspicious Package Investigated at Kansas City IRS BuildingKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hazardous materials crews were called to the Internal Revenue Service building in Kansas City after an employee found a suspicious white substance inside a package. The package was found Wednesday morning at the IRS building in central Kansas City after an employee opened the package. The area has been cordoned off and isolated as a precaution.==============================Saline County Rejects KDHE GrantSALINA, Kan. (AP) — The Saline County Commission has rejected a grant for contraceptives after a commissioner likened intrauterine devices to murder. Commissioner John Price said during a meeting Tuesday he opposes the use of intrauterine devices, or IUDs, which the $6,064 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment would fund. Price says he's not against birth control but that he considers IUDs an abortion issue. He said he thinks it's "murder" to take the money. Jeanette Peroli, nurse practitioner with the Saline County Health Department, said she gave Price information that IUDs are contraceptives and do not abort a pregnancy. The Salina Journal reports that the commission approved Price's motion against accepting the money.==============================Former Soccer Coach Facing More Child Porn CountsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former suburban Kansas City girls' soccer coach has been charged with eight additional counts of producing child pornography in addition to three similar charges filed last year. Federal prosecutors say 41-year-old Joel White of Lee's Summit secretly video recorded several girls, 11 and 12 years old, while they undressed. White formerly coached a girls under-12 soccer team and a girls under-15 team. Prosecutors say the girls depicted in seized recordings were members of his soccer team. White was arrested after authorities in Commerce City, Colorado discovered videos of nude minors on his camera while investigating the theft of jerseys and other memorabilia from a stadium that was hosting a World Cup qualifying game in April 2013. White's attorney didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.==============================Arraignments Set in Salina Infant's DeathSALINA, Kan. (AP) — A Salina couple charged in the death of their infant son have waived preliminary hearings. The Salina Journal reports that 21-year-old Desirah Overturf and 27-year-old Nicholas J. Corbin were charged in January in the December 2013 death of 3-month-old Jeremiah Corbin. Each is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and other crimes in the baby's death. They're being held in the Saline County Jail on $1 million bond. After they each waived their preliminary hearings Tuesday, a judge set Overturf's arraignment for June 17, and Corbin's for June 23.============================== Town Marks End of School Year with Water Gun FightLINDSBORG, Kan. (AP) — While bringing a squirt gun to school can lead to suspension or worse in many parts of the U.S., an entire Kansas community plans to mark the end of this academic year with a massive water gun fight. Those who don't want to shoot it out at Lindsborg's Swensson Park on May 30 are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and sit in designated safe areas, or dry zones, where they can watch without getting wet. The Wichita Eagle reports that no water balloons will be allowed at the "School's Out" party. Six weeks ago, a Maine 10th-grader was suspended from school after a bright yellow squirt gun fell out of his backpack. In other places, students have been suspended for merely pointing their fingers in the shape of a gun.============================== Bondsman's Trial Delayed AgainHUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — There has been a fifth delay in the jury trial for a Hutchinson bondsman accused of seeking sex from women in exchange for bonding them out of jail. Dwight Jurgens is accused of coercing woman he bailed out of Reno County Jail to have sexual contact with him between February 2010 and September 2012. He posted a $100,000 bond after he was arrested. Charges against him include aggravated human trafficking and rape. The Hutchinson News reports the trial was scheduled to begin in late September 2013. Defense lawyers asked for the first three continuances. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton asked for the latest two continuances, the latest on May 20. Jurgens's trial has been rescheduled for June 3.============================== Derby Man Sentenced to Life in PrisonDERBY, Kan. (AP) — A Derby man who killed his girlfriend and stabbed her teenage son has been sentenced to life in prison for murder, with eligibility for parole after 25 years. KAKE-TV reports that 40-year-old Charles A. Beck Jr. also was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 14 years in prison for attempted murder. The sentences will run consecutively. Beck is charged in the September 2013 strangulation of 44-year-old Lonnie Staggs at her Derby home. Prosecutors say Beck also tried to strangle Staggs's 15-year-old son but he escaped after being cut with a knife and was able to lock himself and an 11-year-old sister in another room. Beck turned himself in shortly after the deaths in Texas County, Missouri. He pleaded guilty last month to charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.==============================Lawrence Inmate Captured After Mistaken ReleaseTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Authorities have recaptured a Northeast Kansas jail inmate who was mistakenly released four days ago. Corrections officials say a procedural error allowed Armando Jimenez of Lawrence to be released Friday when he was supposed to be transferred from the custody of Douglas County. Police found Jimenez in Topeka.==============================Salina Man Killed by Pipe BombSALINA, Kan. (AP) - Authorities in Salina say an explosion that killed a man in a pickup truck was caused by a pipe bomb in the vehicle's cab. The man was identified Tuesday as 46-year-old Salina resident Wayne Guerrant. The blast happened around 12:30 pm Monday while the pickup was parked near a sand volleyball court at a city park. Police found Guerrant badly injured outside the burning vehicle. He later died later at the hospital. Investigators have not determined if the detonation was accidental or intentional. The pipe bomb was described as 5 to 6 inches long. No other explosive devices were found in the park, but police did find a container of black powder at Guerrant's home. Authorities don't know what Guerrant had planned to do with the bomb.==============================Bob Dole Plans Another Kansas TourGOODLAND, Kan. (AP) _ Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole has announced the schedule for his next tour of Kansas. Last week, the 90-year-old Russell native finished a tour of 16 communities throughout the state following 10 visits throughout the state last month, including an appearance at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Dole is calling these trips "Gratitude Tours" and says they are a way for him to thank supporters and connect with long-time friends. His office announced yesterday (TUE) that Dole will return next week for three days of stops in western Kansas.==============================Woman Held Without Bond in Kansas Adoption ScamKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A woman accused of pretending to be pregnant to scam prospective adoptive parents in Kansas and elsewhere will remain held without bond while awaiting trial. A federal magistrate judge in Kansas City, Kansas, ruled Tuesday that 34-year-old Chrystal Marie Rippey, of Marshall, Texas, is a serious flight risk. Rippey's attorney did not immediately return a phone message. Rippey was indicted in February on federal charges of mail and wire fraud.==============================Nonprofit Becomes New Owner of Baseball TournamentWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A new nonprofit formed by the city of Wichita now owns the National Baseball Congress World Series. Wichita City Council members on Tuesday approved the transfer of the city-owned tournament to the NBC Baseball Foundation. Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer will appoint the foundation's nine-member board next month. The Wichita Eagle reports that the members will include those with experience in baseball, marketing and finance, as well as two council members. The city started an internal review of the tournament in the fall of 2012 in response to financial problems, late payments to vendors and dwindling attendance at the amateur baseball tournament. The tournament began in Wichita in 1935. This year's NBC World Series runs from July 25 through August 9.==============================KU Adds Ukrainian Prospect to Recruiting ClassLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Highly touted forward Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk has signed to play college basketball at the University of Kansas, adding the talented swingman from Ukraine to what was already a top-10 recruiting class. The school announced his signing in a statement Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 forward will be eligible to play this season, even though he won't turn 17 until June, because he has already completed high school in the Ukraine. But his age also means he will not be eligible for the NBA draft for at least two years because of age requirement rules. Mykhailiuk shined at the under-16 European championships, averaging 25.2 points and eight rebounds. He also played for the world select team at the Nike Hoops Summit last month. He joins Cliff Alexander, Kelly Oubre and Devonte Graham in this year's class.
  • Kansas has just revealed a new standard license plate...a record number of Kansans signed up for health insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act Marketplace this year...and KCI Airport is trying something new to help manage holiday travel traffic. Here's an ad-free summary of area news headlines, made possible by KPR listener-members.
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