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Daniel Ortega appears to be headed for victory in Nicaragua's presidential elections, as partial election results show the former revolutionary holding a substantial lead over his rivals. With returns in from nearly 50 percent of polling stations, the Sandinista Party candidate has just over 40 percent of the vote.

President Bush defends his handling of security and foreign policy, from the U.S. response to North Korea's recent nuclear bomb test to the war in Iraq. Despite polls that show the Republicans struggling in the midterm elections, the president said his party will hold Congress.

After last (THUR) night’s debt ceiling vote in U-S House of Representatives was postponed, some political watchers suggested it was because the Republican party is split on the issue. That divide is mirrored by two Kansas congressmen. The plan would raise the debt ceiling, but it also includes around a trillion dollars in spending cuts. Wichita Republican Mike Pompeo says he supports the bill, calling it is a step in the right direction.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa79d720000First District Congressman Tim Huelskamp says the plan drafted by Speaker John Boehner doesn’t cut enough, and he doesn’t support the bill. Huelskamp explained why earlier this week in an interview with NPR.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa79d720001Republican Representatives Kevin Yoder and Lynn Jenkins said earlier this week that they had not ruled out supporting the Boehner plan.

(Flickr Photo by Gage Skidmore)Congressman Tim Huelskamp fired back at Republican leaders in the U.S. House today (WED), after being removed from the powerful budget and agriculture committees. Huelskamp represents the 1st District, which covers western and central Kansas. He told reporters he believes the move is retribution for some of his votes. Huelskamp clashed with party leaders on some high-profile issues, including the debt ceiling deal reached last year. During a media call with reporters, Huelskamp called the maneuver "petty, vindictive politics."00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7b8140000House leadership stripped committee seats from three other Republican representatives as well. Huelskamp says he will still keep his position on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Sign pointing to polling location in Lawrence (Photo by J. Schafer)It was a good night for incumbents in the major Kansas primary races. Governor Sam Brownback coasted through his party's election Tuesday night, as did Secretary of State Kris Kobach. KPR's J. Schafer has this wrap-up of those two races.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7cdf00000Meanwhile...In the race for Congress... all four Kansas Republican incumbents have advanced. Tim Huelskamp, Lynn Jenkins and Mike Pompeo made it through contested primaries. Kansas Congressman Kevin Yoder was unopposed.On the Democratic side, four candidates have advanced. Margie Wakefield, James Sherow (shuh-ROE), Kelly Kultala (CULL-tuh-luh) and Perry Schuckman are all hoping to capture a Kansas seat for Democrats in the U.S. House.

Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton NussJudges from across Kansas met in Topeka to brush up on their judicial knowledge as part of an annual conference. This year, judges also heard a presentation on the judiciary in Nazi Germany. They heard how small compromises by judges in areas like civil liberties eventually ballooned. That helped the Nazi party grow in power and carry out atrocities. Marcus Appelbaum, with the National Holocaust Memorial Museum, says there are lessons modern judges can take from the example.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7ce190000Chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, Lawton Nuss, says the conference is also an opportunity for judges to learn more about changes in the legal system.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7ce190001Around 300 current and retired judges gathered for the conference.

(Photo by Stephen Koranda)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has given first-round approval to a bill to make police documents explaining the reasons behind arrests open to the public. It would also make affidavits justifying search warrants open to the parties involved. Legislators advanced the bill Thursday, moving Kansas a step closer to changing what police records remain sealed. As written, individuals whose homes are searched would have 30 days to request documentation explaining the reason for the search. Kansas is one of the few states that seal probable-cause affidavits. Neighboring Missouri does not. Prosecutors have objected to the bill, saying it could cost additional time and money for their offices, as well as potentially hindering criminal investigations. Supporters say the bill provides more accountability and transparency in government.

Davis is challenging a new voter registration rule and the state's requirement that many Kansas voter registrations include a proof of citizenship document.

The House Appropriations Committee today (MON) failed to approve a budget for next fiscal year, after the bill was criticized by members of both parties. The committee added a pay cut for state employees making over 40 thousand dollars per year and cut funding for Washburn University by 5 million dollars. The bill was criticized by Democrats for cutting state services. Some Republicans said it did not do enough to cut spending. The legislation failed to get enough votes to move to the full House. Committee Chairman Marc Rhoades ("roads"), a Newton Republican, says the process has taken longer than he expected. 00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa792c50000Rhoades had been hoping to finish the bill today (MON). The Appropriations Committee will resume work on the budget first thing tomorrow (TUE).

GARDNER, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and tea party challenger Milton Wolf have brought their contentious Republican primary race to the Kansas county with the most GOP voters for a parade and door-knocking days before the election. Both candidates participated yesterday (SAT) in the Johnson County Fair's parade in Gardner. Roberts rode in a red truck well ahead of Wolf, who walked beside a campaign bus that has taken him to dozens of stops across the state. Afterward, the two men continued campaigning in the Kansas City suburbs of Johnson County. Roberts is seeking his fourth, six-year term. Wolf is a Leawood radiologist making his first run for public office. At least a few voters remain undecided, and Johnson County is home to more than 20 percent of the state's registered Republicans.