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Kansan, American Farmers Confront 'Big Data' RevolutionWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Farmers from across the nation gathered in Washington this month for their annual trek to seek action on the most important matters in American agriculture.But this time, a new issue emerged: growing unease about how the largest seed companies are gathering vast amount of data from sensors on tractors, combines and other farm equipment. The sensors measure soil conditions, seeding rates, crop yields and many other variables.Seed companies want to harness the data to help farmers grow more food with the same amount of land. But some farmers worry that the information could be hacked or exploited by corporations or government agencies. And they are serving notice that Congress might need to become involved in yet another debate over electronic security and privacy.========Kansas Court Bars Odor-Based Warrantless SearchTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that a strong odor of alcohol from inside a motor vehicle isn't enough to justify a search by law enforcement officers without a warrant.The court ruled for a Sedgwick County man convicted of possessing methamphetamine discovered by officers who searched his SUV after smelling alcohol they suspected had spilled inside. A leaking bottle of wine was found in the back seat, out of the driver's reach.Kansas law allows open alcohol containers to be carried inside vehicles under some conditions; including placement in the back seat of vehicles like SUV's that don't have trunks.The Supreme Court ruled Friday that the warrantless search was illegal. It reversed the man's meth conviction and sent the case back for trial without the drug evidence.=========Census Shows More People Leaving KansasWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — New census figures show that more people have been moving out of Kansas than have recently been moving in.Census data released Thursday shows that from 2010 to 2013, Kansas lost about 10,000 people because of outward migration. The census also showed that Kansas gained more than 16,000 people from international migration over the last four years, but lost nearly 27,000 to other states, which resulted in the net loss of about 10,000.The Wichita Eagle reports the numbers don't reveal why people left.Kansas was also among the bottom 10 states in the number of people who moved in from other states compared with the number who moved out during the 12 months ending July 1, 2013.========Garden City Man Sentenced to 10 yearsGARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2011 stabbing death of a Garden City man.Fred Schmidt pleaded guilty on February 11th to second-degree murder in the March 29th, 2011 stabbing death of 24-year-old Jeffrey Nichols.The Garden City Telegram reports Finney County District Court Judge Robert Frederick sentenced Schmidt Friday to 10 years and three months.Garden City police say Schmidt told them he and Nichols fought near Nichols' home. Schmidt claimed he killed Nichols in self-defense.

Here's the latest Kansas and regional news from the Associated Press, compiled by KPR staff.

The former president is set to be acquitted as soon as Saturday despite a compelling and extensive case made by Democrats, as most Republicans once again circle the Trump wagon.

Sorry! My bad! My humblest apologies. Lawrence therapist and best-selling author Harriet Lerner talks about why we so often get apologies wrong. Her latest book is Why Won't You Apologize? Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts. Dr. Lerner will speak on the art of the apology tonight (Thursday) at the Lawrence Public Library.

We've all heard the phrase: "Spare the rod and spoil the child." If you take that to mean it's okay to spank or hit your child, think again. Child experts have been saying for years that spanking kids is not only wrong, it's counter-productive. Guest Commentator Vicki Price tells us why.

President Trump would rather be talking about his "One Big Beautiful Bill" and other wins, but the controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein case is proving a distraction, according to a GOP strategist.

He doesn't cut the profile of a member of "The Resistance," but Bolton's opposition to a pressure campaign to get Ukraine to investigate conspiracy theories may pit him against his former boss.

Kansas Court Overturns Carr Brothers' Death SentencesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of two brothers convicted of capital murder in the shooting deaths of four people whose bodies were found in a snow-covered Wichita soccer field in 2000. The state Supreme Court on Friday also struck down three of the four capital murder conviction each against Jonathan and Reginald Carr. But it upheld one capital murder conviction each. Their cases will return to Sedgwick County District Court for further hearings and a new sentencing. The court's majority overturned the death sentences because, it said, the presiding judge failed to have separate proceedings for each brother. In overturning most of the capital convictions, the majority said the instructions to jurors were flawed.=============================== Kansas Governor 'Stunned' by Capital Case RulingTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Governor Sam Brownback says he's stunned by Kansas Supreme Court decisions overturning the death sentences of two brothers for a December 2000 robbery, rape and kidnapping spree that ended with four fatal shootings in a Wichita field. Brownback said Friday that the decisions in the cases of Jonathan and Reginald Carr unnecessarily reopen the wounds from what he called a tragic moment in Wichita history. In overturning the death sentences, the court's majority said the brothers should have had separate sentencing proceedings to determine whether they faced lethal injection or life in prison. The court also overturned three of each man's four capital murder convictions. Brownback called the crimes brutal and heinous and said the Carrs were convicted by a jury of their peers before an elected trial-court judge. ===============================US Senator Boosts TV Ads Ahead of Kansas PrimaryTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Senator Pat Roberts has intensified his television advertising ahead of the Republican primary to run a new spot highlighting a state medical board investigation of tea party challenger Milton Wolf. The new ad began airing statewide Friday as part of what Roberts' said was a $350,000 push before the August 5 election. Wolf spokesman Ben Hartman called the ad misleading. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported this week that the medical board is investigating Wolf over his past postings of graphic X-ray images on a personal Facebook page. The newspaper said it received a letter from a board attorney, asking it to share information in its possession about the postings. Wolf is a Leawood radiologist and acknowledged posting the X-ray images and dark humor commentary in 2010. He apologized publicly.===============================Bombardier Job Cuts in Wichita UnclearWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Airplane maker Bombardier is cutting 1,800 jobs across facilities worldwide as it restructures operations. Spokeswoman Isabelle Rondeau with the Montreal-based company said Thursday that Bombardier plans to reorganize the company into four business segments before January 1. Bombardier says production-related jobs will not be affected. It plans a 15 percent reduction in what the company calls "indirect functions," such as human resources, finance and communications. Rondeau said it is too early to say what the impact will be on the company's Learjet plant in Wichita or any other of its facilities. The four business segments will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Pierre Beaudoin. In January, Bombardier announced a workforce reduction of about 1,700 employees and contractors at facilities in the United States and Canada, including 550 in Wichita.==============================Foster Parent Arrested Following Child's Death in Hot Car WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police have arrested the foster parent of a 10-month-old girl who died after being left inside a hot car in Wichita, Kansas. Lieutenant Todd Ojile said Friday the 29-year-old man was booked on suspicion of aggravated endangerment but has not been charged. Ojile says the man had "somehow forgotten" leaving the girl in the back seat after picking her up from the baby sitter late Thursday afternoon. He went inside the house with a 5-year-old child but left the baby strapped in the car seat outside. No charges are expected against the other foster parent, a 26-year-old man who was inside the house. Ojile says they didn't remember the child was outside until something on television jogged their memories. The girl had been in the car for about 2 hours.==============================Wichita Pot Decriminalization Advocates Submit PetitionsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Advocates of reducing penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in Wichita turned in petitions to the city seeking to have the question put on the November ballot. Petition organizers say they collected more than 5,800 signatures, more than twice the number needed to put the issue to a vote. The proponents want to reduce the penalty for possession from the current maximum of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine to a $25 fine with no jail time. They also want to change possession of pot or paraphernalia from a criminal misdemeanor to a minor civil offense like a building code violation. The Wichita Eagle reports city officials have some questions about the measure's wording but don't currently plan to try and block it.==============================Topeka Parks Employees' Lawsuit Moves ForwardTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Shawnee County judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by 10 former parks and recreation employees against the city of Topeka will go to trial. The employees sued in May 2012 after they were fired from the department and then hired to become Shawnee County employees. They contend the city didn't follow a requirement that employees who lose their jobs in such circumstances should receive severance pay. Shawnee County District Judge Rebecca Crotty last week denied both sides' efforts to have the case decided in their favor without a trial. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Crotty learned Tuesday the two sides were trying to reach a settlement. Crotty indicated a pretrial hearing next Tuesday will instead be a status conference, with pretrial hearing and trial dates set then.==============================Kansas Regents Ask Universities to Start Early on Tuition ProposalsLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Public university leaders in Kansas are being encouraged to start working on next year's tuition proposals now, rather than wait until the spring semester. Kansas Board of Regents chairman Kenny Wilk says the revenue stream from tuition is too significant to wait until the last minute to get it figured out. The Lawrence Journal-World reportsthe regents traditionally have received tuition and fee requests from the universities in May before approving them in June. Regents say they'd like schools to have a more definite idea of what they would request before the board formulates its budget proposal for Governor Sam Brownback and the Legislature. Universities in recent years have had to rely more on tuition from students as state funding has decreased.===============================Lawrence Man Sentenced for Raping StudentLAWRENCE, 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. The Lawrence Journal-World reports 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.==============================World War I Museum to Host Commission in KCKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City is hosting a public meeting with members of the United States World War One Centennial Commission. The museum says in a release that the events Sunday at the museum south of downtown Kansas City are open to the public and will also include a panel discussion with World War I experts about the impacts of the war, which started 100 years ago this summer. The panel discussion and lecture will also be streamed live online.==============================2 Minnesotans Killed in Kansas CrashMCPHERSON, Kan. (AP) - Two Minnesota residents have been killed in a two-vehicle crash in central Kansas. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 69-year-old Kay Dianne Pautz and 70-year-old Gary Walter Pautz died in the accident north of McPherson on Thursday. Both victims were from Alexandria, Minnesota. The patrol says the accident occurred when another car tried to pass the car the victims were in, causing their car to strike the rear of the passing vehicle and then swerve and rollover.==============================Wichita Group to Protest Immigrant Housing ConditionsLAWTON, Okla. (AP) - A nonprofit organization based in Kansas that focuses on immigrant rights says it plans to travel to Oklahoma and protest the housing of unaccompanied minors at Fort Sill. A delegation from Sunflower Community Action is traveling from Wichita to Lawton on Friday to protest the housing of the children. The group says the children continue to be detained under questionable conditions. Hundreds of teenagers from Central America have been housed at a troop barracks at the southwest Oklahoma Army post after detention centers near the border were overwhelmed with an influx of young people crossing the border. Members of Oklahoma's all-Republican congressional delegation are urging President Barack Obama to reconsider using Fort Sill to the house unaccompanied minors.==============================Kansas Woman Sentenced in Theft from Co-WorkersKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas woman has been sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole for stealing from her co-workers at a U.S. Department Agriculture office in Kansas City, Missouri. The U.S. Attorney's office announced in a news release that 50-year-old Paula Steen, of Overland Park, Kansas, also was ordered to pay $96,012 in restitution. Steen, a former IT specialist, pleaded guilty in December. She admitted that stole from her co-workers over a four-year period, charging $57,693 on credit accounts of a co-worker who is legally blind. Steen also did not repay loans of $48,171 from another co-worker and transferred $16,096 from another co-worker's credit union account to her creditors and bank account. She also tried to open a joint credit card account with a co-worker without his authorization.===============================Ex-IRS Employee Pleads Guilty in Fraud ConspiracyKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former employee of the Internal Revenue Service in Kansas City pleaded guilty to stealing taxpayers' identity information to receive fraudulent tax refunds. Thirty-two-year-old Taylor S. Knight of Kansas City entered the plea Friday in federal court. She admitted that she used the information to receive fraudulent tax refunds and prepaid debit cards while working at the IRS. Knight and her boyfriend were arrested in August 2011 when they tried to cash a $46,734 refund check at a convenience store, and offered store employees $6,000 to persuade them to cash the check. A suspicious store supervisor called police. Knight faces up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.==============================$16 Million Grant to Support New KU Earth Science & Energy CenterLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas says a $16 million gift will help build a hall in the university's planned Earth, Energy and Environment Center. The university announced the gift Thursday from the family of Donald Slawson, a Wichita resident, who died July 7. He graduated from the university in 1955 and founded Slawson Exploration, becoming a leader in the oil and gas exploration industry. The university said in a news release the gift will fund Slawson Hall, which will provide space for collaboration among researchers in several earth science and energy fields. Part of Slawson Hall will be used to provide real-world applications of discoveries made at the university. Slawson was twice appointed to the National Petroleum Council, and also served two terms on the Kansas Board of Regents.==============================UMKC Going Smoke Free in AugustKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri-Kansas City is banning smoking on all its property beginning August 1. The ban encompasses indoor and outdoor sites, including the sidewalks and even in parking garages. The university banned smoking in some facilities last summer but is expanding the policy this year. The Kansas City Star reports that university officials said the policy was prompted by the increasing use of e-cigarettes on campus, a commitment to health and complaints about smokers gathering outside building entrances. Associate vice chancellor Robert Simmons says a majority of students, faculty and staff support the smoking ban. However, the policy currently does not include penalties. Simmons says the university can't afford to hire more campus police officers to arrest smokers.============================2 Missouri School Districts to Provide Free LunchesKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City and Hickman Mills school districts will offer free lunches to every student, beginning in August. A new federal provision allows qualifying districts with high percentages of students on food assistance to feed all their students. The theory is that the districts will recover the loss in food costs with savings from the expensive paperwork and bureaucracy needed to manage lunch accounts. The Kansas City Star reports that 90 percent of the students in the Kansas City Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and 86 percent in Hickman Mills. Other districts in the area are considering using the Community Eligibility Provision. But districts with more students who pay for their lunches say the provision is not financially feasible for them.===============================Huckabee Endorses Roberts in Kansas Senate RaceTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has endorsed Kansas Senator Pat Roberts as he battles a GOP primary challenge from tea party candidate Milton Wolf. Huckabee is a former Arkansas governor who now has a talk show on Fox News. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 but won Kansas' caucuses. Roberts is seeking his fourth, six-year term. Wolf is a Leawood radiologist and has the backing of national tea party groups ahead of the state's Aug. 5 primary. A spokesman for Milton Wolf responded that Roberts won't stop his slide in the polls no matter how many endorsements he receives.==============================Kansas Senator Touts Agriculture Policy ExpertiseTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Senator Pat Roberts has the support of major farm groups and is touting his expertise in agriculture policy as he campaigns for re-election in the nation's leading wheat-producing state. But Republican primary challenger Milton Wolf's campaign is accusing the three-term incumbent of waging what it calls "geographical warfare" with a radio ad running in western Kansas. Roberts has endorsements from the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association. He serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and is a former House Agriculture Committee chairman. The tea-party backed Wolf is a Leawood radiologist but grew up on a farm in Rice County. Roberts' ad in western Kansas suggests Wolf doesn't understand agriculture and lives "right next to Missouri." Wolf said Roberts is trying to divide eastern and western Kansas residents.==============================Vacant Building Collapses in Downtown KingmanKINGMAN, Kan. (AP) — Engineers are trying to determine why a vacant building partially collapsed in downtown Kingman. City manager Emily Graf says no one was injured when a south wall and part of a west wall of the building collapsed Thursday No surroundings buildings were damaged Graf says the building was constructed in 1890. The block has been closed to protect the safety of citizens. Kingman is about 45 miles west of Wichita.==============================Kansas City Zoo's Oldest LIon EuthanizedKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Zoo's oldest lion has been euthanized after veterinary staffers were unable to treat him successfully for numerous health issues. The Kansas City Star reports the lion, named Dumisani, was 18 years old and had lived at the zoo nearly his entire life after arriving in 1997 from Indianapolis. Dumisani's parents were from the wild, making his genes desirable for breeding. The zoo brought in two females from Africa in 1998 to diversify the gene pool, but the lions had feline immunodeficiency virus and were not suitable for breeding. Officials allowed one litter to be produced before the females underwent a contraceptive procedure, but one of them became pregnant anyway. Dumisana sired seven cubs in the two litters, creating one of the largest prides among American zoos.==============================KDHE Issues Lake Algae WarningTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Health officials are alerting the public about potentially harmful algae blooms in Kansas lakes. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued warnings for high levels of the toxic algae in seven lakes. Those include Chisholm Creek Park Lake in Sedgwick County, Memorial Park Lake in Barton County and Jewell State Fishing Lake in Jewell County. Warnings also have been issued for Lake Warnock in Atchison County and South Park Lake in Johnson County. In addition, the Milford Reservoir and parts of the Marion Reservoir also are under a public health warning. A public health warning indicates that water conditions are unsafe and people should avoid any direct water contact such as wading, swimming or skiing.==============================Kansas City Offers Ambulance Workers $2 Million SettlementKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Council has proposed to settle a class action lawsuit over ambulance workers' overtime pay for nearly $2 million. The Kansas City Star reports the council offered the roughly $1.98 million settlement Thursday. The council's finance committee will consider it next week. An attorney for the 110 plaintiffs says they're happy about the resolution. Former paramedics and EMTs sued the city in 2011 following a merger between the fire department and ambulance services in 2010. The workers say Kansas City violated federal law in its overtime pay policies. They say the city didn't pay them for all hours worked that exceeded 40 hours a week. The fire department budget will cover $1.3 million. The rest of the money will come from a legal claims fund.==============================Proxy Adviser Says Sprint CEO Was Paid Too MuchNEW YORK (AP) — Advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services is telling shareholders to protest Sprint Corp. CEO Dan Hesse's $49 million 2013 pay package, saying it's excessive and not tied to performance. Hesse got a special $18.7 million stock award in connection with Softbank Corp. of Japan buying 70 percent of Sprint last year. ISS says that helped put his pay package above three times the median pay for a CEO of a comparable company. Shareholders will vote on approving the executive pay package on August 6. The vote is only advisory, but boards take "no" votes seriously. Sprint, which is based in Overland Park, Kansas, had no immediate comment on the ISS report.

Number of Kansas Government Workers Grew in Last Fiscal YearTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The number of people working for Kansas state government increased last year but most of the growth was in temporary jobs with no benefits. The Kansas Department of Administration says the state employed 69,974 people in fiscal year 2013. That includes both regular and temporary employees. That's an increase of 143 from the previous fiscal year. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the state cut 937 regular positions but added 1,080 temporary positions last fiscal year. Of the temporary jobs, 103 included benefits and 977 didn't. The report shows the state shifted toward unclassified employees, who are not protected by the civil service system from being fired or demoted. The state had 989 fewer classified employees in fiscal 2013, and 1,132 more unclassified employees. That includes temporary and full-time employees.==============Kansas Ag Officials Tout New Farmers' Market LawTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas agriculture officials say a new law taking effect in July will help a growing number of farmers' markets across the state. The measure approved by legislators and signed by Governor Sam Brownback earlier this month sets up a central registry for farmers' markets in the state Department of Agriculture. Registering with the state will limit the legal liability of farmers' markets if accidents occur. Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman said Wednesday that registering also will give farmers' markets access to promotional help from the state. The department said that from 1987 to 2012, the number of farmers' markets in Kansas increased more than four times, from 26 to 118. Rodman said farmers' markets give consumers fresh food and connect them with the farmers growing it.==============UPDATE: Kansas Doctor Remains Jailed Pending Another HearingWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas doctor linked to drug overdoses by active-duty Fort Riley soldiers remains jailed for now as a possible flight risk. Federal prosecutors told a magistrate judge Wednesday that Michael P. Schuster, of Manhattan, has more than $1 million outside the U.S., a home in Paraguay and two passports. A hearing to determine whether he should remain in custody pending trial has been set for Tuesday in Topeka. Schuster is charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute drugs. His first hearing left unanswered whether any soldiers or family members died from overdoses, as indicated in an affidavit. Defense attorney Barry Clark declined comment, saying he has not yet seen the government's evidence. A federal grand jury is expected to consider the case next week for indictment.============== Captioner Sorry for Misidentifying Bomb SuspectNEW YORK (AP) — A TV captioning service has apologized for misidentifying "New Girl" star Zooey Deschanel as one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects on a Texas news broadcast. Lawrence-based Caption Solutions says it and its captioner "deeply regret" the mistake. Company president Kala J. Patterson says in a statement issued Tuesday they "sincerely apologize for this error." The erroneous onscreen text appeared during coverage by the Fox network affiliate KDFW in Dallas-Fort Worth of Friday's manhunt for a bombing suspect. It declared: "Marathon Bomber. He is 19-year-old Zooey Deschanel." The suspect was 19-year-old college student Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who later was arrested and hospitalized. Deschanel learned of the TV captioning blunder over the weekend and tweeted: "Whoa! Epic closed captioning FAIL!"============== ACLU Demands Records on SW Kansas School AssembliesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union is demanding more information from a southwest Kansas school district about assemblies this week that featured a speaker from a creationist group. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri is requesting that the Hugoton district release emails between its staff and employees of the Oklahoma-based Creation Truth Foundation. The ACLU also wants copies of materials used at the assemblies and other documents. Hugoton Superintendent Mark Crawford said Tuesday that his district would fulfill the ACLU's request. But he said the group tried to intimidate the district into canceling the assemblies. The ACLU criticized the assemblies as an opportunity to promote creationism. Crawford said creationism wasn't mentioned even though speaker Matt Miles is a foundation instructor.==============Families Beg Kansas to Keep Double Killer ImprisonedWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Relatives of two women killed by the same man, 12 years apart, are asking Kansas parole officials to keep him behind bars. Danny Williams was convicted in Idaho of second-degree murder in the 1970 beating death of Melba Gray, a mother of six. Idaho officials paroled him after eight years and he moved to Wichita, where he was convicted of stabbing Francis Ellifson to death at her home in April 1982. KFDI-AM reportsthat about 40 friends and relatives of both victims attended a hearing of the Kansas Prisoner Review Board on Wednesday. Many read emotional statements arguing for the 60-year-old inmate to remain locked up. They said they know Williams has been considered a model prisoner, but it doesn't change their belief that he would kill again if released.==============Kansas Prosecutor to Pursue Retrial in Capital CaseTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor says he's planning to retry a capital murder suspect rather than ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the man's convictions for killing two women in Topeka. The Kansas Supreme Court overturned Phillip Cheatham Jr.'s convictions in January, finding that his lawyer did a poor job at his 2005 trial. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor announced Tuesday his conclusion that it would be "ill-advised" to appeal the state court's ruling. Cheatham was sentenced to die for the 2003 shooting deaths of two women at a Topeka duplex. He was also convicted of lesser charges for wounding a third woman.==============Man Gets More Than 8 Years for TV Station AttackTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man who attacked several employees at a Topeka television station has been sentenced to eight years and four months in prison. Fifty-year-old Ray Anthony Miles was sentenced Wednesday for four felony battery charges and two misdemeanors after he attacked four employees of WIBW-TV last May. Miles broke into the station and assaulted the employees because they refused to report on a problem he was having with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He stabbed, kicked, bit and punched the employees before they were able to subdue him.==============Prostitute's Client Calls for HelpMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) -- Police in northeast Kansas are investigating possible charges after a man called for help, saying he feared for his safety after he was unable to pay a prostitute for sex. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the 23-year-old man summoned Riley County police to a mobile home in Manhattan around 2 am Wednesday. The man told officers that he hired a Topeka woman online at an agreed rate of $400 for two hours of sex. When the two hours were up, the man said, he confessed to the woman that he had no money to pay her. Police say the man called for help because he feared some kind of retaliation from the woman or her boss. No arrests have been made while the investigation continues. ============== 2 Kansas Employers Semifinalists for Defense Support AwardTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Kansas employers are in the running for a national award for supporting employees who serve in the National Guard or military reserves. Olathe-based GPS maker Garmin and the Johnson County city of Shawnee are among 138 semifinalists for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award recognizes employers who assist military members before, during and after deployments, including job security and family support. Nearly 2,900 employers nationwide were nominated by their employees. The Virginia-based Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve will narrow the field next month to 30 finalists.============== Customers Avoid Sprint in 1Q as Suitors CircleNEW YORK (AP) — The flow of new customers to Sprint stopped in the latest quarter, even as the company weighs the offers of two corporate suitors. Sprint Nextel Corporation says it added a net of just 12,000 customers to its Sprint brand in the quarter, and it would have lost 252,000 if it weren't for Nextel customers moving over now that their network is being shut down. Still, the company narrowed its net loss in the quarter to $643 million, or 21 cents per share, from $863 million, or 29 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue edged up 0.7 percent to $8.79 billion. Sprint has agreed to sell 70 percent of itself to Japan's Softbank Corporation, but last week got a competing offer from Dish Network.==============Kansas Airman Charged over Arizona Commuting ClaimsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A senior airman in the Kansas Air National Guard is accused of lying about where she lives so she could fraudulently collect nearly $55,000 in travel reimbursements. The U.S. Attorney's office announced Wednesday that 28-year-old Eledria J. Bradley is charged with one count of wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Bradley changed her address to the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona when she was deployed to McConnell Air Force Base. The base is located in Wichita, where she lives. Prosecutors said that by changing her address, Bradley was outside the commuting distance for McConnell. The indictment says she received benefits she wasn't entitled to from 2009 through this month. Bradley did not have an attorney Wednesday, and there was no phone listed in her name in Wichita.============== Ex-Cheer Coach Convicted of 10 Sex ChargesWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former cheer coach from Wichita has been convicted of sex crimes involving four of his minor students. Twenty-nine-year-old Timothy Wells-Lee was convicted Tuesday of 10 of 11 charges he faced. He'll be sentenced June 14.Wells-Lee was accused of having sexual relationships with girls ranging from 12 to 14 years old while he was coaching them at Wichita cheer academies between 2006 and 2008. He was acquitted of one charge of fondling one of the girls.Wells-Lee denied having any sexual contact with three of the girls. He admitted having a sexual relationship with the fourth girl but testified it didn't begin she was the legal age of 16. He will be sentenced under Jessica's Law, which requires a sentence of life without possibility of parole for 25 years.==============Longtime Publisher of Iola Register Dies at 88TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Emerson Lynn Jr., the former publisher of The Iola Register and one of the state's best-known editorial writers, has died. The newspaper says Lynn died Wednesday morning at a hospice in Topeka, where he'd received care after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. He was 88. Lynn's journalism career spanned more than 60 years. He led the Register from 1965 to 2000, when he sold it to his daughter, Susan. He continued writing editorials until this year. He is a member of the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame and received a lifetime achievement award last year from Kansas State University's institute for rural development. Lynn served on state commissions on highways, economic development and the judiciary. His wife of 59 years, Mickey, died in 2009.==============KU Architecture Program Marks 100th AnniversaryLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the start of its architecture program. The university says visitors will be able to take tours Friday and Saturday of Marvin Hall, which houses the School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Visitors also will be able to view recent student projects and look in on design studios. An architecture school at the university was the idea of St. Louis architect Montrose McArdle. McArdle had been hired to help design a new administration building, and he suggested it to then-Chancellor Frank Strong. Such programs were uncommon then, but the Kansas Board of Regents authorized one for the university's engineering school in 1912. Students finished their first year of study in spring 1913.==============Garden City Community College Approves ProjectGARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Garden City Community College plans to spend $2.2 million to improve its athletic facilities. The college says the project will allow it to re-establish its track program, which was discontinued in 2007. The college's board of trustees on Tuesday authorized the project, which will include an eight-lane collegiate track and football and women's soccer fields. The Garden City Telegram reports the improvements will be made at the site of the current track next to the Tangeman Sports Complex. College president Herbert Swender says the project will be funded by the school's general fund, increased student tuition and fees, and donations. The school hopes to have the project completed by August 16.============== Kansas Hosting Webinar on Prairie Chicken StatusPRATT, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials will hold an online meeting on the possibility of the lesser prairie chicken being granted federal protection. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide by September whether to add the lesser prairie chicken to the nation's list of threatened species. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Park and Tourism and the Kansas State Research and Extension office will host the online information session for anyone interested in the listing process. The department says the online session is scheduled for April 30 at 7 p.m. Speakers from the department, the Farm Services Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide background on the lesser prairie chicken's listing status. They will also explain programs aimed at improving the bird's habitat.============== Kansas Innovative School District Law SignedTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new Kansas law will designate some school districts as innovative and make them exempt from certain state education rules. The law, signed Monday, establishes a pilot program that will allow 10 percent of the state's 286 school districts to be designated as innovative school districts for five years. The law goes into effect July 1. The innovative districts will be exempt from several state education laws but still must conduct annual testing of students and comply with state finance laws. Governor Sam Brownback and chairmen of the House and Senate education committees will approve the first two applicants seeking innovative status. Those applications will go to the State Board of Education to receive final approval within 90 days.==============NASCAR Nullifies Kenseth's KS Speedway WinCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Kenseth has been essentially stripped of his weekend win at Kansas Speedway because his race-winning car failed inspection. NASCAR found one of the eight connecting rods in the engine of the number 20 Toyota used Sunday did not meet the minimum weight requirement once it was inspected at its Research & Development Center. As punishment, Kenseth was stripped of 50 driver points in standings, as well as the three bonus points he earned for the win that would have been applied in seeding for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. His pole also was stripped. Crew chief Jason Ratcliff was fined $200,000 and suspended six races. Car owner Joe Gibbs also was suspended six races and will not earn any owner points during his suspension. JGR plans to appeal.============== Sauter Penalized for Illegal Fuel Cell at KS Speedway Truck RaceCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Johnny Sauter lost the Truck Series points lead Wednesday after NASCAR penalized him for an illegal fuel cell at Kansas Speedway. Sauter was docked 25 points by NASCAR. It knocked him from first place into a second-place tie with Jeb Burton, 13 points behind new leader Matt Crafton. Crafton and Sauter are teammates at ThorSport Racing. The illegal fuel cell was found on the number 98 Toyota during an opening day inspection and was not used in the race. NASCAR also suspended crew chief Joe Shear four races and fined him $10,000. Sauter won the first two races of the season and finished fifth at Kansas. He's finished fifth or better in all four Truck Series races this season.============== Quarterback Changes Loom for Big 12 Next FallThe Big 12 is facing an identity crisis at quarterback. There will be a lot of new faces next fall. Seven of the league's 10 teams had senior quarterbacks. Five of them started every game last season. Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said Tuesday there's a "little bit of unknown" until all the new quarterbacks show what they can do for their teams. But he says there's no lack of talent. The most experienced Big 12 quarterback is Texas junior David Ash, who has started 18 of his 25 games for the Longhorns. Casey Pachall is back at TCU, where he started 17 of 25 games, including the first four last season before leaving school for substance abuse rehabilitation.============== Chiefs Could Make Rare Choice of OT with Number 1 Draft PickKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to buck the trend in the NFL draft Thursday night. Quarterbacks have gone first overall the past four years, but most people believe there isn't one available worthy of the selection. So the Chiefs may opt for an offensive tackle, even though only two have been picked with the 1st selection since 1970. Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher are the best bets, while Oklahoma's Lane Johnson is also in the mix. The Chiefs could also trade out of the pick.

Kansas National Guard Maintenance Jobs Victim of DOD Cost-CuttingTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The head of the Kansas National Guard says officials will work closely with employees being laid off at maintenance facilities to help them find benefits and new jobs. Major General Lee Tafanelli said Friday the facilities in Salina and at Fort Riley are among five nationwide where the Defense Department has decided to cut spending. The sites rebuild and refurbish military equipment for the Defense Department. Tafanelli says the Salina site is expected to close in January, eliminating 45 jobs. The facility at Fort Riley will remain open but lose 58 of its 137 jobs. Tafanelli met with employees Friday to brief them on the reductions.===============Fort Leavenworth Could House Convicted Fort Hood ShooterFORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Fort Leavenworth could be the destination for another high-profile military defendant -- this time, the man convicted of the 2009 rampage at Fort Hood, Texas. Jurors convicted Major Nidal Hasan of murder Friday for killing 13 people. He faces a possible death sentence or life in prison. It's unclear whether he would serve his sentence at the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, the military's only maximum-security prison and home to its current five inmates given death sentences for their crimes. Hasan's medical status may complicate where he serves his punishment. He was wounded in the 2009 incident and is paralyzed from the waist down. The Army says the Leavenworth barracks can handle inmates with medical needs. Earlier this week, military documents leaker Bradley Manning was convicted and taken to Leavenworth.===============Health Warnings Issued for 7 Kansas LakesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Public health warnings have been issued for seven Kansas lakes because of dangerous levels of toxic blue-green algae. Less restrictive advisories have also been issued for two additional lakes. The warnings from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment prohibit swimming, wading, skiing or other direct contact with the water. Lakes now under warnings include Colwich Memorial Park Lake in Sedgwick County, Hiawatha City Lake in Brown County, Lake Warnock in Atchison County, and Logan City Lake in Phillips County. Also listed are Memorial Park Lake in Barton County, Riggs Park Lake in Sedgwick County and Rose's Lake in Johnson County. The agencies posted advisories for Atchison County Park Lake in Atchison County, and South Park Lake in Johnson County. The advisories allow boating and fishing but strongly discourage direct water contact.===============Koch Brothers Drop Pursuit of Tribune PapersThe Koch brothers are dropping their pursuit of newspapers owned by the Tribune Company of Chicago. Koch Industries, run by the billionaire brothers Charles and David, said Friday that it is still interested in the media and is exploring a broad range of opportunities. Tribune publications include the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Orlando Sentinel and The Sun, in Baltimore. Reports first surfaced four months ago of the Koch's interest in Tribune after the company in December announced plans to sell its papers.===============Man Convicted of Trying to Kill Kansas TrooperSALINA, Kan. (AP) — A central Kansas man has been convicted of trying to kill a Highway Patrol trooper in a shootout last October. The Salina Journal reports that 31-year-old Jason Gleason, of Lyons, was found guilty Friday of attempted first-degree murder and five other charges. Gleason was a passenger in an SUV driven by his girlfriend when Trooper Ryan Wolting noticed that it matched one used in a Rice County bank robbery earlier in the day. Wolting chased the SUV for about 11 miles before it broke down in Saline County. Witnesses testified that Gleason got out and began shooting, shattering the windshield of Wolting's car as the trooper returned fire. One of Gleason's shots traveled through the mouth of his girlfriend's young son and hit the girlfriend as well. Both recovered.===============Manning Arrives at Fort Leavenworth PrisonFORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Officials at Fort Leavenworth say Bradley Manning has arrived at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks to begin serving a 35-year prison term. A brief statement from the northeast Kansas post Thursday afternoon gave no other details about Manning's arrival or status. Manning previously spent nearly two years at an adjacent prison while awaiting court-martial. The soldier was sentenced Wednesday for sending classified government material to WikiLeaks. Manning announced Thursday he intends to live as a woman and go by the name Chelsea Manning. The Crescent, Oklahoma native is asking the Army to let him begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. Army spokesman George Marcec says Manning will have access to mental health professionals but the prison system doesn't provide hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery for inmates.=============== Ex-Soldier Convicted of Killing Kansas Guard MemberMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A former Fort Riley soldier has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of a Kansas National Guard member outside a Manhattan motorcycle club. KAYS-AM reports a jury in Riley County District Court deliberated less than an hour Thursday before returning the verdict against 27-year-old Daniel Parker of Junction City. Parker was accused of opening fire on the "Assassin Street Rydaz" clubhouse as the victim, 21-year-old Frederick Beverly, manned the gate for a party early on New Year's Day, 2012. Prosecutors said Parker had argued earlier with a club member. Parker testified Thursday that he didn't know Beverly and didn't notice anyone outside the building. Jurors also heard Thursday from Parker's mother, who said her son had been "very withdrawn" after his second deployment to Iraq.=============== Fire Damages Military Goods Store in Junction CityJUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — Investigators are looking for the cause of a fire that gutted a military goods retailer in Junction City. The blaze was reported around 11:30 pm Wednesday in a building that houses the Military Outlet as well as a Masonic lodge on its two upper floors. Fire officials estimate the damage at $300,000. KJCK-AM reports the Masonic lodge had significant smoke damage and lost part of its dining room floor to the flames. Two nearby businesses had minor smoke damage. State Fire Marshal's investigator Larry Shoemaker says the fire began near the rear of the building. Crews from nearby Fort Riley helped fight the blaze.=============== KDHE: Kansas Infant Mortality Rate Increases SlightlyTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials say the state's infant mortality rate has edged higher. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Thursday the number of infant deaths rose from 247 in 2011 to 254 in 2012. That works out to an infant mortality rate of 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births last year, up from 6.2 in 2011. But KDHE also notes that the 2011 rate was the lowest in Kansas since the state began keeping records in 1912. Leading causes of infant deaths in Kansas are prematurity, low birth weight, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome, suffocation in bed and pregnancy complications in the mother. The agency cited a research brief published by its Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics.===============Wichita Reopens Arkansas River for RecreationWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Officials say recreation is again permitted on the Arkansas River through downtown Wichita. Recreation was prohibited for the last two weeks because the water was too high. The city's recreation director, Doug Kupper, said Friday the water level had dropped enough to allow canoes and kayaks back on the river. But he warns the water flow rate is still 2,000 cubic feet per minute — far above the ususal 300 feet per minute - and warned the public to be careful on the water. Kupper says recreational users should stay away from the river between Kellogg and 21st Street because crews have not repaired damage on the Lincoln Street dam, where there are dangerous currents.===============League of Women Voters Seeks Records of Governor's ScheduleTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The League of Women Voters of Kansas has filed an open records request for the schedules of three state officials, including Gov. Sam Brownback and his nominee to serve on the Kansas Court of Appeals. Brownback on Tuesday nominated his chief counsel, Caleb Stegall, to serve on the court. Under a new law, the governor did not release the names of others applicants for the position. The League of Women Voters says its open records request is for the schedules of Brownback, Stegall and the governor's Appointments Director Kim Borchers between July 15 and August 16. League state president Dolores Furtado told The Lawrence Journal-World that the group wants to check Brownback's claim that Stegall was the most qualified choice of the 13 people who applied for the court opening.=============== Wichita Man Charged with Cruelty in Puppy's DeathWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has been charged with felony cruelty to animals in the beating death of a pit bull puppy. The Wichita Eagle reports 28-year-old Brian Jackson appeared in Sedgwick County District Court via a video hookup from jail Thursday afternoon to hear a formal reading of the charge. His bond was set at $25,000. Wichita police discovered the body of what neighbors described as a small, friendly dog late Monday while investigating a possible burglary at a duplex. The person who called 911 also said her neighbor might have killed a puppy with a baseball bat. Jackson, who was living in the adjoining unit, was arrested. Jackson has requested a court-appointed lawyer. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 5th.=============== Westar Energy Seeks Renewable Energy BidsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy is seeking to expand its renewable energy portfolio. Kansas' largest electric utility said Thursday it's accepting proposals through September 13 from developers to add at least 80 megawatts of wind energy production. The company wants to enter into long-term contracts to help it meet state renewable energy requirements for 2016. The standard requires utilities to obtain 15 percent of their peak power through renewable sources. Westar has almost 700 megawatts of renewable energy resources in Kansas in addition to its coal and natural gas power plants. The company says it will offer a portion of its wind energy development rights in Ford and Hodgeman counties.===============MIssouri AG's Office to Help Prosecute Case of Missing GirlGOLDEN CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri attorney general's office will help prosecute a man accused of kidnapping a 12-year-old girl whose body was found Wednesday in southwest Missouri. Barton County Prosecutor Steven Kaderly said at a news conference Friday that Attorney General Chris Koster's office will assist in prosecuting 34-year-old Bobby D. Bourne Jr., of Lockwood, Missouri. Bourne is being held on $1 million bond on a charge of kidnapping. It's unclear if he has a lawyer. Adriaunna Horton was reported missing Monday, shortly after she was last seen getting into a vehicle in Golden City, where she lived with her father. The girl's mother lives in Overland Park. Bourne was arrested about two hours later. Kaderly says he'll file more charges against Bourne, but it's unclear when. Authorities haven't said how the child died, but said an autopsy was performed Thursday in Springfield.===============K-State Stadium Expansion Finishes Ahead of Football Season OpenerMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Whirlwind work on a $75 million renovation to Bill Snyder Family Stadium that began following last season has been completed ahead of Kansas State's season opener on Aug. 30. Project supervisor AECOM announced Thursday that the project to renovate the west side of the 45-year-old stadium finished on schedule. The construction had to be finished in just eight months in order to be ready for the Wildcats' opener against North Dakota State The renovation resulted in new premium seating, improved media and broadcast facilities, the addition of the K-State Athletics Hall of Honor and other amenities. It also doubled the amount of field lighting to meet NCAA national standards for high-definition TV broadcasts. The project was funded entirely through private donations.===============Missouri Lawsuit Accuses KCP&L of NegligenceST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — A northwest Missouri man has filed a lawsuit accusing Kansas City Power & Light and others of negligence involving the utility's solar-panel rebate program. The lawsuit was filed in Buchanan County Circuit Court by Richard Sharp of St. Joseph against KCP&L, St. Joseph-based U.S. Solar and its owner Trevor Dryden. The St. Joseph News-Press reports that Sharp took part in KCP&L's solar rebate program and chose U.S. Solar to install the solar panels. The complaint accuses U.S. Solar of installing inoperable systems that couldn't be connected to KCP&L's electric system. KCP&L spokesman Chuck Caisley says the utility denies the allegations. He says Sharp's transaction with U.S. Solar had little to do with KCP&L, which has 800,000 customers in northwestern Missouri and eastern Kansas. Calls to U.S. Solar weren't answered Friday.===============KC Mayor Praises School District's PerformanceKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Sly James says the school district's recent academic performance gives the community reasons to be "both optimistic and reflective." Missouri education officials released a report Friday on how districts are faring under a new evaluation system that's based on test scores, attendance and several other factors. The report shows the Kansas City district scoring in the provisionally accredited range. The district plans to ask the state to shed its unaccredited label. Missouri education officials announced earlier this week that they've hired a private education reform group to help devise a turn-around plan for unaccredited schools. The mayor's spokeswoman says James is "very interested" in working with the group and state education officials "to make sure every child in Kansas City has access to a high-quality education."===============Inventor Gives $2M to University of KansasLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A University of Kansas graduate who invented a synthetic gel called "Superflab" for use in radiology clinics has donated $2 million to the university for a professorship and two scholarships. Gene Feaster, of Leawood, received his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1940 and a doctorate in physics in 1953. The university said Thursday the gift includes $1 million to establish the Ida Johnson Feaster Professorship at the KU School of Nursing, named for Feaster's late wife. The other $1 million created two endowed scholarship funds, one in nursing and the other in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Feaster twice was named "Inventor of the Year" while working at Westinghouse and holds 10 U.S. patents. He taught radiation therapy at KU Medical Center from 1977 until his retirement in 1992.=============== Wichita Bus System Could Be Out of Money by 2015WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita officials say the city's bus system could be out of money by 2015, and taxpayers will be asked to help keep the buses running. Transit director Steve Spade is conducting an internal review of the system, including quality of service, accuracy of schedules and vehicle maintenance. The Wichita Eagle reports that city officials are finishing work on a position statement about the transit system's future. After that's done, Layton says Wichita residents will be asked to help decide the bus system's future. About 2 million riders have used the buses in each of the last two years. The city has committed about $1.8 million to the transit system through early 2015. But state and federal grants to help fund the system are being reduced.=============== Garden City Christmas Tradition Canceled for 2013GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Christmas won't be the same in Garden City this year. Renovation work forced the city to cancel its 2013 Santa's Christmas Carnival. But city officials say the event, which draws an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people every year, will return in 2014. The Garden City Recreation Commission announced the cancellation Thursday, saying it could not find another venue to hold the event while the Exhibition Building at the Finney County Fairgrounds is renovated. The Garden City Telegram reports that the event includes a carnival along with a stage where children can visit with Santa. The exhibition building will be closed for renovations between October 28 and the end of the year.