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Month: April 2013

KHAZ Country Music News: Luke Bryan’s ACM Entertainer of the Year Nomination Is No Accident

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khaz luke bryan 20130227Luke Bryan is a first-time nominee in the Entertainer of the Year category at this Sunday’s ACM Awards, and he didn’t get to that spot by accident.

Luke says, “When I moved to Nashville, I knew that I wanted to try to be the Entertainer of the Year at some point.  And that’s just how I moved to town thinking.”

Luke worked with that goal in mind as he began scoring hit after hit on the country chart, but he won’t be crushed if someone else walks off with the Entertainer trophy this year.

“If that ever happens, it will be one of the biggest defining moments of my career, and if it doesn’t ever happen, then it wasn’t supposed to happen,” Luke explains.  “I mean, I can’t believe I’m this far in this business, and I treat every day like that.”

If Luke does make it to the stage, he will be so happy to acknowledge his fans and the people on his team who make his recording and touring careers possible.

He says, “Your acceptance speech is the ability to thank everybody that allowed you to win it.  That’s what’s the fun part of winning awards is you get to go, ‘You people are the ones that created this, and thank you.'”

Luke is set to co-host the ACM Awards with Blake Shelton Sunday night at 8 Eastern on CBS.  The two of them will open the show with a little help from Pistol Annies, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley on Blake’s new single, “Boys ‘Round Here.”  Luke is also set to premiere his brand-new single, “Crash My Party,” during the three-hour broadcast.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

 

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Kansas Lawmakers Take Spring Break

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Kansas legislators have adjourned for their annual spring break.

The House and Senate were in session on and off into Friday night. The House adjourned at about 10:30 p.m., and the Senate followed a few minutes later.

Lawmakers gave final approval to bills on some major issues, including, abortion and gun rights. But they have yet to resolve their differences over cutting individual income taxes and the contents of a $14.5 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

They are scheduled to return May 8 to the Statehouse to finish their business for the year.Kansas House Chamber

What works for Reno County is Good for Ellis County?

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Ellis County Court House
Reno County voters are ready to pay higher taxes for a new jail and improvements for other county offices.

Voters on Tuesday approved a half-cent increase in the Reno county sales tax to pay for a new 250-bed jail. Unofficial results showed the issued passed by a margin of 77.4 percent to 22.6 percent.   Will Ellis County voters make a similar choice next month?

Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin told Hays Post, “I am glad Reno County passed their jail expansion. I hope we have the same conclusion with our Public Safety issues here in Ellis County.”

Voters here decide May 14 whether to approve a half-percent sales tax to repair and expand the Ellis County jail, courthouse and law enforcement building.

Revenue from the tax would also fund a new EMS-rural firefighting building.
    
The tax would not be new. A half-percent sales tax for construction of the sports complex expired at the end of March.
      
Current estimates show the projects funded by the tax would cost between $12 million and $13 million.  You can watch Sheriff Harbin discuss the needs of his department on the Eagle Community Television Forum on Saturday and Sunday. The program is broadcast at 6 and 10 p.m. following the Local News on Channel 14 and 614.

No Drinking this Weekend

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ALCOHOL AWARENSSYou shouldn’t have to depend on alcohol to have fun.

That’s the message being spread this weekend during the annual Alcohol–Free Weekend in Kansas.

Smoky Hill Foundation Executive Director Jodi Sproul explains the event is part of April’s National Alcohol Awareness Month.

“Parents and other adults are encouraged to abstain from drinking for a 72-hour period to show minors that alcohol isn’t necessary for having a good time, ” she says.   “This is the perfect time for parents or caregivers to teach their children about responsible drinking.”

Statistics show alcohol is the number one drug choice among Kansans, according to Sproul,  and the consequences can be devastating for families and communities alike.

If you or somebody you know struggles with alcohol abuse, contact the Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency at (785) 625-5521

KHAZ Country Music News: Miranda Lambert Sets Her Creative Sights on Women’s Feet with New Shoe Line

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khaz miranda lambert 20120502.Miranda Lambert already owns a boutique in her hometown of Tishomingo, OK, so it’s a natural progression for her now to launch her own women’s shoe line.  Miranda is taking a hands-on approach in her new deal with Rich footwear to design shoes including casual, dress, sandals and boots.

Miranda says, “My goal is to style shoes that fit your inner outlaw.  Being involved in the creative part and hands-on development of my footwear brand is a dream come true.”

Look for Miranda’s shoes to hit department stores, specialty footwear stores and national retail chains early next year.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

 

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Senator Moran at Final 4 Today

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Senator Jerry Moran excitedly tweeted a question this morning to his Twitter followers.  Moran, who spent part of last weekend in Western Kansas is in Atlanta today to watch Wichita State play Louisville in the NCAA final 4.  The game will be broadcast on Eagle Channel 10 and 610HD at 5 p.m.  It will also be broadcast on 1400 KAYS Radio

Are you going to watch the @WichitaState Shockers today? I’m looking forward to cheering them on in person.   #FinalFour

 

No. 18 Tigers Sweep No. 24 Missouri Western

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(FHSU Athletics Photo)
(FHSU Athletics Photo)

The 18th-ranked Fort Hays State softball team swept a big doubleheader with 24th-ranked Missouri Western on Friday at Tiger Stadium in Hays. The Tigers won an epic game one battle between two of the top pitchers in the conference in 12 innings by a score of 2-1, then took the second game in run-rule fashion 11-3 in six innings. Fort Hays State moved to 31-5 overall, 11-1 in the MIAA, while Missouri Western went to 24-10, 8-4 in the MIAA.

Erin Kinberger Postgame Interview

Game 1: Fort Hays State 2, Missouri Western 1 (12 inn.)
In a battle between two of the best pitchers in the MIAA, Maddie Holub and Jackie Bishop kept the game was scoreless through nine innings before the international tiebreaker was put into effect.

Missouri Western broke the scoreless tie in the 10th on a one-out triple by Sarah Elliott.

Fort Hays State tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Bianca Adame hit an RBI double down the left field line to plate the runner from second base.

Holub stranded a runner at third with her 17th strikeout to end the top of the 12th, breaking her single-game strikeout record of 16, which she reached four times prior all in seven-inning contests.

In the bottom of the inning, Amanda Vaupel laid down a  sacrifice bunt to advance Danie Brinkmann to third. Jenna Lang then hit a a hard chopper back up the middle that the shortstop was unable to field cleanly, scoring pinch-runner Adara Erickson with the game-winning run..

In her 12-inning complete game, Holub allowed six hits, hit four batters, and walked one to go with her 17 strikeouts. The run she allowed was unearned. She moved to 16-1 overall with the win.

Bishop also went the distance for Missouri Western, pitching 11.1 innings with only three hits allowed, five walks, and 11 strikeouts. She went to 12-4 with the loss. Both Holub and Bishop were All-MIAA First Team selections last year and Bishop was the MIAA Pitcher of the Year in 2012.

Game 1 Highlights

Game 2: Fort Hays State 11, Missouri Western 3
The Tiger scored three runs in the first, four in the second, and two in the third to take a commanding 9-0.

Missouri Western scored twice in the fourth and once in the fifth to pull back within six at 9-3, but Fort Hays State scored one run each in the fifth and sixth to win by run-rule. Amanda Vaupel had her second sacrifice fly RBI of the game to plate the run in the fifth and Courtney Dobson had a walk-off RBI single up the middle to score a runner from second to end the game in the sixth.

Paxton Duran pitched a complete game for the Tigers, moving to 13-4 on the season. She allowed three hits with three walks and struck out one. Only one of the three runs she allowed was earned.

Dobson went 3-for-3 with an RBI two walks and four runs scored. Vaupel had four RBI.

Fort Hays State turns around to face Northwest Missouri State on Saturday at 12 pm at Tiger Stadium in Hays.

Game 2 Highlights

HHS Baseball Splits at Kapaun

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The Hays High baseball team split their doubleheader at Kapaun Mt. Carmel in Wichita. The Indians win game one 6-3 but lost game two 8-3. Hays is now 4-2 and the Crusaders 3-1.

Game 1: Hays 6. Kapaun 3
The Indians raced out to a 3-0 lead then scored two in the sixth to go up 6-2. After the Crusaders scored a run in the sixth, the Indians answer with one in the seventh.

Marcus Altman allowed two runs on six hits over five innings for the win. Hayden Hutchison had three hits. Hutchison, Dan Bittel and Layne Downing all drove in two runs.

Game 2: Kapaun 8, Fort Hays State 3
Kapaun added to a 3-1 lead, scoring three in the fourth and two in the fifth.

Layne Downing takes the loss, allowing six runs (two earned) over four innings, walking five and striking out one.

Zack Legleiter, Chandler Rule and Jake Sedbrook both had two hits.

KHAZ Country Music News: Brad Paisley and US Airways Want to Help You “Beat This Summer”

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khaz brad paisley 20120719Brad Paisley took steps to get out of his own comfort zone with his new album, Wheelhouse, and now Brad is teaming up with US Airways to help one lucky fan get away from it all too. Their new contest is now live at SeeBradWithUs.com with a trip to see and meet Brad on his Beat This Summer tour offered up as the grand prize.

Other items up for grabs include an autographed guitar and copies of Brad’s new album, Wheelhouse, in stores Tuesday. That project features Brad’s latest #1 hit, “Southern Comfort Zone,” as well as his brand-new single, “Beat This Summer.”

Look for Brad to promote the release of Wheelhouse with performances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Tuesday, April 9. He’ll perform on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday, April 10, and Brad returns to ABC’s Good Morning America Friday, April 12.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

 

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Gun Bills Approved and Sent to Governor

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gunKansas legislators have sent Gov. Sam Brownback bills that would let people carry concealed firearms into more public buildings and prevent federal agents from confiscating weapons made in the state.

The bills received large majorities Friday as legislators adjourned to begin a monthlong break.

One measure would allow concealed weapons to be carried into public buildings that lack adequate security measures defined by the bill. It also would allow schools and colleges to arm employees.

The other bill declares that the federal government has no power to regulate guns, ammunition and accessories that are made, sold and kept exclusively in Kansas. The bill would make it a felony for a federal agent to enforce restrictions on such items.

Supporters say the bill is constitutional because the items wouldn’t leave Kansas.

Huelskamp: Obama has Rolled Back US Economy 34 Years

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tim-huelskampThe U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics released the monthly jobs report this morning. It reveals that the number of Americans not in the labor force soared by a massive 663,000 people in March. The number of Americans who are no longer even looking for work now stands at an all-time record high of 90 million people.

In response to the announcement of these abysmal numbers, Congressman Huelskamp (R-Kansas) said:

“In just four short years, President Obama has managed to roll back the economy 34 years. The labor force participation rate has plunged to 63.3% — the lowest level since Jimmy Carter inhabited the White House! Whether it’s President Carter’s economic malaise or Obamanomics, big government is not the answer. Instead, I have a real economic growth plan. House Republicans should put a stop to President Obama’s job-killing agenda. Defunding Obamacare in the next ‘must-pass bill’ is a great place to start.”

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