WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says it’s determined the North Korean government was behind a devastating hacking attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The FBI announcement Friday is the first official statement blaming the isolated country for the cyber-attack.
In the statement, federal officials say they found similarities between the tools used in the Sony attack and previous hacks linked to North Korea.
Administration officials had previously declined to openly blame North Korea but said they were weighing various options for a response.
The break-in resulted in the disclosure of tens of thousands of leaked emails and other materials and escalated to terrorist threats that promoted Sony to cancel the Christmas release of the movie “The Interview.” The comedy is about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health officials say prepackaged caramel apples are linked to five deaths and more than two dozen illnesses in 10 states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says investigators are trying to determine the specific brands that were involved. But consumers are being warned not to eat prepackaged caramel apples until more is known.
The CDC says it knows of 28 cases in which people were sickened by a form of bacterial food poisoning called listeria, with 26 hospitalized. They got sick between Oct. 17 and Nov. 27. CDC said it’s possible other illnesses have occurred since then.
Two of the deaths were in Minnesota, according to state health officials. The CDC said the illnesses also occurred in Arizona, California, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The unemployment rate edged up slightly to 2.1 percent in November, up 0.1 percent from October figures, according to statistics released this week by the Kansas Department of Labor.
Logan County posted the state’s lowest jobless rate at 1.9 percent.
Statewide, the November seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent in October and down from 5 percent in November 2013.
“Kansas showed positive economic signs this month including a decrease in the unemployment rate, which marks a full year under 5 percent unemployment,” said Lana Gordon, Secretary of Labor. “In addition, wages showed significant growth since this time last year, furthering the growth seen in past months.”
There were 12,003 initial claims for unemployment benefits in November 2014, up from 11,175 in October and down from 12,914 last year. There were 68,018 continued claims in November, up from 66,959 the previous month and down from 89,654 in November 2013. These numbers include all available programs.
The December Labor Report will be released Jan. 23.
Ashley Jones-Wisner, state policy manager for KC Healthy Kids.- KC Healthy Kids photo
By Jim McLean
KHI News Service
TOPEKA — A coalition is forming to make healthy food less expensive in Kansas.
Led by KC Healthy Kids, a nonprofit organization supported in part by the Kansas Health Foundation, a coalition is being formed to guide a legislative effort to exempt food from the state sales tax.
“Cutting the sales tax on food will make it more affordable for Kansans to eat healthier,” said Ashley Jones-Wisner, state policy manager for KC Healthy Kids.
Kansas is one of only 14 states that levies a sales tax on food. And its 6.15 percent per dollar is the second highest in the nation, trailing only Mississippi’s 7 percent rate.
Low-income Kansans can apply for a $125 reduction in their state income tax bill to partially offset the amount of sales tax they’ve paid on food.
Even in good financial times, legislators have rejected attempts to exempt food from the sales tax. So, it’s a given that it will be an even tougher sell in the coming session given the state’s mounting budget problems.
With a steep drop in tax collections due in large part to the income tax cuts championed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, legislators will be faced with the urgent task of cutting $280 million from this year’s already approved budget when they convene in January. They also must deal with a projected deficit in the neighborhood of $600 million as they craft the budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2015.
Exempting food from the sales tax would lower revenue collections by about $390 million a year.
Jones-Wisner sees opportunity where others see almost certain failure. The budget crisis, she said, guarantees that state tax policy will be discussed. That discussion will give the coalition an opportunity to shine a brighter light on a tax that its members believe is both regressive and a contributing factor to Kansas’ steady drop in national health rankings, she said.
In 1991, Kansas was the nation’s eighth healthiest state, according to rankings compiled annually by the United Health Foundation. It now ranks 27th.
“We know that there is going to have to be a really robust conversation this session about tax policy, and we think that this needs to be a part of that conversation,” Jones-Wisner said.
If lawmakers refuse to consider the exemption because of its cost, Jones-Wisner said the coalition may urge a partial exemption for whole fruits and vegetables.
Two members of the Kansas Senate – a Republican and a Democrat – announced in October that they would pursue legislation to eliminate the sales tax on food. Republican Michael O’Donnell and Democrat Oletha Faust-Goudeau, both from Wichita, said their proposal would likely phase out the tax over several years.
In addition to its support of KC Healthy Kids, the Kansas Health Foundation is the main funder of the Kansas Health Institute, the parent organization of the editorially independent KHI News Service.
Jim McLean is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saying the word “Redskins” on the air isn’t obscene or profane — at least not according to the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC on Thursday dismissed a petition that called for one of the team’s flagship radio stations not to have its license renewed. The petition claimed repeated use of the word “Redskins” violates rules against indecent content.
But the FCC said that the law defines profanity as sexual or excretory in nature — meanings that don’t relate to the name of the football team.
Many Native American and other groups consider “Redskins” to be a racial slur and have demanded that owner Dan Snyder change the name. Snyder has vowed to keep it, despite mounting pressure over the past two years.
Thursday’s ruling affects the Snyder-owned station WWXX-FM.
In the wake of a massive cyberattack and the cancellation of the upcoming movie “The Interview,” Sony Pictures has offered its official statement on the incident.
Yearbook students were recognized for their collective effort when it was recently announced that the 2013-14 Indian Call has been awarded All-Kansas from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association.
All-Kansas is the top state award presented to student yearbooks, newspapers and websites. Yearbook awards are typically announced late fall, while newspaper and website awards are announced in late spring. Hays High’s yearbook was named in the Class 5A division.
“All-Kansas is our ultimate goal for our publications, so it goes without saying that I’m extremely proud of the yearbook staff,” adviser Bill Gasper said. “The award is a result of many hours of hard work by the staff and a belief of what they are doing is very important. And, not only is their work important, they are also learning valuable future workplace skills such as effective communication, teamwork, problem solving and creative thinking.”
Yearbooks are judged in five areas – theme development, coverage, writing, design, and photography. In each area, yearbooks are awarded either an All-Kansas, an Award of Commendation, or an Award of Merit. To earn the overall All-Kansas rating, a yearbook must have the top rating in at least three areas. The Indian Call earned the All-Kansas distinction in four: theme, coverage, writing, and design. Photography earned an Award of Commendation.
Editors of the book were Sana Cheema and Mackenzie Lewis. Other staff members were Jessie Carmichael, Jessica Stoecklein, Olivia Wiesner, Thea Ferland, Jasmine Lawson, Kylie Brown, Taylor DeBoer and Morgan Klaus.
Gasper said this is the second time in his 10-year tenure that the yearbook has won All-Kansas.
“While we have had some success with our newspaper, All-Kansas for yearbook has been more elusive,” Gasper said. “Needless to say I was very pleased with this early Christmas present. I have great kids who work hard and they certainly deserve this recognition.”
SALINA – Two Kansas women were injured in an accident just before 6 a.m. on Friday in Saline County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Escort driven by Sherry D. Phillips, 42, Salina, was pulling out of a parking lot to drive south on Ohio Street and collided with a 2002 Ford F150 driven by Eric W. Thomason, 42, Salina, which was northbound on Ohio.
Phillips and a passenger in the Escort Pamela K. Barnett, 41, Salina, were transported to Salina Regional Medical Center.
Thomason was not injured.
The KHP reported all were properly restrained at the time of the accident.
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — A Salina water utility with long-running problems has been fined $1,000 and the Kansas Corporation Commission is suggested higher fines will be coming in the future.
The KCC levied the fine in July against Howison Heights and ordered the utility to take five steps to improve water quality. The KCC staff said Thursday most of the improvements have not been made.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Howison customers have complained of unpleasant water odor and inconsistent pressure and the state has issued boil orders because of chlorination problems.
Commissioners Jay Emler urged the KCC staff to consider a larger fine — up to $25,000 — if Howison doesn’t improve the water system within 45 days as ordered.
Howison Heights serves about 60 customers in suburban Salina.
RUSSELL — The Deines Cultural Center in Russell will host a sale this week of one-of-a-kind blown glass pieces by Hoxie artist James Haffner.
Haffner is a retired U.S. Navy veteran who began glassblowing as a form of therapy after suffering injuries while he was in the military.
All of Haffner’s glass, including bowls, vases and art objects, will be offered at special prices, according to DCC Director Shannon Trevethan. Haffner was a DCC featured artist of the month earlier this year.
The event is Friday, Dec. 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 20, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday refreshments will be served.
The Deines Cultural Center is located at 820 N. Main Street in Russell.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson Correctional Facility inmate was formally charged on Thursday in connection with a July 2014 attack on a prison contract worker.
Steven Stumpner, 28, was charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery. The state alleges he forced a contract worker for the prison into sex without consent.
Stumpner is serving time in prison for two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of theft and battery of a correction’s officer. The first four counts are for crimes in Johnson County, while the final conviction is out of Pawnee County.
The case will move to a waiver status docket on Jan. 7.
PRATT — With winter weather here, it’s hard to picture planning spring and summer fun, but the secret about Kansas state parks is out and reservations are a must for busy holiday weekends.
Consider making your 2015 camping and cabin reservations in advance and ensure your family and friends ample space at the lake for your next visit. Campsite reservations for 2015 can be made beginning at noon on Dec. 19, and cabin reservations can be made at any time. Simply visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click on the “Reserve A Cabin Or Campsite Now” button, choose the location you’d like to visit, and begin searching for your ideal date.
Camping and cabin reservations guarantee the holder their spot will be open and ready when they arrive at the park. Payment in full is required at the time a reservation is made. Reserving a cabin requires a non-refundable $14 reservation fee. Reserving a campsite requires a non-refundable $3 reservation fee per stay.
Daily vehicle entrance permits are $5. Annual vehicle permits are $25 or you can purchase a State Park Passport when you register your vehicle for $15. Annual vehicle permits for seniors and persons with disabilities are available through department offices for $13.75.
For more information about Kansas state parks and their amenities, visit ksoutdoors.com.
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Salina Regional Health Center is suing the city of Salina in a dispute over whether to demolish a closed hospital and other buildings.
The hospital filed the lawsuit Wednesday, saying the city is violating its property rights by denying a demolition permit for the former St. John’s Hospital.
The Salina Journal reports the Salina City Commissioners voted in November to deny the demolition permit. Commissioners said Salina Regional officials had not tried hard enough to sell the building.
St. John’s Hospital and other structures on what is generally called the Penn Campus have been vacant since 2011. Salina Regional began trying to sell, lease or repurpose the campus in 2002 but said no developers could find a financially viable use for the campus.
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press
