SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating gunshots fired from a vehicle.

Just after 7:30 p.m. on Friday officers with Topeka police responded to the 300 Block of SW Western after a report of gunshots, according to a media release.

Officers found shell casings in the street, interviewed multiple witnesses and were able to get a description of a vehicle used in the shooting.

A short time later, a patrol unit saw the vehicle, detained the suspects and seized the firearms.

No additional details were available early Saturday.

By Sam Zeff

If Kansas is forced to reduce its budget by five percent over the next two fiscal years, higher education in the state could take a $56.4 million hit.

That’s on top of $47.9 million in reductions the previous two years.

The data comes from budget documents submitted to the Governor’s office by the six Kansas Board of Regents universities.

This week, the Associated Press reported that Brownback’s Budget Director, Shawn Sullivan, sent an email to cabinet secretaries saying that the governor isn’t planning to propose across-the-board cuts in their budgets next year. However, he did not rule out targeted budget cuts.

Sullivan asked all state departments to submit documents anticipating a five percent reduction in each of the next two fiscal years. But Sullivan and the Governor’s office refused to make those public, citing an exemption in the Kansas Open Records Act.

However, the Board of Regents, independent from the governor, decided to do so.

The documents released by the Regents paint a bleak picture for higher education should the governor cut five percent from their budgets in fiscal 2018 and 2019.

Kansas State University, its veterinary school and extension service stand to lose $15.8 million over those two years. In its budget submission, K-State says “further reductions in state funding will degrade the university’s ability to fulfill its land grant mission” and “more financial burden will be placed on students in the form of increased tuition and fees.”

The University of Kansas and the KU Med Center would have to cut a combined $23.2 million under the five percent reduction scenario.

KU did not attach a similar narrative to its submission, but did release a statement. “While we fulfilled the request to provide these planning scenarios, we would obviously prefer that the Governor not make additional cuts to higher education,” Tim Carboni Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs wrote.

Wichita State University says it could have to cut $7 million total over the next two years which it says would “diminish the university’s ability” to increase higher education attainment and improve the “economic alignment with the ever changing needs of business and industry.”

Emporia State University’s submission sounds even more dire. A $3 million reduction in 2018 and 2019 would “erode the University’s programs” along with “diminishing attractiveness to prospective and current students.” ESU also predicts layoffs and leaving vacant positions open.

Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR and is co-host of the political podcast Statehouse Blend. Follow him on Twitter @SamZeff.

ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of prospective voters in Kansas who did not provide citizenship documents will be able to vote in the November election under a federal appeals court ruling late Friday that upheld a judge’s order.

The ruling upholds U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson’s temporary order forcing Kansas to register more than 20,000 voters. The court previously refused to issue an emergency stay of the order, and this latest ruling comes after a three-judge panel heard oral arguments in the case.

The decision is the latest setback for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. It comes just a day after the Kansas Republican avoided contempt proceedings by striking a deal with the American Civil Liberties union to fully register and clearly inform affected voters that they could vote in the November election.