JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators who want to limit the power of the courts to force changes in how Kansas funds its public schools could revive several long-standing proposals for revising the state constitution.

Lawmakers convene June 23 for a special session called by Gov. Sam Brownback to respond to a state Supreme Court order last month. The court said the state’s school funding system remains unfair to poor school districts.

The court warned that public schools won’t be able to reopen after June 30 unless legislators rewrite school funding laws.

Senate Vice President Jeff King said he’s drafting a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent courts from closing schools. GOP legislators like King have talked about such a change for more than a decade, along with alternatives for curbing the courts’ power.

SALINE COUNTY -A body found in the Solomon River Sunday afternoon south of Bennington is believed to be that of a Salina man, according to law enforcement authorities.

Nathan Lancaster, 37, had gone to the river with a group of people on May 27th. He was not reported missing until June 1st.

Areas along the river in Ottawa County were searched several times and there was no sign of Lancaster.

Ottawa County Sheriff Keith Coleman said a family member identified the clothing on the body.

Coleman says a positive identification is awaiting an autopsy.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Lawrence Public Library has introduced a new way of bringing its books and programming into the community this summer.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the library has unveiled its new book bike, which staff hope will enable to library to reach more people by visiting places that are less accessible for the library’s book van.

The bike includes a custom-made box that opens up into shelving. Pattie Johnston, who works in the library’s outreach services department, says the bike will not only be used for checking out books but also for information on library programs and services, such as technology help or e-book checkout.

Johnston says the bike has already visited a local farmers market and preschool.

MARGARET STAFFORD, Associated Press

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has done a relatively weak job of making sure low-income students have nutritious food when school’s out during the summer, but schools, nonprofits and government agencies are making progress.

Advocates expect to have 162 sponsors providing breakfast, lunch or snacks at 575 sites this summer, an increase from 138 sponsors and 484 sites last summer, according to the Kansas Department of Education.

The meals are important, advocates say. Losing school-provided food during the summer is a financial blow to many low-income families, and the loss of nutritious food puts the students at risk for setbacks in health and education. Nearly half of the state’s children qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

The meals are largely funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program.

ORLANDO -A gunman opened fire at a gay night club in Orlando, Florida, early Sunday, killing 50 people and wounding 53 more before he was killed in a shootout with SWAT team members. Here’s what we know about the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history:

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MASS CASUALTIES: At least 50 people were killed, and 53 were hospitalized, most in critical condition, officials said. A surgeon at Orlando Regional Medical Center said the death toll was likely to climb.

You will find a list of victims here.

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THE SHOOTER: Authorities have identified the shooter as 29-year-old Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida.

In a 911 call from the club, Mateen professed allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Mateen was a U.S. citizen born in New York. His ex-wife said his family was from Afghanistan.

 

Suspect identified as Omar Mateen, 29. An American citizen born in New York. @FBI first became aware of him in 2013 pic.twitter.com/gt18lhTM4G

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2016

 

 

 

Authorities say Mateen was not under surveillance, but that in 2014, they discovered he had ties to an American suicide bomber. They said the ties were minimal and they didn’t think he represented a threat at the time.

They say he also made inflammatory comments to co-workers in 2013.

Authorities also say Mateen legally purchased at least two firearms within the past week or so.

Security company G4S said in a statement to the Palm Beach Post that he had been an employee of the company since September 10, 2007.

Mateen’s father, Seddique Mir Mateen, said his son got angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami a couple of months ago. He said that might be related to the attack. The father said the attack had nothing to do with religion.

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FATHER’S ACTIVITIES: A former Afghan official says Seddique Mir Mateen appears on a television program known for “its anti-U.S. tirades” and “pro-Taliban” remarks. The official says the program is broadcast in the Dari language. The official spoke only on condition of anonymity because he did not want to be linked to coverage of the shooting.

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WHAT HAPPENED: Police say Mateen, equipped with an assault rifle and a handgun, opened fire on patrons early Sunday. He also exchanged fire with an officer working at the club about 2 a.m., when more than 300 people were inside. Police say the gunman then went back inside and took hostages. Police sent in a SWAT team to rescue hostages about 5 a.m. and Mateen died in an exchange of gunfire with SWAT officers.

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THE VICTIMS:

The city of Orlando is publishing the names of those killed on its website after their families have been contacted. The list can be found here.

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SECOND DEADLY SHOOTING IN TWO DAYS: The attack follows the fatal shooting late Friday of 22-year-old singer Christina Grimmie, who was killed after her concert in Orlando by a 27-year-old Florida man who later killed himself. Grimmie was a YouTube sensation and former contestant on “The Voice.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jackson County prosecutors have filed charges against an 18-year-old woman accused of forcing two teenagers into prostitution.

Jessi C. Larkie faces two counts of sexual trafficking of a child under 18 in connection with incidents that authorities said occurred between late March and mid-May. Online court records don’t list a lawyer for Larkie.

The Kansas City Star reports court records show that a 15-year-old girl told investigators she met Larkie online and Larkie later suggested the girl move in with her. After moving in, when the girl couldn’t find work, Larkie suggested the girl make money working as a prostitute and told her to stand at a street corner and “look cute.”

A 14-year-old girl who ran away from her Overland Park, Kansas, home told investigators a similar story.

Watch President Obama’s statement here  (begins at 17:05)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An 18-year-old Kansan has become the first woman in Kansas to enlist as a U.S. Army infantry soldier.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Tristan Guzman Guzman swore in on May 24 in Olathe. She said she knew she wanted to go into the military since she was 11.

Women couldn’t be infantry soldiers until the federal decision lifting gender-based restrictions from all military positions became effective in January. An infantry soldier is a land combat soldier trained in face-to-face combat and bears the brunt of warfare on the front lines.

Guzman was a three-sport athlete in high school in Allen will also receive an airborne classification. That means after she completes basic training next year at Fort Benning she’ll attend another training session to receive her airborne status.