TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Only 18% of Kansas economic development funds were spent as intended in the last fiscal year, in part because there is little oversight of how money for a state economic development fund is spent, according to state auditors.

In a report released Wednesday, auditors said that during fiscal year 2018, nearly half of all spending — $20.1 million — from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund didn’t go toward programs that met requirements for receiving the funds.

In response to the audit, some lawmakers called for an overhaul of regulations and oversight of the fund.

“Of course, I was appalled by what I saw … This is just a perfect example of why we need to be looking at these things,” said Sen. Julia Lynn, an Olathe Republican who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee.

The fund, which was created in 1986, is replenished every year by lottery and gaming revenue.

It has often been used to supplement state spending, rather than directly for economic development. The Legislature is supposed to direct money into three accounts that focus on innovative products, research and development or community infrastructure.

Instead, during the last fiscal year, $20.1 million of the $42.3 million in the fund went to the state’s general fund, with the rest going to state agencies. Only 18 percent, or $7.8 million, went to eight programs that met requirements for the funds, such as an agriculture marketing program, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, several research and development programs administered by the Kansas Board of Regents and a housing trust fund that helps residents rent or buy homes.

Auditors said Kansas doesn’t track the performance of fund recipients or evaluate whether the fund is effective. And the auditors found state officials it approached ““were unaware of what (state law) says about these accounts.”

Rep. Tom Burroughs, a Kansas City Democrat, said the audit showed lawmakers need to fund agency programs properly.

“We’re the ones that have failed on not following our own statutes,” Burroughs said.

Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland said the current law requiring that all EDIF funding is obsolete and doesn’t match current economic development needs. In a letter in response to the audit, he asked the lawmakers to eliminate the current language.

The auditors said lawmakers should consider creating an oversight body for the fund and to consider whether state law should continue to require EDIF dollars go into the three accounts.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and USD 260 officials are investigating a student in connection with a weapon at school.

A Derby High School student was taken into custody Thursday morning by Derby Police Department for possession of a weapon on school property, according to USD 260.

A tip was given to administration about a student possibly in possession of drugs. This student was immediately brought in, questioned, and searched.

An unloaded handgun was found during the search of his backpack and was secured by the School Resource Officer (SRO) and building administration without incident.

No threat was made towards students or staff at any time. Because no threat was made and the student was immediately secured, a lockdown was not necessitated.

The school district reminded the public, “we take all threats seriously. As always, if you hear something or see something, please let law enforcement or administration know immediately. We appreciate this tip being reported. Individuals can also submit a tip through See Something Say Something by calling (316) 267-2111 to anonymously report any potential school violence 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.”

By RANDALL CHASE
AP Business Writer

DOVER, Del. — Gannett Co. is facing a shareholder challenge to its $1.4 billion acquisition by publishing rival GateHouse Media.

A complaint filed Wednesday in federal court in Delaware says documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain misleading and incomplete information about the deal.

The lawsuit says shareholders need complete information regarding Gannett’s financial projections to determine the fairness of the buyout by GateHouse owner New Media. The lawsuit asks the court to block a planned Nov. 14 shareholder vote until more information is provided.

The merger proposal calls for Gannett shareholders to receive $12.06 in cash and New Media stock for each share of Gannett.

New Media plans to borrow $1.8 billion to complete the acquisition.

Gatehouse owns Kansas newspapers in Hays, Hutchinson, Salina, Topeka, Garden City, Dodge City, McPherson, Newton and El Dorado, among others.

A Gannett spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and weapons charges.

On Tuesday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Task Force (DETF)  with the assistance of DEA agents served a narcotic search warrant in the 600 Block of SE 35^th Street, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.

Deputies seized Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, prescription drugs and a firearm.

Lisa M. Kisner, 38, of Topeka, who was armed with a firearm, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Possession of Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Child Endangerment, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Her school age child was at home during the investigation and was placed into police protective custody along with another child who was at school at the time of the search warrant.

Robert Lininger, 49, of Topeka, was also at the residence and was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana.

Marquan O. Byrd, 19, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Distribution of Marijuana.

By JOHN HANNA

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ two Republican senators argued Wednesday that the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump arises from partisan opposition to the president and said it is preventing Congress from taking up important legislative business.

Sen. Jerry Moran said he can’t yet draw conclusions from a whistleblower’s complaint that disclosed a call by Trump in July to Ukraine’s president. A rough transcript of the call released by the White House before the complaint’s text became public showed Trump pressed for an investigation of Democratic rival and ex-Vice President Joe Biden and Biden’s son Hunter.

Moran suggested the 2020 presidential election is the proper vehicle for deciding whether Trump remains in office and said some Democrats in the House have favored impeaching Trump “almost since the day he was elected.

“It seems to me that the wolf has been cried so many times,” he said.

Moran hosted U.S. Attorney General William Barr for tours of law enforcement laboratories and training centers in Topeka and Wichita, and Barr participated in a closed discussion with law enforcement officials at Wichita State University about fighting crime. Barr ignored a shouted question about whether he had spoken with Trump or personal attorney Rudy Giuliani about Ukraine.

“It’s troublesome to me that we can’t elect a president, allow that president _ work with that president for the next four years and try to move the country forward and advance an agenda,” Moran told reporters after the round table. “We need a country in which we’re working together and not pulled apart.”

Roberts said in a statement that “the left” doesn’t want Trump to be president and, “That is their sole focus.” He said he wants to work on issues such as trade and health care.

“The rest of this is political theater,” he said.

Before Barr’s and Moran’s talk with law enforcement officials, about 20 people protested outside the law enforcement training center at Wichita State, where it was held.

They held signs with slogans such as “Barr should be disbarred,” and one with a cartoon portraying Barr as Trump’s emotional support dog. Donna Wirth, a retired small business owner and community activist, said she “absolutely” supports the impeachment inquiry.

“We want our country back,” she said. “I’m tired of seeing each of these instances of corruption coming up and nobody being held accountable.”

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