FHSU
Science Café presents: “Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Einstein’s Cosmological Constant, and the Accelerating Universe,” Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Gella’s Diner, 117 East 11th St. Hays, .
The presenter is Dr. Bharat Ratra, Kansas State University Distinguished Professor.
The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Fort Hays State University Science and Mathematics Education Institute.
GCMC
QUINTER – Gove County Medical Center and Gove County Health Department will host a health fair Saturday, April 21st from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in the Quinter High School gymnasium.
Please plan to join us as we learn more about healthy living with the many exhibitors will attend the fair to share information about their services, such as Amy Crist, who will share information on successful living with diabetes.
Gove County Medical Center will conduct lab draws beginning at 8:00. Bluestem Medical will perform skin cancer checks and hand out sunscreen.
Students from Colby Community College will be demonstrating massage techniques with a 5 minute “mini-massage.” A representative from the Kansas State University Engineering Department will give information about radon and home testing.
Amy Lorenzen, of the K-State Extension Office, will demonstrate healthy cooking using an Insta-Pot. Amy will incorporate available herbs and vegetables grown in the Grinnell School’s hydroponic garden.
“Falling Less in Kansas,” an evidence based presentation to prevent falls and encourage independence will start at 8:30. For more information, or to sign up, please call Cheryl Goetz at 785-754-5049.
These are just a few of the providers attending the fair. Look for more information as the date gets closer.
Door prizes will be given, and the CYO will operate a food stand.
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita Police Department officers on Saturday resolved a hostage standoff peacefully.
Just before 5p.m. near the 1100 block of north Fairview, officers responded to a disturbance at a residence where a 27-year-old man threatened to kill his family members who were inside the home, according to officer Paul Cruz.
As officers approached the residence, the suspect barricaded himself along with a 2-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy.
The suspect who refused to surrender had active felony warrants including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. The WPD SWAT Team and hostage negotiators were on scene.
The negotiators worked to deescalated the situation, established communication with the suspect and negotiated the release of the two children. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Police released no additional details late Saturday.
In other words, it was commentary from a conservative company that has a First Amendment right to express its views, but it was also a shoddy tactic that undermined the very thing Sinclair’s leadership claimed to support: good journalism.
Deadspin — an online sports news site — put together a now widely-shared video of news anchors from 45 Sinclair-owned American stations, all reading in synchrony from the same script. The video’s echo-chamber effect laid bare what many have described as an “Orwellian” attempt to deliver a persuasive message using trusted voices in local journalism.
The mash-up of TV anchors, delivering the script with varying degrees of sincerity, prompted dire warnings from left-leaning cable news commentators about media consolidation and ulterior political motives.
President Trump tweeted a defense of Sinclair, using the controversy to take yet another swipe at the same mainstream news outlets he frequently attacks: “So funny to watch Fake News Networks, among the most dishonest groups of people I have ever dealt with, criticize Sinclair Broadcasting for being biased.”
Trump has it wrong — critics took aim at the method, not the message.
Let’s parse the actual effort. As it has in the past on various subjects, Sinclair’s top management — now in charge of TV stations in 81 markets across the nation — sent to its stations a one-minute script warning viewers of “fake news” and impugning the “one-sided news stories plaguing our country,” and the standards and goals of unnamed media outlets intent on pushing “their own personal bias and agenda to control ‘exactly what people think.'”
Anchors close the monologue by looking directly into the camera while delivering a solemn warning that “this is extremely dangerous to our democracy.” Whew. As an old PR adage goes, “Nothing sells like sincerity — even if you have to fake it.”
Yes, so-called “fake news” — a term so often misused and fraught with political baggage that my Newseum Education colleagues prefer “false news” — is a problem, whether it rests in sloppy reporting, expressed or hidden bias, or outright falsehoods.
But why combat the problem with promotional messages designed to appear locally generated when they are not? Why require local news anchors — who, surveys tell us, are more trusted than others in today’s journalism world — to read a PR script with no indication to viewers that’s all they are doing?
For its part, Sinclair has not been bashful about its tactics or purpose. In a memo obtained by The Washington Post, a top executive at the company said criticism of the prepared statements comes from those “upset about our well-researched journalistic initiative focused on fair and objective reporting.”
Scott Livingston, senior VP for news at Sinclair, sent an email to The Baltimore Sun that said “The stories we are referencing in this promo are the unsubstantiated ones (i.e. fake/false) like ‘Pope Endorses Trump,’ which move quickly across social media and result in an ill-informed public…that’s the goal of these announcements: to reiterate our commitment to reporting facts in a pursuit of truth.”
So why not be truthful about the source of the promotional words? Sinclair’s stations are concentrated in cities and states where the majority voted for Trump in the 2016 election — and where audiences are likely to be particularly receptive of any message that questions the veracity of the news media.
Just label the segments as “commentary” and use someone other than a news anchor to deliver the message. Problem solved.
Some of those pushing back at Sinclair’s critics have argued that newspapers have editorial pages where such a message easily would pass ethical muster, whether locally written or “canned” content produced far from the home turf.
Yes, newspapers have editorial pages: sections clearly identified as opinion, and where most publications reserve one well-known spot to deliver their own views.
Next time, Sinclair execs, do yourself and your massive national audience a favor — and fight “fake news” at the same time — by just being transparent about where your message is coming from.
Gene Policinski is president and chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute. He can be reached at [email protected], or follow him on Twitter at @genefac.
GOVE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30a.m. Sunday in Gove County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Peterbilt semi driven by Ranjit Singh, 36, Yuba City, CA., was eastbound on Interstate 70 four miles east of Oakley.
The driver fell asleep and lost control of the vehicle. The semi entered the median and rolled onto its side.
Singh was transported to Logan County Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Today
A chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet before 9am, then a chance of rain between 9am and 1pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 58. South southeast wind 13 to 18 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 14 mph becoming east southeast in the evening.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of rain before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 6 to 11 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light and variable.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 68. South southwest wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 83.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the Kansas Legislature’s debate on increasing school funding to meet a court mandate (all times local):
12:26 a.m. Sunday
Kansas legislators have given their final approval to an increase in spending on the state’s public schools amid intense pressure to respond to a court mandate.
The Senate approved a bill early Sunday to phase in a $534 million increase in education funding over five years. The vote was 21-19.
The House approved the bill on a 63-56 vote. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer, who has already endorsed it publicly.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that the state’s current education funding of more than $4 billion a year isn’t sufficient. Many Democrats said the plan will not satisfy the court.
Senate GOP leaders backed a plan to phase in a $274 million increase. They said the bigger plan will eventually force a tax increase.
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10:40 p.m.
The Kansas Senate is debating a proposal to increase spending on public schools in hopes of meeting a state Supreme Court mandate.
Senators were moving toward a final vote late Saturday or early Sunday on a bill that would phase in a $534 million education funding increase over five years.
But majority Republicans were split over the measure and some of them were harshly criticizing the bill.
The measure is similar to a plan the House passed earlier in the week, and it approved the new plan Saturday on a 63-56 vote. Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer endorsed it as well.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that the state’s current funding of more than $4 billion a year is insufficient.
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8:12 p.m.
The Kansas Legislature’s work on a plan for increasing school funding has stalled with tempers rising among Republicans.
The state Senate had not acted by Saturday evening on a bill that would phase in a $534 million increase in education funding over five years. The House passed it earlier Saturday on a 63-56 vote.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that the state’s current funding of more than $4 billion a year is insufficient.
Senators were having a lengthy debate over another bill rewriting income tax laws to head off the possibility that changes in federal tax laws last year might cause some Kansas residents to pay more state taxes.
They suspended the debate to pass a resolution allowing lawmakers to meet past Saturday. But the move angered some Republicans.
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6:50 p.m.
Dozens of teachers have converged on the Kansas Statehouse to lobby for passage of a plan to increase spending on public schools.
The Kansas National Education Association organized lobbying Saturday evening in favor of a bill that would phase in a $534 million increase in education funding over five years. It is the state’s largest teachers’ union.
The House passed the bill Saturday on a 63-56 vote, but the Senate had yet to debate it. Supporters feared senators might not take it up.
Senate GOP leaders were critical of the plan.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that the state’s current funding of more than $4 billion a year is insufficient.
KNEA lobbyist Mark Desetti said the plan is probably the best that legislators can pass.
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1:35 p.m.
The Kansas House has approved an education funding proposal that’s designed to break an impasse among Republican lawmakers over boosting spending on public schools.
The vote Saturday was 63-56. The bill would phase in a $534 million increase in education funding over five years and is similar to a plan approved by the House earlier this week.
The bill goes next to the Senate for an up-or-down vote that could send it to Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer. He has endorsed the proposal.
The Senate previously approved a plan to phase in a $274 million funding increase over five years.
Lawmakers are considering an education funding increase in response to a state Supreme Court ruling in October that the state’s current funding of more than $4 billion a year is insufficient.
—————
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Big differences among Republican lawmakers over how much to increase spending on Kansas’ public schools forced them to return Saturday to the Statehouse under increasing pressure to pass a plan that could satisfy a court mandate on education funding.
Some legislators and GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer have worried that a frustrated state Supreme Court would take the unprecedented step of preventing the state from distributing dollars through a flawed education funding system — effectively closing schools statewide.
House and Senate negotiators had several rounds of talks Friday afternoon and evening to resolve the differences between their rival education funding plans. But the talks broke off abruptly Friday night when it became clear that the negotiators weren’t getting closer to agreeing on the core issue of how much to spend.
The House plan would phase in a roughly $520 million increase in education funding over five years. The Senate’s figure is $274 million.
“Folks are talking, and we’re not getting much closer,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican, said Friday night. “We’re not making progress, at least not at this point.”
The Supreme Court gave Attorney General Derek Schmidt until April 30 to report on how the GOP-controlled Legislature responded to an education funding ruling last fall. Schmidt sent a letter Friday to legislative leaders in both parties, expressing “profound concern” that no school funding bill has passed.
The court declared in October that the state’s current funding of more than $4 billion a year is insufficient for lawmakers to fulfill their duty under the Kansas Constitution to finance a suitable education for every child.
Colyer and lawmakers want to avoid a tax increase, and Senate GOP leaders have excoriated the House’s plan as likely to force one within two years. Democrats do not think the House plan or the Senate plan would satisfy the court.
The Legislature had been scheduled to start its annual 2½-week spring break Saturday, then return to the Statehouse on April 26 — only four days before the court’s deadline for Schmidt. For now, legislative leaders expect to heed calls from Colyer and Schmidt to delay their break until a school funding bill has passed.
They do face a potential hurdle: Saturday was the 90th calendar day since lawmakers convened their annual session, and the state constitution requires two-thirds majorities of both houses to pass a resolution to stay in session longer. In the past, it’s not been a problem.
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OFFICE OF GOV.
TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer has announced the start of accepting nominations for the Governor’s Community Service Award. Gov. Colyer, in association with the Kansas Volunteer Commission, is recognizing the hard work and selfless service of Kansas high school students through this award.
Teachers, counselors and administrators can nominate both a junior and senior from their school who have displayed a dedicated commitment to serving his or her community. One junior and one senior from each nominating school will be selected to receive this award. Last year, 55 students received the award from over 40 Kansas communities.
“We have so many exceptional students across our state who are doing a great deal to help in their community and striving to make a difference where they live,” said Governor Colyer, “This award delivers a powerful message to encourage other students to take action. I believe students who possess such dedication to giving back deserve our gratitude.”
“I applaud Governor Colyer’s commitment to recognizing Kansas students who are giving back to their communities,” said Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson, “Teaching our students to be good citizens builds strong communities and is a critical piece of the Kansans Can vision for education. All of this contributes to what makes Kansas so great.”
“Civic engagement is about students sharing their skills and knowledge through actions that improve their communities,” said Board of Education member Jim McNiece, “This award is a great way to honor students who have chosen to do something with their time that can have a lasting impact on the world around them.”
In order to qualify for nomination for this award, students are required to volunteer their time to help those in need at a nonprofit, community organization, faith-based organization, business, school or national service program. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 30th.
Nominations can be submitted through the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/F5VklxKNJbvFF9Ql2
DCF
TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel, Kansas Children Service League (KCSL) President Dona Booe, DCF Social Worker Tina Westbay and children from the Adventures in Early Learning Center participated in a “Pinwheels for Prevention” event Monday at the State Capitol Building in Topeka. The event highlighted the dedication of Kansas social workers and emphasized a community-based approach to preventing child abuse.
“Planting pinwheels with these kids here today serves as a representation that every child deserves a happy, loving home,” said Governor Colyer. “But it also reminds us that we must keep moving forward, purposefully taking action to prevent these tragedies. We recently took another step in the right direction, as I signed a bill that requires EMS workers to also become mandated reporters.”
The annual pinwheels event was brought indoors this year, due to the cold and wet weather, so children planted pinwheels in the Capitol. The pinwheel represents happy, healthy childhoods that every child deserves. This nationwide campaign was recognized in Kansas when the Governor signed a proclamation to designate April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Child abuse is an unfortunate reality in Kansas, and it is a tragedy that is often exacerbated by drug abuse,” said Attorney General Derek Schmidt. “Together, we must address this issue head on, especially when it impacts the young children in our state. I am grateful that Governor Colyer has assembled a task force dedicated to looking at solutions to solve opioid and other drug-related issues in Kansas.”
In Kansas, DCF received more than 67,000 reports of child abuse and/or neglect in FY 2017, and 584 children were removed from their home because of physical abuse as the primary reason for removal.
“If you see something, say something,” Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel said. “Whether we are a social worker, policeman, nurse, teacher, neighbor or friend, we all have a responsibility to report suspected abuse. Together, we can make a difference in preventing horrific tragedies from occurring.”
Common indicators of child abuse include: unexplained bruises, welts, bite marks, burns or other injuries; head trauma; fractures; being frightened of a parent/caretaker; demonstrating behavioral extremes, demonstrating disorganized thinking, self-injuries; running away from home; and verbally reporting abuse.
DCF Child Protection Specialist Tina Westbay also addressed the audience about her experience with child abuse as a social worker.
“We are here to help. We have a passion to protect children. It’s why we come to work every day,” said Westbay. “And until our state is free from child abuse, we will continue to do this work with diligence.”
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) at 1-800-922-5330. Every call is taken seriously and telephone lines are staffed 24 hours a day. In the event of an emergency, contact local law enforcement or call 911. To learn about other services offered to Kansas children and families, visit www.dcf.ks.gov.
Additionally, KCSL has a free, statewide, anonymous parent helpline. Trained individuals work the hotline 24-hours a day to listen, offer support, answer questions and provide advice to help caretakers deal with the stress of parenthood. If you would like to contact the helpline, call 1-800-CHILDREN.
HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A Holton man pleaded no contest to attempted murder and other crimes after a standoff where authorities say he fired shots at officers and his wife.
Patrick Wayne Miller entered the plea Friday to attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer.
On Dec. 3, Holton police and Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a domestic dispute. Police say Miller ran into his house and fired several times at officers and his wife, who was in a police car. No one was injured.
A Holton officer returned fire but no one was hit. Miller surrendered after a two-hour standoff.
His wife, Erica Bell, was later charged with aggravated assault and two counts of domestic battery.
MEADE COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just before 10a.m. Saturday in Meade County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 GMC Envoy driven by Xavier Lemus, 62, Liberal was eastbound on US 54 three miles west of Meade.
The vehicle moved toward the center line in a possible passing attempt. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It went into a side skid. An eastbound semi struck the Envoy on the driver’s side.
Lemus was transported to the hospital in Liberal where he died. A passenger Maria C. Castillo-Delemus, 58, Liberal, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The semi driver from California was not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the Kansas Legislature’s debate on increasing school funding to meet a court mandate (all times local):
A conservative Kansas lawmaker is suggesting that problems facing public schools aren’t a matter of money but a shift away from God in recent decades.
Republican Rep. Randy Garber, of Sabetha, argued Saturday during a 13-minute speech on a school funding bill that problems with society and public education stem from U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the early 1960s declaring school-sponsored prayer and Bible reading unconstitutional.
Garber concluded his speech by telling his colleagues: “If we don’t fix society, we won’t fix our schools.”
He added, “I say the way to fix our schools is to put prayer and the Bible back and give it a chance.”
House Democratic Leader Jim Ward of Wichita called Garber’s remarks “disappointing” and that providing a good public education is “hard work.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Kansas crash.
Just after 3a.m. Saturday, the Kansas Turnpike Authority reported a 2007 GMC Yukon driven by Juana Guzman, 36, Dallas, TX., was northbound on Interstate 35 just north of 47th Street in Sedgwick County lost control of the vehicle.
It hit the barrier wall. A semi driven by Andrew Rutenbeck, 30, Clinton, IA., struck the Yukon as it re-entered the roadway caught fire and burned.
Guzman was pronounced dead at the scene. Rutenbeck was not injured.
The semi driver was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Kansas crash.
Just after 3a.m. Saturday, the Kansas Turnpike Authority reported the driver of a northbound vehicle on Interstate 35 just north of 47th Street in Sedgwick County lost control of the vehicle.
It hit the barrier wall. A second vehicle struck the first vehicle as it re-entered the roadway caught fire and burned.
Authorities have not released the name of the victims.
