WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Court of Appeals is moving its proceedings to Kansas college and university campuses to commemorate the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the U.S. Constitution.

Three-judge panels will hear cases Tuesday at Wichita State University, the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. After arguments, the audience will have a chance to ask general questions about the judicial process.

Chief Judge Thomas Malone will be among the judges hearing cases at Wichita State. He said in a news release that moving the proceedings gives students “a chance to see their judicial branch of government at work” and might “help spark an interest in pursuing a legal career.”

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Fall enrollment for Kansas State University is down for the first time since 2006.

The Manhattan Mercury  reports that overall enrollment for 2015 is 24,212, down 554 students from fall 2014. President Kirk Schulz discussed the numbers Friday while presenting his annual State of the University address. He says the situation will be discussed as the university puts together an enrollment management task force to set goals and look for ways to grow.

The fall enrollment count has increased steadily each year since 2006, when the number fell by 40 students from 23,181 to 23,141.

Schulz pointed out classes haven’t yet reached the 20th day, which is the time of the official count for fall enrollment each year. The number is likely to fall slightly more by that time.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas State Fair has wrapped up its annual 10-day run in Hutchinson.

The Hutchinson News reports that taken as a whole, the grandstand events through Saturday were in the black. Fair’s interim general manager Lori Hart says the Sam Hunt show was the most popular, with about 7,700 tickets sold. Hart said it was the most tickets sold for a concert since Toby Keith performed in 2013.

She says a popular new addition this year was a beard and mustache contest.

The youth livestock exhibits put up record numbers this year. Between cattle, swine, sheep and goats, more than 1,600 livestock were shown at the fair.

Because bird flu concerns meant 4-H exhibitors couldn’t show live poultry, they instead used posters, videos and demonstrations to educate the public.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback and other Kansas conservatives aren’t rushing to expand Medicaid after a hospital announced it is closing because of insufficient funding.

The Wichita Eagle reports the Mercy Hospital System plans to close its hospital in Independence next month. Mercy spokeswoman Joanne Smith says expanding would have brought the hospital about $1.6 million in additional revenue.

Kansas is one of 20 states that have refused to expand Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Brownback says the state doesn’t have the resources to expand the program, which is getting more expensive even without expansion.

House Speaker Ray Merrick, a Stilwell Republican, says the problem isn’t Medicaid, it’s the disastrous effects Obamacare is having on the country.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner has been trying for 20 years to get a pope to come talk to Congress.

Now it’s finally happening.

 

Interview – historic #PopeFrancis visit to encourage the faithful and promote dignity of all human life.@DCExaminer https://t.co/4rkJePWGeQ

— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) September 11, 2015

And House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says it’s “thrilling beyond words.”

This week’s historic address by Pope Francis to a joint meeting of Congress has lawmakers of all political affiliations and religious backgrounds buzzing.

For the many Catholic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, it’s an occasion of special significance, even as they brace for the unconventional pontiff to make both parties squirm with his focus on hot-button political and social issues.

Many lawmakers hope the leader of the globe’s 1.2 billion Catholics will provoke members of Congress to pause, reflect and refrain, if only temporarily, from partisan struggles and political bickering

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police are investigating after a woman says two men tried to lure her two daughters into their vehicles with candy.

The Wichita Eagle reports a 29-year-old woman called police Saturday night to report the incident. According to Sgt. Bob Gulliver, the girls, ages 8 and 9, told their mother they were approached by two men.

Gulliver said the men drove away, but returned a short time later and watched the girls as they played.

The suspects have not been located. Police say the suspects may be in their 30s or 40s.

HIGHLAND – A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. on Sunday in Doniphan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by Hunter M. Idol, 18, Highland, was traveling eastbound on 240th Road one mile west of Highland.

The truck drifted off onto the right shoulder, struck a guardrail and rolled multiple time down an embankment.

Idol was transported to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 42-year-old man has been arrested after police say he pushed a 17-year-old boy off of his skateboard and stabbed him in the chest in downtown Wichita.

According to Wichita police spokesman Sgt. Bob Gulliver, the incident happened Saturday afternoon. Police say the victim was followed and pushed by the suspect, who authorities say is homeless. Authorities say the suspect struck the boy with the skateboard and then stabbed him with a small knife.

The victim was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery and robbery.

ELLINWOOD- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. on Sunday in Barton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Tahoe driven by Amanda L. Blevins, 33, Hutchinson, was westbound on US 56 just east of Ellinwood,

The driver fell asleep at the wheel. The SUV left the roadway, entered the north ditch, struck a KDOT road sign and rolled.

Blevins was transported to the hospital in Ellinwood. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Enrollment is down at Wichita State University and students are taking fewer credit hours.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the data is included in reports that use numbers from the 20th day of classes, which was Monday. The reports show that the number of students enrolled decreased nearly 500 from the same time last year to 14,495 — about 3.3 percent. Credit hours taken by students were down 2.3 percent.

University spokesman Lou Heldman says officials are declining to talk about the numbers until they are officially submitted to the Kansas Board of Regents this week. However, President John Bardo told faculty and staff last month that enrollment is a “formidable” issue.

Graduate students and international students make up much of the decrease in head count.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A sunflower farm in northeast Kansas has drawn attention from across the world.

More than 25,000 people made their way to the Grinter Farms sunflower fields between Lawrence and Tonganoxie this year, including some from Japan and Guatemala and a BBC camera crew. They came to see what acres and acres of sunflowers — an estimated 1 million plants — look like in full bloom.

Ted and Kris Grinter allow people to wander through the fields and take pictures, asking only for a $1 donation for every sunflower taken.

This year’s season is over. The sunflowers are starting to droop and harvesting has begun, so visitors are asked to stay away until next year.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports Grinter harvests the sunflowers and sells the seeds as bird feed.

JC Post

JUNCTION CITY -Following Friday’s POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony in Junction City’s Heritage Park, Quilts of Valor were awarded to 14 veterans in front of the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The 14 recipients included Jordan “Jay” Lindsey, Robert J.
Stoddard, Lonnie Crockett, David R. Sites, Samuel Kleinbeck, Kevin L. Walker, Michael Amidon, Thelma M. Guice, Servendo (Kiko) Silva, Jerry Ray Lovett, Logan Martin, David Wesley, Dennis Shumate and John T. Bondacorda.

Donna Martinson, QOV Chairman explained that each veteran that is awarded a quilt has their own story.

“When you’re awarding a quilt to an individual, you know that their story is very, very special. There is a lot of honor to being able to say ‘Thank you, we are grateful for what you did and we want you to know that your service is honored,'” said Martinson.

Through the Quilts of Valor Project over 80 quilts have been presented to veterans from the surrounding area. Once complete Martinson said they hope to award 125 Quilts of Valor.

Quilts of Valor are made by local quilter’s as a way of honoring service members who have been touched by war. The Quilts are intended to help with comforting and healing.