WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A judge has delayed until next year the trial of three Kansas men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in the meatpacking town of Garden City.

The trial for Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein and Gavin Wayne Wright had been scheduled to begin June 13. But U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren granted on Friday the men’s request for a continuance and set the trial to begin Feb. 20. Trial is expected to last four weeks.

His written order follows a hearing Wednesday in which defense attorneys asked for more time to review the large amount of evidence. Prosecutors also had not yet turned over to the defense some discovery.

The three men are accused of conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where Somali immigrants live.

By SAM ZEFF

The Kansas Legislature isn’t close to coming up with a school funding formula.

However, lawmakers are working with a bill that looks a lot like the formula they scrapped in 2015 for block grants.

That bill, and the struggle this session to write it, is not just back to the future, but back 25 years to the future. That’s when another school funding suit bogged down the session.

When the history of Kansas school finance lawsuits is written — whenever that may be — two names will loom large. And they’re not governors, attorneys general or legislative bigwigs.

The first name is Judge Terry Bullock.

Many Kansans have never heard of Bullock, who served 30 years on the Shawnee County District Court. But his rulings are, essentially, the law.

Bullock was a player in three school funding cases starting in 1991. “So I’ve had quite a lot of exposure to these kinds of pieces of litigation,” Bullock says.

The other name is Alan Rupe, a lawyer, who is still in the game.

Rupe has been suing Kansas for nearly 30 years over school funding and is right in the middle of the ongoing Gannon case that is currently tugging at negotiations in the statehouse. He says it reminds him of the 1991 suit, Mock v. Kansas, when Bullock called all the parties into a conference in the state Supreme Court chambers.

“I can remember that session because, I think, it was supposed to start at 10 o’clock and Governor (Joan) Finney and then Attorney General Bob Stephan remained in the hallway because neither wanted to enter the room before the other one did,” he says.

Finally, Rupe says, one of them came to their senses, and Bullock set the group, which included lawyers and legislative leaders, to work.

“I reminded them that everybody in the case — everybody, including me — was being paid by the state,” Bullock says. “It seemed to me if we could get this case resolved in a reasonable manner that it would be a wise thing for the public and a good thing for the schoolchildren.”

In a few hours, the group agreed to form a task force to come up with a new school funding plan. That led to lawmakers passing a school funding formula in 1992 that changed the way Kansas funds public schools.

That ended the Mock case, but it didn’t end the lawsuits.

In 1999, the state was sued in a case called Montoy v. Kansas. The plaintiffs argued the state wasn’t spending nearly enough money to fund education adequately and equitably.

The Montoy case resulted in the lawmakers agreeing to put in an additional $755 million for public schools between 2005 and 2009.

But as the economy soured, the Legislature reneged on the deal and actually cut funding in 2009.

Rupe says these past few legislative sessions are like going back in time.

“It feels like Montoy when the … Kansas Legislature adopted a formula (in 2005) that did not pass Supreme Court muster and we went into a special session, went on the cusp of a constitutional meltdown,” Rupe says.

Constitutional meltdown. Special session. Sound familiar?

This year’s House bill would provide extra money for students who are poor, English language learners or live a long way from school, among other things. A Senate plan would do the same thing.

Rupe says it’s basically the same formula hammered out after the Mock case 25 years ago.

Bullock says it’s hard to watch history repeat itself.

“So it’s frustrating for me, of course, but more importantly, I think, for the families and the children who watch some districts have all the funds needed,” Bullock says. “Some of the districts in my cases had so little that they couldn’t buy classroom textbooks. They didn’t have pencils and paper. And yet other schools, for example, had a full-size Olympic swimming pool for the recreation time for the children.”

Rupe says he also is frustrated. Gone is the attitude of everyone — legislators to lawyers to state leaders — rolling up their sleeves to negotiate school funding. “I don’t think you could get that group into one room,” he says.

“I don’t think that there is a room that would hold those folks in a fashion where people could work through the issues.”

The days of working together, Rupe says, seem to be over.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the name and date of the Mock v. State of Kansas court case. The timeline of litigation and legislation has been clarified.

Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR.org and the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @SamZeff. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to KCUR.org.

RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a three-vehicle crash and arrested a Kansas woman.

Just after 4:30p.m. Thursday, vehicle driven by Holly Fain, 41 Salina, collided with a vehicle driven by 62-year-old Cynthia J. Kidd, Hutchinson which then caused that vehicle to strike one driven by 54-year-old Jackie P. Stimatze in the 2500 block of East 30th Street in Hutchinson, according to police.

Fain is suspected of aggravated battery, possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, driving while suspended and illegal transportation of liquor.

She was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries.

DETROIT (AP) — Toyota is recalling 36,000 Tacoma pickups in North and South America because they can stall without warning.

The recall involves Tacomas with V-6 engines from the 2016 and 2017 model years. Most of the trucks — 32,000 — are in the U.S. The rest are in Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Costa Rica.

The company says an engine crankshaft timing rotor may have been produced with excessive anti-corrosion coating, which could cause the crank position sensor to malfunction.

If the sensor malfunctions, the vehicle may run roughly, misfire or stall.

Vehicle owners will be notified of the recall starting next month. Toyota dealers will replace the crank position sensors for free.

In addition, Harley-Davidson is recalling about 46,000 motorcycles in the U.S. because an oil line can come loose, spewing oil into the path of the rear tire.

The recall covers certain 2017 Electra Glide, Road King, Street Glide and Road Glide models built from July 2, 2016 through May 9, 2017.

Harley says a clamp on an engine oil cooler line may not have been installed correctly. The company says it has nine reports of oil lines coming off. The problem caused two crashes and one minor injury.

Dealers will inspect the clamps and fix them free of charge. The recall is expected to start on Tuesday.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A St. Louis couple, along with financial service firm Edward Jones, has donated $2 million to Kansas State University.

The university says the donation from Doug and Vicki Hill and Edward Jones will be used for to hire faculty and promote growth for the National Strategic Selling Institute in the College of Business Administration.

Doug Hill is a Kansas State alumnus and senior partner and former managing partner at Edward Jones. He said he and his wife want the donation to help the National Strategic Selling Institute become a full major degree program at the university.

The donation is part of a fundraising campaign led by the Kansas State Foundation, which has a goal of $1.4 billion of private donations for the university.

SUMNER COUNTY – A second earthquake in as many days shook portions of Kansas early Friday. The quake at 2a.m. measured a magnitude 2.5 and was centered approximately 9 miles northwest of Bell Plaine, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Just before 1:30p.m. Thursday, a 3.3 magnitude quake was centered approximately 6 miles southeast of Harper, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It was the first quake in Harper County since May 19.

The agency reported 9 Kansas earthquakes in May including two quakes in Sumner County over the Memorial Day weekend. They measured 2.5 and 2.6 and were centered near Belle Plaine.

The USGS recorded nearly a dozen Kansas earthquakes in April, seven in March and six in February. They measured from 2.5. to 3.3.

There are no reports of damage or injury from Friday’s quake, according to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department.

WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump says the U.S. could try to re-enter the international climate agreement sealed in Paris if the deal were more favorable to Americans.

Trump indicated that wasn’t a priority as he explained why he was pulling the U.S. out of the Paris accord in the first place. In a Rose Garden announcement Thursday, the president framed the decision as one made in the best interest of his country.

In an email, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said he “opposed the Obama administration’s decision to enter into the Paris climate accord without appropriate congressional input. But given the change in administrations, I would have preferred staying at the table.”

On May 25, Kansas Senator Pat Roberts joined 22 other Senators and signed a letter asking Trump to pull out of the Paris agreement.

According to Moran, ” The U.S must now engage in this debate to avoid decisions made without us that lack common sense, are not based on sound science and are damaging to jobs in the United States. We can put America first by leading,”

Many U.S. allies are expressing alarm over the U.S. abandoning the chief effort to slow the planet’s warming. The leaders of France, Germany and Italy joined to “note with regret” the Trump decision and express doubts about any change in the accord.

Several of Trump’s top aides opposed the action, including his daughter Ivanka Trump.

-The Associated Press contributed to this story

SALINE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a suspect after an altercation with a knife.

Just after 11 p.m. Wednesday a woman reported to police that 33-year-old Michael Lynn showed up at her Salina residence intoxicated. An argument ensued and he allegedly pushed her up against the wall and began choking her, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The woman attempted to escape and call the police when Lynn struck her in the head and threatened her.

Around that time, the victim’s roommate arrived and confronted Lynn.  He allegedly grabbed the roommate by the hair, pulling out her artificial extensions and shoving her into a coffee table. According to the police report, the roommate had several bald spots from the encounter.

The roommate then ran to the porch and called her boyfriend who arrived shortly before the Salina Police.

According to Capt. Forrester, the boyfriend entered the house to find Lynn on top of the female victim with a knife to her throat.

The victim told police that the boyfriend pulled Lynn off of her and took his knife.

Lynn allegedly ran to the kitchen and grabbed another knife. Capt. Forrester said that the boyfriend took Lynn to the ground, disarming him yet again.

When authorities arrived, the boyfriend had Lynn pinned to the ground, according to Capt. Forrester. The report did not specify at what point during the incident that the police were called or who made the call.

Lynn was treated for a cut to the head and was booked into the Saline County Jail early this morning. According to Capt. Forrester, authorities requested three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of criminal threat, two counts of domestic battery, aggravated intimidation of a witness, criminal restraint, criminal damage to property and battery.

SEDGWICK COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating a series of motel robberies and Wednesday asked the public to help identify a suspect.

On Thursday, police reported the suspect had been identified and is in custody in another state for unrelated charges.

———–

SEDGWICK COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating a series of robberies and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

On Saturday, the Extended Stay America Hotel in the 9400 block of east Corporate Hills Drive was robbed and on Monday, the Days Inn Hotel in the 7300 block of east Kellogg was robbed.

Police believe a slender, light skinned black male in his 20’s and armed with a handgun committed both robberies.

The suspect is a slender, light skinned black male in his 20’s. He was armed with a handgun in the Days Inn robbery.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 267-2111

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the Kansas Legislature’s debate over keeping concealed weapons out of state hospitals and other public health care facilities (all times local):

8:10 p.m.

Kansas legislators have given final approval to a bill aimed at keeping concealed guns out of state hospitals and other public health facilities.

The House approved the measure on a 91-33 vote Thursday evening only hours after the Senate passed it on a 24-16 vote. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

A 2013 law requires public health facilities to allow concealed guns into their buildings starting in July unless the buildings have security such as metal detectors or guards.

The bill would grant a permanent exemption to state hospitals, other public hospitals, mental health centers, some nursing homes and the University of Kansas Health System and the university’s teaching hospital.

Brownback is a strong gun-rights supporter and legislators weren’t sure whether he would sign or veto the measure.

___

4:00 p.m.

The Kansas Senate has approved a bill aimed at keeping concealed guns out of state hospitals and other public health care facilities.

The 24-16 vote Thursday came after senators rejected a proposal backed by the National Rifle Association to narrow the scope of the bill. The measure goes next to the House.

A 2013 law requires public health facilities to allow concealed guns into their buildings starting in July unless the buildings have security such as metal detectors or guards.

The bill would grant a permanent exemption to state hospitals, other public hospitals, mental health centers, some nursing homes and the University of Kansas Health System and the university’s teaching hospital.

The NRA and other gun-rights advocates wanted to limit the exemption to fewer institutions and only to certain areas in those facilities.

1:00 p.m.

The Kansas Senate has rejected a National Rifle Association-backed proposal to narrow the scope of a bill aimed at keeping concealed guns out of state hospitals and other public health care facilities.

Senators voted 24-16 against an amendment from Senate President Susan Wagle. The Wichita Republican’s plan would have allowed only state hospitals, community mental health centers and the University of Kansas Health System to keep banning concealed guns and only in certain areas.

A 2013 law requires public health facilities to allow concealed guns into their buildings starting in July unless the buildings have security such as metal detectors or guards.

The bill would grant a permanent exemption to state hospitals, other public hospitals, mental health centers, some nursing homes and the university’s health system and teaching hospital.

11:10 a.m.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says gun-rights advocates and representatives for the state’s hospitals couldn’t reach agreement on a legislative proposal aimed at keeping concealed guns out of state hospitals and other public health care facilities.

The Senate was debating the measure Thursday.

A 2013 law requires public health facilities to allow concealed guns into their buildings starting in July unless the buildings have security such as metal detectors or guards. The bill being debated would grant a permanent exemption to state hospitals, other public hospitals, mental health centers, some nursing homes and the University of Kansas Health System and teaching hospital.

Brownback said Thursday he had talks with hospital industry officials and gun-rights advocates who want a narrower bill but the talks did not produce a compromise.

—-

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas gun-rights group is rallying members ahead of a possible legislative debate over a measure aimed at keeping concealed weapons out of public hospitals.

The Kansas State Rifle Association sent an email to members and supporters ahead of a scheduled Senate debate Thursday.

A 2013 law requires public health facilities to allow concealed guns into their buildings starting in July unless the buildings have security such as metal detectors or guards. The measure would grant a permanent exemption to state hospitals, other public hospitals, mental health centers, some nursing homes and the University of Kansas Health System and teaching hospital.

The gun-rights group called the proposed exemptions too sweeping.

Senate leaders previously postponed a debate to allow negotiations involving gun-rights advocates and KU health officials but the talks stalled.

KANSAS CITY – A registered sex offender from Kansas pleaded guilty Wednesday to picking up a 16-year-old girl in Virginia and taking her across state lines to have sex with him, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Logan Viquesney, 21, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity. In his plea, he admitted he communicated with the victim over the internet while she was staying with her grandparents in Virginia. On May 30, 2016, the victim was reported missing from her grandparents’ home. Investigators learned that Viquesney had driven to Virginia, picked up the girl, and taken her with him on a trip that took them from Virginia to Maryland, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. While on the trip, Viquesney had sex with the girl.

Viquesney was arrested after he arrived in Kansas City, Kan., with the girl.

Sentencing is set for July 31. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

POLK COUNTY, IOWA – An investigation by agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) led to Thursday’s arrest of a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy.

The sheriff’s deputy, David Schmitt, age 30, from Meriden, Kansas, was arrested at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 1 in Polk County, Iowa, according to a media release.

Schmitt was arrested for alleged offenses including: aggravated battery, disorderly conduct, two counts of aggravated endangering a child, two counts of intimidation of a witness or victim, and two counts of aggravated assault.

The suspected crimes are related to an April 13, 2016 domestic violence incident, and other alleged conduct while Schmitt was released on bond following his initial arrest on April 15, 2016. Schmitt was not formally charged after his initial arrest for domestic battery, and since then has remained on administrative leave from the Sheriff’s Office.

Following his arrest Thursday, Schmitt was booked into the Polk County Jail where he awaits extradition to Kansas.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man was been sentenced to 28 years and six months in prison in the death of his 23-month-old daughter.

KSNW-TV  reports that 31-year-old Michael Williams was sentenced Thursday for first-degree murder and child abuse.

His daughter, Princess Teyonia Williams, died in September 2015. She was left with her father while her mother worked. The police affidavit says the girl suffered massive internal injuries, including a skull and rib fractures.

Williams was convicted of forgery in 2008, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.