SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has condemned a school district’s new guidelines that prevent those making public comments at board meetings from speaking about specific district employees or students, calling it “unconstitutional.”

The Kansas City Star reports Shawnee Mission School Board President Sara Goodburn received a letter Tuesday from ACLU of Kansas legal director Doug Bonney criticizing Goodburn for reprimanding a parent who used a board member’s name while asking about a specific conflict-of-interest issue in May.

Goodburn has since admitted she incorrectly interrupted the parent, as the member is not a district employee.

Bonney says the First Amendment protects the public’s right to “call out or praise” all public servants, including teachers and other school staff.

He says the district hasn’t yet responded to his letter.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas says it collected $1.9 million less in taxes than anticipated in May.

The Department of Revenue reported Thursday that the state took in $441 million in taxes, compared with a projection of $443 million. The shortfall was 0.4 percent.

The state saw a small surplus in tax collections in April and the department noted that the state remains on track to meet projections for the current budget year. The state has collected about $5.2 billion in taxes since the fiscal year began in July 2016,

The projections were set in a fiscal forecast issued last month.

Lawmakers are working on proposals to raise taxes to fix the state budget and provide additional funds for public schools. With Thursday’s report, the state’s budget shortfalls total $889 million through June 2019.

Topeka – Governor Sam Brownback Thursday issued the following statement to ensure that education finance legislation puts students first:

“The provision of suitable education for all Kansas students was included in our state’s constitution because Kansans know that the key to preserving our freedom relies on our ability to educate the next generation. It is our responsibility and obligation to ensure that any new education finance system improves the educational outcomes of our students and provides them with opportunities for a better future.

 

Issued the following statement to ensure that #ksleg school finance legislation puts Kansas students first. #ksed https://t.co/tM6SLCjWMa pic.twitter.com/R7Ub7EPZPF

— Sam Brownback (@govsambrownback) June 1, 2017

 

“I have long argued that our education finance system needs to be predicable and sustainable for both educators and taxpayers. We must ensure that these taxpayer dollars are being spent to achieve real outcomes and improve the achievements of our students.

“I appreciate the hard work of the House and Senate committees this session on this enormous and vitally important undertaking.  However, I do believe there remains some room for improvement.  Specifically, there a few reforms for which I have advocated throughout the past several years and have included in my State of the State address. I would like to see the following improvements be made to the legislation before it reaches my desk:

1. Expand educational opportunities available to the bottom 25 percent; and,
2. A limitation on bond and interest aid so we can drive resources to where it is needed most, the classroom; and,
3. Inclusion of a sunset date to allow the legislature to review the effectiveness of the new education finance system every five years.

“We cannot be satisfied with an education finance bill that does not address the core concern of the Supreme Court’s ruling. We must do more to improve the performance and outcomes of our lowest performing students.

“Providing Kansas parents and students with more opportunities will ensure that low performing students have the ability to move to a school that meets their specific needs. In the year 2017 we should reject the idea that a child’s zip code will determine their opportunities in the future. Innovative school programs will ensure that students who are performing in the lowest 25 percent will have the ability to find new paths to success.”

MIAMI COUNTY – Authorities are recognizing the quick work of a Kansas Game Warden on Wednesday after a rescue during a severe thunderstorm.

As a strong storm with high winds and golf ball size hail rolled through Kansas and a man and his service dog camping at Miami County State Fishing Lake were left without shelter when the tent was destroyed, according to a social media report.

Kansas Game Warden Jaron Cox responded to the emergency. He drove around downed trees and through flooded areas to reach the man and his service dog.

The man and his dog suffered only minor injuries.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A woman who drowned a puppy in a central Nebraska airport toilet has admitted violating probation by possessing a dog.

Court records say Cynthia Anderson made the admission during a Tuesday hearing in Hall County District Court. Her sentencing is scheduled Aug. 4.

Police in Edgewater, Florida, say Anderson had a dog with her when she was arrested there in October on an unrelated theft allegation. As part of Anderson’s two-year Nebraska probation sentence rendered in July 2015, she was barred from possessing animals for five years.

Officials wouldn’t let Anderson board a January 2015 flight in Grand Island because the puppy with her was so young and inadequately contained. She then was seen entering a restroom. Another woman soon reported finding the Doberman puppy dead in a toilet.

SHAWNEE COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities are investigating shooting involving a teenage victim.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a Topeka hospital to meet with a shooting victim who had arrived by private vehicle, according to a media release.

Police met with the male victim who was reported in critical condition with a life-threatening gunshot wound. 

Officers were able to locate a crime scene in the 700 Block of SW 16th in Topeka.

Just after 8 a.m. Thursday, police indicated in media release they were not searching for a suspect. The shooting appears to be accidental.

No additional details were released.

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SHAWNEE COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities are investigating shooting involving a teenage victim.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a Topeka hospital to meet with a shooting victim who had arrived by private vehicle, according to a media release.

Police met with the male victim who was reported in critical condition with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Officers were able to locate a crime scene in the 700 Block of SW 16th in Topeka.

No arrests have been made and no additional details were available early Thursday.

WICHITA– A Kansas man was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison for distributing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

David Patrick Newcomer, 35, Salina, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. In his plea, Newcomer admitted that a Wichita police detective was able to download a movie containing child pornography from Newcomer’s computer using a file-sharing program. A forensic examination of Newcomer’s computer identified more than 19,000 images and videos of child pornography.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Wichita Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted.

OSAGE COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident Wednesday in Osage County.

Just after 3 a.m., first responders were dispatched the Orbis Plastic plant, 515 S. 5th Street in Osage City after report of a work-related fatality accident, according to a media release from police.

First responders found Ruben Guadlaupe Chavira, 53, Topeka, had died when a forklift he was operating pinned him against other equipment.

A co-employee of the plant discovered the accident.
The Coroner office responded to the scene for investigation and to make the official pronouncement of death.
Orbis, OSHA, and the Coroner’s office will conduct further investigations.

Mr. Chavira was employed as a “Press Operator and Backup Grinder and had worked at Orbis since 2014.

MARSHALL COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug distribution charges.

On Tuesday, the Riley County Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit partnered with Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Waterville Police Department, and Blue Rapids Police Department to serve a search warrant in Waterville, Kansas, according to a media release.

The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation, and led to the seizure of approximately half a pound of methamphetamine, and distributable amounts of marijuana, oxycodone, and oxycontin.

Authorities arrested three suspects including– John Haver, 61, Calley Hanshaw, 41, and Jose Martinez, 39. for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of oxycontin with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three are currently being held in the Marshall County Jail.

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the Kansas Legislature’s debate on taxes, the budget and school funding (all times local):

Kansas legislators worry about exhausting operating funds now that their annual session is among the longest in state history.

But they don’t have a definitive answer for when the money runs out.

Wednesday was the 103rd day of what was supposed to be a 100-day session. Republican legislative leaders had said the Legislature would exhaust its funds for the session Friday and not be able to pay lawmakers.

But Legislative Administrative Services Director Tom Day said Wednesday that existing funds could last into next week, depending on non-salary expenses such as printing.

The Legislature reduced staffing May 12 to drop its daily session costs to about $44,000 from $65,000. Its annual budget is $17 million.

Lawmakers could pass a bill to provide extra funds but that’s considered a political embarrassment.