Local

Kansas House advances child abuse reporting changes

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas House has given first-round approval to a bill amending state law on mandatory reporting of alleged child abuse. Supporters said Wednesday the changes were in direct response to the allegations of child sex abuse at Penn State University involving former football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The bill expands the list of individuals required to
Kansas attracts 5 bidders for 3 Medicaid contracts

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas has received bids from five companies for three contracts for managing the state's $2.9 billion Medicaid program. Legislators who have been skeptical of Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid overhaul plan saw the number of bidders Wednesday as relatively low and suggested it signals trouble. Medicaid provides health coverage for the needy, disabled and elderly. But House
Kansas Senate advances Brownback's tech ed proposal

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Senate has given first-round approval to Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to modify technical education programs. The measure advanced Wednesday on a voice vote. Final action planned for Thursday would send the bill to the House. The proposal would provide incentives for high school students who don't plan to pursue four-year degrees and are interested
Run-in with deer sways Kansas lawmaker on hunting

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas lawmaker says a run-in with a deer made him see a proposal on crossbow hunting in a new light. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that House Republican Anthony Brown voted Tuesday against a bill creating a crossbow hunting season. But when the bill came up for a final vote Wednesday, Brown was for it. The measure
Hoyt western wonderland up for auction

In the small town of Hoyt, there is a post office, a water tower, a church, a school, and even a few stop signs. All things that make up a respectable town. But most people don't know that in a local's backyard, a whole other kind of town awaits. Greg Porter built a western wonderland with a few scraps, his
Local pawn shop celebrates golden milestone

In 1962 Lanny Ellis hocked his Chicago lifestyle to venture in the pawn shop business with his brother Darrell Johnson. Ellis says "it was really my brother's idea that he rubbed off from one of his acquaintances" A part of the store's history includes a lot of changes from the 66' tornado destroying the original location, to the impact of new
Turning cooler behind Thursday's cold front

Passing clouds and mild for tonight with lows near 40. Northwest breezes around 10mph. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy on Thursday. After an early day cold front passage, temperatures will only top out in the lower 50s with northwest winds 20-30mph. Continued breezy on Friday with a high in the middle 40s. Slightly warmer weather should build back in over
KU launches political website for younger readers

**Please see video for this story on the home page, midway down the page, in the small video feed window. One new KU-based website is changing the way young Kansans see politics. "It makes it really hard if you go on the internet or watch TV. It makes it really difficult to get something legitimate," said Washburn University student Jake Overbey.
Go Topeka revises rezoning

GO Topeka, the economic development arm of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, is proposing substantial changes to the revised rezoning plan for the South Topeka Economic Growth Corridor. “We believe these changes,” said Doug Kinsinger, Chamber/GO Topeka president and CEO, “accommodate the vast majority of the individual property owners desires and still attains the primary goal of planning for
Northeast Kansas Most Wanted

A man wanted for aggravated battery and domestic battery is tonight's Northeast Kansas Most Wanted. The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office needs your help to find 23-year old Joshua Armendarez. He stands five and a half feet tall...and weighs 125 pounds. If you know where this girl is, call Crime Stoppers at 234-0007 or if you live outside Shawnee County,