TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican leaders have cancelled the Kansas Senate’s debate on budget-balancing proposals because they could not sell GOP colleagues on education funding cuts.

The Senate had planned to debate a bill Thursday that would cut aid to public schools by $128 million by June 30.

They also had expected to take up another bill increasing income taxes to raise $660 million over two years, starting in July. But some GOP senators thought the cut in aid to public schools was too steep with only months left in the school year.

Senate Republican leaders said the chamber would not consider any legislation until members agreed on proposals to balance the budget.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri is planning a mass immunization clinic next week as it works to control a mumps outbreak that has grown to more than 320 confirmed and probable cases.

Spokesman Christian Basi says the hope is that 2,000 students will receive a free booster shot during the Feb. 15 to Feb. 17 clinic. The state health agency is picking up the tab.

Students are required to receive two doses of the vaccine that protects against mumps, as well as measles and rubella. But in December, the school began urging students to obtain a third shot, saying it may offer more protection.

Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in the salivary glands and cheeks. The university is among several across the nation that has grappled with outbreaks.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of Iowa’s prison system has ordered a temporary shutdown of several satellite prison units to deal with a $5.5 million budget cut to the agency.

Iowa Corrections Director Jerry Bartruff said Wednesday that units at Harpers Ferry, Clarinda and Fort Madison, which currently hold nearly 400 prisoners, will be shut down. Bartruff says services also will be suspended at the Sheldon Residential Treatment Facility, which houses 26 offenders.

Iowa prison spokeswoman Lettie Prell says most offenders in the prison units will be transferred to other units and institutions, while others had already been granted release by the Parole Board.

She says other placements will be found for offenders at the Sheldon facility.

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. (AP) — The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team lost a game and then their bus while playing in New York.

New York State Police say the Saint Louis Billikens walked out of the arena in St. Bonaventure following their 70-55 Wednesday night loss to the Bonnies, and their bus was gone.

State police say the 56-year-old unidentified female bus driver had taken off.

While authorities searched for the bus, the players sat in the arena. The team posted pictures on Twitter and wrote, “Just chilling in the Reilly Center while we try to find our missing bus.”

State police say the bus was stopped in Randolph, New York, about 40 miles from the arena. They say the driver was arrested and is facing a charge of driving while intoxicated.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A convicted sex offender from Delaware who came to Missouri to have sex with a 16-year-old girl he met through Facebook has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors say 39-year-old Aaron Fletcher, of Seaford, Delaware, was sentenced Wednesday for enticing a minor to engage in sex.

Fletcher began communicating with the girl in February 2015 and they eventually exchanged nude photos. He eventually asked the girl to marry him and have his children. In March, he traveled to Richmond and took the girl to a motel room.

On Wednesday, he was also ordered to pay restitution for the girl’s medical treatment.

In 2000, Fletcher was convicted of raping a victim under the age of 16 and pleaded guilty to enticing a minor to engage in sex.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a Wichita police officer is in critical but stable condition the day after being run over by a fleeing suspect.

Deputy Chief Troy Livingston said Wednesday the officer is doing a lot better, adding he has “a lot of injuries to overcome.”

Livingston says “we were afraid we were going to lose him.” The officer underwent surgery Tuesday and remains hospitalized.

The injured officer, a 25-year veteran of the police force, was struck Tuesday while monitoring a house in south Wichita where a stolen vehicle and suspect were seen. The fleeing suspect was arrested after a short police chase.

Police spokeswoman Nikki Woodrow said in a tweet that a 31-year-old man with an extensive criminal background has been booked on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republicans in the Kansas Senate are defending their proposal to cut aid to public schools as part of a larger plan to balance the state budget through June 2019.

Senate President Susan Wagle of Wichita, Vice President Jeff Longbine of Emporia and Majority Leader Jim Denning of Overland Park said Tuesday that they’re trying to find a permanent solution to the state’s budget woes. Senate committees endorsed bills Tuesday that would increase personal income taxes to raise $660 million over two years, and cut aid to public schools $128 million by July.

The education cuts help head off a shortfall in the current budget while lawmakers consider tax increases to plug future budget gaps.

Wagle said, “We’re under water, and I can’t backdate a tax plan.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House bill could allow voters in Sedgwick County to vote one more time on whether to allow slot machines at the closed Wichita Greyhound Park.

The Wichita Eagle reports the bill is another effort to reopen the racetrack that owner Phil Ruffin shut down after voters narrowly rejected slot machines in the county in 2007.

According to the bill, residents can only put the issue on the ballot if they gather at least 5,000 signatures.

Supporters say racing would benefit the area economically. Republican Rep. Larry Hibbard says the bill’s goal is to reopen multiple closed horse and dog tracks in the state to create more jobs.

Opponents say the vote would breach the Kansas Lottery’s contract with Kansas Star Casino, which pays a fee to be the only gaming facility in south-central Kansas.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Corporation Commission is expected to decide by April 24 whether it will approve Great Plains Energy’s acquisition of Westar Energy.

The commission heard six days of testimony on the proposed $12.2 billion acquisition before ending the hearings Tuesday.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports attorneys will present written briefs to the commission before commissioners make their decision.

Stockholders for both Missouri-based Great Plains and Topeka-based Westar overwhelmingly approved the deal in September, saying it would lead to lower electric rates.

But the commission’s staff, consumer advocates and others opposed the deal, contending it would cause closed plants and job losses.

If approved, the new company would serve 1.5 million customers from central Kansas to central Missouri. Great Plains is the parent company of Kansas City Power & Light Co.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two bills introduced in the Kansas Senate are aimed at reducing distracted driving caused by using cellphones while driving.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says about 92 people died each year from distracted driving between 2009 and 2014.

One bill would prohibit drivers from holding a phone or other wireless device up to their ear. KDOT supports that bill.

A second bill would outlaw using a wireless device in a school zone or construction zone. It makes an exception for using hands-free devices.

Supporters say both bills would reduce distracted driving.

Kansas already prohibits texting or sending e-mails while driving.