LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 1945 report proving that Japan had government-controlled brothels during World War II has been added to a University of Kansas library.

Longtime university history professor Grant Goodman was a 20-year-old second lieutenant in the Army’s Military Intelligence Service when he translated the report about the brothels — some featuring enslaved “comfort girls” from across Asia.

Ddecades later and before his 2014 death, Goodman shared the document with the world in an article. The attention is credited with contributing to Japan’s 1993 formal apology to former prostitutes now known as “comfort women.”

Just last month, Japan for the first time pledged government money — $8.3 million — to a foundation supporting the few remaining sex slaves from Korea, now in their 80s and 90s.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis police identified the 52-year-old man killed by an officer after a reported fast-food restaurant robbery.

Police on Monday said Crayton West was killed during what they said was a Sunday evening armed robbery at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.

The 42-year-old officer has not been identified.  West was shot after reportedly pointing a handgun at the officer.

A witness flagged down the officer at a nearby gas station.

West is listed on Missouri’s sex offender registry for a July 1980 robbery in which he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old male. West was also sentenced to 60 years in prison for a string of fast-food restaurant robberies in 1986.

West’s mother told the newspaper that he was released from prison in January 2014.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A 14-year-old girl has been fatally shot in a St. Louis home.

Police identified the victim as Jamayha Luss. She was found suffering from a gunshot to the back Sunday afternoon at a friend’s home. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

Two teenage boys had come to the friend’s house before the shooting. Authorities believe that one of the teen’s had a gun. The teenage boys left before police arrived.  Police say a boy turned himself Monday to answer questions about the shooting.

The shooting is under investigation.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — An association that operates a historic railroad in northeast Kansas has suffered tens of thousands of dollars in damages from vandals and other intruders over the past several years.

They were struck again last week.

The Midland Railroad Historical Association hauls around 25,000 passengers between Baldwin City and Ottawa each year. It also showcases multiple historic pieces of train equipment.

General Manager Allen Kinsley says that last week, a passenger car built in 1916 was vandalized yet again. The car was taken out of service years ago and sidelined until some wheel work could be done.

Since it’s been out of service, the car has been frequently visited by vandals and thieves looking for scrap copper.

He says damage estimates exceed the insurance policy maximum of $30,000.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have identified a man and a woman killed in a fiery crash in Kansas City, Kansas.

Police on Monday said the victims were 65-year-old Howard C. Levite and 47-year-old Erica L. Cortez, of Leavenworth.

They died early Friday when their speeding vehicle left the roadway, hit a tree stump and caught on fire.

The accident remains under investigation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Twelve Nebraska cities and one regional utility have decided not to sign new 20-year contracts to buy electricity from the Nebraska Public Power District.  The utilities that rejected NPPD’s proposed contract are taking advantage of the flexibility the power grid offers today to buy electricity from another provider.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports the towns that decided to change their electricity provider didn’t want to be locked into such long contracts.

But NPPD says 62 of its 75 wholesale electricity customers did sign new contracts, to it shows the utility still has broad support.

LESTERVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A woman found dead last week near the Black River in southeast Missouri had been missing since November.

The victim has been identified as 63-year-old Sharon Nelson, of Hillsboro. The Reynolds County Sheriff’s Department is investigating her death as a homicide.

Her body was found Wednesday morning about 100 years from the river near Lesterville in an area that had been flooded in recent weeks. Heavy rains over three days in late December led to significant flooding in Missouri, Illinois and southern states.

Sheriff Tom Volner says persons of interest have been identified. The cause of death wasn’t immediately released.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — After three failed attempts to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law, Nebraska lawmakers will unveil a new proposal this week that would offer private coverage to low-income residents.

The bill is modeled after the so-called private option adopted by Arkansas, which received a federal waiver to spend Medicaid dollars on private insurance.

 

The plan by Senator John McCollister of Omaha would cover an estimated 77,000 Nebraska residents whose incomes are too high to qualify for regular Medicaid but too low to receive tax subsidies available through the federal health insurance exchange.

It’s expected to face opposition from Governor Pete Ricketts and many lawmakers, who argue it’s not sustainable. Ricketts spoke against Medicaid expansion in his State of the State address last week, calling it too risky for taxpayers.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say a bicyclist has died after he was hit by a car in Springfield.

The Springfield Police Department said in a news release that the crash happened late Saturday night, and the bicyclist died Sunday.

The victim was identified as 27-year-old Darion L. Sands, of Springfield. The release says Sands was thrown from the bike, and the car that hit him ran off the roadway and rolled over.

The release says the driver suffered serious injuries. He wasn’t wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Valentine’s Day specials are being planned at two Nebraska state parks.  The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says dining specials will be offered at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland, February 12th through 14th, and at Platte River State Park, February 13th through 14th.

Mahoney has a lodging discount on February 11th and special Valentine’s packages for people who reserve cabins or lodge rooms.

Birds and Breakfast is the theme of the Valentine’s weekend at Ponca State Park. This package includes participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count, as well as breakfast, lodging discounts and other activities.

Go online at OutdoorNebraska.org and click on Calendar for more information or to make a reservation. Park entry permits are required for vehicles.