TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss has told legislators that judicial branch employees are so underpaid that the problem threatens the state’s ability to provide justice.
Nuss made an aggressive pitch for greater funding for the court system during his annual State of the Judiciary address Wednesday to a joint session of the Legislature.
The chief justice’s speech came a week after Republican Gov. Sam Brownback released budget proposals that did not include nearly $20 million in additional funds sought by the courts for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Nuss said the pay for all job classifications within the court system are below market rates and some by as much as 21 percent.
He said low pay has given Kansas courts an unusually high turnover rate.
A Gallatin man was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39-year-old Kevin W. Caldwell was driving a 2003 Cadillac Deville east on MO 6 in Gallatin at 10:38 p.m. Tuesday. Caldwell’s vehicle traveled off the south side of the road, hit a guardrail and continued east. The vehicle became airborne, went down an embankment and hit the roadway of Route MM and began overturning, eventually coming to rest on its wheels.
Caldwell was transported to Liberty Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
According to the MSHP arrest report, Caldwell was arrested for investigative charges of careless and imprudent driving resulting in a crash, no seatbelt, DWI-prior and no insurance. He was released to Liberty Hospital. No official charges have been filed as of Wednesday afternoon, according to online court documents.
President Trump and Senator Dole at Wednesday’s ceremony
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole is getting Congress’ highest civilian honor on Wednesday.
The Kansas Republican, a decorated World War II veteran and his party’s 1996 presidential candidate, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. President Donald Trump will present the award.
Some of the award’s 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Also expected to attend are Dole’s wife, former North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole and his daughter, Robin.
Dole, 94, was known as one of his party’s best dealmakers, a distinction Trump has given himself, as well. But Trump and the Republican-led Congress are currently mired in a pitched budget battle that could end in a government shutdown at the end of the week if not resolved.
Dole supported Trump for president, and Trump signed the honor in September and is expected to speak at the event.
Trump’s campaign says the president has known Dole for years and especially admires Dole’s support for veterans. Dole was grievously wounded in World War II and has helped craft legislation such as the Americans With Disabilities Act.
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WASHINGTON – The Gold Medal Ceremony honoring former Kansas Senator Bob Dole is scheduled for 2p.m.CDT Wednesday in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
In September, President Trump signed the legislation introduced by Kansas Senator Pat Roberts. The President and Vice President are scheduled to attend Wednesday’s ceremony.
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of one of our nation’s highest honors than Bob Dole,” said Senator Roberts. “Bob is a true American hero who has dedicated his life to serving our nation and the great state of Kansas. The swift passage and overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress is a true testament to the gratitude of Senator Dole’s service. I am so proud that the House and Senate were able to come together to give Senator Dole the recognition he deserves. Thank you to Rep. Jenkins for her work in the House, and I look forward to him receiving this honor.”
“This is a much overdue honor that could not have been accomplished without the great work of Senator Roberts and our entire Kansas Congressional delegation,” said Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. “Senator Dole has spent his life serving the state of Kansas and our country – helping veterans and combatting child hunger and poverty. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of a Congressional Gold Medal than the Senator. I am pleased the President quickly approved this legislation, and I look forward to the presentation of this elite award in the near future.”
The Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act, was introduced on July 24, 2017. It passed the Senate on August 3, 2017, with every single U.S. Senator cosponsoring the legislation. It passed the House on September 5, 2017. Video of Sen. Roberts speaking on the bill following Senate passage is available here, and video of Rep. Jenkins speaking on the bill following House passage is available here.
The signature of the legislation confirms that Sen. Dole will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in “recognition for his service to the nation as a soldier, legislator and statesman.” It is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. It is the most distinguished honor and the highest civilian honor given by the Congress.
Every member of the Kansas delegation is an original cosponsor, including: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Reps. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) and Ron Estes (R-Kan.).
In addition to every senator cosponsoring the bill, a bipartisan group of Senator Dole’s former colleagues who remain in the Senate signed on to the legislation as original cosponsors. They include: Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (Wash.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.).
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – A southwest Missouri teacher has been charged with having sexual contact with a student.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that 30-year-old Elizabeth Ashley Morgan, of Lebanon, has been released on $5,000 bond after the charges were filed Friday. Morgan, who previously went by the last name King, pleaded not guilty.
The Lebanon Police Department began to investigate after someone alleged during a hotline call to the state’s Children’s Division that Morgan was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a male student. The arrest warrant said there was probable cause to charge Morgan with sexual contact with a male student in mid-November.
The Lebanon R-III School District said in a statement that the superintendent suspended an employee “based on allegations of misconduct.”
If convicted, Morgan faces up to four years in prison.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say a 6-year-old boy accidentally shot and wounded his 7-year-old sister while playing with a gun in southwest Missouri.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the girl was taken to a hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries after the shooting at a home near Springfield Wednesday morning. The girl is in stable condition.
The release says an adult guest at the home unknowingly dropped the gun.
Sheriff Jim Arnott urged adults to not leave weapons lying around when small children are present and to teach children proper safety with weapons. He described what happened as “unfortunate” and said officials are “thankful” that the girl survived.
Dwight Yoakam and guest Brandy Clark are scheduled to perform at the historic Missouri Theater in March.
According to a press release from the City of St. Joseph Parks, Recreation and Civic Facilities, Yoakam and Clark will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at the Missouri Theater in St. Joseph.
Dwight Yoakam is a singer-songwriter, musician and actor. Since the early 1980s, he has recorded over 20 albums and more than 30 of his singles have been on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Dwight’s latest album ‘Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…’ was released in 2016.
Brandy Clark is a country music singer-songwriter whose songs have been recorded by
Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes, The Band Perry and others. Clark’s singles include Girl Next Door, Stripes, Hungover, Three Kids No Husband, Hold My Hand and more.
Pre-sale tickets are available beginning Thursday, January 18, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. using the password GUITARS. Regular ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 19.
You can get tickets at the Civic Arena Box Office, by calling (816) 271-4717 or online by clicking here.
Today we will see the beginning of a warming trend that will persist into, and through, the weekend into next work week. Expect afternoon highs to tip-toe above freezing by Thursday, with 40s and 50s expected this weekend. However, towards the end of the weekend a storm system will move across the Plains, likely resulting in widespread rain across eastern Kansas and Missouri Sunday, with a fleeting chance of light snow Sunday night as the weather system exits to the east. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 26. Wind chill values between -6 and 4. Light south southwest wind becoming southwest 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 14. South southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 38. South southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers between midnight and 1 a.m., then a chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
DADE COUNTY — A Missouri man died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday in Dade County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy pickup driven by Bob L. Bishop, 86, Greenfield, was northbound on Dade County Road 177 six miles north of Everton.
The vehicle approached railroad tracks, slid on the snow-covered road, did not stop and crossed the tracks into the path of a Burlington Northern train.
Bishop was airlifted to Mercy Hospital where he died. Nobody on the train was injured. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.
First responders on the scene of Tuesday’s accident- image courtesy KWCH
SUMNER COUNTY — Three people including a Kansas sheriff’s deputy were injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday in Sumner County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Explorer driven by Sumner County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven T. Williams, 49, Wellington, was southbound on Kansas 15 two miles southeast of Mulvane.
The driver began to slow and moved to the shoulder.
A southbound 2006 Chrysler Town and Country van driven by Stephen D. Mills, 64, Mulvane, switched lanes to pass to pass. The Ford attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by the van.
Williams was transported to Wesley Medical Center. Mills and a passenger Colleen B. Mills, 59, Mulvane, were transported to Via Christi St. Francis. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri lawmakers say Gov. Eric Greitens’ admission that he had an extramarital affair is distracting from legislative efforts to change tax laws in the state.
Republican Sen. Bill Eigel said Tuesday that it’s up to the Legislature to take the lead on taxes now.
Last week Greitens promised the “boldest state tax reform in America” during his State of the State address. But within hours of the speech ending, St. Louis television station KMOV reported the Republican governor had an affair in 2015 with his hairdresser.
Greitens has admitted to the affair. His attorney has denied the woman’s claim to her now ex-husband that Greitens took a nude photo of her and threatened to release it if she spoke about their relationship.
Eigel says the scandal distracts from Republicans’ economic agenda. But he and others say they’ll continue pushing for changes to tax policy.
