TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas lawmakers are questioning the impact of recent welfare policies after new data showed a growing number of people ineligible for cash assistance.

The Legislative Budget Committee was briefed Wednesday on the new consensus revenue estimates, as well as new estimates about the cost of social services like Medicaid, foster care and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The numbers from the Department for Children and Families estimate that nearly 44,000 people have become ineligible for TANF under those policies.

Several committee members say thousands have been coming off TANF each year since 2013 while the number of foster care children has been climbing.

Some lawmakers think the two trends are linked. A Republican lawmaker believes critics are jumping to conclusions.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – The University of Missouri is planning to expand its ROTC scholarship program, with a goal of doubling the number of students on campus who are using the scholarships.

Missouri officials said Thursday that beginning next fall, the scholarship will cover room and board for the freshman year for incoming ROTC students who won national scholarships from the military branches.

National ROTC scholarships currently cover tuition and required fees, as well as providing a book allowance and monthly stipend up to $5,000 a year.

Based on current enrollment, the university expects more than 45 students from Missouri to qualify for the scholarships every year.

There are 280 ROTC students on campus in Army, Navy and Air Force programs, with 148 on ROTC scholarships.

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. (AP) – A southwest Missouri man will serve life in prison plus 55 years for shooting his wife to death four years ago.

Fifty-eight-year-old David Holman was sentenced Tuesday for the December 2013 death of 55-year-old Randonna Holman at their farmhouse near LaRussell.

Holman was found guilty this summer of premeditated murder. He had claimed his wife shot him first and he fired back instinctively in self-defense. Prosecutors argued Holman shot himself in the arm to try and avoid a murder charge.

The Joplin Globe reported the couple was drunk at the time of the shooting. Evidence indicated Radonna Holman’s was ready to leave her husband but she may have been asleep when she was shot. Testimony also indicted David Holman had threated to kill his wife in the past.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a business meeting where S. 2099, the Federal Land Management Act of 2017, was favorably reported out of the Committee by unanimous voice vote, according to a media release from chairman Pat Roberts.

“We are pleased the Senate Agriculture Committee continues the tradition of bipartisanship and regular order to conduct the Committee’s business,” said Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. “This package of legislation is widely supported by local stakeholders and will help preserve and promote the growth of our national forests across the country.”

Nominees Glen Smith (Farm Credit) and Stephen Vaden (USDA) take the oath at today’s Senate Ag hearing. pic.twitter.com/yDpSa6jrra

— Sen. Ag Republicans (@SenateAgGOP) November 9, 2017

Click here to read the Federal Land Management Act of 2017, which includes the following bills

• Removing Outdated Restrictions to Allow for Job Growth Act
• Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Land Adjustment Act
• Tennessee Wilderness Act
• Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2017
• Kisatchie National Forest Land Conveyance Act
• NRCS site in Riverside, CA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Police in Kansas City are searching for a man suspected of using a cane with a knife at the end to fatally stab one person and injure another.

Police spokesman Darrin Snapp says the attack happened Wednesday after the suspect and one of the victims argued inside a gas station in the city’s West Bottoms area. The Kansas City Star reports that the second victim was stabbed after coming to the aide of the first victim. The surviving victim was in critical condition.

Snapp says the suspect is in his 50s. He was last seen leaving area on foot.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that was intentionally set.

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, fire crews responded to a fire at a home at 902 NE Winfield Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.

Fire crews found the single-story wood framed residential structure with heavy smoke and flames. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack and protected the surrounding structures, keeping it confined to the structure of fire origin. Firefighters performed a search of the structure and found no occupants.
A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to the scene and determined the fire was intentionally set. The fire caused $16,000 structural loss and $20,000 contents loss.

WILLARD, Mo. (AP) – A former janitor for a southwest Missouri school has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child in 2012.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that 51-year-old Karl David Lawrence was convicted of two counts of statutory sodomy last week.

Prosecutors allege that Lawrence has abused multiple children over the years. Court records show that three girls accused Lawrence of sexually abusing them.

Lawrence was a janitor at Willard Public Schools from 2006 to 2014. A district spokeswoman alleges none of the abuse is connected with the schools.

Lawrence’s defense attorney asked that Lawrence receive the minimum sentence of five years in prison.

The jury recommended Lawrence receive a sentence of 15 years on both counts.