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ACLU to amend gay-marriage lawsuit against Kansas

ACLU logoWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The lawyer who sued to overturn Kansas’ ban on same-sex marriages says he will amend the lawsuit to try and force state agencies to provide benefits to married same-sex couples.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that the state can’t enforce its ban on same-sex marriages. But Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration said this week it will not make any policy changes to recognize the marriages while it defends the ban against the federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Some counties are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples but others are not.

The Wichita Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/1yxWj4f ) Doug Bonney, who represented the couples suing the state, said Thursday the lawsuit will be amended to force state agencies to grant full legal rights to the newly married couples.

Kozy Shack recalls some puddings over labeling

RecallARDEN HILLS, Minn. (AP) — Pudding maker Kozy Shack Enterprises is recalling some of its puddings because they are not labeled as containing milk.

The voluntary recall involves 4-ounce cups of Foodservice Kozy Shack Simply Well Chocolate Pudding.

The recalled pudding was distributed through foodservice distribution channels and not sold in retail stores.

The product was distributed to 20 states — Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Minnesota-based cooperative Land O’Lakes owns Kozy Shack Enterprises.

Police: Explosive found in car trunk during domestic dispute

police lightsCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Columbia police say a 50-year-old man is being held in a secure facility after an explosive device was found in a car trunk during a domestic dispute.

Police spokeswoman Bryana Maupin said Thursday the man hasn’t been arrested as the investigation continues.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports police were called to the Columbia Orthopaedic Group on Tuesday to investigate a dispute between a husband and wife. The couple had left by the time officers arrived but when the woman returned, officers found the explosive device in the trunk. It was later detonated by a bomb squad.

Police did not indicate if the woman was injured while with the suspect, or what type of explosive was found.

Good 2014 State Fair attendance, fewer in the grandstand

Kansas-State-Fair-002HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — While more people attended the 2014 Kansas State Fair than in previous years, officials say fewer people are buying tickets to watch events in the 90-year-old grandstand.

According to numbers released at the fair’s board meeting Thursday, The Hutchinson News  reports grandstand attendance reached a low of about 23,200.

Fewer people have bought tickets for concerts and activities at the grandstand since 1993, when more than 57,000 took to the seats. Last year, about 30,500 people attended grandstand events. The previous low was in 2001 with about 23,400 people.

However, the Kansas State Fair this year saw its best attendance in 16 years, with more than 355,000 fairgoers.

Graves: Amnesty rewards those who cheated the system

Graves
Graves

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Sam Graves, House Small Business Committee Chairman, made the following statement after President Obama unilaterally issued an executive order to effectively grant amnesty to an estimated four million illegal immigrants.

“The actions outlined by the President tonight are another display of his blatant disregard for our constitutional system, the American people, and all those who went through the extensive process of becoming citizens the correct way,” said Graves. “Amnesty rewards those who have cheated the system and punishes those who played by the rules and went through the legal immigration process. I strongly oppose this amnesty order and the President’s attempt to not only bypass the legislative process, but the American people,” he continued.

“We are a nation of laws and no one is above the rule of law – not this President or any President,”

Royals acquire outfielder in a trade with Padres

RoyalsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Royals have acquired outfielder Reymond Fuentes from
the San Diego Padres for left-hander Kyle Bartsch.

The trade was announced Thursday.

The 23-year-old Fuentes hit a combined .294 with five home runs, 33 RBIs and 25 steals in Triple-A and Double-A last season. He made his major league debut in 2013, hitting .152 in 23 games with the Padres.

The 23-year-old Bartsch went 5-5 with seven saves and a 2.29 ERA in 41 relief appearance at the advanced Class A level.

Man pleads not guilty in Leavenworth girl’s death during chase

McGowan
McGowan

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas man has pleaded not guilty to six charges, including felony murder, in the death of a 5-year-old girl during a police chase.

Thirty-year-old Marcas McGowan of Atchison entered the plea Thursday after waiving his preliminary hearing in Leavenworth County District Court.

However, County Attorney Todd Thompson said the case could be moved to federal court, which would make the state case moot.

Authorities allege McGowan abducted Cadence Harris in July from a home they shared with the girl’s mother in Atchison. Cadence died from a gunshot in McGowan’s car during a police chase. McGowan was shot after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers.

The Leavenworth Times reports  Thompson said a federal indictment could be handed down against McGowan within a month.

Michael Brown, Sr., asks for peace prior to Ferguson grand jury decision (VIDEO)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The father of Michael Brown is making a plea for peace, regardless of whether the grand jury decides to charge the Ferguson police officer who fatally shot his unarmed son.

Michael Brown Sr. has posted a video online saying that he, his family and the St. Louis region are still hurting. But, Brown says, “hurting others or destroying property is not the answer.”

Michael Brown was 18 when he was killed by Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson following an altercation on Aug. 9.

The grand jury decision is expected soon.

The video was a public service announcement produced by the group STL Forward, a website trying to unite the St. Louis region following the unrest that followed the shooting

Toyota recalls nearly 423K Lexuses for fuel leaks

RecallDETROIT (AP) — Toyota is recalling nearly 423,000 Lexus luxury brand cars in the U.S. to fix fuel leaks that can cause fires.

The recalls affect the 2006 to 2011 GS, 2007 to 2010 LS and the 2006 to 2011 IS models.

Toyota says the cars’ fuel lines have nickel phosphate plating to protect against corrosion. Some lines could have been built with particles coming in contact with a gasket. That can cause the sealing property to deteriorate and cause fuel leaks.

Toyota says it’s not aware of any fires or injuries caused by the problem. The company found it after getting complaints of fuel odors.

Dealers will repair the gasket seating surface at no cost to owners.

Some of the Lexuses were recalled in 2009 to fix leaks in aluminum fuel pipes.

Cold weather blamed for deaths of two homeless Mo. men

Cold Temperatures thermometerSEDALIA (AP) – A Missouri coroner says two homeless men found dead in Sedalia in the last week died from exposure to below-freezing temperatures.

Sedalia police say 50-year-old Steven Ray Myers was found dead Tuesday in a wooded area where he had been living. A second man, 58-year-old Joseph Harwell Jr., was found dead Nov. 13 in an abandoned home. Both men were found dead by friends who checked on them.

The Sedalia Democrat reports Pettis County Coroner Skip Smith ruled both deaths were caused by hypothermia.

Temperatures in the city have hovered in the mid- to high 20s for the last week.

Sedalia Police Chief John DeGonia urged residents to contact police if they know of homeless people who might need help during dangerous weather.

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