Kansas
Kansas governor signs legislature, board of education redistricting
Gov. Laura Kelly signed Friday new district traces for the Kansas Senate, Kansas Home and Kansas State Board of Training, although courtroom evaluation continues to be required.
There’s potential for a authorized problem to the board of schooling maps, officers mentioned earlier this week, with the brand new traces drawing outrage from members of the panel after they have been authorised final month.
The transfer comes as a set of GOP-authored Congressional maps are being challenged in state courtroom.
Extra:Attorneys lay out core arguments on Kansas redistricting as landmark trial nears its finish
Kansas legal professional normal to hunt approval for maps
The state Senate and Home maps have been mildly contested within the Legislature, significantly within the Senate the place the map will create a fourth, Democrat-leaning district in Topeka and Lawrence.
The traces might want to endure evaluation by the Kansas Supreme Courtroom and Lawyer Basic Derek Schmidt mentioned in an announcement he would “promptly” search their approval.
“The brand new legislative district boundaries seem to fulfill all authorized necessities beforehand established by state constitutional, statutory or frequent legislation,” Schmidt mentioned in an announcement.
State Board of Training Chair Jim Porter, board member Janet Waugh and schooling commissioner Randy Watson had met with Kelly earlier this week to lift considerations over a number of education-related payments that Kelly is both contemplating, together with the state board’s redistricting map.
After the assembly Porter mentioned it appears doubtless that Kelly is not going to veto the redistricted state schooling board map, because it’s tied to different redistricting maps.
However he mentioned he understands an out of doors group is ready to legally problem the maps within the Kansas Supreme Courtroom earlier than they grow to be legislation.
“In her message (if she passes the maps), we requested if she would point out that she disapproves of our map, and that will give us some standing,” Porter mentioned.
Extra:Some lawmakers concern new Kansas Board of Training redistricting map might result in conservative swing
Senate president desires conservative candidates for KSBOE
Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, mentioned the brand new board of schooling traces have been partially designed to interrupt up an entity he known as “monolithic,” saying it was his hope the brand new traces would possibly encourage a extra conservative slate of candidates to run for workplace.
“There’s some cause we’d like some some shake up and a few change on that board,” Masterson advised reporters final month.
However the brand new traces drew criticism from board members, together with cries of gerrymandering. The maps draw 4 incumbent members collectively and cut up the Kansas Metropolis space, with Wyandotte County divided into three districts.
A kind of districts additionally contains one Topeka-area district, Shawnee Heights USD 450, whereas the opposite Topeka colleges are consolidated right into a separate board of schooling district.
Andrew Bahl is a senior statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He may be reached at abahl@gannett.com or by cellphone at 443-979-6100.
Kansas
Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas
Dense fog reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in parts of central, south central, and southeast Kansas on Saturday morning, December 28, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Footage taken in Wichita by NWS meteorologist Kevin Darmofal shows his view of “another foggy start” to the day.
A dense fog advisory would remain in effect until 10 am CST, the NWS said.
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the weather service warned. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.” Credit: Kevin Darmofal/NWS Wichita via Storyful
Kansas
5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl
The Chiefs look poised to make another deep playoff run en route to a potential third consecutive Super Bowl victory, having secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the ability to rest starters in Week 18 on top of the first-round postseason bye.
Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones will obviously be the driving forces behind any major success over the next month, but there are a number of other players who will step up in a big way to help this organization reach immortality.
We all know the leaders, but who are some of the underrated Chiefs who are poised to guide Kansas City to another Lombardi?
It’s hard to call a three-time All-Pro an under-the-radar player, yet fans and national media alike still might not be aware of how special Joe Thuney has been. After another ho-hum season of perhaps the best guard play in the NFL, Thuney flipped over to left tackle, a position he does not play, and has been excellent.
The 32-year-old only has one year left in his contract. However, no offensive lineman has been more important to the Chiefs. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are elite players, though Thuney moving over to left tackle helped resurrect Kansas City’s offense and save the season.
D.J. Humphries’ acquisition has proved to be a failure. He can’t get on the field and at this point, it’s far too risky to let him protect Mahomes. Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia clearly can’t handle the role, so it feels likely that Thuney will remain the Chiefs’ left tackle throughout the playoff run.
Ranking as the fourth-best offensive guard out of 129 players at Pro Football Focus, Thuney has been marvelous.
Considering next year is the last on his contract, there’s a strong argument to be made that Brett Veach needs to do everything in his power to extend the veteran. If Thuney keeps this level of play up, he’ll be remembered as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history.
Kansas
2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two men who led police on a high-speed chase through Kansas City in a stolen vehicle have been charged in connection to another stolen vehicle.
Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that Trevon Perkins, 27, and Demont M. Vandunk, have been charged in connection to the armed robbery of a Corvette from a Kansas City detailer and a high-speed chase that followed.
A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, emergency crews were called to a local parking lot with reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, they found a local detailer who reported he had been working on a Corvette when it was stolen.
The victim told law enforcement officials that two men, later identified as Perkins and Vandunk, drove up in a black 2018 Camaro before they threatened to shoot him as they took his wallet, keys and belongings.
Investigators noted that Vandunk left the scene in the blue 2023 Corvette while Perkins returned to the Camaro and sped off. Later that night, the Camaro was spotted near E. 67th and Monroe Ave. However, when law enforcement officials attempted to pull the driver – Vandunk – over, he attempted to speed off and started a chase.
Law enforcement officials said they followed Vandunk and Perkins, who was in the passenger seat, down Meyer to Swope Pkwy. and onto Cleveland Ave. as they reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Vandunk lost control of the Camaro before it crashed into another vehicle near 40th and Cleveland.
KCPD said Vandunk and Perkins attempted to run but were quickly taken into custody. During the investigation, it was found that the Camaro had also been stolen out of Kansas City, Kansas. All of the property stolen in the earlier robbery was found and seized.
Vandunk was charged with accessory to robbery, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop. Perkins was charged with accessory to robbery and armed criminal action as a result. If convicted both could face up to life in prison.
As of Friday, Dec. 27, Perkins remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Vandunk remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond as well. A bond review hearing for him has been set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday with a preliminary hearing also at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
-
Technology1 week ago
Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News1 week ago
Novo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics1 week ago
Illegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment1 week ago
'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Lifestyle1 week ago
Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!
-
Technology4 days ago
There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
News5 days ago
France’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister
-
Business3 days ago
On a quest for global domination, Chinese EV makers are upending Thailand's auto industry