Kansas
Kansas lawmaker says disabled ‘can’t do anything’ in House committee discussion
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A Kansas lawmaker’s feedback about folks with disabilities have drawn the ire of state advocates.
“Up to now I’ve warned previous conferees about dragging the work shelters by way of the mud however they got here up right here and did anyway,” Rep. Tarwater mentioned throughout a listening to for the Home Commerce, Labor & Financial Growth Committee. “These shelters do carry out a great perform for these disabilitied people. They’re individuals who actually can’t do something. And in the event you eliminate applications like that, they may rot at dwelling. There isn’t any place for them to go. They’re taken care of. They’re fed. They’ve a spot to go and be functionable they usually’re completely happy. However after we come up right here and we begin dragging them by way of the mud, I don’t help this modification as a result of I believe we have to help these corporations.”
The committee’s dialogue turned to Home Invoice 2275, laws that may increase eligibility for the state’s incapacity tax credit score. Rep. Tarwater opposed an modification that may disqualify work shelters that pay disabled employees lower than minimal wage. You may see the complete listening to right here.
The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities have condemned the remarks, calling them unacceptable from a state chief overseeing business and financial improvement. KCDD states folks with disabilities have the suitable to earn correct pay for actual work, and factors to the group as the largest untapped workforce in Kansas.
“Tarwater’s feedback are unacceptable, derogatory and utterly inappropriate,” Sara Hart Weir mentioned. “Particularly from his viewpoint as chairperson of the Kansas Home Committee overseeing commerce, labor and financial improvement points. Individuals with disabilities are the most important inhabitants of people with untapped expertise in Kansas and throughout the nation. We must be working along with our lawmakers to advance federal and state options that remedy the unemployment disaster within the incapacity neighborhood and permit people with disabilities to dwell lives of ardour and alternative – not considered one of poverty, discrimination and segregation. KCDD maintains a zero tolerance coverage for such a mockery and offense by anybody.”
The Disabled Rights Heart of Kansas emphasised that disabled employees can thrive outdoors of their houses, whereas Chairman Rocky Nichols referred to as for Rep. Tarwater to situation an apology, appropriate what he calls misstatements, and again the modification at situation.
“Kansans with disabilities have been additionally notably troubled by Chairman Tarwater’s feedback that with out sheltered workshops they ‘will rot at dwelling’ and ‘there isn’t any place for them to go.’ That’s additionally merely not true. The reality is Kansans with disabilities go everywhere in the state, and they’re extra unbiased right this moment than they’ve been at any level up to now. Individuals with disabilities who aren’t in a sheltered workshop don’t “rot at dwelling.” In truth, they thrive. They’re out and about in the neighborhood. In truth, folks with disabilities who work outdoors of sheltered workshops receives a commission not less than minimal wage and sometimes much more. Due to this fact, those that work outdoors of the sheltered workshop have considerably extra disposable cash to go wherever they need. They aren’t “rotting.” The other is true – they’re succeeding and residing the American Dream.”
You may learn the complete assertion from the DRC right here.
Copyright 2023 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NFL playoff game?
Ravens, Bills put on A+ performance, Commanders stun Bucs
USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon breaks down all the games from Wild Card Weekend.
Sports Seriously
The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs play on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium in a game on the NFL playoff schedule for the divisional round.
Which team will win the second-round NFL postseason game?
Check out these NFL playoff picks and NFL playoffs prediction for the game, which can be seen at 2:30 p.m. MST on ABC and ESPN (stream with FUBO).
The Chiefs are an 8-point favorite over the Texans in NFL playoff odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Kansas City is -400 on the moneyline, while Houston is +310.
The over/under (point total) is set at 42 points.
Watch Texans at Chiefs live on FUBO (free trial)
Jeremy Cluff writes: “We did not see the Texans beating the Chargers in our predictions last week. We were wrong. Were we ever. Houston dominated Los Angeles, 32-12 in the wild-card round. With that being said, we don’t see the Texans beating the Chiefs this week, either. Will we be wrong again? Kansas City is a big favorite after having the bye week to rest and prepare for Houston. The Chiefs beat the Texans in Kansas City in Week 16, 27-19. We expect a similar result in the divisional round. Patrick Mahomes won’t struggle against the Texans’ defense like Justin Herbert did.”
When do NFL playoff teams play next? Houston Texans | Kansas City Chiefs | Washington Commanders | Detroit Lions | Philadelphia Eagles | Baltimore Ravens | Buffalo Bills
Bookies.com: Bet the Texans with the points vs Chiefs
Bill Speros writes: “The Chiefs went 15-2 without scoring more than 31 points in a game this season. The Chiefs and Texans met less than a month ago in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 27-19 on their way to icing the No. 1 seed in the AFC and what was in all reality a two-week bye. Patrick Mahomes threw for 260 yards, a TD, and ran for another in KC’s win over Houston. He scored on a 15-yard scamper that ended KC’s opening drive. Andy Reid called that win his team’s “most comprehensive win” of the season. They’ll have to repeat it this weekend. The Texans were at 100% in their upset over the hapless Chargers in the Wild Card round. C.J. Stroud was able to balance things with both RB Joe Mixon and WR Nico Collins. The Texans need an early lead and a mistake-free effort to overcome the Chiefs’ magic on the field, and the power of Taylor Swift and the NFL off it. Both teams underperformed on the line. But the Chiefs crushed bettors all year. They went 8-9 ATS and 3-7 ATS in their final 10 games that mattered. The ‘Travis Kelce anytime TD’ was the most-bet player prop throughout the regular season, but he only scored 3 times. Houston gets the cover here, especially with the hook. The Texans moneyline here at +360 would be worth a small play, as well.”
NFL playoff odds: Texans vs Chiefs | Commanders vs Lions | Ravens vs Bills | Divisional-round point spreads, moneylines
The site’s formula predicts that the Chiefs will win the NFL playoff game against the Texans.
ESPN: Chiefs have a 62.4% chance to beat Texans on Saturday
The site gives the Texans a 37.6% shot at winning the NFL playoff game.
Tyler Dragon writes: “The Chiefs defeated Houston 27-19 in Week 16. Kansas City looks primed to be the first team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions. Kansas City is well rested and Andy Reid is historically good after a bye week. Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s return to Kansas City’s offense gives the team more firepower. Chris Jones has a significant advantage over Houston’s leaky offensive line. Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs to six straight AFC championship games. Mahomes and company are headed to another AFC title contest.”
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
Kansas
Kansas City area businesses speak out, following weekend string of break-ins
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Four Kansas City-area businesses spent their weekend cleaning shards of glass, and boarded-up windows and doors following a string of break-ins.
“It’s not just isolated to us,” said Christopher Ciesiel, Co-Owner of Sagebrush Cocktail Bar and The Campground.
Businesses affected by weekend break-ins:
- Sagebrush Cocktail Bar
- Seven Swans Creperie
- La Bodega
- Garden House Cafe
A trend that’s become common in the Kansas City area had Ciesel notice movement on his security cameras outside his KCK Rosedale neighborhood cocktail bar. He told KSHB 41 a group of individuals were seen brandishing a firearm and shattering the glass door in his business. The group stole an empty cash register. Following the hit at his business, he called neighboring business owner, Garden House Cafe, Jordan Fox. A similar event was taking place at his business.
“Our cash register was taken, all of our cash. That was it, thankfully,” said Fox. “It’s disheartening.”
Fox has called the Rosedale neighborhood home for eight years and has worked at his corner location for four. Operating as Garden House Cafe for the past two years, he values the patronage of his neighbors and the sense of life his business can bring to the community.
“It’s a very intimate space for ourselves, community, and neighbors,” he said. “Our neighbors walk up almost every morning for a cup. We know them by name. It the kind of story of corner shops across the nation.”
Fox told KSHB 41 three individuals brandishing a firearm, seen on his security footage, broke into his corner cafe, shattering the front door and stealing a register with cash.
“No one was hurt in the process. Everything else was in tact. We have vendors in our space that we really care about, all of their products were in tact so that was really great,” Fox added.
Kansas City experienced a spat of business break-ins and since late October, saw it taper off. This round, it has Ciesiel and his neighbor questioning the system as break-ins become the norm.
“If they [Police] happen to catch someone like this, they’ll just be back on the street in a day or two,” Ciesiel stated. “It’s not ‘if’ anymore, it’s ‘when is it going to happen’ or ‘when is it going to happen again.’”
In late August 2024, a string of car thefts also rang throughout Kansas City. A suspected car theft led to the murder of beloved Chef Shaun Brady when he confronted a group of suspects attempting to steal a vehicle. Brady was gunned down after he took out the trash and was left for dead in the parking lot. The Brady & Fox restaurant, the location of the Shaun’s death would not reopen, family stated the restaurant was too connected to Brady’s culinary impact on Kansas City.
“It hurts and it kind of makes it hard to keep going and stay positive,” Ciesiel added. “If things keep going how they are, I don’t see a lot of these impacted businesses staying open…I just hope it doesn’t keep going to the point, where small business owners must start defending themselves and their properties. That would be a scary time.”
On Sunday, Garden House Cafe opened it doors to an influx of customer’s showing their support. Many wrote messages of support on plywood boards gracing damage on the windows.
“It’s been a lot to process,” Fox explained. “I know many of these people by name and it means the world. It means, we do have support.”
Support for the corner coffee shop owner keeps him going for now. Fox offers a message for governmental leaders to ensure the prosperity of small businesses moving forward.
“This is our livelihood, so our head is down and we’ll keep going. I am asking that something happen in our government to care for our small businesses. It has to happen,” said Fox.
KSHB 41 reached out to KCPD and KCKPD, asking if the recent string of break-ins are in connection to each other. KCKPD had not responded to KSHB 41’s inquiry at the time this article was published. KSHB 41 asked Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department if this batch break-ins has any connection to the ones in 2024.
A KCPD spokesperson told KSHB 41, if the crimes have any connection it will be investigated. Any connection to neighboring jurisdictions or ongoing patterns would be what detectives would look into.
“There hasn’t been much of a response that I can see,” Fox added. “The response is, we’re just out here on our own.”
Kansas
Prefiled bill would release millions in school bond funds from Kansas attorney general’s grasp • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Two Kansas legislators prefiled a bill that would deliver millions in voter-approved school bonds that were blocked earlier this year because of a strict ruling from the Kansas attorney general.
Voters in the Greeley County school district approved in May a $4.6 million school bond that was to be used for upgrades and renovations, but because the county — the smallest in Kansas with a population of just less than 1,200 — doesn’t have an elections website, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office refused to release the funds.
The Attorney General’s Office, which is responsible for validating every bond election in the state, decided the bond election didn’t meet legal standards. County officials didn’t adhere to a recent law requiring them to publish notice of a bond election three weeks in advance on a county elections website, in addition to a traditional newspaper notice, the office said.
A nonprofit, Greeley County Community Development, operates a website containing general government-related updates and news for the county, but it isn’t government-run. The school district’s website contained answers to frequently asked questions and in-depth information about the bond didn’t fit the bill either.
The bill prefiled Wednesday, ahead of the Legislature’s Jan. 13 start, would uphold the results of the May election and give the school district carte blanche to proceed with the improvements outlined in the bond measure.
“We should’ve already had bids and been building important facilities in Greeley County, so times a-wastin’,” said Sen.-elect William Clifford, a Garden City Republican.
Clifford and Sen.-elect Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, are co-sponsoring the bill. Clifford’s district-to-be encompasses Greeley County, and Blew’s district borders it. Both were members of the House before winning Senate seats in November.
Clifford said he respects the attorney general’s decision. But he is motivated to ensure the will of the people is fulfilled.
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