Kansas

Prefiled bill would release millions in school bond funds from Kansas attorney general’s grasp • Kansas Reflector

Published

1 year ago

January 12, 2025

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.

Source link

Kansas

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas wrestling coach was charged with creating child sexual abuse materials by secretly recording minors showering during an athletic competition.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Ryan Brungardt of Salina is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Brungardt is a former employee at Lakewood Middle School and former wrestling coach for Salina Central High School.

Brungardt is accused of using a cellphone to record three minors while they showered in a locker room during the Tournament of Champions, a wrestling tournament was held at Newton High in January 2024.

Brungardt made his initial court appearance for the criminal complaint on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks G. Severson.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday

Investigators are in the process of reviewing additional seized cellphone videos in this case that are suspected to have been recorded at wrestling meets in Newton, Hays, Garden City and Salina during the 2023-2024 wrestling season.

Anyone who believes they witnessed crimes or any suspicious activity at these events is asked to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 600-8790 or report at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

Source link