KS Pensions Latest
The Kansas Legislature has given final approval to a bill aimed at bolstering the long-term financial health of the state's pension system by using gambling dollars to pay for retirement benefits.
The House approved the measure Thursday on a 74-42 vote, hours after the Senate passed it, 35-2. The legislation is a compromise drafted by House and Senate negotiators to resolve dozens of differences between their chambers.
The bill will go to Gov. Sam Brownback, who told The Associated Press that he'll sign it.
The legislation would direct future revenues from state-owned casinos to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. It also creates a new retirement plan for teachers and government workers hired after 2014.
The measure passed over the objections of public employee groups.
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OK Income Tax Cut
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and the Republican-controlled Legislature have reached an agreement on a nearly one-half of 1 percent cut to the personal income tax rate.
House Speaker Kris Steele, Senate president Pro Tem Brian Bingman and Fallin announced details of the plan Thursday, flanked by dozens of legislators.
Reducing the state's income tax has been a top priority for Fallin, who says lower income taxes will make the state more attractive to businesses and industries.
Fallin initially wanted a deeper tax cut, but legislators resisted the elimination of tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks needed to pay for the plan.
Democrats have promised to oppose any cuts to the income tax, saying it will jeopardize funding for critical state services like education and public safety.
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Joplin Tornado Shown On National Geographic
A documentary about last May's tornado that swept Joplin and Duquesne will be shown Monday night on the National Geographic Channel. Greg Jacobs, the co-series producer for "Witness: Joplin Tornado," tells News Talk KZRG the show takes raw archive video of an event and weaves it into a story.
"Part of the idea is you take all of this archive that's really raw, from people as they're experiencing it. And because everybody's got a camera now, everybody's got a camera phone, people's instinct is to go out and start shooting when they see something of this magnitude happening."
"Witness: Joplin Tornado" will air Monday night at 9 on the National Geographic Channel.
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Joplin School Board Meeting
The Joplin School Board held a special meeting Thursday to get updates on pending litigation. One lawsuit involving the Joplin District involves Urban Metropolitan Development of Atlanta. You'll remember UMD was the contractor in charge of demolishing tornado-damaged schools. Last month, UMD quit and sued the School District, claiming they hadn't been paid for work they'd done. Superintendent Doctor CJ Huff gives News Talk KZRG an update.
"We've met with their attorneys, our attorneys have met. So we're still in the middle of litigation. Hopefully, we'll be able to come to an amicable solution. The bottom line is we've got a project that wasn't completed by Urban Metro and they need to be held accountable for that."
As far as hiring a new contractor, Huff says bids for that job will be accepted starting Monday.
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MO Senate Passes Rabies Bill
If your dog or cat isn't vaccinated against rabies, you'll need to take them to the vet. The Missouri Senate has given final approval to legislation requiring pet owners to have their dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies. The House passed the bill earlier this month, so it now goes to Governor Jay Nixon. The bill doesn't penalize people who don't have their pets vaccinated. But if that cat or dog bites someone, its owner would have to show proof the animal was vaccinated.
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Worker Killed At Joplin Work Site
A Missouri-American Water Company employee was killed yesterday in an accident at a worksite at 25th and Moffet in Joplin. Spokeswoman Christie Barnhart tells News Talk KZRG the company is saddened by the loss of 41-year-old Robert Clark.
"We're a very close-knit group down here. Robert was not only an amazing employee but an amazing friend, and he will be missed very much by all
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Tornado Claim Insurance Deadlines Approach For Many
If your home was damaged by last May's Joplin tornado and you haven't filed an insurance claim yet, you'd better do it soon. Travis Ford with the Missouri Department of Insurance tells News Talk KZRG why.
"In many cases, homeowners have 12 month deadlines to get paperwork in for their claims. If they miss that deadline, they may not get full reimbursement."
If
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JACS Prepping Tornado Memorial Concert
The Joplin Area Catholic Schools are holding a memorial concert this Saturday to remember last year's deadly EF-5 tornado. Renee Motazedi of the JACS tells News Talk KZRG it'll feature some extraordinary musicians.
"We're featuring Catholic artists Steve Angrisano and Tony Melendez. Tony was born without arms, and he plays the guitar with his feet. Steve was a youth
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Update on FEMA Housing in Joplin
It's almost been a full year since an EF-5 tornado blew through Joplin and Duquesne, destroying over 7,000 homes and killing 161. Barb Sturner of FEMA tells News Talk KZRG there's still work to be done, but things are looking up.
"We still have residents living in the temporary sites on the north end of town. Close to 300 still living in those sites."
She adds that
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KS Tax Cuts
Kansas House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a new tax-cut plan that backs off aggressive reductions approved by lawmakers last week.
But the lead Senate negotiator, Wichita Republican Les Donovan, says he's not sure the new proposal can pass his chamber.
The plan drafted Wednesday keeps the main features of the earlier version, by lowering individual income tax rates and eliminating income taxes for 191,000 businesses.
But those changes would be phased in over six years, to reduce the effect on state revenue and prevent an expected shortfall by mid-2018.
Legislative researchers have said implementing the changes all at once would create a shortfall of nearly $2.5 billion by July 2018.
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ASPCA Spay-Neuter Clinic In Joplin
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be holding a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Joplin. Tianna Fisher of the Joplin Humane Society has details.
"On June 1st, 2nd & 3rd, the ASPCA will be back in Joplin offering a low-cost spay-neuter clinic and a vaccination clinic, as well, to low-income residents of Joplin,"
You'll have to make a reservation for your dog or cat by calling 1-877-772-9692.
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PSU Asks For Tuition Hike
It might cost more to attend Pittsburg State University next fall. PSU is asking to raise in-state undergraduate tuition by 127 dollars, a rise of just over six percent. The Kansas Board of Regents will vote on the tuition plan at their June meeting.
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MO Senator Taken To Hospital
A Missouri state senator was being examined at a Jefferson City hospital after becoming light-headed during a debate on education issues.
Republican Sen. Jane Cunningham of Chesterfield was driven to St. Mary's Health Center by her chief of staff Wednesday afternoon. The aide says Cunningham was undergoing tests in the emergency room Wednesday evening.
Sen. Rob Schaaf, who is a familyphysician from St. Joseph, says Cunningham complained of being light-headed but did not appear to have more serious symptoms.
Cunningham appeared to be conscious as she left the Capitol in a wheelchair.
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2 Arrested In Webb City For Meth Lab
Two men are facing drug charges after a meth lab was found in a Webb City apartment Tuesday. Sharon Rhine of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office tells News Talk KZRG Deputies were tipped off to the lab at Kenneth Bell's apartment.
"Deputies found five baggies of methamphetamine in Bell's jeans pocket, which field tested positive. And a bag containing five small plastic bottles which contained a clear bi-layer liquid in each bottle, indicative of a shake and bake lab."
Deputies also found pseudoephedrine, several needles and syringes. Bell, 30, was arrested for creating and possessing a controlled substance. 41-year-old Warren White of Webb City was arrested for creating a controlled substance. White was at Bell's apartment at the time of the search.
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Contractor Accused Of Tornado Related Fraud
Missouri's attorney general has charged a Lebanon, Missouri-based company with defrauding Joplin homeowners after last May's tornado. Jeffrey Wolfson and Diane Schoeller own Insurexx, which offered home repair and insurance adjusting. Attorney General Chris Koster claims Insurexx took insurance checks from homeowners and didn't make any repairs, as well as falsely claiming they'd reimburse payments homeowners made to subcontractors.
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Going To Jail For Bouncing Checks & Tornado Fraud
A Springfield man who lied about being a Joplin tornado victim will spend nearly six years in federal prison for bouncing checks. 31-year-old Justin Compton admitted to bank fraud last December. He bounced more than $160,000 worth of checks in five southwest Missouri counties. Compton got businesses to accept his checks by claiming he was a US Army sergeant and a victim of last May'sJoplin tornado.
Compton was sentenced to 5 years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. This will be served consecutively to a two year sentence for violating terms of his supervised release for two prior fraud convictions. Compton will also have to pay $46,665 in restitution.
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KS Budget Talks Start Again
Negotiators from the Kansas House and Senate are back at work on a new state budget. Talks resumed today after the conferees made little progress Tuesday. They're trying to resolve differences between the two chambers on the $14 billion spending plan for the budget year that starts July 1st.
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Special Joplin School Board Meeting
There's going to be a special Joplin School Board meeting Thursday afternoon at 2pm. The Board will be discussing legal actions involving the District, so the meeting will be in closed session. News Talk KZRG will talk to Board members following the meeting and have full coverage for you afterwards.
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KS Redistricting Update
Secretary of State Kris Kobach is asking a federal court to settle political redistricting issues for the Kansas Legislature.
Kobach made his request Wednesday in response to a federal lawsuit filed earlier this month over redistricting. Kobach, the state's chief elections officer, is the defendant in the case, which was filed by a Republican precinct committee member in Olathe.
He's asking that a panel of three judges impose plans to adjust the state's political boundaries.
Kobach's filing came shortly before a news conference he scheduled to discuss redistricting and only hours before the Senate was debate a plan for redrawing the chamber's 40 districts.
An impasse among majority Republicans in the Senate has prevented any redistricting proposals from passing and threatens to delay the state's Aug. 7 primary election.
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8 Indicted For Joplin Tornado Related Fraud
Eight people have been indicted for fraudulently getting tornado disaster benefits from last May's Joplin tornado. Seven of those indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield are from Joplin, the other is a man from Lebanon, Missouri. They all falsely claimed their homes and property were damaged or destroyed by last May's EF-5 tornado.
Indicted are: Karen Marie Parks, 37, Joplin; Ronald Martell Irby, 29, Joplin; Amber Nicole Peters, 22, Joplin; Wanda Gail McBride, 51, Joplin; Scott Bradley Olsen, 57, Joplin; Pamala Ann Shafer, 37, Joplin; Valerie Ann Jay, 41, Borger, TX and formerly of Joplin; and Shane D. Ellis, 36, Lebanon, MO.
7 of the defendants are charged with one count of disaster fraud and one count of making false statements to FEMA. McBride is charged with one count of disaster fraud and two counts of making false statements.
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Public Invited To Immortalize Stories Of May 2011 Tornado
The Joplin tornado, in your words. That's what city officials are hoping to get added to a 100-foot scroll this Saturday (May 19, 2012) as part of a time capsule to be opened in 2061. Patrick Tuttle of the Joplin Convention and Visitors' Bureau explains.
"The infants and young children of today will be the adults 50 years from now. To be able to rekindle the stories of the
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Newton County To Disburse Road Funds Soon
Newton County's road districts should start seeing some money from the road sales tax voters approved last November soon. Presiding Commissioner Marilyn Ruestman tells News Talk KZRG how much has been raised by the new tax.
"The funding we think will be about $1.3-million, but it's hard to tell how that's going to come in yet. We'll probably disburse it by the
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Joplin Chamber: 80 Percent Of Businesses Have Returned Post-Tornado
The numbers associated with last May's EF-5 tornado in Joplin are staggering. Not just numbers of casualties or buildings destroyed, but businesses affected, too. Kirstie Smith with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce gives News Talk KZRG some numbers to crunch.
"We lost 553 businesses. Right now, out of those, 446 have either already reopened their doors or are in the process of
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School Bus Ad Bill Killed By Committee
Legislation allowing Missouri school districts to sell advertising space on buses has been stopped by a Senate committee.
The bill had previously passed the House, but it received no support in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The committee chairman, Sen. David Pearce, declared that the bill is dead for the session that ends Friday.
Pearce, a Republican from Warrensburg, said he
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New OK Income Tax Idea
Senate leaders are unveiling a revenue-neutral plan to slash the income tax by one-half of 1 percent over the next two years and pay for the cuts by eliminating and modifying numerous tax breaks and exemptions.
Flanked by the entire GOP caucus, Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman described the plan on Tuesday as ``very responsible.''
Bingman's key negotiator on tax changes, Sen. Mike Mazzei, criticized a separate proposal by the House as one that would leave a ``gaping hole'' in next year's budget.
The Senate plan would reduce the top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5 percent, beginning next year. It would further reduce the top rate to 4.75 percent in 2014.
The governor's Secretary of Finance, Preston Doerflinger, says tax cut negotiations are ongoing.
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MO Workers Injury Lawsuits
Missouri lawmakers have sent the governor legislation prohibiting workers from suing each other for accidental on-the-job injuries.
The bill would allow such lawsuits only in cases where one worker ``purposefully and dangerously'' injures another.
The House gave the measure final approval Tuesday on a 122-29 vote. The Senate passed it earlier in the day on a unanimous vote.
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a bill earlier this year that would have also precluded such co-employee lawsuits. But the governor has since said he agrees with lawmakers that such lawsuits shouldn't be allowed.
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KS Budget Talks Suspended
Legislative negotiators in Kansas have suspended talks on a new state budget with major issues still unresolved.
House and Senate negotiators have been working for weeks to reconcile differences between the chambers over the roughly $14 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts in July. But no talks were scheduled after meetings Tuesday, and it wasn't clear when the negotiatorswould convene again.
Issues still on the table are plans to provide cities and counties with funding for property tax relief, and how to finance an increase in state aid to public schools.
Budget negotiations often bog down during the Legislature's annual wrap-up session as other issues become intertwined in the debate.
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KS Redistricting
The Kansas Senate has postponed debate on a bill for redrawing its 40 districts after an angry meeting of majority Republicans.
Senators now plan to debate the measure Wednesday. It is backed by the chamber's moderate Republicans, and conservatives contend it's designed to keep the Senate's moderate GOP leaders in power.
The Senate had planned to debate the measure Tuesday. But during a caucus of Republican senators, conservatives attacked the plan and peppered Reapportionment Committee Chairman Tim Owens with hostile questions.
Owens, a moderate Overland Park Republican, angrily walked out.
Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, said the debate on the bill was being delayed to give GOP factions a chance to compromise.
The impasse threatens to delay the state's Aug. 7 primary election.
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No Call For MO Cell Phones
Legislation allowing Missourians to add their cellphone numbers to the state's No Call List for telemarketers is on its way to Governor Jay Nixon.
The measure would prohibit most solicitations by phone call or text message to cellphones placed on the list, which Nixon helped develop when he served as Missouri attorney general.
The Senate gave the bill final approval Tuesday in a unanimous vote. The House passed it last month.
Supporters say expanding the registry would protect the privacy of Missourians.
The Missouri attorney general's office maintains the No Call List. That office has reported getting 150 to 200 calls a week from people complaining about telemarketing calls to cellphones or seeking to add the numbers to the list.
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Joplin Hosts FEMA Think Tank
FEMA officials are in Joplin to hold a nationwide teleconference on disaster recovery planning before a disaster strikes. Deputy FEMA Adminsitrator Richard Serino tells News Talk KZRG why recovery has gone so well in Joplin following last year's deadly tornado.
"The leadership that was shown at the city and the state level. And also the resiliency of the people...and that they want to come back and that they want to rebuild, that they want to stay in Joplin."
Serino added that citizens taking a lead in the recovery is another lesson that can be learned from what happened in Joplin and Duquesne one year ago.
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