News

Kansas jobless rate due out today; Judge says Kansas doctor does not have to post bond in abortion case; Childhood poverty task force is expected to meet today.

October Kansas Jobless Rate Due Monday

The Kansas Department of Labor is preparing to release a fresh look at the state's economy.

The agency says its report on October's unemployment rate will be announced Monday. The state's jobless rate has been on the way down recently, falling to 5.9 percent in September from 6.2 percent in August and 6.7 percent in September 2011.

I chose this book for its cover. Gelatinous cranberry sauce, still holding its can-shaped form on a white plate. It screamed Thanksgiving.

1. The Bears For Lunch Guided By Voices
2. Grrr! The Rolling Stones
3. Celebration Day Led Zeppelin
4. Psychedelic Pill Neil Young and Crazy Horse
5. Meat Wave Meat Wave
6. Waka/Jawaka Frank
7. Firefly The Wonder Revolution
8. Wood Widespread Panic
9. Trey Anastasio Trey Anastasio
10. Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr.

A Democratic legislator who's been a critic of Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach says she won't seek a recount after losing her race for re-election by 21 votes out of nearly 11,000 cast.

State Representative Ann Mah of Topeka said Friday that a recount probably wouldn't change the outcome of the 54th House District contest. She lost to Republican challenger Ken Corbet of Topeka.

The district covers parts of Douglas, Shawnee and Osage counties. The last reviews of ballots - in Shawnee County - finished late Thursday.

Brownback says higher education in the state may see some additional funds for specific projects; The Kansas Supreme Court is expected to rule in Kline case; Finalists have been chosen for the court seat being vacated by Judge Christel Marquardt.

Brownback: Higher Ed May See Targeted Funds

Governor Sam Brownback says the Kansas higher education system might get additional funds next year for specific initiatives, but he's advising officials not to push for general budget increases.

I have been going to Hana Café since it was a little Rock Road hole in the wall. It was tiny then, and very simple and Japanese-looking, complete with a waving kitty and blue and white curtains. The menu was small but excellent, serving sushi, pork tonkatsu, miso soup, and other Japanese specialties. One might also order a few Korean dishes, all well prepared.

Whether former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline will keep his state law license is now in the hands of the Kansas Supreme Court.

Plant officials at Siemens Wind Energy in Hutchinson say new orders will help the company avoid more layoffs for now.

The plant recently received orders to supply parts for wind farms being built in Southern California and Chile.

Siemens announced in September that it was cutting 60 percent of its Hutchinson workforce. The layoffs were completed this week, leaving the plant with 150 workers.

It once had more than 400 employees. Siemens also laid off 570 people at its Fort Madison, Iowa, plant and 62 others around the country.

The Kansas Board of Education could develop a set of recommendations for teaching cursive writing in Kansas schools. The board discussed the issue Wednesday at a meeting in Topeka.

Cursive writing is not required to be taught in Kansas, but some members have heard from their constituents about the issue. 

Education officials surveyed Kansas school districts and 90 percent of the ones that responded said they do teach cursive.

Janet Waugh is a board member from Kansas City, Kan.

A new report says more Kansas families are sinking into poverty, but recent changes in state policy will make it more difficult from them to qualify for government assistance.