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Top Morning News 4.17.13

President Obama cancels trip to Kansas; Brownback signs drug testing bill; Science standards raise cost concern; Brownback wants study of higher education

President Obama Cancels Trip To Kansas

President Barack Obama has canceled his scheduled visit to the University of Kansas on Friday, in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.

The White House issued a statement saying the President will go to Boston on Thursday to attend an interfaith memorial dedicated to victims of the blasts.

There's no word yet on whether the visit will be rescheduled.

Though the purpose of President Obama's trip hadn't been disclosed, Democratic leaders in Kansas had been asked to find a venue at KU that could hold between 3,000 and 6,000 people.

Brownback Signs Drug Testing Bill

Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a bill into law that allows drug testing for people receiving some types of state assistance or unemployment payments.

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Brownback Wants Study Of Kansas Higher Ed

Gov. Brownback says that his upcoming tour of college campuses in Kansas is part of his effort to persuade legislators, policymakers and state residents of the importance of stable, level funding for colleges and universities.

Brownback says legislators need to take a longer view of funding for higher education, including rising tuition costs, administrative expenses and state support.

Brownback plans to visit the campuses between April 22 and May 6, two days before legislators return to Topeka to finish the 2013 session.

Legislators are proposing cuts to higher education, ranging from 2 percent to 4 percent. Brownback opposes such cuts and wants to retain current funding in the next budget.

He'll visit Wichita State University on Monday.

Science Standards Raise Cost Concern

Kansas officials involved in drafting new science standards for public schools are trying to reassure the State Board of Education that retraining teachers and buying new classroom materials won't be unusually expensive.

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When she's not out making lattes in her mobile coffee bus Sunflower Espresso, Kate Hutchens is a fill-in host for KMUW. She has worked in broadcast journalism at KFDI, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and at KMUW as Morning Edition host, which she did until March 2017.