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Top Morning News 4.25.13

Senate committee to consider bonds for federal biosecurity lab in Manhattan; Doctor linked to Ft. Riley soldiers' overdoses remains jailed; New law creates registry for farmers' markets; Judge delays trial for vet accused of illegally possessing explosives; April showers reducing drought in some parts of the state.

Senate Committee To Consider Bonds For NBAF

The state Senate Ways and Means Committee is preparing to weigh a proposal that authorizes extra state money for construction of a federal biosecurity lab in Manhattan.

They've scheduled a hearing on the proposal for Thursday, but the full legislature will reconvene on May 8 to wrap up this year's business.

President Obama's proposed federal budget includes $714 million dollars to build the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility at Kansas State University. The installation would replace a lab on Plum Island, N.Y.

The project's total cost is $1.15 billion dollars.

Kansas already has issued $105 million dollars in bonds.

State officials haven't said how much in additional bonds the state might issue for the facility. The lab will study animal diseases and develop measures to protect the food supply.

Doctor Linked To Riley Soldiers' Overdoses Remains Jailed

A Kansas doctor linked to drug overdoses of active-duty Fort Riley soldiers remains jailed as a possible flight risk.

Michael Schuster is charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute drugs.

A federal grand jury is expected to consider the case next week.

Law Creates Farmers' Markets Registry

Agriculture officials in Kansas say a new law that takes effect in July will help farmers' markets across the state. 

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Judge Delays Trial For Vet Accused Of Possessing Explosives

A federal judge has granted a defense request to delay the trial of a Kansas veteran who was accused of illegally possessing explosives.

U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten rescheduled the trial for Alfred Dutton because of a scheduling conflict. His new trial date is set for July 16.

Dutton, an Army and Marine vet from Eureka, is charged with unlawful possession of unregistered destructive devices.

He is accused of having possessed one or more grenade bodies and the necessary parts to convert them into a destructive device.

An appeals court earlier this year ruled evidence should have been suppressed from a storage unit where jars of homemade napalm with fuses attached were found.

The appeals court said authorities lacked reason to suspect criminal activity.

April Showers Reducing Drought In Some Areas

Eastern Kansas has been running above average for rainfall during April, which is improving drought conditions in some areas. 

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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.