ATCHISON, Kan–A Kansas man was injured in an overnight crash with a semi-truck in Atchison County. The accident occurred just after 12:30 a.m.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Pontiac driven by Frank E. Goodpasture, 40, Atchison was northbound on U.S. 59 fives miles from Atchison. The vehicle drifted out of the driving lane and collided with a southbound semi-truck driven by William S. Floyd, 44, Chillicothe, Mo.

Goodpasture was transported to KU Medical Center.

The KHP did not indicate whether he was wearing a seat belt.

By KHI NEWS SERVICE

TOPEKA — The MSNBC television network announced today that it plans to air an interview with Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger next week.

During the interview, Praeger, a Republican, discusses her support for – and Gov. Sam Brownback’s resistance to – expanding the state’s Medicaid program and embracing implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
The segment is expected to air Wednesday as part of the “All In with Chris Hayes” show, which begins at 7 p.m.

“They were here on May 1,” said Bob Hanson, a spokesperson for Praeger’s office. “They taped for a good half-hour, but we have no idea how much of it will actually run.”

The MSNBC film crew was led by Rebekah Dryden, who grew up in Derby, graduated from Kansas State University and was an on-camera reporter for KWCH TV in Wichita before becoming a producer for MSNBC. She’s now senior producer for “All In with Chris Hayes.”

Other Kansas-centered segments expected to air on the program next week will feature:

• Marquette Elementary School Principal Darryl Talbott discussing the school having to close due to budget cuts;

• Greensburg Mayor Bob Dixson discussing the town’s decision to rebuild “green” after being destroyed by a tornado in 2007;

• Pete Ferrell, who runs a wind farm on his cattle ranch near Beaumont, critiquing legislative resistance to renewable energy;

• Julie Burkhart describing the challenges that accompanied the reopening of the Wichita abortion clinic once owned by Dr. George Tiller, who was murdered in 2009;

• Former State Rep. Jim Howell, a Derby Republican, and Wichita City Council Member Janet Miller, discussing their opposing views on gun control.

Diana Rocco, a spokesperson for “All In with Chris Hayes,” declined to predict when the segments would run.

“To be safe – and since things in news often get moved around – it would be best to say the segments will air each night during the week,” Rocco wrote in an email. “I would hate to give you a schedule and have the days move around and your readers miss anything.”

SALINA, Kan.—Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney said they have apprehended a male suspect for a note that was written today at Central High School

The note contained a bomb threat for both Central and South High Schools.

Sweeney said he is certain there is no threat at either school. An investigation continues.

No name has been released.

 

7:55 p.m. UPDATE     Cedar Bluff State Park-–  The cause of Tuesday’s fire on the south side of Cedar Bluff State Park is still under investigation.  The State Fire Marshall is to arrive on the scene Wednesday.

The blaze consumed a camper, motor home, a single-family home, and two cars.

According to Chad Mann with Trego County Rural Fire, the residents were not home at the time of the fire. There were no injuries.  “We were paged to the fire at approximately 11 a.m.,” said Mann.  “We finished and were back in town about 4 p.m.”

 

1 p.m. Trego County fire crews responded to a structure fire on the south side of Cedar Bluff State Park late Tuesday mornin

The fire reportedly started in a camper, and a motor home and house also were involved.

Early afternoon, reports were that the fire was extinguished, but crews remained on scene. There were no injuries reported.

 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A lawsuit says a Wichita cab driver convicted of raping a passenger should have been denied a taxi license because he was on a state sex offender registry when he applied.

The Wichita Eagle reports Bryon Scott Spohn was sentenced to 48 years in 2013 for raping a passenger.

He had applied for a taxi driver’s license in late 2012 when he was on a state sex offender registry for possession of child pornography. A city ordinance that went into effect in July 2012 says a taxi driver’s license shall not be issued to anyone who’s been registered as a sexual offender.

City officials say the change banning registered sex offenders was new when Spohn applied and hadn’t been communicated to staff. The city says it’s fixed that problem.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita’s airport will now be known as the “Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.”

The Wichita City Council vote Tuesday to change the name to honor the former president, who grew up in Abilene.

It will cost the city about $140,000 to change signs at the airport. It wasn’t immediately clear when the new name would be posted.

Two city radio personalities started a petition drive to rename the airport in October. Supporters said it would bring recognition to the city and honor a Kansas native who led during wars and difficult times.

Critics said Eisenhower had no direct connection to Wichita and money spent on the change could be put to better use.

Manhattan—Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat
 has released details on the identity of the body located in the water at Tuttle Creek Lake last Friday, February 28.

The body has been identified as 56-year-old Jane Peterson of rural St.George. She worked in the physics department at Kansas State University.

Family members had reported her as a missing person on January 19th 2014.

The Sheriff’s Office does not suspect foul play in this incident. The cause of death identified by the pathologist in this matter was drowning and hypothermia.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — President Barack Obama is proposing Congress provide another infusion of cash to continue construction of a new biosecurity lab in Kansas.

The president’s budget was announced Tuesday and includes $300 million for the Department of Homeland Security to continue work on the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility under construction near Kansas State University.

The $1.25 billion new lab is designed to conduct research on large animals and related diseases to replace an aging facility at Plum Island, N.Y.

Construction began in 2013 on a central utility plant that will provide power and other services for the lab. DHS says construction on the main lab is expected to begin sometime this year, with the beginning operations at a date yet to be announced.

8:05 a.m. Because of the icy conditions on  I-70, Emergency responders are having a difficult time reaching vehicles that have been involved in the Friday morning accidents. Ambulance crews are using alternate roads to transport patients to hospitals in Manhattan and elsewhere.

7:51 a.m Due to the icy conditions, lanes are blocked by vehicles on I-70 and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area from Junction City to Topeka.

7:46 a.m.  KHP officials say travel on I-70 is dangerous on parts of I-70 in eastern Kansas.  Multiple vehicles are involved in accidents Friday morning. There are rollover accidents and numerous injuries being reported.

7:34 a.m. Kansas Highway Patrol officials are reporting dozens of cars off the roadway on I-70 in portions of Riley and Geary County.  One report indicated as many as 75 cars may be involved. Some injuries are also being reported and some traffic lanes are blocked.  Stay tuned to Eagle Radio and check the Post for more details as they become available.