The Department of Housing and Urban Development is funding the renovation of more upscale low-income townhouses in central Kansas City. The battle over education funding in Kansas got underway in court yesterday, with the Kansas City Kansas school district kicking off the testimony. It's a daily digest of headlines from KCUR.
Battle Over Kansas Education Funding Underway In Shawnee Court
The trial began yesterday in a Shawnee District Court over school funding in Kansas. Several dozen school districts are suing the state. At issue is millions of dollars in funding that was appropriated by the state legislature, but was then never paid to school districts.Cynthia Lane, superintendent for Kansas City, Kan., told the three judge panel yesterday that her district has cut millions of dollars to make up for state reductions and that even if students still get through school, they’re often not ready for college.The state is arguing that education funding should be a matter left up to lawmakers and determined on the basis of state revenue.
Million Dollar Grant To Keep KC Townhouses Affordable
A townhouse development that 20 years ago was envisioned as a scene-changer for a struggling Kansas City neighborhood is getting a million dollar facelift. Squier Park Townhomes at Armour and The Paseo are owned by the non-profit Neighborhood Housing Services company. Mark Stalsworth, who runs the firm, says the rehabbing project starts in July and that being able to do it without borrowing money allows rent to stay beneath $600 a month. Learn more here.
Wyandotte A Hub For Health Improvement Efforts
Researchers are a step closer to a plan for improving the health of Wyandotte County. Over the last year, a KU health program has been conducting regional health assessments, surveying residents and most recently, gathering public feedback to better understand the behaviors and factors contributing to the county’s low health status. Find out more here.
Police Look For Lottery Ticket Thief
Area police are in search of a man who’s stealing scratch lottery tickets from retailers around the metro. The man, in his thirties, has hit stores at least 40 times in the last three weeks.
Beetle Makes A Missouri Comeback
About 250 endangered beetles will be released in southwest Missouri later today. The American burying beetle hasn't been seen in the since the 1970s. Learn more here.
New Kansas Law Bans E-Cigarette Use For Kids Under 18
A new Kansas law bans anyone under 18 from purchasing or possessing electronic cigarettes. Concerns from an attorney with Leavenworth County prompted the law, who worried that school kids - prohibited from buying traditional cigarettes - were easily obtaining electronic ones.
Family, Community Honor Olathe Northwest Graduate Killed in Afghanistan
Hundreds of people lined a street in Olathe yesterday, to pay tribute to a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last month.