Construction site accident at the Vanier Football Complex
A concrete form fell on a worker at the Vanier Football Complex construction site around 10:30 a.m. Monday, according to a K-State press release. Emergency medical personnel from the Manhattan Fire Department and Riley County EMS responded to the scene. The unnamed worker was taken to Mercy Regional Health Center for non-life threatening injuries.
Kansas House votes against government transparency amendment
The Kansas House voted down a bill amendment that would require emails from state officials’ private email accounts to be viewed as part of the public record when used to conduct state business, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
The amendment was introduced by Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, after it was revealed that Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget director Shawn Sullivan used a personal email account to share information about the state’s budget plan with two registered lobbyists. It was voted down 30-86.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said he planned on introducing a bill that would have the same reforms found in the amendment.
“This is a huge loophole in the open records act,” Hensley said. “It’s a way to evade the law.”
Dance troupe from Ghana to perform on campus
The Saakumu Dance Troupe will perform Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the All Faiths Chapel. The free show, open to all ages, will feature traditional and contemporary dance and music from Ghana. Bernard Woma will lead the group in a variety of spiritual, recreational and ceremonial genres, as well as contemporary African dances. Woma has previously performed for world leaders including Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and U.S. president Bill Clinton.
Senator to visit Fort Riley to discuss drawdown with leaders
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will visit with Army leaders at Fort Riley next Monday. The meeting comes after the Army announced a possible drawdown of troops at the post. In a press release by Fort Riley Public Affairs, the Army is in the process of reducing troop numbers from 570,000 to 490,000.
New Deputy Secretary for Environment named
Former business owner Gary Mason was named as the new Deputy Secretary for Environment on Monday, according to WIBW. Mason has previously worked in state and federal government positions in consulting and manufacturing.
“KDHE has a significant number of external customers and it is my goal to reach out and determine how we can serve them better,” Mason said. “I will then work closely with staff to respond to these needs, while at the same time continue to maintain the proper levels of regulatory compliance and policies that protect our environment.”
Mason previously ran for State Senate in 2012.
A royal welcome home for Fort Riley troops
A group of Kansas City Royals players and managers were on hand Monday to welcome back the Second Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, Fourth Brigade Combat Team. The troops returned home after an eight-month deployment to Djibouti in Africa, according to the Little Apple Post. Hall of fame-inductee George Brett was there to greet the troops and take photos with them.
