Professor of Architecture earns Richard Upjohn Fellowship
According to a K-State news release, Wendy Ornelas, professor of architecture, recently received the Richard Upjohn Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects. Ornelas received the fellowship for completing three year’s of service on the Institute’s board in December 2014, during which she served as national regional director for the Central States Region.
“I’m very proud of all of Professor Ornelas’ achievements,” Timothy de Noble, College of Architecture, Planning and Design dean, said. “Her commitment to her students and the profession of teaching are unwavering. She is a credit to the architecture industry locally, regionally and nationally, as is evident in her long list of awards and accomplishments. It is because of the dedication and commitment of professionals such as Wendy that APDesign is one of the highest profile design schools in the nation.”
Committee approves bill to ban abortion method for debate in the Senate
According to the Topeka Capital Journal, a Kansas Senate panel has approved a proposed ban on an procedure used in 8 percent of abortions performed in the state. The approval by The Public Health and Welfare Committee Thursday means the bill is to be debated in the Senate.
The bill, if approved, will prohibit a procedure known as dilation and evacuation. Abortion rights advocates said the procedure can be the safest way to terminate a pregnancy in some cases.
House panel removes $280 million in Transportation transfers Brownback sought
The House Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee voted Thursday to remove $280 million worth of proposed transfers by Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget plan from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The budget called for the $280 million to be moved to cover revenue shortfalls, according to the Topeka Capital Journal. No committee members offered opposition to the motion made by Republican Rep. Russell Jennings.
According to Jennings, $2.1 billion has been withdrawn from KDOT to cover basic government operations since 2010.
“It’s time we bring this to some level of curtailment,” Jennings said. “This would be the equivalent, to me, of running my credit up to the limit and then calling the bank and saying, ‘Oh, yes, by the way, there are a few more things I’d like to buy. Can I have some more credit? I think I’m going to be able to pay for it.’”
Correction: In a previous version of the story, the Topeka Capital Journal was misspelled. The error has been corrected.
