Brownback makes Kansas one of 17 states to deny help to Syrian refugees
Kansas has become one of 17 states to withhold aid efforts for Syrian refugees Monday afternoon, in light of the recent attacks on Paris, KWCH12 reported.
According to an article from the Kansas City Star, multiple governors across the nation, a majority of them Republican, have said they will “try to bar the U.S. from resettling Syrian refugees in their states.”
This movement began with Michigan and Alabama governors and has now become a trend with governors in other states.
In a recent statement, Brownback said he signed an executive order to keep state agencies from aiding in the resettlement of Syrian refugees.
“It is unfortunate that we must take this step to protect the safety of Kansans, but the federal government cannot guarantee that Syrian refugees coming to America would not be part of a terrorist organization seeking to harm our citizens,” Brownback said in his statement.
The statement does not say that refugees would be absolutely prohibited from resettling in Kansas, though.
“It’s possible no governor has the authority to impose a ban on federal resettlement of refugees,” the Kansas City Star reported.
RCPD to collaborate with Joint Terrorism Task Force
According to KMAN, the Riley County Police Department will be granted a voice on an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force that operates out of Kansas City.
This collaboration will be possible after a consensus of the five members on the County’s Law Enforcement Agency Law Board to add a new member to the group.
The member would be chosen from RCPD ranks. The position is full time and would involve reporting to RCPD authorities regularly.
Considering the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and the recent bomb threat incident at Fort Riley, Brad Schoen, Riley County Police director, said now would be an opportune time to participate in terrorism prevention.
Schoen informed the board that while this opportunity would leave RCPD a person short, it would be worth the department being in the loop on situations of concern, according to KMAN.
Craig Beardsley, program administrator for the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at K-State, said he was in favor of RCPD joining the group, according to KMAN.
Reportedly, the board discussed more work on the ultimate agreement before signing it. RCPD officials were given permission to proceed in forming a “more definitive agreement” by December’s meeting.
K-State literary magazine accepting submissions
Touchstone, K-State’s literary magazine that is published every spring, “showcases nationwide graduate and undergraduate work,” according to K-State Today.
The magazine is published by the College of Arts and Sciences with help from K-State Creative Writing faculty, the Fine Arts Council and the English department. The magazine accepts poetry, fiction, flash fiction, creative nonfiction and artwork.
K-State undergraduate entrants who earn first and second places will receive a cash prize in the Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction and Art categories.
More information on acceptable submissions is available on the submissions website or by emailing touch@k-state.edu.
