August 30 2024

1 In Power Grab, Kansas GOP Leaders Propose New Process for Annual Budgeting Cycle
2 CORRUPTION, CONSPIRACY, MURDER? Commerce Department Refutes Allegations by Dead Former Employee
3 US Agricultural Trade Deficit Expected to Reach Record $42.5 Billion in 2025
4 Kansas City Ties Austin for Top Spot in Hottest US Housing Markets
5 Man whose escaped from KS prison in dog crate dies behind bars
Sports
KU blows out Lindenwood in season opener 

1 In Power Grab, Kansas GOP Leaders Propose New Process for Annual Budgeting Cycle

Kansas Republicans pressing to reform the Legislature’s annual budget-writing process want to displace governors from the lead role in proposing state spending changes, alter a Statehouse culture that embraced the three-day workweek, and make it difficult for lobbyists to slip special-interest earmarks into bills. House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, the Republicans who formed an interim legislative committee to work on the budgeting overhaul, said the plan involved formation of a powerful permanent committee of a dozen or so legislators who would start work on a version of the state budget as much as three months before the legislative session began in January. For years, legislators have waited to start until the Kansas governor presented detailed budget recommendations.

Article Source: KS Reflector

2 CORRUPTION, CONSPIRACY, MURDER? Commerce Department Refutes Allegations by Dead Former Employee 

“Categorically false”: That’s the response from the Kansas Department of Commerce to allegations made by a former employee who was found dead over the weekend in his pickup. It’s a complicated story that 12 News has been following the last few weeks since Peabody Interim City Clerk Jonathan Clayton, a former employee with the Kansas Department of Commerce, was reported missing on Aug. 3. Clayton was found dead in his crashed pickup near Newton three weeks after he disappeared. Questions about Clayton’s background and allegations of fraud linger and as the investigation moves forward, some may never be answered. After Clayton’s disappearance, information surfaced about the possible misappropriation of COVID grant funding that he helped to secure for the cities of Mullinville and Peabody. Five days after his disappearance, the Kansas Reflector reported that an email was sent to news organizations on Clayton’s behalf. It accused Commerce Secretary David Toland of scheming with Senate President Ty Masterson and Former House Speaker Ron Ryckman to redirect COVID funds. The commerce department’s response refuted the allegations and said that it brought in an independent contractor to review the agency’s conduct. The Kansas Department of Commerce said it is assisting local agencies in investigating Clayton’s volunteer work for potential fraud. Clayton’s background is also being reviewed, including felony convictions in Pennsylvania.

Article Source: KWCH

3 US Agricultural Trade Deficit Expected to Reach Record $42.5 Billion in 2025

The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is set to hit a record $42.5 billion next year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts low commodity prices will continue to depress profit opportunities for farmers. A USDA report on Tuesday forecasted the trade deficit in fiscal year 2025 to grow roughly 40% over this fiscal year’s projected $30.5 billion shortfall. Exports to nearly all major trading partners are expected to remain flat or decline with the exception of horticulture. Increasing competition with Brazil, lower crop prices and tight beef supplies are driving a decline in U.S. export values, according to the USDA. Meanwhile, agricultural imports have grown with rising demand for sugar, horticulture and tropical products.

Article Source: Agriculture Dive

4 Kansas City Ties Austin for Top Spot in Hottest US Housing Markets

U.S. News & World Report’s newest findings on the hottest housing markets in the United States show that the Kansas City area is tied with Austin for the top spot. Three primary factors led to Kansas City jumping to the top spot: a sharp increase in demand, higher affordability compared to the rest of the U.S. and more supply Kansas City received these scores out of 100 in the three categories: Housing demand: 79.9, up from 60.7 in December. The demand category looks at data on employment, unemployment, household growth, consumer sentiment, median home sales prices and rental prices. Housing supply: 46.2, up from 43.3 in December. The supply category compiles data on housing supply, rental vacancy rates, construction costs, construction jobs, builder sentiment and architectural billings. Financial supply: 92.5, up from 91.1 in December. The financial category analyzes government data on housing supply, rental vacancy rates, construction costs, construction jobs, builder sentiment and architectural billings. The city’s score of 72.8 is led by an increase in jobs compared to June 2023. U.S. News found that the Kansas City area gained 15,000 jobs over the year for a growth rate of around 1.3%.

Article Source: KC Star

5 Man whose escaped from KS prison in dog crate dies behind bars

An inmate whose escape from a Kansas prison hidden in a dog crate became the subject of a book and TV movie has died behind bars. John Manard, who was 45, died Sunday at the La Palma Correctional Facility, a private prison in Eloy, Arizona, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. His cause of death is pending the result of an autopsy, department spokesperson Jennifer King said.

Article Source: Salina Post

Sports

The Kansas City Royals suffered a 3-6 loss against the Houston Astros last night, dropping their record to 75-60 overall. The defeat was compounded by the announcement that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will be out for six to eight weeks due to a broken thumb sustained during the game. Despite losing 106 games last season, the Royals are just 1.5 games behind the Guardians in the AL Central and hold a 5.5-game lead in the wild card race. The Royals continue their four-game series in Houston tonight and over the weekend. Meanwhile, KSU football opens their season on Saturday against UT-Martin.

KU blows out Lindenwood in season opener 

By Clark Goble  

A season with big expectations for Kansas football started with a resounding 48-3 win over Lindenwood on Thursday in Kansas City. QB Jalon Daniels, RB Devin Neal, WR Luke Grimm, and CB Mello Dotson all had great moments as KU took a 34-0 lead into halftime. The Jayhawks turned the ball over twice in the first half, but dominated Lindenwood at the line of scrimmage. The competition gets much stiffer with a trip to Illinois next weekend, but Kansas fans got what they expected on Thursday.

Sources

1. https://kansasreflector.com/2024/08/29/kansas-gop-leaders-drafting-new-roadmap-for-legislatures-annual-budgeting-process/

2. https://www.kwch.com/2024/08/30/categorically-false-state-responds-allegations-made-by-former-employee-found-dead/

3. https://www.agriculturedive.com/news/record-ag-trade-deficit-to-widen-in-fiscal-2025-usda/725524/

4. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article291665205.html

5. https://salinapost.com/posts/da1d8c8f-ed72-4089-9261-574eb00304d6