KS - February 06 2025

1. Kansas Democrats Counter Tip Tax Plan with $15 Minimum Wage Push
2. Washburn University Receives Historic $50M Gift from Alumni Couple
3. KC Sports Reporter Adan Manzano Dies at 27 While Covering Super Bowl in NOLA
4. Server Outage Forces 300+ Braum's Stores to Cash-Only Operations
5. Across Kansas

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1. Kansas Democrats Counter Tip Tax Plan with $15 Minimum Wage Push

Top Democrats, including the governor, proposed Wednesday raising Kansas’ hourly minimum wage to $15 in response to Republicans’ plan to eliminate taxes on tips.  The announcement from Democrats came on the heels of a news conference Monday held by Senate President Ty Masterson, who was joined by state and federal Republican lawmakers, to promote a proposal to eliminate state income tax on tips for service and hospitality workers. The proposal mimics a federal one that attempts to exempt tips from federal income tax for restaurant workers, servers, valets, bellhops, bartenders and caddies.

Article Source: KS Reflector

2. Washburn University Receives Historic $50M Gift from Alumni Couple

On Thursday, Washburn University announced it is getting a $50 million birthday present, courtesy of alums Brenneman and his wife, Ronda. During the university's 160th birthday celebration, administrators revealed the the largest donation in the institution's history. Part of the donation will be used as base funding for a new health care education facility. It will also go to the business and nursing schools: The Brennemans met while attending Washburn and married shortly after graduation. Greg Brenneman has a bachelor's degree in accounting/finance from Washburn University, a master's degree with distinction from Harvard Business School and was awarded an honorary doctor of commerce from Washburn in 1999. Ronda Brenneman earned her bachelor’s in education from Washburn in 1984 and began teaching. Greg Brenneman rose in the business world and previously was CEO for Continental Airlines, Burger King and PwC Consulting. He currently is chairman of CCMP Capital, a private equity firm. He is also the chairman of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, chairman of the the board of BGIS, and on the board of The Home Depot and Baker Hughes.

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

3. KC Sports Reporter Adan Manzano Dies at 27 While Covering Super Bowl in NOLA

A Kansas City sports reporter covering Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans for Spanish-speaking media died Wednesday, according to his employers, KGKC Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports. Adan Manzano, 27, was on assignment covering his third Super Bowl for Telemundo and Tico Sports, a multimedia production company that broadcasts Chiefs games in Spanish, when he was found dead. Manzano’s death comes less than a year after the death of his wife, Ashleigh Boyd, who was a teacher for the Topeka Public Schools District. Manzano’s cause of death is not yet publicly known, and both media companies said they are cooperating with law enforcement. He and his late wife are survived by their toddler daughter.

Article Source: KC Star

4. Server Outage Forces 300+ Braum's Stores to Cash-Only Operations

In Wichita, people rely on their neighborhood Braum’s stores for a variety of needs: a quick gallon of milk on the way home from work, a breakfast burrito on the way in, a celebratory ice cream cone when the kids’ report cards arrives. But for at least a week, the Wichita area’s 13 Braum’s stores have been a bit chaotic. Customers report that their neighborhood stores have shut down their drive-throughs and that inside, cashiers are able to accept cash only. On Tuesday, Braum’s public relations director Amanda Beuchaw said that the issues were affecting more than just Wichita: Each of the more than 300 stores that the Oklahoma City-based chain has in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas have faced similar issues. The problem, Beuchaw said, is that one of the company’s servers went down, causing the chain’s stores to go offline.

Article Source: Wichita Eagle

5. Across Kansas

Thirty-three students from Chanute travel for choral event
Thirty-three students from Chanute’s elementary, middle, and high schools traveled to Bethany College last week to participate in the “Real Men Sing” event. They rehearsed all day and then performed in an afternoon concert. In total, over 500 young male students from across Kansas joined this choral event.
Source: CHANUTE.COM

Coffeyville man faces felony after high-speed chase
A Coffeyville man is facing felony charges after allegedly leading police on an eight-minute high-speed chase. Charlie Triebel, 28, was charged with felony eluding after hitting speeds of 94 mph while fleeing an officer. He also faces misdemeanors for driving without proper registration and license; Triebel is being held on $5,000 bond and is due back in court Feb. 7.
Source: BARTLESVILLERADIO.COM

Judge upholds Dodge City’s at-large election system
A federal judge ruled that Dodge City’s at-large city commission elections do not violate Latino residents’ voting rights. Latino voters (who form a majority in Dodge City) had sued, claiming the system diluted their influence. However, Judge Eric Melgren found the plaintiffs didn’t prove that the at-large voting method prevented Latino-preferred candidates from winning, so the election system was upheld.
Source: DEMOCRACYDOCKET.COM

Hays USD 489 prepares to furnish new school buildings
Hays USD 489 is preparing to outfit its new school buildings as construction nears completion. At this week’s board meeting, officials reviewed a five-year capital outlay plan to cover about $6.4 million in expenses needed for the new Hays High School (opening in August) and for converting the old high school into a middle school by 2026. The plan includes funding for road improvements, classroom equipment, athletic facilities, and other furnishings, and the superintendent noted the district has budgeted contingency funds to cover these costs.
Source: HAYSPOST.COM

Wyandotte County’s 23rd annual Eagle Days
Wyandotte County is hosting its 23rd annual Eagle Days festival at Wyandotte County Lake. The event (set for this weekend) features live birds of prey and educational programs for families and bird enthusiasts. Visitors can see eagles and other raptors up close and learn about wildlife conservation. Eagle Days has become a popular winter tradition in Kansas City, Kansas, drawing crowds to celebrate the local bald eagle population during the wintering season.
Source: FOX4KC.COM

Lawrence plans comprehensive study for North Lawrence
Lawrence city commissioners voiced excitement for a comprehensive study of North Lawrence that will allow the city to “dream big” on future development. The upcoming corridor study will hire consultants to identify potential economic development opportunities and infrastructure upgrades. It will examine everything from fixing the flood-prone Union Pacific railroad underpass to adding bike/pedestrian options and even exploring a new Kansas River bridge alignment. The study is expected to take 18 months once a firm is hired, and it will heavily involve public input to shape a “North Lawrence Comprehensive Corridor Plan.”
Source: WWW2.LJWORLD.COM

McPherson Fire Station No. 2 opening delayed
McPherson’s new Fire Station No. 2 will open later than planned due to an on-site construction issue. The fire department announced that plumbing beneath the driveway apron must be reworked, requiring crews to tear out and re-pour concrete in front of the engine bay doors. Contractors have all necessary materials and are ready to start as soon as weather allows, and the city will not incur additional costs for the fix. The fire department hopes to occupy the new station by spring once repairs are completed.
Source: HUTCHPOST.COM

Salina’s “Souper Bowl of Hope” targets 59,000 cans
Salina’s “Souper Bowl of Hope” food drive is in full swing, aiming to collect 59,000 cans of soup to feed the hungry. The annual campaign, timed with the big football game, kicked off last weekend and continues through this weekend at local Dillons grocery stores. Volunteers are accepting soup and cash donations on site, working toward the goal of 59,000 cans to replenish Salina food pantries that run low by late winter. The Souper Bowl, organized by Project Salina, helps ensure families have nutritious food until the citywide food drive in May restocks the shelves.
Source: KSAL.COM

Winfield High boys basketball coach fired
Winfield’s High School boys basketball coach has been formally fired by the school district following an investigation. Mychael Tripp, who had been on administrative leave, was officially terminated by the USD 465 Board of Education in a special meeting. The move comes after concerns were raised about Tripp’s conduct. The district has not publicly detailed the findings, but the board’s decision makes clear that Winfield High will be moving forward under new coaching leadership for the boys’ team.
Source: COWLEYPOST.COM

Sources

1. https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/05/kansas-democrats-propose-minimum-wage-hike-in-response-to-republicans-plan-for-no-taxes-on-tips/

2. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2025/02/06/washburn-university-alums-give-record-50m-for-nursing-and-business/78229096007/

3. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article299870039.html

4. https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/restaurants/dining-with-denise-neil/article299743514.html?tbref=hp

5. various

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Sources

1. https://www.kwch.com/2025/02/03/kansas-pharmacists-are-closing-their-doors-they-seek-way-save-their-businesses-pbm-practices/

2. https://www.kwch.com/2025/02/04/producers-closely-following-developments-kansas-exports-could-take-hit-tariffs/?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=organicclicks&tbref=hp

3. https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/04/kansas-legislators-consider-convention-of-states-to-curb-federal-government-influence/

4. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article299668494.html?tbref=hp

5. https://www.kake.com/home/newly-orphaned-maned-wolf-pup-finds-comfort-in-adopted-shelter-dog/article_77e413b6-e33c-11ef-8af8-a79fc72c48b7.html

6. https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/hawk-zone/2025/02/04/kansas-basketball-jayhawks-score-win-against-iowa-state-at-allen-fieldhouse-dajuan-harris-jr/77979742007/