USD 259

Wichita City Council, District 1

Incumbent city council member Lavonta Willams kept her seat, beating out Dave Thomas with 71 percent of the vote. Thomas had 28 percent of the vote.

Wichita City Council, District 3

James Clendenin grabbed the District 3 Wichita city council seat in a close race with Clinton Coen. Clendenin had 52 percent of the vote, Coen had 46 percent.

Wichita City Council, District 6

Partners for Wichita and the Kansas Food Bank are teaming again this year to provide meals on weekdays between March 14 and the 22 in their “Filling the Gap – Lunches for Kids” program.

Volunteers expect to serve about 3,500 meals at 14 locations during spring break for public schools in Wichita. That’s roughly double the number served last year.

“We’re aware that about 24 percent of the children in our area are at risk of hunger," says Pastor Sally Fahrenthold, who helped coordinate the program.

Sales tax proposal faces challenge in Kansas House; House leaders disagree over use of ending balance; Kansans set Guinness World Record.

Sales Tax Proposal Faces Challenge In KS House

The Kansas Senate could vote on Gov. Sam Brownback's tax proposal this week, but some are questioning whether one of its main provisions can pass the House.

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House Leaders Disagree On Using State's Ending Balance

Wichita educators and social workers have counted more than 1,800 homeless children in the Wichita School District. Advocates say that number is going to keep going higher.

The U.S. Department of Education counts anyone "doubling up" or living with another family as homeless, in addition to those living on the street or in shelters. That number hit 1,829 in Wichita schools on Friday, including 14 new ones identified earlier that week.

The 2013 legislative session starts today; Secretary of State Kobach says business start-ups in Kansas area healthy; Homeless children in Wichita schools tops 1,800.

2013 Legislative Session To Commence

Monday marks the start of the 2013 legislative session. This could be one of the most significant sessions in years.

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Kobach Says Business Startups 'Healthy'

Wichita Public Schools is accepting nominations for the 2012-13 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award to honor new and experienced teachers.

The Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award program recognizes outstanding teachers who affect the quality of education of more than 50,000 students in the Wichita school district. Awards are given in seven categories: new elementary teacher, new secondary teacher, primary teacher, intermediate, middle school and high school teacher and support teacher.

New KS Senate President picks multiple staff members; Wichita Public Schools are taking nominations for best teachers; Natural resources conference to be held in Wichita. 

New Kansas Senate President Fills Out Office Staff

Incoming Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle has appointed three new aides to fill her staff vacancies.

The Wichita Republican says Harrison Hems will be her legislative director. Hems will leave the Kansas Department of Transportation, where he'd been a liaison to Congress.

More than four years after the Wichita school district stopped transporting students across town to racially integrate schools, the district has taken another step toward being freed from a voluntary busing agreement.

The Wichita School Board voted this week to approve a new contract with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. The move gives the agency six months to tell the district whether it's released from the busing agreement.

Hawker Beechcraft To Close 3 Facilities, Cut Jobs

Wichita-based airplane maker Hawker Beechcraft says it's closing facilities in three states and laying off more workers in Kansas. 

The company said Wednesday that 240 employees will lose their jobs with the closing of Hawker Beechcraft Services facilities in Little Rock, Ark.; Mesa, Ariz.; and San Antonio, Texas. It also plans to cut a total of 170 jobs at its Wichita headquarters and at its completion center in Little Rock.

Advance voting in Kansas ends Monday at noon; The Wichita School Board will consider a contract that would end busing; Announcement about disability services waiting list expected.

Advance Voting Ends Today, Election Day Is Tomorrow

In Sedgwick County, advance voting in person ends at noon Monday at the election office.

Tuesday - General Election Day - the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Every voter must now show a photo ID when voting. Advance ballots must be in the Election Office by 7 p.m. tomorrow.