Professor faults way Kansas picks Supreme Court justices
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A University of Kansas law professor is taking aim at the way Kansas selects its Supreme Court justices. Professor Stephen Ware looked at the ways all 50 states choose their top judges and, in a paper released Thursday, concluded that in Kansas, lawyers have too much influence. Ware released his paper alongside a poll published by the Federalist Society, a conservative-libertarian legal think tank, that suggests many Kansans have concerns about how judges are selected.

Blunt proposes ban on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
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Gov. Matt Blunt announced another piece to his crackdown on illegal immigration today: a legislative proposal that would bar Missouri from issuing driver's licenses to people who are in the state illegally..”

Judge won’t stop Planned Parenthood grand jury
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A Johnson County judge this morning denied a request to stop a grand jury from convening to investigate Planned Parenthood in Overland Park. Judge Kevin Moriarty said he believed the law is clear and that he had no choice but to convene the grand jury.

Grand jury cleared to investigate abortionist in Wichita
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The state Supreme Court in Kansas has ordered a citizen-initiated grand jury to move forward with its work investigating allegations of illegal abortions by George Tiller, who runs a late-term abortion business in Wichita.

Abortion Clinic Escorts Sexually Abuse Praying Pro-Life Activists
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Video footage of abortion clinic escorts in the employ of Vienna abortionist Dr. Christian Fiala are so offensive that a local Bishop was stunned and is convinced that the case must be brought to state authorities. In the video, Dr. Fiala's staff can be clearly seen sexually abusing, humiliating and using grotesque intimidation tactics on pro-life activists who pray silently outside the abortion clinic.

Gates calls for 'civilian response corps' in K-State Landon Lecture
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates went as far as to call for the creation of a "civilian response corps" that could advise and participate in world conflicts. Gates, 63, was born in Wichita and graduated from East High School.

Ratepayer advocates say Sebelius violating due process
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A consumer advocacy agency wants to know if Gov. Kathleen Sebelius compromised the rights of ratepayers in Westar Energy Inc.’s request for an increase. In the e-mail from Weststar chief James Haines to other Westar executives, Haines tells of a meeting several days earlier between utility chiefs and Sebelius and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson. CURB says if Sebelius gave any instructions or commitments to any of the commissioners that could affect the case’s outcome “the due process rights of our clients have been compromised.”

Missing College Student may have been linked to pornography site
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Investigators are following up on a tip that 18 year-old Emily Sander, who is a student at Butler County Community College, was last seen leaving a local bar Friday evening, was involved in a pornographic Web site situation.

Body appears to be that of missing college student
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The preliminary physical description of a body found Thursday afternoon east of El Dorado matches that of missing college student Emily Sander, Police Chief Tom Boren said. Investigators now were focusing on finding Israel Mireles, 24, who was last seen with Sander leaving a bar in El Dorado and fear Mireles may be back in his native Mexico.

O’ Christmas Tree, O’ Christmas Tree
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A Christmas tree that had been removed from the atrium of Strong Hall at Missouri State University will return, along with other religious holiday symbols in that building. The 20-foot artificial tree had been taken down Monday after Lorene Stone, dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, was told that a Jewish faculty member said the tree showed "a lack of sensitivity" to those of other religions.

Judge rules that Fairway can take properties for commercial use
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“With this judge’s ruling, the city of Fairway can legally take anyone’s home and turn it over to someone else for commercial development,” McAlister said in a statement. “The city currently has no legal responsibility to enact these ordinance petitions.”