KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing the former operator of a Kansas pizza restaurant that offered a higher wage to a 17-year-old boy than to a female applicant of the same age.

The Kansas City Star reports that the commission filed suit Tuesday against PS Holding LLC, the former owner of a Pizza Studio restaurant in Kansas City.

Jensen Walcott raised questions after learning in 2016 that her friend, Jake Reed, was told he would be paid 25 cents an hour more. The Pizza Studio manager then withdrew both job offers, telling the friends it was against company policy to discuss wages.

The pizza chain later said the manager was wrong and had been dismissed.

The teens told their story of pay inequality at the Democratic National Convention.

MCPHERSON COUNTY — A western Kansas woman died in an accident just before 2p.m Wednesday in McPherson County.

The McPherson County Sheriff’s Office reported a vehicle driven by Emily Lightner, 37, Scott City, was northbound on Plum Street.

A car driven by a 16-year-old who ran a stop sign at the intersection with Avenue V hit Lightner’s vehicle.

The impact sent Lightner’s vehicle through a fence, where it rolled onto its top. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle, whose name was not released, was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Both were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Inman Fire, Hutchinson Fire, and the Reno County Sheriff’s Department all assisted in the accident, which occurred where McPherson, Reno and Rice Counties intersect along Plum Street.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A report shows Kansas farmers harvested a winter wheat crop this year that had lower than usual protein levels.

The report issued Thursday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service and Kansas Grain Inspection Service showed protein content averaged 11.6 percent. That is down from 11.7 percent last year as well as the 10-year average of 12.5 percent.

Wheat crops with protein levels of 12 percent or more fetch premium prices for farmers because that higher quality wheat is used to make bread. The protein in flour is what gives it strength when mixed with water and yeast, allowing the bread to rise better for fluffier loaves.

The average test weight in Kansas was 60.5 pounds per bushel.

About 67 percent of the crop was graded No. 1, the highest rating.

The Latest on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ speech on campus sexual assault and enforcement of Title IX, the federal law that bars discrimination in education on the basis of gender.

1:30p.m.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos plans to end the Obama administration’s rules for investigating allegations of sexual violence on campus.

DeVos said Thursday, “The era of ‘rule by letter’ is over,” as she announced plans to review and replace the way colleges and university handle investigations.

The Obama administration guidance was originally delivered in a letter to schools. She says it has failed many students and done a “disservice to everyone involved.”

The letter details what schools must do to investigate allegations of sexual violence.

DeVos makes clear that “acts of sexual misconduct are reprehensible, disgusting, and unacceptable.”

But she says, “Instead of working with schools on behalf of students, the prior administration weaponized the Office for Civil Rights to work against schools and against students.”

She says the department will seek public comment and university expertise to develop rules to replace the current policy.

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11:35 a.m.

About two dozen protesters have gathered outside the auditorium where Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will speak about enforcement of rules governing how colleges investigate sexual assault on campus.

The protesters include women who said they were assaulted on campus and victims’ advocates.

They’re carrying signs, and one says: “Donald Trump supports Betsy DeVos supports perpetrators.”

DeVos has said Obama-era rules on investigating campus sexual assault aren’t working and suggested that revisions were necessary.

The Education Department has described DeVos’ address as a major policy speech on Title IX enforcement. Title IX bars discrimination on the basis of sex in education.

She’s speaking at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.

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10:50 a.m.

Some victim advocates and legal experts say they expect colleges to stay the course even if Education Secretary Betsy DeVos loosens Obama-era rules on investigating campus sexual assault.

DeVos is giving a policy address on Title IX enforcement later Thursday.

Central to the debate is a 2011 memo from the Education Department that laid out rules colleges must follow when responding to complaints of sexual assault from their students.

DeVos has said the rules aren’t working.

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3 a.m.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is expected to detail her plans for revising Obama administration guidance that governs how colleges handle sexual assault complaints.

The Education Department says DeVos will address Title IX enforcement in a speech at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.

Title IX is a federal law that forbids discrimination in education based on sex. In recent years, it’s been associated with efforts to address sexual assault and harassment at college campuses.

DeVos has said the Obama administration guidance isn’t working.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with an aggravated robbery and battery of a Hays man.

The incident occurred sometime after 2 p.m. on August 22 at the Red Carpet Inn and Suites, 222 E. Diamond Drive in Salina. Police say four suspects, two men and two women, entered the room of a 69-year-old Hays man. They beat him and stole 2000 Cadillac Seville., according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The victim had severe facial lacerations and two black eyes.

Police collected video surveillance from the motel and the Central Mall, where the suspects used the victim’s stolen credit card.

Police also issued an attempt to locate on the victim’s Cadillac and photos of the suspects were distributed to agencies statewide.

A probation officer in Sedgwick County recognized two of the suspects, sending Salina Police mugshots of Robert Roberts, 36, and Angel Adams, 21, both of Wichita.

On Sept. 1, a deputy in Sedgwick County located Roberts and Adams still driving the victim’s Cadillac. Adams also had warrants in Sedgwick County, according to Forrester.

Police booked Roberts into the Saline County Jail Wednesday for aggravated battery, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and criminal threat.

Adams will be extradited to Salina at a later date. Police expect to make additional arrests in the case.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged attempted abduction.

Just after 6:30p.m. police responded to report of an abduction, kidnapping at a mobile home park in the 2200 Block of West MacArthur in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 31-year-old mother told police her 11-year old daughter was a few blocks from their residence when a man wearing a ski mask and black clothing grabbed her from behind.  The child kicked the suspect and ran home.

The suspect, who fled the area on foot, is described as an unknown Hispanic man and 5-foot 11-inches tall. In addition to the black clothing, the suspect had a ring tattoo on his left hand and tattoos around his eyebrows, according to officer Davidson.

Anyone in the area or with information is asked to call police.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former Wichita mayor and gubernatorial candidate says unsuccessful efforts were made to confirm the safety of his grandson before a body that is believed to be the boy’s was found encased in concrete.

Carl Brewer says “something went wrong,” although it’s too early to know whether the system failed 3-year-old Evan Brewer. Police say the body found Saturday in a rental home is likely that of Evan, though final confirmation is awaiting DNA results.

Brewer says Evan’s father, Carlo Brewer, worked through the court system, the state child protective agency and police, raising concerns about Evan. Evan’s mother and her boyfriend have been arrested but not charged in the death.

Brewer says Gov. Sam Brownback told him he would look into welfare officials’ involvement.

———-

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The father of a boy whose dead body was found encased in concrete says officials received at least four reports of abuse against the child while he was in his mother’s custody.

Authorities said Tuesday that the body found in the rental home Saturday is believed to be 3-year-old Evan Brewer. The boy had been living with his mother, Miranda Miller, and her boyfriend, Stephen Bodine. No charges have been filed in connection to the boy’s death.

A petition filed in May by the boy’s father Carlo Brewer says four abuse reports were made dating as far back as July 2016 and as recently as April 2017. One allegation references an injury to his nose with filthy and inappropriate clothing.

One witness statement cited in the PFA alleges the boy had been beaten “to the point of death” while in the mother’s care.

TOPEKA —Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard’s 35th Military Police Company posted a message on their Facebook page to let family and friends know they are safe and well, despite being in the path of Hurricane Irma as it approaches Cuba, where the unit is deployed, according to a media release from the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office.

“Right now, the current trajectory of Hurricane Irma has her passing to our north. This trajectory will keep the worst of the storm surge away from our island, but still keep us in the outer rings,” said Capt. Nicky Inskeep, company commander. “We are expecting tropical storm level winds that should not exceed 50 mph. Of course, we will be monitoring for flooding and associated power outages.”

In preparation for the storm, soldiers were told to move all items away from windows, secure all loose items around buildings, back up computer files, cover computer workstations with plastic bags or wrap, and unplug all unnecessary equipment.
Inskeep said the hurricane may affect communications for a while.

“However, we have solid plans and we will all be sheltered for the duration of the storm,” said Inskeep.

Major Hurricane Irma expected to impact much of east central Florida late this weekend. pic.twitter.com/tYeVpRFmkm

— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) September 7, 2017

 

“The safety and well-being of your soldier is my number one priority.”
The Topeka-based company was deployed to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo in March. Members are expected to be deployed for approximately nine months.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Court records say the girlfriend of former Kansas Jayhawk football Maciah Long claims she was threatened with a loaded handgun during an argument.

The Kansas City Star reports that the arrest affidavit filed in Douglas County District Court says Long told the girlfriend, “I’ll shoot your kneecaps out.” The 20-year-old woman told police that just before the threat, Long pulled the slide back on the gun to rack a bullet into the chamber.

Long was arrested Aug. 20 and dismissed from the team the next day. He is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two misdemeanors.

The 19-year-old from Houston played linebacker and tight end last season. He has been released from jail on $5,000 bond and doesn’t have a listed phone nu

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas woman is being held on several charges after she slipped her handcuffs, stole a police SUV and then led officers on a pursuit that reached speeds of nearly 100 mph (160 kph).

Thirty-three-year-old Toscha Sponsler was being held Thursday in the Angelina County jail on charges that include evading arrest.

 

Authorities say Sponsler had been detained Saturday on suspicion of shoplifting and was in the back of the SUV when she managed to slip her hand through one of the cuffs.

Video released Tuesday by Lufkin police show her then squeezing through a partition to reach the front seat.

A chase went on for about 20 miles (30 kilometers) before a state trooper managed to spin her out.

Online jail records don’t indicate whether she has an attorney.