In Kansas News
A new federal lawsuit alleges the Kansas Department of Health and Environment discriminated against an employee based on her age. Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga (wahn-GAHN-guh) has more for the Kansas News
"The lawsuit stems from a complaint Annette Carper, a laboratory technician at KDHE’s Topeka office, filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It claims in 2023, when Carper was 58, KDHE promoted a younger, less qualified employee over her.
Josh Pierson is an attorney for the commission. He says the agency reviewed KDHE’s hiring protocols.
“And then based on that investigation, we determined that there was reasonable cause that her allegations were true.” 6 seconds
Pierson says the investigation found another instance where it appears preferential treatment was given to a younger employee. KDHE declined to comment because the lawsuit is pending.For the Kansas News Service, I’m Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga"
And in Missouri News
A prominent attorney, and a leading voice in criminal justice reform in Kansas and Missouri … is leaving her post at an organization that represents people convicted of crimes they did not commit.
Tricia Rojo Bushnell (TRISH-uh ROH-hoh BUSH-nell) led the Midwest Innocence Project for 12 years … and helped free 15 people from incarceration. She also grew the nonprofit from one employee to a dozen.
“You know, I know — I don’t even have to hope — that it will continue doing the great work that it has been doing. I believe that the organization will only continue to expand, gain more resources and be able to help more people.”
Midwest Innocence Project’s legal work is pro bono, and most of their budget comes from donations. Bushnell will become leader of the “Quatronne (KWAH-trone) Center for the Fair Administration of Justice” at the University of Pennsylvania in August.
Pittsburg State University’s next president introduced himself to the campus Monday.
Dr. Thomas Newsom is currently the president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
The Kansas Board of Regents picked him Friday to be PSU’s 11th president.
Newsom says he wants to continue momentum from previous administrations.
"And the first thing is, is that our mission will always be, that our success is not necessarily what our students do here at Pittsburg state. But our true success is what our students do when they leave us."
Newsom has 20 years of experience in higher education. His hiring comes after former President Dan Shipp resigned earlier this year for a new position.
