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THE IOLA REGISTER Monday, September 23, 2013
STATE
WORLD
Medicaid debate still has legs
Kenya fatalities total 68
By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer
Hostages held inside mall
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators likely will have another debate next year over expanding the state’s Medicaid program, despite the antipathy from conservative Republicans toward the federal health care overhaul that prevented such a move this year. The GOP-dominated Legislature inserted provisions in the state’s current and next annual budgets to block an expansion of Medicaid, which covers health care for the needy and disabled. Republican leaders don’t trust promises from the federal government to provide almost all of the funding for the expansion, and they want Kansas entangled as little as possible with a federal law championed by President Barack Obama, a Democrat. But they probably face another debate because of what advocates of an expansion see as a perverse result with major parts of the federal health care overhaul kicking in next month. Those advocates expect thousands of poor Kansas adults to remain without health coverage, even as the federal government provides subsidies to better-off neighbors. Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, one of few Kansas Republicans who hasn’t publicly trashed the overhaul, heard mutterings of disbelief when she walked through a crowd of about 250 people last week in Overland Park. Praeger and other advocates of a Medicaid expansion expect word-of-mouth
By JASON STRAZIUSO and TOM ODULA Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A Kenyan military spokesman today said that the fate of hostages inside a mall besieged by al-Qaida-linked terrorists was not clear despite earlier statements that “most” hostages had been rescued. Military helicopters circled over the mall at daybreak, when about five minutes of sustained gunfire broke out at the mall, a clear indication that at least one of the estimated 10 to 15 gunmen who attacked the mall when it was filled with shoppers Saturday was still on the loose. A large military assault began on the mall shortly before sundown on Sunday, with one helicopter skimming very close to the roof of the shopping complex as a loud explosion rang out, far larger than any previous grenade blast or gunfire volley. Officials said the siege would soon end and said “most” hostages had been rescued and that officials controlled “most” of the mall. But officials never said how many hostages had been rescued, and Kenya’s military spokesman on Monday was still not able to provide clear details. “We are yet to get confirmation from what’s happening in the building,” Col. Cyrus Oguna, a Kenyan military spokesman, told The Associated Press.
A DAY TO REMEMBER Moran Day unfolded in perfect latesummer weather, and included activities at the city park following a downtown parade. Above, Donna Houser, right, gave a tour of historic sites during rides on Iola’s Molly Trolley, while Karen Johnson held up photos “from the day.” At right, Tate Duft, rode his tricycle in the parade. He is the son of Justin and Aubrey Duft, Arcadia, and will be 3 in a few days. Below, races for kids were among draws in the park, which also had food and arts and crafts booths. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON
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Gumfory tackles first year at IMS By KAYLA BANZET kayla@iolaregister.com
The first year of teaching is the most hectic and it’s no different for Iola Middle School math teacher Chelsea Gumfory. She added a lot of jobs to her resume over the last few months. “I’m a first-time teacher, mom and wife,” she said. “It’s stressful but I can do it once I get in the swing of it.” Gumfory was married in March to husband Josh. He works for the city of Iola in the gas department. The couple had their son, Nash, in July and are currently living in LaHarpe. Gumfory is also on multiple committees. “I’m on the math SAC committee and the instructional practices inventory committee,” she said. Gumfory grew up in Bronson and transferred to Marmaton Valley in high school so she could play sports. She still enjoys being athletic in her free time and is the assistant coach for the middle Chelsea Gumfory goes over a math problem in her classroom at Iola Middle school volleyball team. School. Gumfory teaches 8th graders; she is new to the district this year. REG“I like being active,” she said. “I play ISTER/KAYLA BANZET softball in Humboldt on Wednesdays
Quote of the day Vol. 115, No.232
“Our opinions become fixed at the point where we stop thinking.” — Ernest Renan, French philosopher 75 Cents
and volleyball on Fridays in Garnett.” While she was a college student at Pittsburg State University she had the opportunity to student teach for USD 257. She taught at the high school and the middle school in the math departments. “I had a great experience here,” she said. This year the math department has introduced a new homework philosophy. Students are not assigned homework. Instead they are given two worksheets at the start of the week that are due by Friday. The worksheets are considered extra credit. The incentive behind completing the worksheets is that points are awarded. Enough points earn the students prizes. “I want to do a movie day with popcorn,” Gumfory said, as one of the prizes. Those who don’t have their work completed are not allowed to obtain the reward. The idea behind this new method is to make sure the students are doing their own work in class instead of having outside help at home.
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