BLUEPRINT FOR ‘14 Charlie Weis is excited about his prospects. Sports, 1B
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FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 7 • 2014
FLUORIDE FIGHT RETURNS Legislative panel to hear bill requiring warning about lower IQ; oral care advocates argue science has long been settled
MARY MARSHALL, a dental hygienist at Douglas County Dental Clinic, checks the teeth of her brother and patient, Gary Marshall, Thursday. Oral health advocates say the benefits of fluoride in fighting tooth decay are immeasurable.
Senator: Building ‘essential’ to Med School ——
KU could lose accreditation if state refuses to help, some say By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
Topeka — Supporters of an initiative by the Kansas University Medical Center to build a $75 million health education facility said Thursday that without help from the state, the medical school could lose its accreditation. “It is absolutely essential that we build this,” said Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka. The issue came up during a meeting of the House-Senate Committee on State Building Construction. LEGISLATURE For several years, KU has sought help from Gov. Sam Brownback and the Legislature to start construction of a facility that would produce more doctors and add new technologies and teaching methods for training medical students and health professionals. The current main medical education building is outmoded, in disrepair and can’t be properly renovated, KU officials have said. Brownback’s budget proposal contained no funding to help retire a possible bond sale to cover part of the cost of the project.
By Giles Bruce Twitter: @GilesBruce
Two years ago, Jessica Thompson and Richard Simms started an online petition to keep fluoride out of the city of Lawrence’s water supply. They managed to get nearly 500 signatures and a segment on the local TV news. Nothing came of it. But Thompson, a cashier, and Simms, a stay-at-home dad, are political novices. Mark Gietzen is not. Gietzen has been protesting at Wichita abortion clinics and working to advance conservative political causes in the state for decades. Last year, he helped draft an anti-fluoride bill that his state representative, Steve Brunk of Wichita, introduced into the Legislature. The bill would require municipalities that fluoridate their water to notify citizens that “the latest science confirms that ingested fluoride Please see FLUORIDE, page 2A
Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo
Please see BUILDING, page 7A
Escaped horses found shot to death; sheriff’s office investigating By Sara Shepherd Twitter: @saramarieshep
A Douglas County man says he’s upset after learning someone shot and killed a pair of old horses he kept on his property before he knew they’d gotten loose. The horses apparently had been
wandering around East 250 Road south of Stull for several days before being found this week, both dead. “I don’t know what the reason is for shooting an animal, especially an old horse, which is not a threat,” said Darrel Harden, who owned one horse and kept the other for an acquaintance. “I don’t want to live in a neighborhood
Business Classified Comics Deaths
Low: 15
Today’s forecast, page 10A
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Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion
5A, 2B Puzzles 9B Sports 4A Television 8A
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I don’t want to live in a neighborhood where that’s the mentality of people, where they’re just out to shoot innocent animals.” — Darrel Harden, horse owner
Please see HORSES, page 2A
INSIDE
Cold, some sun
High: 22
where that’s the mentality of people, where they’re just out to shoot innocent animals.” Lt. Steve Lewis, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said the case was under investigation and that the shooter could face animal cruelty
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Social media policy
Vol.156/No.38 28 pages
The University Senate approved a resolution urging the Board of Regents to suspend the social media policy it passed in December. Page 3A
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