Lawrence Journal-World 02-19-2016

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WEEKEND

USA TODAY

GUIDE

Pope: Trump’s wall plan “not Christian.” 1B

Trains, chili and ‘Chitty Chitty.’ PAGE 3A

Section BB • HometownLawrence.com

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FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 19 • 2016

FOLK FORUM

Citizenship proof rule draws suit from ACLU By Roxana Hegeman Associated Press

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photos

SQUEEZED FOR SPACE IN THE CORNER OF A HOTEL ROOM, SINGER-SONGWRITER MATT NAKOA performs with other Kerrville Folk Festival-winning artists during a private showcase at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Mo. See more photos online at LJWorld.com/folk2016.

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or the third year in a row, Kansas City, Mo., is hosting the Folk Alliance International Cultural Crossroads conference through Saturday at the The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center hotel, 1 E. Pershing Road. More than 1,100 musicians are performing for the

public and for music industry folks looking to book talent. In addition to the official showcases that feature 56 performances on nine stages each night, people can sign up for Music Camp and one of 30 music workshops daily, including everything from learning ukulele to writing songs. The public

evening showcases are sold out, but you can walk in and sign up for the Music Camp. For ticket availability and information, go to folk.org. The convention will return to Kansas City in 2017. Joni Fornelli, of Lawrence, attended a Celtic fiddle workshop Thursday at Music Camp and attended late-night private

showcases Wednesday. “It’s like being in a music playground for three days,” Fornelli said. At night, three floors of hotel rooms are dedicated to showcases. “I just love being able to explore different musicians until 2 or 3 in the morning. It’s like a music salad.” — Mike Yoder

Wichita — People trying to register to vote at Kansas motor vehicle offices are being forced to provide documentary proof of citizenship in violation of federal law, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday. The complaint, which includes a plaintiff from Lawrence, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., is mounting a new legal challenge based on a provision in the National Voter Registration Act that requires states to provide voter registration in conjunction with driver’s license applications at state division of motor vehicle offices. Kansas has been at the forefront of efforts for more stringent registration laws ranging from proof-of-citizenship to requiring certain types of ID, and the state has been embroiled in several legal fights over the issues.

RIGHT: LAWRENCE RESIDENT MEGAN HURT, SECOND FROM RIGHT, attends a Celtic fiddle and cello workshop Thursday from Alasdair Fraser, left, and Natalie Haas, seated left. FAR RIGHT: Dustin Morris, with the band Edison, waits for an elevator Wednesday on his way to a performance.

Please see ACLU, page 2A

Town Talk

Chad Lawhorn

House advances call for constitutional convention By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock

Topeka — Conservatives in the Kansas House advanced a resolution Thursday calling for a constitutional convention of the states to rein in the power of the federal government. But it remains unclear whether they can muster the two-thirds

majority needed on final in the U.S. Constiaction to pass the resolutution for passing tion to the Senate. amendments. It The House voted requires that two77-44 to advance the thirds of the U.S., or measure to final action. 34 states, petition That’s short of the two- LEGISLATURE Congress to call a thirds majority, or 84 convention. Once votes, needed to approve a called, the convention can concurrent resolution. recommend amendments, A convention of the states is but they still must be ratified one of two methods provided by three-fourths, or 38, of the

states before they take effect. The current effort to call a convention is being spearheaded by an organization called Citizens for Self Governance and by former Please see HOUSE, page 4A l Mental hospital

funding, juvenile justice plans in the works. 2A

Family: Cannabis oil is sick child’s last hope By Mackenzie Clark Twitter: @mclark_ljw

A Lawrence family is begrudgingly planning a move to Colorado in hopes of finding a medical treatment for its youngest member. Valkyrie and Mitch Schmidt believe cannabis oil may be the last hope for their daughter, Emelyse. At age 3, Emelyse has medical records longer and more complicated than most people will see in their entire lifetimes. Along with intrauterine growth

restriction, a rare condition in which a baby doesn’t grow to normal weight during pregnancy, Emelyse suffered a severe brain bleed in the womb. She was born through an emergency cesarean section at 26 weeks, weighing just 14.8 ounces, Valkyrie said. Emelyse suffered two more brain bleeds within the first couple of days of her life. When those finally clotted a month and a half later, her cerebrospinal fluid wasn’t able to drain as it should. Please see CHILD, page 8A

INSIDE

Sunshine Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 70

Low: 39

Today’s forecast, page 8A

Valkyrie Schmidt/Contributed Photo

EMELYSE SCHMIDT, 3, suffers from several severe conditions, including seizures and a lung disease.

2A 5C-9C 10C 2A

Events listings Going Out Horoscope Opinion

5A, 2C Puzzles 5A Sports 6A Television 7A USA Today

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Wage debate is about more than janitors

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rooms and buses soon may get interesting at Lawrence City Hall. We’ve already told you about a $450,000 idea to create a new city staff of janitors. If you think that’s expensive, though, just wait until we get around to the discussion about bus drivers. Commissioners are having a discussion about whether city employees — or employees that the city contracts with — should be required to make a “living wage.” Right now, the discussion is centered on the folks who do janitorial work for city buildings. Those janitors are employed by a private Topeka-based company that has a contract with City Hall. The janitors don’t make a living wage, at least not one that meets the city’s criteria. The city has determined that a “living wage” is $12.60, which is equal to 130 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of three in Douglas County. Please see WAGE, page 2A

Kasold controversy 6A 1C-4C 8A, 2C 1B-8B

Spurred by complaints from residents, the Kansas Department of Transportation is planning a forum on closing the intersection of K-10 and Kasold Drive. 3A

Vol.158/No.50 32 pages


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