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Report: Kansas prison violates inmates’ rights By John Hanna Associated Press
TOPEKA — Sexual misconduct and abuse of inmates at Kansas’ prison for women is “rampant throughout the facility” and persisted even as federal offi-
cials investigated problems at the facility, according to a U.S. Justice Department report released Thursday. The department’s Civil Rights Division concluded that Kansas failed to adequately deal with problems at the Topeka Correctional Facility after the National
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Brownback’s administration has made “immense strides” in improving the prison’s operations since he took office in January 2011. The Justice Department launched its investigation in
publican, immediately sought to assign blame for the problems to former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who left office in April 2009 to become U.S. health and human services secretary. Brownback spokeswoman Sherriene JonesSontag said Thursday night that
Please see PRISON, page 5A
Clinton resort talks afoot
ELECTION 2012
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Institute of Corrections recommended more than two dozen changes in January 2010 and the prison’s top administrator was reassigned. The report also cited a shortage of female officers and said the prison’s policies and staffing are inadequate. Gov. Sam Brownback, a Re-
‘Our challenges can be met’
Today’s forecast, page 10A
INSIDE
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Area leaders tout local reservoir’s potential for development By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
Volleyball team runs out of steam After winning their first two matchups and starting strong against Olathe Northwest, one of the top teams in the state, the Lawrence High Lions lost their momentum, and the final match. Page 1B
“
QUOTABLE
Wow, I feel like I’m at the Academy Awards! Thank you.” — Kennedy School second-year kindergarten teacher Lauren Mitchell, who on Thursday was announced as winner of the Horizon Award for young teachers who show a lot of promise. Page 3A
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INDEX Business Classified Comics Deaths Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion Puzzles Sports Television Vol.154/No.251
AP Photo/David Goldman
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ADDRESSES the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday. Obama is seeking re-election in a tight race against Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
Obama pledges recovery in 2nd term By David Espo and Robert Furlow Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — His re-election in doubt, President Barack Obama conceded only halting progress Thursday night toward fixing the nation’s stubborn economic woes, but vowed in a Democratic National Convention finale, “Our problems can be solved, our challenges can be met.” “Yes, our path is harder — but it leads to a better place,” he declared in a prime-time speech to convention delegates and the nation, blending resolve about rescuing the nation from near economic catastrophe with stinging criticism
of Republican rival Mitt Romney’s own proposals. Widely viewed as reserved, even aloof, Obama acknowledged “my own failings” as he asked for a second term, four years after taking office as the nation’s first black president. Citing progress toward recovery, he said, “After a decade that was defined by what we bought and borrowed, we’re getting back to basics and doing what America has always done best: We’re making things again.” “Four more years,” delegates chanted over and over as the 51-yearold Obama stepped to the podium, noticeably grayer than he was as
6A 5B-10B 9A 2A 10A, 2B 9B 4A 8A 9B 1B-4B By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com 4A, 2B, 9B 36 pages TOPEKA — Reducing obesity in the United States will require a commitment similar to the Civil Rights movement or anti-drunken driving efforts, a former high ranking federal health official said Thursday. “It is going to take years to
a history-making candidate for the White House in 2008. First Lady Michelle Obama and the couple’s daughters, Malia and Sasha, joined the president on stage in the moments after the speech, followed by other family members and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife. Strains of “Only in America” filled the hall as confetti filled the air.
Tight race Obama’s speech was the final act of a pair of highly scripted national political conventions in as many weeks, and the opening salvo of a twomonth drive toward Election Day that pits Obama against Romney, the former governor of
Massachusetts. The contest is ever tighter for the White House in a dreary season of economic struggle for millions. Biden preceded Obama at the convention podium and proclaimed, “America has turned the corner” after experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Obama didn’t go that far in his own remarks, but he said firmly, “We are not going back, we are moving forward, America.” With unemployment at 8.3 percent, the president said the task of recovering from the economic disaster of 2008 Please see OBAMA, page 6A
Please see LAKE, page 2A
National commitment needed on obesity, officials say reverse this epidemic,” said Dr. William Dietz, past director of the division of nutrition, physical activity and HEALTH obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Speaking to about 200 people
at the Kansas Summit on Obesity at the Ramada Inn, Dietz said many fail to see obesity as a threat or they consider it as someone else’s problem. He said the country needs an “emotional engagement” to fight obesity, similar to the struggle for civil rights and the efforts by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
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The leader of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has begun exploring the feasibility of a resort development at Clinton Lake. “We’re still in the beginning stages, but I can tell you that it is an idea that is very important to me,” said Robin Jennison, KDWPT secretary. Jennison confirmed he has met with state Rep. Tom Sloan, Sloan R-Lawrence, state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, and various city leaders about the idea of a major lodging and resort development Francisco located inside Clinton Lake State Park, which is just west of Lawrence. “With K-10 (the South Lawrence Trafficway) on track to be completed, that really adds to the potential of Clinton,” Jennison said. “Clinton is one of our great lakes. It may have one of the nicest marinas in the state, it has a stable water source, and it is close to a vibrant community. It has a lot going for it that would be attractive for a resort.”
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“We need that passion,” he said. In Kansas, nearly two-thirds of adults and a fourth of adolescents were classified as overweight or obese. Nationally in 1991, no state had an obese population of more than 19 percent. Now, no state has less than 20 Please see OBESITY, page 2A