Manufactured Consent Among Our American Idols

Headlines from the single daily newspaper in the capital: Topeka Capital Journal:

3-incumbent 76th House Primary Won By Most Senior -- The most senior Kansas House member has prevailed in a Republican primary race with three incumbent lawmakers running in an Emporia-area district. The winner was Rep. Peggy Mast, of Emporia, who received 47 percent of the vote in the 76th House District. Rep. Bill Otto, of LeRoy, captured 33 percent and Rep. Willie Prescott, of Osage City, had 20 percent. The three incumbents were in the same district after federal judges redrew the state's political boundaries in June. Legislators failed to pass any redistricting measures this year.

Democrats Reach Out To Moderates After GOP Primary Purge -- The state's Democratic leaders rolled out the "welcome mat" for moderate Republicans Wednesday morning, after Gov. Sam Brownback and his conservative allies succeeded in purging much of the Republican party's middle-of-the-road elements in Tuesday's primary election. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, and House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, presented their party and the general election in November as the last opportunity to place a roadblock in front of Brownback's policy priorities.

Gov Told Of Kickapoo Water Emergency -- Governor Sam Brownback, along with state water resources and emergency management officials, listened Wednesday as leaders of the Kansas Kickapoo Tribe described how their main source of drinking water might become depleted by drought in 60 days. Tribal chairman Steve Cadue told the governor during his tour of the Kickapoo reservation near Horton that the tribe has discussed emergency plans to buy potable drinking water from the City of Atchison should conditions dictate.

GOP, Gov Now Target Judges, Unions -- Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback awoke Wednesday with a majority in the state Senate all but guaranteed for his fellow conservative Republicans to help him pursue new limits on annual government spending, further cuts in income taxes and greater influence over who sits on the state's appellate courts.

Meanwhile in Wichita, in the seat of Elephant's ass at the single daily newspaper there, the Eagle Beagle:

Babysitter leaves 9 children at mall to smoke meth
By Stan Finger, The Wichita Eagle
She won’t be a finalist for Babysitter of the Year.

Salvation Army distributes school supplies
By SARAH TUCKER, The Wichita Eagle
The Salvation Army began distributing school supplies on Wednesday, the first of four distribution days.

West Chick-fil-A opens tomorrow; Campout under way

Denise Neil, Dining with Denise Neil
The "First 100" campout is under way at the about-to-open Chick-fil-A at 21st and Maize. Wichita’s second free-standing Chick-fil-A opens on Thursday, meaning Wichita’s second Chick-fil-A campout is under way.

Woman badly beaten, boyfriend sought
By Stan Finger, The Wichita Eagle
Police officials say a friend’s intervention may well have saved a woman’s life early Wednesday morning in south Wichita.

And from the Kansas City Star:

Explosion, fire reported at Iatan Power Plant
Firefighters are battling a blaze caused by an explosion at the Iatan Power Plant near Weston. Heavy fire was reported on the first, second and third floors of the power plant.