Americans

The awards are really starting to pile up for Fort Hays State University point guard Dominique Jones. But on Tuesday the senior from New York picked up perhaps his biggest prize. Jones was one of 16 players named to the State Farm Coaches' Division II All-America Team, as voted on by members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Jones becomes the first Tiger All-American since Tyrone Shephard 2006. Dom averaged 17.9 points and 6.3 assists per game. He was an All-MIAA First Team selection for the second straight year, the MIAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and an All-South Central Region First Team selection by both the NABC and Daktronics.

Americans have nothing to worry about. That's what one Wichita radiation expert says concerning the chemicals being released at Japan's nuclear power plant. Jerry Thomas is a radiological physicist at Via Christi Medical Center.   He says radiation risks to americans have been blown out of proportion. While he doesn't know the exact amount of radioactive chemicals being released by Japan's facility, he says risks to soldiers and sailors is minimal too. He compares their exposure to getting an X-ray.

The IRS says more and more Americans are filing tax returns on their home computers. So far, 19-million tax returns have been filed that way, an increase of almost 6-percent over last year. The IRS reminds you that families with adjusted gross income of $58-thousand or less can use Free File softwear. It's available at www.irs.gov/freefile.  

Twenty-five year old Jill Martin beat out thousands of other contestants in Nashville for a chance to be an American Idol. "I'm very excited. I didn't think I would make it past the preliminary round," Martin said. Jill's friends and family eagerly watched the show Thursday from their Andale home. Jeniffer Lopez and Randy Jackson voted for her, Steven Tyler was the only nay-sayer, but that still meant she went to the next round in L.A. "I was so nervous.

The Charlotte Bobcats have sent little-used rookie point guard Sherron Collins to Maine of the NBA Development League. The undrafted former Kansas star has appeared in only 12 of Charlotte's 21 games. He's averaging 0.3 points and 0.4 assists as he sits behind starter D.J. Augustin and backup Shaun Livingston in coach Larry Brown's rotation. The Bobcats are hoping the 5-foot-11 Collins sheds more weight after injuries left him unable to work out for much of the summer. Collin is expected to make his debut with the Red Claws on Friday at Erie.

There are more than a hundred more Americans in Kansas. Friday morning, 149 people became U.S. citizens in a naturalization ceremony at Century II in Wichita.     For many of us, being an US citizen is something we are born into. "It's hard to say right now, said Beverly Vaughan of South Africa, "just all excited. " For the 149 people, it's been a lengthy process. "I'm really proud to be an American citizen now," said Herman Palmeiro, who is most recently of Mexico. Years of working, and worrying, and wishing, ended Friday morning with an oath.

It's nearly two years away, but the American Rabbit Breeders Association will hold its 2012 convention at Wichita's Century II. The event was announced this morning by the Go Wichita Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Where there's one rabbit, there are two more, and soon there will be a whole lot more. Rabbits will take over Century II in 2012.            "They have been producing once again," said John Rolfe, with a laugh. Rolfe is President and CEO of Go Wichita.

AAA projects 42.2 million Americans to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving, an increase of 11.4 percent compared to 2009.  Approximately 1.62 million travelers will fly to their holiday destination, a 3.5 percent increase from last year. Auto travel is expected to increase by 12 percent over last year with 39.7 million Americans driving to holiday destinations. This accounts for 94 percent of all holiday travelers, the highest percentage of automobile travelers recorded in AAA's holiday travel history.

The accolades for Jacob Pullen continue to mount, as the senior was named a preseason first team All-American by The Associated Press on Monday. Pullen, who has been selected to a number of All-American teams, was joined on the first team by North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson and Duke’s Kyle Singler.  Pullen was an honorable mention AP All-American as a junior after leading K-State to its first Elite Eight since 1988.

The Wichita Wingnuts, in conjunction with the American Association, announced a plan for realignment in 2011. The most significant change will be the addition of four new franchises.  The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Kansas City T-Bones, and Winnipeg Goldeyes (all formerly of the Northern League) join the existing 10 American Association clubs to create a 14-team league for next season.  The four new teams all have histories of at least nine years and have combined for six Northern League championships.