Lawsuit

It's a common complaint of people who go to the movies- the price of snacks is usually more than you pay for a ticket. And that has a Michigan man upset. He's filed a lawsuit to end what he calls price gouging. He hopes to make it a class action lawsuit so others can join in. Attorneys don't expect the case to go anywhere, but Joshua Thompson sure has company in his complaints. Read more about the issue here and let me know what you think.

Wichita businesses fighting the state's new smoking ban get time to argue their side. A Sedgwick County judge issued a temporary restraining order that will keep the state ban from taking effect in Wichita next week . The attorney for three local businesses filed a lawsuit. He argues a local smoking ordinance can be used, if it's as strict as the statewide law. Attorney Harry Najim represents Mort's Cigar Bar, Walt's Sports Bar and Heat Cigar Bar and Hookah Lounge.

The Andover School District is responding to a lawsuit filed in Butler County court by parents who claim the school helped create a “pay to play” atmosphere. In the lawsuit, parents Paul and Melinda Peffly claim a conflict of interest was created when then Andover High basketball coach Jason Stucky borrowed money from them for a business venture. Paul Peffly says he had trouble getting the coach to pay him back. He got his money, but believes his business deal may be the reason his son and a friend were cut from the team.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Advocates for the disabled have filed a lawsuit with the Kansas Supreme Court over cuts in social services. In a lawsuit filed Friday, the advocates ask the court to reverse almost $10 million in cuts in services for the mentally disabled made by Gov. Mark Parkinson and legislators. The case was filed on behalf of three disabled Kansans, three groups providing services to the mentally disabled and InterHab Inc., a group representing service providers.

The shell of the home on North Minnesota still stands. As do the questions about what caused it to explode on December 20, 2011. The explosion critically burned Mikayla Frierson, her 2-year-old daughter and boyfriend. Now she is suing for more than $75,000. The lawsuit alleges that ONEOK and Kansas Gas Properties, "...engaged in ultrahazardous and abnormally dangerous activities in controlling, operating, managing, maintaining, monitoring and servicing gas lines to and in close proximity to the home.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A group representing 72 Kansas school districts says it will sue state officials over education funding issues later this year. Schools for Fair Funding sent notice to the Legislature on Thursday saying it will file suit in October in Shawnee County District Court. The decision isn't a surprise. The member districts had voted in February to go ahead with a lawsuit after the Kansas Supreme Court refused to reopen a previous school finance case. Schools for Fair Funding lawyer John Robb said members waited for legislators to end their 2010 session before sending the notice.

By Kim Wilhelm (WICHITA, Kan.) As students continue to enjoy summer vacation, a school funding battle may be brewing.  For Kansan schools, it's a familiar fight.  In 1999, a group of schools districts sued the state over inadequate funding.  In 2006, the courts ordered lawmakers to increase education funding.  Over the next three years, roughly one billion dollars was pumped into education.  The problem now?  Recent budget cuts leave schools with less money than before the original lawsuit.

A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit thought to be the first of its kind. It was brought by parents in a suburban Kansas City school district who were suing for the right to spend more on their school. Now a local Attorney says it's a good thing it got dismissed and that it could actually help get more funding for Kansas schools. The Shawnee-Mission school district were so frustrated with budget cuts, they wanted to pay more taxes for their schools. But they couldn't; the State put in a cap so wealthy districts don't have an unfair advantage over poorer ones.

New allegations of abuses at a Kansas military boarding school have been raised in a revised lawsuit brought by parents of former cadets from across the nation.     An amended complaint filed Friday in federal court adds more plaintiffs to the case against St. John's Military School in Salina.     The school has denied there is a culture of abuse or failure to supervise.     A California student who attended St. John's for only four days suffered two broken legs.

The outcome of a lawsuit between Cherokee County and Penn National Gaming may be determined at trial. Both sides say there's been no settlement during mediation talks. In 2008, Cherokee County filed a lawsuit against Penn National. The suit alleges a breach of contract. The county is seeking $53 million in damages. The casino company decided not to build a casino in Cherokee County after winning the contract by the state. Southeast Kansas remains the only casino zone to either not have a casino or not have one in the works.

The Wichita city council has approved a settlement in a civil lawsuit against a former police officer. Joseph McGill pleaded guilty to sex crimes against two women while on duty. One of those women filed a civil lawsuit against the city and the Wichita Police department. The settlement is worth $89,000. It does not reflect an admission of liability for McGill or the city. McGill was sentenced to three years probation in this case. He was also found guilty of sexually abusing two children in a separate case earlier this year.

It's the Kansas State Fair where there are livestock that have been bred to be breaded and all sorts of food that used to have a face. In the middle of it all is a lone booth, set up by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.  The group is trying to get Kansans to listen to its anti-meat message. Along with pamphlets there's a video.  The video includes graphic images of animals being dismembered.  PETA says it was shot on American farms and in slaughterhouses.  The group wanted to set up a TV so everybody who walked by the booth could see the video.  But a federal judge ruled that State Fair management could require the video be hidden from general view.  So the back of the television is facing the people as they walk by. Harold and Linda Reimer of Newton agreed to watch the video, although they are already vegetarians.

The family of an inmate who committed suicide at the Sedgwick County jail is preparing to sue Sheriff Bob Hinshaw . Attorney Mark Schoenhofer is representing the Haehn family and is preparing litigation.  The family claims, according to the document, Sheriff Hinshaw was negligent for failing to properly train, educate and supervise his detention deputies.  The family wants to know why he wasn't placed on suicide watch....

Attorneys for alleged victims of jail abuse at the Sedgwick County Detention Center are asking for monetary damages in the amount of $20 million. Click Here to Read Court Filing FactFinder 12 filed an Kansas Open Records Request last week for the official copy of the "Notice of Claim" filed with the Sedgwick County Clerk's Office.   There are two separate claims relating to deputy David E. Kendall, both dated July 24, 2012, and both asking for $10 million in damages.

It's been two years since an explosion and fire injured six volunteer firefighters in Kirwin, Kansas, now they and the city of are taking the company responsible to court claiming negligence. "The case is worth millions of dollars, because at least the one fire fighter will never work again," said Wichita Attorney Don Snook. Kirwin Fire Fighter Rex Lowe showed us his injuries just days after getting out of the hospital in 2010. The volunteer fire fighter was trying to put out a truck fire in Kirwin when chemicals onboard the truck exploded.

Testimony is expected to wrap up Friday in a lawsuit over school funding. Several school districts, including USD 259, are suing the state claiming current funding levels are not enough to meet the needs of students. Wichita principal Amy Hungria took the stand this week to testify before the three judge panel. Hamilton middle school is still weeks away from welcoming back students, but Hungria is already preparing to do more with less. "Every time we lose a person because of cuts, we are increasing class sizes," Hungria said.

He lost his Rose Hill home in a propane explosion last August, but Stan Olson never received any money from the company who caused it. Now he's is taking Global Propane to court. "I've always prided myself for always keeping my properties nice, and now we look at a burned up mess," Olson said. "Yes, it is frustrating" Olson's rental home nearly burned to the ground 11 months ago when tanks from nearby Global Propane exploded and landed on his property "Could see flames shooting above the trees, propane tanks blowing everywhere," Olson said.

New allegations of abuses at a Kansas military boarding school have been raised in a revised lawsuit brought by parents of former cadets from across the nation.     An amended complaint filed Friday in federal court adds more plaintiffs to the case against St. John's Military School in Salina.     The school has denied there is a culture of abuse or failure to supervise.     A California student who attended St. John's for only four days suffered two broken legs.

It's a common complaint of people who go to the movies- the price of snacks is usually more than you pay for a ticket. And that has a Michigan man upset. He's filed a lawsuit to end what he calls price gouging. He hopes to make it a class action lawsuit so others can join in. Attorneys don't expect the case to go anywhere, but Joshua Thompson sure has company in his complaints. Read more about the issue here and let me know what you think.

West Virginia University has settled a lawsuit with the Big East Conference, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July. The terms of the deal were confidential, but it's believed to be around $20 million. WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck said Tuesday no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement. Luck said the funding will come only from private sources and money that athletics raised independently.