Appointment: First professor named from Hall Foundation gift

A specialist in 19th-century American literature will become the first Joyce and Elizabeth Hall distinguished professor of American literature and culture.

Susan K. Harris, whose writings focus on Mark Twain, begins this fall at Kansas University. Her position is one of five professorships planned with a $4.5 million gift announced last year from the Hall Family Foundation in Kansas City, Mo.

Harris, who will be an English department faculty member, has written several books, including “19th-Century American Women’s Novels” and “The Courtship of Olivia Langdon and Mark Twain.” Harris also edited an edition of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” published in 2000 by Houghton Mifflin.

She has served as director of the women’s studies program and associate chairwoman of English at Queens College in New York and director of graduate studies in English at Penn State University.

Politics: Stovall says she plans to finish out her term

Wichita Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall still is confronting speculation that she plans to resign before her current term expires in January.

Not so, she told the Mid-America News Network in Wichita.

“I’m not about to resign the office of attorney general early,” she said Tuesday. “I have loved the entire time I’ve had the privilege of serving as attorney general. I’m very much committed to serving out the remainder of my term.”

Stovall, a Republican, was first elected attorney general in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. She launched a campaign for governor last year but abandoned it in April, saying she didn’t have the desire to run or serve.

One reason for the speculation about Stovall is her planned Aug. 31 wedding. She plans to marry Larry Steckline, the owner of the Mid-America Ag and News radio networks in Wichita.

Douglas County: Commissioners to consider formalizing disaster-aid pact

Douglas County officials long have been willing to help other communities during times of emergency, but they’re prepared to put their good intentions in writing tonight.

County commissioners will consider approving a resolution to set a policy for providing disaster mutual aid law enforcement, medical and other services, for example to other units of local government.

The resolution would not obligate the county to provide aid but would help streamline requests during periods of disasters, said Paula Phillips, the county’s director of emergency management.

In other action, commissioners also will consider rescinding North 175 Road’s designation as a minimum-maintenance road, as requested by leaders of Palmyra Township.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:35 p.m. today at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass.

Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.31 at Citgo, Ninth and Iowa streets.

If you find a lower price, call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price.