Kansas political author to appear on C-SPAN

Author Thomas Frank’s June 14 appearance at the Lawrence Arts Center will be broadcast at 11 a.m. Sunday on C-SPAN, Sunflower Broadband Channel 28.

The 90-minute segment will feature Frank reading from his latest book, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” and answering audience members’ questions.

In his book, Frank marvels at conservative Republicans’ success in using cultural, hot-bottom issues to win the support of Kansas’ poor and working-class voters while passing tax breaks for the rich.

Frank, who grew up in Mission Hills and attended Kansas University, now lives in Washington, D.C. He is a contributing editor for Harper’s magazine.

Downtown

Line replacement to affect water service

City officials said Thursday that an “unreliable” 12-inch waterline would be replaced this morning along 10th Street downtown.

Work was planned for the northwest corner of 10th and Massachusetts streets. Water service was expected to be affected between Ninth and 11th streets along Massachusetts.

The replacement was expected to be complete by 6 a.m. today.

Investigation

Sheriff’s Office confirms identity of body

Sheriff’s officials on Thursday confirmed that the body pulled Wednesday from the Kansas River was that of Robert Lathrom, the rural Oskaloosa man who disappeared earlier in the week after a family fishing trip.

Lathrom’s age initially was given as 52, but information from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday indicated he was 51.

A cause of death has not yet been determined, and authorities continue to investigate. Family members think Lathrom might have jumped or fallen into the water Monday evening near the Bowersock Dam.

Altruism

Backpack program spans generations

A Lawrence retirement community will be filling backpacks with school supplies for 20 local children.

Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community contacted several Lawrence businesses for donations for a project called “Footprints.” Residents now have enough materials to assemble 20 backpacks, which will be delivered to children on Aug. 7.

The group hopes to expand the program to 50 backpacks next year.