Legislator introduces evolution resolution

Topeka — A resolution has been introduced in the Kansas House that urges public schools to teach “the full range of scientific views that exist” when it comes to controversial topics, such as evolution.

“This resolution is not based on a conservative or liberal position,” Rep. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, said. “It is based on a position that promotes religious neutrality and academic freedom so important to science education.”

The Kansas State Board of Education will consider standards later this year on the science teaching in public schools. The instruction of evolution has been a hotly contested portion of those standards.

Pilcher-Cook denied she was trying to undo evolution instruction or insert creationism into curriculums.

World Online

Chat with candidates for city commission

Two Lawrence City Commission candidates will participate in online chats this afternoon with Journal-World readers at www.ljworld.com.

Tom Bracciano, a local school district administrator, will chat at 1 p.m.

George Grieb, who runs a Lawrence-based electric service business, follows at 3 p.m.

Questions may be submitted at ljworld.com. Transcripts will be posted on the Web site.

City Commissioner David Schauner, who is up for re-election, will chat at 1 p.m. Friday.

Schools

Boundary committee turns to junior highs

It was back to the drawing board for the Lawrence school district’s boundary committee Tuesday, the day after part of their proposal to change elementary school boundary lines was put on hold by the school board.

Committee members turned their focus to junior high schools in the district. They’re working to redraw boundary lines so that every student from an elementary school is able to attend the same junior high.

Tuesday’s discussion centered around proximity and diversity. Committee members said they wanted students to live close to the junior high schools they would attend, while maintaining a diverse population of students at the schools. Boundary changes have to be approved by the school board.

Courts

Rapist pursues appeal to receive new trial

The man convicted in a 1999 sexual assault and robbery at a Lawrence shoe store is in Douglas County District Court this week to argue he deserves a new trial.

Terry D. McIntyre, 44, says he had ineffective assistance from his trial attorney and from the attorney who handled his appeal, which was denied by the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2002.

McIntyre is serving as his own attorney during the hearing, which began Monday.

In 2000, a jury convicted him of pistol-whipping one clerk and raping another in July 1999 at Payless ShoeSource, 3231 Iowa. He was sentenced to 645 months in prison.

He argues DNA evidence used in the case was tainted and says his attorneys made mistakes, including failing to challenge an eyewitnesses’ identification of him as the suspect.

The hearing continues today.

Local film critics share Oscar picks

Tonight “River City Weekly” premieres its sixth annual Academy Awards preview show celebrating the upcoming 77th Academy Awards, scheduled Feb. 27.

Taped earlier this month at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, preview guests include John Tibbetts, associate professor of theater and film at Kansas University and a film critic on KANU; Kansas City InfoZine film critic Liz Sweeney; Loey Lockerby, film critic with the Kansas City Star; and the Journal-World’s entertainment editor, Jon Niccum.

“River City Weekly” with host Greg Hurd premieres on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays with replays at 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Mondays, and 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.