TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University wants to change the name of its Salina campus.

The university asked Wednesday to name the Salina campus Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus.

The Salina Journal reports the new name would emphasize the campus’ concentration on technical arts and applied sciences.

The proposal was heard by the provosts of the seven state universities. The Council of Chief Academic Officers will make a recommendation to the Council of Presidents, which will in turn make a recommendation to the Board of Regents. The state Legislature also might have to approve the name change because the current name is included in state statutes.

The university also wants to merge the departments of aviation, engineering technology, and arts, sciences and business into a School of Integrated Studies in Salina.

TOPEKA, KAN. – Federal prosecutors Wednesdayfiled an involuntary manslaughter charge against a Riley County man in connection with a shooting death at Fort Riley, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Juwan D. Jackson, 18, who lives on the Fort Riley base, is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter. A criminal complaint alleges that on Sept. 11, 2015, Jackson handled a firearm in a reckless manner, resulting in the shooting death of 16-year-old Kenyon Givens, who also lives on Fort Riley.

If convicted, Jackson faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. Army Criminal Investigations Division and the FBI investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Graham and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi are prosecuting.

Emergency Management Officials from across the state are currently attending the annual Kansas Emergency Management Association Conference being held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Junction City.

Between 160 and 170 people and 35 vendors are attending this years conference at the Geary County Convention Center.

The conference offers a number of benefits for the Emergency Management Officials according to Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director.

“A lot of its the training, different way’s of doing stuff, new equipment, new products coming out on the market, also just the networking with the different people from across the state,” said Berges. “This is the only time, some of us, get together except for emergencies where we can talk and visit with each other.”

The conference features guest speakers and multiple break out sessions and training opportunities.

This is the second year that the KEMA Conference has been held in Junction City, and the City will host it once again next year before it moves to another location.

Emergency personnel responded to the Dillon’s Food Store parking lot about 12:30 p.m.

A check with the Junction City Fire Department revealed a Dillon’s employee was hit by a vehicle backing out of a parking stall. He was taken to Geary Community Hospital with what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

The Junction City Police Department reported that the car was backing out a low rate of speed and bumped a Dillon’s employee, Travis Marts, 34, Junction City, who was moving grocery carts at the time. Marts was taken to Geary Community Hospital for evaluation.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas State University researcher who was fired after accusing his colleagues of misrepresenting data in an academic journal has lost a bid for whistleblower protection under federal law.

The inspector general’s office at the National Science Foundation concluded that the research assistant professor of biology, Joseph Craine, didn’t qualify for the legal status based on allegations of retaliation from his superiors. However, the investigation did uncover evidence that two professors who sought Craine’s firing referred to him in profane terms in emails withheld by Kansas State University.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that university officials declined to comment on the foundation’s report, the Kansas Whistleblower Act and the nondisclosure of emails.

The National Science Foundation became involved because it sponsors research on prairie grassland coordinated by the university.

Problems in address mental health issues was one topic of discussion when county commissioners from various central Kansas counties met in Ottawa last night.

Ben Bennett, Geary County Commission Chairman, noted the counties have the same problems on that issue, “shortage of funds, meeting the needs of especially the number of people who we have in our county jails who really should be in a mental health institution.”

To continue to address the situation Bennett noted steps include to lobby and work with the legislators, “talk with our legislators and make sure they were aware of the problem. Hopefully in the future something can be done at the state level to reopen or take care of providing sources of funding for it.”

The representatives from the different counties meet periodically to discuss issues.

The Junction City Police Department and Geary County Sheriff’s Office will be using funds from this year’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to purchase a new throw phone.

Both agencies were awarded $15,531 through the grant, which will cover over half of the new throw phone.

Junction City Police Chief, Tim Brown explained that they will use drug forfeiture funds to make up the difference on the cost of the phone.

“The cost of the crisis response video throw phone system, is in the ballpark of $25,000. We will augment that with drug asset forfeiture money,” said Brown. “This will be a county-wide asset available to not only the Junction City Police Department but the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Grandview Plaza Police Department, or any other law enforcement entity were to come into the County.”

The throw phone will replace one that is currently between 15 and 20 years old. Two JCPD Officers are certified hostage negotiators and have trained with the new throw phone.

“We now have, as you know, the mobile command post, and that coupled with this, coupled with the swat team, all the things will be in place that we need for these types of situations should they arise.”

The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of a juvenile at 900 North Eisenhower Drive ( Junction City High School ) on suspicion of Aggravated Arson and Possession of Tobacco.

The arrest occurred Tuesday morning.