KPA to assist in KORA/KOMA sessions

Next week, five communities across the state will host meetings on the Kansas Open Meetings Act and Kansas Open Records Act.

"I hope KPA members will send representative to these meetings both to cover them and to brush up on what these laws say about open government," said Doug Anstaett, KPA executive director. "These are interactive sessions that provide an opportunity for our news staff members to learn more about KORA and KOMA and hear how others, especially elected and other public officials, view these laws."

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office, Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, KPA and Kansas Newspaper Foundation will offer five free training seminars on the Kansas Open Meetings and Kansas Open Records acts later this month.

Registration now is open for the free annual training seminars. Each lasts three hours in select cities throughout the state.

Space at each location is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis on the Kansas attorney general’s website, www.ag.ks.gov, or by calling (888) 428-8436.

The schedule for the sessions is as follows:
■ 9 a.m. to noon July 22, Garden City Community College, 801 Campus Drive, Garden City.
■ 9 a.m. to noon July 23, Colby Community College, 1255 S. Range Ave., Colby.
■ 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 24, Memorial Hall, 120 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka.
■ 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 25, Memorial Auditorium, 503 N. Pine St., Pittsburg.
■ 9 a.m. to noon, July 26, Paola Justice Center, 805 N. Pearl St., Paola.

KPA participants will be Dena Sattler, Garden City Telegram, Brian McCauley, Miami County Republic, Tomari Quinn and Tim Carpenter, Topeka Capital-Journal, Andrew Nash, Morning Sun (Pittsburg), Sharon Friedlander, Colby Free Press, and Doug Anstaett, KPA executive director.