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Jonathan Kealing

Stories by Jonathan

Planned site upgrades postponed

Some of your favorite features about LJWorld.com, KUSports.com and Lawrence.com will be unavailable Wednesday night as we complete a major upgrade to the back end of our Web site.

Change is coming to KUSports.com

It’s been in the works for a while, and it’s nearly ready: Our newest version of KUSports.com. We wanted to give you, our readers, a brief heads up.

Mangino encourages his players to get to the polls

At his weekly press conference this week, coach Mark Mangino spent five minutes talking about how important it was for his student-athletes to vote.

Hardware failure causes Web site outage

Regular visitors to our Web site this morning noticed a problem: There was no Web site waiting for them.

LJWorld.com picks up second consecutive APME award

Honor given for coverage of the KU basketball national championship

LJWorld.com and the staffs of the Lawrence Journal-World and 6News earned a second consecutive APME award, this time for its coverage of the Kansas Jayhawks’ run to the national championship.

Electrical outage affects traffic signals on 23rd Street

A total of 920 Westar Energy customers in Douglas County were without power about 7:45 Thursday morning after powerful storms ripped through the area overnight.

Regents direct universities to undertake background checks on new employees

Policy change takes effect in September

The Kansas Board of Regents Wednesday afternoon directed all six state universities to implement background checks of new employees by September.

DLI likely won’t pay $6,400 bill

The Kansas University athletics department won’t be able to count on a $6,400 check from Downtown Lawrence Inc. to cover the cost of canceling its basketball banquet at the Lawrence Holidome.

Sports facility upgrades expanded

$55M to be spent on Allen Fieldhouse, other buildings

With upgrades to the Kansas University football team’s facilities nearly complete, attention this summer will return to Allen Fieldhouse and the area around it for $55 million in upgrades, expansions and additions.

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The $6,400 question: Should KU Athletics be reimbursed?

Downtown groups asked to pay for post-basketball season changes

The weeklong celebration that engulfed Lawrence after the Kansas University Jayhawks won the national basketball championship didn’t come without a price. The final tally: more than $130,000 for the city and KU, most of it spent on police.

Jayhawks in Greensburg featured on ‘Early Show’

Kansas University was featured prominently in Wednesday morning’s CBS “Early Show.”

Jayhawker Towers renovation expedited

The first step in meeting Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self’s request for better student-athlete housing will begin this summer with the renovation of Tower A at Jayhawker Towers.

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Victory: What’s in it for KU?

Stellar athletic year may boost enrollment, donations

It’s been a banner year for Kansas Athletics: an Orange Bowl victory for the football team and a National Championship for the basketball team. In addition to promoting good feelings across campus, there’s the chance that all of this promotion - something that a value can’t easily be affixed to - will provide tangible benefit to the university.

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Welcome back, champs!

25,000 fans rejoice with No. 1 team

Despite the rain, despite the cold and despite a party that did not end until 2 or 3 in the morning, about 25,000 Jayhawk fans poured into Memorial Stadium on Tuesday afternoon to fete their national champion basketball team.

Campanile to ring in KU victory in National Championship

After the game - When the bells of the Campanile ring tonight, you can thank Kim Sedberry and her fellow classmates in the carillon class.

Around and about Lawrence on the night of the NCAA championship

We’re out and about again in Lawrence tonight, as part of our coverage of Kansas University’s National Championship game against the University of Memphis. Mark Fagan and Jonathan Kealing are where the fans are. Here’s their report, which will be updated throughout the evening.

Oh my God, this is awesome’

Chaotic joy reigns in city after big win

Fireworks were crackling over the Saturday night sky as fans celebrated in the streets, on the sidewalks, inside cars and everywhere else in Lawrence. They were toasting Kansas University’s 84-66 victory over North Carolina.

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KU fans are celebrating in the streets

Fireworks are crackling over the night sky tonight as fans celebrate in the streets, on the sidewalks, inside cars and everywhere else in Lawrence.

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Countdown to tipoff

Got a game plan? Get in the door early, be prepared for rules

Downtown Lawrence is going to be anything but business as usual for this evening’s NCAA Final Four game between Kansas University and North Carolina.

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Love and honor, sure - but respect?

Tar Heel, Jayhawk hoping for wedded bliss, no matter who wins Saturday

When Jonathan Wingate and Hilary Smith get married this June, the church will be decked out in two hues of blue. The colors are commonly known as royal blue and light blue, but the happy couple know the colors by a slightly different description: Kansas blue and (North) Carolina blue. Uh oh.

Final Four Notebook: From Topeka to DC, anticipation grows

Ever since an article on other schools with the Jayhawk as a mascot ran in Wednesday’s Journal-World, e-mails and calls have been coming in with other schools or more information. A college spokesman for Muskegon Community College in Michigan said his school has had the Jayhawk mascot since the 1970s, because of an athletic director who liked the name.

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Other schools adopt KU mascot

Jayhawk-Linn High School in Mound City gets inspiration from flock to the north

Take heed all who enter - beware of the ‘Hawks.” A sign like that in Allen Fieldhouse would be just a bit off, but at Jayhawk-Linn High School, home of the Jayhawks, the sign’s just right.

6News video: A closer look at the Jayhawk vs. a Wildcat

As the Jayhawks battle it out on the court against Villanova, 6News decided it would be interesting to take a look at the mascots involved.

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Jayhawks looking for ‘Cats of a different stripe

Results with feline foes have been mixed

In the battle between a bird and a wildcat, the best money goes on the bird. At least, that’s what Marty Birrell, director of the Prairie Park Nature Center, says.

They did the math, and KU wins

If 1+1=2 and 2X3=6, then Kansas will win the NCAA championship this year. No joke.

Meet the Jayhawks’ latest foe: The Runnin’ Rebel

Fans expect KU to run over UNLV on way to Sweet 16

When the Jayhawks take the floor about 6 tonight, it’ll be the first time in nearly a decade that Kansas University has taken on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas’ Runnin’ Rebels.

6News video: Runnin’ Rebel doesn’t scare Jayhawk fans

KU’s basketball team has a date with the University of Nevada Las Vegas tomorrow. 6News reporter Jonathan Kealing hit the streets of downtown Lawrence to find out what Jayhawk fans know about the upcoming opposition.

Rowing facility under way

Amid blowing winds and snow flurries, Kansas University leaders broke ground on a new building to protect student athletes from such elements.

Orange Bowl travel costs for KU: $2M

More than 500 people went to south Florida with Jayhawk group

When Kansas University’s charter plane landed at Forbes Field after the Jan. 3 Orange Bowl, Jayhawk fans didn’t so much see football players walk off as much as they saw ordinary people. Lots of people. And all those people cost a lot of money to fly and put up in hotels. In fact, the total cost for KU to go to the Orange Bowl was about $2 million, according to figures released this week by KU as a result of a Lawrence Journal-World/6News Freedom of Information request.

Hemenway: Tuition will increase no more than 6 percent

Regents not interested in setting cap

Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway today pledged to bring KU’s tuition increase for next year in under less than 6 percent.

KU hauls in $1.26 million from game at Arrowhead

The Kansas University Athletic Department reaped a windfall from the Kansas-Missouri game played Nov. 24 at Arrowhead Stadium. According to numbers released by the athletic department late Friday afternoon, ticket sales for the game totaled $3.13 million.

Missouri lawmaker wants open season on Jayhawks

Before entering Missouri, Jayhawks beware.

Orange Bowl notebook

For a sports fan about to see his program’s biggest victory in at least 40 years, and perhaps ever, the biggest sin is forgetting the tickets. By that measure, count Adam Shaull, a Kansas University fan from Hattiesburg, Miss., as a sinner. The 2005 KU graduate left the two Orange Bowl tickets he purchased at home.

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Jayhawk heaven

Kansas defeats Virginia Tech in historic Orange Bowl victory

As oranges flew into the crowd Thursday night and with their favorite players on the grandstand, fans of the Kansas University Jayhawks danced in their seats. And fans in Lawrence crowded downtown, screamed for joy and shot off fireworks.

Miami notebook

Former Kansas University coach Don Fambrough electrified the crowd Wednesday night at the WaMu Fan Fest. With a quote that can only be described as not suitable for a family newspaper, Fambrough convinced the crowd that they were going to beat Virginia Tech in tonight’s Orange Bowl game.

KU grad finally makes it after missing out in 1969

Just $50. That’s how much Mark Robinett needed to scrape together for an entire trip to the Orange Bowl in 1969. That amount of money wouldn’t cover the cost of a student ticket to tonight’s Kansas University-Virginia Tech football game.

6News video: Die-hard fan waits 40 years for Orange Bowl trip

Just over 24 hours until KU kicks off against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Tonight we bring you the story of one fan who’s waited nearly 40 years to see the Hawks play in Miami.

First taste of citrus in 1948

Ex-KU cheerleaders recall trip to Miami

In late 1947, before the advent of jet aviation and the interstate highway system, the best way to get to the 1948 Orange Bowl was by train. Two former Kansas University cheerleaders recall that train ride lasting two days. While it has been 60 years since KU made its first appearance in an Orange Bowl, Alberta Cornwell and Dick Wintermote remember that trip vividly.

6News video: Fans make the drive to Orange Bowl

For many KU fans, seeing the Orange Bowl on a big screen TV just doesn’t do it.

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KU fans hit the road

Kansas University junior Tim Burgess hasn’t missed a football game this season and he isn’t about to let 1,503 miles keep him from attending the last one - Thursday’s game in Miami.

6News video: Like father, like son for two Marching Jayhawks

Thirty-nine years ago, Gordon Alloway joined the Marching Jayhawks as they played in the Orange Bowl. Now as the Jayhawks football team prepares to play Virginia Tech on Thursday, his son carries the same tune as dad. 6News reporter Jonathan Kealing has more.

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Orange Bowl links generations

Father, son march in KU's band 39 years apart

The Kansas University football team may want to invest in keeping Gordon Alloway in school as long as it can. Alloway was an undergraduate at KU the last time the Jayhawks went to the Orange Bowl. He returned recently to pursue a master’s degree in journalism. In 1969, Alloway was part of the Marching Jayhawks and made the trek to Miami to play at the game. And now, 39 years later, not only is Gordon Alloway back at KU, but his son, Stewart, also is an enrolled Jayhawk.

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Jayhawks hit the road to Orange Bowl

Contest heats up with boasts, bets

Bragging rights and friendly bets are on across the state as the Jayhawks prepare to take on Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on Thursday. Folks aren’t betting oranges. Nope, the wagers involve steaks, crimson-and-blue hats and sunflower seeds. Thursday morning, Lawrence Mayor Sue Hack challenged Blacksburg, Va., Mayor Ron Rordam and the town council to wear KU hats to their Jan. 8 meeting if the Jayhawks win. The Lawrence City Commission would don Hokie hats if KU loses.

Hoax calls traced to Chicago

An employee from a Chicago-based executive search firm is the registered owner of a cell phone used Wednesday night to make hoax calls to the Lawrence Journal-World. The phone was used to report inaccurately that KU football coach Mark Mangino was a candidate for the West Virginia football coach job.

KU-MU figures still not known

Financial gain from Arrowhead uncertain

There’s still no final tally for how much Kansas University, Missouri University and the Kansas City Chiefs made from the two schools’ Nov. 28 battle at Arrowhead Stadium. And according to a letter from the KU athletic department, the number won’t be available until at least 60 days after the game - or sometime in mid January. The letter was received in response to an open records request by the Lawrence Journal-World.

Probe of student loan lender settled

University Financial Services previously had sponsorship deal with KU

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has settled his investigation into a Florida-based student lender with ties to Kansas University. Student Financial Services, also known as University Financial Services, had marketing and sponsorship deals with 63 colleges and universities. Some of those deals, Cuomo said, duped students into choosing loans that were not beneficial to them.

KU’s ranking not adding up in academics

It’s a good thing for some schools that the Bowl Championship Series, or BCS, rankings are computed based on athletic performance and not academics. While Kansas University is ranked No. 5 in the BCS standings, its theoretical “academic BCS” puts KU at No. 17.

Anatomy of a rivalry

Border hostilities run deep

Scoreboard. That word printed below a picture of Lawrence burning on a Missouri-yellow T-shirt was enough to ignite the Jayhawk faithful. Soon, drawings of John Brown superimposed over the state of Kansas popped up on the Internet. Kansas fans were making their own statement about a rivalry that dates back more than 150 years. Yes, the rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State actually is known as the Civil War. But Saturday night’s Armageddon at Arrowhead - alternately known as the Border War or the Border Showdown - is rooted in the actual, shooting Civil War.

Battlefield awaits clash of titans

What to know if you go to the Border Showdown

So you’ve got your tickets. Or you’ve got “a friend” who knows where you can get some. Or you don’t have any but want to get as close to Saturday’s Armageddon at Arrowhead as you can. First you have to decide when you’ll get there. Then it’s what to bring, how to get home and how much to plan to spend. We’re here to help.

University of Hawaii, KU share more than undefeated record

Only two Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools remain undefeated at this late juncture in the college football season. One is, of course, the hometown Kansas Jayhawks. The other is the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Though the two schools are separated by four time zones and nearly 3,600 miles - and good luck driving that - they share a bond beyond the goose eggs in the loss column.

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