Noted Kansas political scientist Burdett Loomis dies at 76

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Longtime University of Kansas political scientist Burdett Loomis has died. He was 76. Loomis was a frequently quoted commentator and the author, co-author or editor of more than a dozen books about politics. A local funeral home notice said Loomis died Saturday at his Lawrence home. Kansas Public Radio reports that he recently was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He worked at the University of Kansas for more than 40 years and became a highly visible analyst of state politics. He was remembered as a mentor for students and the books he wrote or co-wrote included works defending reporesentative democracy and examining the influence of special interest spending in Washington.