Kansas Lawmakers Consider Increased Penalties for Animal Abuse
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — A bill introduced in the Kansas Legislature would increase the penalties for abandoning an animal without providing for their proper care. It’s called Bowie’s Law and was named after a dog in Wichita whose owner abandoned him during below-zero temperatures. Christy Fischer, of the Wichita Animal Action League, says the dog would have died if he was not found. “Unfortunately, however, this defendant was charged with a misdemeanor because, under the current animal cruelty statute, our Sedgwick County District Attorney did not feel that they could charge with a felony," she said. In 2020, Bowie was left in a kennel near a dumpster during below-zero temperatures in Wichita. The person who abandoned him faced a misdemeanor. Fischer says miraculously, Bowie ultimately survived. “He absolutely would have died, which was supported by veterinary statements later on, if he had not been found simply by coincidence," she said. Under the bill, such abandonment could amount to a felony. The proposal would create a felony offense for such abandonment. Penalties would include up to 30 days in county jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Lawmakers seem to generally support the bill.
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County Health Rankings Show Parts of Kansas Struggling
UNDATED (KNS) – Kansas counties overall are healthier than the national average according to new research, but certain parts of the state still struggle. The Kansas News Service reports that the 2024 County Health Ratings and Roadmaps study compiles data on various health factors. Wyatt Beckman is a senior analyst with the Kansas Health Institute. Beckman says government and health officials, as well as the public, can use the data to learn about local health challenges. “It can also be a resource for them to understand some areas for improvement that they would like to start conversations around,” he explained. Beckman said while Kansas ranked high overall, every county has room for improvement. Some counties in rural southwest and southeast Kansas, as well as urban counties like Wyandotte or Sedgwick, scored lower than the state average. To see where your county ranks, visit KHI.org.
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Dairy Cattle in Kansas and Texas Test Positive for Bird Flu
UNDATED (AP) – Milk from dairy cows in Kansas and Texas has tested positive for bird flu, U.S. officials said Monday.
The illness has been reported in older dairy cows in those states and in New Mexico. The symptoms included decreased lactation and low appetite.
It comes a week after officials in Minnesota announced that goats on a farm where there had been an outbreak of bird flu among poultry were diagnosed with the virus. It's believed to be the first time bird flu — also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza — was found in U.S. livestock.
The commercial milk supply is safe, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dairies are required to only allow milk from healthy animals to enter the food supply, and milk from the sick animals is being diverted or destroyed. Pasteurization also kills viruses and other bacteria, and the process is required for milk sold through interstate commerce, they said.
“At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health,” the USDA said in a statement.
Experts say livestock will recover on their own. That's different than bird flu outbreaks in poultry, which necessitate killing flocks to get rid of the virus. Since 2022, outbreaks in have led to the loss of about 80 million birds in U.S. commercial flocks.
Based on findings from Texas, officials think the cows got the virus from infected wild birds, the USDA said.
So far, the virus appears to be infecting about 10% of lactating dairy cows in the affected herds, said Michael Payne, a food animal veterinarian and and biosecurity expert with the University of California-Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.
“This doesn’t look anything like the high-path influenza in bird flocks,” he said.
The federal government also said that testing did not detect any changes to the virus that would make it spread more easily to people.
Bird flu was detected in unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas. The virus was also found in a nose and throat swab from another dairy in Texas. Symptoms including decreased lactation and low appetite. Officials also reported a detection in New Mexico.
Officials called it a rapidly evolving situation. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are also involved, along with officials in the three states. Another dairy-heavy state, Iowa, said it is monitoring the situation.
Dairy industry officials said that producers have begun enhanced biosecurity efforts on U.S. farms, including limiting the amount of traffic into and out of properties and restricting visits to employees and essential personnel.
Bird flu previously has been reported in 48 different animal species, Payne noted, adding: “It was probably only a matter of time before avian influenza made its way to ruminants.”
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
(–Additional Reporting–)
Avian Flu Found in Kansas Cattle
(UNDATED (KNS) – Cattle at two commercial dairy farms in Kansas have tested positive for avian flu. The Kansas News Service reports that the Kansas Department of Agriculture says the risk to the public remains low because initial testing suggests mammals cannot spread the virus to other mammals. The release says KDA is not concerned about the safety of commercial milk or milk consumers because the pasteurization process kills bacteria and viruses. State officials say people should avoid unpasteurized milk, and dairy farmers should keep a close watch on their herds for symptoms. Symptoms of bird flu for cattle include lower milk production, changes in stool and loss of appetite. It’s the first time the virus has been documented in commercial dairy farms in Kansas. Cattle in Texas have also tested positive.
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Missing Overland Park Man’s Body Found in Lawrence Park
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) — The body of a missing Overland Park man has been discovered in a Lawrence park. KCTV reports that a hiker walking at Clinton Overlook Park Sunday evening called police after discovering what he thought was a body. Authorities later identified the body as that of 53-year-old David Kyle Kempker, of Overland Park. The man had been reported missing. Deputies had been searching Clinton State Park for Kempker since finding his vehicle there on March 20.
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Kansas House Approves Measure to Stop Universities from Requiring DEI Statements
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – The Kansas House has approved a measure that would bar universities from requiring D-E-I statements. The Kansas News Service reports that the bill aims to prevent Kansas colleges from basing a student’s admission or an employee’s hiring or promotion on any pledge about diversity, equity or inclusion. Republicans call the statements “loyalty oaths” and say the practice amounts to left-wing ideology. Democratic Rep. Kirk Haskins opposed the measure. He says DEI efforts are common in private industry, and the House bill infringes on academic freedom. “The DEI pledge that we’re debating here would not be required if we trusted our professors,” Haskins added. The bill now goes to the Kansas Senate. That chamber recently approved a budget package that would withhold money from public universities unless they eliminate mandatory DEI training.
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No One Hurt After Weekend Gunfire Erupts in Downtown Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) — Gunfire erupted in downtown Lawrence early Sunday morning but police say no one was hurt. The late night argument happened outside of a bar just before 2 am Sunday in the 700 block of Massachusetts Street. KCTV reports that dozens of people in the area scattered when shots rang out. No one has been arrested but an investigation continues.
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Late Winter Storms Hit Western Kansas
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) – Just when Kansans were ready to put away their coats and gloves, a late winter storm barrelled through western Kansas and is moving east. The Kansas News Service reports that most of the snowfall accumulation will be west of Highway 183, an area that could see 1 to 3 inches of snow. The storms are moving east and will cause some light rain and snowfall overnight. Slick road conditions are expected Tuesday morning. Kelly Sugden, a meteorologist in Dodge City, says this type of snowstorm is actually pretty common for the month of March, explaining that “March is definitely a variable, we can easily see snowfall for us." Monday marked 67 years since a blizzard brought more than 18 inches of snow to southwest Kansas.
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2023-2024 Winter 4th Mildest on Record for Kansas
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KNS) — Soil temperatures are warmer than usual in Kansas after one of the warmest winters on record. The Kansas News Service reports that this was the fourth-warmest winter on record for the state of Kansas - and the warmest February in 70 years. A weekly report from the assistant state climatologist at Kansas State University says average soil temperatures across the state are 3.6 degrees warmer than usual. K-State recently reminded farmers to pick their planting date with soil temperatures in mind. Spring is also proving warmer than usual so far. A few southern Kansas towns even hit 85 degrees in the first week of March.
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Window & Door Manufacturer Selects KCK for $76 Million Facility, 600 New Jobs
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Ingram's) — A Midwest manufacturer of windows and doors has selected Kansas City, Kansas, to build a new $76 million factory. Governor Laura Kelly announced last week that Minnesota-based Marvin will construct a 400,000-square-foot facility that will eventually create 600 new jobs in KCK. According to business magazine Ingram's, the company expects to open the plant in 2025.
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Willow Domestic Violence Center Featured in the KPR Community Spotlight for March
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — This month's KPR Community Spotlight is on the Willow Domestic Violence Center. Willow serves survivors of domestic violence in Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties and all of its services are provided free of charge. Christy Imel, director of external affairs for Willow, says survivors of domestic violence often find ways to hide their abuse from friends, family and colleagues. "I've had a number of people come up to me and say: 'Is domestic violence really an issue in our community?' And the answer is: Yes, absolutely it's an issue," she said. Willow operates more than one shelter for survivors and provides a 24-hour hotline for people who need help: (785) 843-3333. Learn more about Willow and the many services it provides.
Willow is holding its Bijoux fundraiser on Thursday, April 4 at the Cider Gallery in Lawrence.
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Welcome to the 1980s! Pop Sensation Tiffany Performs for Free at Topeka's West Ridge Mall
TOPEKA, Kan. (TK Business Magazine) — 1980s pop star Tiffany is coming to Topeka's West Ridge Mall to perform a free concert. The concert, presented by Evergy, is being held for the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Annual Meeting. TK Business Magazine reports that the event will be held inside West Ridge Mall’s food court on April 4, as part of a 1980s-themed celebration. The public is invited to enjoy Tiffany's performance for free from the mall’s second-floor interior walkway. The public will also be able to get to see a 1980s DeLorean, modeled after the car that appears in the popular 1980s movie “Back to the Future.”
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Kansas Senator Argues for More Higher-Ed Opportunities in Southwest Kansas
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) — Kansas Senator Jerry Moran was recently in Garden City, stressing the importance of expanding degree opportunities in southwest Kansas. Southwest Kansas is the only part of the state lacking a university. The American Council on Education says that makes it a higher education desert. But now, Garden City Community College and Newman University in Wichita are launching a unique private-to-public institution partnership. This will allow students to earn their bachelor’s degree in Garden City. Senator Moran says this will encourage more students to stay in the region. “Often when we send our kids away, it's much harder to get them to return. We have momentum," he said. Program leaders say the partnership gives nontraditional students the opportunity to finish their degrees. It also can provide the region with trained professionals in areas where there are shortages, like education, nursing and agribusiness.
Jessica Bird, with Newman University, has been spearheading the effort. She says after students leave southwest Kansas to look for degree opportunities, many do not return. “The benefit to bringing degrees to this region is that we'll have highly trained folks who are willing and want to stay in the region," she said. Bird says the goal is to fill workforce gaps based on community needs. Bachelor’s degree options include education, business, nursing and agribusiness. Scholarships are available for students through these types of partnerships.
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Select Sonic Locations to Offer Blackout-Themed Drink and Give Away Solar Eclipse Glasses
TOPEKA, Kan. (TCJ) — April 8th marks the day for a total solar eclipse in the U.S. While the state of Kansas won't be in the path of totality this time around, parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri will be - and countless people are expected to flock to the area when the event takes place. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a partial solar eclipse will be seen from Topeka beginning at 12:36 pm and ending at 3:09 pm.
To help customers safety watch that astronomical phenomenon, select Sonic Drive-Ins in Topeka will give away special solar eclipse viewing glasses. One pair of glasses will be handed out with each purchase of the limited-edition Blackout Slush Float that Sonic will offer for sale now through May 5, while supplies last. Officials with Sonic say the all-black slush represents the temporary darkness from the solar eclipse.
According to NASA, the April 8th solar eclipse will be the first one in the U.S. since 2017 and the last one in the country until 2044.
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Wichita Weighing an End to the Practice of Publishing Public Notices in Newspaper
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) — Wichita will consider ending its contract with the Eagle and McClatchy, the paper's parent company, to publish the city's public notices. If approved, Wichita will become one of the largest cities to do so. The Kansas News Service reports that the city spends $150 thousand dollars a year to publish its notices in The Eagle, its paper of record. Council members argued that they’d rather continue publishing notices on the city's website or find other publications. But other council members said that older members of the community still read the notices in the paper. Emily Bradbury is with the Kansas Press Association. She says publishing notices in the paper helps keep local governments accountable: “At the end of the day, it's about transparency, and we feel like we're advocates for the public. And we know, that transparency will be harmed, and the public will be harmed if the public notices are pulled from newspapers.” Council members will discuss the contract at their April 2nd meeting.
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$50,000 Powerball Prize Won at Discount Smokes and Liquor Store in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — A lucky lottery ticket holder in Kansas City has claimed a nice cash prize. A Quick Pick Powerball ticket sold earlier this month at a Kansas City liquor store turned out to be worth $50,000. WDAF TV reports that a person in Clay County, Missouri, bought the winning ticket, which was purchased at Discount Smokes and Liquor (on northeast Highway 69) on March 11.
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K-State Falls, KU Still Playing at the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
UNDATED (KPR) — The K-State women's basketball team was knocked out of the tournament Sunday by Colorado, 63-50. Meanwhile, the #8 seeded KU women are still playing. The Jayhawks have a 9 pm game Monday against top seed USC with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
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