Kansas Secretary of State Continues Criticism of Postal Service over Mail-In Ballot Issues
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab continues to hammer the United States Postal Service this month over alleged mail-in ballot failures as the general election day draws near. Schwab sent a new letter criticizing the USPS on Monday about “a critical issue” his office highlighted following the conclusion of the 2024 primary election in August. KSNT reports that the issue in question came to light on September 9 when Schwab accused the Postal Service of mishandling 1,000 legally cast ballots in the primary election. In the new letter, Schwab condemns the “generic reply” he received from the USPS following his previous letter. He claims the USPS has failed to address the issues he raised initially earlier in the month. “I am deeply troubled by the USPS’s dismissal of these concerns,” Schwab said. “Especially given the November General Election is weeks away.” Schwab said that the Postal Service chose to overlook the problem rather than working with Kansas officials to find solutions.
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Kansas Tax Collections Exceed Estimates in September
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – September marks the fourth month in a row that Kansas tax collections came in above estimates. The Kansas News Service reports that officials say Kansas brought in more than $1 billion in tax revenue last month. That's about $8 million higher than predicted. The state’s also doing better compared to this time last year. That extra revenue mostly stems from individual income and sales taxes. Corporate income tax collections, on the other hand, were more than 20% lower than expected. Monthly tax collections have been about 2 to 3 percent above estimates since June. Overall, the state retains a healthy budget surplus, and lawmakers are expected to pursue more tax cuts next year.
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Kansas Files First Criminal Charges After Passage of New State Law Targeting Organized Retail Theft
TOPEKA, Kan. (TCJ) - State prosecutors have filed the first criminal case since Attorney General Kris Kobach pushed for new laws targeting organized retail theft. The Kansas Attorney General's Office announced last week that 30-year-old Demetrius Lamont Odom of Decatur, Georgia, is charged in Lyon County District Court with four felony counts of identity theft, two felony counts of criminal use, and several other charges in connection to alleged retail crimes targeting Kansas liquor stores. The Topeka Capital Journal reports that the charges come after lawmakers in 2023 made Kansas the first state in the country to expand the attorney general's prosecutorial authority to include retail thefts spanning multiple counties. They followed that with a 2024 law further targeting such crimes. Organized retail crime has been a hot-button issue nationally and in Kansas in recent years. While videos of flash mob burglaries made national news, corporations like Target closed stores, blaming organized retail crime. But critics contend that retailers are mistakenly blaming organized theft rings for too great a share of their losses.
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Dockworker Strike Could Affect Exports of Kansas Produce
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The labor strike by dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts started early Tuesday morning and Kansans could feel the effects. WIBW TV reports that the strike could impact shipments of Kansas fruits and vegetables. Joe Walden, an Associate Professor of Supply Chains at the University of Kansas, says the strike may affect produce exports that are shipped from Kansas by train or barge to Gulf of Mexico ports. “If it’s stuff that has a shelf life on it, then it’s a good chance that what’s being shipped out may not make it to the other end,” Walden says. “It will have a big impact on the farmers shipping out produce this time of year.” Companies using ports to move produce may rely on planes instead, increasing the cost of goods and leading to more inflation. J.P. Morgan estimated that every day of the strike would cost the national economy $4.5 billion. Imports will also be affected, with fifty-five percent of products imported from overseas come from ports on the East Coast.
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Letter to Kansas City-Area Catholic Diocese Residents Contained False Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCUR) – 55,000 households across the Kansas City region received a letter last month from the Catholic Diocese, with false information about Missouri’s upcoming abortion rights vote. KCUR reports that among other misleading claims, Bishop James Johnston falsely wrote that Amendment 3 would lead to late-term abortions and would not allow recourse for medical negligence. Emily Wales, president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, says that there’s a lot of misinformation coming from abortion rights opponents. "Trust yourself to find out, to do the research, and then vote in a way that protects your interests and your loved ones," she urged. The Diocese says it’s received mixed feedback about the letter. Religious institutions can publicly support ballot initiatives, but are prohibited from endorsing specific candidates.
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Moran Helping Launch Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C (JC Post) — Republican U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas is leading a bi-partisan effort to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The Junction City Post reports that Moran spoke on the Senate floor telling colleagues he believes the nation should be investing in all types of energy production, including wind, solar, fossil fuels, ethanol, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF. Moran is launching the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus with co-chairs Republican Senator John Bozeman and Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth.
The Department of Energy says SAF is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint. Depending on the feedstock and technologies used to produce it, SAF can cut carbon emissions dramatically compared to conventional jet fuel.
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State Agencies Gather Input on Latest Kansas Water Plan
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – Several Kansas state agencies held a public meeting Monday to gather feedback on how it plans to fund the latest state water plan. KMUW reports that the Kansas Water Plan lays out goals like conserving aquifers and protecting reservoirs. Currently, Kansas puts about $60 million a year toward the plan. But officials sought input on increasing that to $140 million annually. Some of the increase would go to improving water quality and clearing sediment from reservoirs. Anthony Seiler is the Sedgwick County Farm Bureau's Executive Director. He says the proposal doesn't put a lot more money toward conserving the shrinking Ogallala aquifer, which farmers depend on. "A lot of the political will to spend money in this space is coming out of the stories in western Kansas, how this is really an existential level threat to the economy...but we're not spending the money there," he added. Potential funding sources include fees, sales tax and bonds.
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KSU Study Suggests Bovine Influenza Spread Between Cattle Via Milking
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – New research from Kansas State University seems to confirm suspicions that milking is the main way cattle spread bovine influenza to one another. The Kansas News Service reports that the research suggests cattle spread the disease through milk and milking procedures rather than through the air. It’s caused by the same virus as bird flu. Symptoms among cattle include low appetite, fever and reduced milk production. The disease was first detected among U.S. cattle this spring, including in Kansas. So far, it’s been found in at least 14 states. The report says sanitary milking practices could help reduce the spread. The disease rarely affects people, but it can spread to those in direct contact with infected livestock.
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WSU Program Will Train Students for Licensed Mental Health Technician Jobs
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – Wichita State University is launching a new program that will train students to become licensed mental health technicians. It comes amid a shortage of mental health providers in Kansas. Debra Pile, chair of the WSU School of Nursing, says demand for the roles is already high and will increase when a new psychiatric hospital opens in Wichita in a few years, adding that "...we're real excited that it not only helps fill the need for mental health care technicians across the state, but also helps these individuals with future planning and other health care pathways." Coursework is entirely online and will count toward other degrees at WSU. The university is partnering with Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita for clinical rotations and is working to form more partnerships across Kansas.
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Some Community Health Centers to Receive Federal Money to Expand Mental Health Services
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – Several community health centers in Kansas will receive federal funding to expand mental health and substance use disorder services in the state. The Kansas News Service reports that about $3 million will go to centers that are located in mostly rural parts of the state, including Pittsburg, Junction City, and Salina. The money will go toward expanding access to mental health care, including telehealth. It also includes increasing access to opioid use disorder treatment and medications. Carol Johnson is with the Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the funding. She says rural areas have historically lacked access to mental health and substance use treatment options, adding that “...what we're going to hold our grantees accountable for here is expanding appointments, expanding access. Are you seeing more people? Are more people able to get it in a timely way?” Clinics in Wichita and Lawrence also received funding from the administration.
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Independent Birthing Center in Kansas City Area Closes
UNDATED (KNS) – Women in eastern Kansas now have fewer options to give birth holistically. The Kansas News Service reports that the last independent birthing center in the Kansas City region closed. After more than a decade delivering babies, New Birth Company closed its doors in Overland Park, citing financial issues primarily due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Kendra Wyatt, the center’s former CEO, says their services were in high demand. She says policymakers, hospitals and insurance companies need to respect women and their birth plans. “And if we listen to women, and there are plenty of groups in Kansas City who are providing that feedback to our institutions, to the plans, if we listen to them, they’re telling us what to do,” she added. Wyatt says many of their clients experienced trauma giving birth in hospital settings, but now, unless they can afford a home birth, they don’t have many other options.
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Kansas City, Missouri Approves Plan for More Affordable Housing
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas City, Missouri leaders have approved a plan to bring more affordable housing to the city. KCTV reports that Mayor Quinton Lucas and the city council have approved eight new projects totaling nearly $7 million. City leaders say the projects will create and preserve 684 affordable homes in and around the city. The affordable housing will be available for individuals whose income is equal to or less than 60% of the median income level in their geographic area.
Mayor Lucas says the Housing Trust Fund has made it possible for the city to invest nearly $40 million to create and preserve more than 2,000 affordable homes since 2021. The eight projects most recently approved include: $198,938 for a transitional housing project to provides housing and services to insecure LGBTQ+ young people; $412,868 for a Teacher Village to house eight teachers for three-year increments; and $425,623 for Heroes Home Gate to provide 24 transitional houses for homeless veterans.
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Johnson County Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Former Johnson County Commission Chair Annabeth Surbaugh
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags in Johnson County, Kansas, be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Wednesday in honor of former Johnson County Commission Chair Annabeth Surbaugh. Surbaugh died in August at the age of 79. She was a member of the Board of Johnson County Commissioners for 18 years, and was the first publicly elected, at-large chairman of the Board after passage of the county’s Home Rule Charter. She served two terms as chairman after 10 years as Third District commissioner. Prior public service included being elected to the board of Rural Water District No. 2 in 1988. In 1989, she was elected to the board of Water One of Johnson County, becoming Chair in 1991. “For more than three decades, Chair Surbaugh was a fierce advocate for the people of Johnson County,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Her work with countless organizations will be remembered fondly and touched the lives of many. My sincere condolences go out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”
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Topeka Police to Sponsor Cyber-Fraud Awareness Workshops
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Topeka Police Department will sponsor three cyber-fraud awareness training sessions for the public this month. TPD officials say the sessions will focus on “common scams, how they operate and steps to protect yourself.” Organizers say the public workshops are the first of their kind in the capital city and they are in response to rising reports of online scams in the Topeka community. WIBW TV reports that the one-hour sessions will present an overview of prevalent scams followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session.
The sessions are scheduled for:
•Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Melvin Auditorium, 1515 SW 10th Ave.
•Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Brewster Place Event Center, 900 SW 31st St.
•Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oakland Community Center, 801 N.E. Poplar St.
These workshops are in-person, open to the public and do not require registration, organizers added.
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Officials Identify Two People Killed in Western Kansas Train Collision
LIBERAL, Kan. (KSNW) – Two people from Maine have been identified as the victims in a fatal pedestrian-train collision that occurred Sunday (Sept. 29) as a man was pushing a woman in a wheelchair across railroad tracks in Liberal. KSNW TV reports that the incident happened just after 8:00 Sunday night near U.S. Highway 54. Authorities say the man who was pushing the wheelchair attempted to cross the railroad tracks while the crossing arms were down and the signal lights were active. Both people were struck by hit by the train and later pronounced dead. The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the two pedestrians as 61-year-old Adam J. Flores and 42-year-old Deanna M. Flores. Both are from Bangor, Maine. The engineer and the conductor of the train were uninjured.
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Lawrence to Host Electric Vehicle Showcase
LAWRENCE, Kan. (Lawrence Times) - The Lawrence Electric Vehicle Showcase is planned for October 6. The Lawrence Times reports that the event will focus on the latest electric vehicles and e-bikes and highlight the vehicles’ benefits for the environment. The showcase is sponsored by the Sustainability Action Network and will feature a number of electric vehicles including Teslas, Tesla Cybertrucks, and electric cars and pickup trucks produced by Toyota, Hyundai and Ford. The public will also have an opportunity to see a Lawrence Transit e-bus and various electric bicycles from two local bicycle shops. There will also be displays by local solar companies, and the University of Kansas Engineering School will sponsor a display of EV battery technology. The event is part of National Drive Electric Week and it’s set for next Sunday, October 6th in Lawrence’s South Park.
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Royals Defeat Orioles in First Wild-Card Game Matchup
BALTIMORE (KPR) – The Kansas City Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 1-0 Tuesday in game one of their American League wild-card series. Bobby Witt, Jr. drove in Maikel Garcia for the winning run in the sixth inning. The Royals will face off against the Orioles in Baltimore again on Wednesday and, if necessary, Thursday afternoons. If they win one more game, the Royals will advance to the Division Series against the American League-leading New York Yankees. That 5-game series is set to start October 5th.
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