Out-of-State Patients Push Number of Kansas Abortions Up for 2023
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – New state data shows that Kansas clinics provided nearly 20,000 abortions in 2023. The Kansas News Service reports that out-of-state patients have pushed that number up in recent years. 2023 was the first full year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and many nearby states banned abortion. The data shows abortions were up nearly 60% from the year prior and up 150% from 2021. Texans make up the largest number of patients at Kansas clinics by far, followed by Kansans, Oklahomans and Missourians. More than 9 in 10 abortions occurred before the 13th week of pregnancy. None happened after 22 weeks, which is the legal limit in Kansas.
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Kansas Biologist Estimates 14,000+ Birds Ill or Dead from Bird Flu
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — KPR has been reporting on a spike in bird flu in wild birds. At first, a few dozen geese and ducks were reported dead at eight different reservoirs and wetlands across the state. Now, KSNT reports that a Kansas wildlife expert estimates that number could be as high as 14,000 sick and dead geese. That estimate comes from Shane Hesting, Wildlife Disease Program Coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Hesting says that's a conservative estimate of the birds that have become sick or died since the end of November. He says total mortality is likely much higher because of birds dying in more remote and rural areas not being reported. Health and wildlife experts say it's best to leave sick birds alone and let nature take its course.
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USDA to Begin Testing National Milk Supply for Bird Flu Virus
UNDATED (HPM) — Starting next week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin testing the national milk supply for bird flu. Harvest Public Media reports officials say it will help them determine exactly where the virus is spreading in dairy cattle. Under a new federal order, facilities and farms will have to share samples of unpasteurized milk to be tested for bird flu. The virus first appeared in cattle earlier this year and has infected hundreds of herds across 16 states. It’s also infected nearly 60 humans… mainly through exposure from infected cows or birds. Until now, testing has been mostly voluntary. Catalina Picasso, a veterinary epidemiologist at Michigan State University, says this new approach will help pinpoint the virus’s movement. “We as a country are gonna be able to understand where the disease is and where the disease is not,” she added. Michigan is one of six states that will be part of the first round of the new testing strategy. The others are California, Colorado, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. (Read more.)
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State of Kansas Agrees to Stop Enforcing Contested Voter Registration Group Restrictions
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – The state of Kansas will no longer enforce a law that voting groups said made it difficult to register voters. The Kansas News Service reports that Kansas lawmakers banned impersonating an election official in 2021. But voter registration groups said the law was too vague and could criminalize the work they do. In July, the Kansas Supreme Court temporarily blocked the law from being enforced, saying it was likely unconstitutional. The state has now agreed to permanently stop enforcing the law. A separate lawsuit will continue over a law concerning mail-in ballot signatures.
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Midwife-Led Birth Center in Topeka Could Be Closed over Alleged Health Violations
UNDATED (KNS) – A midwife-led birth center in Topeka could be forced to close because it allegedly did not comply with state health regulations. The Kansas health department says Immanuel Birth Company failed to resuscitate a baby, didn’t report a stillbirth in time and admitted two patients who were high risk. The Kansas News Service reports that birth center staff have appealed and are working to keep their license. Women in Topeka recently protested the potential closure. Protester Stephanie Horacek says after a traumatic hospital birth with her first child, she had a quote “wonderful” experience at Immanuel. “Not only did I feel safe there but it actually healed a huge, like, injury to my heart,” she explained. Horacek says women would lose options of where to give birth if Immanuel closes.
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Electricity Transmission Line Proposal Canceled
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) – The proposal for an electricity transmission line that would have run across Kansas has been canceled. The concerns of Kansans prompted lawmakers to halt the project. The Kansas News Service reports that the electric transmission line would have started in southwest Kansas and ended in Illinois. The idea was to strengthen energy infrastructure and connect regions that have unreliable power grids. But some Kansans were worried that this project would allow the federal government to infringe on their private property rights. Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and U.S. House Representative Ron Estes, who both actively worked to block this project, released statements saying they were pleased with the cancellation.
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Rare December Tornado Hits Western Missouri
WARSAW, Mo. (KCTV) - The National Weather Service office in Springfield, Missouri has confirmed that a weak December tornado touched down in Missouri over the weekend. KCTV reports that the rare, late autumn tornado touched down during a brief thunderstorm that moved through Benton County on Saturday. An EF-0 tornado with peak winds of up to 80 mph touched down just after 3:40 p.m. near Warsaw, Missouri, ripping through more than a mile of land for about 5 minutes. Damage was reported to trees and outbuildings but no injuries were reported.
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Corn Stunt Disease Emerges in Kansas Fields
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KNS) - A corn disease turned up for the first time in Kansas this year, in in 26 Kansas counties. The disease is called corn stunt and it hurts crop yields. The insect that spreads the disease was already a problem in Texas and other southern states, but this year the corn leafhoppers moved as far north as Minnesota and New York. Rodrigo Onofre is a crop pathologist at Kansas State University extension. “We all are very shocked with how widespread, how endemic this leafhopper and the disease was,” he added. He says it’s not clear why this happened. Winds from the south may have combined with other factors to spread the insects. It’s unclear if the corn leafhoppers will survive the winter in Kansas and farther north. Kansas State Extension helps farmers test corn that they suspect is impacted by the disease. Corn leafhoppers also turned up for the first time in Oklahoma and Missouri this year.
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Kansas Getting $8 Million to Help Close Digital Divide
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Kansas is getting more than $8 million in federal funds to help close the digital divide. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday that the Kansas Office of Broadband Development will start accepting applications in February for funding from the federal grant. A total of $8.2 million in funds is available for a variety of projects designed to expand and improve internet access. Eligible entities encouraged to apply include community organizations, educational institutions, tribal nations and local government agencies. Applications will be open from February 3 to April 3rd, 2025.
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State of Kansas Launches Internet Access Grant Program
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is launching a new grant program to help expand internet access and other digital infrastructure. The Kansas News Service reports that the grants will be funded by more than $8 million from the federal government. Uses for the grant money include expanding internet access, improving local websites for accessibility and training people in workplace skills. The money will be available to community organizations, local governments and other groups who demonstrate a need. Applications for the program will be open from February to April. More information is available at kansascommerce.gov.
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Group Says It Needs More Funding to Expand Services to Western Kansas Kids
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) – A group that helps children who are victims of abuse in western Kansas says it needs more funding to expand needed services. For a child who is a victim of abuse, talking to law enforcement or child protective services can be intimidating. Having child friendly mental health experts trained in trauma recovery available in rural places helps with those investigations. But trained experts and mental health services aren’t readily available in many rural areas. Director Layla Mumgaard told the Kansas News Service that extra funding for the Western Kansas Children’s Advocacy Center could help the kids they serve across 34 counties, saying that “...we have that ability to do that within our rural communities when a lot of people aren't able to drive two, three hours.” But Mumgaard says they want to offer more. They are turning to the public asking for donations to reach their goal of $1 million to renovate their building.
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Lawrence Begins Search for New Fire Chief
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - The City of Lawrence will begin a nationwide search for its next fire chief. KCTV reports that Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Richard Llewellyn is leaving, creating a vacancy. City officials say that work has already begun to find a recruitment firm to aid with the search. The search process is expected to take between 6 and 9 months. Meanwhile, an Interim Chief is expected to be named within 60 days.
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Chiefs Beat Browns in Cleveland, Mahomes Suffers Ankle Injury
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) - The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cleveland Browns 21-7 Sunday in Cleveland but quarterback Patrick Mahomes was injured in the fourth quarter. Back-up quarterback Carson Wentz entered the game after Mahomes injured his ankle in the fourth quarter. He was attempting a fourth-down pass and was hit on the play. Mahomes says there was nothing too unusual about the hit, explaining that “I just got rolled up on. It happens in football and so I tried to bounce back up but obviously it hurt a little bit.” Mahomes told reporters after the game. Further evaluation will take place this week with a home game against the Houston Texans coming up on Saturday. Before the injury, Mahomes had thrown two touchdown passes. A 21-yard run by rookie Xavier Worthy gave the Chiefs a 21-0 lead in the third quarter.
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