Grinnell Tornado Rated an EF-3
GOVE COUNTY, Kan. (KPR/KWCH) - The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit the small northwest Kansas town of Grinnell was rated EF-3. That's the third-most powerful tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. KWCH TV reports that winds peaked at 140 miles per hour on Sunday, causing extensive and widespread damage in Grinnell.
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Evergy Restores Power to More than 90% of Customers
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Utility company Evergy says it has restored power to more than 90% of its customers following a series of severe storms that moved through Kansas this week. Most outages were in the Kansas City and Wichita areas. Nearly a thousand people remained without electricity Wednesday morning. Evergy expects to have service restored to everyone by Wednesday evening. At one point, as many as 88,000 Evergy customers lost power during this week's storms.
Check out Evergy's outage map for the latest.
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City of Leavenworth Faces Off in Federal Court Against Private Prison Company CoreCivic
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Private prison company CoreCivic is going head-to-head with the city of Leavenworth. The two parties faced off Tuesday in federal court. The company wants to reopen its former prison in Leavenworth as a detention center for President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. But the city wants a federal judge to block CoreCivic from holding migrants in the facility until it gets a special permit. The company argues that the public approval process is unnecessary. The Reverend Doctor Annie Ricker is chair of Kansas Interfaith Action, an advocacy group. She told protestors outside the Topeka courthouse that this case is about more than a local zoning dispute. “CoreCivic seeks to profit off the harm being done by this administration’s immigration policies," she said.
Rabbi Moti Rieber, with Kansas Interfaith Action, told protestors outside the courthouse that the stakes of the case go beyond a local zoning dispute. “So, we’re here to say no to detention, no to private prisons in Leavenworth, and stop the Trump crackdown on migrants," he said. U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse says he will issue a decision in the coming days.
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KDHE Reports 2 More Measles Cases in Kansas in Last Week
UNDATED (KMUW) – State health officials say two more measles cases were reported in the last week. That brings the total number of cases to 58 this year. KMUW reports that nearly all of them are associated with an outbreak in southwest Kansas. Sedgwick and Reno counties also recently announced their first cases. More than 60 percent of the cases are in children aged 10 or younger. One case involves someone older than 55. Officials say vaccination is essential to avoid catching and spreading the respiratory virus. Babies as young as 6 months of age can receive the vaccine.
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Secretary of Agriculture Approves Nebraska's Request to Ban Some Foods from SNAP Coverage
UNDATED (HPMP) – Nebraska is the first state to have a waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restrict certain food items from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Other states are likely to do the same in the near future. The Nebraska waiver will prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to buy soda and energy drinks in the state. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said other states, including Kansas, have either formally submitted a waiver request or expressed interest, adding that "...we’ve had some great states, great conversations, we’ve made a lot of great progress, but I have in my hand here the actual waiver that I will be signing...that puts Nebraska at the front of the pack." A pilot program in Nebraska will go into effect in January and last for two years. Advocacy groups and grocery associations have long opposed restrictions to SNAP benefits. (Read more.)
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Body Found in Hutchinson Storage Unit Fire
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNT) - A body has been recovered in Hutchinson following a fire at a self-storage business. Investigators believe the victim was living in one of the storage units. KSNT reports that firefighters had to fore their way into several storage units to battle the blaze. That is when the body was discovered. The Reno County coroner will work to identify the victim and the cause of death.
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Wichita Health Clinic Reports 2024 Cybersecurity Breach
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – Hunter Health Clinic in Wichita says a cybersecurity incident last year compromised personal information of up to 31,000 people. The Kansas News Service reports that the clinic says an unauthorized party gained access to an employee email account. The compromised information includes personal health information like medical records, as well as financial account information and social security numbers. Hunter says the information was stored in the employee email account and may have been viewed or acquired by the unauthorized party. Hunter learned about the breach in September and began notifying those impacted last week. In a statement, Hunter says it is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information and has taken additional precautions to protect it in the future. Hunter has three Wichita clinics and provides care to underserved populations, including American Indian and Alaskan Native patients.
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Kansas Prisoner Review Board Revokes Parole for Man Who Killed Trooper
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — The Kansas Prisoner Review Board has rescinded its previous decision to grant parole to a man who was convicted of killing a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the 1970s. After public outcry, the board announced Monday that 78-year-old Jimmie Nelms would not be released from prison after all. Nelms was sentenced to consecutive life terms plus nine years after being convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, kidnapping and first degree murder in the death of Highway Patrol Trooper Conroy O’Brien.
In May 1978, O’Brien was patrolling the Kansas Turnpike when he stopped a vehicle for speeding near Matfield Green. He was ambushed while issuing a ticket, forced from his vehicle at gunpoint, shot twice in the back of the head, and left to die in a ditch. Three men were involved in his death. Nelms and his accomplices were captured after a gun battle with state troopers. Nelms was convicted in 1979 and has been housed at the Winfield Correctional Facility.
He has been eligible for parole since 1993 and has appeared before the parole board nine times. He was initially granted parole after a hearing in March, but the board reversed its decision after the Highway Patrol, the Kansas State Troopers Association and others condemned the decision.
Nelly Goen, the daughter of the trooper who was killed in 1978, said that she forgave Nelms years ago. She was one of the few supporters of the decision to parole him.
(–Additional reporting–)
KPRB Revokes Parole Decision Following Objections
UNDATED (KNS) – After objections from state officials, the Kansas Prisoner Review Board has revoked its decision to parole a man who killed a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper. The Kansas News Service reports that Jimmie Nelms, who is now 78, is serving a life sentence for unlawfully owning a gun, aggravated kidnapping, and the murder of trooper Conroy O’Brien during a 1978 traffic stop. O’Brien was 26. Nelms, who’s been eligible for parole since 1993, was granted release in March. Law enforcement groups opposed the decision. And Democratic Governor Laura Kelly, Republican Senate President Ty Masterson and Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach also condemned Nelms's release.
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Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Continue to Plague Kansas Schools
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – It’s been five years since COVID-19 shut down schools in Kansas, and educators say they’re still seeing effects of the pandemic. The Kansas News Service reports that fifth-grade teacher Susie Kelley says many of her students...who were kindergartners when the pandemic began...are still behind academically. She’s also seeing more absences and behavior problems. “Those formative foundational skills and those years were lost. It’s going to take us time to get it back. And so, even though it was five years ago, we're still behind,” she said. Time on screens also spiked during the pandemic. Experts believe that affected kids’ attention spans and fine motor skills.
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Farmers Scrambling After USDA Program Cuts
UNDATED (HPM) – Over the past four months the Trump Administration has made sweeping changes to many federal agencies. Harvest Public Media reports that rapid changes at the agriculture department have left farmers scrambling for answers. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is one of many organizations creating resource guides for farmers who’ve lost government contracts, need legal or immigration support, or want details on what Trump’s executive orders mean for agriculture. The Coalition’s Stef Funk is among those compiling and sharing information. “We keep it as up-to-date as possible, in terms of any new directives from the administrative branch we're learning about, any new contract terminations, any funds that have been released, and also possible litigation efforts,” she says. Funk also says she expects USDA’s staff cuts and reorganizations to continue in the coming months, which could further affect farm programs and funding.
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Hearing Delayed for Police Official Connected with Marion County Newspaper Raid
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – A preliminary hearing for a police official involved in the raid on a Marion County newspaper has been delayed. KMUW reports that Gideon Cody was scheduled to appear Wednesday in Marion County court. He faces a charge of felony obstruction of justice. Authorities allege he asked a potential witness to delete text messages. Cody led a raid on the Marion County Record in August of 2023. He said he had evidence that employees had committed identity theft or other computer crimes. No charges were filed against the newspaper. Cody’s hearing has been rescheduled for July 23rd.
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Report: Rise in Extreme Heat Increases Pregnancy Risks in Kansas
UNDATED (KNS) – An increase in extreme heat in Kansas is making pregnancy more risky, according to a new report from the nonprofit Climate Central. In the last five years, Kansas has averaged 25 days with extreme heat. The report says that’s 10 days per year more than in a world without climate change. Dr. Caitlin Linscheid, an OB-GYN at the University of Kansas Health System, says heat increases the risk of a variety of pregnancy complications. She told the Kansas News Service that “...in the first trimester of pregnancy, extreme heat can be associated with pregnancy loss. And then as we get into the second and third trimesters, the concern really becomes more preterm labor and maternal exhaustion and things like heat stroke.” Linscheid says it’s crucial for pregnant Kansans to have access to cool, air-conditioned spaces on hot days … and to stay hydrated. Preterm births in the state are rising, and are now around 10% of births.
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AAA: More than a Half-Million Kansans Expected to Travel for for Memorial Day Weekend
WICHITA, Kan. (KPR) – More than half a million Kansans are expected to travel during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Triple-A predicts 505,000 residents will travel 50 miles or more between Thursday and Monday. That's an increase of 3.2% from last year. More than 85% of Kansans will drive to their destination. Currently, Kansas has some of the lowest gasoline prices in the nation. The average cost for a gallon of gas is $2.86. That's about 30 cents cheaper than a year ago.
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KU Athletics Cuts Workforce by 30 People
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) - The athletics department at the University of Kansas has reduced its workforce by as much as 10%. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the department has reduced its staff size by 30 people in less than a year. Athletics Director Travis Goff says the reduction will save the department about $3 million.
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Jacque Vaughn Named KU Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — Jacque Vaughn, a former All-American basketball player for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, has been hired as an assistant coach at KU. Head men's basketball coach Bill Self announced the hire Wednesday. Vaughn, who played as a point guard for KU from 1993 through 1997, was named Academic All-American of the Year in 1997. His number 11 was retired by the university in 2002, and his jersey hangs in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse.
Vaughn served as an NBA head coach for more than five seasons with the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets, and has more than 15 years of NBA coaching experience overall. Vaughn will replace Norm Roberts, who retired earlier this month, on the KU coaching staff.
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KU Baseball Coach Tapped as Big 12 Coach of the Year
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) – The Big 12 Conference has named Dan Fitzgerald, head baseball coach for the University of Kansas, as its Coach of the Year. Five Jayhawk baseball players also earned postseason honors. KU said in a news release that Fitzgerald is the first Big 12 Coach of the Year in program history.
Fitzgerald just wrapped up his third season as head coach at KU, leading the program to its best regular season in the history of the school with a 42-14 record and 20 conference wins. First baseman Brady Ballinger was voted to the All-Big 12 first team, while outfielder Jackson Hauge, pitcher Cooper Moore, and designated hitter Dariel Osoria were chosed for the All-Big 12 second team. Brady Counsell, who played both infield and outfield positions, was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention.
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