Kansas Measles Cases Climb to 88
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Another new case of measles has been reported in Kansas, bringing the total in the state this year to 88. Most of the cases are concentrated in southwest Kansas, with Gray and Haskell counties reporting 49 cases between them. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says children four and under continue to be hit the hardest, with a case rate more than double the rate of any other age group. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than five.
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Boil Water Advisory Issued for Douglas County Rural Water District #6
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - State health officials have issued a Boil Water Advisory for Douglas County residents served by Rural Water District Number 6. The district serves rural water customers who live southeast of Lecompton, not including the city itself.
The advisory took effect Wednesday and will remain in effect until further notice from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The water system is currently at risk of bacterial contamination because of a break in a waterline, resulting in the loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure can result in a loss of chlorine.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
- Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
- Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
- If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
- Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
- Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at (785) 887-6225 or KDHE at (785) 296-5514.
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“Good Trouble” Rallies Planned for Lawrence, Topeka
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — A rally opposing the policies of the Trump administration is scheduled for Thursday in Lawrence. Organizers are calling the rally “Good Trouble” to honor the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who called for “good trouble” to make change. Thursday is the fifth anniversary of Lewis’s death. The Lawrence Journal-World reports a “Good Trouble” rally is also scheduled for Saturday at the Statehouse in Topeka.
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Report: Kansas Ranks Last in Nation in Protections for Contraceptive Access
UNDATED (KNS) – There are fewer protections for birth control access in Kansas than in any other state, according to new research. The Kansas News Service reports that the Population Reference Bureau, or PRB, a health research organization, recently released a scorecard grading each states’ policies on access to contraceptives. Christine Power with PRB says the study considers Kansas policies to be restrictive. But what really hurts the state’s score is a lack of policies supporting accessibility. Power explained that those policies include things “...such as contraceptive coverage, extended supply of contraceptives, and emergency contraception.” Power says Kansas lawmakers should consider filling those gaps to promote access to contraceptives.
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Lawrence Schools Could Lose $468,000 in Federal Grants
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — Lawrence public schools stand to lose $468,000 in federal funding after the Trump administration froze money already allocated to the district. Earlier this month, the administration notified states it was freezing more than $6 billion in federal education grants. The announcement came one day before the money was expected to be distributed. The Lawrence Journal World reports most of the money earmarked for the Lawrence school district was for grants that support recruitment, training, and retention of staff. Altogether, schools in Kansas are losing about $17 million in aid.
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Kansas to Get Millions in Opioid Settlement
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas is set to receive millions of dollars through a nationwide legal settlement related to the opioid epidemic. The Kansas News Service reports that Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says the settlement means the state will receive a total of $5.7 million from eight drug companies that manufacture opioids. Kansas data shows opioid overdoses have skyrocketed since 2016. More than two-thirds of all overdose deaths in 2022 were caused by opioids like fentanyl. But the total number of deaths from overdoses has fallen since 2023.
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Federal Child Tax Credit Won't Extend to Immigrant Families, but Other Credits Might Be Helpful on Child Care Expenses
UNDATED (KNS) — Advocates for families say parents of thousands of Kansas children will soon miss out on a federal child tax credit. The Kansas News Service reports that the Trump administration’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" blocks immigrant families from the tax refund. Federal Republican lawmakers boosted the child tax credit for a maximum total refund of $2,200. The change mostly benefits higher income families who can earn the total credit. But it also removes some immigrant families from eligibility. Nathan Kessler of Kansas Action for Children says that means immigrant parents of 25,000 Kansas children, even if the children are U.S. citizens, are no longer eligible. “This bill is extremely costly and the benefits are heavily skewed toward the top,” he explained. Kansas Action for Children says more than 170,000 of the state’s children are already ineligible because their parents do not earn enough money.
However, Kansas advocates for children say they are cautiously optimistic about other expanded tax credits for parents. Federal Republican lawmakers boosted the child care tax credit to allow low-income parents to claim up to 50% of their child care costs to lower their annual taxes. Previously they could only claim 35%. Emily Barnes of Kansas Action for Children says lower-income households could see up to $900 in tax savings next year. “This change does not make child care more affordable, but it does allow parents to recoup a small amount more toward their expenses,” she said. However, the group says the bill also cuts funding for Medicaid and food assistance programs. That will increase the cost of living for low-income families.
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Economist Says Solar Farms Could Still Benefit Kansas Despite Cuts to Federal Incentives
PITTSBURG, Kan. (KNS) – A Kansas economist says proposed solar farms will still be a boon to the state despite expected increased energy prices. The recent passage of the Trump Administration’s budget bill ended tax incentives for solar and wind energy projects. That will result in increasing costs for consumers. Craig Compton with the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University told the Kansas News Service that there are still economic benefits to green energy projects, like a proposed solar farm in Cherokee County. Compton says that project is expected to add millions of dollars to the southeast Kansas economy and increase the supply of energy. "The increase in that supply curve can serve to reduce the cost," he explained. Construction on the solar farm in Cherokee County is slated to begin in 2027.
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Wichita School Board Approves Contract Extension for District Superintendent
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) — The Wichita school board has extended its contract with Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld. It includes a new agreement about intellectual property. The Kansas News Service reports that Bielefeld’s total compensation under the new contract is about $385,000 a year. That puts him among the highest-paid superintendents in the state. The contract includes new longevity bonuses and a boost to what the district contributes to Bielefeld's retirement. It also features a new agreement that the concept for a K-6 microschool launched last fall is Bielefeld's intellectual property. School board president Diane Albert says the contract is fair and appropriate. "We want to reward good quality staff members that are improving student achievement in a real measurable way," she explained. Bielefeld is starting his third year leading the state's largest school district.
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Popular Sunflower Summer Program Returns—with Some Changes
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) — The Sunflower Summer program has started across Kansas. The Kansas News Service reports that decreased state funding means the popular program will run for only three weeks this year. Last year's program ran from May 25 to August 11. Sunflower Summer lets children from preschool through 12th grade visit museums, zoos and other attractions for free. It runs through August 3rd. Decreased funding from Kansas lawmakers means free tickets will be limited to one adult per student, rather than two adults as in past years. Tickets can be claimed through the free Sunflower Summer app and later redeemed at participating venues. More information is available at SunflowerSummer.org.
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Entry in Liberal Independence Day Parade Sparks Concern, Criticism
UNDATED (KNS) — Advocates say Kansas Latino politicians are facing an uptick in racism. A Fourth of July parade in Liberal, Kansas, included a truck with signs that said “vote Republican” and called on Mayor Jose Lara and Commissioner Janeth Vasquez to resign. They are Liberal’s only Latino politicians. Esmeralda Tovar-Mora is with the Kansas Immigration Coalition. She says the sign was racist and other Latino leaders across the state are experiencing similar discrimination. “They’re veiled in this sort of performative patriotism now and free speech, but they’re rooted in racism and white supremacy,” she added. An official with the Seward County Republican Party says the group was not responsible for the float and was “disgusted” by it.
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Union Pacific Details Plans for Wichita Groundwater Cleanup
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) — Union Pacific hosted an open house in Wichita over the weekend to update residents on cleanup plans for a contaminated railyard near 29th and Grove. KMUW reports that Union Pacific completed four rounds of indoor air sampling at properties within the zone. Results indicated levels well below the state’s risk-based standards. Experts at the open house shared poster diagrams of the affected zone, the indoor air sampling process, and the location of future groundwater treatment systems. Inafay Grays-McClellan lived in the contaminated area for 27 years. She says information at the open house was not shared effectively. “They just put these little graphs out and everything and this and that, that, that you know that's not telling you nothing,” she noted. Union Pacific plans to install four new groundwater treatment systems as part of the next phase of cleanup. The company currently has one groundwater treatment system at Murdock Avenue that treats 5 million gallons a month.
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Iconic Pig Statue Stolen from Topeka Restaurant
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — A Topeka barbecue restaurant is asking for the public's help after its iconic pig statue was stolen. The large wooden statue sat in front of Lonnie Q’s BBQ, which is scheduled to reopen as Deano’s at Deer Creek later this year. KSNT reports the heavy statue was taken by two people in a pickup truck late Sunday night. The statue, nicknamed “Hamhock,” was bolted to the ground floor prior to the theft but had recently been moved so it could be touched up. Anyone with information about the missing wooden pig is asked to contact Shawnee County Crime Stoppers.
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Royals Trade for Veteran Player
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) – The Kansas City Royals have picked up veteran Adam Frazier in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo was constantly asked before the All-Star break whether his team would be sellers or buyers heading into the second half of the season. Picollo was non-committal, but when asked about the team struggling to score runs, said "...the holes in our offense, the positions are pretty clear where we need to get better. I just…I say I and I should say we…we just want to get better." The acquisition of Adam Frazier, who could play the infield or outfield, is an indicator of the intent to get better. He’s one RBI short of equaling his entire output from playing with the Royals last season. The 33-year old Frazier departed as a free agent and signed with the Pirates before the Royals re-acquired him this week for infielder Cam Devanney.
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