Federal Audit: Unsafe Conditions at Kansas Foster Homes
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal inspectors have released an audit revealing Kansas’ foster care homes have not been meeting health and safety requirements, even though state inspectors visited regularly. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general found that foster care children have been living at risk in group homes with broken windows, mold, exposed electrical wiring, trashed porches and rodent droppings. KCUR-FM reported that in 2018 and 2019, inspectors came to Kansas and visited all 31 group homes licensed at the time. Twenty-four of them violated physical health and safety rules, and 29 broke background check or fingerprint requirements.
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Trump Staying Out of Kansas Senate Race
HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — Establishment Republicans might have to try to hang on to what should be a safe Senate seat in Kansas without hoped-for help from President Donald Trump. The fight between establishment-backed Representative Roger Marshall and lightning-rod conservative Kris Kobach grew increasingly ugly as Tuesday’s primary neared because GOP leaders who want Marshall see the party’s Senate majority potentially at stake if he loses. Trump has refused to step in, leaving Marshall and Kobach to a close finish un der a barrage of attack ads from political action committees. Kobach has a cadre of loyal conservative GOP voter, while Marshall has the backing of key business, agriculture and anti-abortion groups.
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Agency Probed Abuse Reports Months Before KCK Girl Murdered
BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas child welfare agency has determined that a 3-year-old girl whose battered body was found earlier this month died as the result of child abuse. The belated finding that comes months after the agency first received reports of abuse. The Kansas Department for Children and Families released a summary pertaining to Olivia Ann Jansen in response to an open records request from The Associated Press. Her remains were found in a shallow grave on July 10th, after her father reported the Kansas City, Kansas, girl missing. The newly released summary shows the agency received reports of alleged abuse in February and June.
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Hays Requiring Masks to Guard 'Safe' Reputation
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials in a college town in conservative western Kansas are embracing a mask ordinance in hopes of making residents and incoming students feel safe, even as surrounding communities have balked at such efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. City officials in Hays voted last week to require people to wear masks in public. The response in the community has been mixed since the ordinance took effect Monday, with some businesses offering masks and refusing to serve customers who won’t wear them and others letting customers come in without them. Hays is home to Fort Hays State University.
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Alaska Midair Collision Kills Kansas Guide, State Legislator
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Seven people, including an Alaska state lawmaker, died Friday when two small airplanes collided in midair near the airport in Soldotna, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Alaska State Troopers say state Rep. Gary Knopp was the sole occupant of one plane. The other plane was flown by a local pilot, and carried 40-year-old fishing guide David Rogers and four people from South Carolina. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the fatal accident, which occurred near the airport in Soldotna. Some debris fell onto the Sterling Highway, causing a temporary closure.
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Spirit Aerosystems Announces 450 More Layoffs
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems announced Friday that it is laying off 450 more workers, blaming the latest production-rate cut for Boeing’s 737 Max jets and the coronavirus pandemic’s negative effect on the airline industry. Spirit said in a news release that the 737 MAX production rate reduction is the third this year, lowering Spirit’s production from 125 units to 72 units for 2020, a reduction of more than 80 percent from its 2019 production rates. Spirit President and CEO Tom Gentile said “production rates for commercial aircraft have fallen from historic highs to significantly lower volumes in a matter of months."
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KC Royals Fall to White Sox in Home Opener
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Adam Engel hit a three-run homer in the second inning, and that was all the offense the Chicago White Sox needed in a 3-2 win over Kansas City that spoiled the Royals’ home opener. Dallas Keuchel picked up the win for the White Sox. Alex Colome converted his first save opportunity. Kris Bubic settled down after struggling early in his big league debut for Kansas City. He allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits.
