COVID Cases Linked to Lake Perry Gathering
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - At least ten cases of COVID-19 have been linked to a group gathering at Lake Perry. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Shawnee County COVID-19 Response Team said the event, held earlier this month, appears to have violated the state's stay-at-home order. The ten infected people come from multiple counties in Kansas and from two other states. At least two other people -- including a recruit officer at the Topeka Police Academy -- did not attend the event but were later infected after coming into contact with people who were there. An official with the Shawnee County Health Department says anyone who visited public areas at Lake Perry between May 2nd and May 10th should alert their health care provider that they might have been exposed to the coronavirus.
===============
COVID Outbreak Reported at FedEx Facility in Olathe
MISSION, Kan. (AP) — FedEx has confirmed that workers from its facility in Olathe have tested positive for COVID-19. A spokesperson from FedEx Ground said in a statement Friday that it was working cooperatively with county health officials and offering voluntary COVID-19 testing to employees and vendors at the facility. The Kansas City Star reports that the positive tests are considered to be the first cluster of coronavirus cases tied to a workplace in Johnson County, Kansas.
===============
Kansas Congresswoman Davids Breaks with House Democrats, Votes Against COVID Relief Bill
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids broke with House Democrats in voting against the $3 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. The Kansas City Star reports that Davids was one of just 14 Democrats who voted against the package Friday evening, saying that the bill had little chance of passing the Republican-controlled Senate. Davids' no vote comes as a surprise, as she has repeated called for aid to states and cities during the COVID pandemic. The bill passed the House on a 208 to 109 vote.
===============
Lawrence Man Charged with Arson in Tipi Fire
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man was charged Friday in connection with a fire that damaged a ceremonial tipi at Haskell Indian Nations University. 32-year-old Ryan Adam Sekayouma Simpson was charged with arson and two counts of misdemeanor criminal trespassing, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. The tipi, which was built to honor the 2020 graduating class at Haskell, was destroyed by fire early on May 9th at the school’s campus in Lawrence. The Lawrence-Douglas County fire department said Monday the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were helping with the investigation. Simpson was arrested Thursday.
===============
Lawrence Newspaper Ending Monday Print Edition
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Lawrence Journal-World will stop publishing a Monday printed newspaper beginning May 25th, the newspaper reported. Editor and Publisher Chad Lawhorn said the changes were aimed at making the company as efficient as possible in meeting reader and advertiser needs. Lawhorn said reader interest in digital-only subscriptions has grown. The newspaper will continue to publish the other six days of the week. The last Monday print edition will be published May 18th. Many newspapers across the country have reduced the number of days they print editions as readers migrate to their websites and as they struggle with declining advertising revenue.
===============
KPR's daily headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays and updated throughout the day. KPR's weekend summary is usually published by 1 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
