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Headlines for Sunday, October 23, 2022

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State of Disaster Emergency Issued in Kansas for Risk of Wildland Fires

TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Governor Laura Kelly has declared a State of Disaster Emergency due to a high risk of wildland fires this weekend. The primary threat for wildfires is Sunday. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties. There is a threat for fires for the majority of the state with dry conditions with low relative humidity, gusting winds, and an abundance of dry grass and other flammable vegetation.

“Outdoor burning of any kind is strongly discouraged, whether getting rid of unwanted brush or enjoying a backyard barbecue. It only takes a spark to start a fire that can quickly get out of control," Kelly said. The state's Emergency Operations Center will be staffed Sunday to monitor the situation and assist counties with requests for state assistance. The Kansas Forest Service will have aviation assets on standby along with ground resources. A Red Flag Warning and wind advisories are in effect throughout the area.

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Kansas Farmers Continue to Struggle Under Extreme or Exceptional Drought

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The latest information from the  U.S. Drought Monitor shows Kansas is getting drier. Thursday’s report shows most of the state in either “extreme drought” or “exceptional drought.” Kansas farmers say this year’s drought is among the worst they’ve seen, impacting nearly every crop and nearly every county in the state.  KWCH TV reports that the extended drought has impacted every corner of the farming industry. With more than two million Kansans now living in areas experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, Kansas Farm Bureau Director of Commodities Mark Nelson said it’s been more than 10 years since we’ve seen conditions like this. But this time, he says, it’s even more widespread.

(-Related-)

Officials Plan to Truck 6,000 Gallons of Water from Missouri River Across Kansas

UNDATED (Missouri Independent) - A plan is underway to truck 6,000 of gallons of water from the Missouri River nearly 400 miles across Kansas and almost to the Colorado border. The  Missouri Independent reports that half of the 6,000 gallons drawn from the river will be poured onto a property in Wichita County. The other half will be taken into Colorado. Groundwater Management District 3, in southwestern Kansas, received a permit from state water authorities for the project, which is expected to cost the district $7,000. The district manager Mark Rude said it’s designed to prove large-scale movement of water could be a tool to keep the Ogallala Aquifer from drying up. Other groundwater management officials say the effort is a distraction from the far more urgent task of conserving water that’s quickly disappearing from under the feet of western Kansans.

The Ogallala Aquifer, America’s largest underground reservoir, has been in decline for decades — since soon after farmers started pumping the underground water to cultivate crops following World War II. Some parts of the aquifer have half the water they had before irrigation on the aquifer began. In some areas, there’s only about 10 years of water left.

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Court Temporarily Blocks Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal appeals court has issued a stay temporarily blocking President Joe Biden's plans to forgive student loan debt. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued the stay Friday evening. Attorneys for six Republican-led states...including Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt...are asking a federal appeals court to reconsider their effort to block the Biden administration’s program to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt. It’s unclear what the decision means for the 22 million borrowers who already applied for the relief. The Biden administration had promised not to clear any debt before October 23 as it battled the legal challenges, but the soonest it was expected to begin erasing debt was mid-November. 

The challenge to the plan is being brought by the attorneys general of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and South Carolina. The attorney general of Iowa is a Democrat, but the Iowa governor, who is a Republican, signed on the state's behalf. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is currently running for governor in Kansas; Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat. 

(– Earlier reporting –)

GOP-Led States Appealing Dismissal of Lawsuit over Student Debt Relief

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Attorneys for six Republican-led states, including Kansas, are asking a federal appeals court to reconsider their effort to block the Biden administration's program to forgive hundreds of millions of dollars in student loan debt. A notice of appeal to the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was filed late Thursday, hours after U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey in St. Louis ruled that since the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina failed to establish standing, "the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear this case." Separately, the six states have asked the district court for an injunction prohibiting the administration from implementing the debt cancelation plan until the appeals process plays out.

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Kansas Governor Campaigns in Wichita
 
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS/KMUW) - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made two campaign stops in Wichita on Friday. The first was at Wichita’s Advanced Learning Library, where she and the Kansas Department of Transportation announced $11 million dollars in funding for 14 transportation projects across the state. The projects include everything from ADA curb ramps in Cheney to the reconstruction of 13th Street in Hays. They’re part of a local cost-sharing program launched three years ago by Kelly’s administration. “This program makes it possible for the state of Kansas and local units of government to work together on infrastructure projects that will improve how we all get around," she said. Kelly later appeared at the grand opening of a new Plumber and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training Center in west Wichita. Kelly’s visit to Wichita comes as former Vice President Mike Pence was in town campaigning for Republican gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt. Kansans will vote for governor on November 8.

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Kansas Ballot Features Justices, Proposed Amendments

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Some important issues in the Kansas fall election will actually appear at the bottom of the ballot. Kansans will vote on a constitutional amendment that would let state lawmakers overturn rules and regulations set by the governor’s administration. That could affect rules ranging from pollution regulations to foster care policies. Alexandra Middlewood, a political scientist at Wichita State University, says important constitutional amendments are becoming more common in Kansas. “Not only are there more of them, they have a much larger impact on the way the government functions," she said. Voters will also decide whether to keep six of the Kansas Supreme Court justices. Some abortion opponents want to remove the justices because of a ruling that said the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights. Election Day is November 8.

(-Related-)

U.S. Attorney's Office Will Have Presence in Kansas on Election Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KNS/KCUR) - The U.S. Attorney’s offices for Kansas and the Western District of Missouri have appointed federal officials to handle voting rights concerns that may arise during the November 8th midterm election. The appointments are part of a nationwide Election Day Program by the U.S. Justice Department to address things like threats of violence against election officials as well as election fraud. In Kansas, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag will oversee the effort. In the Western District of Missouri, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Simpson will oversee the effort. In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each of its field offices to address allegations of election abuses and irregularities.

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Topeka City Councilman Resigns; Replacement to Be Appointed

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – A member of the Topeka City Council has announced his resignation.  KSNT reports that Councilman Mike Lesser of District 9 has resigned and will officially leave his position on the council as of November 1, according to Deputy Mayor Spencer Duncan. His replacement will be determined through an application process that must open within one week of that date.  Duncan told KSNT that the Topeka City Clerk is responsible for publishing a notice of the vacancy in the official city newspaper saying that applications for the position are open. The deadline for submitting applications will be 5 p.m., two weeks from the notice’s publication date. All applications must be sent to the city clerk in City Hall at 215 SE 7th St. Each application must include a statement of qualifications and personal background, address why the applicant wishes to serve in the office of council member and a statement detailing what the applicant sees as the number one problem facing Topeka city government and how the applicant would seek to address the problem if chosen to serve. Each applicant must submit a $50 filing fee or send in a petition signed by 50 qualified electors from District 9. The mayor and council members will publicly interview every applicant during the next regular council meeting after the application deadline unless an alternate date is chosen.

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After Toddler Dies from Fentanyl, Kansas City Police Warn of "Rampant Overdose Problem"

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KC Star) - Kansas City police say fentanyl-related overdoses have significantly increased over the past two weeks. A toddler was among the most recent victims. Officer Donna Drake, a spokeswoman for the KC Police Department, said law enforcement has responded to four fentanyl overdose deaths, 17 nonfatal fentanyl overdoses and several other suspected fentanyl deaths. The  Kansas City Star reports that fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and up to 100 times more powerful than morphine.

While fentanyl can be produced in many forms, Drake said police are seizing counterfeit pills most often, which include fake oxycodone, Xanax or Adderall pills laced with the deadly drug that can look identical to prescription pills. She cautioned the public not to take pills that aren’t prescribed to them. Drake said fentanyl overdoses disproportionately affect Kansas Citians between the ages of 16 and 30. “I would emphasize parents talking to their kids and having a conversation. You could potentially save your own child’s life by just saying, ‘Hey, this, this is dangerous. Please don’t be involved in this,’” she said.

In September, Kansas City police made its largest seizure this year, 40,000 pills, and seized fentanyl in brick form on multiple occasions. In March, the KCPD announced that accidental overdoses from fentanyl had climbed nearly 150% from 2019 to 2020 in the metro area, particularly among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

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Avian Flu Surfaces in Shawnee County

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - The Kansas Department of Agriculture says bird flu is back in the state. The agency confirmed the virus Thursday in Shawnee County. The case was found among a backyard flock of birds. It’s the third reported case of the virus in Kansas this fall. State officials quarantined the site and moved the affected birds to decrease the chance of spreading the virus. The state also reported six cases of the bird flu in the spring.  ( Read more in the Topeka Capital-Journal.)

(–Related–)

Topeka Zoo Enacts Measures to Protect Animals After Shawnee County Bird Flu Confirmation 

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) –  KSNT reports that  the Topeka Zoo is taking additional safety precautions for its bird species in light of the recent identification of bird flu in Shawnee County.  Bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, was  recently found in a Shawnee County backyard flock of birds. The Kansas Department of Agriculture has quarantined the farm, depopulated the birds there and established a reporting zone that covers parts of Topeka.  KSNT reports that the Topeka Zoo is home to over 30 different species of birds, and has taken several precautions to help protect the feathered animals housed there. Dr. Shirley Llizo, Director of Animal Health at the Zoo, said that the zoo has stopped stocking the swan feeders located near the pond to help discourage wild birds from landing there. Staff members have also been instructed to wear covers over their shoes when walking through places that wild birds traffic to reduce the possibility of spreading the bird flu to other exhibits.

The Topeka Zoo was already on alert when the latest bird flu reports were announced. Earlier this year, the Topeka Zoo, along with several other Kansas zoos, took precautions to protect their birds when it was found that the bird flu was being spread by wild waterfowl. Dr. Llizo said that it’s not possible to bring all of the zoo's birds indoors due to a lack of available space, and that many of the birds would be too stressed with such a move.

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Douglas County Authorities Investigate Dozens of Suspicious Grass Fires

LAWRENCE, Kan. (WDAF) — Authorities in Douglas County are investigating six suspicious grass fire incidents that have occurred over the past two months.  WDAF TV reports that firefighters say all six fire incidents are in the same area southeast of Lawrence and south of Eudora. Investigators told reporters that the fires have other similarities and authorities believe they may have been intentionally set, and they are especially interested in vehicles that may have been in the area of one of the fires.

The locations of some of the most recent suspicious fire incidents include:


  • October 21 – A grass fire in the 1800 block of N 1000 Road.
  • October 17 – Three fires started within minutes of each other between the 1700 block and the 2100 block of N 900 Road.
  • October 10 – Seven fires started within 30 minutes of each other between the 1400 block of N 1100 Road and the Johnson County line.
  • October 6 – Five fires in the afternoon in the 1500 block to the 2400 block of N 1100 Road.
  • September 29 – Eight fires in the afternoon in the 1400 block to 2400 block of N 1100 Road.
  • September 25 – Several grass fires along K-10 in the area of E 1900 Road.

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister said none of the fires have caused any significant damage to property or resulted in any injuries, but they are suspicious in nature and their proximity to Kansas Highway 10 is a cause for concern. Consolidated Fire District No. 1 has increased staffing and is performing patrols of the area in hopes of catching whoever is responsible. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who may have noticed something suspicious in the area of one of the fires to call the  Sheriff’s Office at 785-841-0007, or  Douglas County Crime Stoppers at 785-843-TIPS (8477). The State Fire Marshal and Kansas Highway Patrol are also involved in the investigations.

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Walgreens Pharmacies in Topeka Facing Closures, Hour Changes Due to Staffing Issues

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Walgreens is responding to temporary closures of some of their Topeka pharmacies due to staffing closures.  WIBW reports that several customers said the unusual hours of operation and closed doors at some Topeka Walgreens pharmacies have caused problems for them and their doctors. The Walgreens pharmacies at Southwest 37th and Topeka, 21st and Fairlawn, 37th and Wanamaker and 29th and Gage were closed on Friday, October 21. That's four of the eight Walgreens pharmacies in Topeka. A Walgreens spokesperson  told WIBW that they had to reduce pharmacy hours because of staffing shortages, and that the chain is trying to make adjustments with minimal disruption to customers.

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Lawrence Man Wins Kansas Lottery Second Chance Promotion 

TOPEKA, Kan. (Salina Post) – A Lawrence man has won the $75,000 Grand Prize in the Cosmic Cash second-chance promotion at the Kansas Lottery headquarters in Topeka.  The Salina Post reports that David Garza of Lawrence was one of ten finalists who had entered their non-winning $5 and $10 Cosmic Cash instant tickets in the PlayOn contest. A $5 ticket earned one entry in the drawing, and a $10 ticket earned two entries. The promotion had a total of 230,632 entries and ran from May through October of this year.

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KDOT Facing Snowplow Staffing Shortages as Winter Approaches

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) –  KSNT reports that the Kansas Department of Transportation says it doesn’t have enough workers for the upcoming winter season. KDOT is currently hiring seasonal workers. Snowplows become a major part of road safety during the winter. As part of a plan to help cope with the staffing challenges, KDOT will be making snow and ice preparations hours before any snow is anticipated. KDOT Highway Maintenance Superintendent David Studebaker told KSNT that workers pre-treat roadways with a salt brine or a combination of salt brine and beet juice to prevent ice accumulation. The transportation department says it has experienced winter staffing shortages before and is confident its crews will be able to clear the roads efficiently. 

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National Group Investigates Layoffs at Emporia State University

EMPORIA, Kan. (KNS) - A national organization of college professors has announced that it is investigating Emporia State University over the dismissal of dozens of faculty members. The Kansas News Service reports that Emporia State recently laid off 33 employees, including tenured faculty, as part of a large-scale restructuring in response to declining enrollment. The American Association of University Professors calls the move an assault on academic freedom and tenure. The group says it’s investigating whether the firings violated faculty members’ due process. Michael DeCesare, of the AAUP, says Emporia State may have ignored procedural standards. “When a professor who’s on a tenured appointment can simply be summarily dismissed, tenure exists in name only at that institution," he said. Emporia State officials have said they adhered to a Kansas Board of Regents rule that let colleges temporarily bypass regular policies on layoffs to address financial problems. DeCesare is urging the university to rescind the notices of termination. He says the layoffs are an attack on academic freedom. Emporia State officials say they don’t agree with the allegations but respect the group’s wish to investigate.

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Kansas Economic Policy Conference Will Explore Policies for Economic Resilience

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — The  2022 Kansas Economic Policy Conference at the University of Kansas this week will explore “ Building a Resilient Kansas Economy.” The conference takes place October 27 at the Burge Union on the KU campus in Lawrence. Organizers say the conference will bring together community leaders, policymakers and experts to consider timely and relevant questions. “This year’s conference focuses on economic resilience,” said Donna Ginther, director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research, the conference organizer. “Now that we’re moving past the pandemic, as a state, our focus should shift to making investments that position us for growth and prosperity in the next decade."

Kansas Public Radio's Statehouse Bureau Chief, Jim McLean, and Deb Miller, of the KU Public Management Center, will moderate the conversations. Registration for in-person or online attendance is available through  the conference website. KU’s Institute for Policy & Social Research is organizing the event.

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Emporia Officially Honored with Best-Tasting Water Award

EMPORIA, Kan. (KVOE) - Just how good is the tap water in Emporia? Apparently, it's pretty good.  KVOE Radio reports that the city continues to get recognized for the high quality of its drinking water. In late August, the city’s tap water was honored for having the state’s best-tasting water. The honor was officially delivered during the Emporia City Commission meeting Wednesday. The award comes from the Kansas Water Environment Association and Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association. The city gets water from the Neosho River, not from nearby wells like other award winners. The latest award follows top honors in 2012 and 2007. Emporia has also fared well in other water-quality competitions. In 2013 and 2017, Emporia won an award for having the best-tasting water in the world.

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KU Football Drops to 5-3 as Baylor Bears Beat Jayhawks 35-23

WACO, Texas (AP) — True freshman Richard Reese ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a late game-clincher as the Baylor Bears held on to beat the University of Kansas 35-23 on Saturday. Baylor had a 28-3 halftime lead in the game matching former Top 25 teams that had both lost their previous two games. The 5-3 Jayhawks were within 28-23 when quarterback Jason Bean scrambled 4 yards for a touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes left, ending a 93-yard drive after Baylor was stopped on fourth-and-1. Reese then scored again with 2 1/2 minutes left. Bears quarterback Blake Shapen was 17-of-26 passing for 164 yards with a touchdown, but had three turnovers.

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No. 17 K-State Wildcats Fall to No. 8 TCU 

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan threw for 280 yards with three touchdowns and Kendre Miller ran for 153 yards and two scores as eighth-ranked TCU again rallied from a big early deficit to stay undefeated. First-year coach Sonny Dykes' Horned Frogs beat No. 17 Kansas State 38-28 to take over sole possession of first place in the Big 12 Conference. Duggan’s 55-yard strike to Quentin Johnston late in the third quarter put the 7-0 Frogs ahead to stay. That was their third consecutive drive to finish in the end zone. Last week, TCU overcame an early 17-point deficit to beat Oklahoma State in double overtime. The Kansas State Wildcats struggled due to injuries, and the offense struggled in the second half as the Wildcats were forced to use their third-string quarterback. Adrian Martinez left the game after the first drive due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by backup quarterback Will Howard. Then Howard suffered an injury in the third quarter, and was replaced by freshman Jake Rubley for several drives. 

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Help Wanted: Kansas Public Radio Seeks New Statehouse Bureau Chief

TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Kansas Public Radio is seeking a new  Statehouse Bureau Chief. This position works primarily at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. Duties include managing all aspects of KPR’s capital news bureau, which provides broadcast and digital news reports to a number of radio stations in Kansas and Missouri. This position is primarily responsible for reporting on all aspects of state government. The KPR Statehouse Bureau Chief researches, writes, reports and produces spot news, digital stories and long-form audio features for KPR and its reporting partners.  Learn more about this position.

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy.

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These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays, 11 am weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members.  Become one today. Follow  KPR News on Twitter for breaking news and links to other stories and issues of local and regional interest.