Topeka Hospital's Board, Hospital's Foundation Board Members Get COVID-19 Vaccine Shots Early
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka hospital is defending a decision to give COVID-19 vaccinations to members of its hospital board and a fundraising board before it was given to people who were at greater risk for infection. A spokesman for Stormont Vail Health in Topeka said decisions made by the boards govern the daily operations of the hospital. According to the Kansas News Service, the spokesman said health care workers who directly see patients got the vaccine shots first. The board members received the shots during Phase 1 of the state rollout of vaccinations, which focused on nursing homes, health care workers and others critical to the pandemic response. ( Read more.)
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Kansas to Shut Down Unemployment System to Deal with Fraudulent Claims
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will shut down its system for processing claims for benefits from unemployed workers this weekend to impose new anti-fraud protections. Democratic GovernorLaura Kelly made the announcement Wednesday shortly after Republican lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being on the hook for fraudulent claims. GOP lawmakers said a surge in claims is a signal that the state is potentially seeing thousands more fraudulent claims. Kelly said they might be right and that the unemployment system will go down from 2 pm Saturday until 7 am Tuesday. No benefits will be paid during that time but Kelly said the state will try to catch up afterward.
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COVID-19 Caseload in Kansas Tops 270,000; Virus-Related Deaths Exceed 3,700
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported Wednesday that there have been 272,517 cases of COVID-19, including 3,718 deaths, since the pandemic began. That's an increase of 3,262 cases and 96 deaths since Monday. Another update from KDHE is expected Friday.
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COVID-19 Variant Sought as Culprit in Prison Outbreak
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Public health officials in Kansas are trying to determine whether a coronavirus variant is fueling a new outbreak at a minimum-security state prison with inmates who regularly work in surrounding communities. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said during a Zoom call Wednesday with top leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature that there had been no COVID-19 cases at the Winfield Correctional Facility in the two weeks leading up to a recent outbreak that sickened dozens. She says the state is doing genomic testing to determine whether the outbreak has been caused by recent variants of the virus. Meanwhile, Kansas has seen an overall drop in its average number of new cases and deaths.
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Demand Surges as Kansas Opens Up Vaccine to Second Group
MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is seeing demand for the coronavirus vaccine surge as it moves beyond vaccinating health care workers and long-term care residents. The state is leaving it up to county health departments to determine how to distribute the vaccine to those in the second phase. The Kansas Association of Local Health Departments conducted a survey that found nearly three-quarters of health departments planned to tier residents in the second phase, with the remainder leaving everyone on equal footing. Many health officials noted in a comment section that they planned to focus on residents that were 65 and older. But others were prioritizing teachers, law enforcement officers and essential workers.
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Kansas to Spend Bulk of Federal Virus Aid on Education
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas anticipates getting at least $1.1 billion from the latest federal coronavirus relief package and expects to spend about half of it on K-12 schools, higher education and grants for child care. State data shows about $168 million is earmarked for testing, tracing and mitigation. Another $26 million is planned for vaccine distribution. How the money is spent is dictated by federal law. The new funding, which follows $1.03 billion in federal aid received last year, arrives as the state is working to speed up vaccinations. Gov. Laura Kelly received her second dose Wednesday and used the occasion to urge continued caution, saying “we all must remain vigilant.”
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Kansas Lawmakers' Ire Rises over Handling of COVID-19 Shots
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators are suggesting that mistakes by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly’s administration are making it more difficult for older Kansas residents to get COVID-19 vaccine shots. But the head of the state health department, Dr. Lee Norman, told legislators Tuesday that the biggest problem Kansas faces in administering the vaccines is “there’s just not enough.” He acknowledged during a joint meeting of the House and Senate health committees that he can’t predict how long it will take for the state to inoculate enough people to say it no longer faces a pandemic emergency. Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have grown increasingly critical of Kelly and the health department over vaccines.
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Missouri Governor to Divert Vaccine Doses from Pharmacies to Boost Vaccine Rate
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Governor Mike Parson plans to divert thousands of unused doses of the coronavirus vaccine from CVS and Walgreens pharmacies to other state-enrolled vaccinators to give a boost to the slower-than-expected process. Kelli Jones, the Republican governor’s spokeswoman, says the administration already has requested the return of 25,000 doses from CVS and Walgreens, which would then be re-routed to county health departments, medical hospitals and clinics, local pharmacies and other state-approved vaccinators. CVS and Walgreens were tasked with providing vaccinations at long-term care facilities, and Jones says the new plan won’t affect shots for workers and residents at those coronavirus-ravaged facilities.
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UPDATE: Kansas Lawmakers Put Anti-Abortion Measure on 2022 Primary Ballot
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas have put a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2022 primary election. The Senate approved the measure Thursday on a 28-11 vote that gave abortion opponents one more vote than the two-thirds majority they needed. The House approved the measure last week. Approval by a simple majority of voters would change the Kansas Constitution. The measure would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision that found that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right. The measure would not be an abortion ban but would allow lawmakers to enact one if the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it.
(–Earlier reporting–)
Kansas Debates Whether Abortion Measure Would Stifle Economy
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas abortion rights opponents and supporters are so confident that a proposed anti-abortion constitutional amendment will make it onto next year's primary ballot that they've already begun previewing their pitches to voters. One message from abortion rights supporters is that the measure would hurt the business climate. Ahead of the state Senate's planned debate Thursday on the measure, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly warned that enacting it would lead to boycotts of Kansas and discourage companies from relocating to the state. Abortion opponents dismiss the argument and expect that no economic fallout would follow. The measure would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights.
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Judge Approves Settlement in Kansas Child Welfare Lawsuit
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a class-action settlement that aims to fix problems in the child welfare system in Kansas. U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree said in his ruling Thursday that the agreement provides “real value” to the more than 7,000 children in the foster care system. The judge said it addresses needs identified in the lawsuit — an end to extreme housing disruption and inadequate mental health care. While the settlement brings an end to the litigation, Crabtree retained jurisdiction to ensure that it is enforced.
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Pension Firm Facing Lawsuit Tried to Influence Missouri Lawmakers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri state employees' pension official has testified that a private equity firm being sued for allegedly mishandling retirement investments has hired a lobbyist who tried to influence legislators and put pressure on the pension. The private equity firm Catalyst Capital Group hired a lobbyist after the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System filed its lawsuit in October. Pension system executive director Ronda Stegmann testified in a court hearing last week that a lobbyist then tried to set up a meeting with her, two legislators and Catalyst executives. The Kansas City Star reported parties involved in litigation typically do not speak with one another outside of court proceedings, except through their attorneys.
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Highway Patrol: Oklahoma Woman Killed in Crash on Slushy Kansas Road
RUSSELL, Kan. (AP) — Authorities in north-central Kansas say an Oklahoma woman has died in a crash on a slushy and slick Kansas highway. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened Wednesday morning on westbound Interstate 70 east of Russell, when a Jeep SUV slid, entered the interstate median and rolled. Investigators say the driver, 24-year-old Miyotzi Jemenez, of Sperry, Oklahoma, died at the scene. Officials say another woman, a 24-year-old passenger in the SUV, was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The crash came a day after a winter storm swept through the region, dumping nearly a foot of snow in some areas of northern Kansas.
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Kansas Deputy Denies Intentionally Driving over Black Man
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas sheriff’s deputy caught on dashcam video running over a Black man who was fleeing shirtless across a field says in a court filing that he accidently struck the man with his patrol truck. Responding to a federal civil rights lawsuit, Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez denied Thursday that he intentionally swerved his truck to run over Lionel Womack on Aug. 15. Womack says he sustained serious injuries when Rodriguez intentionally drove over him. The video is at the crux of the case alleging the deputy used excessive force. Rodriguez denies the allegations and says he's entitled to qualified immunity.
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Most Kansas Universities Won't Use New Dismissal Policy
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Five of six public universities in Kansas say they don't intend to use a new policy that makes it easier to fire, suspend or dismiss employees, including tenured faculty. The University of Kansas is the only university to announce it will create a framework that would be used under the new policy. The Kansas Board of Regents approved the temporary policy last week, citing financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, reduced state funding and declining enrollments. Kansas Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer said in a video statement that the university is reserving the option but she hopes it is never needed.
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Suit: Background Check Failure Led to Kansas Patient's Rape
ANDOVER, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas assisted living facility is accused in a lawsuit of failing to vet staff and turning a blind eye while a woman with dementia was sexually assaulted. The Wichita Eagle reports that the suit alleges administrators at Mapleton Assisted Living facility waited six months to perform a background check on the former worker charged with raping the woman. That meant they didn’t know the certified nursing assistant had a sexual battery conviction and that the Kansas Board of Healing Arts decided in 2008 to restrict his solo contact with female patients. The Wichita Eagle reports that the suit said administrators also took steps to dissuade an investigation, including discouraging a sexual assault exam. No one from Mapleton returned a phone message from The Eagle.
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Former Kansas Governor Sam Brownback to Focus on Racial Reconciliation
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Governor Sam Brownback said he plans to make promoting racial reconciliation a focus of his life as a private citizen after more than a quarter century in politics. The 64-year-old Republican stepped down as the country’s ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom last week after Democrat Joe Biden took office. In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Brownback declined to discuss any political plans he may still have but said he’ll now focus on racial reconciliation while continuing to promote religious freedom. He did not give specifics and declined to discuss whether he had any future political ambitions.
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Kansas Legislation Would Help Low Income Students Attend Private Schools
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are considering a proposal to expand a program that uses tax credits to help low income students attend private schools. House and Senate committees considered the bill Tuesday. Supporters of the proposal say it would allow low-income students to voluntarily leave public schools if they choose to. They say the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted educational differences, with most private schools operating in-person full time while many public schools are online or in hybrid situations. Opponents argued the tax credits would hurt public schools by reducing the state's general fund, and would eventually lead to taxpayer money be used to send students to private schools.
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Kansas Eyes Allowing Concealed Carry for People Under 21
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas gun rights supporters are pushing to lower the age for concealed carry of firearms from 21 to 18. Rep. Blake Carpenter and a Kansas State Rifle Association lobbyist on Wednesday told a state house committee that Kansans under 21 already are allowed to carry guns openly but are breaking the law if they put on a coat to cover a holster. Gun safety advocates criticized the bill, saying younger people have less developed decision making abilities. Permit holders would have to complete a background check and undergo gun safety training.
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Democratic Lawmakers Hope to End Annual Columbus Day Commemoration in Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Legislators have heard testimony from Democratic lawmakers pushing for Kansas to join a handful of states observing a day honoring Native Americans instead of Christopher Columbus, but it's not clear the bill will get a vote. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee on Tuesday listened to remarks from three lawmakers who said Kansas needs an Indigenous Peoples Day to acknowledge how understanding of Columbus’s legacy has changed over the years. Committee Chair John Barker, an Abilene Republican, told reporters he doesn’t know whether he will hold a committee vote on the bill. Without one, the bill would stall as it has in previous years.
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Top Executive Resigns from Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing Company
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The top executive of Kansas City-based beer maker Boulevard Brewing Company has become the third high-ranking employee to leave since a viral Reddit post accused the company of being a harmful place to work for women. Jeff Krum, who has led Boulevard since 2016, confirmed his resignation to The Kansas City Star after informing employees in an email Wednesday afternoon. The iconic Kansas City brewery first came under fire on Saturday because of the Reddit post, which accused members of the company of pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment. Amid backlash on social media, the company on Tuesday released a longer statement where it acknowledged the widespread issue and apologized.
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Ex-Sedgwick County Commissioner Fined for Ethics Violations
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell has been fined $25,000 for violating state campaign laws. The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission on Wednesday fined O'Donnell for nine violations from 2015 to 2017, including using campaign money for personal use and fraudulent reporting. He was also accused of giving campaign funds to four friends, who he said were campaign workers. Half of the fine will be forgiven if O'Donnell pays $12,500 within 90 days. O’Donnell resigned from the Sedgwick County Commission in November while facing ouster for his role in a false attack ad against Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and a subsequent cover-up during the 2019 mayoral race.
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Chiefs' Bieniemy Misses out on Head Coach Job Once Again
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tyreek Hill was thrilled to hear that his first wide receivers coach, David Culley, was going to be an NFL head coach. He was baffled by the fact his current offensive coordinator once again will not. After interviewing for six openings, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ultimately was passed over during the annual coaching carousel. That became official when the Houston Texans hired Culley, the long-time Andy Reid assistant who had been the assistant head coach in Baltimore.
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Bucs Fans Set to Cheer Inside, Outside Super Bowl Stadium
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Because of coronavirus pandemic concerns, the NFL’s decision to limit capacity to 22,000 at Raymond James Stadium and soaring prices for the limited number of tickets available for the league’s title game will prevent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from packing the stands for the first Super Bowl played in a host team’s home stadium. All’s not lost, though, for an excited fan base embracing a bittersweet opportunity to enjoy the NFC champions on football’s biggest stage after being forced to follow the Tom Brady-led Bucs and playoff runs by the region’s other two major pro franchises from afar.
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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.