Minute-after-Minute of Non-Stop, Serious, Breaking News - for Hours on End - Wears Out Reporters, Editors, Producers and... the Public
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — The sheer amount of this week's news has been exhausting for many Kansans. Thursday marked a big news day around the world and here, in Kansas. No appetite to scan this whole page full of headlines? Then here's a summary of some of the stories we've been trying to track, headlines that are all, in some way, connected to concerns over coronavirus:
- Kansas has recorded its first coronavirus death, a 70-year-old man with underlying health issues. The victim had been living at a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County and died on Wednesday. That case brings the statewide total of coronavirus cases to five. The other four cases involve adults who live in Johnson County. The governor has declared a state of emergency.
- Public universities are trying to keep students physically out of campus classrooms. KU, K-State and Emporia State University have all moved classes online. All three schools remain on spring break this week. Baker University and Johnson County Community College have released their own plans to address the pandemic. Baker University is on spring break from March 16-20. Then classes will move online from March 23 to April 5 resuming classes on campus April 6. Wichita State University says it will start its own spring break a week early. And when the break ends March 30th, all classes will be held online.
- The Kansas Legislature has been debating whether to take an early break and get away from the bustling Statehouse. At the moment, the Legislature and the Statehouse will remain open. But,legislative leaders say they are discouraging large groups from visiting the Statehouse and taking tours of the historic building.
- Thursday morning, the Big 12 Tournament was called off. Then, by the afternoon, "March Madness" turned into "March Sadness," as the NCAA canceled the entire national tournament for both men men and women, bringing the college basketball season to an abrupt end.
Read on for more details and more stories.
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Kansas Governor Declares State of Emergency
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ A Kansas City-area nursing home resident has become the state's first COVID-19-related death and the state's fifth coronavirus case. Health officials said Thursday that his case means that the new coronavirus has now spread locally. Governor Laura Kelly announced the death of a man in his 70s who lived in Wyandotte County. She made the announcement just hours after state and local health officials announced three other coronavirus cases in neighboring Johnson County. The state reported its first case, also from Johnson County, on Saturday. Kelly declared a state of emergency to make it easier for the state to mobilize its resources. She said Statehouse visits would be limited.
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March Madness: NCAA Tournaments Canceled Due to COVID-19
There will be no March Madness this year. The NCAA has canceled its men's and women's basketball tournaments because of the spread of coronavirus. The unprecedented move brings an abrupt end to the college basketball season -- a season in which the Kansas Jathawks are ranked Number 1 and projected to be the overall Number 1 seed in the NCAA men's tournament. Thursday's decision came a day after the NCAA announced the games that were scheduled to start next week would go on as scheduled... but played in mostly empty arenas. That plan was scrapped as every major American sports league from the NBA to MLB put the brakes on its season due to concerns about the pandemic. In addition to calling off March Madness, the NCAA has canceled all of its spring championships in every sport. That includes baseball, hockey and lacrosse.
The director of athletics at the University of Kansas, Jeff Long, announced the cancelation of all athletic travel. Long also suspended all KU athletic events indefinitely.
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Kansas City Bans All Public Events with More than 1,000 People
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City is banning all public events with more than 1,000 people as cancellations mount around the state because of concerns over the new coronavirus. Mayor Quinton Lucas made the announcement Thursday, shortly after organizers cancelled a St. Patrick's Day parade. St. Louis and Springfield also canceled their parades. Universities in both Kansas and Missouri have called off campus classes and moved them online. Meanwhile, Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said on Twitter late Wednesday that the chamber was cancelling its session next week.
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Earlier reporting on Thursday...
Three New Presumptive-Positive COVID-19 Cases Identified in Johnson County; State Total Rises to 4
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed three, new presumptive-positive cases of COVID-19 in the state. The possible cases - all in Johnson County - were identified with testing sent to a state lab, which is approved by the CDC to perform COVID-19 testing. These presumptive-positive test results will be further verified by the CDC lab but will be treated as a positive unless determined otherwise. The cases involve three people in Johnson County who attended the same conference in Florida. It is believed they contracted COVID-19 in Florida. They were not symptomatic when traveling home and sought care once they began feeling ill. KDHE continues to work with the local health department and CDC to identify and contact people who may have come into contact with the individual while they were infectious and will monitor them for fever and respiratory symptoms. The patients are all males and in isolation. These cases are not connected to the earlier case in Johnson County. No other information will be provided about the patients. “Right now, there is no community spread,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “The cases in Kansas are here because of transmission elsewhere. However, Kansans should remain vigilant. It’s important to live your lives, but it’s also important to take basic precautions like exercising good hygiene practices. It is up to each of us to do our part.” KDHE’s website for Frequently Asked Questions
Meanwhile...
Kansas Public Radio, KCUR Radio and other partners in the Kansas News Service collaboration are pooling resources to provide updated information on coronavirus and COVID-19 in Kansas. Find it here: Updated Regularly: What Kansans Need to Know About COVID-19 and Coronavirus
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Big 12 Tournament Canceled Amid Coronavirus Concerns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) -- The Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City has been canceled due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus. Conference officials made the announcement this (THUR) morning. With the start of Texas and Texas Tech's quarterfinal game just minutes away, the decision was announced that the Big 12 men’s and women’s conference tournaments are canceled. The Big 12 joins the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Pac-12 in canceling its conference basketball tournaments. It remains unclear what this means for the NCAA Tournament’s future. The NCAA announced yesterday (WED) that it would continue with the March Madness tournament but without fans. The NBA and MLS have already made the decision to suspend their seasons.
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Kansas City Bans All Public Events with More than 1,000 People
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City is banning all public events with more than 1,000 people as cancellations mounted around the state because of concerns over the new coronavirus. Mayor Quinton Lucas made the announcement Thursday, shortly after organizers cancelled a St. Patrick's Day parade. St. Louis and Springfield also canceled their parades. Universities also have been calling off classes, while Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said on Twitter late Wednesday that the chamber was cancelling its session next week. The German agribusiness giant Bayer AG has reopened a suburban St. Louis campus after an employee who was tested for the new coronavirus found out the results were negative.
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UPDATE: Emporia State Joins KU, K-State in Moving All University Classes Online
EMPORIA, Kan. (Lawrence Journal-World) — Emporia State University has joined the University of Kansas and Kansas State University - and other colleges across the country - in shifting classes online to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus. All three campuses are on spring break this week. The University of Kansas announced Wednesday and Kansas State and Emporia State said today (THUR) that they would delay the start of classes that usually meet in-person until March 23, when the classes will be taught remotely. According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Kansas State and Emporia State say the remote classes would continue “until further notice.” The University of Kansas said they may continue for several weeks.
Earlier reporting...
Coronavirus Concerns Prompt KU to Move Classes Online
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — The University of Kansas has delayed the start of in-person classes until March 23. And, school officials say, they may continue with online-only classes for weeks after that due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus. In an emergency meeting Wednesday night, the regents and the heads of KU, Kansas State University and other schools weighed the costs and benefits of keeping students, many of whom are on spring break, from returning to campus for at least two more weeks. If Kansas colleges shut down their classrooms and go online to slow the spread of the virus, they would join more than 100 schools around the country that have sent students home.
Lee Norman, the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said there has been no community transmission of the coronavirus in the state. So far, Kansas has confirmed only a single case of the illness -- a Johnson County woman who was diagnosed after traveling to the northeastern U.S. But Norman warned officials during the meeting that people returning to campus from other states or countries could easily be carrying the virus. Norman suggested sending students home rather than risk infections from interactions in dorms, dining halls and off-campus hangouts. (More information about KU's coronavirus plans here.)
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K-State Also Suspends in-Person Classes, Other Kansas Schools Expected to Follow Suit
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas State University has also announced it is suspending in-person classes on campus from March 16-20. Classes will resume remotely beginning March 23 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 after spring break. This change affects all K-State campuses. Classes currently online will continue as scheduled. All campuses will remain open to continue to serve the essential needs of students and faculty. "Right now, the K-State community is dispersed throughout the nation and globe during spring break," said Richard Myers, K-State president. "When everyone returns, it could increase the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus. There are prudent steps we can take to mitigate this risk and protect our campuses and local communities." Students, faculty, staff and the general public are encouraged to check k-state.edu/covid-19 for the latest information. The situation continues to change rapidly. Specific questions may be sent to covid19@k-state.edu.
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Johnson County Community College Taking Steps to Address Coronavirus Concerns
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – (KPR) – Officials at Johnson County Community College say they have been closely monitoring reports of coronavirus and addressing ways in which it affects the campus community. In order to help minimize the spread of the virus, school officials say they will begin taking the following steps:
- March 14-22: Campus will be closed — including all events and activities — during spring break. Essential personnel on campus only. Efforts will be directed towards continued work on building support for online delivery of courses.
- March 23-29: Campus will be closed — including all events and activities. Essential personnel on campus only. This time will be used to provide additional support to instructors and to transition to an online-only learning environment.
- March 30: Begin delivering all courses remotely. Campus will continue to be closed. Students are strongly encouraged to remain at home for the two weeks following spring break.
Elsewhere...
Numerous events and activities have been canceled in the wake of the pandemic. Too many to track down and list them all. For instance, St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence and many other cities have been called off due to coronavirus concerns.
If you have symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath and believe you may have had contact or have had contact with someone with a laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider. You may also call the phone bank at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at (866) 534-3463 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
For more information about COVID-19, visit KDHE’s website and review the Frequently Asked Questions
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Ex-Staffer Appointed as Kansas Supreme Court's New Justice
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has named an attorney who said he's similar in temperament to former Chief Justice Lawton Nuss to replace Nuss as a Kansas Supreme Court justice. Lawrence attorney K.J. Wall also formerly worked for the state's highest court overseeing special projects and research for justices in death penalty cases. The 49-year-old Wall was most recently a partner in law firm that represents rural Kansas hospitals and previously worked as an attorney for a Minnesota-based insurance company. He will join a seven-member court that has faced criticism from conservative Republican legislators over abortion, school funding and death penalty rulings.
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Man Killed in Wichita When His Motorcycle Hits School Bus
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Wichita police say a man died after his motorcycle crashed into a school bus. A police spokesman says 22-year-old Tyler Bins died yesterday (WED) afternoon after being pinned under the bus. A 49-year-old man who was riding a different motorcycle with Bins was seriously injured. Police say the men collided with the bus after it entered an intersection. Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash. One of four students onboard the bus for McLean Magnet Elementary school suffered minor injuries.
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Topeka Man Found Dead Among Recycling Materials
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Police in Topeka say foul play is not suspected after a man was found dead among recycling materials at a landfill. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the body of 62-year-old Paul A. Vigil of Topeka was discovered by employees Monday morning inside a building at Rolling Meadows Landfill. Police did not disclose the cause of death. A police spokeswoman said the death did not occur at the landfill, but did not elaborate. The landfill is outside of Topeka city limits.
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Crews in Butler County Search for 2-Year-Old Girl After Dad Drives into River
LEON, Kan. (AP) - Emergency crews are searching for the body of a 2-year-old Kansas girl who disappeared after her father drove them both into a river. Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet says the man's body was recovered from the Walnut River near Leon Wednesday night but that the girl has not been found. Herzet says the father drove into the river after Leon officers tried to take the girl from him because he was drinking. The truck went off an embankment and into the river, landing on its top. Officers began looking for the man Wednesday afternoon after the girl's mother called police.
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Lawsuit: Ex-Missouri School Superintendent Was a Sexual Predator
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A lawsuit accuses a former superintendent at a suburban Kansas City school district of being a sexual predator who used his position to identify vulnerable students while other administrators turned a blind eye. The lawsuit filed on behalf of a former student alleges that former Lone Jack School District Superintendent Matthew Tarwater used emotionally and psychologically abusive behaviors starting when the student was 16. The suit says they had sex when the former student was 21 but that it wasn't consensual because of "years of predatory sexual grooming.” No criminal charges have been filed against against Tarwater. He declined to discuss the allegations with The Kansas City Star editorial board.
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Body Found at Wreck Site in Missouri Identified as Man Reported Missing Last Month
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A man who was reported missing last month in Kansas City, Missouri, has been identified as the victim of an accident that was discovered this week. The Kansas City Star reports that 37-year-old Terell Bandy was last seen about 1:30 am on February 16. Police distributed a flier seeking information on February 25. On Monday, a road crew found a Chevrolet Impala wrecked in a wooded creek bed, alongside Interstate 435 but obscured from the view of passing motorists. Officers found the driver dead at the scene. The driver was identified as Bandy. Police aren't sure when the wreck happened.
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2 Charged in Murder of Kansas Man in His Home
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Authorities say two Kansas men have been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes connected to the death of an 83-year-old Vermillion man. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that the murder charges stem from the January 24 death of Donald E. McLaughlin at his home. The Marshall County attorney filed charges against 18-year-old Jeremy M. Penix II of Melvern and 47-year-old Jefferson S. Goad of Waverly. Both men also face charges of conspiracy, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, arson and interference with a law enforcement officer.
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Kansas Standoff Ends with 1 Person Dead Inside Burning Home
SALINA, Kan. (AP) - Authorities say one person has been found dead inside a Salina home after a standoff and fire. Salina police said in a Facebook post that the standoff started Wednesday after an officer saw a man with an arrest warrant for burglary riding a bicycle. When the officer approached, the man rode off and went into a home. Several hours later, police noticed a fire in the home and heard several shots. Firefighters found a body inside after extinguishing the flames. The name of the person wasn't immediately released.
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Bank Robbery Suspects Arrested After 110 MPH Chase in KC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two bank robbery suspects are in custody after leading police on a chase through parts of the Kansas City area that reached up to 110 mph. The Kansas City Star reports that the suspects robbed the First Federal Bank in Independence, Missouri, Wednesday morning and fled with an undisclosed amount of money. Police spotted the suspects' black SUV and a chase began along Interstate 435 through Kansas City, Missouri, and into Kansas, where at one point the SUV reportedly reached speeds of about 110 mph. The suspects abandoned the SUV and ran into a neighborhood before Overland Park officers arrested them.
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Hy-Vee to Close Fulfillment Center in Missouri; 600 Workers Affected in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Supermarket chain Hy-Vee is closing four centers that fulfill online orders in Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, putting several hundred people out of work. Christina Gayman, a company spokeswoman, said in a statement that fulfillment centers couldn't provide the “full assortment of products, personalized shoppers and same-day pickup" that customers wanted. Nearly 600 workers in Kansas City, Missouri, more than 300 in the Twin City suburb of Eagan, Minnesota, nearly 370 in Urbandale, Iowa, and about 300 in Omaha, Nebraska, could loose their jobs, although some might be allowed to transfer.
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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.
