Police: Topeka Shooting Leaves Baby Critically Injured
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Topeka are investigating an early-morning shooting that left a 1-year-old baby critically injured. KSNT TV reports that the shooting happened around 4 am today (TUE), when someone riddled a home near Eighth Street and Southeast Sherman Avenue with gunfire. Police say one of the shots hit a baby inside the home. Investigators report they found about two dozen bullet casings in the street outside the home. Officers called to the scene found a family leaving the home with the baby and rushed the child in critical condition to an area hospital. The names of the baby and family members were not immediately released, and no arrests have been announced.
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Kansas Governor: Medical Pot Should Fund Medicaid Expansion
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Governor Laura Kelly is proposing that Kansas legalize marijuana for medical use to generate revenues that would finance an expansion of the state’s Medicaid health coverage for the needy. Kelly's announced her proposal Monday. Kelly has made expanding Medicaid for as many as 165,000 additional Kansas residents a top priority since becoming governor two years ago, but top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have prevented its passage. Kelly also previously said she’d sign a medical marijuana bill but she hadn’t actively pushed the idea. She is wedding two ideas that are likely to face strong opposition among Republican legislative leaders and many rank-and-file GOP lawmakers.
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Sheriff: Four from Kansas Killed in Southeast Nebraska Crash
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) — A southeast Nebraska sheriff says four people from Topeka died in a crash Sunday evening. Cass County Sheriff's Capt. David Lamprecht says all those killed in the crash were from Topeka. The wreck happened on Highway 75 just south of Union, Nebraska. Lamprecht said a pickup truck driven by a La Vista, Nebraska, man crossed the center line and hit an SUV registered in Topeka. Those who died at the scene were identified as the SUV driver, 21-year-old, Ashley Bracken; 22-year-old passenger Tatiyana Wade; 4-year-old Malaysia Reece and 5-year-old Keniah Robinson, all of Topeka. Wade's 20-year-old sister, was hospitalized with serious injuries. The pickup truck driver suffered minor injuries.
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Kansas Senator Among GOP Group Meeting with President to Discuss Coronavirus Relief; No Deal in Sight
WASHINGTON (KPR/AP) — Kansas Senator Jerry Moran was one of 10 Republican senators who went to the White House Monday, hoping to negotiate a compromise with Democratic President Joe Biden on the latest round of COVID-19 relief. In a Fox News interview, Moran said Republicans are putting Biden’s pledge to seek bipartisan solutions to the test. "If we can’t find common ground on this issue – COVID-19 response, it really sets the stage for the inability to find common ground of many other things,” Moran said. The Republican relief package is about one-third the size of Biden’s $1.9 trillion proposal. It includes funding for vaccines, stimulus checks and more help for small businesses and the unemployed. But not money Biden wants for a hike in the federal minimum wage and to help state and local governments cover revenue losses. Biden told the Republican senators he's unwilling to settle on too small a coronavirus aid package. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that senators will vote today (TUE) on a first step toward approving Biden's $1.9 trillion recovery package. The procedural vote would launch a lengthy budget process to pass the package with the Democratic majority if Republicans object.
(AP version)
President Biden Meets Republican Senators to Discuss Virus Aid; No Quick Deal Reached
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told Republican senators Monday that he's unwilling to settle on too small a COVID aid package after meeting for two hours over their slimmed down proposal. Their $618 billion plan is about a third of what he's seeking. The Republicans are looking at fewer and smaller benefits, including $1,000 in direct payments to individuals earning up to $40,000 a year. Maine Senator Susan Collins says the meeting at the White House resulted in no compromise on differences. But she and the other Republicans say there was agreement to keep discussions going. On Capitol Hill, Democrats pushed ahead to lay the groundwork for passage of their full package without relying on Republican support.
(– Related –)
Biden, Yellen Pan GOP Virus Aid as Too Small, Urge Action
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told Senate Democrats on a private call Tuesday that a Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan is insufficient. Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged lawmakers to take bold action to address the pandemic and economic crisis. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that senators will vote Tuesday on a first step toward approving Biden’s plan with or without Republican votes. The procedural vote would launch a lengthy budget process toward passage by March. Biden told Republican senators...including Kansas Senator Jerry Moran...late Monday he's unwilling to settle on too small a coronavirus aid package after meeting for two hours over their slimmed-down $618 billion proposal.
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Infection Growth Rate Slows as COVID-19 Caseload in Kansas Passes 275,000
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported Monday that there have been 276,668 cases of COVID-19, including 3,809 deaths, since the pandemic began. That's an increase of 1,983 cases and 30 deaths since Friday. KDHE will provide another update on Wednesday.
- KPR's Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
- Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Information
- NEW: Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard
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COVID-19 Hospitalizations Decline in Sedgwick County
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) - The number of people with COVID-19 who need hospital treatment is declining in Sedgwick County. For the first time in three months, the status of local hospital capacity was downgraded from “critical” to “cautious.” Sedgwick County’s weekly update shows the area’s hospitals have 148 COVID-19 patients, with 46 of them in an intensive care unit (ICU). Both counts are down to their lowest levels since October. County leaders say they’re cautiously optimistic that the nine-week trend of declining hospitalizations will continue. Despite the improving numbers, hospitals remain at capacity for ICU beds overall and continue with contingency operations.
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UPDATE: GOP Moves to Condemn Early COVID-19 Shots for Kansas Inmates
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas are moving toward formally condemning Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s decision to give prison inmates COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of others. The state Senate’s health committee agreed Tuesday to sponsor a resolution from its GOP chair, Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, that calls on Kelly to reverse her policy on inoculating inmates. The full Senate could debate it later this week. Meanwhile, the state Department of Labor says it brought its system for providing unemployment benefits back online as planned Tuesday morning after shutting it down for 2 1/2 days to add security protocols to combat fraudulent claims.
Republicans have been concerned about the Department of Labor’s ability to get benefits to the unemployed and to thwart scammers. They worry that individuals face paying taxes on benefits they didn’t receive and employers are on the hook for covering some or all of the costs of bogus benefits until the fraud is fully detected. The unemployment system’s reboot required jobless workers to register again for benefits, and the department said more than 9,500 did so within several hours. About 1,400 failed to verify their identities and needed to try again, while fewer than 150 people “experienced an error of some sort,” Department of Labor spokesperson Jerry Grasso said in an email.
(– earlier version –)
Kansas Senate Asked to Condemn Plan to Give Prison Inmates Early Access to Coronavirus Vaccine
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican leading the Kansas Senate health committee is urging fellow lawmakers to condemn Democratic Governor Laura Kelly's decision to make state prison inmates eligible for COVID-19 vaccines now, ahead of the public. Senator Richard Hilderbrand, of Galena, unveiled a resolution Tuesday that calls on Kelly to reverse her policy on inoculating inmates. Kelly disclosed plans in December to have prison inmates inoculated during the second phase of the vaccine distribution, along with people 65 and older, workers critical to the economy and people in group living situations. GOP lawmakers have been highly critical since. Kelly says the policy protects prison workers and others.
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Missouri Health Officials Announce Vaccine Distribution Plan
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri health officials have released a list of hospitals that will receive more than half of the state's COVID-19 vaccinations during February. The Missouri Hospital Association and the state's health department said 53% of the 76,000 weekly doses the state receives will go the hospitals, which are in regions spread across the state. The hospitals were chosen because they each have the capacity to administer 5,000 doses per week. The rest of the vaccine will be divided between regional mass vaccination events, local public health agencies, federally qualified health centers and other community providers. The list of providers will expand as the state receives more vaccine.
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Police: Kansas City Man Used Child as Shield Against Police
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City police say a man used his 6-year-old daughter as a shield during a confrontation at a home. Police were able to save the girl Sunday night and arrest the man. Police said in a news release Monday that officers tracked the man to a home after he was seen dragging a screaming child down a street. The news release says when police tried to Taser the man he fired at them, and officers retreated. Later, they saw the man was not armed but was holding the child in front of him. Officers rescued the girl and arrested the man. One officer was injured in a fall.
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2 Wichita Officers Have Minor Injuries During Police Chase
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two Wichita police officers suffered minor injuries when their car was hit while pursuing a suspect. Wichita police Lt. Scott Moon said the chase began early today (TUE) when police approached a person suspected for trying to break into vehicles. Moon says during the chase, a vehicle hit a patrol car from behind with enough force to launch the car into a parking lot. That vehicle then drove over several obstacles and hit a second police vehicle. Police then called off the chase. The suspect was later arrested. KAKE-TV reports two officers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
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For the First Time, Wind Provides More Power in Midwest than Coal
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNS) - For the first time, wind power was the number one source of electricity for the central U.S. in 2020. Wind provided about 31.3% of all the electricity generated in the footprint of the Southwest Power Pool last year. That power pool coordinates electricity for all or part of 12 states in the central U.S., including Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. It’s the first time wind has been the top source of electricity for any of the country’s regional grid operators. Coal provided the second largest source of electricity in the region.
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Black Farmers in Steep Decline: "We Are Facing Extinction"
BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — No active Black farmers are left in a historic northwest Kansas community where hundreds migrated a century ago to escape racism and poverty. The lack of Black farmers in Nicodemus illustrates a nationwide decline. In 1910, Black farmers made up 14% of the U.S farming population but today account for just 1.4%. Most family farms across the country have been hit in recent years by such things as market volatility, poor weather and consolidations spurred by technological advances. On top of that, many Black farmers say racial bias at all levels of government has effectively pushed them off their land.
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Congress to Investigate Safety at U.S. Meatpacking Plants
WASHINGTON, (KNS) - A congressional subcommittee has launched an investigation into worker safety violations at meatpacking plants. The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis has sent letters to the three largest meatpacking plant companies: JBS, Smithfield and Tyson, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which the committee alleges was too lenient in its COVID safety response. Illinois Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is a member of the subcommittee. He says the Trump administration was too lax in its oversight of the meatpacking industry. “A lot of people unnecessarily got sick and a lot of people died.” Krishnamoorthi said. “We cannot tolerate that any longer.” Representatives from JBS and Smithfield say they’ve invested millions of dollars in safety measures and have implemented numerous health protections for their workers.
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Study: Killings Surge in 2020; Pandemic, Protests Play Roles
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Killings rose dramatically across the U.S. last year, and one study suggests that the coronavirus pandemic and protests over racial injustice were factors. The study released Monday by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, along with Arnold Ventures, looked at crime rates in 34 cities. It found a 30% spike in homicides in 2020 compared to 2019. Study leaders called for urgent action to improve relations with police and expand anti-violence initiatives. A study author says many officers were forced to quarantine last year, and maintaining social distancing kept them from the sort of community outreach needed to help stop violence before it happens.
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Female Workers Allege Harassment at Kansas Highway Patrol
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Six women have sued top officials of the Kansas Highway Patrol, alleging they discriminated against female employees and created a hostile work environment. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that former and current employees allege in a lawsuit filed Friday that the agency violated federal anti-discrimination law, the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and their First Amendment speech rights. The Highway Patrol did not immediately return a message Monday seeking comment. The women's lawsuit comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed last month by two former majors who allege their own dismissal was retaliation for attempting to help women report the behavior.
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Missouri Lawmakers, Governor Getting Pay Raises
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers and statewide elected officials are getting a 5% raise. The pay hikes were locked in Monday. In Missouri, an independent citizen's commission decides whether elected officials should get raises. The commission’s recommendations take effect unless the Legislature votes to block them. Lawmakers missed their Monday deadline to act. An attempt to block the raises failed to get enough support in the House last week. Most lawmakers will get a $1,800 raise spread out over two years. They're currently paid about $36,000 a year. The governor is getting a roughly $6,800 raise, bringing his yearly salary to about $140,600.
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Midwest Economy Improving, but Pandemic Still Taking a Bite
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey shows continued economic improvement in nine Midwest and Plains states, but business leaders indicated the coronavirus pandemic is still hurting business. The overall index for the region in January suggests improved growth, coming in at at a strong 67.3 from December’s 64.1. Any score above 50 on the survey’s indexes suggests growth, while a score below 50 suggests recession. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey. He estimated a rosier economic outlook in the coming months, citing an increase in the survey's confidence index. The monthly survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
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Kansas Lawmakers Plan Strategies Ahead of Abortion Vote
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — Kansans will be hearing a lot about a constitutional amendment on abortion over the next year and a half. Advocates and opponents will be campaigning in advance of a public vote in the August 2022 primary election. Approval by a majority of voters would change the Kansas Constitution to say there’s no right to abortion. But first, legislators on both sides of the issue are preparing for court fights over the decision to put a question on the amendment before voters in the primary election. They are also expecting legal battles over some of the language used in the proposed ballot question. Democratic Representative Lindsay Vaughn started planning a day after the amendment passed. “Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 2nd of 2022.” Vaughn said. “Make it a habit to vote in every election.” Supporters say that without the amendment, Kansas abortion restrictions could be overturned in court. Critics of the amendment say it opens the door to completely banning abortion.
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Time Running Out for Iconic Menninger Clock Tower
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Time may be running out for the iconic Menninger clock tower in Topeka. It's now one step closer to being torn down. The famed Menninger Clinic moved operations to Baylor College of Medicine 20 years ago and ever since, the building has sat empty. That's left the current owner, the Sisters of Charity Leavenworth Health System, footing the bill for security, taxes and maintenance -- at a cost of more than $200,000 a year. SCL has tried and failed to donate the building, so now, they've applied to the city for a demolition permit. And that’s got former Menninger employees like Siebolt Frieswyk upset. "I think it’s a terrible, heinous crime to do so," he said. The city of Topeka says the process of approving demolition of a historic building is lengthy. Dates are not yet set for the next phase, which will be a review by the city council. ( Read more.)
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Chiefs Prepare to Defend Title in Next Sunday’s Super Bowl
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) — Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says he already has a game plan in place for Super Bowl 55...even with another week to plan to for it. Reid is preparing for his third Super Bowl. He coached one with the Philadelphia Eagles and Sunday will be his second with the Chiefs. Reid says it’s better to have the game plan set early because of media obligations in the week before the big game. Because of the pandemic, the Chiefs will not travel to the host city early but will remain in Kansas City and travel to Tampa on Saturday, just one day before the game.
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Chiefs' Robinson, Kilgore on COVID-19 List as Close Contacts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs placed a pair of backups, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and center Daniel Kilgore, on the COVID-19 list as close contacts as they begin their final preparations for the Super Bowl against Tampa Bay. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday he was told of the situation Sunday but could provide no other information. Neither of the players actually tested positive for COVID-19, which means Robinson — a regular contributor — and Kilgore could still play in the Super Bowl. Both would need to return negative tests throughout the week to get off the list.
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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.