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.
==========
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.
- KPR's Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
- Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Information
- NEW: Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard
==========
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.
==========
UPDATE: 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.
(–Earlier Version–)
COVID-19 Variant Looked for as Culprit of Prison Outbreak
WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — Public health officials are trying to determine whether a coronavirus variant is responsible for a new outbreak at a Kansas prison. The Wichita Eagle reports that Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said there had been no cases for weeks at Winfield Correctional Facility before a "whole cluster of cases broke out." He said it spread fast and that the state was going to use genomic sequencing to test every one of the positive individuals. The Kansas Department of Corrections reported that Winfield's prison currently had eight staff cases and 69 inmates cases as of Monday. The facility had just four current staff cases and 12 current resident cases as of a January 14 report.
==========
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.
==========
Missouri Last Among States for First COVID Shots; Kansas Not Far Behind
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri ranks dead last among states for the percentage of residents who have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, and two neighboring states don’t fare much better. Information released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday shows that 242,937 Missourians have received the first shot, or 3,958 people per 100,000 residents. Idaho, Nevada and Alabama had the next worst per capita rates, followed by Missouri’s neighbors on both sides — Kansas with 4,374 vaccinations per 100,000 residents, and Illinois with 4,392 vaccinations per 100,000 residents.
==========
Kansas to Shut Down Unemployment System to Deal with Fraud
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 Gov. Laura 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 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Tuesday. No benefits will be paid during that time but Kelly said the state will try to catch up afterward.
==========
Kansas GOP Senator Votes Against President Biden’s Pick for Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KPR) - Kansas Senator Roger Marshall voted against Antony Blinken to become U.S. Secretary of State. Following his vote today (TUE), the Republican from Great Bend issued a statement, saying Blinken is weak on China and weak on Iran. "And," Marshall said, "he’s Biden’s right-hand man when it comes to rejoining the Paris Climate Accord – a deal which will kill jobs and raise the price of energy." Marshall, who is also a physician, called the Iran nuclear deal "disastrous" and said implementing it again would give Iran a free pass at developing its ballistic missile program and spreading state-sponsored terrorism. "We simply can’t afford another soft-on-China official in the Biden administration," Marshall said, "particularly at a time when we should be holding China’s feet to the fire for their lies and cover ups of the Coronavirus and intellectual property theft." Marshall and Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley were among 22 Republicans to vote against the confirmation of Biden’s nominee to lead the U.S. State Department. The two other GOP senators from Kansas and Missouri, Republicans Jerry Moran and Roy Blunt, supported Blinken’s confirmation. His nomination was confirmed on a 78-22 vote.
==========
Ex-Kansas Gov. Brownback to Focus on Racial Reconciliation
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Gov. 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.
==========
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.
==========
Police Investigate Man's Shooting Death in Baldwin City
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a man at a home in Baldwin City. The man's body was found Monday night after a 25-year-old woman went to a neighbor's home and asked for help because her boyfriend had fired a shotgun at her. Police say in a news release that officers who entered the home found the man dead from a gunshot wound. No further information was released.
==========
Mom of Man Who Killed His Father and Shot 2 Lawmen Charged
LYONS, Kan. (AP) — The mother of a man who killed his father and wounded two Rice County law officers has been charged in the case. Rice County Attorney Remington Dalke says Shirley Loder, of Arlington, has been charged with suspicion of criminal distribution of a firearm. Prosecutors allege Loder gave her son, David Madden, a weapon he used in April 2019. He shot and killed his father at their rural Rice County home. Madden also shot Rice County undersheriff Chad Murphy and Sheriff Bryant Evans before killing himself. Madden was a convicted felon who was not legally allowed to have a gun. Loder bonded out of the Reno County jail on Friday.
==========
Former KC Fire Captain Sentenced for Illegally Selling Guns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former fire department captain in Kansas City, Missouri, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for illegally selling guns, including to convicted felons. James Samuels was sentenced Monday. He pleaded guilty to several gun charges in August, admitting he bought 77 guns from November 2013 to August 2018, and transferred 47 of the guns to third parties. He made a profit of $40 to $50 per firearm. Authorities say 10 to 20 of the guns were sold to people forbidden to possess firearms. Samuels also was ordered to pay a fine of more than $11,000.
==========
Bill 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.
==========
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.
==========
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.
==========
Missouri Legislation Would Allow Use of Deadly Force Against Demonstrators
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri senator is trying to pass a bill that would allow the use of deadly force against protesters on private property. Members of a state Senate committee on Monday debated the change. The legislation also would give immunity to people who run over protesters blocking traffic. It would make demonstrations blocking traffic a felony crime. Republican supporters of the bill said blocking traffic can be dangerous if it blocks ambulances or police from responding to emergencies. Activists said enacting the bill would encourage vigilantism.
==========
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.
==========
Vatican Clears Retired U.S. Bishop of Multiple Abuse Claims
ROME (AP) — The Vatican has essentially slapped a retired U.S. bishop on the wrist for “flagrant” imprudent behavior with teenagers. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith cleared retired Cheyenne, Wyoming Bishop Joseph Hart of seven accusations abuse, determined that five others couldn’t be proven “with moral certitude” and that two cases involving boys, who were 16 and 17, couldn’t be prosecuted given the Catholic Church didn’t consider them minors at the time of the alleged abuse. Another allegation wasn’t addressed in the decree.Hart, 89, had long maintained his innocence and denied all allegations of misconduct.
==========
Shawnee Mission School District Ditches Mascots with Native American Names
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A large Kansas City area school district is ditching the Braves and Indians mascots that four of its schools use. The board for the Shawnee Mission district, which is the state's third-largest with about 27,000 students, voted 7-0 Monday to make a change that requires mascots to be culturally and racially sensitive and appropriate. The board then decided that the mascots at Shawnee Mission North High School and Belinder, Shawanoe, and Ruston elementary schools violated that policy and will need to be replaced.
==========
U.S. Supreme Court Won't Hear Nevada Church's COVID-19 Case
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has refused a rural Nevada church’s request to weigh in on a legal battle over the government’s authority to limit the size of religious gatherings. The high court on Monday denied Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley's petition seeking to review the case on its merits. Attorneys general from 19 other states, including Kansas, had recently joined in support of the church east of Reno. They were urging the Supreme Court to rule on the Nevada case to help bring uniformity to various standards courts across the country have used to balance the interests of public safety and freedom of religion.
==========
R&B Artist Trey Songz Arrested at AFC Championship Game
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police say R&B artist Trey Songz was arrested during the AFC Championship game in Kansas City after fans complained he wasn't following COVID-19 protocols and other rules and he then punched an officer who was trying to remove him. Songz, whose name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson, was released Monday from the Jackson County jail. Jackson County authorities say an investigation continues and no charges have been filed. Kansas City police say fans complained about a man who was not wearing a mask or following the stadium's code of conduct during Sunday's game at Arrowhead Stadium. TMZ released a video showing Songz struggling with several officers before being led away. A representative for Songz declined to comment.
==========
Kansas Governor Wants Tourism Division Moved to Commerce Department
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Goveror Laura Kelly says she wants to move the state's tourism division into the Department of Commerce. Kelly said in a news release Monday that she wants to make tourism a tool for economic growth and development. The tourism division is currently part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Kelly says businesses, destination marketing groups and other industries support the proposed move. The change would become effective July 1 if the Kansas Legislature does not object. The tourism division would then be part of the business development area of the Department of Commerce.
==========
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.
==========
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.