Medicare Proposal Targets Rural Hospitals
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A proposal by a federal agency's fiscal watchdog would strip higher Medicare payments from 72 of the 83 rural Kansas hospitals designated as "critical access hospitals." It is raising fears it will force some facilities to close in sparsely populated communities across the state. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran said in a phone interview Friday with the Associated Press that it is a huge, significant, compelling issue for Kansas.
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Board Member Recites King's "Dream" Speech after Racial Slur
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas State Board of Education member who was criticized for using a racial slur has recited Doctor Martin Luther King Junior's "I Have a Dream" speech at a public discussion. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Overland Park Republican Steve Roberts drew criticism in May after using the "N-word" at a state board meeting during an African-American history discussion. On Friday, Roberts participated in a discussion at a Topeka park about the N-word.
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Shell Selling Off Kansas Oilwells
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Shell Oil says it is selling off its 45 wells and 600,000 acres in Kansas after its exploratory wells didn't show enough potential to keep the energy company in the state. The Wichita Eagle reports Shell joins several other major exploration companies that have given up on Kansas. Chesapeake Energy, Encana and Apache have been gone for more than a year.
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Leawood Woman Dies from Smoke Inhalation
LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A 53-year-old woman has died from smoke inhalation two days after being rescued from her burning Leawood home. Fire Marshal Gene Hunter said Friday that Diane Jakobe died on Thursday.