Mother Sues KCK Public Schools For Not Protecting Her Son from Sexual Harassment
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KC Star) — The mother of a Wyandotte County middle school student is suing the Kansas City, Kansas, Unified School District for allegedly failing to protect her sixth-grade student from sexual harassment. The Kansas City Star reports that the boy says he was groped and verbally abused by another sixth grader while attending Eisenhower Middle School in KCK. The alleged victim says the other sixth grader touched him inappropriately on multiple occasions. The mother contends that the school was negligent for not taking steps to stop the abuse. The lawsuit seeks damages for post-traumatic stress disorder and humiliation following the abuse. It is also seeking punitive damages for what the lawsuit calls the district’s “reckless indifference.”
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Missouri's Ban on Gender Affirming Medical Care Takes Effect
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP/KPR) — Missouri's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors is now in effect, following a judge's ruling. The ruling means that minors in Missouri who are already on puberty blockers will be allowed to continue, but other minors won't have access to those drugs. Health care providers will be prohibited from performing gender-affirming surgery on minors and, Missouri's Medicaid program will no longer cover gender-affirming care for adults.
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West Nile Virus Human and Animal Cases Reported in Kansas
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR) — State health officials say two people have died from symptoms related to the West Nile virus over the summer and at least seven people have become ill. Multiple cases of West Nile virus have also been confirmed in horses across the state over the past few weeks. The animal cases have been reported in Douglas, Barber, Butler, and Pratt counties. State officials say West Nile is a preventable disease with annual vaccinations that have proven effective. All horse owners are asked to consult with their local veterinarians and make a vaccination plan for their animals. The virus can infect humans as well as horses, birds and other species. It's carried and transmitted by mosquitoes.
(Earlier reporting...)
Douglas County, Three Others Report West Nile Virus in Horses
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR) — Multiple cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed in horses across the state over the past few weeks. The cases have been reported in Barber, Butler, Douglas and Pratt counties. The Kansas Department of Agriculture says West Nile virus is a preventable disease, with annual vaccinations that have proven highly effective. All of the confirmed cases of the virus in Kansas were in unvaccinated horses or horses with an unknown vaccination history so they were assumed to be unvaccinated. Officials say all horse owners should consult with their local veterinarians and make a vaccination plan for their horses.
The virus that can infect humans, horses, birds and other species. Horses infected with the virus can have symptoms that range from depression, loss of appetite and fever to severe neurological signs such as in-coordination, weakness, inability to rise, and hypersensitivity to touch or sound. The virus can be fatal in horses. The virus is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes.
Click here for more information about West Nile virus and other animal disease issues in Kansas.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Highland Community College to Address Racial Discrimination
HIGHLAND, Kan. (KPR) — The U.S. Justice Department has announced a settlement with Highland Community College (HCC) in northeast Kansas to resolve the department’s investigation into allegations that Black students experienced discriminatory treatment. The complaints alleged that Black students, primarily Black student athletes, were targeted for searches and surveillance and disciplined more severely than their white peers, resulting in their unfair removal from campus housing or even expulsion from the school. Under the settlement, the college will improve the fairness and transparency of disciplinary proceedings to prevent such discrimination. Federal officials opened their investigation into HCC in January 2022.
(–Additional reporting–)
Kansas College Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against Black Athletes
HIGHLAND, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas community college that was accused of trying to reduce the number of Black student-athletes has agreed to a settlement, the Justice Department announced Monday.
The department said in a news release that the agreement requires Highland Community College to make its disciplinary proceedings more fair, to provide more training and to improve its procedures for responding to student complaints.
A university spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a phone message or email seeking comment.
The agreement resolves the department's investigation into complaints that Black students were targeted for searches and disciplined more severely than their white peers, resulting in their unfair removal from campus housing, or even expulsion, the department said in the release.
“No college student should have their educational experience marred or disrupted by discrimination based on their race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The allegations led to lawsuits, one filed by former coaches and another by former athletes.
The coaches' suit, which was settled this year, alleged that the school intimidated Black student-athletes into leaving and told coaches not to recruit African Americans.
The American Civil Liberties Union alleged in another suit that Highland expelled Black students for minor or bogus infractions and subjected them to arbitrary searches, surveillance and harassment on campus. In that case, the school agreed to pay as much as $15,000 to four students and pledged to provide anti-discrimination and Fourth Amendment training to staff members and administrators.
Highland has about 3,200 students and is about 80 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri. Fewer than 6% of the students are African American, but half or more of the student-athletes, until recently, were Black and came from out of state, according to the lawsuit.
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South-Central Kansas Moves Closer to Building a Regional Psychiatric Hospital
WICHITA, Kan. (KPR) — South-Central Kansas is moving closer to getting a regional psychiatric hospital. Governor Laura Kelly signed an executive order that creates an advisory panel for the facility, even though it has yet to be built. The panel will consist of 14 members who will gather public input and help with the designing, planning and construction stages of the proposed 50-bed facility, which will be constructed in Sedgwick County.
In May, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Service awarded Sedgwick County $25 million to create a new regional hospital to help ease the statewide shortage of health and behavioral health services. In addition, last year, the State Finance Council earmarked $15 million from the general fund for the hospital. There are currently two psychiatric hospitals operated by the state, one in Osawatomie and the other in Larned.
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Leavenworth County Man Pleads Guilty in DUI Crash That Killed Wife
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSHB) — A man has pleaded guilty in Leavenworth County in a drunk driving crash that killed his wife. Prosecutors say 59-year-old Gregory A. Zule, of Easton, entered guilty pleas to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of driving under the influence. KSHB TV reports that the crash happened July 15 in rural Leavenworth County. Zule was driving a Utility Task Vehicle with his wife as the passenger. Zule told sheriff's deputies that he swerved to miss a deer and that caused the UTV to roll and crash, killing his 58-year-old wife, Charlene "Sherry" Zule. Sentencing is set for October 6.
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Small Plane Crashes in McPherson
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW/KPR) — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a plane crash in central Kansas over the weekend. WIBW TV reports that the 1941 single-engine Piper came down shortly before noon Saturday during an aborted takeoff in McPherson County. Authorities say the pilot, 33-year-old Justin Coletti of Salina, was not injured. He had landed in a field and was attempting to take off again when the plane nosed into the ground.
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Report: $25 Million Seized by Kansas Law Enforcement Between 2019 and 2022
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) — A recent report has found that law enforcement officials in Kansas seized more than $25 million in items and money from Kansans between 2019 and 2022. Furthermore, these people have never - and will more than likely never - be convicted of a crime. WIBW TV reports that last week, the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) released its updated report on civil asset forfeitures - a move intended to be used by law enforcement to fight organized crime. The report follows a district court’s recent decision that the Kansas "Two Step" technique used by the Kansas Highway Patrol during traffic stops was unconstitutional.
The foundation's deputy state director, Jonathan Lueth, says the court’s ruling and data make it clear that the state's current forfeiture laws permit law enforcement to unconstitutionally confiscate people’s property with minimal chance of recovery. The group's report also noted that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s annual reports underrepresented about a third of the total value of assets forfeited in disregard to transparency laws. Meanwhile, owners of seized property have only recouped about 10% of the value of their assets. The KBI data indicated the state forfeited about $12.7 million through proceedings, however, AFPF found that law enforcement transferred at least $5.4 million more in seized assets to federal agencies.
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Suicide Rates Rising in Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — Suicide rates are rising across the country and Kansas is no exception. The highest suicide rates in Kansas are in the state’s least populated counties. And the state’s youth suicide rate is higher than the national average. Wyatt Beckman, with the Kansas Health Institute, says suicide rates rose rapidly starting in 2007. “The suicide rate in our final two time periods was significantly higher for every single peer group," he said. The state’s suicide rate ranked 33rd overall. Kansans can call or text the new emergency 988 number for help when going through a mental health crisis.
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Kansas to Conduct Survey to Decide Where to Spend Opioid Settlement Money
TOPEKA, Kan. (KMUW/KNS) — The State of Kansas plans to conduct a statewide assessment of substance use disorder needs. The $1.5 million dollar assessment funded by opioid settlement money will take a comprehensive look at the needs of providers that help people with substance abuse. The state is currently looking for an entity to conduct the study. The assessment will help inform the board deciding where future state opioid settlement funds should go. Alyssa Nava is with the Sunflower Foundation, a Topeka nonprofit focused on health. She says the assessment will range from early childhood to long-term recovery. “We understand it is a spectrum and individuals just don't magically appear in one area," she said. The first round of opioid settlement funds for treatment will be awarded to providers in September. Funds for prevention will be disbursed later this year.
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SNAP Benefits Still Up for Debate in New Farm Bill
UNDATED (HPM) — As part of the Farm Bill, some Republican lawmakers want to see more changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, which used to be called Food Stamps. Congress expanded work requirements for SNAP earlier this summer. Harvest Public Media reports that the negotiations come at a time when food insecurity is on the rise. About 27 million people are living in households that haven’t had enough food in the last week. That's according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. That’s up more than 11% from January. Thomas Gremillion is the food policy director for the Consumer Federation of America. He says if Congress cuts SNAP benefits, low-income households will have to spend even more of their tight budgets on food. “Cutting back on SNAP benefits, right at a time when food prices have really skyrocketed over the last couple of years, yeah, it’s a recipe for disaster," he said. Lawmakers have until September 30th to hammer out a new farm bill, but officials are already talking about an extension.
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Lawmakers Want More Study into Maternal, Post-partum Mental Health Needs
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — State lawmakers will dive deeper into mental health challenges facing new mothers who recently had babies or are still pregnant. That came at the urging of two doctors who said this population is underserved. Mental health disorders are one of most common pregnancy-related causes of death in Kansas and the country overall. Tara Chettier is an OBGYN. She often sees patients who are about to give birth or recently gave birth struggle to find mental health care to help them. Chettier says that could be due to a lack of preventative screening or too few mental health experts who specialize in pregnant women. But that isn’t the only cause. “There is, I think, large societal pressure to make this the happiest time of your life. And to be superwoman," she said. State lawmakers want the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to study this issue more so they can discuss it further.
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More Parents Rights Legislation Expected Next Session in Topeka
WICHITA, Kan. (KWUM/KNS) — Conservative lawmakers in Kansas want to give parents more control over what’s taught in public schools. A new report by the free-speech group PEN America finds state lawmakers across the country introduced nearly 400 parents’ rights bills since January of 2021. Missouri led the nation with 31 proposals. Kansas lawmakers have floated seven bills and passed one, which Democratic Governor Laura Kelly vetoed earlier this year.
Some of the proposals require teachers to post class materials online. Others make it easier for parents to object to certain books and have them removed from school libraries. Nadine Farid Johnson, with PEN America, says more teachers and librarians worry that their lessons will run up against opposition. “There really is a movement to censor the freedom to learn and to read in schools," she said. "But it’s really becoming more multi-faceted, which is why it’s concerning.” Supporters of the bills argue that parents' rights need to be outlined in state law.
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SNL's Heidi Gardner, Kelce's Mother to Take Part in 'World Largest Tailgate' Before NFL Kickoff Game
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Saturday Night Live” star Heidi Gardner will be among several entertainers expected to take part in a virtual tailgate and concert experience before the NFL’s kickoff game in Kansas City next month.
The show dubbed as the “World’s Largest Tailgate” looks to celebrate the start of the football season as the Super Bowl defending champion Chiefs host the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7, the team announced Monday. The event will be held live outside GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Along with Gardner’s appearances during segments, the 90-minute show will be hosted by YouTube stars the Merrell Twins along with performances from DJ-producer duo Two Friends. The show will also feature internet personality Tabitha Swatosh and Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs star Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Chiefs Kingdom is wherever you are, and the World’s Largest Tailgate is one way we can unite people in Kansas City, around the country and throughout the world around the fact that NFL football is back in a big way,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a statement. The virtual seats can be reserved online.
Donovan said the Chiefs are proud of their team and tailgate culture with the hopes of creating a “unique music and entertainment experience.”
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Overland Park Gymnasts Achieve at National Championships
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCUR/KPR) — On the national level, Simone Biles stole the show with her eighth all-around title at the gymnastics national championships in San Jose, California. But two Overland Park gymnasts also had milestone achievements. After the championships, Leanne Wong and Amelia Disidore were selected to the USA national team. Wong earned a bronze medal for a third-place finish in all-around, her best finish at the national championships. The key was an improvement in her floor exercise after a rough go on the first day of competition.
Wong currently trains at the University of Florida, where she’s a pre-med student in her sophomore year. Disidore finished tenth at the national championships. As national team members, both will attend a selection camp next month to determine the USA roster that will compete at the world championships this fall in Belgium.
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KU QB Jalon Daniels, Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, to Start Opener
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels, the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year, is expected to start the Jayhawks' opener against Missouri State on Friday night after dealing with a back injury that limited him in fall camp. Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold made the announcement Monday while revealing the team's first depth chart of the season.
“We just released the two-deep, and that's kind of where we're at right now and where we're going,” Leipold said. “He hasn't practiced a lot, but he went through everything today, and yeah, we're planning on playing everyone who is available.”
Daniels generated some Heisman Trophy buzz while leading Kansas to five straight wins to start last season. But he hurt his shoulder the following week against TCU, sidelining him the next four games and putting a halt to that momentum. Daniels returned to lead the Jayhawks to their first postseason game since 2008, a 55-53 triple-overtime loss to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl. He threw for 544 yards and five touchdowns while running for another score in the game, once more showcasing what made him one of the most entertaining players in college football early in the year.
Daniels finished with 1,014 yards passing, 18 touchdowns and four picks while running for 425 yards and seven scores. He was limited throughout spring football by the shoulder injury, then the back tightness popped up in fall camp. Leipold said it didn't prevent Daniels from practicing entirely, but it was enough to limit his reps ahead of backup Jason Bean.
After the Jayhawks open against Missouri State, they face a significant step up against Illinois. But the risk of aggravating Daniels' injury against a team from the Football Championship Subdivision that Kansas is heavily favored to beat apparently was not enough to dissuade Leipold and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki from sitting him Week 1.
“That's the balancing act we have to do here,” Leipold said. “We're getting him as much work as we can, as many different ways as we can. He's been getting work; he's been doing things. To make it sound like he's never practiced the last two weeks is not accurate, either. We're confident. Unfortunately for him, it's something he's gone through before, getting little reps and where he is at, but I think we're in a good spot with him.”
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This summary of area news is curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Tom Parkinson and Kaye McIntyre. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays and updated throughout the day. These ad-free headlines are made possible by KPR members. Become one today. You can also follow KPR News on Twitter.