Bird Flu Identified in Two Kansas Egg-Laying Facilities
UNDATED (KNS) – Severe bird flu has cropped up in two egg-laying facilities in central Kansas. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) hits most poultry hard and usually kills them fast. The Kansas News Service reports that the Kansas Department of Agriculture confirmed cases in egg-laying facilities in Rice and McPherson counties. The state is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resolve the situation. To stop the spread, the facilities are under quarantine and their birds will be killed and disposed of safely. Other farms within a 12-mile zone won’t be allowed to move birds or products without permission from agriculture officials.
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Cal-Maine Foods Temporarily Shuts Down Kansas Facility Hit by Avian Influenza
UNDATED (Reuters) — Egg producer Cal-Maine Foods (CALM.O) has temporarily ceased production at a facility in Kansas after some of the flock tested positive for avian flu. According to Reuters, the company said Tuesday that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) had affected about 684,000 laying hens, or nearly 1.6% of its total flock. Cal-Maine said these detections do not present an immediate public health concern and are not a threat to the food supply, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
It also said that no known HPAI risk associated with eggs were currently in the market and no eggs have been recalled, adding that there were no positive tests for HPAI at any other company locations to date. Shares of the company were down marginally at $48.80 in extended trading following the news. More than 72.5 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been wiped out since the U.S. avian flu outbreak began in February 2022, according to the USDA.
U.S. cases in commercial poultry flocks have increased since October 2023, with experts blaming wild birds for spreading the disease. Kansas had not reported an outbreak in a commercial flock since February 2023, U.S. data shows. Other large egg-laying operations have also been hit. Ohio confirmed last week that a commercial layer farm with 2.6 million birds was infected and said the birds were being culled.
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KU Health System Reports Uptick in COVID-19 Cases
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCUR) — Serious cases of COVID-19 surged this week at the University of Kansas Health System. KCUR reports that there are 33 active inpatient cases, up from 19 the week prior. Seven of those cases are in the ICU. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease expert for the health system, says the cases may be a sign of a seasonal trend. “Compared to other viruses it seems to be in higher circulation even in the warmer months, but now it is looking like there is more of seasonality to COVID-19,” Hawkinson said. The CDC reports that only 16% of adults and 7% of children have received the new COVID vaccine.
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Speaker of Kansas House: Private School Vouchers Will Be a Priority in 2024 Legislative Session
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins says private school vouchers will be a priority for Republican lawmakers in the upcoming session. Last session, both the House and Senate passed a measure to give qualifying families up to $5,000 dollars in tax money to use for private school or homeschooling … but Democratic Governor Laura Kelly vetoed it. Proponents of the so-called “school choice” bill say it gives families more alternatives to public schools. Critics say it’s an attempt to defund and undermine public schools. Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, made the comments in Wichita on Wednesday. The session begins January 8th.
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Kansas Senate President Says He's Open to Medical Marijuana, But Wants Data
UNDATED (KCUR) – Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka next month and it’s expected medical marijuana will be back for debate. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, almost single handedly prevented the bill from passing last year, saying it was too close to fully legalizing marijuana use in Kansas. He says he's open to having a discussion on the issue.
“I’m actually open to true medical marijuana or to palliative care. I am open to that. I am not saying no. I just saying we don’t have any real studies on dosing and distribution,” he said in an interview with KCUR's program "Up to Date."
In the latest Kansas Speaks poll, 67 percent of respondents said they support legalizing recreational marijuana. Missouri and Colorado have recreational weed. Oklahoma has medical marijuana and Nebraska has decriminalized it.
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Kansas Governor Announces Grants to Help Children Exposed to Drugs
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly recently announced nearly $2 million in grants to help children exposed to drugs by a parent or guardian. The Kansas News Service reports that the money will go to 18 organizations across the state. Carla Smith, the executive director of Rise Up Reno Prevention Network in Hutchinson, confirmed that her organization will use its grant to create an alliance of law enforcement, EMS, schools and other agencies. “We are aware that there are differences between the ways that different agencies react or try to assist when kids are involved in a crisis situation,” Smith said.
Smith says the alliance will create a protocol for crises involving kids and drugs. The Governor’s office estimates more than 140,000 children in Kansas live in households where their parents or caregivers use illegal substances.
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Audit Shows Many Kansas 911 Services Understaffed
UNDATED (KNS) – A new audit says most of the offices responsible for answering 911 calls in Kansas are understaffed and underfunded. Local governments are responsible for 84% of funding for 911 systems, with the state covering the rest. The Kansas News Service reports that staffing is the biggest expense for the 117 offices. David Brevitz, who worked on the audit, told lawmakers that pay is sometimes around minimum wage, and that makes it hard to attract and retain staff.
“...you can’t get somebody who’s going to commit to mandatory overtime, and endure what in many cases are the worst day in somebody’s life,” Brevitz said.
Besides more funding, the audit suggests allowing staff to work from home and consolidating the 911 dispatch offices in rural counties.
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Group Suing City of Lawrence over Homeless Encampments
UNDATED (KNS) – A group of Lawrence business owners is suing the city and asking the court to disband two camp areas for people experiencing homelessness. The Kansas News Service reports that the lawsuit says the encampments endanger public health and safety. The city established the camps more than a year ago as a temporary measure to deal with homelessness. Rick Renfro owns Johnny’s Tavern near one of the camps, and says he joined the lawsuit because Lawrence needs to find a long-term solution.
“Everybody in town wants safe public spaces. We want everybody to be able to use the library — the homeless and the little kids. We want people to come to town without having to feel like they gotta give to panhandlers,” Renfro explained.
City leaders have shared plans for a long-term shelter with modular homes, but there is no firm timeline for when that will happen.
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U.S. Senate Confirms Kansas Military Judge for Court of Appeals
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed a Kansas attorney to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Captain Richard Federico, a member of the Federal Public Defender and military judge for the Navy Reserve Judiciary, has been confirmed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. WIBW TV reports that President Biden nominated Federico in July. Republican Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, who introduced Federico to the Senate, praised his career and military service in the Navy JAG Corps, where he served as a prosecutor, defense attorney and military judge. Federico is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law. He replaces Mary Beck Briscoe, a Kansas native, who gave notice of her retirement in 2021.
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Public Hearing Monday on $900 Million Industrial Project in Southeast Kansas
INDEPENDENCE, Kan. (Montgomery County Chronicle) — A public hearing is scheduled for Monday about a mammoth industrial prospect for Montgomery County, in southeast Kansas. The Montgomery County Chronicle reports that the item remains on the docket for the next meeting of the Montgomery County Commission. Commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday morning about the Azure 2023 Project. That's the name given to a $900 million industrial project to be built near the Bartlett Grain soybean processing plant. The Bartlett plant remains under construction east of the U.S. 160-169 highway junction, south of Cherryvale. The plant is expected to open in 2024.
Details about the Azure 2023 Project have been under wraps because of confidentiality agreements, but those restrictions will be lifted Monday. The Chronicle has learned of a partnership between a Canadian-based company known as Azure Sustainable Fuels, and Savage, the parent company of Bartlett Grain.
In the past two years, Azure has taken increased interest in the production of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, for jet airplanes. In October, Azure Sustainable Fuels signed a “strategic partnership” agreement with Savage to create a SAF production program utilizing Savage’s transportation and shipping networks and Bartlett Grain’s connection to the soybean industry.
Bartlett Grain’s new soybean processing plant in Montgomery County will be the largest of its kind in the Midwest, where it will process soy products. The Bartlett project itself represents a $450 million investment.
Monday's public hearing will be held to discuss the issuance of $900 million in industrial revenue bonds for the Azure 2023 Project. If county commissioners approve the issuance of those bonds, which is anticipated, it will represent the single-largest investment of private money into a local industrial project in the history of Montgomery County and will be among the top five largest industrial projects in Kansas.
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Union Pacific Railroad Seeks Dismissal of Chemical Spill Lawsuit
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – Union Pacific has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed on behalf of Wichita residents living above a chemical spill from the railroad company. KMUW Radio reports that the lawsuit, filed in October, alleges residents lost property values as a result of the chemical spill. But Union Pacific is asking the court to dismiss the case because the spill took place decades ago. State statutes limit the amount of time a lawsuit can be filed after an incident occurs. Christina Long, a communications partner with Union Pacific, told KMUW that the company will still work with the community on ongoing clean up efforts.
"The company's commitment to the community remains unchanged. Union Pacific will continue to cooperate with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Long said.
The state oversees the clean up of the spill, which has contaminated about three miles of groundwater underneath neighborhoods in northeast Wichita.
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Kansas Game Warden Reports Arrest in Deer Poaching Incident
AMERICUS, Kan. (WIBW) — An arrest has been made following an early-December poaching incident near Americus and investigators are still searching for information in other nearby poaching crimes. WIBW reports that emergency crews were called to an area about two miles northwest of Americus on December 4. Lyon County Game Warden Aaron Scheve says the suspect had allegedly collected three deer before he was apprehended. None of the deer had tags. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest. The suspect’s identity has not been released. The incident occurred about a mile east of a November poaching incident in which a deer was beheaded. Officials say the two cases are not believed to be related. Scheve says two other cases from November 2022 remain open. Anyone with information about any of the poaching incidents should call (620) 431-9873.
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KU Study Finds Health and Wealth Disparity Between Racial and Ethnic Groups
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KNS) — New research from the University of Kansas finds that the association between wealth and health differs across racial and ethnic groups. The study, which looked at American young adults, found that people of color need more financial assets to achieve similar health outcomes compared with young white adults. While debt was associated with better health for white Americans, the opposite was true for people of color. The study’s author Sicong Summer Sun says she thinks that’s tied to student loans. “Borrowing student loans for young white adults is helpful for health outcomes. However, it is detrimental for all people of color.” The researchers say they hope the findings can guide policymakers trying to improve public health.
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Kansas Public Radio Is Hiring
Morning News Host, Newscaster / Reporter
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas Public Radio is seeking a new morning news host. The Morning Edition Host/Reporter delivers the local segments of “Morning Edition,” National Public Radio’s weekday news magazine on Kansas Public Radio (hereafter “KPR”), licensed by the University of Kansas in Lawrence. This person gathers, edits, writes, produces and delivers local newscasts and hosts the local segments of this national show on KPR. Following each day’s broadcast of Morning Edition, this position is also responsible for producing broadcast and online news content. The reporter must have a keen understanding of state, regional and national news. This position requires consistent availability weekdays from 4:00am to 1:00pm, including most holidays. Position is supervised by the News Director and/or Assistant News Director. Application review begins in December and continues until a pool of qualified applicants is identified. Candidates must apply online: https://employment.ku.edu/jobs/staff/morning-news-host-reporter/26740br KU is an EO/AAE. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status.
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Chiefs' Andy Reid Ready to Move on from Controversial Buffalo Loss with Patriots Game Sunday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid had no interest Wednesday in reliving the Chiefs' controversial loss to Buffalo last weekend.
Reid curtly batted away continued questions about the 20-17 defeat, where a rare offside penalty on wide receiver Kadarius Toney negated what would have been the go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes.
Reid took issue with the fact that officials tend to give warnings when a player lines up offside, and that flags are rarely thrown for such an infraction.
“We brought the guys in yesterday and they understand all our focus is straight ahead on the Patriots, and every day we have to practice for this game is important,” Reid said before practice. “I felt that way after the game. They know the importance of it.”
The Chiefs (8-5), who have lost four of their past six, visit New England on Sunday.
“You always got to move forward,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “It happens so fast: You have one game, you have one day off, and then you start focusing on the next team. You don't have time to linger on a loss. It's all about moving forward.”
Earlier in the day, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce railed at critics of their struggling offense on his “New Heights” podcast with his brother and Eagles center Jason Kelce. Most of the criticism has been directed at Kansas City wide receivers, who lead the NFL in dropped passes by a wide margin, and more recently Toney, whose penalty against Buffalo proved to be so costly.
“We're not rolling like we have in the past. I know there's a lot of media pointing fingers at some of the skill players that we have,” Kelce said. “All this that I hear in the media right now about who the Chiefs are, it's only building that beast that we've been trying to create this entire year. It's only going to keep making us better and better, going through these learning experiences and going through these tough games.”
The Chiefs have had plenty of those lately.
Four of their past five games have been decided by one possession, and three have been losses, including another in Green Bay in which officials took some heat. They didn't throw a flag for a potential defensive pass interference penalty on the Packers, so rather than have a chance to tie the game late, Kansas City headed home with a 27-19 loss.
In fact, the Chiefs are off to their worst start through 13 games since Patrick Mahomes became the starting QB in 2018.
“I think once the game was over (Sunday), you kind of get to sleep, come back Monday and Tuesday, and everybody's mind was in the right spot,” Mahomes said Wednesday. “In this league, you have to get past that stuff.”
Mahomes was as angry as any point in his professional career after the penalty on Toney, and teammates nearly had to hold him back as he chased after officials for an explanation. When the game ended, and Mahomes was shaking hands with Bills star Josh Allen at midfield, he told his fellow quarterback: "Offensive offside in that moment, man — terrible.”
Mahomes said Wednesday he regretted the way he handled the end of the game.
“Definitely emotion talking when I was talking to Josh at midfield, just to lose the football game in a tough way,” he said. “He had nothing to do with it. Just show better sportsmanship. Tell him ‘great game’ and keep it moving.”
In this case, keep it moving into Sunday's trip to New England.
“All I can do is go about business like I do every week,” said Mahomes, whose team now leads the AFC West by a single game over Denver. “The division is tight. The AFC is tight. We just have to go out there and play our best football.”
NOTES: RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) and LT Donovan Smith (neck) remained out of practice Wednesday. LB Drue Tranquill planned to be on the field, an indication that he is close to clearing the concussion protocol. LB Leo Chenal and FS Mike Edwards were out with an illness.
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Chiefs Wide Receivers Cost KC Another Game as Season-Long Storyline Continues
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to get even marginal play from their wide receivers this season. The group dragged them down again on Sunday. Kadarius Toney dropped an easy early pass, then was called for offside in the closing minutes, wiping out what would have been a go-ahead TD in a 20-17 loss to Buffalo. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was whistled for a penalty and Rashee Rice, one of the few bright spots for Kansas City this season, lost a fumble. The result was a fourth loss in six games, and one that left Kansas City at 8-5 and clinging to a one-game lead over Denver in the AFC West.
It was easy to forget amid all the grumbling about officials Sunday night, when Kansas City had a go-ahead touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills called back by penalty in a 20-17 defeat, that the Chiefs had put themselves in such a dire predicament. It was also easy to once again cast blame on their wide receivers.
The obvious target was Kadarius Toney, who not only dropped an easy pass early in the game but also was the offender on the rarely called offensive offside penalty.
The flag wiped out an incredible 49-yard touchdown in which Travis Kelce caught the ball, lateraled to Toney as he was getting dragged to the turf, and watched him run the rest of the way to the end zone.
But plenty of blame belongs to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, too. He was whistled for a false start, miscommunicated with Patrick Mahomes on a pass that would have converted a third down in the second quarter, and finished with two catches for 22 yards in the latest disappointing performance by the Chiefs' most highly-paid wide receiver.
"There's some good things in there that we're getting better in some spots," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday, "but we have to clean up some tings, penalties and drops offensively, and obviously the scores early on the defensive side. We have to take care of that so we're not playing from behind, and some of that was also turnovers on the offensive side, too."
Yes, there was the interception thrown by Mahomes, but also the fumble by another Chiefs wide receiver, Rashee Rice.
Kansas City (8-5), which has lost four of six and now leads the AFC West by just a game over Denver, has survived mediocre play at wide receivers ever since Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins.
But not even Mahomes has been able to make up for the poor play of the group this season, as evidenced by just about any metric you choose: The quarterback is on pace to set career lows as a starter of 7.0 yards per attempt, 261.4 yards per game and a touchdown rate of just 2.7 percent.
The only career high that Mahomes could set? His interception rate of 2.3 percent.
The problems have been across the board, but Toney and Valdes-Scantling have been the biggest. Toney also dropped a pass that led to a pick-6 by Brian Branch in a season-opening loss to Detroit, and Valdes-Scantling dropped an easy pass late in a 21-17 loss to the Eagles that would have given Kansas City the lead.
The uncomfortable question that faces the Chiefs is this: If not them, then who? Rice has had a promising rookie season, fumbles and drops aside, while journeyman Justin Watson has been one of their most sure-handed wide receivers. But the Chiefs have not been able to find a third option, much less a fourth or fifth, who can consistently make plays.
"I feel like we're making progress," Rice insisted. "We're going to continue to make progress, and the more we make progress, the more we will be able to not have anyone else in control of the game besides us."
WHAT'S WORKING
The Chiefs pass rush had struggled in recent weeks, but it managed to bring down the Bills' Josh Allen three times on Sunday.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
As good as their defense has been this season, the Chiefs have given up big yards and early points in three straight games. That has been tough to overcome for an offense that always seems to be fighting itself.
STOCK UP
DE George Karlaftis had two quarterback hits and a sack on Sunday. The second-year pro has quickly developed into a high-motor pass rusher who could help the Chiefs absorb the loss of DT Chris Jones if he leaves in free agency after the season.
STOCK DOWN
Connor Embree is in his first season coaching wide receivers after spending his past two as an offensive quality control coach, and it has not been a good one for him. He replaced Joe Bleymaier, who is now the Chiefs' passing game coordinator.
INJURIES
The Chiefs did not have any major injuries against Buffalo. Now, they hope they can get RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and LB Drue Tranquill (concussion) back for the stretch run.
KEY NUMBERS
1 — The number of times Patrick Mahomes has thrown for more than 306 yards this season. The Falcons' Desmond Ridder and 38-year-old Joe Flacco of the Browns were among the QBs that eclipsed that mark on Sunday.
NEXT STEPS
The Chiefs visit New England on Sunday.
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RHPs Seth Lugo, Chris Stratton Agree to Deals with Royals, AP Sources Say
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals general manager J.J. Picollo made it clear after a 106-loss season that Kansas City was in desperate need of pitching. On Tuesday, they landed someone to start games and another to help finish them.
The Royals agreed with right-hander Seth Lugo on a $45 million, three-year deal to fill one of their open spots in the starting rotation, then landed reliever Chris Stratton on a $4 million deal, two people with knowledge of the contracts told The Associated Press. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals were pending physicals.
Lugo can opt out after the 2025 season, one of the people said, while Stratton will get $3.5 million for this season and has a $4.5 million player option with a $500,000 buyout for 2025.
With one of the best curveballs in the game, Lugo is coming off a strong year with the Padres, where he went 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA while proving he could be a full-time starter. The 34-year-old started games early in his career but had largely worked out of the bullpen with only occasional starts during his first seven seasons with the New York Mets.
After driving up his value, Lugo declined his $7.5 million player option with the Padres and became a free agent.
One thing both pitchers have in common is experience, and that was something the Royals also wanted in their clubhouse.
“We're trying to put a team together. It's not really one individual talent,” Picollo said this week, while announcing a $5 million deal with reliever Will Smith. “Given the inexperience in our clubhouse other than Salvy (Perez) and Jordan (Lyles), we felt like we were short with guys like will that have not only won at a high level but experienced the game.”
Kansas City has been trying to find help for a starting rotation that has struggled the past few seasons. The Royals filled one big hole midway through last season when they acquired Cole Ragans from the Rangers for reliever Aroldis Chapman, and they hope Brady Singer can bounce back after a poor season while Lyles can continue to eat innings.
The 26-year-old Lugo should factor into the middle of the rotation. He started 18 games for the Mets in 2017, going 7-5 with a pedestrian 4.71 ERA, but only 12 total over the next five seasons, when he began to flourish out of the bullpen. Lugo was 20-17 with a 3.25 ERA over that span, striking out 378 while issuing only 91 walks over 329 1/3 innings.
Lugo got another shot to start in San Diego and made the most of it, and now the Royals are hoping he can keep it up.
Kansas City also has been searching for bullpen help in free agency. Smith is expected to finish out games, and Stratton should give the Royals a bridge from starters to the left-hander and ther rest of the back end of the bullpen.
The 33-year-old Stratton, who along with Smith won a World Series ring with Texas last month, had a 3.92 ERA in 64 games with the Cardinals and Rangers this past season. The right-hander also has pitched for the Giants, Angels and Pirates while appearing in 302 games with a 4.43 ERA over his 10-year big league career.
The Royals have been busy remaking their pitching staff since the end of the season. They also have acquired reliever Nick Anderson from Atlanta for cash, then landed right-handed starter Kyle Wright — who is expected to miss the 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery — for pitcher Jackson Kowar in a separate deal with the Braves.
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