Kansas Highway Patrol Releases Christmas Holiday Traffic Report
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — The Kansas Highway Patrol assisted nearly 450 motorists during the Christmas holiday reporting period, which started last Friday and ended just before midnight Monday, on Christmas Day. State troopers investigated two fatality accidents. The Highway Patrol says two people were killed in separate accidents but neither fatality involved the use of alcohol. The report says Kansas has now recorded three straight years with zero DUI-related fatalities during the Christmas holiday reporting period.
The report says seven people were arrested for DUI during the holiday weekend and 370 motorists were cited for speeding.
==========
Lawrence Works to Remove Illegal Homeless Campsites
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — The City of Lawrence is working to remove illegal campsites along the Kansas River levee near the city-supported campsite for homeless people. The Lawrence Journal World reports that city workers have painted a bright orange line through the campsite to indicate where camping is now prohibited. In the past year, numerous tents have been set up outside the fence at the city-supported camp.
A group of Lawrence businesses recently filed a lawsuit against the city over homeless encampments. The 24 plaintiffs say the city’s policies have created a “vagrancy crisis.” The lawsuit asks a judge to declare the city-sanctioned camp and an unsanctioned camp near the Amtrak Station in East Lawrence as public nuisances. The homeless population in Lawrence increased by 51% in a single year and a federal report indicates that the city’s homeless population increased more than four times faster than the national rate.
==========
Kansas Universities Demolish Old Buildings to Save Millions on Deferred Maintenance
TOPEKA, Kan. (Kansas Reflector) — The state of Kansas is removing 20 university buildings to save millions of dollars on performing deferred maintenance on those buildings. The Kansas Board of Regents allocated $16.5 million to turn the buildings into rubble across university campuses. The Kansas Reflector reports that the demolition work will eliminate the need for an estimated $80 million in deferred maintenance. Nearly 40 state university buildings have been identified for demolition in the future, which could save the schools about $250 million in cost avoidance on repairs to roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and other systems that deteriorate over time.
University buildings that have been demolished or will be demolished include Oliver Hall at the University of Kansas and an old gymnasium at Kansas State University. Elsewhere, Pittsburg State University is getting rid of Shirk Hall. Wichita State University plans to eliminate Brennan Hall, while Emporia State will demolish the Butcher Educational Center.
==========
Kansas Medical Experts: Adults Should Consider RSV Vaccine
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS/KMUW) — Kansas medical experts say adults aged 60 and older should talk to their doctors about whether they should get the new RSV vaccine as the state health department reports an uptick in cases. The Kansas health department says more than 1% of all emergency room visits and more than 6% of pediatric visits are now due to RSV. The respiratory virus is particularly dangerous for young children and older adults. New vaccines for both groups were unveiled this fall.
But Annette Graham with the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging says, nationally, only 16% of eligible adults have gotten the vaccine. “So, there’s some confusion and a lot of opportunities for additional education about the importance of the vaccination… and the outcomes if they got RSV." Graham spoke at a Kansas Health Institute panel. Between 6 and 10-thousand Americans over 65 die from RSV each year, and many more are hospitalized.
Graham says rural transportation issues and cost concerns are also barriers to vaccination. The RSV vaccine is covered by Medicare Part D, but some private insurers don’t cover the shot, which can cost more than $300.
==========
Kansas Tops Nation in Economic Growth over Fall 2023
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is touting good economic news for the state. According to data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Kansas economy grew by 9.7% in the 3rd quarter of 2023. That's the fastest rate in the nation. In the 2nd quarter of this year, the state's economy grew at the second-fastest rate in the nation at 7.4%.
Kelly celebrated the news by saying "Kansas is outstripping the entire nation in economic growth and attracting business investment." Kansas ranked third in the nation for growth in personal income, with personal income growing at 4.9% over the 3rd quarter of 2023. Farming was the leading contributor to the increased earnings in Kansas.
The state's economic growth rate is measured by the change in its real gross domestic product (GDP), or the market value of goods and services produced in the state.
==========
Fatal Shooting of Woman in East KC Marks Deadly Milestone
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — Another homicide in Kansas City means the city has reached a deadly milestone. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a woman Tuesday night (near East 25th Street and Myrtle Avenue). The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Chelsea Williams. She died at the hospital in the hours following the shooting. Police have not released any information about the circumstances leading up to the shooting and no suspect is in custody. KMBC TV reports that Williams' death marks Kansas City's 179th homicide of 2023. That means this year is now tied with the deadliest year on record for Kansas City, which happened in 2020. The death comes with several days left in the year.
==========
Garden City Man Accused in 2020 Murder
FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) — Agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation have arrested a Garden City man in connection with a murder that happened more than three years ago. Agents arrested 44-year-old Oscar Corrales, of Garden City, Wednesday afternoon in connection with the December 2020 death of 35-year-old Alexander Perez, of Ulysses. WIBW TV reports that Corrales was arrested at the Finney County Jail where he was already being held on unrelated charges. He is now charged with second-degree murder.
==========
Kansas Governor's New Medicaid Expansion Bill Includes Concessions to Appease Republicans
TOPEKA, Kan. (KC Star) — Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has revised her latest Medicaid expansion plan to include compromises intended to appease Republican lawmakers. The Kansas City Star reports that Kelly included work requirements for recipients in the latest proposal, something Republicans have requested in previous years. She also points out that the plan is “revenue neutral” and she included a clause that would halt the expansion if the federal government stops paying its share. But, Republican lawmakers say they have already read and dismissed the governor’s new plan. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, says the policy is simply an expansion of welfare for Kansans who could be working. Kansas Republicans have long opposed any kind of Medicaid expansion and have set up obstacles to stop Kelly's expansion efforts for the past four years. Kelly estimates that expanding the federal program would give 150,000 low-income Kansans access to affordable health care.
==========
Kansas School Puts Students to Work to Improve Behavior
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS/KMUW) — How to get students to pay attention and behave in class. It’s a problem as old as school itself. But one elementary school in south-central Kansas is trying something different: putting students to work as a way to improve classroom behavior. Counselors at Woodman Elementary in Wichita say many students who act up in class do it to get attention from adults. So, the school launched a program called “Meaningful Jobs,” which assigns students various tasks around the building. Counselor Shauna Barnes meets with a third-grader several times each week. The student helps her feed and care for a pet frog and goldfish in her office. “We’ve created this great relationship where, when I see him in the hallway, he wants to tell me about how hard he’s working in class, and it’s just been a very positive thing," she said. About two dozen students participate in the program. School leaders say behavior problems and visits to the principal’s office are down.
==========
Illinois Suspends Star Basketball Player Accused in Kansas Rape Case
UNDATED (AP) - Illinois has suspended basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. after he was charged with rape for an alleged incident that happened when the football team played at the University of Kansas in September. Illinois suspended Shannon Thursday from "all team activities, effective immediately," a day after the Douglas County District Attorney in Lawrence issued a warrant for his arrest.
Chicago-area attorney Mark Sutter said Shannon is "innocent." Prosecutors in Douglas County charged Shannon on December 5 with rape or an alternative count of sexual battery. The complaint says the accuser was born in 2005.
The rape charge carries a sentence of 12 to 54 years in prison, while the battery charge carries a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail. Cheryl Cadue, public information officer for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office, said the office was limited in what it could say about the case because it was pending. She directed questions to the sheriff's office. The probable cause affidavit was not immediately released.
The alleged incident happened when Shannon attended the Illini's football game at Kansas on September 8. He was not part of the school's traveling party. Shannon traveled to Lawrence Thursday and turned himself in to authorities. He was released on a $50,000 bond, and the school said he was returning to Champaign. Sheriff's office spokesman George Diepenbrock said his booking photo would not be released.
"Since September, when these allegations surfaced, Terrence has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation, declaring his innocence from the beginning," Sutter said in a statement. "Now, several months later, my office learned that formal charges were filed against him in Lawrence. In less than 24 hours, my client responded, and he voluntarily surrendered to local authorities for processing and release. Terrence is innocent of these charges, and he intends to take his case to trial."
Illinois said it has been aware since late September that police in Lawrence were investigating Shannon but had "yet to receive actionable information" until Wednesday. "The University and DIA (Division of Intercollegiate Athletics) have shown time and again that we have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct," athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement. "At the same time, DIA policy affords student-athletes appropriate levels of due process based on the nature and severity of the allegations. We will rely on that policy and our prior experiences to manage this situation appropriately for the University and the involved parties."
In his second season at Illinois after three years at Texas Tech, Shannon is second in the Big Ten in scoring at 21.7 points per game. Only Purdue's Zach Edey is averaging more. No. 11 Illinois has a home game against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday. Whitman is scheduled to address the media prior to the game. Coach Brad Underwood's availability with reporters on Thursday was canceled.
==========
No. 19 NC State, No. 25 Kansas State Hope to Cap Stellar Seasons in Pop-Tarts Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — No. 19 North Carolina State and Kansas State both enjoyed strong seasons, with the Wolfpack compiling a 9-3 record and the Wildcats going 8-4. The schools face each other for the first time in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where both programs will showcase new faces in expanded roles due to some key players not making the trip to Orlando because they've either entered the transfer portal or are skipping the game to focus on preparing for the NFL draft. NC State has a chance to finish with at least 10 wins in a season for just the second time in program history.
Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 19 NC State vs. No. 25 Kansas State, December 28, 4:45 pm (ESPN).
FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Kansas State by 2 1/2. Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Kansas State is looking to win its fourth bowl game in six seasons and is appearing in a bowl game in the state of Florida for the first time.
North Carolina State finished the season on a five-game winning streak that included victories over Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Miami and Clemson without starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong. The Wolfpack recorded the 14th nine-win season in program history and their second in four seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
North Carolina State's rushing attack vs. Kansas State's run defense. The Wolfpack ranked 11th in the ACC in total offense, leaning heavily on their defense to win games. With some major absences on that side of the ball, NC State is going to have to find a way to break through against a defense that was third-stingiest in the Big 12 against the run.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas State: QB Avery Johnson will be making his first start because Will Howard entered the transfer portal. Johnson appeared in seven games this year, completing 23 of 35 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 225 yards and six touchdowns.
North Carolina State: With All-American linebacker Payton Wilson skipping the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft, the Wolfpack is counting on LB Jaylon Scott to take up the slack. Wilson led the team this season with 138 tackles, 17 1/2 tackles for loss and six sacks. Scott was pretty good, too, with 72 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Both teams are short-handed due to the transfer portal and other key players sitting out to prepare for the draft. ... Kansas State's two leading receivers, Ben Sinnott (49 receptions, 679 yards, team-high six TDs) and Phillip Brooks (53 catches, 589 yards and five TDs), are preparing for the draft. Howard, running back Treshaun Ward and cornerback Kobe Savage are also out after entering the transfer portal. ... Kansas State will be playing its first bowl game in Florida. It's just the seventh time overall the Wildcats have played a game in the Sunshine State. ... Armstrong led the Wolfpack in rushing with 544 yards and six touchdowns. He also threw for 1,612 yards and 11 TDs with six interceptions. He averaged 216.7 pass yards per game in his last three starts.
==========
Bengals Visit Chiefs in AFC Title Game Rematch as Both Teams Fight for the Playoffs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Bengals are visiting the Chiefs on Sunday in a rematch of the past two AFC championship games. But this time both teams are fighting for the playoffs with two games to go in the regular season. Cincinnati's chances of an AFC wild card took a big hit in last week's loss to Pittsburgh, but a win over the reigning Super Bowl champions would get coach Zac Taylor's team right back in the hunt. Kansas City squandered a chance to clinch its eighth straight West Division title with last week's lackluster loss to the Raiders, but they could sew it up Sunday with a win or by getting some help in other games.
The Bengals and Chiefs are accustomed to playing each other for a spot in the Super Bowl when the snow begins to fly. On Sunday, they are merely playing to get into the playoffs.
The Bengals (8-7) have won three of their last four games to keep their AFC wild-card hopes alive, but they desperately need to beat Kansas City (9-6) to give themselves a good shot at making the postseason field. And the Chiefs have lost three of their last four and still need a win, or some help from Las Vegas and Denver, to clinch their eighth straight AFC West title. "It's so unpredictable year to year what teams are going to rise up," said Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who has managed to keep his team in the hunt for a third straight playoff appearance despite losing Joe Burrow just 10 games into the season. "You look around the AFC, across the board and the teams still in it," Taylor continued, "it's just going to come down to who can figure out how to win and keep the momentum going a little bit."
The Bengals' momentum was stanched last week in Pittsburgh, where they allowed the Steelers to race to a 24-0 halftime lead in a 34-11 defeat. Jake Browning, who has played well in Burrow's place, threw three interceptions in the game. "Obviously it's been a different quarterback," Browning said, "but we've gone on runs before, and had to play before where it's like, 'Hey, let's focus on one game at a time.' So we just have to focus on playing the Chiefs and whatever happens, happens."
The last outing for the Chiefs was perhaps the worst performance since coach Andy Reid took over in Kansas City. The Chiefs lost to the Raiders 20-14 on Christmas in a game that saw Las Vegas return a fumble for a touchdown and get a pick-6 thrown by Patrick Mahomes on consecutive plays.
Now, the defending Super Bowl champions no longer have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC with two games to go. "We're still in first place in the AFC West. We have one more game to win the division," Mahomes said. "We understand it's not going to be easy. But if we continue to work, we win this game and go to the playoffs, we know we can do what we set out to do at the beginning of this season, and that's get to the Super Bowl."
BANGED-UP BENGALS
The Bengals could be without Ja'Marr Chase, their Pro Bowl wide receiver, who missed practice earlier in the week to rehab his ailing shoulder. Chase has shredded the Chiefs over the years, including a game in January 2022 in which he caught 11 passes for a franchise-record 266 yards and three touchdowns. Cincinnati was also waiting to see how top cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt fared in practice this week. He was cleared to return from an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve, opening a 21-day window to active him or end his season.
CHIEFS CONCERNS
Injuries are also a concern in Kansas City, where five starters were missing from practice early in the week: CBs L'Jarius Sneed (calf) and Jaylen Watson (illness), RB Isiah Pacheco (concussion), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and WR Kadarius Toney. The Chiefs could get WR Mecole Hardman back this week. He has been practicing, but has not been activated off IR.
BABY ON BOARD
Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who spent two Pro Bowl seasons in Kansas City, celebrated the birth of his son, Sonny, moments after stepping off the field in Pittsburgh last week. Brown watched the birth over FaceTime from the locker room. "For me, football is kind of everything right now. You don't really get this opportunity back. You don't get the opportunity to see a birth, either," he said. "For me, it was important to be there with the guys in Pittsburgh and to be out there with them."
BANKING ON BIG PLAYS
The Chiefs' offense has been known for its big plays over the years, but Mahomes is averaging just 6.6 yards through the air per attempt this season, the sixth-worst mark in the AFC. And thanks in part to the fact Kansas City's wide receivers have more dropped passes than any other team, his average completed air yards is better only than Bears backup Tyson Bagent. But the Bengals could offer a chance for Mahomes, who already has thrown a career-worst 14 interceptions, to open it up. They allowed the Steelers' George Pickens to have TD catches of 66 and 86 yards last week.
CAMERAS ARE WATCHING
Several times this season TV cameras have caught Chiefs players in moments of frustration. It was Mahomes charging after an official after an offside penalty on Kadarius Toney in a loss to Buffalo, and it was Travis Kelce last week, when their star tight end chucked his helmet at the bench and Reid refused to give it back to him. "When you've won a lot of games," Reid said, "your tolerance level for not doing as well as you should goes down. Things happen. That's the great part about it: This is emotional. The game of football is an emotional game."
==========
This summary of area news is curated by KPR news staffers. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays and updated throughout the day. This ad-free news summary is made possible by KPR members. Become one today. And follow KPR News on Twitter.