Briefs
CDC finds E. coli in water samples from Goddard park
Water samples from a Goddard splash pad linked to widespread illness contained E. coli, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday. KDHE began investigating the Tanganyika Wildlife Park after learning June 18 that numerous visitors to the park’s splash pad had reported being sick. Some cases required hospital attention. Water samples collected by […]
Kansas extending reach of COVID-19 child care, food assistance
Kansas broadens eligibility for child care and food assistance benefits tied to COVID-19 pandemic.
Sexual predator escapes custody from Kansas mental ward
TOPEKA — State authorities are searching for a man who escaped custody Wednesday from a sexual predator program at the state psychiatric facility in Larned. Surveillance video shows John Colt, 42, at 7 a.m. walked away from Larned State Hospital after shaving his beard, changing his hair and using a fraudulent ID badge to get […]
Goddard splash park illness linked to Shigella, an intestinal bacteria
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Thursday it had identified an intestinal bacterium in cases linked to a splash zone at a wildlife park in Goddard. Tanganyika Wildlife Park closed Saturday after several children and families reported fever, diarrhea or vomiting after a visit to the splash zone. The bacteria thought […]
KDHE orders COVID-19 testing at state-licensed adult care homes
KDHE orders testing for COVID-19 to continue among staff and residents at Kansas adult care homes licensed by the state.
Overland Park sporting goods company agrees to change discrimination policy
TOPEKA — An Overland Park sporting goods store has reached a settlement with federal authorities over a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and agreed to change its policies. The allegation against Scheels All Sports comes from a complaint filed in 2019 by an 18-year-old woman with Down syndrome. An investigation conducted by the […]
Kansas Reflector opinion writer wins national award for online humor column
TOPEKA — Kansas Reflector opinion contributor Max McCoy has won the National Society of Newspaper Columnists award for humor in an online publication. The organization announced its annual award winners Tuesday for 10 print and online categories of commentary. McCoy also received an honorable mention for general column writing. McCoy won the award for humor for […]
Kansas House speaker backs Derek Schmidt in bid for governor
TOPEKA — Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt secured a noteworthy endorsement in his campaign for Kansas governor Tuesday from House Speaker Ron Ryckman, ending speculation the Olathe Republican may run himself. In a video released Tuesday, Ryckman touted Schmidt as a “reliable conservative voice” and leader. He touted Schmidt’s work with the Legislature on the […]
Former Brownback economics adviser declares for Kansas state treasurer race
TOPEKA — A former adviser to Gov. Sam Brownback announced Monday he would be entering the race for Kansas state treasurer. Michael Austin — who recently left his post with the conservative think tank Kansas Policy Institute — listed expanding school choice, improving fiscal literacy in younger Kansans and limiting what he views as ineffective and […]
Federal lawsuit challenges Kansas’ new advance mail balloting process
Advocacy groups file federal lawsuit challenging Kansas' ban on out-of-state entities sending advance ballot applications to voters.
Kansas governor offers raffle incentive for COVID-19 vaccine
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that Kansans could win prizes if they get a COVID-19 vaccine or test. “The Race to End COVID-19” will raffle off prizes June 4 and 5 at the Kansas Speedway. Participants can enter the raffle by getting a COVID-19 saliva test or the vaccine administered by the University […]
Kelly appoints executive director of African-American commission
Gov. Laura Kelly appoints a new executive director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission.