Briefs

The Kansas Department of Corrections led by secretary Jeff Zmuda says a fifth inmate who contracted COVID-19 has died. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)

Norton inmate tests positive for COVID-19

BY: - July 23, 2020

Kansas Department of Corrections secretary Jeff Zmuda on Thursday said an inmate at the state-run prison in Norton had tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total of corrections facilities with known infections to eight. The infected man was among 96 residents in the minimum security unit at the Norton Correctional Facility. All of the unit’s […]

Officials at University of Kansas, which fell silent this spring due to COVID-19, reported losses of $35 million in the last fiscal year and Thursday projected a revenue shortfall in the current fiscal year of $120 million with an additional $30 million spent on health and safety programs. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

KU anticipates $120M revenue shortfall, $30M in direct COVID-19 expenses

BY: - July 23, 2020

University of Kansas says COVID-19 will cause a $120 million revenue shortfall this fiscal year and trigger $30 million in health and safety expenditures.

Belinda Sturm, a University of Kansas engineering professor, says a research project involving KU and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment shows testing of wastewater can offer a one-week advance warning of COVID-19 community surges or declines. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)

Wastewater testing by KU, KDHE offers advance warning of COVID-19 surge

BY: - July 22, 2020

A project involving KU and KDHE shows promise in tracking genetic evidence of COVID-19 in wastewater and offer an early warning to a community.

U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, who represents the 1st District in Kansas, is competing against former Secretary of State Kris Kobach and a handful of other candidates in the August Republican primary. (Submitted)

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts endorses Roger Marshall in GOP primary

BY: - July 21, 2020

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., endorses Congressman Roger Marshall in the GOP primary. Roberts' retirement set off a scramble for the seat.

Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran released a statement to constituents saying President Donald Trump has the right to wage a legal fight for a fair counting of votes in the presidential election, but should offer presumed Democrat Joe Biden the national security briefings and other support common to transition to a new president. (Submitted)

Kansas attorney general outlines COVID-19 scams for U.S. Senate panel

BY: - July 21, 2020

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chaired a Senate subcommittee hearing Tuesday on COVID-19 scams. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt shared testimony.

Delayed U.S. 50 project breaks ground with promise of jobs

BY: - July 21, 2020

Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Julie Lorenz broke ground Monday on a long-delayed project to widen a one-mile area of U.S. Highway 50 to four lanes. The expansion, which will cover an area with heavy truck traffic near Emporia in Lyon County, was one of the delayed T-WORKS projects selected for […]

Secretary of State Scott Schwab, seen during a tour in June in Topeka of Binswanger Glass, which is making Plexiglas shields for polling sites, says voters in the August primary won't be denied a ballot based on whether they wear a mask. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Masks optional at August primary, social distancing encouraged

BY: - July 21, 2020

Secretary of State Scott Schwab says Kansas voters will be allowed to vote without a mask during the Aug. 4 primary election. “Our priority has been, and continues to be, ensuring every Kansan has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in the 2020 election,” Schwab said. Schwab’s guidance to county election officials, issued […]