COVID-19
U.S. House panel probes extent of fraud in federal COVID-19 relief programs
WASHINGTON — From 2020 to 2022, a group of Minnesotans pretended to be serving meals to low-income children, all the while filing for reimbursement under a federal COVID-19 relief program aimed to buoy child nutrition as schools and childcare centers closed. In all, the schemers defrauded the government of $250 million, the Minnesota Reformer reported. […]
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly cleared to return after doctors say COVID-19 test was inaccurate
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s office says she doesn’t have COVID-19 after all. The office issued a statement Thursday saying her physician and state health officials believe an initial test earlier this week produced a “false positive” result. Her subsequent tests have been negative, the statement said. The governor appeared at a series of events […]
With Medicaid ‘continuous coverage’ ending soon, many Kansans may lose access to care
TOPEKA — With federal “continuous coverage” Medicaid protections ending, thousands of Kansans are expected to be dropped from medical programs in the coming months. While President Joe Biden is expected to extend the public health emergency issued for COVID-19, one that allowed for health-related measures and the continuous coverage policy, states will no longer have […]
KU researchers assert FCC map of high-speed broadband access in Kansas ‘highly inaccurate’
KU researchers say the Federal Communications Commission's map of broadband access grossly exaggerates access to high-speed internet across the state.
Kansas governor tests positive for COVID-19, experiencing minor symptoms
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly has tested positive for COVID-19 just two days into the legislative session. Kelly is currently self-isolating with minor symptoms after testing positive Tuesday morning, according to a news release sent out later in the day. She is fully vaccinated. Kelly appeared at a series of events throughout the weekend, up […]
Gov. Laura Kelly launching second term poised to balance centrist philosophy of governing
Gov. Laura Kelly to stay in the middle of the road politically in her second term, while GOP House and Senate plan to make use of their supermajorities.
Derek Schmidt reflects on his 12 years as Kansas attorney general in farewell letter
TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt lists suing the national government, fighting vaccine mandates and advocating against illegal immigration as notable accomplishments in the position he held for more than a decade. In a farewell letter reflecting on his 12 years as the state’s top legal officer, Schmidt said he helped shape the role […]
KU Health System doctors express praise for Fauci’s leadership from HIV to COVID-19
University of Kansas Health System physicians praise retiring Anthony Fauci, despite U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall's campaign to undermine Fauci's credibility.
Former GOP Kansas House member guilty of fraud, money laundering in COVID-19 case
Former Republican member of the Kansas House was convicted by a federal jury of money laundering and fraud for stealing $355,000 in COVID-19 relief funding.
Kansas lawmakers embrace framework for allocation of $374 million in federal relief aid
The State Finance Council, with Gov. Kelly and legislative leaders, unanimously approve allocation of $374 million in remaining COVID-19 relief funding.
White House resumes handing out free COVID-19 rapid test kits
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is once again offering Americans the opportunity to order free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests from the federal government, a program that it had shuttered amid an ongoing stalemate with Congress over additional funding to address the virus. The program will allow each household to order four free COVID-19 tests as […]
Number of Kansas flu and COVID-19 cases expected to rise during holiday season
TOPEKA — Health officials urge Kansans to get booster shots before the holidays, warning of a “trifecta” of illnesses spreading this year, including flu, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and COVID-19, and a limited number of hospital beds available to treat these illnesses. Only 10.2% of Kansans have received a bivalent booster shot, according to […]