Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Kansas reports three deaths from West Nile virus as cases reach five-year high
Three people in Kansas have died from West Nile virus infections this year, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. KDHE officials issued a warning for a high risk of the mosquito-borne disease on Sep. 13. The warning covers the entire state except for the southeast corner, which is under a moderate risk. […]
State official on Kansas Medicaid unwinding: ‘We probably could’ve done a better job’
TOPEKA — After describing long wait times, sluggish mail returns and unprecedented call center volumes, Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials announced — two weeks after their initial update — that they are trying to turn things around in the beleaguered department’s Medicaid renewal system. “Over the last year or so, we’ve received a […]
Hospitalizations in Kansas and nationwide signal ‘summer surge’ of COVID-19
TOPEKA — A national summer uptick in COVID-19 cases has arrived, but Kansas physicians are still waiting to see if cases in the state follow national trends. Across the U.S., hospitalizations have been on the rise since the beginning of July, the first increase seen this year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
Kansas regulators issue cease and desist to landfill beset by complaints of fires, stench
Kansas environmental regulators instructed a Leavenworth County landfill already under scrutiny for fires and environmental violations to stop accepting waste until further notice. The landfill’s operator, Shawn Britz, said the facility, which accepts construction and demolition waste, voluntarily closed to new drop-offs two weeks ago to give its workers a break. But in a cease […]
Massive oil spill distorts Kansas couple’s confidence in the integrity of Keystone pipeline
Bill and Chris Pannbacker, who farm Washington County land tainted by an oil pipeline break in December, are anxious about potential of another rupture.
Kansas plans to report 2022 abortion numbers this month
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment plans to release annual abortion data before the June 30 deadline, state officials say. The agency typically provides an annual report in March that details the number of abortions provided in Kansas during the previous calendar year. The data provides insight into the age, race and […]
As EPA readies to limit ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water, Kansas has done little testing
Most of the sample results were normal. But one stood out. Drinking water in rural Barber County contained levels of perfluorooctanoic acid — or PFOA — at more than 30 times a limit under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency. It was the only substance the lab detected when Barber County Rural Water District #2 had its […]
Keystone pipeline owner says recovery of spilled oil into Kansas creek is complete
LINCOLN, Neb. — A Canadian pipeline company says it has completed the recovery of oil spilled into a Kansas creek following a record leak on the Keystone Pipeline. TC Energy, in a news release Thursday, said it continues to restore the shoreline of Mill Creek as well as adjacent areas affected when the high-pressure, 36-inch […]
Legacy of lax regulations muddles views on planned 1,000-hog farm in Leavenworth County
A legacy of regulatory neglect on a Leavenworth County family farm complicates the community conversation about plans to expand a confined hog operation.
Fires, trash and stench: Kansas landfill sparks dispute between rural neighbors and owner
EASTON — Residents had complained to their local officials for months before Kansas environmental regulators investigated a trash mountain forming in a Leavenworth County landfill that is only permitted to take construction debris. By the time staffers inspected the facility, the situation was so severe a fire ripped through the landfill a few days later, […]
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 […]
Federal funds to help Kansas fight opioid crisis, target children at higher risk of drug abuse
TOPEKA — Millions in funding for child drug addiction prevention will be poured into Kansas communities where children are more at risk of exposure to opioids and drug abuse. Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration announced the funding Thursday, saying the Kansas Department of Health and Environment received nearly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Justice […]