By John Hanna – Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is facing a projected 8.1% shortfall in its next state budget after a new fiscal forecast issued Monday slashed projections for expected tax collections over the next 15 months by nearly $1.37 billion to reflect the economic damage associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced even before the new forecast was public that she has directed state agencies to avoid filling open positions not essential to dealing with the novel coronavirus and to eliminate discretionary spending. But those steps aren’t likely going to be enough to…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has received more personal protective equipment and supplies to expand COVID-19 testing in communities with meat processing plants. Gov. Laura Kelly says the supplies will go to Finney, Ford and Seward counties in southwest Kansas and Lyon County in the east-central part of the state. As of Monday, 336 people in those counties are infected with the coronavirus out of 1,986 statewide. Cargill, Tyson Fresh Meats and National Beef say employees at their plants have tested positive. Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are tracking clusters…
TEKAMAH, Neb. (AP) Police in southeastern Nebraska say two young boys who were the subject of an urgent Amber alert Monday have been found safe in Wichita, Kansas. An Amber alert was issued Monday morning in Nebraska for the two boys, ages 7 and 4, who were taken from Tekamah, police said. The alert was later extended to Kansas. Tekamah Police Chief Dan Jacobs says the man accused of taking the boys was a step-grandparent and was caught and arrested in Wichita after a police chase. Jacobs says the boys were found safe in the man’s vehicle.
K-State has been working to bring parts of their enrollment and recruitment process online now that on-campus summer activities have been canceled through July. K-State Vice President of Communications and Marketing Jeff Morris: He says part of the process has been creating virtual tours for prospective students. As for the status of whether there will be in-person classes this fall, Morris says projections seem to be holding true so far, but progress will need to be made in testing.
Monday’s program featured a conversation with Kansas State University Vice President for Communications and Marketing Jeff Morris with an update on campus adjustments, good news and other information related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We also spoke with Kansas Gas Service Public Relations Manager Dawn Tripp about Safe Digging Month and the need to postpone any non-essential digging due to the ongoing health crisis.
April is National Safe Digging Month, and the Kansas Gas Service is asking that residents and businesses postpone non-essential digging amid the COVID-19 pandemic. KMAN spoke with Kansas Gas Communications Manager Dawn Tripp, saying this year the usual start of the digging season has coincided with the global pandemic. Tripp says postponing projects helps protect underground infrastructure, including water and sewer lines and internet connections — all the more important as people are staying home for both work and leisure. “If you can put off that digging project, please do so,” says Tripp. Tripp says this is especially important for…
Lonnie Baker, CEO of Meadowlark Hills, joined KMAN in the 7 a.m. hour to provide our daily COVID-19 update.