TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas gun rights supporters are pushing to lower the age for concealed carry of firearms from 21 to 18. Rep. Blake Carpenter and a Kansas State Rifle Association lobbyist on Wednesday told a state house committee that Kansans under 21 already are allowed to carry guns openly but are breaking the law if they put on a coat to cover a holster. Gun safety advocates criticized the bill, saying younger people have less developed decision making abilities. Permit holders would have to complete a background check and undergo gun safety training.
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. — Thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are prompting Kansas to shut down its processing system this weekend, meaning some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly made the announcement Wednesday shortly after Republican lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being on the hook for fraudulent claims. GOP lawmakers said a surge in claims is a signal that the state is potentially seeing thousands more fraudulent claims. Kelly said they might be right and that the unemployment system will go down from 2 p.m. Saturday until…
TOPEKA, Kan. — A Topeka hospital is defending a decision to give COVID-19 vaccinations to members of its hospital board and a fundraising board before people who were at greater risk for infection. A spokesman for Stormont Vail Health in Topeka said decisions made by the boards govern the daily operations of the hospital. Kansas News Service reports the spokesman said health care workers who directly see patients got the vaccine shots first. The board members received the shots during Phase 1 of the state rollout of vaccinations, which focused on nursing homes, health care workers and others critical to…
RUSSELL, Kan. — Authorities in north-central Kansas say an Oklahoma woman has died in a crash on a slushy and slick Kansas highway. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened Wednesday morning on westbound Interstate 70 east of Russell, when a Jeep SUV slid, entered the interstate median and rolled. Investigators say the driver, 24-year-old Miyotzi Jemenez, of Sperry, Oklahoma, died at the scene. Officials say another woman, a 24-year-old passenger in the SUV, was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The crash came a day after a winter storm swept through the region, dumping nearly…
The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police. Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for sexual exploitation of a child in Manhattan on January 27, 2021, at approximately 10:39 a.m. Officers listed a 17-year-old female as the victim when it was reported an unknown…
K-State Department of Communications Studies Associate Professor and Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy Director Dr. Timothy Shaffer joined us to provide perspective on the violence in Washington, D.C. Jan. 6 and what it ultimately means for the future of civic discourse in an already polarized political climate. From Pawnee Mental Health Services, Community Services Program Director Shelli Schottler joined us to highlight the Crisis COVID program and a federal grant the agency received to assist clients during the pandemic. We also previewed the upcoming Pancakes for Pawnee event happening Feb. 16 at Early Edition’s west Manhattan location.
Riley County is reporting 59 new COVID cases since its last report. This brings the county’s total number of positive cases to 5,886 with 295 of those cases listed as active. Along with the new positives, the county is reporting 20 more recoveries since Monday, bringing the total to 5,561. Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 11 positive patients at this time. Three of the positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). All licensed healthcare professionals and individuals in Phase 1 in Riley County have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Last week we began…
The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police. Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 900 block of Anneberg Dr. in Manhattan on January 26, 2021, at approximately 10:11 a.m. Officers listed City of Manhattan as the victim…
Riley County (USD 378) Superintendent Cliff Williams and board vice president Nathan Mead, along with Blue Valley (USD 384) Superintendent John Cox joined us for a discussion on bond projects, legislative matters and other school related issues. Former Riley County Attorney Bill Kennedy previewed changes coming to this years Souper Bowl food drive for the Flint Hills Breadbasket. Collection efforts are underway through Feb. 6. Lastly we spoke to Irwin Army Community Hospital Deputy Commander for Nursing & Patient Services Col. Hyun Kang about Wednesday’s walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic for beneficiaries 75 and older.