On Thursday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with officials from the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility. Guests included NBAF Coordinator for APHIS Dr. Ken Burton, Communications Director Katie Pawlosky and Attending Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Behnke. We also spoke with the Governor’s Military Council Executive Director Perry Wiggins.
Author: KMAN Staff
Another alligator is reportedly on the loose in Manhattan. According to Manhattan Parks and Recreation, an alligator was seen Wednesday evening on Linear Trail along Wildcat Creek between South Manhattan Ave. and Pecan Circle. This alligator is not believed to be one of the two stolen from Manhattan Reptile World in June. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Colin Cudney, owner of Manhattan Reptile World, believes the alligator that was recently seen is smaller than Beauregard, an alligator stolen from Manhattan Reptile world that is still believed to be alive. Beauregard is believed to be about 5 feet long while…
As Manhattan officials look to make up a $2.7 million funding gap for fiscal year 2021, commissioners want to ensure Parks and Recreation doesn’t take the lion’s share of the burden. Click to read more on the make-up of that $2.7 million gap. City administration presented budget options highlighted by $1.2 million in fund transfers, $1.3 million in Parks and Rec cuts and other cost reductions. Those cuts would have closed CiCo and Northview pools in 2021, reduced hours at City Pool, cut nearly half of city mowing operations, and reduced park maintenance to the point some play equipment would…
Local health officials are watching COVID-19 numbers this week as an evaluation of a recent health order in response to rising case numbers of late. Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs update the public on the latest pandemic information via Facebook Live Wednesday. Wednesday, she reported 9 new active COVID-19 cases and 16 new recoveries. Overall, 132 cases are active — 1 in the hospital — 107 have recovered, 3 deaths have been reported and a total of 242 positives have been confirmed. “Through our contact tracing, we are still seeing quite a few of our cases linking back to…
Manhattan will continue working on a mandatory mask ordinance after a majority of commissioners expressed support Tuesday. Manhattan officials on May 19 eyed a similar law — raised for discussion by Mayor Usha Reddi — but amid enforcement concerns the ordinance failed to get traction in the commission as well as with institutions such as Kansas State University, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Riley County police and the Riley County Emergency Operations Center coordinating the county’s COVID-19 response. A recent surge in local novel coronavirus cases, though, has again brought a mask ordinance for public spaces to the forefront…
Health Department Director Julie Gibbs joined KMAN in the 7 AM hour to provide our COVID update.
On Wednesday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with USD 383 Superintendent Marvin Wade and board member Brandy Santos. We also spoke with Fire Marshal Jake Powell with the Manhattan Fire Department. And in our final segment we spoke with Gina Scroggs about Downtown Manhattan.
Kansas State University President Richard Myers released further details this Wednesday on the university’s plan to combat racism and discrimination. He also responded to calls for a K-State student who “posted racist messages on social media” to be expelled, saying the university as a government institution must take steps that do not violate the law. The plan is broken down into two categories of action steps the university will take, one category being student related and the other being faculty related. The action steps as they are laid out in Myer’s release can be found below. Student-Related Action Steps: 1.…
The Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency, also known as aTa Bus, has been awarded a $2.5 million grant by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed in March. The grant is part of $25 billion in CARES Act funding that is going towards public transportation systems across the United States. Funds going to aTa Bus will be spent in areas such as operations and supplementing wages for employees whose hours have been cut back due to reduced operations. “We’ve been able to implement what’s called administrative leave for those employees,”…
CARES Act funding The Pottawatomie County Commission discussed Monday how it will distribute CARES Act funds once they have been received. According to Chad Kinsley, Pottawatomie County administrator, Pottawatomie County will receive about $200 per person. In total, the county is set to receive about $4.9 million in the first round of CARES Act funding. Kinsley says this money will be allocated to each city in the county based on size. “Our plan is to allocate that money to each city based upon their population,” Kinsley said. “They will ask us for approval for purchases. Of course we’re going to…