Headlines for Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Extreme heat warning for eastern Kansas through Thursday evening

TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — More extreme heat is expected this week as temperatures climb into the triple digits. The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued an extreme heat warning that is in effect from Monday afternoon through Thursday evening. The weather service predicts the region will see temperatures around 100 degrees Monday afternoon, 102 degrees Tuesday, 105 degrees Wednesday and 102 degrees Thursday. Heat index values ​​are expected to climb to between 105 and 115 degrees.

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Kansas offers several methods for voting in primaries

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – The primary elections are less than a week away and Kansas voters have several ways to make their voices heard. The primaries for key state and national races are coming up on August 6, and early voting is already underway. Kansas holds closed primaries, meaning a registered Republican cannot vote in a Democratic primary or vice versa. However, as Secretary of State Scott Schwab explains, independent voters can choose to align with a political party and vote. “If you are an independent but you want to vote in, for example, the Johnson County sheriff’s race or the second primary for Congress, all you have to do is align when you go to vote.” Early in-person voting ends at noon on August 5. Information on ID requirements, ballot drop boxes and more can be found at VoteKansas.gov.

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Trump endorses Schmidt in primary for Kansas’ 2nd congressional district

TOPEKA, Kan. (Kansas Reflector) – Former President Donald Trump has endorsed former Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the five-way Republican primary in Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District. Trump said he was impressed that Schmidt was re-elected attorney general by large margins in 2016 and 2020. The Kansas Reflector reports that five candidates have entered the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who decided not to run for Congress. Schmidt has consistently led the Republican field by double digits in polls and says he is honored to receive Trump’s endorsement. In addition to Schmidt, the other Republican candidates on the Aug. 6 ballot are Chad Young of Lawrence; Matt Ogle of Topeka; Shawn Tiffany of Delavan; and Jeff Kahrs of Topeka. The leading Democratic candidates are Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City and Matt Kleinmann of Kansas City, Kansas.

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Report: Kansas lags behind other states in access to and affordability of mental health care

UNDATED (KNS) – Kansas residents are having a harder time accessing and affording mental health care than residents of most other states, according to a new report from the nonprofit Mental Health America. The Kansas News Service reports that Kansas rose in the report’s overall rankings compared to two years ago, but underperformed in health insurance coverage. Eric Litwiller, a mental health counselor with the Mental Health Association of South-Central Kansas, said expanding Medicaid could help. “Ultimately, if an adult needs paid mental health care and they can’t get it because we haven’t expanded Medicaid yet, that’s just the way it is,” he explained. Kansas adults with mental illness are much more likely than the national average to say they can’t see a doctor because of cost. Kansas youth with depression are also less likely to seek treatment.

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Research into wetlands near Lawrence could help improve water quality

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KNS) – University of Kansas researchers are planning a study that could shed light on how wetland plants help improve water quality. KU scientists and students will begin investigating this year how wetland plants work with specialized soil microbes to remove fertilizer pollution from water. Amy Hansen, a professor of environmental engineering, is leading the research in wetlands near Lawrence. “In the Midwest, we’ve lost a lot of wetlands,” Hansen said. “In Kansas, we’ve lost about 50 percent of the historic wetland cover.” Those wetlands were drained or filled in to make way for farms and development. But Hansen said restoring floodplain wetlands could help reduce nitrogen pollution in rivers. Wetland soil contains microbes that can inhale nitrogen from fertilizer that washes off farmland and then release it into the air. Nitrogen gas is a normal part of the atmosphere. A five-year grant from the National Science Foundation will support the research.

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Study examines environmental impact of livestock farming methods

LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) – Beef production in Kansas is a multibillion-dollar industry, and a new study assesses the environmental impacts of different methods of raising cattle in North America. The research focuses on the carbon emissions from different types of livestock production. It concluded that because there is still demand for beef, the most sustainable option moving forward would be to manage greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. Tong Wang of South Dakota State University led the study. She says the lowest carbon emissions come from grass-fed cattle, which are raised on land where the plants sequester carbon into the soil. “If they see that there are certain management practices that are sequestering carbon in the pasture, then those management practices could be promoted,” she explained. The federal government commissioned the study due to a lack of clear data on the environmental impacts of different types of beef production.

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Renovations underway at KU’s Allen Fieldhouse

LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) – Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas in Lawrence currently seats 16,300 basketball fans. But after renovations to the fieldhouse are complete, WIBW TV reports that the maximum capacity will be reduced by about 1,000 seats. KU Athletics officials say the changes will improve the fan experience on game day, especially on the upper floors. Construction workers are removing the crow’s nest in the corners of the upper floor and are removing portions of the third floor. KU officials say the changes will improve visibility for fans on the upper floors and say they were also necessary to meet federal ADA accessibility requirements. KU Athletics says they plan to have the bulk of the construction work completed before the annual Late Night in the Phog event on Oct. 18.

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Topeka Police Ask for Community Help in Solving Auto Theft Crimes

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – Topeka police have taken to social media in hopes of solving more vehicle theft crimes. KSNT reports that the city has seen nearly 350 vehicle thefts and attempted vehicle thefts so far in 2024. Police say 72 of those vehicle thefts involved Kia or Hyundai vehicles. The TPD is urging Kia and Hyundai drivers to respond to a Kia/Hyundai recall that is working to address a security flaw. The Associated Press collected data from seven cities that shows Hyundai and Kia thefts are still on the rise despite the companies’ efforts to patch a security flaw exposed on social media sites, making 8.3 million vehicles relatively easy targets for thieves.

Topeka Police advise drivers to:

• Never leave vehicles running and unlocked.
• Make sure the doors and windows of your vehicle are closed and locked whenever you leave the vehicle, even at night.
• Invest in tracking technology such as AirTags, Tile trackers, etc.
• Install security cameras outside and point them at your vehicle.
• Remove valuables and weapons from your vehicle.

If you have information regarding vehicle theft, police ask that you contact detectives at [email protected]. If you drive a Hyundai or Kia, you can click here to check for recalls.

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Group aims to increase mental health care and awareness in Clay County

UNDATED (KNS) – A nonprofit organization in Clay County, Kansas, wants to help its local farming community better cope with stress and depression. The Kansas News Service reports that financial insecurity and isolation are contributing to increased stress among farmers. The Clay Counts Coalition wants to raise awareness about mental health services for farmers. Other counties and groups have launched similar programs across the state. The organization cites a speech by Izzy Blackwood, a Clay County high school senior, as inspiration for the new program. Blackwood says her farming family was devastated when her oldest brother committed suicide. She says she made it her personal mission to raise awareness. “All the men in my life are in the farming community…I didn’t want to lose another man in my family,” she added. Research shows that male farmers in the state are three times more likely to commit suicide than other male workers.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline.

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Free BBQ and School Supplies Giveaway Planned in Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Kan. (Lawrence Times) – Activists in Lawrence will be handing out free school supplies, free food and snow cones to local youth during a Back-To-School Cookout on Saturday. The Lawrence Times reports that the event is being organized by StopGap Inc., a grassroots nonprofit that aims to support youth transitioning out of foster care and at risk of homelessness. Attendees will be provided with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks, along with school supplies such as backpacks, water bottles, notebooks, binders, craft supplies and more. The cookout is open to all ages, with a focus on providing resources to local youth. It is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 at the East Lawrence Recreation Center.

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KU students dig up baby dinosaur

MONTANA (KSNT) — A group of researchers and students from the University of Kansas are in Montana this summer to dig up something rare: the skeleton of a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex. The dig site is located about 40 miles north of the town of Jordan, Montana. The dig began in 2016, after a student discovered a bone. That bone was sent to KU for analysis, where it was determined to belong to a young T. Rex, an incredibly rare find.

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This summary of regional news is compiled by KPR news staff. Our headlines are usually published weekdays at 10:00 and are updated until 19:00. This ad-free news summary is made possible by KPR members. Become one today. And follow KPR News on X (formerly Twitter).