Free COVID tests available

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced today that it is partnered with The Rockefeller Foundation’s public charity, RF Catalytic Capital, and Project Access to Covid Tests (Project ACT) to offer free at-home COVID-19 tests directly to Kansans in vulnerable communities. Kansas can now visit AccessCovidTests.org to check if their zip code is … Read more

Federal disaster declaration granted

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that her request for a federal disaster declaration for the winter storms that occurred in late March has been granted. Governor Kelly made the request on May 3. Its approval will open federal funding streams for rural electric cooperatives to repair or replace infrastructure damaged by the disaster. The declaration … Read more

Click it or Ticket campaign underway

A reminder that a Click it or Ticket campaign is underway. The state department of transportation says The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Region 7, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, is reminding drivers about the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt this spring, during the national … Read more

Rate change for Empire Electric customers

Empire Electric customers will soon see a reduction in their monthly bills. A settlement agreement approved today by the Kansas Corporation Commission calls for a 3.8% rate decrease effective July 1, 2022. This amounts to a bill reduction of $2.95 per month for residential customers with average usage. The company, which serves 9688 customers in … Read more

KDHE warns about water safety this weekend

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would like to encourage the public to exercise caution while enjoying streams, rivers and lakes over the Memorial Day weekend and through the summer. Prolonged rains in most parts of the state have contributed to an increased risk of unintentional injury and bacteria in open bodies of … Read more

Governor announces money for rail projects

Governor Laura Kelly joined Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz today to announce that the State of Kansas is giving $11.5 million in grants to advance 17 railroad improvement projects across Kansas. The projects – the majority of which are in West and South Kansas – will be funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s State Rail … Read more

Pfizer makes settlement with the state

A biopharmaceutical company has been ordered to pay more than $85,000 in restitution to Kansas consumers following an investigation into the company’s business and advertising practices involving its copayment coupon program, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today. The settlement resolves allegations that Pfizer, Inc., deceptively marketed its copayment coupon program for its Estring, Quillivant XR … Read more

Flags flown at half-staff

In honor of the 19 children and two adults killed in the mass shooting yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state effective immediately until sundown on Friday, May 27, 2022. Governor Kelly said, “Our thoughts are with the families who have … Read more

Libraries teaming up with state parks

Kansas State Parks are partnering with the Kansas Public Library System to provide library patrons with daily vehicle permits available for checkout through December 2022. The daily vehicle permits provide the permit holder with admission to any of Kansas’ 28 state parks absolutely free of charge. Kansas State Parks director Linda Lanterman said, “Through this … Read more

Lego Community Camp coming up in June

As part of Exploration Place’s Summer Camps, Cowley College has partnered with the science center to host a LEGO Community Camp June 20-24 at its main campus in Arkansas City. Exploration Place is hosting a series of camps at local community partner sites and Cowley College is eager for children age 6-13 to join the … Read more