KSU Study Links Radon, Water Contamination to High Cancer Rates in Three Kansas Counties

Two Lawrence Democrats Enter Big First Primary Against Rep. Mann

House Committee Advances Local Election Consolidation Bill

House Committee Approves At-Risk Funding Verification Changes

Spring in Kansas: 70s, Fire Warnings, Then 50 Mph Winds by Sunday

KSU Study Links Radon, Water Contamination to High Cancer Rates in Three Kansas Counties

A Kansas State University study examined groundwater quality, indoor air and cancer rates in Ellsworth, Russell and Lincoln counties, three farming communities where cancer rates are higher than the state average. Researchers collected 56 water samples from private wells, tested radon levels in 39 homes and surveyed 65 households about cancer history. In most of the study area, nitrate and uranium levels in well water exceeded federal safety limits, and nearly half of radon readings were above the level at which the EPA recommends action. Household surveys found that 64% of Lincoln County homes and 77% of Russell County homes reported at least one cancer case, and 83% of Lincoln County participants reported a family history of cancer. Notably, 6% of Russell County cases were in people under 20, and 18% of Ellsworth County cases were in people between 20 and 40. The study offers early evidence of a possible connection between these environmental hazards and cancer in the region and is intended to guide future research and public health efforts.

KWCH / K-State Research Exchange

Two Lawrence Democrats Enter Big First Primary Against Rep. Mann

Two Lawrence Democrats, Colin McRoberts and Lauren Reinhold, are running in the Democratic primary for Kansas' 1st Congressional District, seeking to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Salina, who filed for reelection Feb. 26 and reported roughly $2.3 million cash on hand. McRoberts and Reinhold both participated in a candidate forum in Topeka on March 8. McRoberts' campaign reported about $7,000 cash on hand in his latest Federal Election Commission filing, while Reinhold had not yet filed with the FEC as of the last reporting period. The sprawling Big First district stretches from rural western Kansas to Lawrence.

CJ Online

House Committee Advances Local Election Consolidation Bill

The House Committee on Elections recommended a substitute version of SB 231, which would reschedule city, school district and community college elections to coincide with state and federal races in even-numbered years and require municipal elected officials to serve either two- or four-year terms. Proponents argue the change would boost voter turnout for local races that often suffer from low participation and save counties money by consolidating elections. Opponents contend that placing nonpartisan local races on the same ballot as high-profile partisan contests could overshadow local issues and lead to candidates being judged by party affiliation rather than qualifications. The substitute bill now heads to the full House floor for debate in what would be one of the most significant changes to Kansas election procedure in years.

House committee advances plan to move city, school elections

A House panel has endorsed a major overhaul of Kansas election law that would move nonpartisan local elections to even-numbered years, a change critics say could inject more partisanship into community races.

citizen journalGreg Loving

House Committee Approves At-Risk Funding Verification Changes

The House Committee on Education recommended that SB 387, which would alter how Kansas verifies student eligibility for at-risk programs, be amended and passed. The bill would require school districts to verify household income for students receiving free meals under the national school lunch program and would require legislative authorization for certain federal special assistance payments. The committee also amended definitions within the broader school finance law. The action sends the bill to the House floor, where any change to the at-risk funding formula is closely watched by school districts and education advocates because it can significantly affect local budgets and resources for the state's most vulnerable students.

School funding debate continues as House panel amends at-risk formula

A House committee amended a bill changing how students are counted for at-risk funding, a critical component of the state’s school finance formula.

citizen journalGreg Loving

Spring in Kansas: 70s, Fire Warnings, Then 50 Mph Winds by Sunday

Strong southwest winds are pushing temperatures into the 60s and 70s across Kansas on Thursday, creating critical to extreme fire weather conditions with red flag warnings in effect statewide. Friday will bring similar warmth with much less wind, and temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-to-upper 70s on Saturday. A strong cold front Saturday night will drop temperatures into the 40s and 50s on Sunday, with widespread wind gusts over 50 mph possible. Residents are urged to exercise extra caution with any outdoor burning today.

KWCH

Sources

1. KWCH — K-State cancer study | K-State Research Exchange — study abstract
2. CJ Online — Big First race
3. KWCH — Weather/fire danger

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