Rice County News

Kansas Nonprofits Receive More than $4M from Community Service Program Tax Credits

Thursday, July 13

TOPEKA, Kan. – Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that $4.1 million in Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits has been awarded to 36 nonprofit organizations across the state to boost fundraising efforts focused on improving local access to quality child care, health care, education,... Read More.

Kansas Department of Education: Teacher Vacancies Remain High

Thursday, July 13

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - New numbers from the Kansas Department of Education show the teacher shortage continues across the state. Public schools reported more than 1,600 vacant jobs in April - about the same number as last fall. Most openings are in special education... Read More.

Nickerson Teens Invited to Sign Up Now for Youth Challenge

Thursday, July 13

NICKERSON, Kan. – Nickerson teens will have the opportunity to pair their creativity with up to $7,500 in grant money to address a youth-related community challenge.The Nickerson Youth Challenge invites Nickerson area youth ages 12 to 17 to an interactive two-day workshop to create... Read More.

Kansas Wildlife Commissioners Consider Restricting Game Baiting

Wednesday, July 12

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – Kansas wildlife commissioners are exploring whether to restrict hunters from setting out bait to lure deer and other game. Most Midwestern states ban or limit baiting.Among 13 Midwestern states, only Kansas allows unregulated baiting of animals such as deer for... Read More.

Kansas Law Enforcement Cracking Down on Fentanyl Distribution

Wednesday, July 12

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – Last month the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Attorney General’s office announced a new task force aimed at cracking down on fentanyl distribution in the state. But drug policy experts say enforcement efforts don’t address the root issue of... Read More.

Donors Needed in July to Prevent a Blood Shortage

Tuesday, July 11

KANSAS – The American Red Cross continues to see a concerning trend – blood donations are being sent to hospitals faster than they are coming in. The Red Cross has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months. Donors... Read More.

$10 million Project Set for Previous K-14 in Reno, Rice Counties

Tuesday, July 11

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - A $10 million project on a section of highway previously designated as K-14 in Reno and Rice counties is expected to begin Thursday, July 20.This 17-mile section, of what had been K-14, was replaced last month by a new K-14... Read More.

Kansas Punching Above Its Weight – Lower Funding, Higher Student Outcomes

Tuesday, July 11

TOPEKA, Kan. (KASB.org) - KASB has posted a new report on K-12 education funding and outcomes in Kansas and other states. Kansas continues to lag behind the U.S. average in per-pupil funding. Despite increasing state aid under the first four years of the Gannon school finance... Read More.

Shawnee County Judge Suspends Kansas Policy Allowing Gender Changes to Driver’s Licenses

Tuesday, July 11

By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — A Shawnee County District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday to prevent Kansans from amending gender declarations on driver’s licenses pending further consideration of a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Kris Kobach.Kobach filed suit Friday... Read More.

The Summit and Inspired Spine Health Partner to Introduce Innovative Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Hutchinson

Monday, July 10

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A groundbreaking, minimally-invasive spine surgery is now available in Hutchinson, Kansas, thanks to a partnership between The Summit and Inspired Spine Health. One of the method’s pioneers, renowned neuro-spine surgeon Dr. Hamid Abassi, is now conducting surgeries at The Summit in... Read More.

KDWP to Conduct Five-Year Review of State Listed Species

Monday, July 10

PRATT, Kan. (KSOutdoors.com) – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is conducting a five-year review of the lists of Kansas species that are endangered, threatened or Species In Need of Conservation (SINC). Endangered is the most imperiled category of the three, and species... Read More.

Audit Calls for More Training, Guidance for County Election Workers

Monday, July 10

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – A new Kansas audit calls for more training and guidance for county election workers. The audit reviewed the election policies and practices of 15 counties. These included the purchase of certified election equipment, and securing ballots when they are transferred... Read More.