COVID-19

Region’s largest healthcare provider commits $18 Million for employers and members

Yesterday, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City announced they will be dedicating almost $18 million in financial relief during COVID-19 conditions to introduce new support for its employers and members. Blue Cross serves as the industry’s largest healthcare… more

NFL and MLB announce season plans for 2020, K-State announces 14-day suspension

Major League Baseball and the National Football League have either already announced or are beginning to announce upcoming season plans for 2020. According to USA Today, Major League baseball owners and Commissioner Rob Manfred have worked out plans for a… more

Crime and traffic deaths rise in Kansas City, Mo. during quarantine

While a lot of attention is being paid to deaths attributed to COVID-19 in recent months, Kansas City is experiencing a lethal surge in crime and traffic accidents this year. Both violent crime and traffic accidents, authorities say, appear to… more

Recommendations for Kansas to stay in Phase 3

Originally set to begin June 22, the “Phase Out” stage of Kansas Gov. Kelly’s Ad Astra reopening plan has unofficially been placed on hold. Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment advised communities across the state of Kansas… more

Coping with COVID

With nearly three full months of metrics in hand related to the COVID-19 outbreak, a picture of the pandemic is emerging that reveals sharply different health outcomes between Missouri and Kansas. Most concerning at this moment for public-health officials is… more

Housing market sales reach an unexpected 16% increase despite COVID-19 regulations

During the month of March sales were declining rapidly for home market sales, yet new numbers reported from the Census Bureau saw growth and will predictably continue for the following month. Just before numbers were released showing new sales, the… more

Resignation of Kansas Department of Labor Secretary

This week the KDOL Secretary Delía García resigned from her position. The Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff, Ryan Wright, will now serve as acting Secretary of Labor until a permanent replacement is found, according to KWCH 12 News. García’s resignation… more

Coping with COVID: Missouri’s rural southwest shows big spike in new cases

A recent spike in Missouri’s COVID-19 cases over the last few days show that reportedly half of the new cases from over the weekend have come from McDonald County, a rural county in Missouri’s southwestern corner, according to Fox 4… more

Wyandotte Opens School Districts with Restrictions due to COVID-19

Yesterday Wyandotte County announced new education guidelines, developed by 10 partners including Kansas Public Schools and the Unified Government Public Health Department. Currently in phase three of reopening, specific guidelines for each level of education will differ, providing different options… more

SPARK begins plans to support Kansas with $1B in coronavirus aid

As Coronavirus cases continue to rise, aid from the federal government has become increasingly necessary for businesses, health departments, and individuals receiving unemployment. Gov. Laura Kelly and the State Finance Council agreed on distribution plans for $1 billion of Coronavirus… more