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The Trump administration has sent flights of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. NPR's Sergio Martínez-Beltrán shares what we know about them.Then, while Kansas voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, police are reticent to advance his deportation agenda. Kansas News Service's Zane Irwin talks about why the state is an outlier on immigration enforcement. And, 23andMe, the genetic testing company that helps people learn about their ancestry and health risks based on a DNA sample, is declaring bankruptcy and seeking buyers. Roben Farzad, host of the podcast "Full Disclosure," joins us to discuss what it means for users' data. Plus, attorney Erin Elmouji explains why she signed a letter criticizing the head of her former law firm Paul Weiss for making a deal with Trump to avoid being targeted by the White House.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Kansas News Service environmental reporter Celia Llopis-Jepsen spent two years researching and reporting the first episode of Up From Dust. The newly launched podcast tells the stories of the Kansans who are addressing environmental crises.
Trees are swallowing prairies. Bees are starving for food. Farmland is washing away in the rain. Humans broke the environment — but we can heal it, too. Up From Dust is a new podcast about the price of trying to shape the world around our needs, as seen from America's breadbasket: Kansas. Hosts Celia Llopis-Jepsen and David Condos wander across prairies, farm fields and suburbia to find the folks who are finding less damaging, more sustainable ways to fix our generational mistakes. Coming soon from the Kansas News Service, KCUR Studios, and the NPR Network.
Homicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality, and experts say the problem is getting worse.
Homicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality, and experts say the problem is getting worse.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 6, 2023 is: dog days DAWG-DAYZ noun Dog days is a plural noun that refers to the hottest time of the year, which in the northern hemisphere is usually between early July and early September. Dog days can also refer to a period of stagnation or inactivity suggestive of hot, sultry weather when it can be difficult to summon the energy required for hard work. // The kids swim every afternoon during the dog days of summer. See the entry > Examples: “Streets with mature trees command higher home prices, temper the dog days of summer and draw more people outdoors for fresh air, walks and chats with neighbors.” — Celia Llopis-Jepsen, Kansas News Service, 9 May 2023 Did you know? Idle hands may be the devil's workshop, but let's be serious: when it's stiflingly hot outside, who among us isn't tempted to shirk work to go lie doggo in the shade somewhere? Such is the desire of many a creature—not just dogs (or lexicographers)—during the dog days of summer. If you're curious how dogs got singled out in this expression, however, you might say it was in the stars. The dog in dog days is the Dog Star, aka Sirius, the star that represents the hound of the hunter Orion in the eponymous constellation. The star has long been associated with sultry weather in the northern hemisphere because it rises simultaneously with the sun during the hottest days of summer.
Thursday, December 29, 2022 - We continue looking back on the best of 2022. We reair a conversation from October with Dr. Temple Grandin, autism activist, scientist and New York Times bestselling author. She joins us to discuss her new book, “Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions.” ~~~ Bringing bison back to the prairie transforms the landscape in ways that may well make it more resilient against climate change and benefit other wildlife.Celia Llopis-Jepsenof the Kansas News Service reports on a rare three-decade study by scientists at Kansas State University. ~~~ Sue Balcom is here for a Main Street Eats on new year's resolutions. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Argentina: 1985.”
To the US, where the conservative state of Kansas has become the first state to vote to keep abortion rights, in what's being hailed as a major victory for pro-choice groups. In a referendum held yesterday, close to 60 percent voted not to amend the state's constitution, which would then take away the right to abortion. It was the first electoral test of the issue since the US Supreme Court allowed states to ban the procedure. Kansas News Service news editor Stephen Koranda spoke to Guyon Espiner.
5908 - Thursday, June 2, 2022 - Dr. Dean Bresciani is this week's guest on the Prairie Pulse television show. We share an excerpt of his conversation with host John Harris. You can also watch the episode tonight at 8 Central. ~~~ Despite years of federal funding and initiatives, high-speed internet remains out of reach for millions of rural Americans. But some smaller, local broadband providers are finding ways to get rural customers connected. David Condos of the Kansas News Service reports. ~~~ The state is on the lookout, setting a number of traps for a dangerous culprit. Joining us is Joe Zeleznik, NDSU Extension forester to discuss the dreaded emerald ash borer. ~~~ Sue Balcom is here for Main Street Eats for a discussion on suppressing weeds.
Celebrated author Jack Kerouac would have turned 100 on March 12. Kerouac biographer Joyce Johnson talks about Kerouac's iconic "On the Road" and his continued resonance for readers today. And climate change — combined with dwindling water resources and new infrastructure — means states like Kansas are becoming cotton countries. David Condos of the Kansas News Service reports.
Large wind farms have been cranking out electricity in Kansas for 20 years. In this episode we follow Brian Grimmett of the Kansas News Service as he looks at how the state's wind industry has changed and where it could be heading.
Some of the Jan. 6 rioters at the Capitol harbor the belief that the government has abandoned average Americans — particularly in rural areas of the U.S. Jim McLean of Kansas News Service reports. And, for Grammy-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens, singing songs of lament brings comfort. We revisit host Peter O'Dowd's conversation from April with the musician about her latest album, "They're Calling Me Home."
"Judas and the Black Messiah" star LaKeith Stanfield talks about the challenge of playing FBI informant William O'Neal. And, this weekend volunteers will participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, reporting bird species in their neighborhoods. The count provides vital information to help scientists understand changes in bird populations and migration patterns, Celia Llopis-Jepsen of Kansas News Service reports.
America’s Elder Care Has A Problem Since the pandemic began, long-term care facilities across the country have experienced some of its worst effects: One of the first major outbreaks in the U.S. began in a nursing home in Washington state. Since then, the virus has ravaged through care centers across the country—as of September 16, more than 479,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 in U.S. care facilities. But COVID-19 is merely adding stress to an already fragile system of long-term care facilities—including nursing homes, assisted living, and other rehabilitation centers. Coronavirus outbreaks have only exacerbated pre-existing problems, including overworked and underpaid staff, limited funding, and poor communication with families. In Kansas, more than half of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have been among nursing home residents, with 50 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities as of August 26, reports Celia Llopis-Jepsen for the Kansas News Service. In the midst of these challenges, facility administrators have reported major issues with staff turnover and availability. When facilities are so vulnerable, COVID-19 won’t be the only hazard that becomes a problem. A recent KQED investigation, Older and Overlooked, found that thousands of long-term care facilities in California are also located in high risk wildfire areas. Many of these facilities have inadequate or poorly communicated evacuation plans, reports KQED's Molly Peterson. This adds to the growing concern over this year’s devastating wildfire season, with fires currently threatening facilities in Vallejo and Fairfield. Re-thinking long-term care will become even more important as our population ages. In the United States, the number of those 85 and older is expected to nearly triple from 6.7 million in 2020 to 19 million by 2060, according to the Population Reference Bureau’s analysis of U.S. census data. This is the demographic that most relies on long-term care facilities—but experts doubt the current system can support the demands of our growing elderly population. In this week’s segment hosted by radio producer Katie Feather, Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Molly Peterson give a closer look at the issues inside nursing homes in Kansas and California. Then, gerontology professor Robert Applebaum and gerontologist Sonya Barsness dig into the root of the systemic problems, and look for solutions that can build better long-term care for our aging population. Hunting For The Crystalline Clues Of A Volcano’s Eruption We notice volcanoes when they erupt. It’s hard to miss the huge, dramatic plumes of ash, or red glowing lava spewing high into the air. But the geologic precursors of these giant eruptions are less obvious. To learn more about when and why these catastrophic events occur, scientists study the gases and rocks inside of volcanoes. Volcanologist Kayla Iacovino, for example, conducts research on volcanoes from Costa Rica to Antarctica—and now, is even looking to other planets. Iacovino is featured in our second season of Breakthrough: Portraits of Women in Science, a video series profiling scientists and how their lives and work intersect. Here, she explains how the gases and crystals released by volcanoes provide important clues into why volcanoes erupt.
Kansas lawmakers are making contingency plans in case the spread of the coronavirus forces an early end to the 2020 legislative session. A shortened session would lessen the chances of lawmakers resolving their differences on abortion and Medicaid expansion before heading home. Susan Wagle, the Republican president of the Kansas Senate, is blocking consideration of a bipartisan expansion bill until the House approves a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. Attempts by legislative leaders to end the stalemate appear to be making little progress. Statehouse Blend host Jim McLean talks with a lawmaker trying to end the impasse and discusses how funding problems are hindering the state’s public defender agency with Kansas News Service reporter Nomin Ujiyedin on this week’s episode of the podcast.
Kansas is slipping to the back of the pack on some critical economic measures. In this episode of Statehouse Blend Kansas, host Jim McLean talks with Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland about what the agency is doing to try to reverse those trends. McLean also hears from Kansas News Service reporters about a proposal to ban the sale of vaping flavors, and he asks why Republicans resist Democratic Governor Laura Kelly’s proposal to create an independent office on energy policy.
Nomin Ujiyediin reports on Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal for the Department of Human Services.
The Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on the 2019 legislative session continued on February 12 at Roxy's Downtown with a discussion focused on education funding. A new governor could mean changes to education funding in Kansas. What implications could these changes have on area schools? We spoke with those who know. Panelists: Cory Gibson , Valley Center Public Schools superintendent Celia Llopis-Jepsen , Kansas News Service reporter Lynn Rogers , Kansas lieutenant governor Susan Willis , Wichita Public Schools chief financial officer
A review of last year's happenings in state government from Jim McLean, managing editor of the Kansas News Service, Tim Carpenter, statehouse bureau chief for The Topeka Capital-Journal, Jonathan Shorman, statehouse reporter for the Wichita Eagle and Kansas City Star, and Sherman Smith, manging editor for The Capital-Journal.
With the election of Democrat Laura Kelly as governor, it appears Kansas is trending back to the center. But voters sent a mixed message as conservatives regained control of the Legislature. To cap off this season My Fellow Kansans, the incoming governor sat down with Jim McLean of the Kansas News Service and took questions from a live audience at Washburn University in Topeka. As Kelly prepares to take over the reins of state government, she said she's found the problems to be worse than she thought. But the governor-elect, a veteran of the state senate, is confident she'll have a "moderate majority" of Democratic and Republican lawmakers working with her on solutions.
Kansas voters elected a new governor, Democrat Laura Kelly, who wants to promptly expand Medicaid eligibility, resolve a long-running lawsuit with more school funding, and address a crisis in the state's foster care system. But her ability to fulfill that agenda will depend on how willing a more conservative Legislature is to work with her. Following an on-stage conversation with the governor-elect, My Fellow Kansans host Jim McLean was joined by Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty and Kansas News Service reporters Stephen Koranda and Celia Llopis-Jepsen for a live panel discussion of the dynamics heading into the 2019 legislative session. Beatty, armed with insights from a Fox News exit poll , said voters are looking for their elected officials to chart a center path.