Local News

The first of the legislative redistricting listening sessions this morning saw commenters specifically focus on one criticism: the fact the meetings were being held before Census numbers are released. That included Manhattan State Representative Sydney Carlin. Manhattan-area State Senator Tom Hawk noted that changes passed by the Legislature included a revamping of how students and [...]

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After a year hiatus, Everybody Counts proceeded without a hitch. The ninth annual event was held at Manhattan’s Douglass Community Recreation Center. The event offered free health screenings, food assistance and COVID vaccinations. Douglass Center DIrector Dave Baker said an event like this is beneficial to the community. In addition to COVID vaccinations, other services [...]

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Dozens gathered Saturday to attend the open house of USD 383’s first new school building in 25 years – Oliver Brown Elementary. The event kicked off with speeches by a few local school leaders and Cheryl Brown Henderson, the daughter of the school’s namesake, who was part of the famed Brown vs. Board of Education [...]

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A retired Army veteran from Manhattan will head up the Kansas agency which oversees veterans affairs. Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday Brigadier General (ret’d) William Turner as the new Director of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office (KCVAO). Kelly, in a release, said General Turner has gained a wealth of experience in program management, [...]

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The city of Manhattan will again require staff and visitors to wear masks in indoor facilities starting Monday. City Manager Ron Fehr announced the mandate in a Friday afternoon press release, noting that the requirement is only for the city-operated facilities and does not mean that there’s a city-wide mask ordinance. Fehr says the decision [...]

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The first legislative redistricting public input listening session will be Monday morning in Manhattan. The joint House and Senate committees on redistricting will meet at nine in the ballroom of the K-State Union, launching a five-day, 14 city tour of the state. Each stop includes a 75-minute hearing. U.S. Census numbers from last year are [...]

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The Manahttan Area Convention and Visitors Bureau says the recovery from last year’s lack of visitors because of the pandemic continues. Executive Director Karen Hibbard tells KMAN that, at the end of June, the hotel occupancy rate was 50-point-six percent for the year. While the July numbers aren’t official, Hibbard did note that the final [...]

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The National Bio and Agro Defense Facility continues to transition services from Plum Island to its facility here in Manhattan. Part of that transition includes developing a new inventory system for bio-materials. Dr. Chuck Dodd is the Transition Program Manager at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Dr. Dodd is also overseeing the massive undertaking [...]

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Riley County commissioners dismissed a mask mandate recommendation for county employees on Monday. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs, Human Resource Manager Elizabeth Wad, and Assistant EMS Director Josh Gering brought the recommendation to the commission. Ward says this is based on guidance from health professionals. Ward says if they do not take protective actions, a [...]

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Delta-variant driven increases in coronavirus cases have resulted in three people needing treatment in the ICU at Manhattan’s Ascension Via Christi. Hospital president Bob Copple tells KMAN it’s an unusual situation as staffing usually allows for one-to-two or one-to-three caregiver-to-patient care. Copple says ten people are being treated for COVID currently at Ascension Via Christi. [...]

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