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KS - April 11 2025

Measles outbreak grows; Federal funding cut; Vetoes overridden; Fireworks sales expanded; Grammer visits Wichita

Greg Loving

11 Apr 2025 • 4 min read

Measles Cases Grow to 32 in Kansas, Hospitalization Reported as Outbreak Spreads to Eight Counties

Kansas Educators, Congressman Fight to Restore $22.6 Million in Federal Covid-19 Aid Cut by Trump Administration

Kansas Lawmakers Override Governor Kelly’s Vetoes, Passing Bills on Health, Child Support, and Taxes

Governor Kelly Signs Law Allowing Year-Round Fireworks Sales in Kansas with Designated Retail Season

Kelsey Grammer Challenges Harrison Ford’s Wichita Fame with Third Visit in a Year for Guest Bartending

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1. Measles Cases Grow to 32 in Kansas, Hospitalization Reported as Outbreak Spreads to Eight Counties

The number of measles cases in Kansas has climbed to 32, up eight from last week. For the first time since the outbreak began, one person has been hospitalized. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says measles is now in eight counties. Finney and Ford are the new counties added this week.

Source: KSN

2. Kansas Educators, Congressman Fight to Restore $22.6 Million in Federal Covid-19 Aid Cut by Trump Administration

Kansas education officials and Topeka's congressman are attempting to get back $22.6 million in federal funding that was cut by President Donald Trump's administration. Kansas State Department of Education staff told the Kansas State Board of Education on April 8 they have already submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Education. The move came after the state agency announced April 3 that it was informed March 28 that the federal department was taking away $22.6 million in COVID-19 aid. After the state announced that it lost the federal funding, U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt, R-Kansas, said he wants the funding restored.
Source: CJOnline

3. Kansas Lawmakers Override Governor Kelly’s Vetoes, Passing Bills on Health, Child Support, and Taxes

Kansas lawmakers acted quickly on Thursday, overriding several bills that Governor Laura Kelly had vetoed. This marked the first day of the legislative veto session, during which the Republican supermajority successfully secured enough votes to counter the Democratic governor’s recent actions. Before lunch, the Senate overrode five vetoes, while the House voted to override eight. The governor had rejected bills that aimed to limit the authority to prohibit mass gatherings during health emergencies and to establish child support obligations starting at conception. By the afternoon, those two bills obtained enough support in both chambers to become law. Another approved measure would facilitate future income tax reductions based on anticipated excess revenue and funding in the state’s rainy day fund. As the session [end] nears, only minimal progress has been made on what was a key priority at the start—property taxes. This has generated bipartisan frustration as more significant efforts have stalled.
Source: KWCH

4. Governor Kelly Signs Law Allowing Year-Round Fireworks Sales in Kansas with Designated Retail Season

Governor Kelly signed a bill into law this week that allows for the year-round sale of fireworks in Kansas. The legislation also designates the fireworks sales season for retailers as June 20 to July 7. While the law expands the sale of fireworks, it does not alter the times when fireworks can be discharged or how those times are determined.
Source: KWCH

5. Kelsey Grammer Challenges Harrison Ford’s Wichita Fame with Third Visit in a Year for Guest Bartending

If Harrison Ford isn’t careful, Kelsey Grammer may soon replace him as Wichita’s favorite adopted celebrity. Though Ford — who famously visits Wichita once a year for pilot training — has yet to make his 2025 appearance, Grammer is about to return for his third visit in less than a year. “Frasier” star Grammer, who in January spent several days in Wichita signing autographs at local liquor stores and pouring beer at local bars, will be back again next week for a guest bartending gig at a new Delano restaurant.
Source: Kansas.com

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