KS - February 04 2025

1. Independent Kansas Pharmacies To Close Wednesday for Day of Advocacy Against PBMs
2. Kansas Farmers Watch Tariff Developments For Impact on Exports
3. Kansas Legislature Revisits Convention of States Proposal
4. Johnson County Plans Transit Expansion for 2026 World Cup
5. Shelter Dog, Slinky, Befriends Orphaned Wolf Pup at Zoo
6. Sports: No. 17 Kansas Rebounds with Win Over No. 8 Iowa State

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1. Independent Kansas Pharmacies To Close Wednesday for Day of Advocacy Against PBMs

Pharmacies across Kansas are asking lawmakers for a prescription to ensure the survival of their businesses. Wednesday, 92 independent, mom-pop pharmacies across the state will close their doors for a day of advocacy in Topeka. It’s a situation pharmacists said, without action, will see more pharmacies close. That will make it hard for patients who need them. El Dorado TrueCare Pharmacy Pharmacist Dan Davis said, “That’s the calling of a pharmacist. We are that conduit of the drugs and the information to the patient.” That can often be especially true in rural areas. “We are the most accessible healthcare professionals in small towns.” Kansas Pharmacists Association President Sloane Freeman said, “Our doctors and our nurse practitioners, NPAs, they’re very, very busy in clinics and ERs. We are right out here, out front. We’re able to answer questions as much as we can, be able to get ahold of the doctors' office maybe a little bit easier than some of the patients do.” The pharmacists at these pharmacies on rural Main Streets, or wherever you might live right now, said they’re struggling for their survival. Freeman, who also works as a pharmacist in rural Kansas, said the problem impacting pharmacists centers on PMB - Pharmacy Benefit Manager - the middlemen negotiating what you pay for a drug between the drug maker, insurance and pharmacy. The largest PBMs are owned by insurance companies and have ownership over other aspects. “The vertical integration of PBMs is probably the biggest driver. They own the insurance and then they own the middleman that negotiates the contracts with the pharmacies, and then they own their own pharmacies on top of it. They have all the pieces,” said Freeman.

Article Source: KWCH

2. Kansas Farmers Watch Tariff Developments For Impact on Exports

There’s been a lot to follow with the promised rollout of tariffs and what their implementation could mean for U.S. trade with Mexico, Canada and China. If the tariffs go into effect, businesses and consumers are expected to feel the impact with two of Kansas’ biggest trade partners on the receiving end. While many unknowns and changes are unfolding, Canada, Mexico and China have said if the U.S. imposes tariffs on their nation’s goods, they would impose their own. That could impact Kansas’ biggest exports, aviation and agriculture. For Clearwater farmer and producer Max Tjaden the daily work keeping him busy before the fields are ready includes keeping up with national news and what to prepare for. “Got up [Monday] morning thinking, ‘Well, okay, [tariffs are] going to go into effect,’” Tjaden said. “The markets were down, not as much as I thought the would be, and then I just looked a little bit and now they’re all up, eight to 16 cents, depending on which grain it is.” Although the tariffs on Mexico and Canada paused, the United States’ northern and southern neighbors are critical export markets for U.S. and Kansas agriculture. The nation as a whole and the state of Kansas are also sources of imports, including fertilizer from Canada.

Article Source: KWCH

3. Kansas Legislature Revisits Convention of States Proposal

A familiar proposal encouraging Kansas legislators to limit the federal government’s influence returned Monday to the Statehouse. Senate Concurrent Resolution 1604 addresses a desire to impose term limits on federal officials, concerns over fiscal responsibility and curbing federal influence over commerce by requesting Congress to call a convention of states. The effort has previously received approval from simple majorities in the House and Senate, but state law requires convention bills to be approved by a two-thirds majority. That law is currently tied up in litigation. Congress can call a convention of states to impose limits on the federal government under Article Five of the U.S. Constitution. In the same article, Congress was given the authority to propose amendments to the Constitution, and it requires Congress to call a convention of states if two-thirds of the states apply for one. Any proposed amendments during a convention have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states.

Article Source: KS Reflector

4. Johnson County Plans Transit Expansion for 2026 World Cup

With less than 500 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Johnson County is exploring how to expand its transit system to help tackle one of the Kansas City metro’s biggest challenges that will come with the crowds next summer — including a potential bus service to the airport and a route from the county to the soccer festivities. Kansas City will host six soccer matches for FIFA’s 2026 men’s tournament across several weeks during the summer of 2026 — which will likely draw hundreds of thousands of soccer fans to a region with poorer transportation quality than other host cities in North America, according to FIFA standards.

Article Source: KC Star

5. Shelter Dog, Slinky, Befriends Orphaned Wolf Pup at Zoo

A recently orphaned wolf pup at the Sedgwick County Zoo has found a new friend after suffering the unexpected loss of her mother. The zoo said in a statement on Tuesday that Layla, the zoo’s maned wolf, gave birth to a female pup, Amora.  “Tragically, despite expert care, Layla unexpectedly passed away, leaving Amora without a mother,” the zoo said.  The zoo says Maned wolves are naturally solitary, but young pups need companionship to develop properly. Without a mother or sibling, it is challenging for her to learn the natural behaviors she will need to thrive as a maned wolf. That’s where Slinky comes in. The zoo says they turned to the experts at the Kansas Humane Society and adopted a brindle mix to bond with Amora. “They have since been carefully introduced, and while Amora has quite the spicy personality, Slinky's playful nature is helping her grow into the wolf she is meant to be,” SCZ said. The zoo added that Slinky has started the socialization process for Amora and has been officially adopted by a member of our staff.  “As per the SSP (Species Survival Plan), Amora will eventually transition to living with other maned wolves, carrying on the legacy of her species,” the zoo added.

Article Source: KAKE

6. Sports: No. 17 Kansas Rebounds with Win Over No. 8 Iowa State

Just a couple of days after a collapse on the road at Baylor, the No. 17 Jayhawks stepped up inside Allen Fieldhouse against the No. 8 Cyclones and collected a 69-52 win. Just a couple of days after not being able to close out a game in the second half, Kansas led by as many as 23 points in the second half and never relinquished control

Article Source: Topeka Capitol-Journal

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Sources

1. https://www.kwch.com/2025/02/03/kansas-pharmacists-are-closing-their-doors-they-seek-way-save-their-businesses-pbm-practices/

2. https://www.kwch.com/2025/02/04/producers-closely-following-developments-kansas-exports-could-take-hit-tariffs/?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=organicclicks&tbref=hp

3. https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/04/kansas-legislators-consider-convention-of-states-to-curb-federal-government-influence/

4. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article299668494.html?tbref=hp

5. https://www.kake.com/home/newly-orphaned-maned-wolf-pup-finds-comfort-in-adopted-shelter-dog/article_77e413b6-e33c-11ef-8af8-a79fc72c48b7.html

6. https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/hawk-zone/2025/02/04/kansas-basketball-jayhawks-score-win-against-iowa-state-at-allen-fieldhouse-dajuan-harris-jr/77979742007/