Kansas
Kansas measles cases reach 23; new Ohio outbreak sickens 10
More measles cases reported across the country
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, Infectious Disease Expert, joins LiveNOW from FOX to talk about more measles cases being reported across the country. According to the CDC, there were more than 160 cases reported.
LOS ANGELES – A measles outbreak that began in southwestern Kansas has rapidly expanded to 23 cases and may be connected to earlier outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, which have collectively sickened more than 370 people, according to state and federal health officials.
At the same time, Ohio health authorities confirmed that a case in Ashtabula County has led to 10 infections, marking a concerning resurgence of the highly contagious disease across multiple states.
Where are measles outbreaks spreading in Kansas and Ohio?
What we know:
In Kansas, the Department of Health and Environment said Wednesday that the outbreak has more than doubled since Friday, when only 10 cases had been reported. The infections have now spread across six counties: Grant, Morton, Stevens, Haskell, Gray, and Kiowa.
Nearly all of the Kansas cases are in people under 18. The outbreak began with a case identified in Stevens County on March 13. In response, Kansas health officials have issued an alert to medical providers and are recommending early MMR vaccination for infants 6 to 11 months old living in or near affected counties — a measure typically reserved for outbreak situations.
In Ohio, the state health department confirmed that 10 cases are currently in Ashtabula County. A separate case involving a visitor in Knox County led to exposure concerns across multiple counties. Ohio previously saw a large outbreak in 2022, which sickened 85 people in central parts of the state.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear how long these outbreaks will continue to grow or whether they will spread to additional states with similarly low vaccination rates.
Health officials have not identified a single source linking the Kansas and Ohio outbreaks to those in Texas and New Mexico, though potential connections are being investigated.
It’s also unknown how many exposed individuals may develop symptoms in the coming days, given the disease’s incubation period.
How are other states involved in the outbreak?
The backstory:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that measles cases in 2025 have already surpassed all reported cases in 2024 — even before the Kansas and Ohio clusters were added. As of Tuesday, New Mexico had 43 outbreak-related cases, and Texas reported 327. Oklahoma has nine cases linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks.
Public health experts say the Texas outbreak, which began in January, could last for months. If it spreads further into undervaccinated communities, it may continue for a year or more — and could put the U.S. at risk of losing its measles elimination status.
Why vaccination rates are a key concern
By the numbers:
Health officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine — a two-dose series typically given before kindergarten — is about 97% effective at preventing measles. But several Kansas counties in the outbreak have lower-than-recommended vaccination rates:
Morton County: 82%
Stevens County: 83%
Haskell County: 58%
Gray County: 66%
Public health experts recommend a 95% vaccination rate to prevent outbreaks. Kansas’ state health department warns that more cases are likely to emerge in and around the affected counties, especially among the unvaccinated.
FILE – A person receives a vaccination as public health officials urge immunization to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
In Ohio, CDC data from the 2023–24 school year shows that 89% of kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles — below the optimal threshold.
What they’re saying:
“Given the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico, and other states around the country, we’re disappointed but not surprised we now have several cases here in Ohio and known exposure in some counties,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.
“This disease can be very serious, even deadly, but it is almost entirely avoidable by being properly vaccinated,” he added.
Jill Bronaugh, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said, “Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases are likely to occur within the current outbreak area and the surrounding counties, especially among those who are unvaccinated.”
The Source: This article is based on reporting from the Associated Press, which cited updates from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Ohio Department of Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case counts and vaccination data reflect official state and federal figures as of March 2025.
MADISON – Two days after he commited to Wisconsin, Jibriel Conde changed his mind.
On Dec. 1 his agent told On3 the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive lineman from Division II Grand Valley State intends to play for Kansas instead.
The addition of Conde had the potential to be a major one for Wisconsin, which had its four top performers at the position complete their eligibility with the team’s 17-7 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 29.
On3 lists Conde as the No. 1 defensive linemen in the transfer portal.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Every night, Luis Arellano opens doors for Kansas City’s homeless at Unity Southeast church.
“And when they say ‘Hey, Luis!’, they remember me for something good. ‘Remember me you gave me the jacket!’,” said Luis Arellano, who serves as shelter lead.
Two years ago, someone opened a door for him when he needed it most. In 2023, cancer took his wife. The grief that followed he said nearly took him as well.
“I lost people. I didn’t want to continue living. Drinking,” Arellano said.
Arellano said he spiraled into darkness, drowning his pain in alcohol. On the night he was planning on ending it all, someone saw him differently.
They brought him to the church, where he said he finally slept after days.
“Finally, I cried. I put everything out, and I felt more peace. He said sometimes we don’t understand why God takes away the people we love the most. I tried to get it more. And from there I started to help here,” Arellano said.
That person was Reverend Randy Fikki. Both Arellano and Fikki dedicate their time making sure others don’t face their darkest nights alone.
“If it was my brother or my sister or my mom or my dad, I wouldn’t want it to be a based on if somebody had room or not. The question is not if we have room in our sanctuaries. It’s if we have room in our hearts,” Fikki said.
Sunday night, Unity Southeast was at capacity, but Fikki said they’re not turning anyone away. He’s working to find space for everyone who needs shelter.
For Arellano, it’s more than a mission.
“I miss my wife, believe me. Of course I miss, that’s my baby. But I know the best can happen from her,” he said.
Fikki said their capacity is 70 people, but will not turn anyone away. He said they started the shelter in 2019.
Along with a place for rest, Fikki and Arellano said they give guests food, clothing, and entertainment as asked.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
What are Kansas State football’s recruiting needs for early signing day? What you need to know
MANHATTAN — Kansas State football has no time to rest after the regular season ended. The Wildcats will now transition into recruiting mode with the early National Signing Day period beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 3, and ending on Friday, Dec. 5.
Chris Klieman will enter his eighth season hoping to rebuild the Wildcats into a Big 12 championship contender and challenge for the program’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
There are a lot of holes that Kansas State will need to fill, but it’s landed a handful of commitments from promising recruits, who will put pen to paper this week.
Here are some recruiting needs for K-State and questions it will need to answer over the next few months.
K-State football 2026 recruiting tracker
Kansas State is going to need a starting running back
This is probably more for the transfer portal, but the Wildcats need to make sure they have the starting running back position covered and depth in case of an emergency. The Dylan Edwards injury hurt the offense for most of the season.
HD Davis, a three-star 6-foot running back out of Wolfe City (Texas), is currently the Wildcats’ lone commit to their backfield. He’s been highly productive this year, rushing for 2,429 yards and 30 touchdowns, bringing him to over 6,300 yards and 73 touchdowns for his career.
We’ll see if Joe Jackson can take a step next year after taking positive steps in the latter half of the season when he got comfortable in the leading role. He rushed for a school-record 293 yards on Nov. 22 against Utah, giving him something to build off. Barring transfers, the Wildcats are also set to return Devon Rice, JB Price, Antonio Martin Jr. and Monterrio Elston Jr.
Would Kansas State be ready for a life without Avery Johnson?
The Wildcats should be thinking about their future without Avery Johnson, whether or not he enters the transfer portal. If he stays in Manhattan, he’ll have one more season before graduation, turning eyes toward those on the roster and the Wildcats’ potential targets in the portal.
Thankfully, Johnson has been healthy since he became the full-time starter prior to the 2024 season, but those behind him have minimal experience. Jacob Knuth, Blake Barnett, Dillon Duff and Hudson Hutcheson follow him on the depth chart, and none have taken any meaningful snaps, outside of Barnett when he enters the game as somewhat of a power back in a Wildcat formation.
Miles Teodecki, a three-star out of Vandegrift (Texas), is expected to sign with the Wildcats. Entering the weekend, he had thrown for 1,729 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
Kansas State needs depth along the offensive line
The offensive line is taking the biggest hit with this year’s graduations. Contributors, including Sam Hecht, Andrew Leingang, Taylor Poitier, JB Nelson and Terrence Enos Jr., are all listed as seniors. The main returners include John Pastore, Devin Vass and Gus Hawkins. It’ll be difficult for K-State to go into the offseason banking on that George Fitzpatrick will be good to go after missing this year after an offseason medical emergency.
The offensive line has been a focus for the Wildcats’ early recruiting, with five commitments. The team’s highest-ranked commit is Justin Morales, an offensive tackle out of Franklin (Texas), who is listed as a four-star prospect and the No. 31 player at his position.
Can Kansas State hit on its wide receiver targets?
The Wildcats were thin at wide receiver this season, thanks in large part to injuries, but they need more development and depth at the position. They need to get into a spot where they can be comfortable with Linkon Cure lining up as a tight end rather than being split out wide. Having Jayce Brown and Jerand Bradley impacted by injury for at least half the season didn’t help matters. There is some promise in Jaron Tibbs and Adonis Moise.
K-State has two wide receiver commits. Derrick Salley Jr. committed on Nov. 25 as the No. 1 juco receiver in the country and should be an instant-impact player. Fellow commit Maxwell Lovett, a three-star out of Cherry Creek (Colorado), caught 34 passes for 700 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year.
K-State’s receivers need to produce more than they did during the 2025 season. Salley is a great get, and more will be needed, whether it’s via the high school route or by trying again in the transfer portal.
How deep is Kansas State at linebacker without Des Purnell?
K-State is set to lose Des Purnell to graduation after his standout season. There’s also the chance that Austin Romaine will declare for the NFL Draft. The Wildcats are typically strong within this group, but there will rightfully be some questions heading into 2026. Rex Van Wyhe and Asa Newsom could be pushed into larger roles.
The Wildcats have a pair of committed linebackers, including four-star Lawson McGraw out of Blue Valley West. The son of former K-Stater Jon McGraw is rated as the No. 22 athlete in the country and should be someone to be excited about. Dejon Ackerson, out of Putnam City (Oklahoma), climbed to the No. 53 linebacker in his class.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
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