Kansas

Kansas Weighs Making a Move on Royals, Chiefs

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2024

Kansas Weighs Making a Move on Royals, Chiefs

Some Kansas lawmakers see a chance to lure Kansas City’s two biggest professional sports teams across the Missouri border. But an effort to help the Super Bowl champion Chiefs and Major League Baseball’s Royals finance new stadiums in Kansas fizzed over concerns about how it might look to taxpayers. Members of the Republican-controlled Legislature pushed a bill Tuesday that would have allowed Kansas officials to authorize at least $1 billion in bonds to cover the entire cost of building each new stadium, paying the debt off with tax revenues generated in the area over 30 years. But GOP leaders didn’t bring it up for a vote before lawmakers adjourned their annual session early Wednesday, the AP reports.

Some opponents derided the plan as corporate welfare. Other lawmakers were receptive but didn’t want to pass the proposal until the Legislature approved a broad package of tax cuts for their constituents that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would sign—which didn’t happen, either. Legislators’ work on a plan began in earnest behind the scenes after voters on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area decisively refused this month to extend a sales tax used to keep up the complex housing the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium for more than 50 years. On Tuesday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson told KSHB-TV that his administration would do everything it can to keep the Chiefs and Royals in his state.

The bill’s biggest champion, Kansas House Commerce Committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican, said supporters want to give the teams another option should they contemplate leaving Kansas City, which he said would be devastating to both states. “We need them to stay in the metroplex,” he said. The idea isn’t dead yet. Lawmakers expect Kelly to call a special session of the Legislature to try to get lawmakers to pass a tax plan that she’ll accept, and they could consider the stadium financing proposal then. “We just need a little time on it—we’ll be OK,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita Republican. “We’re serious about trying to incentivize the Chiefs to come our direction.”

(More Kansas stories.)

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Kansas

Kamal Hadden Signs Rookie Contract With Kansas City Chiefs

Published

6 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Press Room

Kamal Hadden Signs Rookie Contract With Kansas City Chiefs

Former Tennessee Volunteers corner Kamal Hadden signed his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Former Tennessee corner Kamal Hadden underwent a rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected by them last month. He officially signed his rookie contract with the organization; the four-year deal is valued at $4,158,396, with $138,396 in signing bonuses.

The Kansas City Chiefs recognized his growth during his tenure at the University of Tennessee and selected him with the No. 211 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hadden became Tennessee’s third draft pick of the day and their third overall during this year’s draft process. He also became the third defensive back selected from Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel.

“Tennessee prepared me greatly for the league, sticking with me and helping me grow as a man and helping me grow as a player. They helped me tremendously… just giving me the opportunity to showcase who I am as a player but also as a man.” – Kamal Hadden to reporters at the 2024 NFL Combine

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Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas hospital to halt labor, delivery services

Published

13 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Press Room

Kansas City, Kansas hospital to halt labor, delivery services

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – Major changes for Kansas City, Kansas residents amid Providence Medical Center announcement.

The KCK hospital announced it will no longer offer a vital service.

Labor and delivery will be no more starting June 30, 2024.

Providence said it is exploring partnerships with other hospitals in the area in hopes patients can continue services as needed.

The hospital released the following statement:

Providence Medical Center Board of Directors, we are deeply saddened to announce that due to the steady decline in Labor and Delivery patients over the last ten years, Providence Medical Center will no longer be able to offer Labor and Delivery services on our healthcare campus, effective June 30, 2024.

We are exploring partnerships with hospitals and clinics in the Kansas City metropolitan area to assist our community with the transition. We will continue to provide, and expand, gynecological services at 8101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS to meet patient demand.

We want to thank all our past, and present, hard-working staff and community partners that worked tirelessly to provide Labor and Delivery healthcare services in Wyandotte County and surrounding counties for over 100 years.

ALSO READ: St. Luke’s reunites trauma survivors with medical staff

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Kansas

Kansas one of 11 states where child care for 2 is at least double the cost of rent

Published

20 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Press Room

Kansas one of 11 states where child care for 2 is at least double the cost of rent

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – If you think your rent is high, just look at your childcare bill. Child Care Aware of America’s latest report shows, Kansas is one of 11 states where child care is at least twice the cost of rent.

The newest report says the high daycare costs are attributed to parents with two kids. In Wichita, if you send two kids to daycare, prices could range anywhere from $1600 to $2400 a month.

“The price of childcare has to go up because everything else has gone up also. So in order for us to pay our employees a decent wage, we have to go up on our prices,” said Margo Jones, Owner/CEO OF Kids World Childcare Learning Center.

Jones’ facility is licensed for 59 kids. To give them quality care before they start school, Jones says she has to pay her employees at least $11 an hour. So, she has to charge parents more.

Her prices for infants, $1,200 a month, toddlers and 2-year-olds $1,000 a month, 3-year-olds are $900 a month and for 4 and 5-year-olds $840 a month.

“We have to be able to charge enough to pay overhead. Got expenses, taxes, and all that stuff that takes care, you know, we have to put all that into a business as well as paying our employees,” said Jones.

Child Care Aware of America’s latest annual report, released Wednesday shows if you have two kids and live in one of 11 states, including Kansas, or Washington DC, child care costs at least twice as much as rent.

Government assistance helps Kids World with expenses, but it’s still hard for parents to afford daycare.

“If we were paying the sticker price of childcare, and we weren’t getting some of that help. It would be twice what our rent is, even at a more affordable daycare,” said Rebekah Sturgill, a daycare parent.

Sturgill says it’s a decision between growing her career or staying at home to take care of her son, Cash.

“‘We’re already really plugged in with a lot of our jobs. My husband and I are both teachers. So do we have the extra income and then use it towards childcare? Do we give up some of those really precious things that are helping our community and staying home,” said Sturgill.

Jones adds compared to other places in Kansas, living in Wichita is affordable.

“If you try some other places like Overland Park, Kansas City, their prices are even higher, because their wages are higher,” said Jones.

With daycare employees starting out at $11 an hour they have to have credentials in first aid, CPR, and child development just to qualify.

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