Month: April 2020

Rep. Davids emphasizes importance of addressing health disparities in Wyandotte County

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., emphasized the importance of addressing health disparities in Wyandotte County Wednesday afternoon during a Facebook Live with a Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, Health Department official.

Although black residents make up around 23 percent of Wyandotte County’s population, they represent more than half of the people testing positive for COVID-19, as well as two-thirds of COVID-19-related deaths. Wyandotte County currently has the most confirmed positive cases of coronavirus in the state.

“The data presented by public health officials in Wyandotte County shows a stark reality: black residents are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. While there are complex, systematic issues that absolutely need to be addressed, right now we need to focus on getting as much help to Wyandotte County as possible. This includes increasing access to testing and supplies, supporting Community Health Centers, and expanding Medicaid right away,” Rep. Davids said.

Rep. Davids voted to pass the CARES Act, which provided $100 million for health services through Community Health Centers that support smaller health clinics across the country in under-served urban and rural areas.

To watch the livestream, visit https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=762211897644166&ref=watch_permalink.

Work planned today on ramp from 18th Street to I-70

Work is planned today on the ramp from northbound 18th Street to eastbound I-70. (KDOT map)

The Kansas Department of Transportation will conduct crash attenuator repair on the ramp from northbound 18th Street – U.S. 69 to eastbound I-70, Thursday, April 23, in Wyandotte County, weather permitting.

Work will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a KDOT spokesman. The ramp will be closed and traffic will be diverted using signs and traffic cones.

The KDOT spokesman urged all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of all road construction projects across Kansas go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1. Motorists were asked to drive safely and always wear their seat belts, according to the spokesman.

High in the 70s today

Rain is in the forecast for Friday and Friday night. (National Weather Service graphic)

Today’s high will be in the 70s, with clouds clearing late this morning, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected early morning Friday, lasting through Friday night, the weather service said.

No severe weather is in the forecast, according to the weather service.

Today’s high is expected to be near 74 with a light west northwest wind, the weather service said.

Tonight, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3 a.m., according to the weather service. There will be increasing clouds with a low of 54 and a calm wind. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is predicted.

Friday, there is a 70 percent chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 66 with a calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Friday night, there is a 70 percent chance of showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 46 with a north wind of 7 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Saturday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 67 and a north wind of 6 to 8 mph, the weather service said.

Saturday night, the low will be around 46, according to the weather service.

Sunday, the high will be near 71, the weather service said.

Sunday night, the low will be around 53, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 77, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 69, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there will be a 40 percent chance of showers with a high near 77, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there will be a 40 percent chance of showers, with a low of 52, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be sunny with a high of 72, the weather service said.