Month: June 2020

Trash collection to begin at 6 a.m. next week because of hotter weather

Waste Management of Kansas has announced that residential routes for the metropolitan area, including Wyandotte County, will begin at 6 a.m. next week.

The earlier collection schedule will be continued through June, July and August, according to Waste Management, because of the extreme heat in the forecast. The schedule will continue through Sept. 1.

A Waste Management spokesman stated the safety of employees is one of the top priorities. The 30-day outlook for the metropolitan area shows periods with temperatures greater than 90 degrees.

Residents are asked to place trash and recycling carts at the curb by 6 a.m., according to the spokesman.

Discussion to focus on social justice progress in Wyandotte County

Entrepreneurial Business Basics is sponsoring a livestream discussion at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, on preventive progress for Wyandotte County in social justice.

“A Conscious Conversation,” the discussion, will be livestreamed on the EBB Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bizebb1/, and on all the social media platforms of Mt. Carmel Church of God in Christ, https://www.facebook.com/mtcarmelcogic/.

“This conversation is important for Wyandotte County at this pivotal moment in history to keep us from becoming the next ground zero for police and community upheaval,” said Kira Cheree, founder of EBB.

Scheduled to participate in the panel discussion:
• Bishop Jack C. Vaughn, senior pastor, Evangelistic Center International Ministries
• Carla Pratt, dean of the School of Law, Washburn University
• James Sims, pastor, Mt. Carmel COGIC
• Mark Dupree, district attorney of Wyandotte County
• Pamela Waldeck, deputy chief ofp; Kansas City, Kansas
• Stephenie Smith, CEO, Sophic Solutions
• William Naff, chief of police; Bonner Springs, Kansas

“Our primary purpose for this event is to maintain an open dialogue of understanding with the Wyandotte County community and leaders to discuss success, shortfalls, and opportunities for social justice progress,” Cheree said. “We want our community heard; but more importantly, we want to know that our leaders are listening and working for us.

“We must understand each other and effectively communicate in order to avoid a meltdown in our community. There is no progress without understanding and meaningful exchange,” she said.

K-State, KU keep tuition flat; WSU to increase 2 percent

by Stephan Bisaha, Kansas News Service

The Kansas Board of Regents approved tuition hikes for four state universities, while the University of Kansas and Kansas State University held their tuition flat.

KU announced its plans not to raise tuition last month, saying the school needs to stay competitive. But it also said it wasn’t right to raise tuition as students and their families deal with lost jobs and income caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

K-State gave similar reasons.

“Students and families are facing a turbulent future,” Jeff Morris, K-State’s vice president of communication, said in an interview last month. “We understand the duress they’re going through.”

But the coronavirus pandemic has also hurt university budgets, from fears of drops in enrollment and lost revenue from services like dining. KU estimates it will have a $120 million shortfall for the 2021 fiscal year.

Wichita State University raised its tuition 2 percent to help address its budget problems. Emporia State University will have a 2.4 percent increase, Pittsburg State University 2.5 percent and Fort Hays State 3.7 percent.

But that still won’t be enough to cover the shortfalls schools are expecting because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Even with this there will be serious belt tightening,” Pittsburg State President Steve Scott told the Kansas Board of Regents. “This is not going to really cover the cost.”

Even with those increases, KU and K-State remain the most expensive universities in the state.

Tuition was held flat for all the state schools last year at the Kansas Board of Regent’s insistence due to the Kansas Legislature providing more funding for higher education.

Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter @stevebisaha.
The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their connection to public policy. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished by news media at no cost with proper attribution and a link to ksnewsservice.org.

See more at https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-state-ku-keep-tuition-flat-wsu-increase-2-percent