Latest news with #KSNW
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Five bodies of water added to KDHE's blue-green algae advisory list
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment added five bodies of water to its blue-green algae advisory list on Friday: Warning Elkhorn Lake, Jackson County (Added July 11) Frazier Lake, Grant County Gathering Pond, Geary County Kill Creek Park Lake, Johnson County (Added July 11) Marion County Lake, Marion County (Added July 11) Watch Atchison City Lake #9, Atchison County Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County Jeffrey Energy Make-Up Lake, Pottawatomie County Marion Reservoir, Marion County Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County (Added July 11) Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County (Added July 11) There are currently no bodies of water under a hazard status. A harmful algae bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum, or paint floating on the water. It can appear blue, bright green, brown, or even red. Blooms can develop rapidly. Depending on the type of exposure, coming into contact with a HAB can cause rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headaches. Toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols, and skin contact. Avoid contact and keep pets away. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a HAB or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die. Suspected HAB-related health incidents should be reported as soon as possible at When KDHE receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes, it investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, the KDHE will then issue a status level of warning, watch, or hazard. A hazard status indicates that an HAB is present and that extreme conditions exist. When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone be closed to the public. In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary. When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status. A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure. Contact with the body of water should be avoided. When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful. Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock. Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans. Water contact should be avoided. Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded. Do not allow pets to eat dried algae. If lake water contacts the skin, wash it with clean water as soon as possible. Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation. A watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a HAB is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Water may be unsafe for humans/animals. Avoid areas of algae accumulation, and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water. Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms. Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact. Clean fish thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portions only. Advisories are lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds. The water recreation season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, as do the HAB response program's active operations. You can visit the KDHE website year-round to check the current advisory status for bodies of water in Kansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hill
Nebraska sues GM, OnStar over alleged sale of driver data recorded by vehicle tech
LINCOLN, Kan. (KSNW) — The Nebraska attorney general's office said Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit against General Motors (GM) and OnStar for allegedly collecting, processing and selling sensitive driving data from Nebraskans without their knowledge or consent. State Attorney General Mike Hilgers accuses GM and OnStar of installing telematics systems in their vehicles that collect data, including speed, seatbelt usage, driving habits, and location. That data was then allegedly sold to third-party data brokers who used it to create driving scores for individual drivers. Those scores were then sold to insurance companies, who used them to raise rates, deny coverage or cancel policies, according to the lawsuit. Nebraska drivers were never informed that their data was being collected or used against them. Among the key allegations: 'Nebraskans deserve to work with companies that are truthful and honest about what they are doing,' says Attorney General Hilgers. 'That is not what happened here, and we filed this lawsuit because one large company decided that it wouldn't honestly tell Nebraskans that their data was going to be used to impact their insurance rates. This is wrong. Our office will hold companies that mislead Nebraskans accountable, no matter how large.' You can read the full complaint below. When asked for comment on the lawsuit, a spokesperson for GM told Nexstar's KSNW, 'We remain committed to protecting consumers' privacy and will conduct a review of the complaint.' Nebraska is seeking civil penalties, restitution for affected Nebraskans, and an injunction to prevent GM and OnStar from continuing these practices in the state. GM is not the only company accused of misusing telematics programs. A 2024 investigation by the New York Times found instances of drivers who had not knowingly opted in to a telematics program being tracked. Data recorded without their consent was sold to third parties, sometimes resulting in a spike in insurance premiums, according to the Times.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
USDA: Wheat harvest in Kansas halfway complete
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Kansas' wheat harvest is just over halfway complete. According to Day 6 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Report, some farmers are still dealing with the effects of the recent heavy rainfall, with delayed progress and muddy fields; however, they are continuing to make progress. Statewide, 53% of the wheat crop has been harvested. At this time last year, 76% was complete. Still, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says this year's pace is close to the five-year average of 56%. Winter wheat conditions were rated 24% poor to very poor, 28% fair, and 48% good to excellent. In south-central Kansas and along the I-135 corridor, excessive rain has made harvesting mature wheat especially difficult. In Edwards County, farmer Danny Hattrup began cutting around June 17. Now, about two-thirds of the way finished, he hopes to wrap up within a week. Rain delays and muddy spots have slowed progress. So far, his fields are yielding around 50 bushels per acre, with a test weight of 59 pounds per bushel, slightly below average. Hattrup planted two wheat varieties this season; both are performing similarly. In Scott County, Scott Coop reported that its first wheat load arrived on June 20. Brinlee McNary, a grain merchandiser for the company, said spring rains helped the wheat in the area get a strong start, and the elevator has now received about 40% of its expected volume. Yields in the area are ranging from 40 to 80 bushels per acre, trending slightly above average. Protein levels have ranged from 7% to 15%, averaging just under 12%. McNary said one of the challenges this season, aside from the wet conditions, has been the presence of wheat streak mosaic virus, which has impacted some of the fields in the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cheney Lake rapidly rising after heavy rain on Tuesday
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Cheney Lake is rapidly rising after heavy rain fell Tuesday. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported that the lake is now 1.2 feet below normal as of 7 p.m. Wednesday. Lake elevation is 1420.4 feet, and the top of conservation is 1,421.6 feet. As of 9 p.m. on Wednesday, the conservation pool was 92.7% full. At the beginning of May, the lake was at 1413.7 feet. 'Wichita's 4.19 inches of rainfall yesterday was the city's 4th highest June daily rainfall since 1889, and the highest daily June rainfall since 1965. Also, the city's total since June 1 of 9.94 inches is the 6th highest June monthly rainfall on record and the highest since June 2014. Lastly, the city has tallied 17.59 inches since May 1, which is the 7th highest May-June rainfall total, and the highest since 2019,' Wichita's National Weather Service said Wednesday afternoon. The City of Wichita remains in Stage 2 of its drought plan. Don't expect the Air Capital's drought restrictions to be lifted anytime soon. City officials say the restrictions are based on Cheney's 12-month average, which was last updated on the city's website on June 2, and won't be updated again until the beginning of July. Still, locals are celebrating all the new water in their favorite lake. 'It's great for the start of the summer because it means you can finally get your family out here, and we can do things that we wanted to do that we couldn't do the last couple of years out here, so it's pretty awesome,' Josh Nelson said. He also tells KSN that he's lived in the area his whole life; the rains we just got were some of the most intense he's ever seen, and he's thankful that a lot of that water went into the lake. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Jaden Watts found, in custody, police say
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita police and U.S. Marshals have taken Jaden Watts into custody in connection with a March homicide. Watts, 18, was taken into custody near the 700 block of South Hunter and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail, according to the Wichita Police Department. He was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old Demarc Burgess, who was killed during a disturbance at a home near East 143rd Street and Kellogg on March 22. Watts has been charged with second-degree murder. The case is now being handled by the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
