Topkea, KS – Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson returned from a trip to Washington D.C. recently, where he and a coalition of governors urged Congress to extend federal payments that help support the Medicaid program.

The joint state/federal health program benefits aged, low-income and disabled Kansans.

Federal stimulus legislation has helped pay a bigger chunk of the program in recent years than usual. State lawmakers have assumed that would be extended, and built the funding into the state budget for this fiscal year.

By Maria Carter

Kansas City, MO – Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson returned from a trip to Washington DC recently, where he and a coalition of governors urged Congress to extend federal payments that help support the Medicaid program.

The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator says 45 separate bodies are involved in a case that began in March when heads and other body parts were discovered at a Kansas medical waste facility.

By Steve Bell

Kansas City, MO –

By Steve Bell

Kansas City, MO –

Overland Park, KS – The iconic White Haven Motor Lodge sign on Metcalf Avenue is staying in Johnson County, after the motel finished auctioning off all of its property today.

The Johnson County Museum had the highest bid - $5500. The only other bidder was a museum in Indiana. Johnson County Museum Director Mindi Love says many Kansas Citians have fond memories of the motel and sign, and wanted to see it stay in the community. And she says the sign also has historical significance.

Leawood, KS – A Grandview man has been charged today in the Tuesday break-in at a Leawood Kansas home and the rape of a 92 year old woman.

The woman managed to dial 911 in the course of the series of crimes in her home near 103rd street and Overbrook. Police were close by and say they were at the house within one minute of the call, to arrest 21 year old Simon Angilda. An outrageous crime and uncommon, to Major Troy Rettig. He's deputy police chief, who put it this way.

Kansas City, MO – Missouri Senate leaders are bypassing a committee that's blocking legislation to provide auto incentives during the ongoing special session.

Republican Chuck Purgason, chair of the senate's Fiscal Oversight committee, is blocking a vote on the House bill that contains both incentives for Ford Motor Company and tax breaks for underground data centers. So Senate leaders have crafted a separate bill that excludes the data centers. It's sponsored by Republican Luann Ridgeway of Platte County:

Americans for the Arts recently announced its 2010 Public Art Year in Review, recognizing 40 of the best public artworks in the United States and Canada. On the list: only one Midwest artist, based in Lawrence, who highlights global water issues sculpting with plastic water bottles. KCUR's Laura Spencer reports.

By Laura Spencer

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – Preparing for a July 4th week off, the Kansas City City Council turned out a prolific load of legislation Thursday. Council members also went head to head with Mayor Mark Funkhouser over funding for the Sports Complex.

The Missouri Senate has put together an alternate version of the auto incentives bill, after the version passed by the House was blocked by the Senate committee.

Salina, KS – Fireworks make the 4th of July a favorite holiday for many people. But as Kansas Public Radio's Bryan Thompson explains, it's not so popular with pets.

Pets have sensitive hearing. And they don't understand what all the noise is about. Their instinct is to run. If that requires them to jump a fence, dig under it, or push a gate open, that's what they very well may try to do.