Rural Hospital Boost: Kansas is getting federal funds to “transform” rural hospitals, with plans that include mobile maternal health clinics and new ways to prevent chronic illness in kids—part of a five-year Rural Health Transformation Program bringing $221M to the state. Medicare Access Friction: A new Medicare AI-driven prior-approval push is causing delays and extra steps for patients and doctors, with one rural patient describing repeated paperwork and preapproval hurdles for an epidural. Public Health at World Cup: Kansas City and other host cities are seeing heat-and-crowd conditions that experts warn can drive emergency room visits—heat illness plus alcohol and physical exertion is the risky mix. Safety in Kansas City: A driver died after a high-speed crash into a parked school bus near 34th Street and The Paseo; police say a medical emergency may have been involved. Parkinson’s Trend: CDC data shows Parkinson’s disease death rates among adults 65+ declined in 2024 after rising earlier, with the highest rates in states including Utah and Kansas. Firefighter Relief: Kansas Insurance Dept. distributed over $20.7M to 552 local Firefighter Relief Associations for safety and insurance support. Local Education & Health Access: Lawrence schools are expanding preschool access and adding college-credit opportunities through KU’s Jayhawk Blueprint partnership.