Evergy and other major energy companies implemented rolling blackouts again Tuesday morning, cutting power across Kansas and Missouri to avoid a large-scale power outage in the Midwest, where subzero temperatures are wreaking havoc on power generation and driving people to use more energy to heat their homes. Evergy suspended the rolling blackouts mid-morning Tuesday, but more rounds of temporary emergency electricity shutoffs could be on the way if the region’s electricity demands continue outpacing power generation. Southwest Power Pool, which controls energy flow in Kansas and several other states, downgraded its energy emergency Tuesday afternoon, saying “all available resources have been committed to meet obligations.” But with more high energy use and a continued deep freeze in the central United States, “it is likely the system will fluctuate” until at least Thursday, meaning rolling blackouts could continue if conditions worsen.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Wichita’s two major hospitals now have available beds in their intensive care units after 15 weeks of full ICUs, the Sedgwick County Health Department reports. The health department’s weekly local hospital status was changed to “good” on Monday as Wesley Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi St. Francis reported available ICU beds for the first time since Oct. 26. For more than three months, the hospitals used contingency operations as all approximately 208 ICU beds were full. As of Monday, 18 ICU beds were available, up from zero the week before. Of the 190 in use, 30 were occupied by COVID-19 patients, which was down from 45 last week. The total COVID-19 patient count was 93, down from 126 a week ago.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

As Kemper Whitlow spoke to lawmakers about his struggles with remote learning, his internet cut out. The Gardner-Edgerton High School junior was one of several students and parents who came before a Kansas House panel last week begging for a solution, or an end, to the online learning imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitlow complained of faulty internet, disengaged peers, constant screen time and social isolation.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle