LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) — A pilot injured when a small plane crash landed after taking off from a suburban Kansas City airport has been identified as a 79-year-old man.

Lee’s Summit police identified the man Tuesday in a news release as Charles Gosselin of Kansas City. The release says the single-engine light aircraft crash landed in a parking lot of a Lee’s Summit park early Saturday. Gosselin had reported trouble with the aircraft shortly after takeoff.

Gosselin was taken to a hospital with injuries that were serious but not life-threatening. He remained hospitalized Tuesday. Gosselin was the only one person on board, and no other injuries were reported.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Soaring numbers in a monthly survey of business supply managers suggest economic conditions are improving in nine Midwest and Plains states.

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index report released Tuesday says the overall economic index for the region jumped to 53.1 in December from 46.5 in November. The October figure was 43.8.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the December and November increases point to an improving regional manufacturing economy.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

BOLIVAR, Mo. (AP) — Lt. Gov.-elect Mike Parson says he is recovering after undergoing heart surgery. He says he will be ready to take office on Inauguration Day next week.

Parson released a statement Monday disclosing the surgery. He said the heart problem was discovered during a routine medical checkup.

James Harris, an adviser to Parson’s transition team, said doctors discovered some blockage in Parson’s heart and he underwent surgery Christmas Eve at a Springfield hospital. Parson declined to say which hospital treated Parson.

Parson, a cattle rancher and former sheriff, said in his statement that he is well and resting at his home in Bolivar. He thanked the medical team and his family and friends and said he is looking forward to the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 9.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy says the increasing use of drones is helping it work faster, save money and improve safety for its employees.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the company sends drones to inspect equipment, navigate remote areas and manage some emergency situations.

The state’s largest utility worked with Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus to offer an unmanned aircraft systems program and now has one of the nation’s largest enclosed drone flight facilities on the Salina campus.

Westar recently began deploying drones commercially.

Jason Klenklen, supervisor of transmission maintenance, says the drones currently are used primarily in rural areas to inspect transmission lines. Drones also will be used to inspect boilers, which will allow employees to see the inside of boilers while being able to stay outside.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 33-year-old female hippopotamus has been euthanized at the Kansas City Zoo.

The Kansas City Star announced that the zoo announced the hippo’s death Thursday. The hippo, named Labor Day, had experienced a months-long “period of illness and decline in quality of life.”

A medical investigation is expected to take several weeks. Labor Day and another hippo, named Liberty, came to the Kansas City Zoo in 1995 when an area of the zoo featuring African animals opened.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A rescued bald eagle has regained its freedom after being treated in southwest Missouri for head and wing injuries.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the young bird launched out of its plastic cage Thursday at Lake Springfield, where eagles are regularly seen. After its release, the bird landed in the grass 30 yards away, giving onlookers a chance to snap photos. It then flew over the lake before settling into a distant tree.

Dickerson Park Zoo veterinarian Rodney Schnellbacher says a conservation agent at Stockton Lake rescued the eagle about three weeks ago. It was treated at the zoo’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

The eagle was the 13th injured bald eagle the zoo had taken in during 2016. Schnellbacher says only six of those were unable to be rehabilitated.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A St. Louis federal judge says she wants to hear arguments over a lawsuit’s challenge of a new law limiting campaign contributions before deciding whether to put a temporary hold on such caps.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry held a hearing Thursday in St. Louis over one of two lawsuits over the contribution limits in a Missouri constitutional amendment that voters approved in November.

Missouri Electric Cooperatives and Legends Bank sued in December. They argue it violates free speech by barring contributions to political action committees from state-chartered banks, utilities and foreign corporations.

A similar federal lawsuit has been filed in Kansas City. Attorneys representing those opponents include Missouri Republican Party chairman Todd Graves.

The Missouri Legislature removed campaign contribution limits in 2008.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Regents universities in Kansas are reviewing earthquake insurance policies after several quakes were reported in the state this year.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports chief financial officers decided to review the policies out of “due diligence.”

University of Kansas CFO Leisa Julian says the regents system has $1 billion in property insurance, at a cost of more than $2 million a year. The coverage includes $100 million in earthquake protection. Adding another $100 million would increase the annual premiums by $44,000.

The CFOs have taken the matter under advisement for now.

Wichita State University President John Bardo strongly supported increasing coverage. Some earthquakes centered in Oklahoma and south central Kansas were felt in Wichita. He says $100 million is not a lot of money to protect the entire system.