Kansas Farmers Facing Uncertainty Due to Trump Tariff Threats
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KNS) -- President-elect Donald Trump is promising to raise tariffs on foreign goods. Kansas farmers say the move could hurt their profits. If Trump follows through on his campaign promises, U.S. companies could end up paying up to 60% extra on products imported from China, and 25% from Canada and Mexico. But a lot of soy, corn and wheat farmers in Kansas rely on those countries to buy their products. Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, says producers may end up losing foreign business and paying higher prices for farm equipment. “The cost is passed on to the consumer.” Levendofsky says, “...and in this case, the consumer is the farmer.” Republican lawmakers argue tariffs are a way to boost domestic manufacturing and negotiate better trade deals with other countries.
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Educators Offer Early Start for Students to Complete FAFSA Forms
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KNS) -- Kansas students can start filling out this year’s federal student aid application after another delayed start. The program, known as FAFSA, arrived more than a month late after a testing period to fix glitches, which also bogged down last year’s application. Jailyn Stewert is a college advisor at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. She says she doesn’t anticipate as many problems with this year’s form, but is making sure students get a head start. “Just encouraging kids and making sure that they are aware of what the FAFSA can do for them and helping them understand that that is the way to help them pay for school.” The priority deadline for Kansas students to complete the FAFSA is April 1st.
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Lawrence to Open Extra Cold Weather Emergency Shelters
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) - With winter weather approaching, organizers and volunteers in Lawrence are ready to roll out the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Plan. The organizers say they are confident that they will be able to provide enough shelter for those who need it during the cold winter months. The Lawrence Journal World reports that the City of Lawrence and Douglas County have outlined a plan to provide additional shelter during extreme weather events. The plan will be activated whenever the National Weather Service issues cold weather advisories or winter storm warnings. The plan involves opening four local churches, University Community of Christ, First United Methodist Church, Jesus Community Church of the Nazarene and Lawrence First Church, to accommodate extra people when the Lawrence Community Shelter is full. The Lawrence Community Shelter has a regular capacity of 140 beds in east Lawrence. City officials say the four churches can serve as many as 25 guests each.
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Staffing Levels Improve at Kansas Prisons
UNDATED (KNS) – Security staffing levels at Kansas prisons have steadily improved in recent years. State officials say better pay is helping retain employees. The Kansas News Service reports that in January 2022, about 470 security positions were vacant at Kansas prisons. That was more than 25% of total officer positions. By July of this year, fewer than 200 positions, or about 11%, were unfilled. State lawmakers have increased base pay each year since 2022. Secretary Jeff Zmuda of the Kansas Department of Corrections says retaining employees also improves performance, adding that he believes “...it takes about two years to kind of get your feet under you get a sense of it kind of start hitting your stride.” Zmuda says the state is now focusing on building experience among newer staff.
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Leader of KBI Seeks New, Multi-Million Dollar Facility
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – The leader of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is asking state lawmakers to fund a new facility for the agency. He says the current one is outdated and unsafe. The KBI is housed at three buildings that used to be a middle school in Topeka. The Kansas News Service reports that Director Tony Mattivi says the facility has been obsolete since the 90’s. It lacks proper external fencing, smoke containment and sprinkler systems, and doesn’t comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “I am failing miserably in my obligation to give our employees a safe place to work,” he said. Mattivi proposed a new, $114 million facility. But lawmakers seem more interested in other options, like renovating the current space or finding another existing office.
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Kansas Food Pantries Seek Donations, Citing Increased Need
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – Some food pantries in Kansas are asking for donations because they are seeing increased need this holiday season. The Kansas News Service reports that Lawrence-based food bank Just Food says it’s seen a huge amount of need at its annual Thanksgiving distribution events. “It’s just a more expensive time of year for people right now, like, in general. And so, that takes away more money from the grocery-shopping budget than other times of the year,” said Maggie Bashore, a spokesperson for Just Food. She says the food pantry serves between 300 and 500 families in Douglas County each day. Bashore says food banks can always use certain essentials, like rice, peanut butter, cereal, canned vegetables, and easy-to-make meal kits. Many food pantries, including Just Food, also accept pots and pans, other kitchen utensils, and reusable grocery bags.
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Missouri State Park Recognized as Protecting Night Skies
UNDATED (KNS) – Thousand Hills State Park is the first state park in Missouri or Kansas to be recognized for protecting night skies. The Kansas News Service reports that at Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville, Missouri, park workers are almost done replacing white light bulbs with amber ones – and adding shields so the fixtures illuminate the ground and not the sky. Park superintendent Ryan Persinger says this helps birds and other animals. “If lights are too bright outside, it can affect migration, hunting, reproduction – a lot of different aspects of wildlife living outside,” he explained. Dark Sky International named Thousand Hills an Urban Night Sky spot. Efforts to protect night skies are more common in the U.S. Southwest but are gaining some traction in the lower Midwest.
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Tax Revenue for Marijuana Sales in Missouri Triples State Estimates
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSHB) —So many people in Missouri legally bought marijuana in the last 12 months that the yearly sales tax revenue total tripled the state's original estimate. KSHB TV reports that cannabis customers in Missouri paid $241 million in taxes during the last 12 months while state and local governments had estimated that the marijuana sales tax would generate $79 million.
Jack Cardetti with the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association says it’s an astounding figure. "Missouri has been more effective at removing people from the shadows of the illicit market and into the licensed stores than about any other state in the country," Cardetti said.
The largest amount of the tax revenue helps pay for healthcare for veterans, substance abuse programs, and the Missouri Public Defender's Association. Also, the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association says that since November 2022, when recreational marijuana was legalized in the state, 130,000 Missourians have had their nonviolent criminal convictions expunged.
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Healy School District Announces Plans for Closure and Merger with Scott County Schools
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – The smallest school district in Kansas will close next year because of low student enrollment. The Kansas News Service reports that residents of the Healy School District in western Kansas voted to dissolve their district beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. They will join Scott County schools to their west. Education leaders say more closures could happen over the next several years, especially in rural areas of Kansas. More than 30 districts have fewer than 200 students. Kansas State Board of Education member Ann Mah says consolidating districts saves money, but most families and voters fight against it. “It’s more than just numbers. It’s social, it’s community, it’s all that stuff. And that’s why it doesn’t happen very often, because it’s really really hard,” Mah explained. This fall, the Healy district in Lane County enrolled only two students.
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Report: Kansas Farmers Could Help Mitigate Climate Change
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) – A new report by the nonprofit U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action says Kansas farmers could be the key to lessening the impacts of climate change. The Kansas News Service reports that the report suggests agriculture can reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering more emissions of carbon and nitrogen than it produces. Scientists from the study say Kansans can become more climate resilient if they farm in ways that promote soil health and give livestock healthier feed. Lead author Chuck Rice says the problem is getting farmers to buy in, explaining it will be necessary to coordinate action. "How can we get all the commodity groups together to work as a system...and get these practices implemented at a larger scale?” he asks. Rice says pivoting to regenerative agriculture could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10%, while making farming more profitable.
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Kansas Labor Department Completes Online Overhaul
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - The Kansas Department of Labor says a $43 million overhaul of its computer systems is complete. That includes a new unemployment insurance website. The department’s computer systems dated back to the 70s and had a lot of problems. Those problems came into focus in 2020, when the unemployment site was flooded with applications. But Labor Secretary Amber Shultz says the new system is more user-friendly and secure. “We have enhanced security features that have bolstered our security to make it even more difficult for bad actors to exploit our system," she said. Shultz says the department saw a large volume of calls the first couple days after the new site launched. But now, she says about 97% of people are able to complete their application fully online.
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City of Wichita Proposing New Ordinance to Remove Homeless Camps, File Criminal Charges
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – Wichita has drafted a new ordinance that makes it easier to fine or jail people for camping in public spaces. KMUW reports that the city currently doesn't file criminal charges against homeless people camping on public property, if there aren't shelter beds available for them. But a new ordinance Wichita is proposing would allow police to immediately remove camps in certain areas, like under bridges or near bus shelters. If the camper doesn't immediately leave, they could be charged with a crime -- no matter if there's a shelter bed available. Council member Mike Hoheisel worries the policy could leave people without a place to sleep. "Taking away the ability for people to wait until beds are open for what’s appropriate for them -- that is a concern of mine," he said. Other council members say an emergency winter shelter opening next week will provide hundreds of beds. The council will vote on the policy in coming months.
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KU Researchers Studying Effectiveness of Tool to Aid Latino Dementia Caregivers
UNDATED (KNS) – University of Kansas researchers are studying the effectiveness of a new tool designed to support Latino caregivers for people with dementia. The Kansas News Service reports that studies show caregivers of dementia patients have higher rates of depression and anxiety than other types of caregivers. Researchers say it’s worse for Latino caregivers because they may have less access to support. Dr. Jaime Perales Puchalt with the University of Kansas is testing the efficacy of a program that sends daily texts to caregivers who sign up, explaining that it is oriented toward
“...stress coping strategies. It also includes strategies and tips on how to address their loved ones challenging behaviors.” The program is called CuidaTEXT, or CareTEXT, and is available in English and Spanish. If the study finds the program reduces depression and stress, Perales Puchalt says the next step is making it widely accessible in Kansas and elsewhere.
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Cucumbers Recalled for Possible Contamination
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Federal health officials say cucumbers distributed to Kansas and 25 other states may be contaminated with salmonella. The Food and Drug Administration reported the recall Thursday for cucumbers from SunFed Produce, based in Arizona. KSNT TV reports that the company announced the recall for all sizes of its whole fresh American cucumbers sold between October 12 and November 26. People who purchased the recalled cucumbers are encouraged to avoid contact with them and clean all surfaces they came into contact with.
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KPR Community Spotlight for November: Americana Music Academy
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - Ever wanted to learn how to play guitar? How 'bout the fiddle, piano or drums? All your musical dreams can come true at a place in Lawrence called the Americana Music Academy. The academy is in this month's KPR Community Spotlight.
The KPR Community Spotlight is a program to help spread the word about local community non-profit organizations. The program gives these organizations an opportunity to spread awareness using KPR’s airwaves each month.
KPR is currently taking applications for the 2025 Community Spotlight. Learn more here.
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This summary of area news is curated by KPR news staffers. Our headlines are generally published by 10 am weekdays and are updated through 7 pm. This ad-free news summary is made possible by KPR members. Become one today. And follow KPR News on X (formerly Twitter).