Most Service Restored After Widespread Power Outages from Severe Storms
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Tens of thousands of Kansans lost power following strong thunderstorms Saturday night. The storms began moving across northeast Kansas around 7 p.m. but the most severe weather happened several hours later, specifically in areas south of Interstate 70. The National Weather Service reports widespread strong winds and hail, including golf-ball-sized hail in Montgomery County. Tornadoes were reported in Harper County in south-central Kansas. Evergy said the Kansas City metro saw some of the most severe weather, which resulted in about 140,000 customers losing power. The utility reported that winds of more than 80 miles per hour downed power lines throughout the region. Evergy said fewer than 25,000 customers were still without power as of Monday afternoon. Because of extensive damage to some parts of the Kansas City metro area, Evergy says it may take several days to restore power in those locations. For the latest information on power outages in Evergy’s service area, consult their Power Outage Map.
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National World War I Museum Plans Events for Memorial Day
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) - In recognition of Memorial Day, tickets to the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City will be half-price Monday for the general public, and admission will be free for all veterans and active-duty military members. The museum is holding a special memorial ceremony and commemorating the day with special exhibits. Visitors can climb inside an old helicopter from the Vietnam War, watch amateur radio operators mimic wartime communications, and explore a flag display that honors veterans lost to suicide. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the state to continue flying at half-staff Monday. Kelly issued an executive order citing “the brave men and women who...represent the best of Kansas and our nation."
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Crews Clean Up Following Lawrence Rail Freight Car Spill
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - Fire crews responded to a leaking rail car in north Lawrence over the weekend. The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Department contacted CHEMTREC -- a national chemical response call center -- and confirmed that the leaking material was a solution of magnesium chloride, commonly used for de-icing paved roads and dust abatement on non-paved roads. There were no injuries reported from the leak. A previous leak of the same material occurred at the same location in September, 2023.
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Seven People Parachute to Safety Before Small Plane Crashes in Missouri
BUTLER, Mo. (KCTV) - Six skydivers and a pilot jumped to safety just before a small plane crashed into a hay field in western Missouri over the weekend. The Bates County Sheriff’s Office says the plane went down just after 1:00 Saturday afternoon near the Butler Memorial Airport. KCTV reports that seven people were aboard. They were on a skydiving excursion and were wearing parachutes. All six passengers and the pilot were all able to jump to safety. They were all treated by emergency medical personnel and released at the scene but officials say the plane is a total loss. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Butler is about 65 miles south of Kansas City.
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Experts: Kansas Wheat Harvest Will Be Better this Year
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - This year's Kansas wheat crop is now projected to be better than previously thought. This year's crop could be the best since 2021. Better-than-average yields are projected and now, the experts say Kansas wheat farmers could harvest 290 million bushels. Aaron Harries, with the Kansas Wheat Commission, says this year's harvest will be much better, adding that "...last year, we were down around 200 million bushels, so... a significant improvement over that." But by Kansas standards, it's not a cause for celebration. The harvest is still expected to be about 20 million bushels below the five-year Kansas average.
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Kansas Department of Agriculture to Hold Workshops on Livestock Industry
UNDATED (KNS) – The Kansas Department of Agriculture will kick off a series of workshops on May 30 to talk about the livestock industry. The Kansas News Service reports that Justin Smith, animal health commissioner for the KDA, says eight workshops are scheduled this summer across Kansas. He says the workshops are split into two parts – an afternoon session for county officials and an evening session for veterinarians and farmers. Smith says they’ll discuss things like highly pathogenic avian influenza, or the bird flu, and how to manage it, as well as other types of emergency management for livestock. He says they’ll also leave room to hear from attendees. “We want these regional meetings to be a conversation. So we'll get feedback from them about what you know is concerning to them and and what we need to be addressing, ” he explained. The first workshop will take place in Manhattan. The workshops are free to attend, but registration on KDA’s website is required.
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Kansas City Chiefs Visit the White House, Again
WASHINGTON (KPR) — President Joe Biden will welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House next Friday. For many players, it will be their second trip to the White House in two years. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl in February. The Chiefs also won the previous Super Bowl and visited the White House in June of last year. The White House announced the reigning Super Bowl champions will visit the nation's capital May 31. No further details were released.
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Experts Warn of Harmful Bites During Summer Tick Season
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCUR) – Ticks drink the blood of humans and other mammals and they can carry serious, sometimes deadly diseases. KCUR reports that ticks are especially prevalent in summer months. In Missouri and Kansas there are three common ticks to watch out for: the American dog tick, the Lone Star Tick, and the deer tick. Stephanie Kemp is Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center’s Assistant Manager. She says it’s important to protect yourself from bites. “When you're checking for ticks on your body. Look around your hairline, around your ears, your underarm area. Anywhere where clothing is going to be tight to the skin,” she warned. Kemp says to consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of tick-borne illness.
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K-State Selected to Play in NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
UNDATED (USA Today) – The 64 teams for the NCAA Division I College Baseball Tournament have been announced. Kansas State University was selected and will play on Friday, May 31, in the Fayetteville, Arkansas regional bracket. K-State enters the tournament with a 32-24 record. The KU Jayhawks did not receive a bid. The eight top teams in the tournament will play in the double-elimination College World Series in Omaha beginning June 14th, with the top two playing in the best-of-three College World Series final beginning June 22.
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KC Current Extends Undefeated Streak in NWSL
UNDATED (AP) – Elizabeth Ball scored and the Kansas City Current remained one of two unbeaten teams in the National Women’s Soccer League with a 1-0 win over the Utah Royals at America First Field. The Current (7-0-4) finished the weekend in second place in the league behind Orlando. Ball slid to poke in Claire Hutton’s header following a corner kick in the 58th minute. The goal marked 18-year-old Hutton’s first NWSL assist.
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