Kansas City Chiefs Owners Set to Turn On Country Club Plaza Holiday Lights
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The annual flipping of the switch to turn on the holiday lights at the Country Club Plaza has been a Thanksgiving tradition in Kansas City since 1930. KCTV reports that the Lighting Ceremony will be held between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. Live entertainment and festivities begin at 5:00, then at 7:00, Kansas City Chiefs owners Clark and Tavia Hunt will flip the switch to turn on the festive lights. Putting up the lights every year is no small task. It starts every year after Labor Day, when crews begin hanging the strands of thousands of glimmering jewel-colored lights.
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Trial Date Set for Man Charged with Shooting North KC Teen
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An 86-year-old north Kansas City man charged in the April 2023 shooting of teenager Ralph Yarl is now set to stand trial in February. KCTV reports that the date was set Tuesday after a judge in Clay County Court found that Andrew Lester is competent to stand trial. His trial had been set for October, but in September, a judge granted a request from Lester’s legal team for a mental health examination. The defense attorneys requested the evaluation citing Lester's weight loss, memory issues, and confusion. Investigators say Lester shot Yarl when the teenager knocked on the wrong door in an attempt to pick up his brothers. Yarl suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent months recovering. The trial is now set to begin on February 18th, 2025. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for January.
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FBI Identifies Subject Killed in Attempt to Serve Search Warrant
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KC Star) - Federal investigators have now identified a north Kansas City man who died on Monday morning in a shooting involving law enforcement. The Kansas City Star reports that FBI agents with the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force were attempting to serve a search warrant in the 3000 block of Northwest 73rd Street in the Platte Brook subdivision when they entered a home and encountered an armed man. The FBI says the subject has now been identified as 34-year-old Ethan Michael Gosch. He was shot during the incident and was pronounced dead on scene. The FBI said law enforcement officers announced their presence and knocked on the door. After receiving no response, they entered the home and encountered Gosch who was allegedly armed. The incident is under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division, in accordance with the bureau's policy.
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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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Window Washer Rescued From Building in South Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A window repairman was rescued Wednesday morning after becoming stuck about eight floors above the ground, clinging to a safety line. KCTV reports the incident happened on a business building near Interstate 435 and Holmes Road, near the Kansas/Missouri state line. Firefighters responded around 8:40 a.m. They hooked the man into a harness and lowered him to the ground. Crews tried to use an aerial ladder to reach him, but the ladder couldn’t extend to the 8th floor. A firefighter climbed over the roof and secured the man to the harness with a second line. The worker was not identified.
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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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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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Child Hunger in Kansas Increased in 2021-2022
UNDATED (The Beacon) – About 37,000 more Kansas children went hungry from 2021 to 2022. Advocates say the end of some pandemic-era benefits is to blame. The Beacon reports that the expanded child care tax credit and enhanced food stamp benefits expired in 2021 and 2022. That’s one reason 6 percent more children were uncertain about where they’d get their next meal. John Wilson with Kansas Action for Children says those pandemic-era programs should be more standard, not just a response to an emergency. The increase in child hunger didn’t surprise him. “Alarmed by it though," he said. "We’ve seen continued or increased demand at food pantries around the state.” Yet proponents of a strong social services system in Kansas aren’t expecting the conservative state Legislature to increase benefits. But they say low-cost changes could help feed more Kansans, like simplifying the food stamps application.
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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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Wichita Immigration Lawyers Report Increase in Calls Since Presidential Election
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – Wichita immigration lawyers say they've seen a significant uptick in calls since Donald Trump won the presidential election. Trump has called for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. KMUW reports that local immigration lawyers say that has alarmed immigrants and their families in Wichita and statewide. About 80,000 undocumented immigrants live in Kansas, according to the Pew Research Center. Trinidad Galdean, an immigration lawyer in Wichita, says calls to his office have doubled since the election. He advises people applying for U.S. residency to keep proof of the case on hand, explaining "...that way, if they are stopped at a traffic light or something, they can show, 'Hey, I'm already in the system.' So, you know, hopefully they don't get detained." Galdean says businesses he works with are also concerned about how Trump's administration could make it more difficult to hire foreign workers they depend on.
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K-State Researchers Say Farmers Need Quicker Access to Crop Trial Results
UNDATED (KNS) – Kansas State University says farmers need much faster access to the results of crop trials because of changes in the market. The Kansas News Service reports that K-State tests crop varieties across the state. And farmers used to see the results in the winter before choosing their next seeds for spring planting. Agronomist Ignacio Ciampitti says that data carries a lot of weight. “The university is one of the most trusted and unbiased sources of information for farmers,” he explained. But now some sellers offer incentives that coax farmers to buy seeds months earlier - when harvests have barely finished. So K-State just launched AVYield.com. It can publish crop-specific data as fast as one day after harvest.
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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).