Another Winter Storm Takes Aim at Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Another winter storm is headed our way. The National Weather Service is warning of heavy snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures in the next few days. An Extreme Cold Warning takes effect at midnight and runs through noon Thursday for most of Kansas. Dangerously cold wind chills of 15 to 30 degrees below zero are possible.
Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Warning takes effect at 6 pm Monday and runs through midnight Tuesday. Several inches of snow are expected - anywhere from 3-5 inches across much of northeast and east-central Kansas, with higher snowfall amounts possible south of the I-35 corridor.
Get the latest weather from the National Weather Service office in Topeka.
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University of Kansas Prepares for Possible Layoffs
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - As the federal government weighs potential cuts to research funding, the University of Kansas says it’s preparing for possible terminations. KU administrators say they’re working on a plan to respond to potential terminations, but shared few details. Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer says the university is looking at which research areas might be the most at risk. “We will be, for the foreseeable future, working triage to see where we're the most vulnerable, where people are – have the most immediate needs, and addressing that," she said. This comes as the Trump administration is proposing deep cuts to research funding. It’s part of a controversial plan to cut federal spending broadly. KU says terminations or funding cuts would hurt KU’s ability to produce impactful research.
Bichelmeyer says the school is working on a plan to respond to potential terminations, but shared few details. “As painful as it is to say, we can’t pretend that stop-work orders aren’t going to impact us in a personal way. So, we want to mitigate whatever that impact is," she added. The university says it will share more updates on its plans in the coming weeks.
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Kansas Farmers in Limbo after USDA Funding Freeze
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) - Kansas farmers are waiting for almost half a million dollars in payments after the Trump administration ordered a funding freeze at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funding freeze mostly targets programs that incentivize farming practices that could help the environment and reduce climate change. Greg Doering, with the Kansas Farm Bureau, says there is a lot of uncertainty for farmers right now. “We're in the same boat as everyone else. We're looking for answers on the timeline. But I do know farmers and ranchers in Kansas are used to dealing with uncertainty," he said. There are 46 contracts currently paused in Kansas through the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Most of the work has already been done on the farmer’s end, like investing in more climate resilient crops.
Many Kansas farmers are in limbo after a federal directive paused payments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Plenty of federal ag programs provide financial incentives to farmers to diversify their crops or manage wind erosion. But after the Trump administration ordered a funding freeze, 46 contracts in Kansas have been put on hold, even though a lot of the work has already been done. Kansas Democratic Congresswoman Sharice Davids recently urged Congress to provide support for farmers during this time. “Our producers are facing significant economic uncertainty, investing their own money in fencing new crops and renewable energy systems," she said. The paused contracts in Kansas are worth almost $500,000.
Haskell Lays Off Employees Following Trump Order
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) - Dozens of employees at Haskell Indian Nations University have lost their jobs, following President Trump's order to cut the federal work force. The Lawrence Journal World reports that the layoffs include probationary instructors, I-T workers, custodians, and others. The layoffs affect about one-quarter of Haskell workers, which employs about 150 people. The student newspaper, The Indian Leader, reports that the layoffs have left classes without their original instructors and student clubs and organizations in turmoil. Haskell operates under the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education.
Federal Budget Cuts Hit Haskell Indian Nations University
UNDATED (KCUR) – Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence has fallen victim to the federal government budget cuts. KCUR reports that some classes may not have any teachers. According to Indian News Online, 37 Haskell employees lost their jobs including faculty, IT workers and administrators. In all, that’s about 30 percent of the Haskell workforce. Haskell’s student newspaper, The Indian Leader, says some classes will have no instructor. In a statement, the Haskell Board of Regents says both Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and 1st District Congressman Tracey Mann are, quote, working to reduce the impact of these changes. There is some question, the statement suggests, that these layoffs could run afoul of treaties with Indian nations.
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KU Changing Test Score and GPA Admission Requirements
UNDATED (KNS) – The University of Kansas is changing its admission requirements to allow students with lower high school GPAs. The Kansas News Service reports that beginning in 2029, any student with a 3.0 grade point average will automatically be accepted into KU, regardless of their score on the ACT. The previous GPA requirement was 3.25. The Kansas Board of Regents approved the change. Regent Diana Mendoza says it offers students some grace if they made mistakes in high school, explaining that if a student didn't have such a good year, but overall did well, they'd have an opportunity to apply and receive automatic acceptance. Currently, students with a minimum 21 on the ACT and a 2.0 high school GPA are also guaranteed admission. The university will raise that to a minimum 24 on the ACT and a 2.5 GPA.
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Kansas Attorney General Says KBI Will Assist Federal Deportation Efforts
UNDATED (KNS) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Monday that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation will assist federal deportation efforts. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, will train some KBI agents to help enforce immigration laws. Kobach, a Republican who oversees the KBI as state attorney general, says the agreement will help keep violent criminals off the streets. But Micah Kubic, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, says it’s a misallocation of resources. “The same way that we don't expect immigration officers to do something about jaywalking, we shouldn't expect the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to be charged with front line immigration enforcement,” he explained. This agreement does not include local law enforcement agencies, though some have similar deals with ICE.
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Legislators Consider Bill to Reopen Racing at Eureka Downs
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – State lawmakers are considering a bill that could potentially revitalize the horse racing industry in Kansas. The Kansas News Service reports that the bill would reopen live horse racing at the Eureka Downs racetrack in southeast Kansas. A small portion of state revenue from gambling would help fund the effort. Supporters say it would boost the economy in both Kansas and the city of Eureka. Justine Staten is executive director of the Kansas Horse Council. “When one horseman can spend a million dollars in hay in a year for his racing horses, we want that money back in the state, of course,” Staten added. No one spoke against the bill at its hearing, but some critics in general say racing is cruel to horses. The track in Eureka was built more than a century ago but closed in 2011 due to financial issues.
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Kansas Woman Convicted of Murdering Army Husband at Fort Riley
TOPEKA, Kan. (KAKE) – A Kansas woman has been convicted by a federal jury of murdering her husband, a U.S. Army soldier assigned to Fort Riley. On Friday, 31-year-old Margaret E. Shafe was found guilty of murder in the second degree for shooting and killing her husband Greg Shafe in February 2024 at their home on Fort Riley. KAKE TV reports that Shafe's obituary says he “loved his family very much” and his daughter was his pride and joy. Shafe lived on base at Fort Riley with Margaret, his one-year-old daughter and his stepdaughter. Margaret Shafe faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
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KBI: Teen's Death in Junction City Detention Center Accidental
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has ruled accidental a teen's death at a state juvenile detention center last November. The KBI says that the 17-year-old had been at the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center for about three months when he died November 5th, 2024. The final autopsy report determined the teen's death was combined intoxication by several prescribed medicines, with a heart condition, obesity, and asthma contributing factors. The Kansas State Child Death Review Board reviews all child fatalities in the state and will evaluate the findings in the case.
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Nearly 1,000 Kansas EBT Cards Affected by Recent Skimming Fraud
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - State officials say someone used a card skimmer to steal food assistance benefits from EBT (Electric Benefit Transfer) cards in the Kansas City, Kansas, area. KCTV reports that at least three skimming devices were recently discovered in KCK, which resulted in more than 800 people losing access to their food assistance benefits. To make matters worse, a federal law prevents victims from being able to recover their stolen benefits.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) confirmed Friday that three skimming devices were found in KCK and that users lost access to their funds. The suspicious activity was first discovered on January 30 when out-of-state phone numbers began calling in balance inquiries for EBT cards.
The exact locations of where the skimmers were places has not been publicly released. In response, DCF shut down a number of EBT cards and started the process of issuing new ones. According to DCF, cardholders will automatically have a replacement card loaded with benefits mailed to their homes within 5-7 days after their original card was canceled.
DCF stated that approximately 830 cardholders were protected from fraud by their actions, saving nearly $370,000 in benefits from being stolen. The agency also confirmed that the benefits of 162 card members were stolen, amounting to nearly $39,000.
According to DCF, residents whose benefits were stolen are unable to recover their stolen benefits because of federal law. DCF Secretary Laura Howard expressed her disappointment in the situation. “It’s disheartening that there are people preying on some of the most vulnerable Kansas — children and the elderly — and are stealing the money they depend on to put food on their tables,” she said.
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GOP Representative Caught Saying He Wants to End Early Voting
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - In an anonymous recording, a Kansas Republican Representative says he wants to get rid of early voting. Voting rights group Loud Light released a video of Representative Pat Proctor’s comments from a year ago. It was a private meeting with other Republican lawmakers. For Loud Light, the video shows that Proctor wants to make voting harder. Here’s what he said: “You know, if it was up to me, Election Day would be Election Day. There wouldn’t be early voting, mail-in ballots would only be for military or severely disabled (people), but I gotta bring 84 people with me so I’m trying to chip away at it.” Proctor told the Kansas News Service he will not try to get rid of early voting. He says he wants to promote trust in elections by changing registration dates and mail-in ballot rules. Loud Light opposes those changes.
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Topeka Mental Health Centers to Merge
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Two mental health clinics based in Topeka will be merging in the next year. WIBW TV reports that the Family Service and Guidance Center and Valeo Behavioral Health Care have approved plans to merge. The merger will create one Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Officials say no layoffs or staffing cuts are expected with the merger, which is expected to be complete by January 1st, 2026. Family Services and Guidance Center was founded in 1904 and currently employs 335 people. Valeo Behavioral Health Care was founded in 1967 and employs 340 people.
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UMKC Receives Top Research Designation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCUR) - The University of Missouri-Kansas City has announced that it earned a Carnegie Research 1 designation - the top designation a college can earn in that category. University trustee Dick Flanigan says the title enhances UMKC's place as an economic driver in the region. “Winners want to be associated with winners. And this is a university on the rise, and it’s a university that has found its place as a top-tier research university," he said. The university hopes the designation will help attract more students and faculty, make it more competitive for funding and boost its national reputation.
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KCI Sees Record Number of Passengers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) - Kansas City International Airport saw its busiest year ever for air travel in 2024. A record 12.1 million total passengers touched down at - or took off from - KCI last year. June 2024 was the airport's busiest month ever.
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CONCACAF Announces Changes for Upcoming Champions Cup Match in Kansas City
UNDATED (KPR) – The first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami CF has been rescheduled. The match was set for Tuesday evening at Children's Mercy Park. It will now take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday. All previously purchased tickets for Tuesday's match will remain valid for entry on Wednesday. The decision to reschedule the match has been made to prioritize player and fan safety. For more information, visit Concacaf.com.
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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).