Extended Federal Shutdown Could Spark Uncertainty in Agricultural Industry
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas farmers are facing uncertainties if the federal government shutdown drags on. The Kansas News Service reports that many farmers are focused on harvesting, but the agencies that support them are closed. Nearly half of all U.S. Department of Agriculture employees will be furloughed. During the last two shutdowns, the agency didn't publish a monthly crop report. Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist for Kansas State University, said that the situation "...could really sort of snowball. Maybe your local Farm Services Agency is closed. Maybe they need to be processing payments, different types of reporting need to happen. There’s the loan office at the Farm Services Agencies.” Ifft said farmers won’t be able to keep waiting for those services if the shutdown lasts beyond a week or two. (More about the federal government shutdown from NPR.)
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Kansas Senator Jerry Moran Says Federal Shutdown Sends Wrong Message to the World
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) — Kansas Senator Jerry Moran says that the government shutdown sends a bad message to the rest of the world. KMUW reports Moran said in a visit to Wichita ahead of the shutdown that allowing federal funding to run out would tarnish the United States' image. “It’s a message to the world — our adversaries as well as our friends — that there is dysfunction in the United States. That is a national security issue that I hope my colleagues take into account as we decide next week whether to vote to keep government operating,” he added. Moran and fellow Kansas senator Roger Marshall both voted in support of a failed Republican plan to fund the government at its current levels into November. Both voted against a Democratic proposal to fund the government through October while reversing Medicaid cuts. It's the first government shutdown since 2019.
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Director of Eisenhower Library in Kansas Ousted
UNDATED (KNS) — The former director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas, said on Thursday that he was told to “resign or be fired” from his post after refusing to give the Trump administration a historic sword.
The Kansas News Service reports that Todd Arrington’s resignation came shortly after Arrington refused to relinquish one of President Eisenhower’s swords from the museum’s collection. President Trump’s administration wanted to give one of the artifacts as a gift to King Charles III on Trump’s most recent state visit to the United Kingdom.
Arrington said his direct superior informed him on Monday evening that he would be asked to resign. The supervisor, who Arrington declined to name, said he was passing down orders from unknown higher-ups.
All Arrington heard is that he “could no longer be trusted with confidential information” due to conduct related to the sword disagreement.
“I was obviously shocked and saddened and heartbroken,” Arrington said in an interview with the Kansas News Service. “I have almost 30 years of government service. I've never had a bad mark against me.”
The National Archives and Records Administration, which operates presidential libraries like Eisenhower’s, replied to a Kansas News Service inquiry with an automated message that said it was closed due to the U.S. government shutdown that began Wednesday. The White House Press Office sent a similar message. (Read more.)
(–Additional reporting–)
Eisenhower Presidential Library Head Steps Down
UNDATED (CBS News) - The head of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home has stepped down from his position. Todd Arrington is a career historian who had previously worked for the National Park Service and the National Archives and Records Administration. CBS News reports that Arrington says he was told on Monday to "resign, or be fired." Arrington said the reasons cited for his ouster are tied to a dispute over allegedly disclosing confidential information concerning a request for taking a sword from the library's collection to be given to King Charles last month during President Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom. He also told CBS that an ongoing dispute over the construction of a new building for the nonprofit Eisenhower Foundation on the grounds of the Eisenhower Library was involved in the resignation request.
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Kansans Can Resume Changing Gender Markers on State Driver's Licenses on Monday
TOPEKA, Kan. (Kansas Reflector) — Kansans can resume changing the gender markers on state driver's licenses, beginning next week. The Kansas Reflector reports that the Kansas Supreme Court declined Monday to consider Attorney General Kris Kobach's appeal of a state Court of Appeals decision in the fight over a 2023 law that aimed to define gender by conflating it with sex. According to the Kansas Reflector, gender refers to social or personal identity or expression, while sex refers to reproductive systems. Kobach contended that Kansans should not be allowed to change the gender markers on their driver's licenses.
In June, the Kansas Court of Appeals determined that the state had suffered no harm from the changed gender declarations on the licenses. Kansans have been allowed to modify the gender designations on driver's licenses since at least 2002. The state's highest court refused to hear Kobach's appeal of that appeals court ruling, so Kansans can resume changing those gender markers as of Monday.
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Human Remains Discovered in Harvey County Hay Field
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH) — Human remains have been discovered in a hay field in Harvey County. KWCH TV reports that the remains were found Wednesday southeast of Newton. The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office and the local coroner are investigating. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death nor the identity of the individual.
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Kansas Senators Ask U.S. Senate to Honor Fallen Hays Police Officer
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) — Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are asking the chamber to honor a Hays police officer killed in the line of duty. The officer, Scott Heimann, was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call over the weekend. Senator Moran took the floor to say law enforcement officers are well-known in towns the size of Hays, and communities mourn their loss. “I ask the United States Senate to join me and my family and my hometown, expressing our sympathy and gratitude, our respect for this officer,” he said. Governor Laura Kelly directed flags to be flown at half-staff on October 3. The officer’s burial will take place Friday.
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KU Theatre Production Highlights Contributions of Women to the Field of Astronomy
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — University Theatre season kicks off Friday at the University of Kansas with a production about an astronomer whose research changed how we think about the universe. The production, called Silent Sky, tells the story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt and highlights the sometimes hidden contributions of women to the history of science. (See and hear more.)
Silent Sky opens Friday at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre on the KU campus and is playing through October 5th. The Saturday, October 4th matinee performance will feature ASL interpretation for the deaf and hard of hearing. Tickets are available at kutheatre.com. Tickets are also available at the box office in Murphy Hall.
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University of Kansas Reports Record Enrollment Numbers
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — Enrollment numbers have increased at the University of Kansas. For the second straight year, KU has achieved its highest overall enrollment in history. That's according to annual data released by the Kansas Board of Regents. KU’s enrollment has grown 1.3% to 31,169 students, eclipsing the previous all-time mark of 30,770 set last year. This year’s record-setting enrollment includes the third-largest freshman class in KU history. (Read KU's full announcement to learn more.) KU officials have invited future and prospective students to its annual Crimson & Blue Day on October 17.
(-Related-)
Enrollment Surges to Historic High at Wichita State with More than 25,000 Students
WICHITA, Kan. (KPR) — Wichita State University and WSU Tech are celebrating record-breaking enrollment this fall. Over the past 10 years, WSU has grown 27.3% and WSU Tech 101.5%. That momentum is reflected in this fall’s historic headcount of 25,147 students — the highest in university history. (Read the entire report from WSU.)
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GM Places 900 Workers on Indefinite Layoff at Kansas Plant
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Detroit Free Press) — General Motors is placing 900 workers on indefinite layoff at its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas. That's according to company officials who spoke to the Detroit Free Press Wednesday. GM says it needs to retool the plant for production of the gas-powered Equinox. Those employees were placed on temporary layoff in early September.
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KU Professors Develop Guide for Teachers Interested in Using AI in the Classroom
UNDATED (KNS) — Two Kansas professors are urging teachers to learn more about artificial intelligence and think about its limitations before using AI tools in the classroom. The Kansas News Service reports that University of Kansas English professors Sean Kamperman and Katie Conrad held the first AI & Digital Literacy Institute for Kansas City-area teachers last year. Now they’re developing a guide for educators devoted to the topic. Conrad says teachers need to keep overall goals in mind and be aware of what AI can and cannot do. “What are the things that we hope students will come away from our courses with, and how do we get there, regardless of technology? And then, is this technology helping us get there?” she asked. The KU project focuses on professional development for teachers, and also advocating for teacher input about tech and AI policies.
(-Related-)
Kansas Doctors Express Concern over Mental Health Effects of AI Tech Use
UNDATED (KNS) — Some Kansas doctors are wary about how artificial intelligence technology might further harm youth mental health. Major concerns include the possible loss of social skills and AI replacing human interactions. Dr. Mitchell Douglas of the University of Kansas Health System says he is especially concerned about young people using AI chat bots during a mental health crisis. “It’s going to be telling you that you’re good, that everything’s fine and provide general, vague support, as opposed to making some challenging statements. Like wow, you need help. You need to go talk to a parent right now,” he explained. Douglas encourages parents to talk with their kids at an early age about what AI is, and the possible risks.
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Kansas City Woman Gets 11 Years in Prison for Covid-19 Fraud and Identity Theft
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) — A Kansas City area woman has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for fraud and identity theft. Federal prosecutors say 29-year-old Briauna Adams, of Raymore, had a leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $500,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. They also say she had more than $3 million in stolen U.S. Treasury checks.
Adams was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and theft of government funds related to a counterfeit check scheme and stolen U.S. Treasury checks. The defendant also pleaded guilty to other charges. (Read more.)
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Kansas Ranks Among Most Affordable States in Which to Retire Comfortably
UNDATED (TCJ) — A new study finds Kansas is the third most affordable state for a comfortable retirement. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the annual cost for a comfortable retirement in Kansas is roughly $61,000, which includes essentials like housing and healthcare. Only Oklahoma and West Virginia have lower annual retirement costs than Kansas. Retiring comfortably in Kansas costs less annually than in all other states but two. The study was published last week by the senior living advice website caring.com.
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KU Football Heads to London Next Season
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — It's official: the Kansas Jayhawks will be playing a football game in England next season. With a reduced capacity because of east-side stadium renovations, the Jayhawks will play one of its home games in London next year. In Week 3 of the college football season, the Jayhawks will square off against Arizona State at Wembley Stadium. KU Athletics Director Travis Goff says he likes how the NFL has paved the way for college football abroad. "We’re certainly grateful to have the foundation that the NFL has established," Goff said. The game is set for September 19, 2026. It will be called the “Union Jack Classic.” Earlier this season, the Kansas State Wildcats opened against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland. The K-State /Iowa State game has been called "Farmageddon" in recent years, but in Ireland, it was known as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
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KPR Seeks New Kansas Statehouse Bureau Chief
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas Public Radio is seeking a new Statehouse Bureau Chief. This position works primarily at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka and is primarily responsible for reporting on state government. This includes, but is not limited to, covering the Kansas Legislature, the governor, attorney general, supreme court, the state's congressional delegation and statewide elections. (Click here for more details.)
Best radio and multimedia news job in Kansas? Maybe. Must apply online.
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