Alleged Terrorist Arrested in Kansas
UNDATED (KPR) — A man from Uzbekistan has been arrested in Kansas for allegedly belonging to a terrorist organization in his home country. The Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest on Monday but offered few details. In a press release, DHS says the man, Akhror Bozorov, 31, is “a criminal illegal alien” and “is accused of distributing terrorist propaganda calling for jihad online and recruiting terrorists to join the jihad movement.” DHS says he was arrested in Kansas, but gives no more precise location. Uzbekistan is an authoritarian state in Central Asia widely criticized for human rights abuses.
==========
Legal Battle Between Kansas Governor and State Attorney General Addresses Lawsuit Power
UNDATED (KCUR)— A high-powered legal battle in Kansas could decide who has the power to sue the federal government on the state’s behalf. KCUR reports that Democratic Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach can’t seem to stop suing each other. The two have gone back and forth over federal funding for food assistance and public safety. At the center of the disagreement is a legal question: who represents Kansas in lawsuits? Kobach said that it’s the job of the attorney general, not the governor, to decide when Washington has harmed Kansas. “Her case is flying right in the face of the clear words of Kansas law. I think it's a loser. I'm pretty confident,” Kobach said. He added that he would sue the Trump administration if he saw fit, although he has not done so yet.
Kobach also told KCUR about a new initiative at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, in which agents are being trained to make arrests in collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kobach says the agents will not arrest individuals who lack legal status but otherwise have no criminal record, adding that KBI agents will transfer immigrants without legal status to ICE custody if they get arrested in the course of a drug raid. “And again, common sense, why wouldn't you make an arrest where you've got an individual who can be removed from the country and again, reducing the threat to people in Kansas?” he asked. Kobach said on Monday that KBI agents recently arrested 10 immigrants who were on criminal registries.
==========
Tax Attorney Seeks Change in Real Estate Appraisal Schedule
UNDATED (KNS) — A Kansas tax attorney is asking state lawmakers to require real estate appraisals every three years to help mitigate rising property taxes. The Kansas News Service reports that Kansas counties currently update appraisals annually. Attorney Linda Terrill of Property Tax Law Group asked lawmakers to spread out the appraisals so Kansas homeowners do not see their taxes sharply increase each year. Higher appraisals can lead to a larger tax bill, even if local governments do not increase their tax rates. But Republican Representative Carl Turner says local governments may end up increasing their rates even more to make up for the frozen appraisals. “The local taxing entities would say, well, we have to increase your mill rates in order…because the base isn't increasing,” he warned. Terrill says lawmakers may also need to consider constraints on local governments increasing tax rates.
==========
Poll Finds Overland Park, Leawood Residents Don’t Want New Stadiums
UNDATED (The Sentinel) — A new poll finds most residents of Overland Park and Leawood don’t want to see the Kansas City Chiefs or Royals move into their communities. Those two cities have been mentioned as possible sites for new stadiums for the teams. The poll commissioned by The Sentinel and conducted by SurveyUSA found 53% of respondents favored the Royals either staying at the Truman Sports Complex or moving to downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Half of those surveyed said the Chiefs should stay at Arrowhead Stadium, while 26% preferred a move to western Wyandotte County. The states of Missouri and Kansas are currently engaged in a tug-of-war over future homes for the two pro sports franchises, each of which is worth billions of dollars.
==========
Lawrence School District Enrollment Declines 2%
LAWRENCE, Kan. (Lawrence Times) — The Lawrence school district says enrollment fell by 2% this school year. But district officials say there will be no school closures for the time being. The Lawrence Times reports the decline is attributed to a falling birth rate, an increasing cost of living, and a shortage of housing. The new enrollment figures were presented to the Lawrence school board on Monday. Total enrollment stands at 10,148 students.
==========
Election Day Turnout in Douglas County: 26.7%
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — Election officials in Douglas County say turnout for the November 4 election was 26.7%. County Clerk Jamie Shew told the Lawrence Journal-World that figure is “very much in line” with past City Commission and school board races. Douglas County voters cast 21,459 ballots. Election officials say 119 mail-in ballots were not counted, mostly because they were received without a proper postmark.
==========
Public Hearing Set for Atmos Energy Rate Increase Request
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold a public hearing in December on a proposed rate increase for Atmos Energy. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that natural gas bills in parts of far east Lawrence and all of Eudora could increase by more than 11%, but state regulators first want to hear from the public about the proposed increases by Atmos Energy. The hearing is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Regnier Hall on the KU Edwards Campus, 12610 S. Quivira Rd in Overland Park.
Dallas, Texas-based Atmos Energy is a major natural gas utility for sections of Douglas County, but also large parts of western Johnson County. It is the natural gas provider in Eudora and much of the rural area surrounding Lawrence. The company provides service at Lawrence VenturePark and other areas near the industrial park. It also provides service in some newer sections of town on the outskirts of the city limits. According to the KCC, the company is requesting a rate increase of $19.1 million for its Kansas territory, which would translate to about a $9 per month increase in customer bills. Any rate increases must be approved by the KCC. The public can comment about the proposed rate increase in person at the Dec. 1 meeting, or can participate via a Zoom link. Registration is required to access the Zoom link. Written comments will be accepted through Jan. 20. The KCC is expected to issue a decision on the rate increase by late March.
==========
Topeka Hit-and-Run Victim Dies, Suspect Faces Charges
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW-TV) — The victim in a Topeka hit-and-run on Saturday has died and a suspect who’s been arrested now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter. Police say the incident occurred around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Northwest Topeka Boulevard and Paramore Street, where a vehicle struck a pedestrian. Police subsequently identified the driver as 18-year-old Sultan Y. Andemichael. WIBW-TV reports he has been booked into the Shawnee County Jail.
==========
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Endorses Ethan Corson in Upcoming Primary
UNDATED (KNS) — Term-limited Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has endorsed state Senator Ethan Corson, a fellow Democrat, in his campaign to replace her. Kelly praised Corson when he launched his campaign in July. The Kansas News Service reports that she had previously stopped short of endorsing anyone. In a campaign video, Kelly says Corson shares the bipartisan appeal that has allowed her to win and retain the governorship. “Ethan is a true middle-of the road candidate who will attract that same broad base of support that is necessary to win but also to then govern effectively,” she said. State Senator Cindy Holscher and Marty Tuley are also seeking the Democratic nomination. Nine candidates have filed in the Republican primary.
==========
KCK Police Want Drone Attack Defense Funding
UNDATED (KCUR) — Kansas City, Kansas police want to spend $5 million to prevent drone attacks during next year’s World Cup events. KCUR reports that a Unified Government Commission committee is scheduled to hear the request Monday. The Department of Homeland Security set aside $ 250 million for law enforcement in the eleven states that either have World Cup matches or are hosting World Cup events. In a memo to the Unified Government, KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman says police can’t currently detect a possible drone attack and this federal money would “greatly enhance our ability to provide full spectrum protection for the events.” The Unified Government expects Children’s Mercy Park or the Compass Minerals Sporting Fields to be used by visiting teams. The DHS grants were just announced last week and the application must be submitted by December 5, 2025, so police are asking for quick action by U.G. commissioners.
==========
Kansans Purchasing Health Insurance Through ACA Marketplace Prepare for Premium Increases
UNDATED (KNS) — Many Kansans who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are seeing big premium increases. That’s because federal tax credits are set to expire at the end of this year. The Kansas News Service reports that around 200,000 Kansans use the ACA marketplace. Whether or not to extend the premium subsidies was at the center of the government shutdown. Lawmakers haven’t yet made plans to extend them.
Meg Heriford, owner of Ladybird Diner in Lawrence, says she expected coverage costs for her and her husband to double for 2026. She says instead, it quadrupled. Heriford explained that the health of her small business depends on her health. “I think, you know, I’m one of many, many small business owners who's probably having this conversation right now like, ‘What are we gonna do?’” Heriford says she’s hopeful the tax credit will be extended in time, but for now, she plans on going without insurance.
==========
Family of Man Killed in Wyandotte County Jail Objects to Accused Deputy's "Special Treatment"
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCUR) — The family of a Kansas City, Kansas, man who was killed in the Wyandotte County jail says the sheriff’s deputy charged with second-degree murder is getting special treatment. KCUR reports that Deputy Richard Fatherley is free while he awaits trial in the July 5, 2025 death of Charles Adair. Adair’s family is angry that Fatherley’s hearing was held on Zoom Tuesday, so he didn’t have to appear in court. Adair’s brother, Anthony, says Fatherley has a “get-out-of-jail-free” pass, asking “...where he’s, with his family? While he’s enjoying his family and his loved ones while our brother is deceased and not here? And justice hasn’t prevailed as yet? It’s not right.”
County Judge Renee Henry says the hearing was on Zoom because the court didn’t take up any substantive issues, and it was held simply to set the next court date – which is scheduled for next month. (Read more.)
==========
Kansas City Health Department Issues Guidelines on Measles Exposure at Kansas City International Airport
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — The Kansas City, Missouri Health Department says a confirmed measles case exposed passengers at the Kansas City International Airport earlier this month. WDAF-TV reports that the department says people could have been exposed at KCI on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from approximately 2 a.m. until noon, and on Monday, Nov. 10, from 2 a.m. until 4 a.m.
Measles is highly contagious, and anyone in the affected terminals during those times could be at risk if not fully vaccinated. Individuals with measles can transmit the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The Kansas City Health Department says the best way to prevent measles is to get a Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, adding that if you are up to date on your MMR vaccine, your risk of getting sick is very low. Any exposed person is expected to develop symptoms between Nov. 12 and Dec. 1. The symptoms of measles generally include a rash that appears 7 to 21 days after exposure.
==========
Town of Mulberry Considering Annexation Proposal for Solar Farm
UNDATED (KRPS) — A small town in southeastern Kansas may try to annex land for a solar farm, as a way to get around a county ban. KRPS reports that the town of Mulberry has a resolution proposing the annexation. The town would then decide on whether to allow a solar farm, not Crawford County commissioners. Tom Moody, a commissioner for Crawford County's second district, said, "If it was annexed by a city, then it takes it out of our hands, takes it out of the county's jurisdiction, and would put it in Mulberry's jurisdiction." A moratorium on renewable energy projects is in place until the county updates its renewable energy policy.
==========
Owners Announce Search for New Arabia Steamboat Museum Location
UNDATED (KCUR) — Owners of the Arabia Steamboat Museum hope to find a new home for their collection after it leaves Kansas City’s River Market next year. KCUR reports that the museum of artifacts from the sunken 1850s steamboat has been in Kansas City for more than 30 years. Owners say November 13th, 2026 will be its last day after the city said it wanted to redevelop the area. David Hawley is the museum’s owner. He says they’re exploring options in Marshall Junction, Missouri, and Leavenworth, Kansas. "To be able to find a new home with actually not only a larger parking (lot) but more places to put the artifacts… where we have more artifacts than we can display," he explained. Hawley has also located the Malta, a steamboat that sank in 1841. He wants to salvage the boat and add it to the Arabia collection.
==========
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).