Christal Watson Takes Office as KCK Mayor
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSHB) — The new mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, was sworn in on Monday. Christal Watson is the first Black woman to serve as mayor and CEO of the Unified Government, and the first woman to hold the office since 2005. Watson told the crowd who witnessed her swearing in, “It’s a new day.” Administering the oath was Candice Alcaraz, the first Black female judge in Wyandotte County. KSHB reports Watson is the fifth mayor since the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, was founded in 1997.
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Catholic Bishops in Kansas to Push for End of Death Penalty
UNDATED (Sunflower State Journal) — Kansas’s Catholic bishops say abolishing the state’s death penalty will be their top legislative priority in 2026. Chuck Weber is the executive director of the Catholic Conference. He tells the Sunflower State Journal abolition is a "consistent culture of life issue.” Kansas reinstated the death penalty in 1994, but no executions have been carried out since then. The primary method is lethal injection. The legislature last debated abolishing the death penalty in 2019.
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Kansas Lawmakers Take Closer Look at State University Curricula as Part of DEI Inquiries
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas lawmakers could force state universities to change course curriculum as part of efforts to end diversity programs. The Kansas News Service reports that Republican lawmakers are questioning why diversity, equity and inclusion are taught in certain courses. A state law requires Kansas agencies and universities to eliminate any policies related to DEI. Lawmakers say the recent law did not specifically require changing curriculum at universities. But Representative Bob Lewis says they may take another look. He says a Kansas State University English textbook tasks students to reconsider how they write about identity and diversity, and that’s a problem. “It presents the whole English class, composition, as a discussion of a political ideology,” he added. Republican Representative Kristey Williams says she is concerned, after learning about a University of Kansas English course requiring students to examine diverse communities and identities. Democratic lawmakers argued the time and money universities are spending to comply with the law is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
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Ottawa, Kansas, Offers $6,000 Cash to Attract New Residents
OTTAWA, Kan. (KSHB) — The city of Ottawa is hoping to attract new residents from out of state by offering cash incentives to people who move there. KSHB TV reports that Ottawa is rolling out the red carpet for potential new residents with a $6,000 cash incentive. It's part of the state's first-ever relocation program. There are just a few requirements to apply. Applicants must be from outside the state, have a job secured before moving and maintain a household income of at least $55,000.
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Kansas Hemp Producers Sue State over THC Raids
UNDATED (KSNT) — The hemp industry in Kansas is suing the state over a recent crackdown on the sale of THC-infused products. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation raided 18 stores in October. Agents seized products that allegedly contained levels of THC that exceeded the limits allowed by state law. They also seized $30,000 in cash from the shops.
THC is the compound in marijuana that gets users high. But the owners of some of the shops that were raided say the KBI seized products that are legal to sell in Kansas. KSNT reports some of the shops were forced to close as a result of the raids.
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Illnesses Force Kansas School District to Begin Holiday Break Early
DEXTER, Kan. (KPR) — A southern Kansas school district is beginning its holiday break early due to a high number of illnesses among students and staff. The Dexter School District in Cowley County made the announcement on Monday. In a social media post, the district says it’s “going through a tremendous amount of sickness right now and it seems to be spreading at a very high rate.” All scheduled end of semester activities, including extracurricular activities, are postponed until after the break. The post does not specify the nature of the illnesses.
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Kansas County Government Faces Crisis as Commissioners Resign
LIBERAL, Kan. (KWCH) — The government in a southwest Kansas county faces a crisis after a majority of its county commissioners resigned suddenly on Monday. It happened in Seward County, where three of the five commissioners stepped down. The three said they had been subjected to ridicule and abuse by some residents. KWCH reports their resignations leave the county commission without a quorum. That means no official business can be conducted until the vacancies are filled. And it calls into question whether county employees can be paid in the meantime.
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Some Johnson County Residents Offer Opposition to Possible Kansas City Royals Stadium
UNDATED (KCUR) — Johnson County residents are pushing back against a potential Overland Park stadium site for the Kansas City Royals. KCUR reports that more than 200 residents gathered at a community meeting last week to oppose a proposed new ballpark at 119th and Nall. Some medical officials are also concerned more traffic could delay ambulances and others from reaching local hospitals. Supporters say the ballpark could boost nearby businesses. But Pia Cruver, a mother who lives in the area, doesn’t think shopping will be a draw for visitors. "I think people are going to come and want to go to the game. I don't think they're going to want to come and shop," Cruver said. The site is also close to Leawood, where Mayor Marc Elkins says he can’t support the Overland Park location because of residents’ concerns.
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Kansas Panasonic Plant Resumes Operations Following Shooting Incident
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KNS) — A Kansas Panasonic plant resumed operations Monday after law enforcement shot a stabbing suspect at the facility Friday. The Kansas News Service reports that Panasonic officials say the incident at the electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto occurred in a part of the plant known as Wing 2. It’s still under construction. Production in Wing 1 was minimally affected and is fully operational. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased man as 55-year-old Jonathan Lunceford of Blue Springs, Missouri. The sheriff’s office says the incident is still under investigation. The shooting occurred while deputies were responding to a reported stabbing at the plant. A stabbing victim was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
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Tyson Foods to Close Beef Plant in Nebraska, and Reduce Production in Texas
UNDATED (HPM) — Tyson Foods plans to shutter one of its largest beef processing plants in Lexington, Nebraska next month, and to scale back production at its plant in Amarillo, Texas. Harvest Public Media reports that Tyson’s move to “right-size” its beef business came as a shock to workers and their communities. But this year the U.S. recorded the smallest beef cow herd since 1961. That means meatpackers aren’t operating at full capacity, and they’re losing money. Still, Texas A&M livestock economist David Anderson says cattle and beef prices likely won’t see a major impact. "Typically, (when) a plant closes, what we expect is lower cattle prices and higher beef prices, because that we've lost this capacity, but at the same time, we've got so much excess capacity already that, you know, that may not happen." Anderson doesn’t expect cattle herd sizes to rebound quickly, as that process takes years. (Read more.)
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Johnson County Hopes to Attract New Nuclear Power Plant
OLATHE, Kan. (KNS/Johnson County Post) — Johnson County and DeSoto are interested in attracting a new type of nuclear power plant. It's designed by TerraPower, a company co-founded by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates. In September, TerraPower signed a memorandum of understanding with utility company Evergy to explore building a nuclear plant in Kansas. The Johnson County Post reports that county commissioners passed a resolution to encourage TerraPower to consider Johnson County. The resolution is not a binding agreement to accept the reactor. The Post reports that other cities and counties have also thrown their hats in the ring, including Coffey and Lyon counties, Emporia, and Hutchinson. The potential TerraPower plant is different from the one-mile deep nuclear reactor that a California startup plans to install in Parsons, Kansas.
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34 KU Faculty Members Accept Early-Retirement Offer
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — Thirty-four University of Kansas faculty members have accepted the school’s early retirement offer. The offer is open to tenured faculty members who are at least 62 years old and have worked at KU or a state agency for at least ten years. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the early-retirement offer is part of a university-wide reorganization that seeks to cut costs. In August, KU announced it was looking to reduce spending by more than $30 million.
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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Says Boeing Not Planning to Contest Federal Cap on Planes Manufactured in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) — Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran says Boeing officials told him Monday that they don't plan to push back against a federal cap on planes built in Wichita. KMUW reports that Boeing has been limited in the number of 737 Max jets it can produce since 2024. That's when the door plug of a Boeing plane blew off mid-flight in Oregon. Boeing's $8 billion dollar purchase of Spirit was seen as a way to better control production. Moran says Boeing officials tell him there is a backlog of planes. "My understanding from conversations as recent as this morning, Boeing is not interested in increasing that cap at the moment. And you know, one of the things that was highlighted is the fuselages that still remain here in Wichita," he added. Moran brought U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on a tour of the Boeing campus in Wichita. Duffy oversees the Federal Aviation Administration, which capped Boeing at 42 jetliners a month.
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Federal Grant Will Facilitate Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Kansans with Intellectual Disabilities
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansans with intellectual disabilities will soon have more post-secondary education options because of a federal grant. The Kansas News Service reports that the University of Kansas program helps students with intellectual disabilities prepare for careers that align with their interests. Dana Lattin directs the two-year program. Currently, it’s offered at KU’s Lawrence campus. But Lattin says they’re using some of the grant money to expand to two other schools: Wichita State University Tech and Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, adding that “...these universities that are coming on with this expand grant and working with us to create programs will expand opportunities.” Students who complete the program receive a certificate that can help them get jobs.
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Kansan Wins World Title in Rodeo
LAS VEGAS, Kan. (Montgomery County Chronicle) — Jake Long of Coffeyville was crowned champion in the team roping event at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Saturday. He joined roping teammate Andrew Ward in securing the coveted gold buckle, as well as about $370,000 in prize earnings. The Montgomery County Chronicle reports Long, 41, had made 14 previous appearances in the National Finals Rodeo before finally landing atop the trophy podium this year.
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Royals Announce Contract Extension for Maikel Garcia
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) —The Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday they have agreed to a five-year contract extension with infielder Maikel Garcia through 2030. The team will also have a club option for Garcia for 2031.
The 25-year-old Garcia had an outstanding 2025 season, earning his first career All-Star Game selection and his first career Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He was also named a finalist for a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award at the Utility position. He also set career highs in games played, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.
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Washburn Ichabods Men's Basketball Team Ranked #1 in New NABC Poll
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) — The latest NABC top 25 coaches poll, which ranks NCAA Division II teams, has ranked the Washburn Ichabods men's basketball team number one in the nation. The Ichabods had been ranked No. 2 in each prior poll this season. The team has been ranked in the top 10 in the last 19 polls dating back to last year and in the top five in the last 17 consecutive polls.
The Washburn men will face West Texas A&M on Wednesday as part of the River City Classic in San Antonio, Texas.
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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).