Kansas Gets a New Chief Justice
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas now has a new chief justice of the state's Supreme Court. Eric Rosen took the oath of office in a ceremony Thursday afternoon. He succeeds Chief Justice Marla Luckert, who resigned due to health reasons. Rosen has served on the court since 2005. He was the next most senior justice on the court when Luckert resigned, so he automatically assumes the role. In a statement, Rosen called replacing Luckert a “bittersweet moment.”
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Democratic State Senator Dinah Sykes to Run for Kansas Insurance Commissioner
UNDATED (KNS) — Democratic state Senator Dinah Sykes is joining the race for Kansas Insurance Commissioner. The Kansas News Service reports that the position regulates the insurance industry and helps consumers in disputes with insurance companies. Sykes is the minority leader of the Kansas Senate and represents parts of Johnson County. She does not have to give up her seat to run for the insurance position. Sykes says the cost of health insurance in Kansas is out of control and she will work to keep costs down. She has also supported expanding Medicaid in Kansas. Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins is also running for the position.
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Woman Shot and Killed by ICE Agent in Minnesota Has Ties to KC and Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) — The woman shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minnesota has ties to Kansas City and to Kansas. The woman who was shot in Minneapolis Wednesday was Renee Nicole Good, who lived near the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City until December 2024. Good was killed after ICE agents fired several shots during an altercation. The shooting happened during the Trump administration’s latest crackdown on illegal immigration. She leaves behind 3 children and a partner. KCTV reports that Good’s parents live in Valley Falls, Kansas.
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USDA Releases Details on Distribution of Row Crop Farm Aid
UNDATED (HPM) — The USDA recently shared more details about how it will dole out $11 billion in one-time payments to row crop farmers. The aid is meant to offset trade disruptions, high production costs and low crop prices in 2025. Harvest Public Media reports that the payment rates are based on the number of acres farmers planted last year, along with estimated production costs and prices for specific commodities. An analysis by the American Farm Bureau shows the Midwest and Corn Belt states will receive over 60% of the funding. Nick Paulson, an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, says the one-time payments will provide relief to struggling farmers, but it’s a short-term fix. “Prices for most row crops have not significantly improved from what farmers are currently dealing with for their 2025 crop. And we don’t see production costs declining to the extent needed to get farmers back into the black,” he explained. Paulson says many crop producers need long-term solutions.
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Demand for 988 Lifeline Services in Kansas Rising
UNDATED (KPR) — Demand for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Kansas is rising. A report by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services says the number of calls received last year rose from about 2,700 in January to nearly 3,800 in October. The service has been operating for three years. It offers round-the-clock confidential support for mental health, substance use, and emotional crises. The council that oversees the 988 service is asking state lawmakers to increase its budget from $10 million to $13 million annually.
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Grants Awarded for Supporting Crime Victims in Kansas
UNDATED (KPR) — The federal government is sending more than $10 million in grants to 64 community-based organizations and government agencies that deal with crime victims in Kansas. The federal Victims of Crime Act authorized the funds. Democratic governor Laura Kelly announced the grants on Wednesday. They’re going to organizations and agencies that provide mental health services, legal assistance, and other services to crime victims and survivors. Among the recipients are the Child Advocacy Center of Douglas County and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
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Lyon County Officials Happy with Artificial Intelligence Assistant
EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW-TV) — Emergency officials in Lyon County say they’re pleased with their new artificial-intelligence assistant so far. The AI assistant known as Betty has been answering non-emergency calls for the county for a month now. By allowing humans to concentrate on emergency calls, county officials tell WIBW-TV Betty has had a positive impact. Betty is responsible for handling calls about minor accidents, animal concerns, and other non-urgent issues. Officials stress that Betty has not replaced any humans, but works alongside them.
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Topeka Unveils New Fleet of Electric School Buses
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — Many students in Topeka will now be riding electric buses to school. The district unveiled its new fleet of 25 e-buses on Wednesday. KSNT reports each bus has a range of 150 miles when fully charged. “Cleaner, quieter buses mean a healthier environment for students and staff,” said Topeka schools transportation director Bill Cochran. The buses cost about $350,000 each, but officials say they are cheaper to operate than traditional diesel buses. The district received $7.6 million from the EPA's Clean School Bus Grant Program to help cover costs of the buses and the charging infrastructure.
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University Leaders Defend Funding Requests Before State Higher Ed Subcommittee
UNDATED (KNS) — Public university leaders in Kansas are defending their requests for more money as lawmakers begin to shape next year’s budget. The Kansas News Service reports that a subcommittee on higher education met this week to put university funding under the microscope. The presidents of Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State and Emporia State want additional funding to hire more faculty and renovate lab facilities. Republican state Representative Adam Turk chairs the committee. He says if universities want additional support, they should also focus on cutting obsolete programs to save money. “These are all trees. Sometimes you’ve got to prune off the old stuff that doesn't work so that the good stuff, the new stuff, can thrive,” Tusk explained. Budget talks will begin in earnest next week, when lawmakers meet in Topeka to start the 2026 legislative session.
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Alaska Airlines Announces Big Airplane Purchase from Boeing
UNDATED (KNS) — Alaska Airlines announced Wednesday that it will order more than 100 new airplanes from Boeing over the next decade. The Kansas News Service reports that the jet order is the largest ever for Alaska Airlines, and it marks a vote of confidence in Boeing following problems with its 737-MAX program. Alaska plans to order 105 737 Max jets. It will also buy five 787 Dreamliners, as it plans to expand international service. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg thanked Boeing employees for their commitment to the company., saying "...your focus on safety and quality, particularly in these last 18 months, have been critical to restoring trust with our customers." Boeing re-acquired Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems in December. It is now Wichita's largest employer, with around 12,000 workers.
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Regional Food Producers' Program Restored Following Federal Funding Cuts
UNDATED (KNS) — A regional program that helps local food producers in Kansas and Missouri has been restored after slashes to federal funding. The Kansas News Service reports that the New Growth program is a regional business center that supports food and farm entrepreneurs with training and one-on-one coaching. A more than $2 million grant recently helped re-establish it.
The organization’s original funding was cut by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Katie Nixon with New Growth says the loss of funding came out of left field, explaining that “...there was no official communication from the USDA. This was just kind of coming down through the ranks of USDA that we had communication with. We were like, is the project frozen?”
The grant from the Patterson Family Foundation will help New Growth work with the Food Circle, The Kansas City Food Hub and University of Missouri Extension.
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Report: National Food Insecurity Rate Increased in 2024
UNDATED (HPM) — The latest Household Food Security report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows a slight uptick in the nation’s food insecurity rate. Harvest Public Media reports that the survey could be the last, after the department said it will stop collecting the hunger data. The report shows that 13.7% of U.S. households struggled to get enough food in 2024, which is slightly higher than the year before. Texas and Oklahoma are among the states with the highest food insecurity rates. The USDA says it will end the annual survey after this report, calling it “redundant, costly, and politicized." Nila Pradhananga, nutrition specialist at Oklahoma State University, says the report is the gold standard for data. “So I think having this would be the best option, but I don't really see any other that would be comparable to this that gives us, like, a national reference,” she explained. Pradhananga says factors like the economy and food accessibility impact food insecurity.
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Bipartisan Bill Would Prohibit Use of Cell Phones by Student During School Hours
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) — A bipartisan bill introduced in Kansas would prohibit students across the state from using cell phones during school hours. KMUW reports that students would have to store their phones in a secure location until dismissal. The bill would exempt students whose doctors say they need a phone for medical reasons. Amy Warren is an incoming Wichita school board member and an advocate for reducing screen time in schools. She says when students don’t have cell phones between class periods, it helps them retain and process what they’ve learned that day. “When we let them get on their phones in between class (periods), we're just kind of wiping that experience and that processing off the board,” Warren added. Some school leaders have concerns about liability when storing students’ phones, and some parents say they want to be able to quickly reach their children in case of an emergency. (Read more.)
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KC Chiefs Player Rashee Rice Facing Domestic Abuse Allegations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) —Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is once again connected to troubles off the field. Rice served a six-game NFL suspension to begin last season following his involvement in a high-speed car crash in Dallas in 2024. Now, he is being accused of domestic abuse by an ex-girlfriend. In his first game back after last season’s suspension, Rice said at the time he had learned the price of off-the-field problems. "You really notice how much you love something until (it’s) gone or could possibly be gone. I was able to get a glimpse of that and I don’t ever want to feel that again," he explained. Now the Chiefs say in a statement that they, and the NFL, are aware of allegations that were made in a social media post by a former girlfriend. She alleges she dealt with what she characterizes as abuse from Rice for years. Neither the Chiefs nor the NFL provided any further details on their possible response.
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KC Current Announces Chris Armas as New Head Coach
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) – The Kansas City Current announced Chris Armas as the club’s head coach on Wednesday. Armas is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and has over three decades of playing and coaching experience. He is the former head coach of the Colorado Rapids MLS team. Armas has also been an assistant coach for the Chicago Fire FC and served as the head women’s soccer coach at Adelphi University. He played as a defensive midfielder for the LA Galaxy and the Chicago Fire FC before retiring from competition in 2007.
He is a six-time MLS All-Star and was a member of the USMNT squads that qualified for the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.
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