Defendant in Lawrence Shooting Claims Immunity on Self-Defense Grounds
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — One of the defendants in a fatal shooting outside a Lawrence bar this month is claiming immunity from prosecution on the grounds that he was acting in self-defense. Daitron Daniels Strickland, 18, is one of two people charged in connection with the shooting death of Aiden Knowles, 18, and the wounding of another teen on January 17. In a written motion, Daniels Strickland’s lawyer says his client was within his rights to draw a gun and begin shooting when he heard “multiple gunshots in close proximity to him.”
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the motion was filed in Douglas County District Court. A judge is expected to rule on the motion next month. Under Kansas law, the use of deadly force can be justified if necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
==========
Haskell University Gets New Interim President
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — Haskell Indian Nations University has a new temporary president. Alex Red Corn will hold the position until it can be filled permanently. Red Corn is a citizen of the Osage Nation. He currently serves as director and associate professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Kansas. In a press release, the Bureau of Indian Affairs says Red Corn “brings a wealth of experience in Indigenous education, leadership, and advocacy.” Red Corn is Haskell’s second interim president since the June 2025 resignation of Frank Arpan. No timetable for naming a permanent president has been announced.
==========
Kansas Lawmakers Again Consider Making Ministers “Mandatory Reporters”
TOPEKA, Kan. (KWCH) — For the fourth year in a row, Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would make ordained ministers “mandatory reporters.” That means they would be required to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement. The bill includes an exception for private confession. Supporters say the bill would protect children while respecting the rights of clergy. KWCH reports the bill is before the House Judiciary Committee, which must decide whether to send it to the full House for a vote.
==========
Manhattan Agro-Defense Facility Exempted from Hiring Freeze
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR) — The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas, has been exempted from the federal government’s hiring freeze. The facility is a high-security research center managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It serves as the nation's primary defense against biological threats that could harm the food supply, agricultural economy, and public health. Kansas senator Jerry Moran announced the exemption. He says it will allow the facility to expedite hiring and strengthen national food and agriculture security.
==========
Kansas Lawmakers Consider Bill to Change Underage Offender Sentencing Options
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow courts to sentence underage offenders to correctional group homes. The Kansas News Service reports that the bill aims to reduce the number of children entering foster care because of behavioral problems. Supporters of the bill say it would provide earlier intervention for young offenders before they are removed from their homes and placed in foster care. But critics argue the bill would roll back recent reforms meant to reduce incarceration of young people. Megan Milner of the Kansas Department of Corrections says the bill would allow courts to place any young offender in secured group homes or detention, even for minor crimes. She says that could disrupt their lives and increase their chances of repeat offenses. “Any detention should be reserved for youth who are the biggest public safety risk,” Milner explained. The bill would also require courts to sentence underage offenders to juvenile detention if they are in possession of a firearm during a crime.
==========
Kansas Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Death Row Appeal for Justin Thurber
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — The Kansas Supreme Court has been hearing arguments from a death row inmate who is appealing his sentence. Justin Thurber was convicted of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the 2007 death of Jodi Sanderholm in Cowley County. KWCH TV reports that Thurber's attorneys are arguing that Thurber is intellectually disabled and should not be executed. His attorneys are appealing a 2023 ruling that found Thurber did not meet the burden of proof to prove he’s disabled. The court has not indicated when justices will issue a ruling.
==========
Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Group Seeks Kansas Passage of "Erin's Law"
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) — A group of survivors of child sexual abuse is advocating for Kansas to pass what’s known as Erin’s Law. The Kansas News Service reports that the bill would require K-12 public schools to teach students once per year about preventing sexual abuse. It calls for age-appropriate lessons to help students identify and report behavior that amounts to grooming or abuse.
Kim Bergman is with the group Protecting Kansas Children From Sexual Predators. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and says that “when kids are educated, they are more likely to speak up themselves and/or be able to help their friends.”
The national group behind Erin’s Law offers free course materials, but local school boards would ultimately decide which curriculum to use. Parents could also opt their students out of the classes.
At least 38 other states have adopted Erin’s Law.
==========
Another KU Alum Blasts Off into Space
UNDATED (KPR) — Another alum from the University of Kansas has flown into space. Last week, Dr. Laura Stiles launched into space on Blue Origin's suborbital NS-38 mission. She is the fifth KU alum to travel to space. Stiles has worked at Blue Origin for the past 13 years in a variety of roles. She graduated from KU in 2008 with a degree in engineering physics. While in school, Stiles participated in internships at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the Air Force Research Lab, Raytheon Aircraft, and CERN. (Read more.)
==========
Kansas Hospital Staffing Shortages Particularly Affecting Rural Areas
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas hospitals are short on nursing staff. The Kansas News Service reports that the shortages disproportionately impact rural areas. Data from the Kansas Hospital Association shows hospital staffing levels haven’t recovered from the pandemic. Many hospitals, especially in rural areas like southwest Kansas, struggle to employ and keep registered nurses and nursing assistants. Rosemarie Aznavorian of MedPro Healthcare Staffing says it can be harder to access care in rural communities, which, in turn, makes the need for nursing staff greater. “Because the sicker you are, the more nursing care that you need. And the hospitals in general tend to struggle to provide the significant amount of nursing staffing that they need,” she explained. Aznavorian says the Rural Health Transformation Fund from the Trump administration might help short-staffed hospitals in Kansas.
==========
Lawrence Reconsidering Ambitious Renewable Energy Goals
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — The city of Lawrence is reconsidering its ambitious renewable energy goals. In 2020, the city set a goal of having municipal operations fully powered by renewables by 2025. That goal has been missed. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the amount of clean energy powering the city’s facilities currently amounts to about 3%. Some city officials say the 2020 goals were unrealistic and they want the city to rescind or revise them.
==========
Kansas K-12 School Cell Phone Ban Stalls in Committee
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — A bill to ban students in K through 12 from using cell phones in school is hitting a roadblock in the Kansas legislature. Some Republican lawmakers want the bill to apply to public schools only—not private schools. They say statewide mandates should not apply to private entities. Democratic House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard told KSNT it’s “ironic” that Republicans want to “hyper regulate” public schools, but not private schools. The bill is currently stuck in committee.
==========
Court-Martial: Kansas Airman Charged with Child Sex Crimes
WICHITA, Kan. (Hays Post) — A General Court-Martial is underway at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, where an airman is accused of child sex crimes. The Hays Post reports that Senior Airman Randall Moore (22nd Maintenance Squadron) is charged with the sexual abuse of a child, producing child pornography and obstructing justice. If convicted of all charges, Moore faces multiple years in prison, loss of rank and a dishonorable discharge.
==========
Fort Riley Unveils New Drone Unit
FORT RILEY, Kan. (KSNT) — Fort Riley has announced the activation of a new drone unit. KSNT reports the drones will be used to protect helicopters flying into combat zones and on other dangerous missions. Military officials say the drone unit adds to the Army’s “war-fighting readiness.”
==========
Royals No Longer Considering Johnson County's Former Sprint Campus as New Stadium Site
JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (JoCo Post) — The Kansas City Royals have taken one potential new stadium site in Johnson County off the table. According to the Johnson County Post,
a team spokesperson confirmed that the Royals are no longer considering the Aspiria campus in Overland Park as a location for a new stadium. The team says the site at 119th and Nall, the one-time home of Sprint World Headquarters, does not “meet our criteria for a stadium”.
People began to take seriously the prospect of the Royals moving to Overland Park last year when a team affiliate purchased the mortgage at Aspiria. But the idea faced pushback from nearby residents and businesses, including T-Mobile, which said it would move its corporate offices if a new stadium went there. The Royals also missed a key deadline at the end of 2025 to negotiate a deal with Kansas lawmakers.
==========
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).