Lawrence Schools Add Holiday for Indigenous Peoples Day
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LT) — The Lawrence school district has added Indigenous People’s Day as a paid holiday beginning this year. The holiday will be observed on the second Monday in October—the same day the federal government observes Columbus Day. The Lawrence Times reports the school board approved the new school calendar at Monday night’s meeting. As a result of the new holiday, the school year will be extended by one day to maintain the required number of school days. It is believed Lawrence is the first district in the state to officially observe Indigenous People’s Day.
==========
Multiple Grass Fires Reported Across Kansas
UNDATED (KSN) — Firefighters were called out to extinguish multiple grass fires across Kansas on Monday. In western Kansas, fires were reported in Morton and Seward counties. Farther east, fires broke out in Chase, Chautauqua, Elk, Stafford and Sumner Counties on Monday afternoon. KSN reports no injuries or structural damage have been reported as a result of the fires. The Chase County fire was reportedly caused by a powerline arc. Coincidentally, this week is Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week.
(–Additional reporting–)
As Burn Season Begins, Lack of Volunteer Firefighters Concerns Kansas Officials
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR) — March and April are the primary months for controlled burns in the Flint Hills. Sometimes, those burns can get out of control. And that presents a problem for states like Kansas, where rural areas rely heavily on volunteer fire departments. “In the last 25 years, we've lost 30% of our volunteer fire departments,” Bill Waln, fire management officer for the Kansas Forest Service, tells KPR. “So, that's pretty significant … especially as you move west and you have smaller departments out there who (are) 100% volunteer.” Waln says Kansas averages about 5,000 wildfires a year and about fifteen of them are considered major fires.
==========
Unified Government Advances Moratorium on Immigration Detention Centers
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCUR) — The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, voted Monday night to block future immigration detention centers for at least two years. The Planning Commission passed a two-year moratorium on all special-use permits for new jail and detention centers. Commissioner Jim Ernst asked if the resolution was an attempt at virtue signaling since there has been no indication of an immigration detention center coming to Wyandotte County. Resident Eva Garcia-Meza testified that a proactive approach would help community members who fear that possibility. “Putting this kind of messaging out there would send a . . . some way to pacify some of the fear that the community is feeling,” she said. The resolution will now advance to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision.
==========
U.S. Ranchers React as Executive Order Increases Beef Imports from Argentina
UNDATED (HPM) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order quadrupling beef imports from Argentina. Harvest Public Media reports that has aggravated some of Trump’s biggest supporters. President Trump promised to bring down food costs, and he supports the president of Argentina. So, he is quadrupling low tariff beef imports from Argentina for at least one year. But, Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, says added imports will hurt ranchers who are trying to rebuild the US cattle herd, which is at its lowest level since the 1950s. "As we continue to see imports displacing domestic production, displacing domestic producers and their cattle. This is going to delay the needed expansion of the US cow herd," Bullard said. While cattle prices dropped when Trump announced plans to increase imports last fall, Bullard says consumers will likely see no change in beef prices.
==========
Kansas House Committee Considering Bill to Change Detention Policy for Young People in Mental Crisis
UNDATED (KNS) — When kids are experiencing a mental health crisis and end up in police custody, they can go into detention instead of getting services. Kansas lawmakers say that should change. The Kansas News service reports that they are considering a bill that would allow for earlier placement of juvenile offenders in mental health stabilization centers. The bill could fill a gap in Kansas law that does not directly allow law enforcement to place children experiencing mental health emergencies in crisis centers. A judge or mental health center has to do it. Stabilization centers can be an alternative to secure detention centers and can offer immediate behavioral health services. Kristalle Hedrick of the Children’s Alliance of Kansas says juvenile offenders in Kansas need more support. “These youth often have significant trauma histories, complex needs, and they're among really the most vulnerable,” Hedrick said, adding that early intervention can also reduce the chances of repeat offenses.
==========
Kansan Faces Cockfighting Charges after Border Bust
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A Kansan has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle cockfighting paraphernalia into the U.S. El Paso’s KFOX14/CBS4 reports 52-year-old Heriberto Munoz Valenzuela of Liberal, Kansas, was arrested at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing in Texas last week. When Customs and Border Protection agents searched his car, they allegedly discovered cockfighting gaffs. Those are spurs or blades that are attached to the birds’ legs. Investigators allege Valenzuela intended to distribute the gaffs. He was arrested and subsequently released on a $5,000 bond.
==========
Topeka Zoo Announces New Exhibits, New Animals
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — The Topeka Zoo has announced plans for new exhibits and new animals. The zoo released its five-year Master Plan on Monday. It calls for new exhibits called Discovery Forest and Realm of the Rhino. KSNT reports the zoo also plans to bring in new animals, including a red panda and a clouded leopard.
==========
Kansas ACA Enrollment Drops, but Not as Much as Experts Feared
UNDATED (KNS) — The number of Kansans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act marketplace this year decreased, but not as much as experts thought it would following the expiration of tax credits. According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Kansas marketplace enrollment decreased by more than 3.5% in 2026. Missouri saw a more than 10% decrease. Linda Sheppard is with the Kansas Health Institute, a non-partisan research organization. She says while the drop isn’t as big as projected, the data doesn’t include how many people had to choose a cheaper insurance plan. “That potentially could create some problems for them. I mean, if they're not if they're not prepared for having to pay extra out of pocket now throughout the year with that plan that has less rich benefits,” she explained. Sheppard says the data also doesn’t account for people who may drop coverage after realizing their premiums increased. She says CMS should release more data next month.
==========
Kansas Bill Would Require Schools to Stock Naloxone
UNDATED (KNS) — Public schools in Kansas would be required to keep a supply of naloxone under a bill being considered by the state House education committee. The Kansas News Service reports that schools would have to keep at least one dose of naloxone nasal spray on hand at all times. The medicine can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Stacy Rogers lost her son to an overdose in 2022. She spoke in support of the bill at a recent hearing, saying “...students need to know that fentanyl is now commonly found in counterfeit pills and other substances they may believe are safe.” The measure would establish a grant program to help districts buy naloxone. School districts would also have to educate high school students on preventing opioid abuse. Many school districts in Kansas already keep naloxone on hand.
==========
Suspect Arrested in Connection with Multiple Lawrence Arsons and Burglaries
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - Police and fire investigators in Lawrence say a suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of suspected arsons and burglaries. Detectives say the suspect was taken into custody over the weekend. Though authorities have not yet identified the suspect, they say this person is charged with multiple aggravated arsons and burglaries that took place between December 2025 and this month.
==========
Biofuel Industry Looks to Global Shipping Sector as Possible Growth Area
UNDATED (HPM) — Biofuel leaders in the Midwest say the global shipping sector could be a new market for biodiesel and ethanol - and the crops used to make them. Harvest Public Media reports that economist Dave Miller led a recent study about future corn demand for the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He says the study showed that “...globally, the Marine fuel market is a 70 to 80 billion gallon a year market. It's a very big market. If corn could take even 2 to 3% of that market with ultra low carbon ethanol, it would very much help close this demand gap.”
A global agreement would have required cargo ships to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to cleaner fuel - or pay a pollution tax. The U.S. threatened countries with sanctions, visa restrictions and fines if they voted in favor of the measure. A motion to delay the vote until this coming fall narrowly passed. (Read more.)
==========
EPA Proposal Would Limit Federal Waterway and Wetland Protections Under Clean Water Act
UNDATED (HPM) — A proposed ruling from the Environmental Protection Agency would limit which waterways and wetlands are protected under the Clean Water Act. Harvest Public Media reports that the proposed change has drawn concern from environmental advocates, who say it rejects watershed science and leaves the vast majority of wetlands vulnerable to development. But farm advocacy groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation say the new definition would give farmers more clarity about whether parts of their fields classify as protected wetlands. Courtney Briggs, a senior director of government affairs at the Farm Bureau, says the revision could lift some pressure off farmers. “We at the Farm Bureau have been advocating for a bright line of jurisdiction, so that landowners clearly know what can be regulated by the federal government, what is going to be regulated by state governments,” she explained. Briggs expects more guidance to come about how farmers can implement the outlined changes.
==========
K-State Assistant Basketball Coach Suspended After Arrest
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KSNT) — An assistant men’s basketball coach at Kansas State University has been suspended after he was arrested for domestic battery. Mark Vital Jr. was a graduate student manager. Vital and a 27-year-old woman were both arrested early Monday and charged with domestic battery. In a statement, K-State says Vital has “been removed from all team responsibilities until the judicial process runs its course.” KSNT reports Vital joined the K-State staff at the beginning of the current season. He played college basketball at Baylor, where his coach was the current K-State coach, Jerome Tang.
==========
KU Men Beat No. 1-Ranked Arizona, 82-78
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — The ninth-ranked University of Kansas men’s basketball team handed top-ranked Arizona its first loss of the season, 82-78, Monday night. It’s the first time in six attempts the Jayhawks have beaten a No. 1 ranked team in Allen Fieldhouse. That said, KU coach Bill Self says he got fired up from this win for another reason. “I think I was probably a little more emotional because we’re better than what we played when we get all our pieces,” Self said after the game. “To me, that’s exciting.” The Jayhawks played without freshman sensation Darryn Peterson, who sat out the game with what Self says were “flu-like symptoms.”
==========
Washburn Men's Basketball Drops to No. 3 in Division II Coaches' Poll
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KPR) — The Washburn Ichabods men's basketball team fell out of the No. 1 slot in the NCAA Division II top 25 rankings for the first time in seven weeks. The team had its first loss of the season on February 7th against Central Missouri, snapping a 22-game winning streak. This week, the team dropped to No. 3 in the latest NABC poll, while still receiving three first-place votes. The Washburn men will host Arkansas-Fort Smith on Thursday.
==========
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).