War of Words Between Fired Coach and K-State Heating Up
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KPR/ESPN) — The battle over fired Kansas State University head men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang’s $18 million buyout is turning contentious. On Sunday the school fired Tang for cause, saying comments he made about the team after a blowout loss to Cincinnati embarrassed the university. And, by embarrassing the university “nationally and locally,” K-State athletic director Gene Taylor says Tang violated his contract.
But Tang is fighting back. In comments reported by ESPN, his lawyer Tom Mars warned, “If K-State’s President and AD really think the school was embarrassed by recent events, that’s nothing compared to the embarrassment that both of them are about to experience.” Mars says he plans to file a lawsuit, but first he will “give K-State’s President and AD a few days to regain their senses before we pull the trigger.”
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DEVELOPING STORY: Organization Says It Has Confirmed ICE Detainments in Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LJW) — A Lawrence organization called Sanctuary Alliance has alerted the community that agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, have been detaining people in the city. According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Sanctuary Alliance posted on Facebook Tuesday that it had received multiple reports of ICE activity in Lawrence. The Journal-World reports that it has not been able to independently confirm the information.
The Sanctuary Alliance Facebook post said ICE agents had been seen in various parts of the city. The alliance is a collective that advocates for and provides resources and support to the local immigrant community. The City of Lawrence tried to adopt a set of immigrant protections a few years ago, only to walk them back out of concern that they might conflict with a 2022 state law banning sanctuary cities.
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DHS Confirms ICE Activity in Olathe
JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (KSHB) — As the debate on immigration enforcement takes center stage across the country, Kansas has largely already had that debate. KSHB TV reports that in 2022, the Kansas Legislature passed a law banning sanctuary cities. This means cities can’t shield immigrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement or interfere with ICE agents. But ICE is not required to notify local law enforcement agencies when it operates in their jurisdiction. A public affairs officer from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to KSHB that ICE agents were working in Olathe on Friday.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Lenexa and Overland Park police departments, do not participate in an ICE program which authorizes local law enforcement to act on ICE’s behalf. A Lenexa police spokesperson said it “does not conduct enforcement actions based solely on an individual’s immigration status."
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Kansas Senate Votes to Override Governor's Veto of Transgender Bathroom Ban
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — The Kansas Senate voted Tuesday to override Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill that bans transgender people from using government building bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. They’ll be required to use restrooms that match their sex assigned at birth. The Kansas News Service reports that critics of the bill say it’s not something lawmakers should be working on. They argue controversial bills like this make it harder to attract economic development to the state.
Republican Senator Kellie Warren rejected that view, and the bill is focused on privacy in places like bathrooms. “This bill is a needed bill. It will help protect Kansans and it applies to everyone the same,” she said.
The bill now heads to the Kansas House, where it will need a two-thirds majority to override the governor’s veto and become law.
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Legislative Committee Advances Bill Changing Mandatory School Attendance Age
UNDATED (KMUW) — Kansas lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require children to attend school starting at 6 years old. KMUW reports that parents can enroll their children in school starting at age 5 in Kansas, but it’s not required until they turn 7. Republican Representative Susan Estes chairs the House Education Committee. She says she was surprised by current state law. “Even though it may not be a common practice, I just think that is too late, and there is too much essential education that is missed at a younger age,” she said.
Children are required to attend school by age 6 in at least 39 other states and Washington, D.C. Committee members supported passing the bill. It now awaits a vote on the House floor.
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Concordia Police Say Alleged Child Sex Predator May Have More Victims
CONCORDIA, Kan. (KPR) — Police in Cloud County, in north central Kansas, have arrested a man in connection with crimes against children, and they say there may be more victims. Concordia Police arrested 21-year-old David Lucas Brown, who also goes by Axel Brown, last Friday. Brown faces multiple charges including rape and indecent liberties with a child. He’s also been charged with drug possession. In a social media post, the Concordia Police Department is asking parents to speak with their children to see if they have had any contact with Brown. If they have, the parents are asked to contact Concordia police.
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Residents Evacuated from Southwest Kansas Town Due to Approaching Wildfire
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) — A small southwest Kansas town has evacuated due to an approaching wildfire from Oklahoma. The Kansas News Service reports that multiple wildfires around the Oklahoma panhandle are spreading towards the Kansas border. The town of Englewood, Kansas, with a population of about 70, has had to evacuate due to a wildfire moving northeast from Oklahoma. Most of the region remains under a red flag warning this evening as wind gusts above 60 miles per hour sweep across the southwest part of the state. Another fire has crossed into Stevens County, but not yet near any towns.
(–Related–)
Fires in Northern Oklahoma Threaten Counties in Southern Kansas
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Raging wildfires in northern Oklahoma are threatening to move into counties in southern Kansas. KSNW-TV reports that large fires in the Oklahoma panhandle - northeastern Beaver County and northeastern Texas County - are burning toward the northeast and threatening communities in southern and southwest Kansas.
Ashland Public Schools dismissed class early Tuesday due to the wildfire threat. The district said it was a precautionary move. Meanwhile, the City of Hugoton said high winds caused power outages in parts of town.
Much of central and western Kansas remains under high wind warnings and Red Flag Warnings until 8 pm Tuesday.
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Kansas Senate Committee Considers Kratom Ban
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV/WIBW-TV) — A Kansas Senate committee heard testimony Monday on a bill that would classify kratom as a Schedule 1 drug. The synthetic drug is currently legal and widely available in gas stations and smoke shops. It can give users an opioid-like high. KCTV reports the bill would also impose stiff penalties for manufacturing or selling the drug. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has reported 21 deaths from kratom or related substances in 2023 and 12 in 2024. WIBW-TV reports the committee did not act on the bill on Monday. A House committee is considering a similar bill.
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Salina Animal Shelter Fails State Inspection
SALINA, Kan. (WIBW-TV) — Kansas Department of Agriculture inspectors have failed the Salina Animal Shelter in their latest report. WIBW-TV reports the shelter was found to be non-compliant in a number of areas, including euthanization. WIBW-TV reports inspectors found animals were being euthanized without sedation, and the procedure was being performed by employees with no training or certification in euthanasia. In a statement posted on social media, the shelter says it takes compliance seriously and has “already implemented multiple corrections.” At least 61 animals have been euthanized at the Salina shelter since last October 1.
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Kansas Governor Appoints New Adjutant General
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas has a new adjutant general. Governor Laura Kelly announced the appointment of Brigadier General Paul W. Schneider on Monday. Schneider will replace Michael Venerdi, who is retiring. The adjutant general is the commander of the Kansas National Guard, which includes both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Schneider has served as the director of the Joint Staff for the Kansas National Guard since April 2023. He earned awards for his service in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Spartan Shield, earning the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star.
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Study Shows Juvenile Justice Reforms Helped Cut Repeat Offense Rates
UNDATED (KNS) — A study by Kansas juvenile welfare advocates shows justice reforms enacted 10 years ago cut repeat offense rates in half. But the Kansas News Service reports that a bill in the Kansas senate threatens to reverse that progress. Senate lawmakers are considering a bill that would double the maximum detention time for juveniles from 45 days to 90 days.
Brenna Visocsky of Kansas Appleseed helped with the study. She says the bill would roll back reforms that aimed to reduce incarceration of children. “It's really going to widen the door to detention. In fact, I would argue that it's gonna blow the door to detention back wide open,” she cautioned.
Supporters of the bill say it would provide earlier intervention for young offenders. Senate lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposal this week.
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World Cup Fan Festival Details Announced for Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCUR) — Key details for the free celebration and festival that’s planned alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City were announced Tuesday. KCUR reports that Kansas City’s World Cup soccer party, known as the FIFA Fan Festival, will be open at least 18 days in June and July. That includes all Kansas City match days, every U.S. Men’s National Team match day, and July Fourth, according to a press release from KC2026. General admission will be first-come, and guests will need to register to get in. The event will be held on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, with themed events to show off Kansas City’s sports culture. (Read more.)
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Western Kansas Wind Shuts Down I-70 Between Colby and WaKeeney
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) — Strong winds and blowing dust have forced the Kansas Department of Transportation to close Interstate 70 in both directions between Colby and WaKeeney. Officials say there have already been a number of vehicle crashes which are blocking the roadway and visibility has been reduced because of blowing dust.
High Wind and Red Flag Warnings are in effect through the afternoon across much of western Kansas. Motorists are advised to consider delaying non-essential travel if possible. For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit kandrive.gov, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.
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Kansas Racer Wins 2026 International Pancake Day Race
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) — A small southwest Kansas town continued its tradition Tuesday of bringing the community together to watch women racing while flipping pancakes. This year, a racer in Liberal won the International Pancake Day race.
Women dressed in aprons and headscarves while holding frying pans sprinted through downtown Liberal for the annual International Pancake Day race. The town of Liberal has grown famous for the novel holiday. They have celebrated and competed with the town of Olney, England, for 77 years. Liberal’s Hannah McCarter crossed the finish line with a time of one minute and three seconds, beating England by two seconds. “I didn’t think I could finish, so, I heard my dad screaming at me, so I just gave it all I had,” McCarter told the Kansas News Service. The tradition is based on the story of a woman in England who was late to church, so she ran down the street clutching a pan with a pancake.
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Falling Aquifer Levels Could Force Kansas Water Cuts
UNDATED (KSN) — Officials say water levels in parts of the massive Ogallala Aquifer are dropping at an alarming rate, and many Kansas farmers could soon face major water cuts as a result. Groundwater Management District 3, which covers southwest Kansas, says parts of the aquifer are dropping two to four feet a year. KSN reports the district has proposed reducing irrigation water use by nearly a third over 25 years. Farmers would see gradual cuts of four to six percent at a time. If nothing is done, officials say the state may step in and impose even more drastic cuts. Community meetings on the issue will be held in Garden City on Wednesday and in Johnson City on Thursday.
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Farmers React to U.S. House Vote on Canadian Tariff Repeal
UNDATED (HPM) — The U.S. House recently voted to repeal President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, one of the country’s largest and most important trade partners. Even if the bill made it to President Trump’s desk, it would almost certainly be vetoed. Still, Pam Johnson, past president of the National Corn Growers Association, says her reaction to the House vote was “jubilation.” Earlier this month, she sent a letter with other former heads of farm groups and senior USDA officials to the House and Senate ag committees.
“We want the administration and Congress to do their jobs, and what does that mean for us?” she said to Harvest Public Media. “It means that we want them to listen to their constituents and care about the issues that affect our daily lives and our kids’ futures.” The letter recommends nine actions for Congress, which Johnson says could help the U.S. avoid a farm crisis. This includes a repeal of tariffs disrupting agricultural export markets.
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Report: Forests Rapidly Overwhelming Kansas Prairie
UNDATED (KSNT) — A new report finds forests are swallowing up Kansas prairies at an alarming rate. The report comes from the State department of agriculture. KSNT reports many ranchers are stunned by how quickly the trees are taking over. Officials say the loss of prairie has widespread effects far beyond ranching. Trees use up much more groundwater than grasslands. They can also be a greater fire hazard.
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Lawrence Shelter Sees Spike in Pet Surrenders from Worried Immigrants
LAWRENCE, Kan. (LT) — The Lawrence Humane Society says it’s seen an uptick in animals being surrendered to the shelter due to their owners’ fears of being deported. So far this year three dogs have been dropped off by people who say they were worried they might be arrested by immigration agents. The shelter tells the Lawrence Times it’s also received “at least three or four phone inquiries” from people concerned about their immigration status. Humane Society officials say they expect those numbers to grow. In Minneapolis, where immigration enforcement was recently ramped up, shelters have reported a jump in pet surrenders from immigrants.
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KDHE Launches Website to Aid Health Care Providers During World Cup 2026
UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas health officials are prepping for the more than half a million World Cup visitors coming to the Kansas City area. That huge gathering means it’s an ideal place for diseases to spread. The Kansas News Service reports that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently launched a website aimed at helping physicians recognize and stop the spread of infectious disease. State epidemiologist Farah Ahmed says diseases including respiratory illnesses spread quickly in large gatherings. She says they’re training physicians to “Think Travel History.” “Even though it'll be summertime for us, we will have a lot of travelers coming from the southern hemisphere and they will be in their respiratory season, so they'll be bringing those illnesses in,” she cautions. Ahmed says KDHE will also publish weekly domestic and international infectious disease reports, so doctors know what to watch for. (Read more.)
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Winters Warming Faster in Kansas and Missouri
UNDATED (HPM) — In Kansas and Missouri, climate change is particularly affecting temperatures in the winter. The nonprofit organization Climate Central analyzed the weather in about 250 U.S. cities going back to 1970.The four seasons aren’t all getting warmer at the same rate. And the situation is different in different regions. For the cities that Climate Central examined in Kansas and Missouri, winter is the season that has warmed up the most since 1970. Harvest Public Media reports this is the case for many eastern U.S. cities, as well. Many cities in the western U.S. have seen temperatures rise the most in the summer or fall.
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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).