New KC-46 Air Refueling Tankers Arrive at McConnell Air Force Base
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The first new KC-46 air refueling tankers have arrived at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. The Wichita Eagle reports that two of the tankers landed at the base Friday afternoon. The tanker uses the Boeing 767 passenger airplane as its airframe, and McConnell is the first base to receive the next-generation tanker. Boeing has said McConnell is slated to receive two more of the aircraft next week. The long-awaited tankers replace KC-135 air refueling tankers used by McConnell's two air refueling wings, the 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings. Eventually, McConnell will have 36 KC-46s to replace its aging fleet.
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Woman Suffering from Exposure Still in Topeka Hospital
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas authorities say a woman who was found with serious injuries resulting from exposure to the cold remains a patient at a Topeka hospital. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the woman's identity is not being released. Police were called Friday morning as wind chills plunged below zero to a house for a report of a woman on the front porch. Police say the woman was found lying on the porch wearing only a t-shirt. She was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Topeka police say officers have responded to at least four calls since January 20th from people asking for welfare checks on those suffering from exposure.
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Kansas to Hold Fall Hunting Season Despite Turkey Decline
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will allow hunters to kill turkeys this fall despite a call to suspend the season because the state's wild turkey populations have been in decline for 15 years. The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission ignored a suggestion from a team of biologists and law enforcement officials to temporarily halt the fall season, except for an area near the Nebraska border. The fall season from October through January brings fewer hunters and less money than the spring season. Kansas wildlife official Kent Fricke says the fall season is one of many factors driving down the state's turkey population. The department would lose more than $150,000 in annual tag sales if the fall season ended. The local economy would miss out on about $8 million.
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KC Zoo Names Otters for Star Wars Characters
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Zoo's names for three baby otters have fans joining the light side, including one well-known "Star Wars" alumnus. The Kansas City Star reports that the Asian small-clawed otter triplets born last October have been dubbed Han, Luke and Leia. The otters were introduced to zoo-goers for the first time on Friday. One fan of the names is actor Mark Hamill, who has played Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" movie franchise. Hamill took to Twitter on Friday to tweet, "Thanks for finally reuniting Han, Luke and Leia, @KansasCityZoo. It's much appreciated! #YouOtterBeProudOfYourselves." The triplets join older siblings Connor, Clover and Otis, along with parents Cai and Ian on exhibit inside the zoo's tropics building.
