DEVELOPING STORY: Powerful Storm, Possible Tornado Hits Multiple Kansas Cities
SHARON SPRINGS, Kan. (KAKE) – Late Friday night a powerful storm hit multiple Kansas communities, including Sharon Springs, Grainfield, Mingo, Winona, and Grainfield. KAKE TV reports that Wallace County Sherriff's Office was unable to confirm if the storm was an actual tornado, although images seem to indicate that it was. Also, people in the area reported that their tornado alarms did go off. So far, there have been no reported injuries.
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Winds, Dust Close Part of Interstate 70
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - Strong winds, dusty conditions, and limited visibility closed portions of Interstate 70 Friday and are being blamed for numerous accidents across the state, particularly in northwest Kansas. It's part of a storm system threatening severe weather from the Upper Midwest to the southern Plains states this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for much of Kansas, where 25 to 30 mile per hour winds are expected, with gusts up to 55 miles per hour.
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KU Employees May Get 5 Percent Pay Raise
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - Many University of Kansas employees may get a five-percent pay raise next year. The Lawrence Journal World reports that Chancellor Douglas Girold said in an interview that five percent is the target for next year's budget. Whether that budget will include a tuition hike is still under consideration. Girod's remarks came after Kansas lawmakers this week approved a state budget that includes $108 million in new funding for higher education.
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Topeka Police Investigate Body Found Near River
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Topeka police are investigating the death of a person found Friday afternoon in the Kansas River. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the cause and manner of death are still under investigation. The person's name, age, and gender have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
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Wichita Man Sentenced in Shooting Death of McConnell Airman
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Wichita man has been sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for shooting into a crowd of people at a party, killing a man from South Carolina and injuring three others. Markeithen “Red” McClaine was sentenced Thursday for the July 2019 shooting that killed 20-year-old Airman 1st Class Chancellor Williams, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, who was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. McClaine pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder and three counts of attempted second-degree murder . Prosecutors said McClaine fired at least six shots into a crowd who had gathered to celebrate an upcoming Air Force deployment.
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KC Police Department Welcomes Interim Chief
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City police department has a new interim chief, as embattled Chief Rick Smith officially retired. Deputy Chief Joe Mabin, a 22-year veteran of the department, was sworn in Friday. Mabin, who leads the department's investigations bureau, has said he will not apply for the permanent position. Smith, who served 34 years in the department, was chief since 2017. Civil rights activists had called for years to have Smith retire or be fired, citing his handling of excessive force cases involving officers and the killing of Black men by police officers. The department announced in November that Smith planned to retire this spring.
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Black KC Sergeant Sues Police after Traffic Stop
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Black Kansas City sergeant is suing the police department after he was stopped by two colleagues, who he says later conspired to accuse him of misconduct. Herb Robinson says in a lawsuit the two officers racially profiled him when they stopped him in 2021. The Kansas City Star reports Robinson, a 30-year veteran of the police department, was driving an unmarked car but wearing his police uniform when he was stopped. He alleges the officers yelled at him as they approached the car but eventually let him go. The police department does not comment on pending litigation.
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These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 a.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today!