PETTIS COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a small plane crash that occurred Friday in Sedalia.

The city of Sedalia reported the plane crashed at the&nbsp;Sedalia Regional Airport. The aircraft involved is not owned or operated by the City of Sedalia.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported and no fire associated with the incident.&nbsp;

Emergency responders and airport personnel were quickly on scene and worked together to ensure the area was secured and the situation was handled safely.

"We are grateful for the swift response from first responders and relieved that no one was hurt."&nbsp; &nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will investigate. Authorities reported no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773528494371.png" alt="google map" />
 <figcaption>google map</figcaption>
 </figure>PETTIS COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a small plane crash that occurred Friday in Sedalia.The city of Sedalia reported the plane crashed at the&nbsp;Sedalia Regional Airport. The aircraft involved is not owned or operated by the City of Sedalia.Fortunately, there were no injuries reported and no fire associated with the incident.&nbsp;Emergency responders and airport personnel were quickly on scene and worked together to ensure the area was secured and the situation was handled safely."We are grateful for the swift response from first responders and relieved that no one was hurt."&nbsp; &nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will investigate. Authorities reported no additional details.

Small plane crash at airport in Missouri

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach launched a statewide public awareness campaign to address the growing fentanyl crisis that is taking a devastating toll on our communities.

More than 1,500 Kansans have already lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses, and the threat continues to rise. This deadly drug is not only consumed by those who seek it out, but is increasingly laced into other substances, a social event, with friends, online, or unknowingly consuming pills that contain fentanyl. Since an overdose can happen anywhere at any time, it’s critical to have easy access to Naloxone to save a life.

Each distribution box contains naloxone -&nbsp;2 doses per box.

To maximize access, we have collaborated with 40 colleges and universities across Kansas to place these boxes in visible, public, temperature-controlled locations where community members could easily find and use them.

Every host site receives ongoing support, including box refills and assistance asneeded,&nbsp;from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and DCCA. Throughout the program, Emily’s Hope tracks distribution data toevaluate impact and guide future efforts.

<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/reports-resources/emily-s-hope-naloxone-distribution-program?fbclid=IwY2xjawQdBilleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCZGtWNnBXaHREREJCdmZhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmrKcrsqrxJ1He_Glz-i0Gt229RZ6DnW96Wtt3oIlyUu_BDZtLwS4cgBKoZB_aem_gsRusthn-mjqRIEqfF55HA">Click here to</a> find a box near you.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773151867930.png" alt="Naloxone box at Fort Hays Tech Northwest" />
 <figcaption>Naloxone box at Fort Hays Tech Northwest</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Kansas Attorney GeneralKansas Attorney General Kris Kobach launched a statewide public awareness campaign to address the growing fentanyl crisis that is taking a devastating toll on our communities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773152077450.png" alt="--This week, the Kansas AG's office delivered a naloxone distribution box to Washburn University, providing free, easy access to this critical overdose-reversal medication for students, faculty, and visitors.- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>--This week, the Kansas AG's office delivered a naloxone distribution box to Washburn University, providing free, easy access to this critical overdose-reversal medication for students, faculty, and visitors.- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>More than 1,500 Kansans have already lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses, and the threat continues to rise. This deadly drug is not only consumed by those who seek it out, but is increasingly laced into other substances, a social event, with friends, online, or unknowingly consuming pills that contain fentanyl. Since an overdose can happen anywhere at any time, it’s critical to have easy access to Naloxone to save a life.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773152109117.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Locations so far include:<ul>
 <li>Feb. 6th:&nbsp;&nbsp;The University of Kansas - Watkins Memorial Health Center&nbsp;1200 Schwegler Drive - Located in the Health Department Lobby</li><li>Feb. 6th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas University Medical Center&nbsp; 39th and Rainbow Boulvard - Located In the Health Education Building</li><li>Feb. 10th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Butler Community College&nbsp;901 S Haverhill Road - Located in the Student Union lobby</li><li>Feb. 11th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita State University&nbsp;1845 Fairmount Street - Located in the Rhatigan Student Center</li><li>Feb. 12th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Pittsburg State University&nbsp;1701 S Broadway - Located in the Student Union</li><li>Feb. 12th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Fort Scott Community College&nbsp;2108 S Horton Street - Located in Bailey Hall Student Center</li><li>Feb. 17th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Sterling College&nbsp;- 125 W. Cooper Street - Located in the Student Union</li><li>Feb 17th:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dodge City Community College&nbsp;- 2501 N 14th Avenue – Located in the Student Union</li><li>Feb 17th:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hutchinson Community College&nbsp;- 1300 N Plum Street - Located in the Student Union</li><li>Feb. 18th:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Garden City Community College&nbsp;- 801 Campus Drive - Located in the Student Center</li><li>Feb. 18th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Fort Hays State University&nbsp;- 600 Park Street - Located in the Student Center</li><li>Feb. 18th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas State University&nbsp;- 919 Mid-Campus Drive North - Located in the Student Union</li><li>Feb. 19th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Pratt Community College&nbsp;348 KS-61 - Located in the Main Campus Building</li><li>Feb. 25th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Allen Community College&nbsp;- 1801 N Cottonwood Street – Located in Student Center</li><li>Feb. 25th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Coffeyville Community College&nbsp;- 400 W 11th Street – Located in Student Center</li><li>Feb. 25th:&nbsp; Independence Community College&nbsp;- 1057 W College Avenue – Located in Resource Center</li><li>Feb. 25th:&nbsp; Labette Community College&nbsp;- 200 S 14th Street – Located in Student Union</li><li>Feb. 25th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Neosho Community College&nbsp;– 800 West 14th Street – Located in Student Union</li><li>Feb 25th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Southwestern College&nbsp;- Winfield100 N College Street – Located in Student Union</li><li>March 3rd:&nbsp;&nbsp;Colby Community College&nbsp;-&nbsp;1255 S Range Avenue – Located in Barnett Student Union</li><li>March 3rd:&nbsp;&nbsp;Fort Hays Tech-Northwest&nbsp;-1209 Harrison Avenue – Located in Main Building</li><li>March 4th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Seward County Community College&nbsp;-1801 N Kansas Avenue – Located in Student Union</li><li>March 4th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Barton Community College&nbsp;-245 NE 30 Road – Located in Student Union</li><li>March 4th:&nbsp;&nbsp;Bethany College&nbsp;- 335 E Swensson Street – Located in Student Union</li>
 </ul>Each distribution box contains naloxone -&nbsp;2 doses per box.To maximize access, we have collaborated with 40 colleges and universities across Kansas to place these boxes in visible, public, temperature-controlled locations where community members could easily find and use them.Every host site receives ongoing support, including box refills and assistance asneeded,&nbsp;from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and DCCA. Throughout the program, Emily’s Hope tracks distribution data toevaluate impact and guide future efforts.<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/reports-resources/emily-s-hope-naloxone-distribution-program?fbclid=IwY2xjawQdBilleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCZGtWNnBXaHREREJCdmZhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmrKcrsqrxJ1He_Glz-i0Gt229RZ6DnW96Wtt3oIlyUu_BDZtLwS4cgBKoZB_aem_gsRusthn-mjqRIEqfF55HA">Click here to</a> find a box near you.

Kansas AG's statewide campaign to address the growing fentanyl crisis

KANSAS CITY – A Missouri man has been indicted with two counts of willful transmission of national defense information.&nbsp; The indictment was returned by a grand jury under seal and was made public this week after the arrest and initial appearance of the defendant, according to the United State's Attorney.

Seth Chambers, 35, a former United States Marine Corps. Intelligence Analyst, was employed as a civilian contractor and stationed in Iraq during the time frame alleged in the indictment.&nbsp;The indictment states that, as part of his duties, he held a security clearance that authorized him to view classified material up to a TOP SECRET level and therefore had access to national defense and classified information.

According to court documents, on two separate occasions, the defendant willfully transmitted SECRET level documents to two separate individuals who were not entitled or authorized to receive it.&nbsp; 

The first transmission occurred on Dec. 10, 2022, when the defendant transmitted a white paper containing verbatim and near verbatim excerpts from classified U.S. government documents and was sent to an individual in Maryland.&nbsp; The second transmission of a document containing verbatim and near verbatim excerpts from classified U.S. government documents occurred on April 20, 2023, and was sent to an individual believed to be in the People’s Republic of China.

If convicted, under federal statutes, Chambers is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole on each count. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Kelleher and Trial Attorneys Nicolas Hunter and Sean O’Dowd of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. It was investigated by FBI Kansas City Field Office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773437840937.png" alt="Chambers photo Greene Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Chambers photo Greene Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Missouri man has been indicted with two counts of willful transmission of national defense information.&nbsp; The indictment was returned by a grand jury under seal and was made public this week after the arrest and initial appearance of the defendant, according to the United State's Attorney.Seth Chambers, 35, a former United States Marine Corps. Intelligence Analyst, was employed as a civilian contractor and stationed in Iraq during the time frame alleged in the indictment.&nbsp;The indictment states that, as part of his duties, he held a security clearance that authorized him to view classified material up to a TOP SECRET level and therefore had access to national defense and classified information.According to court documents, on two separate occasions, the defendant willfully transmitted SECRET level documents to two separate individuals who were not entitled or authorized to receive it.&nbsp; The first transmission occurred on Dec. 10, 2022, when the defendant transmitted a white paper containing verbatim and near verbatim excerpts from classified U.S. government documents and was sent to an individual in Maryland.&nbsp; The second transmission of a document containing verbatim and near verbatim excerpts from classified U.S. government documents occurred on April 20, 2023, and was sent to an individual believed to be in the People’s Republic of China.If convicted, under federal statutes, Chambers is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole on each count. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Kelleher and Trial Attorneys Nicolas Hunter and Sean O’Dowd of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. It was investigated by FBI Kansas City Field Office.&nbsp;

Former U.S. intelligence analyst accused of sending classified info to China

KANSAS CITY —Three people were injured in an accident involving a car crash into a building.

Just before noon Thursday, Kansas City Fire Department crews responded to a reported car into a building in the 4200 block of 31 Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders found two vehicles had been involved in a motor vehicle accident with one of the vehicles crashing into the building located on the corner. 

Three patients were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;The building houses an automotive shop nad sustained significant damage, according to Hopkins.

Dangerous Buildings and City Planning were requested to the scene. No other injuries were reported at this incident other than the three occupants of the vehicles.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773344383086.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Three people were injured in an accident involving a car crash into a building.Just before noon Thursday, Kansas City Fire Department crews responded to a reported car into a building in the 4200 block of 31 Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders found two vehicles had been involved in a motor vehicle accident with one of the vehicles crashing into the building located on the corner. Three patients were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;The building houses an automotive shop nad sustained significant damage, according to Hopkins.Dangerous Buildings and City Planning were requested to the scene. No other injuries were reported at this incident other than the three occupants of the vehicles.&nbsp;

Three hospitalized after car crash into a building in Kansas City

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773456294669.png" alt="President Trump met with rodeo champions on Friday in the Oval Office- photo White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump met with rodeo champions on Friday in the Oval Office- photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last night, U.S. forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran. The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites. U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg… <a href="https://t.co/2X1glD4Flt">pic.twitter.com/2X1glD4Flt</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2032777791247155482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island... Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we… <a href="https://t.co/2iEzCOyA3P">pic.twitter.com/2iEzCOyA3P</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2032596037303697430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/pkODSYMAo4">pic.twitter.com/pkODSYMAo4</a>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2032591643694739823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;To me, it means very simply that we are in a position of dominance,&quot; says <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on &quot;unconditional surrender&quot; by Iran. &quot;Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Most of their military is gone... Just about everything is gone, and you&#39;ll see that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/I4pyhEs4N9">pic.twitter.com/I4pyhEs4N9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2032590590643220870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump: US struck military targets on Iran's key oil export hub island

CASS COUNTY, Mo.—A Nebraska man died in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Friday near Kansas City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Ford Explorer driven by a 30-year-old Lee's Summit man was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 49 at MO 291&nbsp; &nbsp;The SUV struck a 2012 Toyota Prius driven by a 22-year-old Seward, Nebraska man.

The driver of the Prius was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Forensic Medical of Kansas.&nbsp;

 EMS transported the SUV driver and two passengers in the Prius including a 21-year-old man a 24-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska man to Research Medical Center. EMS also transported a third passenger in the Prius, a. 21-year-old Omaha, Nebraska man to Belton Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The Omaha man was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. 

The Patrol did not report the hometown of the 21-year-old transported to Research Medical Center. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CASS COUNTY, Mo.—A Nebraska man died in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Friday near Kansas City.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Ford Explorer driven by a 30-year-old Lee's Summit man was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 49 at MO 291&nbsp; &nbsp;The SUV struck a 2012 Toyota Prius driven by a 22-year-old Seward, Nebraska man.The driver of the Prius was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Forensic Medical of Kansas.&nbsp; EMS transported the SUV driver and two passengers in the Prius including a 21-year-old man a 24-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska man to Research Medical Center. EMS also transported a third passenger in the Prius, a. 21-year-old Omaha, Nebraska man to Belton Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The Omaha man was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol did not report the hometown of the 21-year-old transported to Research Medical Center. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

One dead, 4 hospitalized after wrong-way crash on Mo. highway

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man faces charges connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage boy that occurred in 2023.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2824/AndersonTaron-Complaint-Packet-1">Taron Anderson</a>, 21,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Unlawful Use of Weapon; shooting at a person, according&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

 Anderson was a juvenile at the time of the shooting. Family Court certified him to stand trial as an adult and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office then officially charged him.&nbsp;

According to court records, a shooting victim was transported to the hospital on January 8, 2023, and was pronounced deceased. The shooting originally occurred in front of a residence in south Kansas City. &nbsp;

Based on witness reports and doorbell video footage, detectives determined the shooting occurred when Anderson attempted to rob the victim at gunpoint during a marijuana sale. Anderson agreed to purchase marijuana from the victim. Anderson pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at the victim and then fled.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond at $150,000 cash only.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773174962632.png" alt="Anderson photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Anderson photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man faces charges connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage boy that occurred in 2023.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2824/AndersonTaron-Complaint-Packet-1">Taron Anderson</a>, 21,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Unlawful Use of Weapon; shooting at a person, according&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. Anderson was a juvenile at the time of the shooting. Family Court certified him to stand trial as an adult and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office then officially charged him.&nbsp;According to court records, a shooting victim was transported to the hospital on January 8, 2023, and was pronounced deceased. The shooting originally occurred in front of a residence in south Kansas City. &nbsp;Based on witness reports and doorbell video footage, detectives determined the shooting occurred when Anderson attempted to rob the victim at gunpoint during a marijuana sale. Anderson agreed to purchase marijuana from the victim. Anderson pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at the victim and then fled.&nbsp;A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond at $150,000 cash only.

KC man allegedly killed teen during marijuana sale

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after 3a.m.&nbsp;March 9, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of a Chevy Malibu for a traffic violation near U.S. Highway 75 and 150th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Toni Jo Messenger, 48, of Keokuk, Iowa. 

During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff K-9 detected the odor of illegal drugs or narcotics inside the vehicle. A probable cause search resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs or narcotics.

Messenger was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for requested charge that include Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant (methamphetamine),&nbsp;Possession of controlled substance and&nbsp;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773264676189.png" alt="Messenger -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Messenger -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after 3a.m.&nbsp;March 9, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of a Chevy Malibu for a traffic violation near U.S. Highway 75 and 150th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Toni Jo Messenger, 48, of Keokuk, Iowa. During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff K-9 detected the odor of illegal drugs or narcotics inside the vehicle. A probable cause search resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs or narcotics.Messenger was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for requested charge that include Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant (methamphetamine),&nbsp;Possession of controlled substance and&nbsp;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Iowa woman caught transporting meth in Kansas

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill enabling homeless veterans to be eligible for a non-driver identification card by the state of Kansas without charge and designating Aug. 7 of each year as Purple Heart Day in Kansas.

The legislation was part of a bundled bill about veterans affairs that was put together during the 2025 legislative session but not approved until the 2026 session.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2274_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 2274</a>&nbsp;was unanimously passed by the House and Senate.

By expanding veterans’ access to ID cards, HB 2274 could help remove barriers to services, treatments or employment opportunities requiring a form of identification. The new law affirmed the state couldn’t charge a fee to homeless veterans eligible for the identification cards if the individual could verify military service with the Kansas Office of Veterans Service.

&nbsp;“This commonsense legislation is one way we can show our respect and appreciation for those who have served, while also making life a bit easier for veterans who are finding their footing upon return to civilian life,” Kelly said.

The ID portion of the bill was introduced by Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita.

Under the Purple Heart provisions, Kansas would formally recognize individuals who earned the military decoration by being wounded or killed by enemy action in service of the U.S. armed forces.

Rep. Nate Butler, a Junction City Republican and retired U.S. Army major, said the annual Aug. 7 observance would reinforce the state’s reputation as a military-friendly state. The date reflects the Aug. 7, 1782, creation of the “Badge of Military Merit” by George Washington, who was commander in chief of the Continental Army.

“Kansas has always taken pride in the men and women who were either drafted or volunteered to defend our nation,” Butler said.

Kelly also signed a bill articulating the scope of practice for optometry under House Bill 2223, which was adopted 98-23 by the House and 34-6 by the Senate.

The governor put her signature to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_sb348_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 348</a>&nbsp;to exempt not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiaries of an public electric cooperative utility from jurisdiction of the Kansas Corporation Commission. The legislation was approved unanimously by the Legislature.

She signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_sb335_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 335</a>, which would require that public construction contracts in Kansas include a waiver for claims of “consequential” damages, but not direct damages. The bill approved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260218110624_918711/" target="_blank">37-2 by the Senate</a>&nbsp;and by a margin of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260305120354_804505/" target="_blank">84-34 in the House</a>&nbsp;didn’t apply to private construction contracts.

Rep. Mike King, R-Hesston, said the objective was to have contractors and public entities sign a mutual waiver to block legal claims of indirect damages related to loss of future revenue, business, staff time, goodwill or reputation.

“These damages are difficult to predict and impossible to quantify,” said King, who was secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation under former Gov. Sam Brownback.

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, said the bill should have been rejected by the Legislature because its provisions didn’t put interests of taxpayers at the forefront.

“It removes an important legal tool that’s used to basically recover indirect costs incurred as a result of this contractor breach that costs taxpayers’ money. My duty lies with protecting the taxpayer,” Sawyer Clayton said.

The bill was endorsed by the Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Crossland Construction and the Kansas Department of Commerce, but opposed by the League of Kansas Municipalities and the cities of Olathe, Overland Park and Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773428587682.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly, shown here in a Feb. 24, 2026, interview at the Statehouse in Topeka, signed a bill unanimously supported by the Kansas Legislature to allow issuance of a state identification card to homeless veterans without charging a fee and to designate Aug. 7 each year as a day to memorialize U.S. military recipients of the Purple Heart. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly, shown here in a Feb. 24, 2026, interview at the Statehouse in Topeka, signed a bill unanimously supported by the Kansas Legislature to allow issuance of a state identification card to homeless veterans without charging a fee and to designate Aug. 7 each year as a day to memorialize U.S. military recipients of the Purple Heart. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill enabling homeless veterans to be eligible for a non-driver identification card by the state of Kansas without charge and designating Aug. 7 of each year as Purple Heart Day in Kansas.The legislation was part of a bundled bill about veterans affairs that was put together during the 2025 legislative session but not approved until the 2026 session.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2274_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 2274</a>&nbsp;was unanimously passed by the House and Senate.By expanding veterans’ access to ID cards, HB 2274 could help remove barriers to services, treatments or employment opportunities requiring a form of identification. The new law affirmed the state couldn’t charge a fee to homeless veterans eligible for the identification cards if the individual could verify military service with the Kansas Office of Veterans Service.&nbsp;“This commonsense legislation is one way we can show our respect and appreciation for those who have served, while also making life a bit easier for veterans who are finding their footing upon return to civilian life,” Kelly said.The ID portion of the bill was introduced by Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita.Under the Purple Heart provisions, Kansas would formally recognize individuals who earned the military decoration by being wounded or killed by enemy action in service of the U.S. armed forces.Rep. Nate Butler, a Junction City Republican and retired U.S. Army major, said the annual Aug. 7 observance would reinforce the state’s reputation as a military-friendly state. The date reflects the Aug. 7, 1782, creation of the “Badge of Military Merit” by George Washington, who was commander in chief of the Continental Army.“Kansas has always taken pride in the men and women who were either drafted or volunteered to defend our nation,” Butler said.Kelly also signed a bill articulating the scope of practice for optometry under House Bill 2223, which was adopted 98-23 by the House and 34-6 by the Senate.The governor put her signature to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_sb348_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 348</a>&nbsp;to exempt not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiaries of an public electric cooperative utility from jurisdiction of the Kansas Corporation Commission. The legislation was approved unanimously by the Legislature.She signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_sb335_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 335</a>, which would require that public construction contracts in Kansas include a waiver for claims of “consequential” damages, but not direct damages. The bill approved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260218110624_918711/" target="_blank">37-2 by the Senate</a>&nbsp;and by a margin of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260305120354_804505/" target="_blank">84-34 in the House</a>&nbsp;didn’t apply to private construction contracts.Rep. Mike King, R-Hesston, said the objective was to have contractors and public entities sign a mutual waiver to block legal claims of indirect damages related to loss of future revenue, business, staff time, goodwill or reputation.“These damages are difficult to predict and impossible to quantify,” said King, who was secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation under former Gov. Sam Brownback.Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, said the bill should have been rejected by the Legislature because its provisions didn’t put interests of taxpayers at the forefront.“It removes an important legal tool that’s used to basically recover indirect costs incurred as a result of this contractor breach that costs taxpayers’ money. My duty lies with protecting the taxpayer,” Sawyer Clayton said.The bill was endorsed by the Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Crossland Construction and the Kansas Department of Commerce, but opposed by the League of Kansas Municipalities and the cities of Olathe, Overland Park and Wichita.

Kan. gov. signs bills about homeless veterans, utility regulation and construction lawsuits

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of fire in a rural Kansas City home.

Just after 1:30a.m. Thursday, crews&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported fire in the 13000 block of Rickey Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported fire showing from a 1-story residence. An offensive fire attack was initiated. Crews did change tactics, going to a defensive attack, due to the challenges of establishing a water source in the remote location. 

Relay pumping from a hydrant from a long distance and shuttling water with the rigs were utilized to get water. All occupants of the residence were able to get out on their own. The fire was brought under control at 3:08 a.m.

City Planning and Dangerous Building were requested to the scene. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773409744310.jpeg" alt="Photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of fire in a rural Kansas City home.Just after 1:30a.m. Thursday, crews&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported fire in the 13000 block of Rickey Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.On arrival, crews reported fire showing from a 1-story residence. An offensive fire attack was initiated. Crews did change tactics, going to a defensive attack, due to the challenges of establishing a water source in the remote location. Relay pumping from a hydrant from a long distance and shuttling water with the rigs were utilized to get water. All occupants of the residence were able to get out on their own. The fire was brought under control at 3:08 a.m.City Planning and Dangerous Building were requested to the scene. There were no injuries reported.

Crews shuttle water to fight fire at remote KC area home

WASHINGTON — All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

WASHINGTON. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.

WASHINGTON — All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary Hegseth: &quot;War is hell. War is chaos and as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3w84K1c4kI">pic.twitter.com/3w84K1c4kI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2032431696788791647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.---------------WASHINGTON. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary Hegseth: &quot;War is hell. War is chaos and as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3w84K1c4kI">pic.twitter.com/3w84K1c4kI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2032431696788791647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gen. Cane on loss of KC-135 refueling aircraft: &quot;The incident occurred over friendly territory in western Iraq while the crew was on a combat mission...was not the results of hostile or friendly fire.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/yZ4oNN4Fj4">pic.twitter.com/yZ4oNN4Fj4</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2032431757484531817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet over the middle east during Operation Epic Fury. <a href="https://t.co/3z9UzXyLt9">pic.twitter.com/3z9UzXyLt9</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2032115048340988255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

🎥New details: 6 aboard US military refueling plane killed in crash

TOPEKA — The Republican majority leader of the Kansas House and the chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly worked Thursday to resolve objections to a bill designed to make the state’s three largest public universities more financially efficient by removing layers of administrative red tape.

The bipartisan messages from House Majority Leader Chris Croft and Kelly’s chief of staff, Will Lawrence, and their willingness to endorse two key amendments to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2798/" target="_blank">House Bill 2798</a>, were sufficient to convince the chairman of Kansas Board of Regents to offer qualified support for the legislation.

All three urged removal from the bill of a provision limiting the Board of Regents’ role in administering the University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University to use of state-appropriated dollars. In addition, they agreed regulatory relief in the bill should be extended to Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University. The House Higher Education Budget Committee took the recommendations under advisement, and the committee’s chairman indicated the panel would start work on amending the bill on Monday.

“With the two changes you heard about today, the Board of Regents would be supportive of HB 2798 and its goal of improving university processes and operational efficiency,” said Blake Benson, chair of the state Board of Regents. “Our goal is to preserve accountability for public assets while thoughtfully addressing operational issues across all state universities.”

On Wednesday, the Board of Regents unanimously voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/12/kansas-house-studies-bill-granting-unprecedented-administrative-autonomy-to-ku-k-state-and-wsu/">oppose the current version of the bill</a>&nbsp;because of concerns it significantly eroded the nine-member board’s authority over the three largest public universities in Kansas.

The legislation emerged from behind-the-scenes meetings that began last fall among House Speaker Dan Hawkins, Senate President Ty Masterson, Kelly, Croft and Lawrence that eventually were broadened to include other legislators, university administrators and the Board of Regents. Initially, the idea was to expand the conversation to include the three smaller state universities, but there wasn’t time to engage with those institutions.

“The goal was, how do we enable our research universities to operate at the speed of innovation and to drive that speed of innovation,” said Croft, an Overland Park Republican. “That’s the underlying thing in everything we were trying to do. It relieves the R1s (doctoral research universities) of costly, bureaucratic entanglements while applying the appropriate oversight. We recognize this wasn’t an end-all, be-all. This is a good-faith effort.”

Lawrence, the chief of staff to the governor and chair of the closed-door planning sessions for the bill, said the ad hoc group didn’t have time to bring ESU, PSU and FHSU into conversations about regulatory change. So, he said, the decision was made not to include those universities in the bill.

“Didn’t want to put them in the bill, have them learn about it from the bill, freak out, not know what this is. So, we kept it to the three research universities,” he said.

Lawrence said the Board of Regents and Kansas Legislature would maintain oversight of the university system. Changes contained in the bill would fall primarily on redundant business policies under jurisdiction of the Kansas Department of Administration. He said there was no effort made to modify the Legislature’s influence on the universities. He said some concerns expressed about the bill were “a little bit overblown.”

Skeptics challenged the wisdom of lowering guardrails on state university contracting, procurement, construction, capital planning, property management and other business functions. There were questions about the bill’s impact on student tuition, faculty tenure, bans on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, private equity firms in athletics, control over hiring university CEOs and taxpayer accountability. There were questions about universities selling cherished campus landmarks in context of putting KU’s Allen Fieldhouse up for sale.

“I’d just like assurance that this isn’t the beginning of the end for the Kansas Board of Regents,” said Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka.

“I think we have our work cut out for us,” said Rep. Adam Turk, a Shawnee Republican who chairs the House higher education committee. “This is a bill that requires work.”

Advocates for the bill said economic pressures on higher education institutions, including a decline in the college-age population and limitations of public funding for universities, required exploration of new avenues for efficiencies while continuing to meet high academic standards.

Doug Girod, chancellor at the University of Kansas, said the legislation would leave KU as a state-owned entity, a state agency and a state asset.

He said the nation’s higher education system was facing tremendous headwinds in terms of student enrollment, loss of federal research funding, the trend of declining state funding as a percentage of overall costs and wariness about substantial tuition increases. He said the House bill would benefit KU without destroying what Kansas taxpayers had spent more than a century building.

KU cut 140 jobs and $30 million from the budget, and since 2017, the university had found $145 million in efficiencies, Girod said. He said KU’s top goal was to find more resources to invest in faculty and staff salaries.

“It doesn’t matter if we have pretty buildings if there’s nobody in them and we can’t serve students,” Girod said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773407038713.png" alt=" House Majority Leader Chris Croft, R-Overland Park, says months of behind-the-scene work went into a Kansas House bill designed to reduce administrative burdens at public universities under jurisdiction of the Kansas Board of Regents. This Jan. 8, 2026, image is of Croft on the House floor at the Capitol. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> House Majority Leader Chris Croft, R-Overland Park, says months of behind-the-scene work went into a Kansas House bill designed to reduce administrative burdens at public universities under jurisdiction of the Kansas Board of Regents. This Jan. 8, 2026, image is of Croft on the House floor at the Capitol. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Republican majority leader of the Kansas House and the chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly worked Thursday to resolve objections to a bill designed to make the state’s three largest public universities more financially efficient by removing layers of administrative red tape.The bipartisan messages from House Majority Leader Chris Croft and Kelly’s chief of staff, Will Lawrence, and their willingness to endorse two key amendments to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2798/" target="_blank">House Bill 2798</a>, were sufficient to convince the chairman of Kansas Board of Regents to offer qualified support for the legislation.All three urged removal from the bill of a provision limiting the Board of Regents’ role in administering the University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University to use of state-appropriated dollars. In addition, they agreed regulatory relief in the bill should be extended to Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University. The House Higher Education Budget Committee took the recommendations under advisement, and the committee’s chairman indicated the panel would start work on amending the bill on Monday.“With the two changes you heard about today, the Board of Regents would be supportive of HB 2798 and its goal of improving university processes and operational efficiency,” said Blake Benson, chair of the state Board of Regents. “Our goal is to preserve accountability for public assets while thoughtfully addressing operational issues across all state universities.”On Wednesday, the Board of Regents unanimously voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/12/kansas-house-studies-bill-granting-unprecedented-administrative-autonomy-to-ku-k-state-and-wsu/">oppose the current version of the bill</a>&nbsp;because of concerns it significantly eroded the nine-member board’s authority over the three largest public universities in Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773407000646.png" alt="Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, says the higher education oversight board will back off opposition to Kansas House bill aimed at reducing administrative red tape at state universities if two key amendments are included in the legislation. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Legislature’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, says the higher education oversight board will back off opposition to Kansas House bill aimed at reducing administrative red tape at state universities if two key amendments are included in the legislation. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Legislature’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Speed of innovation’</h2>The legislation emerged from behind-the-scenes meetings that began last fall among House Speaker Dan Hawkins, Senate President Ty Masterson, Kelly, Croft and Lawrence that eventually were broadened to include other legislators, university administrators and the Board of Regents. Initially, the idea was to expand the conversation to include the three smaller state universities, but there wasn’t time to engage with those institutions.“The goal was, how do we enable our research universities to operate at the speed of innovation and to drive that speed of innovation,” said Croft, an Overland Park Republican. “That’s the underlying thing in everything we were trying to do. It relieves the R1s (doctoral research universities) of costly, bureaucratic entanglements while applying the appropriate oversight. We recognize this wasn’t an end-all, be-all. This is a good-faith effort.”Lawrence, the chief of staff to the governor and chair of the closed-door planning sessions for the bill, said the ad hoc group didn’t have time to bring ESU, PSU and FHSU into conversations about regulatory change. So, he said, the decision was made not to include those universities in the bill.“Didn’t want to put them in the bill, have them learn about it from the bill, freak out, not know what this is. So, we kept it to the three research universities,” he said.Lawrence said the Board of Regents and Kansas Legislature would maintain oversight of the university system. Changes contained in the bill would fall primarily on redundant business policies under jurisdiction of the Kansas Department of Administration. He said there was no effort made to modify the Legislature’s influence on the universities. He said some concerns expressed about the bill were “a little bit overblown.”Skeptics challenged the wisdom of lowering guardrails on state university contracting, procurement, construction, capital planning, property management and other business functions. There were questions about the bill’s impact on student tuition, faculty tenure, bans on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, private equity firms in athletics, control over hiring university CEOs and taxpayer accountability. There were questions about universities selling cherished campus landmarks in context of putting KU’s Allen Fieldhouse up for sale.“I’d just like assurance that this isn’t the beginning of the end for the Kansas Board of Regents,” said Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka.“I think we have our work cut out for us,” said Rep. Adam Turk, a Shawnee Republican who chairs the House higher education committee. “This is a bill that requires work.”<h2>Massive headwinds</h2>Advocates for the bill said economic pressures on higher education institutions, including a decline in the college-age population and limitations of public funding for universities, required exploration of new avenues for efficiencies while continuing to meet high academic standards.Doug Girod, chancellor at the University of Kansas, said the legislation would leave KU as a state-owned entity, a state agency and a state asset.He said the nation’s higher education system was facing tremendous headwinds in terms of student enrollment, loss of federal research funding, the trend of declining state funding as a percentage of overall costs and wariness about substantial tuition increases. He said the House bill would benefit KU without destroying what Kansas taxpayers had spent more than a century building.KU cut 140 jobs and $30 million from the budget, and since 2017, the university had found $145 million in efficiencies, Girod said. He said KU’s top goal was to find more resources to invest in faculty and staff salaries.“It doesn’t matter if we have pretty buildings if there’s nobody in them and we can’t serve students,” Girod said.

Kansas champions of administrative reform at public universities offer concessions to calm skeptics

MILLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Miller County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by a 47-year-old Tuscumbia man was southbound on Route C jus north of Ulman Ridge Road. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the left side of the road and rolled onto a fence.

The driver was pronounced deceased at Lake Regional Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

MILLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Miller County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by a 47-year-old Tuscumbia man was southbound on Route C jus north of Ulman Ridge Road. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the left side of the road and rolled onto a fence.The driver was pronounced deceased at Lake Regional Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man killed after pickup rolls onto a fence

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a rural Kansas home.

Just after 7p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;deputies with the Osage County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in rural Burlingame regarding a report of a possible barricaded subject who was reportedly involved in a verbal domestic disturbance where shots had been fired, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

Deputies responded to the scene and began working to safely resolve the situation. After approximately four hours of attempting to make contact with the individual inside the residence, Christopher Vales, 41, of Burlingame was safely taken into custody without further incident.

Vales was transported to the Osage County Law Enforcement Center where he was booked on requested charges Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Interference with Law Enforcement.

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a rural Kansas home.Just after 7p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;deputies with the Osage County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in rural Burlingame regarding a report of a possible barricaded subject who was reportedly involved in a verbal domestic disturbance where shots had been fired, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.Deputies responded to the scene and began working to safely resolve the situation. After approximately four hours of attempting to make contact with the individual inside the residence, Christopher Vales, 41, of Burlingame was safely taken into custody without further incident.Vales was transported to the Osage County Law Enforcement Center where he was booked on requested charges Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Interference with Law Enforcement.

Suspect arrested after 4-hour standoff at rural Kansas home

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A man was injured and later arrested after an incident at the law enforcement center in Topeka.

Just after 10 a.m. Thursday, Topeka Police Department officers responded to a medical call in the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center at 320 South Kansas Avenue, according to a media release.

 A man, later identified as 31-year-old Casey Eastman of Topeka, set his clothing on fire. The Topeka Fire Department, American Medical Response and Topeka Police Behavioral Health Unit also responded to the scene.

AMR transported Eastman to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; &nbsp;Eastman was treated and later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Arson; No substantial risk to bodily harm and Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773333254251.png" alt="Topeka Law Enforcement Center -google image" />
 <figcaption>Topeka Law Enforcement Center -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —A man was injured and later arrested after an incident at the law enforcement center in Topeka.Just after 10 a.m. Thursday, Topeka Police Department officers responded to a medical call in the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center at 320 South Kansas Avenue, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773346338974.png" alt="Eastman-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Eastman-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> A man, later identified as 31-year-old Casey Eastman of Topeka, set his clothing on fire. The Topeka Fire Department, American Medical Response and Topeka Police Behavioral Health Unit also responded to the scene.AMR transported Eastman to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; &nbsp;Eastman was treated and later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Arson; No substantial risk to bodily harm and Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor

Kan. man set his clothes on fire inside police headquarters

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.– Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just afater 7p.m. March 6, Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Charles Weston Alford, 40, of Topeka, on a Jackson County District Court Warrant in the 3400 block of NE Happy Hollow Road, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

Alford was arrested in connection with illegal methamphetamine sales, which allegedly took place during a multi-month drug investigation earlier this year in collaboration with the Kansas Bureau of Investigations.

Alford was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of Distribute methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp for controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773051304004.png" alt="Alford photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Alford photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.– Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just afater 7p.m. March 6, Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Charles Weston Alford, 40, of Topeka, on a Jackson County District Court Warrant in the 3400 block of NE Happy Hollow Road, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.Alford was arrested in connection with illegal methamphetamine sales, which allegedly took place during a multi-month drug investigation earlier this year in collaboration with the Kansas Bureau of Investigations.Alford was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of Distribute methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp for controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of selling meth

WASHINGTON —Two U.S. sailors are recovering after a fire on board an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.

On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces, according to a statement fro&nbsp;U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet.

The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.

There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The U.S. Navy reported no additional details

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="File photo The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October 2024-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October 2024-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Two U.S. sailors are recovering after a fire on board an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces, according to a statement fro&nbsp;U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet.The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The U.S. Navy reported no additional detailsThe Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

2 injured after fire aboard aircraft carrier in support of Operation Epic Fury

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

Passengers at a handful of airports this week waited in hours-long security lines as the government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security dragged on.

Though Transportation Security Administration officers are required by law to work during a lapse in funding, more than usual have been absent after receiving only a partial paycheck during the most recent pay period. TSA officers will miss an entire paycheck this weekend if the shutdown is still in effect then.&nbsp;

No end to the shutdown appeared imminent Wednesday, as the U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would have funded TSA and other agencies in DHS that are not related to immigration enforcement.

In the meantime, TSA officers are not being paid.&nbsp;

Most live paycheck-to-paycheck, said Johnny Jones, the secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 100, which represents TSA agents.

The lack of pay has contributed to absenteeism, Jones added. The union does not condone coordinated “sick-outs,” which are illegal.&nbsp;

But individual officers miss work for one of three reasons during a shutdown, he said: pre-planned time off, legitimate illness or personal emergencies, and those calling in sick but seeking other work to pay bills.

“If you’re normally receiving a paycheck, you wouldn’t have that third group,” he said.

Some of those who are working are going without lunch or making other sacrifices, Jones added. And he said two colleagues were evicted during the most recent shutdown last fall, which lasted for 43 days.

The U.S. war against Iran, which has an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trumps-iran-war-estimated-cost-billions-already-no-end-sight" target="_blank">estimated price</a>&nbsp;in the billions of dollars in just its first two weeks, has also driven resentment among TSA workers, Jones said.

“One of the things that I’ve heard from the colleagues is that, man, we got plenty of money to go fight wars and bomb Iran, but we can’t pay our own employees,” he said.

No exceptionally long wait times were reported Wednesday, but the previous few days saw several examples of snarled security lines.

Security lines&nbsp;<a href="http://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/government-shutdown-hobby-airport-21963811.php" target="_blank">topped three hours</a>&nbsp;at Houston’s William P. Hobby International Airport on Monday and Tuesday.&nbsp;

Lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were up to two hours Monday and the airport’s social media drew a direct line to the shutdown.

“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, there continues to be a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint … which is causing longer-than-average lines,” the airport’s X account&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/flyneworleans/status/2030952799811355119?s=20" target="_blank">posted</a>.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also urged passengers to leave extra time to account for factors including “TSA staffing constraints.”

CBS News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-absences-double-shutdown-300-quit-airport-security-lines/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that more than 300 TSA agents have left their jobs since the shutdown began. TSA officials did not respond to messages seeking confirmation of that figure.

The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Washington’s Patty Murray, sought unanimous consent Wednesday for the Senate to approve a bill that would fund all of DHS other than Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the secretary’s office.

Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican who chairs the subcommittee on Homeland Security funding, objected.

Murray’s bill “would effectively defund our law enforcement officers that are charged with keeping Americans safe,” Britt said.

Each party blamed the other for the impasse, which has been unbreachable since the department’s funding lapsed Feb. 14.

Following the January fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis, Democrats are demanding changes to immigration agencies’ conduct as a condition of funding the department.

Republicans have said they are willing to negotiate the issue, but the parties disagree on what to do for the department, which also includes the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in the meantime.

Republican leaders sought to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the entire department, but Democrats rejected it, saying it would allow the operation of immigration agencies without adding accountability measures.

“Right now, TSA agents are going without pay because Republicans and the White House have decided they would rather shut down all of DHS than pass some very basic reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol,” Murray said. “We also want TSA and FEMA funded, but we are not going to be blackmailed into cutting a blank check for ICE to get it done.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, said Democrats have stopped negotiating on DHS funding in a bid to keep the issue alive for the November midterm elections.&nbsp;

“The American people are tired,” he said. “Lines get longer at the airports because TSA isn’t funded. The American people want us to do our jobs. Republicans are at the table. We’re ready to work toward a solution. Democrats have walked away.”

Jones, the AFGE member and TSA officer, declined to say which approach to short-term funding was preferable, but said it was Congress’ job to fund the federal government.

“We all swear the same oath to the same Constitution,” he said. “Now my job function is a little different than theirs, so they need to do theirs so I can do mine.”

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>Passengers at a handful of airports this week waited in hours-long security lines as the government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security dragged on.Though Transportation Security Administration officers are required by law to work during a lapse in funding, more than usual have been absent after receiving only a partial paycheck during the most recent pay period. TSA officers will miss an entire paycheck this weekend if the shutdown is still in effect then.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">SPRING BREAK UNDER SIEGE. The Democrats’ DHS shutdown has led to HOURS long security lines at airports across the country, leading Americans to miss their spring break flights. There is ZERO reason for spring break travel to be held hostage for political points — Democrats… <a href="https://t.co/sp1vnzXJbb">pic.twitter.com/sp1vnzXJbb</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2030748642651549895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>No end to the shutdown appeared imminent Wednesday, as the U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would have funded TSA and other agencies in DHS that are not related to immigration enforcement.In the meantime, TSA officers are not being paid.&nbsp;Most live paycheck-to-paycheck, said Johnny Jones, the secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 100, which represents TSA agents.The lack of pay has contributed to absenteeism, Jones added. The union does not condone coordinated “sick-outs,” which are illegal.&nbsp;But individual officers miss work for one of three reasons during a shutdown, he said: pre-planned time off, legitimate illness or personal emergencies, and those calling in sick but seeking other work to pay bills.“If you’re normally receiving a paycheck, you wouldn’t have that third group,” he said.Some of those who are working are going without lunch or making other sacrifices, Jones added. And he said two colleagues were evicted during the most recent shutdown last fall, which lasted for 43 days.The U.S. war against Iran, which has an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trumps-iran-war-estimated-cost-billions-already-no-end-sight" target="_blank">estimated price</a>&nbsp;in the billions of dollars in just its first two weeks, has also driven resentment among TSA workers, Jones said.“One of the things that I’ve heard from the colleagues is that, man, we got plenty of money to go fight wars and bomb Iran, but we can’t pay our own employees,” he said.<h2>Long lines</h2>No exceptionally long wait times were reported Wednesday, but the previous few days saw several examples of snarled security lines.Security lines&nbsp;<a href="http://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/government-shutdown-hobby-airport-21963811.php" target="_blank">topped three hours</a>&nbsp;at Houston’s William P. Hobby International Airport on Monday and Tuesday.&nbsp;Lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were up to two hours Monday and the airport’s social media drew a direct line to the shutdown.“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, there continues to be a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint … which is causing longer-than-average lines,” the airport’s X account&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/flyneworleans/status/2030952799811355119?s=20" target="_blank">posted</a>.Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also urged passengers to leave extra time to account for factors including “TSA staffing constraints.”CBS News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-absences-double-shutdown-300-quit-airport-security-lines/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that more than 300 TSA agents have left their jobs since the shutdown began. TSA officials did not respond to messages seeking confirmation of that figure.<h2>Senate gridlock</h2>The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Washington’s Patty Murray, sought unanimous consent Wednesday for the Senate to approve a bill that would fund all of DHS other than Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the secretary’s office.Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican who chairs the subcommittee on Homeland Security funding, objected.Murray’s bill “would effectively defund our law enforcement officers that are charged with keeping Americans safe,” Britt said.Each party blamed the other for the impasse, which has been unbreachable since the department’s funding lapsed Feb. 14.Following the January fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis, Democrats are demanding changes to immigration agencies’ conduct as a condition of funding the department.Republicans have said they are willing to negotiate the issue, but the parties disagree on what to do for the department, which also includes the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in the meantime.Republican leaders sought to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the entire department, but Democrats rejected it, saying it would allow the operation of immigration agencies without adding accountability measures.“Right now, TSA agents are going without pay because Republicans and the White House have decided they would rather shut down all of DHS than pass some very basic reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol,” Murray said. “We also want TSA and FEMA funded, but we are not going to be blackmailed into cutting a blank check for ICE to get it done.”<h2>Politics cited</h2>Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, said Democrats have stopped negotiating on DHS funding in a bid to keep the issue alive for the November midterm elections.&nbsp;“The American people are tired,” he said. “Lines get longer at the airports because TSA isn’t funded. The American people want us to do our jobs. Republicans are at the table. We’re ready to work toward a solution. Democrats have walked away.”Jones, the AFGE member and TSA officer, declined to say which approach to short-term funding was preferable, but said it was Congress’ job to fund the federal government.“We all swear the same oath to the same Constitution,” he said. “Now my job function is a little different than theirs, so they need to do theirs so I can do mine.”

Long security lines pop up at airports as TSA officers go without pay

Two Missouri men are facing felony charges following separate child pornography investigations conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC). 

The arrests, announced Wednesday, were the result of probes launched earlier this year by the patrol's Special Victims Unit after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Investigators first contacted John F. McCallum, 46, of Farmington, on March 9. Authorities said evidence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was discovered during the interaction, leading to McCallum's arrest. He was formally charged Tuesday with one count each of promoting child pornography and possession of child pornography. He is being held in the St. Francois County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

In a separate case, investigators interviewed William E. Watson, 47, of Park Hills, on March 10. Following a consent search of an electronic device and a subsequent search of his residence, authorities reportedly located both CSAM and illicit narcotics. Watson was charged Wednesday with promoting child pornography, possession of child pornography, possession of a controlled substance, and failing to register as a sex offender. He remains in custody on a $500,000 bond.

The DDCC was assisted in the investigations by the Farmington Police Department, the State Technical Assistance Team, and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

By RYAN SKAITHTwo Missouri men are facing felony charges following separate child pornography investigations conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC). The arrests, announced Wednesday, were the result of probes launched earlier this year by the patrol's Special Victims Unit after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.Investigators first contacted John F. McCallum, 46, of Farmington, on March 9. Authorities said evidence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was discovered during the interaction, leading to McCallum's arrest. He was formally charged Tuesday with one count each of promoting child pornography and possession of child pornography. He is being held in the St. Francois County Jail on a $100,000 bond.In a separate case, investigators interviewed William E. Watson, 47, of Park Hills, on March 10. Following a consent search of an electronic device and a subsequent search of his residence, authorities reportedly located both CSAM and illicit narcotics. Watson was charged Wednesday with promoting child pornography, possession of child pornography, possession of a controlled substance, and failing to register as a sex offender. He remains in custody on a $500,000 bond.The DDCC was assisted in the investigations by the Farmington Police Department, the State Technical Assistance Team, and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

Two Missouri men arrested on child sex crime charges following state investigations

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas legislators’ lineup of property tax relief legislation could chip away at state and local revenue, but some see the proposals as course correction, making up for years of rising property taxes.

One bill would phase out Kansans’ property taxes in favor of added sales taxes, and another would exempt seniors from paying property taxes that go toward funding school districts.

But legislators, who have eagerly pursued tax relief legislation in recent years, were conflicted about the proposals.

Sen. Mike Murphy, a Sylvia Republican, said Tuesday that the Legislature needs to look at property tax relief differently. Past measures haven’t made much of a dent, he said, and he often hears from constituents who are struggling to pay their property taxes.

“I look at property tax as a Titanic that’s hit the iceberg, and it’s going down,” Murphy said. “We can rearrange the deck chairs. We can ask the band director to play a little bit peppier song, but I don’t think it’s going to — we’re not going to be able to fix it.”

He propped up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb488/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 488</a>, or the “Kansas property tax freedom act of 2026,” as a potential solution. The bill would phase out property tax payments over the next two years and eliminate property tax levies beginning in the 2028 tax year. Taxing jurisdictions such as school districts, counties and cities would make up for the lost revenue through sales tax surcharges on medicine, fuel, rent and mortgage payments, utilities, child care and K-12 tuition.

Murphy acknowledged during the Tuesday hearing before the Senate’s tax committee that the bill, as written, didn’t work.

Sen. Jeff Klemp, a Lansing Republican, agreed.

“It’s not ready for prime time on all the aspects of it, but I think it warrants a conversation, and I’m glad you brought it up,” Klemp said.

Both chambers would need to pass a resolution and a majority of voters would have to approve an amendment to the state constitution to phase out and eventually prohibit property tax levies before the act could go into effect.

For supporters, the bill was a silver bullet solution that they believed could provide near immediate property tax relief.

Tatum Lee, a former state legislator who represented a west-central district, said the bill was crucial to maintaining affordability for generations.

“It doesn’t matter if you live on a farm or if you live in a house. Your home is where the heart is and we should not have to be renting from the government year after year,” Lee said.

Sen. Marci Francisco, a Lawrence Democrat, asked Murphy whether the proposal would disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Murphy didn’t directly answer the question, saying a response would depend upon individual properties’ circumstances.

Charlotte O’Hara, a Johnson County commissioner and Republican candidate for governor, said the property tax burdens of today are a symptom of the 1986 voter-approved constitutional amendment that created the current annual property appraisal system.

“For 40 years we have been busy eviscerating our tax base,” O’Hara said.

Simultaneously, voters approved another amendment in 1986 to allow cities and counties to offer 10-year property tax breaks to new or expanding businesses that added employment opportunities.

“We have a two-tier tax regimen in Kansas: Those who lobby and can get favors and the rest of us,” O’Hara said.

People are fed up, she said, and Band-Aids will no longer work.

A fiscal assessment attached to the bill estimated the state would lose nearly $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2027, $5.8 billion in 2028 and $7.9 billion in 2029.

The bill outlined a plan beginning in 2027 to impose a state surcharge of $1.60 per transaction worth $20 or more. For transactions less than $20, the state would impose a surcharge worth 7.6% of the transaction total. Pending local voter approval, taxing entities such as counties, cities and school districts would also be able to add on a local surcharge within their boundaries to debt service payments on general obligation bonds for capital improvements. The bill did not define amount limits for local surcharges.

Even with the surcharge reimbursements, the Kansas Department of Revenue estimates the state would lose $14 billion over the next three years.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1625/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1625</a>, another proposed constitutional amendment, would exempt residential property from school district tax levies if the property’s owner is above the age of 60.

Rep. Ken Corbet, a Topeka Republican, presented the bill to the Senate tax committee Wednesday.

“As we go door to door, people are always asking, ‘I don’t have any kids at school. Why am I paying these frickin’&nbsp;school taxes?’ Or, maybe they never had kids at all and they’ve been paying for 40 years,” Corbet said at a Wednesday hearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773327086450.png" alt=" Sen. Mike Murphy, a Republican from Sylvia, pitched the "Kansas property tax freedom act of 2026” as a remedy for rising property taxes across the state. He appears here on Feb. 2, 2026, at a committee hearing in Topeka, Kansas. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Mike Murphy, a Republican from Sylvia, pitched the "Kansas property tax freedom act of 2026” as a remedy for rising property taxes across the state. He appears here on Feb. 2, 2026, at a committee hearing in Topeka, Kansas. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas legislators’ lineup of property tax relief legislation could chip away at state and local revenue, but some see the proposals as course correction, making up for years of rising property taxes.One bill would phase out Kansans’ property taxes in favor of added sales taxes, and another would exempt seniors from paying property taxes that go toward funding school districts.But legislators, who have eagerly pursued tax relief legislation in recent years, were conflicted about the proposals.Sen. Mike Murphy, a Sylvia Republican, said Tuesday that the Legislature needs to look at property tax relief differently. Past measures haven’t made much of a dent, he said, and he often hears from constituents who are struggling to pay their property taxes.“I look at property tax as a Titanic that’s hit the iceberg, and it’s going down,” Murphy said. “We can rearrange the deck chairs. We can ask the band director to play a little bit peppier song, but I don’t think it’s going to — we’re not going to be able to fix it.”He propped up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb488/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 488</a>, or the “Kansas property tax freedom act of 2026,” as a potential solution. The bill would phase out property tax payments over the next two years and eliminate property tax levies beginning in the 2028 tax year. Taxing jurisdictions such as school districts, counties and cities would make up for the lost revenue through sales tax surcharges on medicine, fuel, rent and mortgage payments, utilities, child care and K-12 tuition.Murphy acknowledged during the Tuesday hearing before the Senate’s tax committee that the bill, as written, didn’t work.Sen. Jeff Klemp, a Lansing Republican, agreed.“It’s not ready for prime time on all the aspects of it, but I think it warrants a conversation, and I’m glad you brought it up,” Klemp said.Both chambers would need to pass a resolution and a majority of voters would have to approve an amendment to the state constitution to phase out and eventually prohibit property tax levies before the act could go into effect.For supporters, the bill was a silver bullet solution that they believed could provide near immediate property tax relief.Tatum Lee, a former state legislator who represented a west-central district, said the bill was crucial to maintaining affordability for generations.“It doesn’t matter if you live on a farm or if you live in a house. Your home is where the heart is and we should not have to be renting from the government year after year,” Lee said.Sen. Marci Francisco, a Lawrence Democrat, asked Murphy whether the proposal would disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Murphy didn’t directly answer the question, saying a response would depend upon individual properties’ circumstances.Charlotte O’Hara, a Johnson County commissioner and Republican candidate for governor, said the property tax burdens of today are a symptom of the 1986 voter-approved constitutional amendment that created the current annual property appraisal system.“For 40 years we have been busy eviscerating our tax base,” O’Hara said.Simultaneously, voters approved another amendment in 1986 to allow cities and counties to offer 10-year property tax breaks to new or expanding businesses that added employment opportunities.“We have a two-tier tax regimen in Kansas: Those who lobby and can get favors and the rest of us,” O’Hara said.People are fed up, she said, and Band-Aids will no longer work.A fiscal assessment attached to the bill estimated the state would lose nearly $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2027, $5.8 billion in 2028 and $7.9 billion in 2029.The bill outlined a plan beginning in 2027 to impose a state surcharge of $1.60 per transaction worth $20 or more. For transactions less than $20, the state would impose a surcharge worth 7.6% of the transaction total. Pending local voter approval, taxing entities such as counties, cities and school districts would also be able to add on a local surcharge within their boundaries to debt service payments on general obligation bonds for capital improvements. The bill did not define amount limits for local surcharges.Even with the surcharge reimbursements, the Kansas Department of Revenue estimates the state would lose $14 billion over the next three years.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1625/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1625</a>, another proposed constitutional amendment, would exempt residential property from school district tax levies if the property’s owner is above the age of 60.Rep. Ken Corbet, a Topeka Republican, presented the bill to the Senate tax committee Wednesday.“As we go door to door, people are always asking, ‘I don’t have any kids at school. Why am I paying these frickin’&nbsp;school taxes?’ Or, maybe they never had kids at all and they’ve been paying for 40 years,” Corbet said at a Wednesday hearing.Nearly a quarter of Kansas’ population is over 60 years old, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, and that age group makes up an estimated 30% of the state’s taxpaying population. The bill, however, did not include a cost assessment.“Remember, if you’ve got enough money for Panasonic and the Chiefs, this is pencil dust,” Corbet said.He said school property taxes are “out of control,” and seniors are being taxed for a product they do not use.&nbsp;Francisco, the Lawrence Democrat, said taxes allocated to school districts are retroactive payments for the education older generations received years ago.Sen. Ethan Corson challenged Corbet’s argument, calling it circular logic.“If I haven’t checked out a book from the library, should I have to pay for the library? If I haven’t gone to a particular park, should I have to pay for parks?” he asked.He added: “There are just some things that are part of the community that are a shared responsibility.”Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and chair of the Senate tax committee, said she doesn’t think seniors mind paying for education.“But when we’re starting to carpet football fields and other things, I think they see that when they’re trying to decide whether they buy their medicine, pay their property tax or buy food,” she said.SCR 1625 and SB 488 are just two of many proposals targeting property taxes that are snaking through the Legislature. The Senate advanced&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 25, which would<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/26/kansas-senate-approves-cap-on-property-valuations-despite-questions-on-real-tax-savings/">&nbsp;cap annual property valuation increases</a>, but critics are&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/14/kansas-republicans-home-assessed-value-cap-may-or-may-not-reduce-property-taxes/">skeptical the bill would provide immediate relief</a>. The House passed provisions last month that creates a pathway for voters to file<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/25/kansas-house-dramatically-amends-bill-aimed-at-constraining-local-property-tax-increases/">&nbsp;protest petitions if local governments raise property taxes</a>&nbsp;more than 3% annually.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/10/kansas-senate-reverses-self-to-kill-budget-proviso-using-safety-net-funds-for-property-tax-cuts/">Tyson tried to divert a tranche of state lottery revenue</a>&nbsp;to replace property tax revenue collected for K-12 schools. Republican Rep. Blake Carpenter also pitched an idea for next year’s Legislature, which involves&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/19/kansas-republican-envisions-freedom-fund-to-eliminate-state-property-tax-without-cutting-services/">cutting sales tax exemptions to replace</a>&nbsp;the state levy to fund public schools.