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KS - June 24 2025

Junction City Drug Bust; Kansas Transportation Projects; Hospitals Brace for Cuts; AG Investigates Schools; Proposed Hog Farm

Greg Loving

24 Jun 2025 • 4 min read

Reuters

28 Arrested in Junction City Drug Bust After Year-Long Investigation

Governor Kelly Announces $5.3 Million for 11 Kansas Transportation Projects

Rural Kansas Hospitals Brace for $4 Billion Medicaid Cut Impact

AG Kobach Seeks Federal Investigation of Four Kansas School Districts Over Transgender Policies

Public Hearing Set for Proposed 45,000-Hog Farm in Ottawa County

1. 28 Arrested in Junction City Drug Bust After Year-Long Investigation

Junction City police arrested 28 people following a year-long investigation into methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution, with multiple search warrants executed on June 16. The investigation targeted drug distribution networks operating in Junction City and Manhattan, with police expecting additional arrests as the operation continues.

KAKE

2. Governor Kelly Announces $5.3 Million for 11 Kansas Transportation Projects

Governor Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced $5.3 million in state funding for 11 transportation projects across Kansas through KDOT's Cost Share Program, which will leverage nearly $3 million in local matching funds for a total infrastructure investment exceeding $8 million. The Spring 2025 recipients include Cimarron for sidewalk improvements, Conway Springs for asphalt street improvements, Danville for Ryan Avenue improvements, Elkhart for street and sidewalk repair, Eudora for Main and 10th Street improvements, Junction City for Washington Street Bridge rehabilitation, Moundridge for South Christian Avenue pavement preservation, Ness City for Mulberry Street box replacement, Pleasanton for Phase 1 street improvements, Pratt for Maple Street Bridge projects, and Sherman County for Road 64.2 resurfacing.

3. Rural Kansas Hospitals Brace for $4 Billion Medicaid Cut Impact

Hutchinson Regional Health Center CEO Benjamin Anderson is weighing drastic measures including a hiring freeze, deferred wage raises, and delayed hospital maintenance as federal lawmakers scramble to approve the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act before the Fourth of July deadline, which would slash Kansas Medicaid funding by more than $4 billion over the next decade. A report released Tuesday by the National Rural Health Association and Manatt Health found that rural hospitals nationwide face $70 billion in cuts over ten years, losing 21 cents of every dollar in Medicaid funding, while updated estimates from the Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund show Kansas's total losses increased by nearly $280 million after Senate changes, threatening health care access for more than 360,000 Kansans who rely on the joint state and federal insurance program.

Kansas Reflector

4. AG Kobach Seeks Federal Investigation of Four Kansas School Districts Over Transgender Policies

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach requested U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to investigate Topeka USD 501, Kansas City USD 500, Olathe USD 223, and Shawnee Mission USD 512 over policies that allegedly allow or require teachers to conceal information about students' "social transitioning" from parents. Kobach claims the districts are failing to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, while Topeka Public Schools responded that they recognize parental rights and remain committed to keeping families informed and engaged in all decisions affecting their students' education.

CJOnline

5. Public Hearing Set for Proposed 45,000-Hog Farm in Ottawa County

A proposed hog farm called Smoky Hills Pork with capacity for more than 45,000 pigs would be located in rural Ottawa County about 30 miles north of Salina at the northwest corner of Quartz Road and North 120th Road, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. KDHE will hold a public hearing July 9 in Minneapolis regarding the water pollution control permit, with the agency's livestock waste management section accepting public comments through June 28.

CJOnline

Hutchinson

Salina

McPherson / Lindsborg