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Kansas daily brief

Kansas and US news for busy people - Jan 9, 2026 edition

09 Jan 2026 • 2 min read

Garden City elects youngest mayor Tom Nguyen in city's history at 22-years old. Nguyen started in city government while he was a teenager.

🌾Kansas

Evergy proposes $500M, 133-mile transmission line through southern Kansas primarily benefiting Oklahoma and Missouri, with Kansas ratepayers helping fund the project. Landowners at a public hearing raised concerns about impacts on farms and property values, with construction starting 2027.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes challenges GOP House Speaker Dan Hawkins for insurance commissioner, pledging to reject all insurance industry donations. The race pits Sykes' consumer protection platform against Hawkins' deregulation agenda.
Justice Eric Rosen sworn in as Kansas Supreme Court chief justice after Marla Luckert's stroke and resignation. Rosen, who served as acting chief since October, became chief under constitutional succession rules.
Rock Regional Hospital in Derby permanently closed after bankruptcy judge lifted eviction stay, ending all emergency services. The hospital filed bankruptcy facing $23 million in liabilities just before scheduled eviction.
Garden City appoints Tom Nguyen, 22, as youngest mayor in city history and first Asian American mayor. Nguyen aims to build 4,000 new homes by 2030 and expand sports facilities during his one-year term.

Trump seeks $1.5 trillion defense budget by 2027 — a 50% increase to fund what he calls a "Dream Military" amid threats of military action in Venezuela and proposed annexation of Greenland.
House passes ACA subsidy extension with 17 GOP defections — the symbolic 230-196 vote has no Senate path but gives cover to vulnerable Republicans facing reelection.
Philadelphia shipyard overwhelmed by Trump naval expansion — Korean-owned Hanwha Ocean plans to scale from 2 to 20 ships annually but needs more docks to meet surging military demand.
Border Patrol shooting in Portland sparks federal withdrawal demands — agent shot two people during traffic stop of alleged Venezuelan gang members, prompting mayor to echo Minneapolis in calling for federal departure.
Iran imposes internet blackout as revolution spreads — nationwide protests chanting "Death to Khamenei" reach multiple cities and affluent Tehran neighborhoods despite government crackdown threats.