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Kansas daily brief

Kansas and US news for busy people - Jan 2, 2026 edition

02 Jan 2026 • 2 min read

Justin Roemer manages the Smoky Valley Ranch in western Kansas for the Nature Conservancy. (Photo by Erin Socha for Kansas Reflector)

🌾Kansas

NWS Wichita documented 2025 weather: Temperatures ranged from -14°F to 105°F across the region, with 314 severe thunderstorm warnings issued and a 102 mph wind gust recorded on June 17.
100+ new Kansas laws take effect January 1: Major changes include ending the 3-day grace period for mail ballots (now due by 7pm Election Day) and increased fees for electric vehicles.
Wichita votes March 3 on $850M sales tax: The 1% tax would fund public safety, homelessness programs, and a new performing arts center, but opponents say the city lacks sufficient project details and community trust.
Western Kansas ranch models conservation grazing amid crisis: Smoky Valley Ranch uses cattle and prescribed burns to combat drought (6.5 inches rain in 2022) and invasive cedar encroachment threatening native prairie.
Kelly and Kobach battle over federal lawsuit authority: The Governor and Attorney General clash before the Kansas Supreme Court over who can initiate federal litigation on behalf of the state, with oral arguments set for January 16.

Swiss Alps Fire: A New Year's fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 100+, with the Swiss President calling it one of the country's worst tragedies.
Musk-Trump Alliance: VP JD Vance spent months persuading Elon Musk to abandon third-party plans after DOGE backlash threatened GOP unity, succeeding but leaving the Trump-Musk relationship fragile.
California Billionaire Tax: A proposed 5% one-time tax on billionaire assets drove tech investors to flee California before year-end, with $500 billion in collective wealth reportedly leaving the state.
Jakarta Tops Tokyo: The UN's new methodology counting metropolitan areas crowned Jakarta the world's largest city at 42 million residents, surpassing Tokyo by including sprawling satellite towns.
Iran Protests: Economic crisis-driven protests in Iran entered their fifth day with at least one dead in clashes, prompting the president to acknowledge urgent need to address public concerns amid 30 arrests.