Top 5 Kansas news stories
January 23 2026
Dangerous Winter Storm to Bring Up to 10 Inches of Snow, Life-Threatening Wind Chills to Kansas
Kansas House Passes Convention Measures
Senate Committee Advances 3% Property Value Cap Starting from 2022 Assessments
Hays Earns National Recognition for Civic Innovation and Sustainable Development
Chiefs Stadium Financing Projects Early Payoff, Accelerating State Revenue by Decade
Dangerous Winter Storm to Bring Up to 10 Inches of Snow, Life-Threatening Wind Chills to Kansas
A dangerous winter storm is set to pummel Kansas beginning Friday afternoon, with the National Weather Service issuing winter storm warnings across much of the state and cold weather advisories extending through Monday. According to NWS Wichita, heavy snow will begin late Friday afternoon and continue through Sunday morning, with storm total accumulations of 6 to 10 inches expected across central, south-central, and southeast Kansas, including McPherson, Hutchinson, Wichita, and Salina, while NWS Dodge City forecasts 4 to 7 inches for areas including Hays, with locally higher amounts possible. The winter storm warning remains in effect from noon Friday to noon Sunday for Wichita-area counties and from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday for the Dodge City forecast area, with travel "highly discouraged" and conditions described as "very difficult" during the Friday evening commute and throughout the weekend. Compounding the hazardous conditions, both forecast offices warn of dangerously cold wind chills plunging to 10 to 21 degrees below zero through Monday, capable of causing frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, prompting cold weather advisories that extend until noon Monday across the affected regions. Citizen Journal will be providing live closing reports and enhanced coverage for McPherson, Hutchinson, Hays, and south-central Kansas as the storm develops.
Kansas House Passes Convention Measures
The Kansas House advanced two constitutional convention measures Thursday, with lawmakers approving 79-43 legislation establishing delegate rules and 80-42 a resolution applying for an Article V convention to limit federal power. House Bill 2065 sets delegate duties and qualifications, including criminal penalties of up to 26 months in prison for those voting for "unauthorized amendments," which Rep. Dan Osman characterized as unacceptable speech restrictions. The companion resolution, SCR 1604, passed despite objections from Reps. Mari-Lynn Poskin and Ken Collins, who warned Congress would control convention rules rather than states, creating unpredictable outcomes. The House also adopted 83-39 a conference committee report on HB 2183 prohibiting state courts from deferring to agency interpretations of statutes and requiring judges to resolve doubts favoring individual constitutional rights.
Senate Committee Advances 3% Property Value Cap Starting from 2022 Assessments
A Senate committee endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday that would cap annual property value increases at 3% while rolling assessments back to 2022 levels. Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616 would require 2027 county appraisals to exceed 2022 values by no more than 3%, with subsequent yearly increases limited to the same percentage, before going to voters in the August primary if two-thirds of both chambers approve. Republicans on the Senate tax committee, including Sen. Stephen Owens of Hesston, emphasized the cap represents only partial relief and would slow growth rather than reduce property taxes, while Sen. Jeff Klemp of Lansing noted the 2022 rollback would provide some immediate bill reductions. Critics argue the amendment could shift tax burdens to other revenue sources, limit local governments' ability to fund essential services, and create inequities between long-term homeowners and new buyers. The committee is also considering complementary measures including mill levy limits and legislation providing tax refunds when homes sell below appraised values.
Kansas Reflector
Hays Earns National Recognition for Civic Innovation and Sustainable Development
Community Playmaker, a national media platform celebrating civic leadership, has named Hays its 2025 Community of the Year, recognizing the western Kansas city's commitment to quality of life through innovative programs including pioneering water conservation strategies, a new multi-million-dollar high school developed with Fort Hays State University, and the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center addressing childcare shortages while serving seniors. Additional achievements that distinguished Hays from finalists Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Monessen, Pennsylvania, include the Accessible Recreation Complex for children of all abilities, the revitalized Chestnut Street District with restored historic buildings, and signature cultural events like Wild West Festival and Oktoberfest that celebrate local heritage while attracting visitors.
Greg Loving
Chiefs Stadium Financing Projects Early Payoff, Accelerating State Revenue by Decade
A Kansas City Chiefs attorney told legislators Wednesday that STAR bonds financing the team's stadium deal are projected to pay off 10 to 15 years before the expected 30-year term, accelerating economic benefits to the state. Korb Maxwell addressed a joint meeting of Senate and House commerce committees, where lawmakers questioned the economics behind the planned $3 billion domed stadium and mixed-use development in Wyandotte County and a $300 million headquarters and training facility in Johnson County. The project will be funded through a 60-40 public-private partnership, with the state's 60% coming from STAR bonds and the Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund, which draws revenue from iLottery and sports betting, while STAR bonds will be repaid with 100% of liquor sales tax collected in the district. Maxwell projected 20,000 construction jobs and $4 billion in investment during the building phase, followed by 4,000 permanent positions and hundreds of millions in annual payroll once operational, though he acknowledged many specifics remain in planning stages as the Chiefs and Commerce Department work with local entities and interested developers.
Kansas Reflector
Sources
- Kansas Reflector - https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/22/kansas-senate-panel-advances-constitutional-amendment-to-cap-property-value-increases/
- Kansas Reflector - https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/22/kansas-legislators-grill-chiefs-attorney-on-economics-behind-deal-to-bring-team-across-state-line/
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