Top 5 Kansas news stories
January 26 2026
GOP Governor Candidate Blasts Legislature for Abandoning Congressional Redistricting Effort
Six Respiratory Viruses Surge to High Levels in Lawrence Wastewater During Peak Flu Season
Winter Weather Forces Closures Across Multiple Kansas School Districts Monday
Missing Emporia Teacher Found Dead from Apparent Hypothermia After Two-Day Search
Kansas Legislature Introduces Nursing Board Reforms, Other Bills in Brief Session
GOP Governor Candidate Blasts Legislature for Abandoning Congressional Redistricting Effort
Republican gubernatorial candidate Philip Sarnecki criticized the Kansas Legislature for failing to pursue congressional redistricting that would have targeted U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids' seat, accusing GOP lawmakers of forfeiting their role in a national partisan redistricting battle. Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins sought to convene a November 2025 special session to redraw Kansas' four U.S. House districts by splitting Johnson County among multiple GOP-majority districts, but could not secure the required two-thirds support from House Republicans despite obtaining sufficient Senate signatures.
Kansas Reflector
Six Respiratory Viruses Surge to High Levels in Lawrence Wastewater During Peak Flu Season
Wastewater monitoring in Lawrence detected high concentrations of six viral diseases — COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus and norovirus — within the past three weeks as Kansas enters peak flu season. Lawrence is experiencing an unusually early spike in influenza B, with positive flu tests reaching 32% during the last week of 2025, prompting some health facilities including the University of Kansas' Watkins Health Center to require masks for all visitors, patients and staff amid what officials describe as a record surge in respiratory illnesses.
Kansas Reflector
Winter Weather Forces Closures Across Multiple Kansas School Districts Monday
Wichita Public Schools and at least 10 other Kansas school districts canceled classes Monday due to winter weather conditions, with Rose Hill Schools citing dangerously low wind chills as the primary concern. Derby, Goddard, McPherson, Andover, Hesston, Valley Center, Maize, Kingman and Norwich schools also closed, while Wichita State University announced it would remain open for normal operations and in-person classes.
Greg Loving
KWCH
Missing Emporia Teacher Found Dead from Apparent Hypothermia After Two-Day Search
Rebecca Rauber, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher reported missing after leaving an Emporia bar Friday night without her purse, phone or jacket, was found deceased Sunday in a wooded area about 300 yards from where she was last seen on surveillance video. Emporia Police Chief Edward Owens said investigators believe Rauber died from hypothermia after being found covered in snow by K-9 Search and Rescue Kansas, with an autopsy pending to confirm the cause and time of death.
KWCH
Kansas Legislature Introduces Nursing Board Reforms, Other Bills in Brief Session
The Kansas Legislature met for brief pro forma sessions Friday, with the House introducing several significant bills targeting the Kansas State Board of Nursing and expanding health care professional licensing compacts. House Bill 2528 would limit the nursing board's authority over nonpractice violations and require board members to receive Senate confirmation, while HB 2532 would establish an impaired provider program and expand grounds for disciplinary action against nurses. The House also introduced legislation restricting insurance step therapy protocols, reforming citizen grand jury petition processes, and establishing new career readiness assessments for high school students. Lawmakers approved a resolution honoring the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year team, led by Rachel Marlow of Olathe USD 233, who was recognized at a September banquet and will compete for National Teacher of the Year honors. Both chambers adjourned until Monday afternoon, with the Senate scheduling a 2:30 p.m. return and the House reconvening at 11 a.m.
Sources
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