Kansas Leaders Split Along Party Lines After U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran

Kansas Homeowners Now Shoulder Larger Property Tax Burden as Commercial Exemptions Shift Costs

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Nebraska-Kansas Border Region

Arizona Routs Kansas 84-61, Clinches at Least a Share of Big 12 Title

Kansas Kicks Off Severe Weather Preparedness Week With Tornado Drills and Safety Training

Kansas Leaders Split Along Party Lines After U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran

Kansas political leaders split largely along party lines after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. carried out "major combat operations" against Iran Saturday. Republican members of the delegation voiced support for the strikes, with Sen. Roger Marshall calling the U.S. military "the greatest military in the world," Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson saying Iran's regime "cannot operate without consequences," and Rep. Tracey Mann stating that "under no circumstance should Iran be allowed to have a nuclear weapon." U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the delegation's lone Democrat, warned that "costly, endless wars without congressional authorization are not the answer" and said the president "has not been granted congressional approval for these acts of war." Sen. Jerry Moran struck a middle ground, praying for the safety of service members while emphasizing that "our Constitution vests the decision to take our nation to war in Congress" and calling on the administration to brief lawmakers on the operation's objectives and risks. Rep. Derek Schmidt called for prayer for U.S. forces and said he expected preliminary briefings on the military operation.

KSHB

Kansas Homeowners Now Shoulder Larger Property Tax Burden as Commercial Exemptions Shift Costs

A widening gap between surging home values and stagnant commercial assessments has shifted the Kansas property tax burden squarely onto homeowners, who now pay 57% of all property taxes statewide — up from 38% in 1997 — while commercial and other property owners pay 43%, according to state data. The shift has been driven by a series of legislative exemptions, including a 2006 law that exempted newly acquired commercial and industrial machinery and equipment from property tax, along with the removal of items such as certain business machinery, boats and personal property from tax rolls in an effort to attract new business. Exempting properties from taxation does not eliminate the tax obligation but instead shifts the responsibility onto other properties that are not exempted, meaning residential homeowners have absorbed an increasing share of the cost of funding local government services. The Kansas Senate has approved a cap on property valuations, though questions remain about whether it would deliver real tax savings for homeowners.

Kansas Reflector

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Nebraska-Kansas Border, Prompts Reports Across Region

The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed a 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Cowles, Nebraska, approximately three hours from Omaha, with residents across the Omaha metro area reporting feeling the rumble. USGS recorded a second earthquake near Cowles measuring 2.6 magnitude around 2:26 p.m. Sunday, marking the latest seismic activity in the region since a 2.5 magnitude earthquake hit Comstock, Nebraska, last August.

KETV

Arizona Routs Kansas 84-61, Clinches at Least a Share of Big 12 Title

No. 2 Arizona extended its winning streak to four with an 84-61 victory over No. 14 Kansas on Saturday, clinching at least a share of the Big 12 title after a dominant performance that included a 19-0 opening run and a 16-0 second-half burst that put the game away. All five Arizona starters scored at least 10 points, while Kansas (20-7, 11-5 Big 12) dropped to fifth place in the conference standings entering the final weekend of the regular season, needing to win out against Arizona State and Kansas State and get help to secure a double-bye in the Big 12 Tournament — marking the third consecutive season that someone other than Kansas has captured the Big 12 regular-season title.

CBS Sports

Kansas Launches Severe Weather Preparedness Week With Statewide Tornado Drill Set for Wednesday

The National Weather Service and emergency management officials are observing Severe Weather Preparedness Week from March 2-6, encouraging Kansans to prepare for tornadoes and other severe storms through a series of scheduled activities including a storm spotter class in Topeka and a statewide tornado drill set for Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. The test will sound through NOAA weather radio, and while participation is not mandatory, the NWS encourages everyone to treat it like an active tornado warning by seeking safe shelter. The weather service will also use social media throughout the week to educate the public about different types of severe weather threats on different days.

CJ Online

Sources

1. KSHB — Missouri, Kansas Leaders React to the U.S. Launching Major Strikes Against Iran
2. Kansas Reflector — Kansas Homeowners Carry Bigger Tax Burden Than Commercial Property Owners
3. KAKE — Kansas Homeowners Now Carry a Bigger Tax Burden Than Commercial Property Owners
4. KETV — Earthquake Hits Small Town Near Nebraska-Kansas Border
5. CBS Sports — Arizona-Kansas Score, Analysis, Game Recap
6. CJ Online — Kansans Urged to Practice What They'll Do if Severe Weather Threatens
7. President Trump's Announcement (X/Twitter)
8. KCUR — Kansas City Area's U.S. Senators and Representatives Split Along Party Lines Over Iran Strikes
9. Fox 4 KC — Missouri, Kansas Lawmakers React to US and Israel Attack on Iran

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