Top 5 Kansas news stories
March 9 2026
Bomb Threat Prompts Hours-Long Evacuation at Kansas City International Airport
Kansas House Introduces Sports Authority Bill to Oversee Chiefs' New Stadium
Three Democrats Pitch Affordability, Health Care at Gubernatorial Convention Debate
Legislature Sends Governor Bill Granting Rural Utility Customers New Rate Protections
Kansas Routs K-State 104-85, Earns No. 3 Seed Entering Big 12 Tournament
Bomb Threat Prompts Hours-Long Evacuation at Kansas City International Airport
KANSAS CITY — Kansas City International Airport was evacuated Sunday morning after the Kansas City Aviation Department received reports of a potential device inside the terminal and parking garage. Airport police, along with the FBI, responded and held inbound flights on the taxiway while officers swept the facility. Law enforcement determined there was no credible threat to the airport or those inside, and the terminal evacuation lasted approximately two hours. A vehicle on the top floor of the parking garage was flagged by K-9 units as suspicious, prompting KCPD Bomb and Arson to investigate and keeping the garage closed for an additional three hours. Investigators cleared the vehicle, finding no threat, and the airport resumed normal operations.
KCI Airport
Kansas House Introduces Sports Authority Bill to Oversee Chiefs' New Stadium
TOPEKA, Kan. — A new bill in the Kansas House would create a state sports authority to oversee construction, financing and management of major sports venues following the Kansas City Chiefs' commitment to relocate to Kansas. HB 2793 would enact the Kansas Sports Authority Act, establishing a dedicated state body to build and manage stadium infrastructure for the franchise's new home. Missouri lawmakers have been engaged in their own discussions about future stadium plans for the Royals, with the loss of the Chiefs intensifying pressure on officials there. The bill was introduced and read by title during a brief session and will next be referred to a committee for hearings, where it is expected to face debate over public funding and tax incentives for private sports franchises.
Greg Loving
Three Democrats Pitch Affordability, Health Care at Gubernatorial Convention Debate
TOPEKA, Kan. — Three Democratic candidates for governor — Sen. Ethan Corson, Sen. Cindy Holscher and Lawrence personal trainer Marty Tuley — used the Kansas Democratic Party's annual convention Sunday to make their pitches on affordability, health care and rural support. Corson cited his experience as chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce and endorsements from Gov. Laura Kelly, former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and organized labor. Holscher pointed to more than 150 endorsements and her record of winning in a Republican-leaning district, while Tuley leaned on his entrepreneurial background and roots as the son of public school teachers. Kansas elects a new governor in November, and despite its solidly conservative lean in federal elections, the state has a long pattern of electing Democratic governors — Democrats George Docking and his son Robert Docking held the office for a combined six terms between 1957 and 1975, Democrat John Carlin served two terms from 1979 to 1987, Democrat Joan Finney won in 1990, and Democrats Kathleen Sebelius and Laura Kelly each won two terms in the 21st century.
Kansas Reflector
Legislature Sends Governor Bill Granting Rural Utility Customers New Rate Protections
TOPEKA, Kan. — Legislation rewriting state oversight of electric cooperative subsidiaries has cleared both chambers and been presented to the governor for final action. SB 348 exempts not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiaries of electric cooperatives from Kansas Corporation Commission jurisdiction while creating new regulatory recourse for customers of for-profit subsidiary utilities, including the right to petition the commission to investigate rates. If the commission finds rates to be unjust, unreasonable or discriminatory, it could order new ones, and customers would also gain the ability to terminate a subsidiary's exemption by vote. The bill addresses a gap in Kansas utility regulation where subsidiary utilities operated outside commission oversight, leaving rural customers with no alternative provider and no recourse on rate disputes. The House passed the measure 119-0 on March 4, and the governor now has 10 days to sign, veto or allow it to become law without her signature.
Greg Loving
Kansas Routs K-State 104-85, Earns No. 3 Seed Entering Big 12 Tournament
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas closed out the regular season with a dominant 104-85 victory over Kansas State Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse, building a 30-point second-half lead in the final Sunflower Showdown before the Big 12 Tournament. The Jayhawks finish conference play 12-6 and earned the No. 3 seed and a double-bye into the quarterfinals on March 12 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Kansas secured the double-bye over No. 5 Iowa State, also 12-6, on the strength of a superior head-to-head winning percentage among tied teams. K-State finished 3-15 in league play and drew the No. 15 seed, opening tournament play Tuesday against No. 10 BYU at 6 p.m. CT. Arizona claimed the top seed with a 16-2 conference record, and Houston earned the No. 2 seed at 14-4. All tournament games will be broadcast on ESPN networks.
K-State Collegian / KAKE
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