Top 5 Kansas news stories
March 10 2026
Senate Targets Data Centers in Drought Counties
Virtual School Surge Spurs Separate Report Card Bill
Sales Tax Formula Dispute Heads to Conference Committee
Wichita Board Approves Four School Closures
Kelce Returns to Chiefs for 14th Season
Senate Targets Data Centers in Drought Counties, Advances Water Transparency Bill
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Senate is moving on two fronts to strengthen oversight of the state's water resources, introducing SB 531 to prohibit the construction of large-load data centers in any county where a drought emergency has been declared within the preceding three years under the Kansas Emergency Management Act. The bill reflects mounting concern over the water and energy demands of data centers, whose cooling systems consume large volumes of water, putting them in direct competition with agricultural users drawing from the Ogallala Aquifer. Separately, the Senate voted 39-0 to pass HB 2477, which requires the Kansas Department of Agriculture to publish an online map showing the location of all applied-for water diversions, including requested changes in the point of diversion by more than 300 feet, and expands individual notice requirements to landowners within half a mile of such applications. The bipartisan support for HB 2477 signals broad legislative consensus on the need for greater transparency in water management. Proponents of SB 531 argue it is a necessary step to protect the state's agricultural backbone, while opponents in business and economic development circles may warn the measure could deter tech-sector investment. The debate is expected to force a broader conversation about how Kansas balances long-term water sustainability with economic growth.
Greg Loving
Virtual School Surge Spurs Separate Report Card Bill
TOPEKA, Kan. — A bill introduced in the Kansas Senate would require the Kansas State Department of Education to publish a separate building report card for virtual schools, a move aimed at giving parents and policymakers a clearer picture of how online-only programs perform compared to traditional schools. SB 529 responds to criticism that performance data for virtual students is currently blended with that of sponsoring physical school districts, which can obscure poor outcomes in online programs. Full-time virtual school enrollment in Kansas grew 74% between 2020 and the 2023-24 school year, rising from 5,658 to 9,857 full-time equivalent students, according to Kansas Association of School Boards data drawn from KSDE budget reports. If all virtual students were counted as a single district, the program would rank among the state's eight largest. The bill would mandate a separate annual report card allowing direct comparison of metrics such as graduation rates, state assessment scores and student participation between virtual and traditional schools. The measure is expected to draw support from advocates of traditional public schools and transparency in education funding, though virtual school operators may argue that direct comparisons do not account for the unique challenges of their student populations.
Greg Loving
Sales Tax Formula Dispute Heads to Conference Committee
TOPEKA, Kan. — The House and Senate agreed Monday to form conference committees to resolve their differences on SB 33, which would change how countywide retailers' sales tax revenue is distributed among local governments. Under the bill, revenue would be apportioned based on total assessed property valuations of the county and its cities rather than the current formula based on property taxes levied, a technical change that could shift millions in revenue between local governments. The need for a conference committee indicates the chambers passed different versions of the bill and must now appoint small groups of negotiators to broker a compromise that can win majority support in both chambers before the legislation can advance to the governor.
Greg Loving
Wichita Board Approves Four School Closures
WICHITA, Kan. — Facing declining enrollment projections that could shrink the district to approximately 33,000 students within eight years and a $42 million budget gap, the Wichita Board of Education voted 4-2 Monday evening to approve a timeline for closing four elementary schools. OK, L'Ouverture, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools would close between 2027 and 2029, with the timeline for two of the four contingent on passage of a November bond issue. Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld, who first announced the closures in 2024 as part of the district's facilities master plan, called the decision difficult but necessary. Protesters gathered outside the meeting to show support for keeping the schools open. No closures are planned for the current school year.
KWCH
Kelce Returns to Chiefs for 14th Season
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Star tight end Travis Kelce will return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026-27 NFL season rather than test free agency, the NFL Network reported Monday, keeping the three-time Super Bowl champion alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Kelce, 36, could have commanded top dollar on the tight end market but chose to remain in Kansas City for a chance at another championship. The decision ends months of speculation about whether the four-time All-Pro would retire after the 2025-26 season. Kelce has publicly expressed disappointment with how his 13th season ended, signaling his desire to continue competing.
WDAF
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