Top 5 Kansas news stories
May 15 2026
Evergy Profits Climb After Kansas Rate Hike
KC's Holscher Picks Wichita Rep. Ohaebosim as Running Mate
Riley County Police Director Rebukes Wabaunsee Sheriff
Great Bend Reopens Historic SRCA Drag Strip
USDA Forecasts Smallest U.S. Wheat Harvest Since 1972
Evergy Profits Climb After Kansas Rate Hike
TOPEKA, Kan. — Electric monopoly Evergy reported higher first-quarter profits following the rate increase Kansas regulators approved last year. The company posted adjusted earnings of roughly $162 million for the first quarter of 2026, up from about $128 million in the same period of 2025. Chief Financial Officer Bryan Buckler attributed the gains in part to "recovery of regulated investments," driven by new retail rates, while CEO David Campbell told investors on a May 7 earnings call the company was reporting "solid first quarter results." An investor supplement showed utility gross margin rose about $51 million in the quarter, with $40 million of that increase tied to higher electric rates in Evergy Kansas Central. The Kansas Corporation Commission approved the rate hike in September 2025 for Evergy Kansas Central customers, a territory that includes Topeka and much of the eastern half of the state, and the new rates took effect in October.
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KC's Holscher Picks Wichita Rep. Ohaebosim as Running Mate
WICHITA, Kan. — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sen. Cindy Holscher on Thursday named state Rep. KC Ohaebosim of Wichita as her running mate for lieutenant governor. Ohaebosim, first elected to the Kansas House in 2016 representing the 89th district, has twice been recognized as Regional Legislator of the Year by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Holscher said Ohaebosim brings "new ideas, a fresh voice, and a deep understanding of public policy," while Ohaebosim said the pair would work to "shake up the establishment" and pursue a "people-first future" for the state. Former Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, who is serving as campaign treasurer, praised the selection ahead of a planned rally in Wichita on Friday. The 2026 Kansas governor's race is crowded, with three Democrats declared — Holscher, state Sen. Ethan Corson (endorsed by Gov. Laura Kelly, Lt. Gov. David Toland and former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius) and Marty Tuley — and nine declared Republicans, including former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Senate President Ty Masterson and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. Independent Sharilyn Ray has also announced a bid that would skip the August 4 primary; the candidate filing deadline with the Secretary of State is June 1.
KWCH
Riley County Police Director Rebukes Wabaunsee Sheriff
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County Police Department Director Brian Peete on Wednesday publicly rebuked Wabaunsee County Sheriff Eric Kirsch over remarks Kirsch made as an invited guest speaker at a Riley County music event over the weekend. According to Peete, Kirsch wore his law enforcement badge while equating law enforcement to the "logistical backbone of both slavery and the Holocaust," criticizing elected officials and advocating for marijuana decriminalization, at one point telling the crowd, "Don't get stoned until I leave." Peete said that while the First Amendment protects Kirsch's right to express his views, representing himself as an active law enforcement officer while making such statements creates a double standard, and that identical public statements by a Riley County employee would have triggered an internal affairs investigation and potential discipline. The Riley County Police Department serves roughly 74,000 residents with a force of 110 officers. The dispute escalated after Kirsch, a Republican and Marine Corps veteran, posted photos and excerpts of his speech to social media Monday, prompting the Riley County agency to publicly distance itself from his remarks to preserve public trust.
Great Bend Reopens Historic SRCA Drag Strip
GREAT BEND, Kan. — The City of Great Bend held a ribbon-cutting Thursday for its newly improved Sunflower Rod and Custom Association Drag Strip, marking the track's return after a multi-year closure. The city replaced more than 2,300 feet of pavement and added a new timing tower and a flatter racing surface after canceling the 2023 race schedule over concerns about the track's condition. City Administrator Logan Burns said the closure was a significant loss for a community proud of its racing history, noting that Great Bend hosted the first NHRA Nationals in 1955. Burns said the renovated facility is expected to draw out-of-state visitors and boost local tourism. Race season begins Friday with competitions scheduled through Oct. 10.
KSN
USDA Forecasts Smallest U.S. Wheat Harvest Since 1972
WICHITA, Kan. — A new U.S. Department of Agriculture report projects 2026 will produce the smallest U.S. wheat harvest in more than 50 years, the lowest since 1972. Kansas State agronomist Dr. Tina Sullivan attributed the projected shortfall in part to dry conditions, saying crops used heavy water early to grow leaf material but lacked the spring rains needed for grain fill. Garden Plain wheat farmer Jon Kerschen said the dry ground is forcing him to harvest weeks earlier than usual to salvage the crop. Kerschen said rising input costs for fertilizer and fuel are squeezing wheat profit margins compared with other crops, prompting him to shift more acres to corn and soybeans. He said the outlook will make planting wheat next year increasingly difficult.
KWCH
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