Masterson and Holscher Clash Over Taxes, Data Centers, Schools

Marshall and Hamilton Clash Over Tariffs, Agriculture

Federal Aid Targets 11 Kansas Hospitals Amid Closure Risks

Storms Bring Rain, Hail Threats to Drought-Stricken Kansas

KU Falls to Missouri; K-State Beats Washington State

Masterson and Holscher Clash Over Taxes, Data Centers, Schools

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican Ty Masterson and Democrat Cindy Holscher debated property taxes, data centers and school vouchers Sept. 12 at the Kansas State Fair, presenting competing approaches to affordability. Holscher, a state senator from Overland Park, blamed corporate tax breaks for high property taxes and called for more public school funding. Masterson, the Senate president from Andover, argued that higher spending would worsen affordability. Both supported a data center tax exemption last year, but Holscher now favors a temporary moratorium while Masterson backs local decisions. Masterson supported private school vouchers, while Holscher criticized his record on education funding. They also disputed abortion policy and the rejected judicial election amendment as supporters' chants and boos interrupted the debate.

Kansas Reflector · Citizen Journal

Marshall and Hamilton Clash Over Tariffs, Agriculture

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger the Rev. Adam Hamilton debated tariffs, the Iran war and agriculture Sept. 12 before hundreds of people at the Kansas State Fair. Hamilton criticized Marshall's support for tariffs, response to the war and cuts to health care and food assistance. Hamilton said Mexican beef imports hurt Kansas producers, while Marshall cited drought, a smaller cattle herd and regulation. Marshall defended his agricultural record but opposed President Donald Trump's proposed $5,000 payments to adults if Republicans win the midterms. Marshall seeks a second term; Hamilton founded the Church of the Resurrection, headquartered in Leawood. Libertarian David Graham, who was not invited to participate, watched from the bleachers and advocated less government and independence from party leaders.

Kansas Reflector · Citizen Journal

Federal Aid Targets 11 Kansas Hospitals Amid Closure Risks

TOPEKA, Kan. — Eleven Kansas hospitals were selected for federal assistance announced Sept. 11, part of nearly $25 million supporting 132 hospitals across 13 states through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program. The Health Resources and Services Administration administers the program to help small rural hospitals retain staff and maintain access to care. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced Kansas recipients including Salina Surgical Hospital, Summit Surgical in Hutchinson, the University of Kansas Health System's Great Bend campus and Stormont Vail's Flint Hills campus, without specifying individual awards. The national funding total averages roughly $190,000 per hospital, though that calculation does not establish what any Kansas recipient will receive. A June analysis found 69 of Kansas' 100 open inpatient hospitals at risk of closing, including a nation-leading 28 at immediate risk, as inflation, labor costs and insurance reimbursement pressures threaten services that rural residents could otherwise travel farther to obtain. Kansas separately received $221.9 million for the first year of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, through which the state health department has awarded grants to dozens of organizations.

WIBW · HRSA · KWCH · KCUR · RHTP Navigator · KDHE

Storms Bring Rain, Hail Threats to Drought-Stricken Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. — Severe thunderstorm warnings covered parts of Kansas from Saturday afternoon, Sept. 12, into Sunday morning, Sept. 13; lightning delayed Kansas State's football game against Washington State in Manhattan on Saturday, Sept. 12. Saturday's warnings extended past 11 p.m. and described possible tennis-ball-size hail and gusts near 70 mph in the strongest storms, with other alerts citing ping-pong-ball-size hail, 60 mph winds and torrential rain capable of flash flooding. A Sunday storm about 11 miles west of Cottonwood Falls threatened Strong City, Elmdale and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve with 60 mph gusts and half-dollar-size hail, while other storms tracked near Council Grove Lake, Burdick and Dwight. The rain followed Wichita's driest July-August period since 1936, severe to extreme drought across much of southern and western Kansas, and burn bans imposed in numerous counties. Moisture is needed for winter wheat planted in dry soil to emerge before dormancy, while Thursday's U.S. Drought Monitor update will provide the next weekly assessment of drought conditions after the storms.

KWCH · National Weather Service · GovOneStop · WIBW · U.S. Drought Monitor

KU Falls to Missouri; K-State Beats Washington State

LAWRENCE, Kan. — No. 23 Missouri defeated the University of Kansas (KU) 38-21 on Friday, Sept. 11, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, moving the Tigers to 2-0 and the Jayhawks to 1-1. Jamal Roberts rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown as Missouri built a 28-14 lead, KU closed to 28-21 and the Tigers scored the final 10 points, continuing a rivalry dating to the 1890s that resumed after a decade-long hiatus following Missouri's departure from the Big 12. Kansas State defeated Washington State 34-7 in Manhattan on Saturday, Sept. 12, after a lightning delay, reaching 2-0 under first-year coach Collin Klein with its first win against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent after an opening rout of Nicholls. Avery Johnson passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns, with Josh Manning, Joe Jackson and Brandon White each catching a scoring pass. Rodney Fields Jr. rushed 13 times for 105 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, while Wendell Gregory recorded two sacks. Kansas State's defense has allowed three points and no touchdowns in 120 minutes this season; Washington State's only score came on a 47-yard interception return.

Kansas Athletics · ESPN · Kansas State Collegian · WIBW

Sources

1. Citizen Journal / Kansas Reflector
2. Citizen Journal / Kansas Reflector
3. WIBW / HRSA / KWCH / KCUR / RHTP Navigator / KDHE
4. KWCH / GovOneStop: Sept. 12 Evening Warning / GovOneStop: Sept. 12 Afternoon Warning / GovOneStop: Sept. 13 Warning / WIBW / U.S. Drought Monitor / National Weather Service: Drought / National Weather Service: July-August Climate / KWCH: Burn Bans
5. Kansas Athletics / ESPN: Missouri-Kansas / ESPN: Washington State-Kansas State / Kansas State Collegian / WIBW

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