Top 5 Kansas news stories
September 23, 2025
Governor's Office Challenges Kobach's Claims on Federal Food Aid
Lightning Strike Sparks Fire at Wichita's Spirit AeroSystems
Soaring Beef Costs Force Kansas Consumers to Alter Meat Purchases
Kansas State University Drops 'Diversity' from Mission Statement
Kansas Lawmakers Eye Higher Revenue from Sports Betting
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Governor's Office Challenges Kobach's Claims on Federal Food Aid
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's administration disputes Attorney General Kris Kobach's assertion that the state has lost millions in federal SNAP funding due to the governor's refusal to share recipient data with federal authorities. Chief of staff Will Lawrence said the state will appeal the federal government's decision to withhold $10 million in administrative funds and that an appeal automatically stays the funding cut, allowing the SNAP program to continue operating normally. The dispute centers on federal demands for personal data of SNAP recipients, which Kelly's office says it won't provide without clarity on how the information will be used.
KAKE
Lightning Strike Sparks Fire at Wichita's Spirit AeroSystems
Firefighters responded to a building fire at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita early Tuesday morning after lightning struck the exterior of the aircraft manufacturing facility around 4 a.m. The building was evacuated with no injuries reported, but remained closed as of 7:30 a.m. while hazardous materials teams assessed potential chemical exposure at the site.
KWCH
Soaring Beef Costs Force Kansas Consumers to Alter Meat Purchases
Rising beef prices are prompting Kansas consumers to reconsider their dining choices, with costs up almost 14% from last year and 51% since 2020 according to federal data. Local butcher shops report customers are switching from premium steaks to more affordable options like hamburger and roasts as the U.S. cattle herd reaches its smallest size in 75 years due to drought conditions and reduced foreign imports from Mexico and Brazil.
KSN
Kansas State University Drops 'Diversity' from Mission Statement
Kansas State University will replace the word "diversity" with "all" in its mission statement to comply with state legislation requiring elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion policies at public institutions. The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approved the change, making K-State's revised statement read that the university "embraces all" rather than "embraces diversity" as part of compliance with Senate Bill 125.
KMUW
Kansas Lawmakers Eye Higher Revenue from Sports Betting
Kansas legislators are considering changes to sports betting laws to increase the state's revenue share, currently set at 6.5% - among the lowest rates in the nation. The state collected over $17 million from sports wagering last year, but lawmakers say a provision in the original 2022 law has allowed some companies to avoid taxes, reducing expected state revenue from the intended 10% rate to the current lower amount.
KSN
Sources
- https://www.kake.com/home/kansas-governor-s-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobach-s-claims-about-snap-funding/article_d3a34ddf-1911-5935-adeb-30fb46fdedc8.html
- https://www.kwch.com/2025/09/23/firefighters-battle-fire-spirit-aerosystems-campus/
- https://www.ksn.com/news/state-regional/sky-high-beef-prices-prompt-kansans-to-reconsider-their-diets/
- https://www.kmuw.org/2025-09-17/kansas-state-university-is-removing-the-word-diversity-from-its-mission-statement
- https://www.ksn.com/news/state-regional/kansas-lawmakers-discuss-ways-to-improve-sports-betting-policies/
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