Top 5 Kansas news stories
September 30, 2025
Derby High School Teacher Arrested on Child Endangerment, Drug Charges
Funeral Set Friday for Kansas Officer Killed on Duty
Kansas Eyes Second Nuclear Plant With Advanced Reactor Design
Farm Bill Expiration Threatens Kansas Farmers, Food Assistance Programs
Boeing Begins Development of 737 Max Replacement Aircraft
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Derby High School Teacher Arrested on Child Endangerment, Drug Charges
A Derby High School teacher was arrested Monday on child endangerment and drug-related charges, Derby police said. The teacher, whose name was not immediately released, but later confirmed as Caleb Thornton, faces multiple charges following an investigation by local authorities. Charges include contributing to child misconduct, child endangerment, use/possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and distributing or possessing with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of school property.
Derby USD 260 officials said the employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case. Police did not provide additional details about the circumstances leading to the arrest or whether any students were directly involved in the incident.
Individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
KWCH
Funeral Set Friday for Kansas Officer Killed on Duty
Funeral services will be held Friday for a Kansas police officer killed in the line of duty earlier this week. The officer died following an incident while responding to a call, according to local law enforcement officials. Details about the service location and time were released by the department Thursday. Fellow officers and community members are expected to attend the memorial service to honor the fallen officer's service and sacrifice.
KAKE
Farm Bill Expiration Threatens Kansas Farmers, Food Assistance Programs
Kansas farmers and low-income households face uncertainty as the federal farm bill expired without Congress passing new legislation, agricultural leaders warned. The lapse threatens crop insurance programs, commodity support payments and federal nutrition assistance that Kansas families rely on, according to state farm organizations. Kansas farmers could see disruptions in price support programs during planting season, while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program serving thousands of Kansas households operates under temporary funding. Congressional leaders have indicated they may pass a short-term extension while negotiating a longer-term bill.
KSN
Kansas Eyes Second Nuclear Plant With Advanced Reactor Design
Kansas could build its second nuclear power plant using new small modular reactor technology, state energy officials said Friday. Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp. has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to add four NuScale Power reactors at its Burlington facility, which already houses Kansas' only operating nuclear plant. The proposed 304-megawatt addition would use advanced reactor designs smaller than traditional plants, with construction potentially beginning in the early 2030s if federal approval is granted. State officials say the expansion could help meet growing electricity demands while maintaining carbon-free power generation.
KMUW
Boeing Begins Development of 737 Max Replacement Aircraft
Boeing has started early work on a new airplane to eventually replace its troubled 737 Max, company executives said, marking the aircraft maker's first clean-sheet commercial jet design in decades. The move comes as Boeing seeks to move past years of quality and safety issues with the Max following two fatal crashes and ongoing production problems. Boeing's Wichita-area suppliers, which provide significant components for the company's commercial aircraft, could see new manufacturing opportunities from the program. Company officials said the replacement aircraft remains years away from production as Boeing focuses on stabilizing its current operations.
WSJ
Sources
- https://www.kwch.com/2025/09/30/derby-high-school-teacher-arrested-child-endangerment-drug-charges/
- https://www.kake.com/home/funeral-for-slain-kansas-police-officer-will-be-held-friday/article_b534304b-3560-404e-a0c4-27c8361d82eb.html
- https://www.ksn.com/news/farm-bill-expiration-threatens-kansas-farmers-and-households/
- https://www.kmuw.org/2025-09-26/kansas-could-get-its-second-nuclear-power-plant-this-time-with-a-new-advanced-design
- https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/boeing-has-started-working-on-a-737-max-replacement-40a110df?mod=hp_lead_pos1
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