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Top 5 Kansas news stories

December 1 2025

Greg Loving

01 Dec 2025 • 5 min read

Snow Brings Tough Travel Conditions to Kansas

Barton County Tackles Housing Shortage with Three-City Development Plan

Train Derails in Perry, Over 20 Cars Overturned

Attorney General Warns Wichita, Other Kansas Schools Over LGBTQ Policies

Chiefs Face Playoff Uncertainty at 6-6 Entering December

Snow Brings Tough Travel Conditions to Kansas

Light to moderate snow will continue through midday Monday across Kansas before tapering off from west to east this afternoon, creating slower-than-normal travel conditions. Accumulation of 1-3 inches is expected between I-70 and Highway 400, with lighter amounts of an inch or less farther north and south, according to meteorologist Jake Dunne. Temperatures will climb into the lower to middle 40s Tuesday and Wednesday before another cold front sweeps across the state late Wednesday into Thursday, though no precipitation is expected with that system.

KWCH

Barton County Tackles Housing Shortage with Three-City Development Plan

Barton County is addressing Kansas's rural housing crisis through an innovative collaboration that will bring over 40 new homes to three communities. The county commission has allocated economic development funds to support housing developments in Hoisington, Ellinwood, and Claflin—a coordinated effort officials say demonstrates the kind of creative thinking needed to reverse decades of under-building across rural Kansas. "Without growth, we are dying on the vine," said Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson. "No one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves." The projects reflect what real estate experts describe as a long-standing shortage that has been years in the making, particularly affecting small communities struggling to attract young people and new businesses.

Kansas Reflector

Train Derails in Perry, Over 20 Cars Overturned

More than 20 freight cars derailed Saturday night alongside Bridge Road in Perry, with multiple boxcars, tankers and the engine overturning, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. with no injuries or casualties reported, and Union Pacific rail workers were still repairing track damage as of Sunday morning.

KWCH

Attorney General Warns Wichita, Other Kansas Schools Over LGBTQ Policies

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has sent letters to Wichita Public Schools and several other districts warning of possible legal action over LGBTQ policies, alleging violations of state and federal laws regarding school policies for LGBTQ students. The letters to USD 259, Lawrence, Cherryvale, and the State Board of Education claim the policies make districts vulnerable to lawsuits and federal funding loss, with Wichita's letter specifically alleging that East High and possibly other schools were "engaging in gender transitioning of minors without parental knowledge or consent." The warnings are similar to letters sent to northeast Kansas districts that are now under federal investigation.

Kansas.com

Chiefs Face Playoff Uncertainty at 6-6 Entering December

For the first time since 2017, the Chiefs enter December at .500 (6-6) and staring at the real possibility of missing the playoffs entirely, with analytics now giving Patrick Mahomes’ team just a 39-44% chance to extend their ten-year postseason streak. The defending AFC champs sit third in the AFC West behind the 9-2 Broncos, hold the No. 10 seed, and are a staggering 1-6 in one-score games this season. A wild-card berth remains within reach if Kansas City can win three of its next four — starting with Sunday’s critical showdown against the 7-5 Texans at Arrowhead — but another stumble could end the dynasty’s playoff run before the new year, leaving Chiefs Kingdom facing its first January without football in a decade.

Citizen Journal

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