Top 5 Kansas news stories
October 22 2025
Energy Demand Expected to Nearly Double in Kansas Region
Child Death Review Board Warns of Safety Concerns in Day Care Deregulation Law
Rain and Cooler Temperatures Heading to Kansas Later This Week
Kansas Agencies Participating in Prescription Drug Take Back Event Saturday
Thunder Defeat Rockets in Double-Overtime Opener
1. Energy Demand Expected to Nearly Double in Kansas Region
Federal regulators approved proactive planning authority for the Southwest Power Pool on Friday as the organization forecasts a 96% increase in energy usage over the next decade across its 14-state region that includes Kansas. SPP, which oversees transmission infrastructure and manages the wholesale electricity market, projects peak load increases exceeding 75% within 10 years, driven by artificial intelligence growth, cryptocurrency operations and other factors, according to Casey Cathey, SPP vice president of engineering. SPP is one of seven regional transmission organizations approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as nonprofit member agencies responsible for ensuring utility system reliability and managing wholesale electricity markets. The projected growth represents a dramatic shift from two decades ago when the industry celebrated 1% annual load growth, Cathey said.
Kansas Reflector
Greg Loving
2. Child Death Review Board Warns of Safety Concerns in Day Care Deregulation Law
The Kansas State Child Death Review Board is raising "serious safety concerns" about House Bill 2045, which deregulated licensing requirements for at-home day care facilities as part of a compromise between Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican lawmakers to create the Office of Early Childhood. The board's criticism, detailed in its recent annual report, adds to concerns voiced during the legislative process about expanding unlicensed child care in Kansas.
CJOnline
3. Rain and Cooler Temperatures Heading to Kansas Later This Week
After a chilly morning with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, Kansas will see sunshine and southerly winds push afternoon temperatures into the lower to middle 70s Wednesday, but a slow-moving weather system arrives Thursday night bringing widespread rain and storms through Saturday morning. South central Kansas could see 1-2 inches of rainfall, with mainly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 50s and lower 60s continuing through the weekend after rain exits Saturday morning.
KWCH
4. Kansas Agencies Participating in Prescription Drug Take Back Event Saturday
Law enforcement agencies across Kansas will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration's National RX Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering residents a free and anonymous way to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications at more than 50 locations statewide. The event does not accept needles, liquids or inhalers.
KWCH
Rica Simpson
5. Thunder Defeat Rockets in Double-Overtime Opener
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit two free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 125-124 victory over the Houston Rockets on opening night, marking the first double-overtime season opener since 2005. Gilgeous-Alexander, last season's scoring champion, finished with 35 points after managing just five at halftime as Thunder fans celebrated a championship ring ceremony and banner unveiling.
ESPN
Sources
- https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/21/kansas-region-expects-plans-for-near-doubling-of-energy-usage-through-next-decade/
- https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/10/22/kansas-child-death-review-board-warns-parents-of-day-care-deregulation/86680306007/
- https://www.kwch.com/2025/10/22/rain-cooler-temps-late-this-week-kansas/
- https://www.kwch.com/2025/10/21/kansas-law-enforcement-agencies-hosting-national-prescription-drug-take-back-event/
- https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401809243
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