hcj

Top 5 Kansas news stories

October 23, 2025

Teri Hansen

23 Oct 2025 • 4 min read

El Dorado High School booster club hit by alleged embezzlement

Nearly 188,000 Kansans face loss of food assistance if shutdown persists

Kansas lawmakers refuse pay in solidarity with federal workers during shutdown

Toys'R'Us to open flagship store in Wichita

Walmart expands control of beef supply chain with Kansas plant

El Dorado High School booster club hit by alleged embezzlement

The El Dorado High School booster club is seeking community support after discovering that its former treasurer allegedly stole most of the organization's funds intended to support student sports and activities. The El Dorado Police Department is investigating the alleged theft, and the school district is allocating emergency funds to help the booster club continue supporting students. The person responsible for handling the funds is no longer employed with the district, according to officials. Community members are urging residents to donate to help replace the missing funds so students don't lose out on club activities for the remainder of the school year.

KWCH

Nearly 188,000 Kansans face loss of food assistance if shutdown persists

Kansas is bracing for a potential disruption to food benefits next month as the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week. The state Department of Children and Families warned that nearly 188,000 Kansans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could lose access to funds in November unless Congress reaches a budget agreement by Oct. 28. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed states to halt processing of November SNAP benefits due to insufficient funds, with the interruption coming as the holiday season approaches and children face days away from school meals. State officials said if federal action is taken quickly, benefits could be restored to residents' cards within 72 hours, and community food pantries are preparing for increased demand.

Kansas City Star

Kansas lawmakers refuse pay in solidarity with federal workers during shutdown

Several of Kansas' federal representatives are forgoing their salaries while the government shutdown continues, which began at the start of October. U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and U.S. Reps. Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Derek Schmidt have confirmed they are having their pay withheld during the shutdown in solidarity with federal workers who have been furloughed. The shutdown has disrupted air travel, food assistance programs and historic sites across Kansas, while more than 17,000 federal civilian employees across the state have had their paychecks frozen. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids' office did not respond to inquiries about her pay status.

KSN

Toys'R'Us to open flagship store in Wichita

The iconic toy retailer is making its return to Wichita with a new flagship store at Towne East Square mall for the holiday shopping season. The store will mark Toys'R'Us's comeback to the city seven years after the chain filed for bankruptcy and closed nearly 180 stores nationwide, including its previous location in Eastgate Plaza that operated until 2018. The chain is opening eight flagship locations across the country alongside seasonal holiday pop-up shops as part of its nationwide expansion strategy.

KWCH

Walmart expands control of beef supply chain with Kansas plant

Walmart has opened its own beef processing plant in Olathe, Kan., marking a significant expansion into the nation's cattle industry and raising concerns among ranchers about consolidation. The fully Walmart-owned facility, which opened in July, sources cattle within a 250-mile radius including Kansas and supplies beef to stores across 11 states from Missouri to Wisconsin. Industry experts warn that with four companies already controlling roughly 85 percent of U.S. beef production, Walmart's entry into vertical integration of the beef supply chain could further squeeze independent ranchers and reduce competition at a time when the Kansas cattle herd has declined 21 percent since 2016.

Kansas News Service

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