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Top 5 Kansas news stories

October 29 2025

Greg Loving

29 Oct 2025 • 5 min read

Shield AI X-BAT drone

Kelly Joins 23-State Lawsuit Over SNAP Suspension

Defense Tech Company Selects Newton for Flight Test Facility

Kansas Farm Leaders Tell Congress to Get Back to Work

Senate President Secures Signatures to Call Redistricting Special Session

Freeze Warning Issued for Parts of Kansas Tonight

Kelly Joins 23-State Lawsuit Over SNAP Suspension

Governor Laura Kelly joined 22 attorneys general and two governors Tuesday in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture for suspending SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown. The coalition argues USDA has billions in contingency funds available but has chosen not to use them, cutting off food assistance to 42 million Americans including nearly 188,000 Kansas children, families and seniors who rely on the program monthly. Kelly said the suspension is "an unprecedented choice" that violates the federal government's legal and moral responsibility to fund SNAP, which typically provides $34.4 million in monthly benefits to more than 93,000 Kansas households. The coalition is seeking a temporary restraining order to immediately restore benefits, arguing federal law requires SNAP to continue during government shutdowns. Trump Administration officials deny that they have enough contingency money to fund SNAP.

Citizen Journal

Defense Tech Company Selects Newton for Flight Test Facility

Shield AI, a venture-backed defense technology company, will establish a new flight test facility at Newton City-County Airport, Harvey County Economic Development and Greater Wichita announced. The company develops autonomy software and AI-piloted aircraft to protect service members and civilians in high-risk environments, including the X-BAT, the world's first AI-piloted vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet. Initial plans include leasing approximately 10,000 square feet of space and three acres for flight testing, with potential to create 30 to 60 full-time jobs and nearly $1 million in infrastructure improvements over the next few years if a manufacturing facility is added. Shield AI representatives met with state, regional and Partnership leaders at the past two international air shows before touring locations across south-central Kansas with support from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The Newton City Commission and Harvey County Commission approved the lease agreement Tuesday, finalizing the project that positions Newton as a hub for advanced defense technology development.

KWCH

Kansas Farm Leaders Tell Congress to Get Back to Work

Kansas agriculture leaders are urging Congress to resume operations and address critical farming issues, emphasizing that farmers cannot pause their work during the government shutdown. Nick Levendofsky, executive director of Kansas Farmers Union, said farmers in Republic County and across the state continue harvest, wheat drilling and moving cattle off pastures without interruption, and expect Congress to show the same commitment. Speaking in a virtual press conference arranged by Congresswoman Sharice Davids earlier this month, Levendofsky and Kansas Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam called for action on public policy issues that don't require additional spending. Levendofsky noted the farm bill was allowed to expire, and while some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much work remains.

Kansas Reflector

Senate President Secures Signatures to Call Redistricting Special Session

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson announced he has secured enough signatures from Senate Republicans to call a special session to attempt redistricting the state. The petition calls for a special session starting November 10 and budgeted for up to four days. Special sessions can be called by the governor or by the Legislature if two-thirds of members sign a petition.

CJOnline

Freeze Warning Issued for Parts of Kansas Tonight

Kansas experienced a blustery Wednesday morning with temperatures in the 30s feeling like the teens and 20s due to gusty northwest winds, with afternoon highs expected to reach only the upper 40s and lower 50s—ten to fifteen degrees below normal. As winds die down and skies clear, widespread frost is likely across south-central Kansas tonight into Thursday morning, while areas farther north and west including Dodge City and Salina will see freezing conditions that end the growing season. After a cool Halloween with trick-or-treat temperatures in the 50s, the first weekend of November will bring warmer weather with highs in the mid to upper 50s Saturday and lower to mid 60s Sunday. The warm spell will continue through next week with highs generally in the 60s and 70s, placing temperatures five to ten degrees above average for early November.

KWCH

Sources

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