Top 5 Kansas news stories

Kansas Supreme Court Examines Roiling Water Dispute Between Crop Irrigators and Hays, Russell

Seward County Commissioners Resign, Prompting Quorum Crisis Over Budget Backlash

Transportation Secretary Duffy Tours Wichita Aerospace Facilities, Addresses Safety Concerns

Developer Sues Belton City Council Over Blocked Affordable Housing Project

Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Undergoes Successful ACL Surgery

Kansas Supreme Court Hears Cities' Water Transfer Challenged by Edwards County Irrigators

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a water rights dispute pitting the cities of Hays and Russell against Edwards County crop irrigators, with the cities seeking to pipe aquifer water 80 miles from the rural county to supply their drought-prone communities and the irrigators claiming the transfer would drain the aquifer and devastate agricultural operations. Attorney Daniel Buller, representing the two cities, told the six-member court that state law allows the water transfer from the R9 Ranch the cities purchased in the 1990s, while attorney Charles Lee, representing the Water Protection Association of Central Kansas, argued the project would reduce aquifer recharge and increase pumping costs for farmers who depend on the same water source. The legal battle centers on a Department of Agriculture order approving Hays and Russell's request to convert 32 water rights from irrigation to municipal use, with the state agency arguing the irrigators failed to prove actual harm to their water rights. Edwards County revised zoning regulations in 2024 to block the transfer, which the cities characterized as unconstitutional, while the irrigators claimed the project threatens the long-term viability of an aquifer that supplies 85% of Kansas water used for agriculture. The case, which has bounced between district court and the Supreme Court, reflects growing tensions in Kansas over water rights and the competing demands of agricultural irrigation systems and cities seeking reliable water supplies for economic expansion.

Kansas Reflector

Three Seward County Commissioners Resign During Meeting, Leaving Board Without Quorum

LIBERAL — Three Seward County commissioners resigned Monday night in succession, leaving the five-member board without the quorum needed to conduct official county business including paying employees, county officials said. Commissioners Tammy L. Sutherland-Abbott, Scott Carr and Presephoni Fuller stepped down — Fuller immediately, the others effective the next morning — with Sutherland-Abbott citing months of public ridicule and a second recall effort in recent weeks following the commission's September vote to exceed the revenue-neutral property tax rate. The resignations follow sustained public backlash over the 2026 budget and a tax levy increase of 13.384 mills above the revenue-neutral rate, which Carr, Fuller and Sutherland-Abbott supported in a 3-2 vote while commissioners Todd Stanton and Steven Helm voted no. Under Kansas law, the vacancies will be filled through party district conventions culminating in gubernatorial appointments to restore a working quorum.

Citizen Journal

Transportation Secretary Duffy Tours Wichita Aerospace Facilities with Sen. Moran

WICHITA — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy toured Wichita aerospace facilities Sunday with Sen. Jerry Moran, visiting Boeing, Textron and the National Institute of Aerospace Research to address aviation industry concerns following recent air disasters including Flight 5342. Moran expressed confidence in the National Transportation Safety Board's expertise and said Congress should pay attention to changes being made to improve aircraft safety.

KWCH

Developer Sues Belton Over Blocked Affordable Housing Project, Alleging Discrimination

A development group filed a federal lawsuit against Belton and its city council over a 252-unit affordable housing project the council blocked in May, seeking damages and a court order allowing the project to move forward near Calvary University's campus. The lawsuit, filed Dec. 2 by Jabal Companies and related entities, argues the city's rejection of the Commons of Belton project was discriminatory after residents made prejudicial comments about potential tenants, despite initial city support that included contributing nearly 7 acres of municipal land. The proposed development on an 8-acre site along Westover Road would have included a soccer field for Calvary University, enabling the school to build a women's soccer program and expand its men's program, but the council voted against rezoning and a preliminary development plan following public opposition.

Kansas City Star

Chiefs Quarterback Mahomes Undergoes Surgery for Torn ACL After Chargers Game Injury

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, 30, successfully underwent surgery Monday evening in Dallas to repair a torn ACL in his left knee sustained during the team's Dec. 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and will begin rehabilitation immediately. Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys' head team physician, performed the surgery and also repaired a torn LCL in Mahomes' left knee, according to ESPN.

People

Sources

1. Kansas Reflector
2. Citizen Journal
3. KWCH
4. Kansas City Star
5. People

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