Top 5 Kansas news stories
December 23 2025
Kelly and Chiefs Seal $3 Billion Stadium Deal, Creating 20,000 Construction Jobs
Chiefs Design 65,000-Seat Domed Stadium to Attract Super Bowl, College Football Playoff Games
Royals Voice Support for Chiefs' Kansas Move as MLB Team's Stadium Future Remains Uncertain
Luckert Resigns as Chief Justice After Stroke, Rosen to Lead Kansas Supreme Court
U.S. Farmers Harvest Record 23.6 Billion Bushels, Pressuring Prices as Export Share Declines
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1. Kelly and Chiefs Seal $3 Billion Stadium Deal, Creating 20,000 Construction Jobs
Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas City Chiefs announced an agreement to build a $3 billion domed stadium in Wyandotte County and a new team headquarters in Olathe, marking the largest economic development project in state history. The stadium, set to open for the 2031 NFL season, will create more than 20,000 construction jobs and generate $4.4 billion in economic impact during the building phase. The public-private partnership, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Council with bipartisan support, will be funded through STAR bonds and revenue from iLottery and sports betting—requiring no new state taxes or current budget funds. Lt. Gov. David Toland, who negotiated the deal, said the project continues Kansas' unprecedented economic development streak that has attracted $30 billion in capital investment since 2019, while the Hunt Family commits an additional $1 billion for mixed-use development at both sites.
Greg Loving
My take on the impact of the Chiefs deal to Kansas politics:
Greg Loving
Citizen Journal
2. Chiefs Design 65,000-Seat Domed Stadium to Attract Super Bowl, College Football Playoff Games
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to construct a domed stadium in Wyandotte County with capacity exceeding 65,000 seats, designed to attract major sporting events including Final Fours, college football playoff games, and potentially a Super Bowl to Kansas.
Kansas City Star
3. Royals Voice Support for Chiefs' Kansas Move as MLB Team's Stadium Future Remains Uncertain
The Kansas City Royals posted a supportive message to the Chiefs following Monday's stadium announcement, pledging to remain "part of the Kingdom into the future" after 52 years as neighbors, while the baseball team's own ballpark plans remain unresolved. The Royals have stated they will not renew their lease at Kauffman Stadium and continue exploring options including sites in Clay County and Johnson County. Kansas leaders set a year-end deadline for both teams to decide on using STAR bonds for Kansas stadiums, with House Speaker Dan Hawkins maintaining that timeline. Gov. Kelly declined to discuss Royals negotiations during Monday's Chiefs announcement, while Kansas City, Missouri issued a statement wishing the Chiefs success and reaffirming efforts to retain the Royals in a downtown facility.
KWCH
4. Luckert Resigns as Chief Justice After Stroke, Rosen to Lead Kansas Supreme Court
Justice Eric Rosen will become Kansas' new chief justice on January 2, following the resignation of Chief Justice Marla Luckert who suffered a stroke in October. Luckert will remain on the court as an associate justice under a Kansas Constitutional provision allowing her to step back from chief justice duties while continuing to serve, with plans to finish work on cases she heard before mid-October. Luckert, who has served on the Kansas Supreme Court since her 2003 appointment by Gov. Bill Graves, has indicated she is considering retirement. Her potential departure coincides with an upcoming August primary vote on a constitutional amendment that would replace the current gubernatorial appointment system with judicial elections, meaning her seat could become the first Kansas Supreme Court position filled by voters rather than through appointment if the measure passes and she retires. Supporters of the proposal argue the court has overstepped its authority in decisions related to abortion rights and public school funding, saying it is out of step with voters.
KSNT
5. U.S. Farmers Harvest Record 23.6 Billion Bushels, Pressuring Prices as Export Share Declines
Farmers across the High Plains and United States harvested a record 23.6 billion bushels for the 2025-26 marketing year, an 8% increase from last year, with corn leading the surge at 16.7 billion bushels—up 12% from 2024-25. Soybeans dropped 3% to 4.3 billion bushels while wheat remained steady near 2 billion bushels, with final production figures due January 12 in the USDA's Crop Production Annual Summary. The abundant supplies will easily satisfy domestic consumption projected at a record 17.4 billion bushels, up 5%, while leaving substantial surplus for export markets. Since 2000, production has exceeded consumption in 14 years including 2025, creating downward pressure on commodity prices as U.S. global market share has declined from over 40% in the early 2000s to approximately 25% today, matching Brazil's expanding presence. Despite shrinking export share, the domestic market remains robust as ethanol demand for corn and renewable diesel from soybean oil continue expanding.
High Plains Journal
Sources
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