Top 5 Kansas news stories
December 29 2025
Chiefs Headquarters Deal Culminates Two-Year Secret Pursuit by Olathe Chamber
Kelly Outlines Four-Point Legislative Agenda for Final Session: Budget, Chiefs Stadium, Water, Childcare
Taiwanese Battery Manufacturer Selects Liberal for First U.S. Manufacturing Base
Documentary Examining Marion County Record Police Raid Earns Sundance Film Festival Premiere
Salina Police Investigate Triple Burglaries at Two Businesses, One Residence
Chiefs Headquarters Deal Culminates Two-Year Secret Pursuit by Olathe Chamber
The Kansas City Chiefs' decision to locate their headquarters, practice facility and entertainment district in Olathe represents the conclusion of a two-year confidential effort led by Olathe Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim McKee, who worked under multiple non-disclosure agreements alongside city officials and Olathe Public Schools to secure the franchise. McKee said the secrecy proved essential to landing the deal that will transform Olathe over the next decade, noting the city "is not going to be the Olathe that people used to know" as the development takes shape.
KSHB
Kelly Outlines Four-Point Legislative Agenda for Final Session: Budget, Chiefs Stadium, Water, Childcare
Gov. Laura Kelly enters her final legislative session with four priorities: passing a balanced budget, sustaining economic development following the Kansas City Chiefs relocation deal, finalizing a long-term water resources strategy, and establishing the new Office of Early Childhood by July 1. The term-limited Democratic governor acknowledged that Kansas lacks resources to compensate for federal reductions expected to strip Medicaid coverage from 90,000 Kansans and slash emergency food assistance, with the state projected to lose at least $150 million through federal program cuts staggered through 2028. Kelly pointed to bipartisan collaboration that secured the Chiefs' stadium and headquarters as a "game-changer for our state" and an example of what Republicans and Democrats can accomplish together. The governor said she aims to establish "a structure and a funding source" for water conservation before leaving office and to consolidate early childhood programs currently housed across multiple state agencies.
Kansas Reflector
Taiwanese Battery Manufacturer Selects Liberal for First U.S. Manufacturing Base
Apogee Power, a Taiwan-based advanced battery energy storage system manufacturer, will establish its first U.S. operations in Liberal, initially creating 20 to 30 jobs with plans to expand to 70 positions, according to Seward County Development Corporation Director Eli Svaty. The facility will serve as the company's U.S. center for assembly, marketing and logistics of hybrid and ground power units while hosting subleases for drone technology companies.
Greg Loving
Documentary Examining Marion County Record Police Raid Earns Sundance Film Festival Premiere
A documentary exploring the August 2023 police raid on the Marion County Record will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival Jan. 22 through Feb. 1, earning selection as one of 10 films competing in the U.S. documentary category from thousands of submissions. Director Sharon Liese said "Seized" moves beyond First Amendment implications to examine the deeper relationship between a small-town newspaper and its community, calling it "a canary in a coal mine" type of story. Liese said the film explores what journalism really is and what people want it to be, noting "the story that we eventually told is not what you would expect" following law enforcement's raids on the newspaper office, publisher's home and a city councilwoman's residence in Marion more than two years ago.
Kansas Reflector
Salina Police Investigate Triple Burglaries at Two Businesses, One Residence
Salina police are investigating burglaries reported Dec. 19 at Boy Scouts of America on South Ohio Street and All Eyes on You Salon on East Prescott Avenue, where forced entry resulted in combined losses exceeding $7,000 including food items, electronics, gift cards and jewelry, plus a residential garage burglary on Guernsey Street where a tackle box, lighter and wallet valued at more than $100 were stolen.
Salina311
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