Top 5 Kansas news stories
January 9 2026
Evergy Proposes 133-Mile Power Line Through Southern Kansas to Serve Regional Grid; Landowners Challenge Benefits
Democrat Dinah Sykes Vows to Reject Insurance Industry Donations in Commissioner Race
Justice Eric Rosen Sworn In as Kansas Supreme Court Chief After Luckert's Resignation
Derby's Rock Regional Hospital Closes Permanently After Bankruptcy Judge Lifts Eviction Stay
Garden City Appoints 22-Year-Old Tom Nguyen as Youngest Mayor in City History
Evergy Proposes 133-Mile Power Line Through Southern Kansas to Serve Regional Grid; Landowners Challenge Benefits
Evergy has proposed a 133-mile power transmission line through southern Kansas that would primarily benefit Oklahoma and Missouri while requiring Kansas ratepayers to help fund the nearly $500 million project. The Kansas Corporation Commission and Evergy held a public hearing Thursday night in Winfield, drawing 123 people, as landowners raised concerns about the project's impact on agricultural operations and property values. The line would run from the Buffalo Flats substation near Sedgwick County through Sumner, Cowley, and Chautauqua counties before ending near Delaware, Oklahoma. The project is designed to strengthen the regional Southwest Power Pool grid and ensure reliable energy during emergency weather conditions, with electricity flowing in both directions. Construction would begin in Sedgwick County as early as autumn 2027, with full operation expected by December 2029. Evergy representatives told concerned farmers and ranchers the company would restore disturbed land to its original condition or better following the multi-year construction process.
KWCH
Democrat Dinah Sykes Vows to Reject Insurance Industry Donations in Commissioner Race
Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes announced Thursday she will challenge House Speaker Dan Hawkins for Kansas insurance commissioner, pledging to decline all campaign contributions from the insurance industry. The Lenexa Democrat, who was elected to the Senate in 2016 as a Republican before switching parties during her first term, will face the Wichita Republican who announced his candidacy in May with a platform focused on conservative values and deregulating the state's insurance marketplace. Sykes, who has served as minority leader since 2020, said her campaign will focus on lowering costs, consumer protection and holding insurance companies accountable, while Hawkins argues that deregulation will reduce costs and simplify insurance navigation. The insurance commissioner oversees the Kansas Insurance Department, which regulates insurance companies operating in the state, a position currently held by Vicki Schmidt, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor.
Kansas Reflector
Justice Eric Rosen Sworn In as Kansas Supreme Court Chief After Luckert's Resignation
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen formally became chief justice Thursday, describing the court's work as crucial public service. Rosen, who joined the Supreme Court in 2005 after serving 12 years as a Shawnee County District Court judge, transitioned to acting chief justice in October after Chief Justice Marla Luckert suffered a stroke and officially assumed the role January 1 upon Luckert's resignation. Under a provision of the Kansas Constitution, the position goes to the justice with the most continuous years of service to the court.
Kansas Reflector
Derby's Rock Regional Hospital Closes Permanently After Bankruptcy Judge Lifts Eviction Stay
Rock Regional Hospital in Derby has permanently closed after a bankruptcy judge lifted a stay that delayed the facility's eviction, ending all emergency care services at the location. Court records show the landlord gave the hospital notice November 5 that it would enforce eviction no later than December 10, prompting Rock Regional to file for bankruptcy three days before that deadline, claiming $23 million in liabilities to the landlord. Derby Mayor Mark Staats said the hospital was an asset to the community but that he had anticipated the closure, while the hospital urged anyone experiencing a medical emergency to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
KSN
Garden City Appoints 22-Year-Old Tom Nguyen as Youngest Mayor in City History
Garden City has appointed Tom Nguyen, 22, as its new mayor following the reorganization of the city commission after the recent election cycle. During commissioner reports at the first regular session of the newly seated commission, Nguyen was formally recognized as both the youngest mayor in the city's history and its first Asian American mayor, while Vice Mayor Deborah Oyler and Commissioner Karen Canales Lozano were also welcomed by the body. Nguyen, who has served on the city commission since 2023, said he is ready to implement ambitious goals including building 4,000 new homes by 2030 and progressing the second phase of the star district with new baseball and softball fields to reshape sports for future generations. The mayor pledged to keep the city commission community-centered and engaged with schools and the younger generation, and while Garden City mayoral terms last only one year, Nguyen could be reelected if the commission chooses.
Greg Loving
Sources
- https://www.kwch.com/2026/01/09/plans-evergy-transmission-line-draw-opposition-landowners/
- https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-senate-minority-leader-challenges-gop-house-speaker-for-state-insurance-commissioner/
- https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/08/kansas-supreme-court-justice-eric-rosen-sworn-in-as-chief-of-states-highest-court/
- https://www.ksn.com/news/local/rock-regional-hospital-in-derby-has-officially-closed
- https://www.kwch.com/2026/01/09/garden-city-has-appointed-its-new-mayor-to-start-the-new-year/
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