Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Windy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph.
Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across southwest and central Kansas Wednesday afternoon and evening. #kswxpic.twitter.com/Xb7zyxTHsf
Wednesday Night A slight chance of rain and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South southeast wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. South southeast wind 8 to 15 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday NightIsolated showers before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 4am, then showers likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North northeast wind 11 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
FridayScattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Latest on flooding throughout the Midwest (all times local):
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is assessing two Superfund sites located in areas that have seen overwhelming floods in recent weeks.
The EPA identified the Superfund sites as the Nebraska Ordnance Plant in Mead, Nebraska, and the Conservation Chemical Corporation in Kansas City. Superfund is a law that gives the EPA funding and authority to clean up contaminated sites.
The Mead site operated as a munitions plant from 1942 to 1956 and its disposal of radioactive waste and other chemicals led to groundwater contamination. The EPA says it has not found evidence that any hazardous contaminants were released by the flooding.
The federal agency says it will evaluate the sites further as floodwaters recede.
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Catholic priest at a South Hutchinson church for possible financial crimes, according to Reno County Sheriff’s Capt. Steve Lutz.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in South Hutchinson
“He has not been arrested. All I can confirm is that we are working a financial crime at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in South Hutchinson,” Lutz said in a text message.
Officials are still investigating whether the priest, Juan Garza, committed any crime. The Catholic Diocese of Wichita is the victim in this case.
Lutz wouldn’t say if the priest will be arrested at some point. “The case has not been sent to the D.A.’s office,” Lutz said.
Attempts to get a comment from the Diocese of Wichita were unsuccessful.
WICHITA, KAN. – A California man was indicted Tuesday on a federal charge of smuggling more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine into Kansas, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Garcia-Maldonado-photo Clark Co.
Jesus Antonio Garcia-Maldonado, 36, Panorama City, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute approximately 23 kilograms of methamphetamine. Garcia-Maldonado was stopped for a traffic violation in Clark County, Kan.
Officers found the drugs under the seats and hidden in rear quarter panels of the car. The car was rented in San Diego, Calif.
If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.
Just two short years ago, the State of Kansas found itself on the brink of financial disaster. Even after depleting state savings and enduring multiple rounds of devastating budget cuts, unsustainable tax policy continued to perpetuate fiscal crisis. We saw schools close and class sizes grow. We saw an overwhelmed child welfare system let children fall through the cracks. And despite promises of immediate prosperity, Kansas routinely ranked among the nation’s worst in multiple economic indicators.
As the budget hole continued to grow, the legislature passed two sales tax increases, swept more than $2 billion from the state highway fund, delayed numerous payments to the state pension system, accumulated historic levels of debt, and raided every critical investment from early childhood education to public safety. But in the end, none of these short-term band aids could stem the bleeding caused by the reckless Brownback tax experiment. In November of 2016, Kansans called for change.
The very next year, the state hit “reset” in a historic act of bipartisanship with the passage of comprehensive tax reform. Our credit score improved within a week. The number of Kansans participating in the labor force increased for the first time since 2014.
We have only just started the rebuilding process. Our recovery is uncertain; our budget is fragile. The State of Kansas cannot afford to make a U-turn now.
Senate Bill 22 – another reckless tax plan – would absolutely dismantle all the progress we’ve made. It would throw our state once again into a self-inflicted budget crisis, diminishing all the investments we’ve worked so hard to rebuild and restore. It would put our future at risk once again in order to give significant tax breaks to entities who need them the least, while continuing to leave working families behind.
I share Kansas lawmakers’ desire to keep the state tax burden as low as possible and that will continue to be a priority. In January, I presented a structurally balanced budget that funded our schools and roads, reduced state debt, left Kansas with the largest ending balance in 20 years and did so all without a tax increase.
I was a math major. This is about basic math. My budget proposal left a healthy, fiscally responsible ending balance. If I had signed Senate Bill 22, the budget that just passed the Senate would fall to more than $600 million in the hole within two years.
That is unacceptable. That is irresponsible.
We must be patient, thoughtful, and prudent as we evaluate tax policy. And, when we move forward with sustainable, commonsense tax relief, we must ensure that it benefits the Kansans who need it the most. We will focus on reducing the sales tax on food and providing real tax relief to working families.
The people of Kansas elected me to rebuild our state. They elected me to bring fiscally conservative and responsible principles back to our government. And I refuse to endorse another round of fiscally reckless policies – similar to the Brownback tax experiment – that left our state in shambles and our families struggling.
I commit to you – the people of Kansas – that I will stabilize our state’s budget, invest in our shared priorities, and continue the recovery we have all fought so hard to begin. By following through on this commitment, our state has every reason to expect a bright and successful future.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A judge who played a key role in Kansas’s first same-sex marriage has announced his retirement.
Judge Kevin Moriarty photo courtesy Johnson County District Court
The Kansas Office of Judicial Administration said in a news release that Johnson County District Judge Kevin Moriarty will retire June 28.
In October 2014, he ordered the county to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to hear appeals from five states seeking to preserve their bans on gay marriage. He said at the time that the ruling was meant to avoid confusion about the legal climate surrounding gay marriages.
It led to the state’s first same-sex wedding and a contentious legal fight. A failed drive was started to oust Moriarty before the nation’s Supreme Court declared a nationwide right to same-sex marriage the following June.
DICKINSON COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Tuesday in Dickinson County.
The scene of the accident on I-70. Photo courtesy Tom Birdsey
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Malibu driven by Michael H. Taplin, 59, Longford, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of the Enterprise exit.
The vehicle crossed the median striking a westbound 2009 Ford F 350 pickup driven by Gary W. Franklin, 60, Solomon.
A westbound 2001 Subaru station wagon driven by Connor T. Brandenberg, 20, St. Louis, Mo., struck the F350 before it was forced from the lane of traffic. The F350 came to rest on its top in the north ditch.
Debris from the collision struck a 2019 Grand Designer camper that was parked in the RV Park parking lot.
Taplin was transported to the hospital in Salina. Franklin was transported to the hospital in Abilene Bradenberg and a passenger in the Subaru were not injured.
All four were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
UPDATE 1:26 p.m. Tuesday: According to Trooper Ben Gardner, one westbound lane
is open again. However, first responders are still at the scene.
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DICKINSON COUNTY — A multi-vehicle crash in Dickson County has temporarily shut down westbound lanes on Interstate 70.
The crash occurred just before noon between Abilene and Chapman, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Check Hays Post for more as information becomes available.
McPHERSON, Kan.-The Hays High Lady Indian soccer team faced their first deficit of the season but responded strong in a 3-1 victory over Salina South in the opening round of the 13th Annual McPherson Invitational. South got on the board first 10 minutes in to take a 1-0 lead but that would be all the Cougars would get in the match. Hays High responded in the 16th minute when freshman Caroline Robben struck with her second goal on the young season to tie the match 1-1 off of an assist from Savannah Schneider. The score would remain 1-1 the rest of the half.
The second half belonged to the Lady Indians. Senior Hannah McGuire got things going early when she blasted one into the back of the net with a nice feed from Kallie Leiker in the 43rd minute. Schneider provided the insurance in the 62nd minute with a long strike that sailed into the net over the outstretched arms of the South goalie.
Hays High improves to 2-0 on the year and will face Maize South in the semi-finals at 6pm on Thursday in McPherson.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House unanimously passed legislation to promote former U.S. Senator Bob Dole to the grade of colonel in the U.S. Army. Congressman Marshall met with Senator Dole today to deliver the great news of the bill’s passage. Now with the legislation through both the House and the Senate, it will head to the president’s desk for final signage.
“I was so proud to see the House quickly recognize and pass this bill honoring our legendary Kansas Senator, Bob Dole,” Rep. Marshall said. “There is no one I can think of more deserving of this honorary promotion than our true Kansas hero, Senator Dole.”
In January, Rep. Marshall introduced this bill in the House as a companion bill to the Senate legislation sponsored by Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Jerry Moran.
“I’m glad Senator Bob Dole is one step closer to receiving the honorary military promotion he has earned, during his lifetime of service to our great nation,” said Sen. Roberts. “Sen. Dole is Kansas’ favorite son and an American hero.”
“From Senator Bob Dole’s time in the military and in Congress, to his continued leadership on veterans, hunger and disability issues, he is a true model of public service for Kansans and all Americans,” said Sen. Moran. “It is only fitting that Senator Dole be promoted for his exemplary service and sacrifice as an Army officer and I am so pleased that this resolution is headed to the president’s desk for signature.”
In 1942, while he was a student at the University of Kansas, Senator Dole registered for the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps. He was called to active duty the following year and served in World War II. While deployed as an infantry lieutenant, he was severely wounded in combat and was twice cited for acts of heroism under fire. He finished his military service with two Purple Hearts and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for valor. He was also awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
This legislation to grant an honorary military promotion for Senator Bob Dole was supported by the entire Kansas Delegation.
“Senator Dole is one of Kansas’ favorite sons and a national icon who well deserves this promotion,” said Rep. Ron Estes. “In addition to his admirable public service in Congress and tireless advocacy for veterans, Dole’s heroic actions in World War II continue to inspire Kansans and generations of Americans around the country. I’m proud to join the Kansas delegation in supporting this promotion.”
“Bob Dole is the definition of a Statesman and a Patriot. There is no one more deserving of this honor,” said Congressman Watkins said.
“Senator Bob Dole is a decorated military veteran, dedicated public servant, and proud Kansan,” Congresswoman Davids said. “He made a significant impact on not only the state of Kansas, but the entire country, and he is more than deserving of this honorary promotion for his decades of service to our nation.”
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who is charged with kicking a toddler and shouting racial slurs inside a Wichita grocery store has been found competent to stand trial.
Riff -photo Sedgwick Co.
A Sedgwick County judge on Tuesday ruled that Trace Riff could face trial on several charges, including attempted aggravated battery.
Prosecutors say Riff kicked a 1-year-old black boy inside a Dillon’s Grocery store in Wichita in December. The boy was not seriously injured.
The boy’s mother and witnesses told police Riff shouted racial slurs and said he was a white supremacist during the incident.
Riff is also charged with interference with law enforcement and disorderly conduct.
Riff’s family says he has a history of mental health and substance abuse problems.
