AGP Executive Report

Senate Race: President Donald Trump promoted Sen. Roger Marshall’s reelection bid and teased a Kansas rally as polls show Democrat Adam Hamilton making the race unexpectedly competitive. Voting: Advance voting is underway. Kansans will also decide whether to revise the state constitution’s voting language; the proposed amendment would restate the citizenship requirement already in state law. Child Safety: Kansas reached a settlement of more than $10 million with Roblox over child-safety concerns. Chiefs Stadium: The state set boundaries for the STAR Bonds district tied to a proposed Chiefs stadium and training facility. Higher Education: Kansas State’s arts and sciences programs face a $2.6 million shortfall and possible cuts, while the university’s president is reportedly leaving for Virginia Tech. Public Safety: The owner of Wichita dispensary High Hopes ICT pleaded guilty to federal firearm and racketeering charges tied to a case involving marijuana sales.

Kansas Politics: President Donald Trump promoted Sen. Roger Marshall’s reelection campaign and hinted at a Kansas rally, as polls show Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton nearly tied. Marshall also paid a $1,300 campaign bakery bill after a six-year dispute. Public Safety: A Concordia man was arrested on requested charges including terrorism and aggravated criminal threat. Investigators say they know of no ongoing threat. Severe Weather: Storms brought flooding to south-central Kansas, with more heavy rain, wind and hail possible through Thursday. Local Development: Leavenworth moved toward a vote on a STAR bond district for its vacant mall and Abeles Field. In Lawrence, commissioners rejected including Costco in a proposed district. Higher Education: Kansas State faces a $2.6 million shortfall in its Arts and Sciences college, while university president Richard Linton is leaving for Virginia Tech.

Kansas Politics: President Donald Trump promoted Sen. Roger Marshall’s reelection campaign and teased a Kansas rally as Marshall faces a tight contest with Democrat Adam Hamilton and scrutiny over campaign bills and lawsuits over medical debt. Today, Oct. 13, is the deadline to register for the Nov. 3 election; advance voting starts Wednesday. Severe Weather: Heavy rain and storms threaten east-central Kansas, with flooding possible through Thursday as unusually warm weather gives way to cooler conditions. Wichita Courts: The City Council unanimously approved a contract for a private firm to run the municipal public defender’s office, serving more than 4,000 defendants. The firm says it will work with behavioral health and social-service providers. College Sports: Kansas fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, while Kansas State lost 35-16 to Houston. Both are 0-2 in Big 12 play ahead of Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown.

Voting Deadline: Kansas residents have until Tuesday to register or update voter information for the Nov. 3 election. An appeals court has also ruled that mail-in ballots may arrive up to three days after Election Day. Senate Race: A new poll puts Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton less than a point apart. President Donald Trump promoted Marshall and hinted at a Kansas rally as scrutiny grows over Marshall’s past medical-debt lawsuits and his campaign’s long-unpaid bakery bill, which he has now paid with interest. Severe Weather: Storms and heavy rain are forecast Tuesday through Thursday, with flooding possible before cooler air arrives. Campus News: A KU Senate committee recommended discontinuing seven courses, while Kansas State faces a reported $2.6 million shortfall in its Arts and Sciences college. College Football: Kansas fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, and Houston handed Kansas State a 35-16 home loss.

Senate Race: A new poll puts Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton less than a point apart. Marshall discussed housing, health care and other issues at a K-State town hall, and his campaign paid a Hutchinson bakery $1,300 to settle a six-year-old bill. Schools: Chronic absenteeism at Hays USD 489 rose to 20.67% last school year, above the Kansas average of 17.87%; the district is weighing ways to get students back in class. Weather and Farming: Recent rain eased drought in parts of Kansas, though drought persists in much of Barton County. Severe storms and possible flooding are forecast this week. Cattle industry leaders warn a proposed mandatory U.S.-origin label could raise costs for producers and shoppers. Public Safety: A Concordia man was arrested on requested terrorism, aggravated criminal threat and felony obstruction charges after police investigated a planned event; investigators say there is no known ongoing threat. College Sports: Kansas football fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, while K-State lost 35-16 to Houston.

Data Center Debate: Digital Realty says De Soto households could receive up to $1,000 a year for a decade to offset property taxes or utility bills. Some neighbors welcome the help; others question the project’s impact and call the offer a bribe. Election Watch: Kansas’ U.S. Senate race is drawing national attention as polling tightens. Sen. Roger Marshall’s campaign has also paid a bakery bill that went unpaid for six years. Voting Rules: An appeals court says Kansas must count mail ballots that arrive up to three days after Election Day. Farm and Weather: Rain has eased drought in parts of Kansas, but areas of Barton County remain in moderate to severe drought. Earlier heavy rain and heat also cut pumpkin crops, leaving some growers with about half last year’s harvest. Courts: A Lyons woman received probation and was ordered to repay $316,570 after admitting she collected her imprisoned husband’s Social Security benefits for nearly a decade. College Football: Kansas fell 41-24 to No. 12 Utah, while Kansas State lost 35-16 at home to Houston.

Election Rules: A Kansas appeals court kept the three-day grace period for mail ballots in place while a challenge to the state’s new deadline proceeds. Emporia Development: Two local ballot questions proposed restrictions on high-impact data centers and some battery-storage systems, putting energy use and growth at the center of the debate. Senate Race: Kansas is drawing fresh national attention as polls show a tighter-than-usual contest and former Republican governors back Democrat Adam Hamilton. Public Safety: A pedestrian was killed after being struck on K-7 near Bonner Springs; three people were hospitalized after an off-road vehicle overturned in Osage County. College Football: Kansas fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, while Kansas State lost 35-16 to No. 22 Houston, dropping the Wildcats to 0-2 in Big 12 play. Rural Safety: Ottawa County crews contained a combine fire and a large hay-stack fire, with no injuries reported; officials urged caution as dry, windy fall conditions raise fire risks.

College Football: Kansas fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, while Kansas State lost its Big 12 home opener 35-16 to Houston, dropping to 0-2 in conference play. Kansas Politics: The Senate race drew fresh attention as candidates discussed affordability and other issues at forums; Sen. Roger Marshall faced backlash after his campaign repaid a bakery’s $679 invoice, paying $1,300. Kansas attorney general hopefuls Kris Kobach and Chris Mann also clashed in a debate. Election Rules: An appeals court ruled Kansas must count mail ballots that arrive up to three days after Election Day. Courts: A 79-year-old Lyons woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to repay $316,570 after admitting she collected her imprisoned husband’s Social Security benefits for nearly a decade. Weather: Warm conditions are expected to give way to rain and cooler temperatures by midweek.

Attorney General Debate: Republican Kris Kobach and Democrat Chris Mann clashed over law enforcement, capital punishment and the role of the office in a debate ahead of their rematch. Election Watch: Kansas’s U.S. Senate race has been rated a toss-up, drawing fresh national attention and campaign spending as voters focus on the cost of living. Southwest Kansas: Garden City leaders are pressing Kansas’s congressional delegation for answers about recent federal immigration raids; Gov. Laura Kelly also met with affected workers. Public Health: Kansas has recorded five measles cases, though officials say they have not identified community transmission. Stadium Dispute: Wyandotte County is suing the state to preserve its say in stadium decisions, while a state audit flagged errors in Unified Government funding allocations. Weather and Sports: KU’s game at Utah was moved up to 7 p.m. Central because of storm concerns. Firearms Policy: After Kansas led a lawsuit challenging federal rules, the ATF dropped nationwide registration and preapproval requirements for suppressors and certain short-barreled firearms.

Jayhawks: Kansas’ game at No. 12 Utah was moved up to 7 p.m. Central Saturday because of storm risks; the broadcast will stream on ESPN’s app, with a TV network still to be announced. Parsons Project: The Energy Department approved an initial safety-design step for Deep Fission’s proposed underground nuclear reactor, but financial researchers and law firms have raised questions about the company’s finances. Immigration: Gov. Laura Kelly called federal raids in southwest Kansas an abuse of power and said she would work to restore residents’ sense of security. Health Care: Rep. Sharice Davids proposed restoring ACA tax credits and increasing Medicare support for rural hospitals, saying the changes could ease premiums and help facilities retain staff. Public Health: Kansas measles cases rose from two to five, all linked to out-of-state travel; state officials said they have not seen broader community spread. Midterms: Kansas is drawing fresh national attention as a potential Senate battleground, with former President Barack Obama warning Democrats the close races could still slip away.

Senate Battleground: Kansas’s race is drawing national money and attention: a new forecast moved it to a toss-up, a poll showed Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton tied, and a GOP super PAC shifted funds to defend Marshall. Farm and Rural Economy: Kansas ranchers remain frustrated as beef prices stay high, while diesel costs and immigration raids add pressure on agriculture and western Kansas meatpacking communities. Local Development: Emporia’s November ballot measures could restrict data centers and battery projects, prompting concerns from economic development leaders about future investment. Election Rules: A Kansas appeals court ruled that mail ballots arriving within three days after Election Day must be counted. Public Health: Kansas has reported five measles cases, with no community transmission identified, and 12 West Nile cases this year. Stadium Oversight: Wyandotte County officials voted to keep local approval powers over plans for a Chiefs stadium.

Senate Race: Kansas’ U.S. Senate contest is now rated a toss-up, with polls showing a close race between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton as national Republicans shift money into the state. Election Rules: An appeals court ruled that Kansas must count mail ballots arriving within three days after Election Day. A Republican secretary of state candidate was fined $93,000 for a federal labor-law violation. Schools: Olathe plans to close six campuses, projecting $12 million in annual savings as enrollment falls; Wichita voters face a separate $615 million school bond proposal opposed by a group demanding stronger academic results. State Finances: Kansas tax revenue topped estimates by 6.1% in the first quarter of the budget year. Southwest Kansas: Communities and beef businesses are still recovering from immigration raids, while Gov. Laura Kelly and a union leader criticized the operations and called for reform. Public Health: Kansas reported five measles cases this year, with officials saying community transmission has not been detected.

Senate Battleground: Kansas’s closely watched Senate race is drawing national money, with Republicans shifting funds into the state as GOP Sen. Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up; no Democrat has won a Kansas Senate race in 94 years. Election Rules: An appeals court ruled Kansas must count mail ballots that arrive up to three days after Election Day, preserving the state’s ballot grace period. Public Finances: Kansas tax revenue topped estimates by 6.1% in the first quarter of the budget year. Labor Law: Secretary of state candidate Pat Proctor says federal officials wrongly penalized his restaurant businesses, but labor authorities cited $93,000 in unpaid overtime and minimum-wage violations. Highway Fatality: A wrong-way collision between semitrailers on U.S. 54 in Ford County killed a Liberal man and seriously injured the other driver.

Senate Race: Polls show Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton running neck and neck, as national GOP groups shift campaign money to Kansas. Election Rules: A Kansas appeals court says mail ballots arriving up to three days after Election Day must be counted. State Finances: Kansas tax collections beat forecasts, with September revenue reaching $1.08 billion. Western Kansas: Communities and beef businesses are still grappling with the effects of immigration raids and worker shortages. Olathe Crash: A California truck driver died in a crash that shut down northbound I-35 for hours. Telecom Security: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined a multistate coalition urging federal regulators to scrutinize TP-Link’s China ties before approving new routers.

Energy and Jobs: Antora Energy says its planned 5.8-gigawatt-hour thermal battery project at Pratt Energy’s facility could create more than 100 jobs and help cut emissions from Kansas ethanol production. Youth Health: Doctors are urging the Big 12 to pause an energy drink sponsorship, warning that links to KU, K-State and admired athletes could make high-caffeine drinks seem safe for young fans. Kansas Politics: A new poll puts the U.S. Senate race between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton in a toss-up, drawing millions in new GOP spending. Attorney general candidates Kris Kobach and Chris Mann also clashed in a campaign debate. Local Safety: Wichita police are investigating after a federal grand jury indicted a Wichita man on meth trafficking and firearm charges. In Kansas City, Kansas, police are seeking information after a bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run. Food Assistance: Kansas families are waiting longer for SNAP benefits as the Department for Children and Families cites new requirements and staffing shortages.

Kansas Politics: Kansas AG candidates Kris Kobach and Chris Mann sparred in a Johnson County Bar Association debate over crime, immigration, and how to handle federal disputes, with both also warning about AI-powered video surveillance and pushing for strict open-records rules. Local Education: Olathe parents are collecting signatures to force a second look at the district’s plan to close several schools, arguing they need more transparency and financial clarity. Roads & Construction: Lawrence officials say KDOT apologized for delays on the Wakarusa Drive project after utility conflicts stalled work, with construction set to resume Wednesday. Public Safety: A Leawood dog led police to an owner who’d fallen and couldn’t get up for more than three hours, and the resident is recovering. Sports (Big 12): No. 12 Utah hosts Kansas in a defensive showdown, with both teams ranking among the league’s stingiest against the run. Business/Health Care: Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County staff earned state recognition, and Iroquois Memorial Hospital named Stella Worley its new CFO.