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Kansas State aims to return to NCAA Tournament after just missing out in Jerome Tang's second season

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Kansas State aims to return to NCAA Tournament after just missing out in Jerome Tang's second season


Kansas State (19-15, 8-10 Big 12)

The Wildcats took a step back after Jerome Tang led them on an unexpected Elite Eight run in his debut season, missing the NCAA Tournament last year as one of the last teams on the bubble. They wound up losing to Iowa in the first round of the NIT, and Tang immediately began to rebuild his roster around a handful of high-end transfers.

The biggest was Coleman Hawkins, who transferred from Illinois and reportedly got a seven-figures name, image and likeness deal. Michigan’s Dug McDaniel should replace the departed Tylor Perry at the point, while Achor Achor (Samford) and Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton) were mid-major scoring machines last season.

The Wildcast struggled mightily in the paint last season, and they hope two still-raw transfers can help. Seven-footer Ugonna Onyenso came from Kentucky and 6-11 center Baye Fall — a former McDonald’s All-American — arrived from Arkansas.

Players to watch

David N’Guessan (senior, 6-9, 7.8 ppg) returned for a fifth season and provides some experience and versatility for a team that will rely so heavily on transfers and need to come together quickly.

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Hawkins (senior, 6-10, 12.1 ppg at Illinois) spent four seasons with the Illini, helping them win the Big Ten tourney last year and make a run to the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament, losing to eventual champion UConn.

McDaniel (junior, 5-10, 16.3 ppg at Michigan) is an ideal fit for Kansas State’s offense. He can score in bunches, twice going for 33 in a game last season, but also distribute the ball, piling up eight assists in two different games.

Departures and arrivals

Arthur Kaluma took his 14.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game to Texas, leaving a big void in the Kansas State lineup. Veteran guard Cam Carter (LSU), Dai Dai Ames (Virginia), Jerrell Colbert (SMU) and RJ Jones (TCU) also moved on.

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang addresses the media during the NCAA college Big 12 men’s basketball media day, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel

Top games

Kansas State will be part of the Paradise Jam along with playing LSU, St. John’s, Drake and Wichita State in what is a relatively weak nonconference schedule. The Wildcats will hope to pile up wins before jumping into Big 12 play, where the league’s loaded nature this year should help in building their strength of schedule.

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Facts and figures

Achor Achor was the Southern Conference tourney MVP last season, leading Samford to the title and the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He had 23 points and eight rebounds in the Bulldogs’ loss to Kansas. … Jones has played some his best games against power-conference opponents, dropping 30 points on Nebraska last season. … Kansas State plays its first four games at home and does not play a true road game until the Red Storm on Dec. 7.



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Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust

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Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust


MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A series of recent drug arrests lead to taking methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets in southeast Kansas.

On January 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Conrad photo Montgomery Co.

Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Breeanna Conrad of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, deputies located more than six (6) grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, multiple pills, and drug paraphernalia.

Conrad was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the following charges:• Distribution of methamphetamine• Possession of cocaine• Possession of marijuana• No proof of vehicle insurance• Improper emerging from an alley, private roadway, or building.

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Leach photo Montgomery Co.
Leach photo Montgomery Co.

Later on January 3, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger vehicle at the exit ramp from U.S. 400 to U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sycamore, Kansas. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals. Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Heather Leach of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop.

Norton photo Montgomery Co.
Norton photo Montgomery Co.

Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.D uring the search, deputies located more than nine (9) grams of methamphetamine, more than six (6) grams of suspected carfentanil, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Leach, along with Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel, both of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody.

Norton photo Montgomery Co.
Norton photo Montgomery Co.

All three were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the following charges:Heather Leach• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernalia• Failure to stop or yield at a stop sign• No proof of vehicle insuranceTyler Norton• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernaliaNoah Daniel• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of a depressant• Possession of drug paraphernalia



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Kansas City man injured after single-vehicle crash Sunday

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Kansas City man injured after single-vehicle crash Sunday


WYANDOTTE COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) – A Kansas City man was left with minor injuries after a single-vehicle crash Sunday.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log, the crash occurred around 5:50 a.m. in Wyandotte County.

A 2019 GMC Terrain was traveling eastbound on westbound I-70 in the outside shoulder when it struck the end of the concrete bridge railing for 134th Street.

The driver, a 23-year-old man, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

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View the KHP report HERE.



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Kansas Citians hold vigil, protest for Renee Good to get ‘justice’ while demanding ICE reform

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Kansas Citians hold vigil, protest for Renee Good to get ‘justice’ while demanding ICE reform


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Large protests were organized across the country calling for justice for Renee Good, including in Kansas City, where Good lived before her move to Minneapolis.

Because Renee Good once called Kansas City home, locals still consider her one of their neighbors. They want her death to be a turning point in how ICE works.

The gathering began with a vigil as roughly 1,000 protesters honored Renee Good and everyone else who has died in ICE custody or encounters. Reports show that since President Trump took office again, more than 30 people have lost their lives in that category, marking 2025 the deadliest year for the agency in over 20 years.

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

Speakers call for reform

“The killing of Renee Good reminded this country of a hard truth: this system doesn’t just harm immigrants,” one speaker during the vigil said. “It harms the soul of our communities.”

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In attendance was Bradford Bray, an Iraq War veteran who served in the Air Force and Navy from 1995-2005. He said he is furious about how ICE operates.

“It’s the constitution. That’s what we’re fighting for,” Bray said. “It’s the land of laws. These people are not trained. They’ll hire anybody with a signing bonus. If these people are trained, I’m the Pope.”

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported,...
Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

Like most in attendance, he disputes arguments by the federal government that Renee Good was trying to run over the ICE agent.

“Even the guy that shot her was filming her and she said I’m not mad at you,” Bray said. “She was pleasant. She was just trying to get out of the way and do the right thing. She was turning her wheels to get out of the way when she was shot.”

March moves through Plaza

After the vigil, most of the crowd turned the protest into a march through the Plaza, spreading the message that killings by federal agents cannot become the norm.

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported,...
Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

“I’m a 71-year-old great-grandmother who’s afraid for the future of my great-grandchildren in a country that’s turning fascist,” Terisa Mott said. “Any of them could be grabbed off the streets or shot like they shot that woman.”

Counter-protesters present

Some Trump and ICE supporters, like Scott Watts, were among the crowd. He sent condolences to Renee Good’s family but said he believes illegal immigration should not be tolerated.

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“I spent time at the southern border and I saw thousands of pretty dangerous people being let out of that border,” Watts said. “That are here now and that’s what Trump’s trying to do is protect us.”

Watts carried a sign highlighting American citizens who had been killed by illegal immigrants over the years, including Mollie Tibbetts of Brooklyn, Iowa, who was stabbed to death while jogging in 2018 by Christian Behena Rivera.

“I’m at a loss for words when it comes to stuff like this,” Watts said. “But I’ll stand out here day after day to try to educate people. I don’t want to fight or anything like that. I just want people to realize there’s dangerous people out there and they need to be aware of those people.”

The gathering stayed peaceful, and traffic kept moving smoothly.

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