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Kansas City Chiefs’ run game hits new high in Mahomes era

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Kansas City Chiefs’ run game hits new high in Mahomes era


LAS VEGAS — Kareem Hunt had modest expectations for himself when he rejoined the Kansas City Chiefs last month after a six-year break.

“My goal was to get back in football shape and just go out there and give it everything I got, and any opportunity I get, make the most of it,” Hunt said. “I do believe that I’ve done that.”

Hunt has actually done more than that. He’s brought the Chiefs’ running game to life.

The Chiefs are averaging 122 rushing yards per game, their best since 2015, better than any season since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback. The improved running game is one of the biggest reasons the Chiefs are 7-0 and the NFL’s last remaining unbeaten team, particularly in a season when Mahomes has thrown more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (eight) and the Chiefs have gone through a rash of injuries at wide receiver.

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Statistically, Hunt and the running game weren’t great in Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Hunt rushed for 59 yards on 21 carries.

But Hunt, who scored the Chiefs’ first touchdown on a one-yard run, was effective enough.

“There wasn’t a lot of room in there, so that’s OK,” coach Andy Reid said of Hunt’s statistical day. “He pounds it in there and normally he’s going forward, so that’s a good thing.”

Hunt led the NFL in rushing as a rookie for the Chiefs in 2017 and was having another big season the following year when he was released. But the Chiefs didn’t average as many rushing yards in those seasons as they are this year (118.9 in 2017 and 115.9 in 2018).

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It’s also happening after the Chiefs expected to get more big plays from their passing game, which hasn’t been what the team hoped after several key receivers went down with injuries. But the spike in the run game has made up for the lack of big plays. That’s in large part because of the arrival of Hunt, who was signed when the Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco to a broken leg. Hunt has 84 carries in four games, or 21 per game.

“I can’t imagine what he feels like on a Monday,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said of Hunt’s heavy workload. “It cannot feel very good, but it’s a sacrifice he does for this team. He’s loving it. We’re loving handing him the ball. The offensive line is blocking their tail off with the tight ends. It’s a really good thing for the offense right now.

“I was here with him in ’17 and he reminds me a lot of that same player. We love where he’s at. He’s physical, and usually when we ask him to get three, he gets us four. And when we ask him to get four, he gets five.”

The Chiefs are running well with a group of backs that went largely unwanted by other teams when they arrived. Hunt was a free agent all summer. Samaje Perine was released after training camp by the Denver Broncos. Carson Steele is an undrafted rookie.

Even Pacheco came to the Chiefs as a seventh-round draft pick in 2022.

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“[Hunt] is just a different style,” Reid said. “They’re all actually different, but he has got that pound-it-in-at-you style and it’s helped us that way. So you lose a great player like we did with Pacheco and these other guys step up and Kareem comes off the street and helps us out. That’s great. And we still have [Clyde Edwards-Helaire] sitting back there, who was a great player too.”

It’s mostly been Hunt’s position. Steele had two carries and Perine two pass receptions against the Raiders, but otherwise Hunt has been carrying the workload.

“He’s done a great job of getting what’s there and then making plays when his number’s called,” Mahomes said. “It seems like every single time he’s falling forward and getting five yards, six yards, whatever it is. That makes my job easier at the quarterback position and for the offense in general when you’re in those advantageous situations with down and distance.

“As we start getting more and more guys back and healthier, he might not have to have 30 carries, [but] whenever he gets the opportunity, he’s going to go out there and make it count.”



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Kansas City murder suspect added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

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Kansas City murder suspect added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list


Woman on the run in connection with Kansas City murder added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

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KaShawn Nicola Roper, who is wanted in connection with a 2020 shooting in Kansas City, should be considered “armed and dangerous,” officials say.

Updated: 11:40 AM CDT Apr 14, 2026

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A woman who has been on the run for years in connection with a Kansas City, Missouri, homicide has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. KaShawn Nicola Roper, 50, is wanted for murder after a shooting on Aug. 23, 2020. Roper allegedly fired shots at a vehicle, striking two female victims. One of the victims, 23-year-old Jazmyn Henrion, was killed. Roper was charged on Sept. 10, 2020, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. At that time, a state warrant was issued for her arrest. A federal warrant was issued on July 1, 2021, after she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. More than five years later, Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Chief Stacey Graves, along with the FBI and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, announced that Roper was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted on April 14. Officials say Roper should be considered “armed and dangerous.” She is described as a Black female who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and approximately 120 pounds. She has tattoos on her left arm, upper right arm, left calf, neck, right wrist, right side of her chest and her abdomen. She has pierced ears. She was born in Kansas and previously lived in Kansas City, but she has ties to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Georgia and South Dakota. Authorities are offering a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction. Anyone with information on Roper’s whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. Calls can be directed to 1-800-CALL-FBI. Those outside of the U.S. should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be submitted online to tips.fbi.gov. All tips can remain anonymous. Since the inception of the Ten Most Wanted list in 1950, 21 fugitives wanted within the FBI’s Kansas City are of responsibility have been placed on the list. Fourteen of those fugitives have been arrested in the Kansas City region. “When a life is taken in our community, our commitment to justice does not waver. For nearly five years, this case has remained unresolved, and we are continuing to pursue every lead to bring answers to a grieving family,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said. “We are grateful to the FBI for bringing additional tools and national attention to this case. Someone somewhere has information that can help move this investigation forward. We urge anyone with knowledge of KaShawn Roper’s whereabouts to come forward. Your voice could make all the difference for a family still seeking justice.” “This announcement reflects the great collaboration between the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and our federal partners — specifically, the long-standing partnership with FBI, resulting in a safer Kansas City,” Graves said. “A safer Kansas City means holding offenders accountable through arrest and prosecution. For too long, KaShawn Roper has remained a fugitive and avoided accountability. With the assistance of the FBI and the attention brought by her addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, we are confident she will be apprehended. We are committed to ensuring justice is served for the victims and their loved ones.”

A woman who has been on the run for years in connection with a Kansas City, Missouri, homicide has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

KaShawn Nicola Roper, 50, is wanted for murder after a shooting on Aug. 23, 2020. Roper allegedly fired shots at a vehicle, striking two female victims. One of the victims, 23-year-old Jazmyn Henrion, was killed.

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Roper was charged on Sept. 10, 2020, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. At that time, a state warrant was issued for her arrest.

A federal warrant was issued on July 1, 2021, after she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

A poster shows KaShawn Nicola Roper's photo and lists her as part of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

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More than five years later, Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Chief Stacey Graves, along with the FBI and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, announced that Roper was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted on April 14.

Officials say Roper should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

She is described as a Black female who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and approximately 120 pounds. She has tattoos on her left arm, upper right arm, left calf, neck, right wrist, right side of her chest and her abdomen. She has pierced ears.

She was born in Kansas and previously lived in Kansas City, but she has ties to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Georgia and South Dakota.

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Authorities are offering a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

Anyone with information on Roper’s whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. Calls can be directed to 1-800-CALL-FBI. Those outside of the U.S. should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Tips can be submitted online to tips.fbi.gov. All tips can remain anonymous.

Since the inception of the Ten Most Wanted list in 1950, 21 fugitives wanted within the FBI’s Kansas City are of responsibility have been placed on the list. Fourteen of those fugitives have been arrested in the Kansas City region.

“When a life is taken in our community, our commitment to justice does not waver. For nearly five years, this case has remained unresolved, and we are continuing to pursue every lead to bring answers to a grieving family,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said. “We are grateful to the FBI for bringing additional tools and national attention to this case. Someone somewhere has information that can help move this investigation forward. We urge anyone with knowledge of KaShawn Roper’s whereabouts to come forward. Your voice could make all the difference for a family still seeking justice.”

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“This announcement reflects the great collaboration between the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and our federal partners — specifically, the long-standing partnership with FBI, resulting in a safer Kansas City,” Graves said. “A safer Kansas City means holding offenders accountable through arrest and prosecution. For too long, KaShawn Roper has remained a fugitive and avoided accountability. With the assistance of the FBI and the attention brought by her addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, we are confident she will be apprehended. We are committed to ensuring justice is served for the victims and their loved ones.”



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Multiple communities report damage, 3 people injured after tornado-producing storms

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Multiple communities report damage, 3 people injured after tornado-producing storms


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Multiple communities in Kansas have had damage after reported tornadoes and severe storms.

The city of Ottawa, Kansas, says that after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at approximately 7:25 p.m. on Monday, April 13, a storm caused structural damage.

Hillsdale Kansas suffered storm damage from possible tornado-producing storm.

Officials say that 3 people suffered minor injuries at a home with significant damage east of Ottawa, in Franklin County. The city says that no injuries or fatalities have been reported within city limits.

Officials say the majority of the town is without power, and streetlights aren’t working. KCTV reported that Main St. from 1st to 6th does have lights back on, as of 10:36 p.m.

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Ottawa USD 290 has cancelled school on Tuesday, April 14, due to the storm aftermath.

Multiple buildings in Hillsdale, Kansas, were damaged after reports of a tornado.(DJ Inlow)

Officials are asking community members to stay off the roadways and to stay away from downed power lines. They also say that all City and County emergency personnel are responding to the weather event.

Ottawa’s Police Chief asked people to stay home overnight as they work to clear storm debris from streets

At this time, there is no estimate as to when power will be restored in Ottawa.

In Hillsdale, Kansas, a spotter shared a photo of a tornado. Viewer photos show significant damage there, as well.

Storm damage after reported tornado in Hillsdale, Kansas
Storm damage after reported tornado in Hillsdale, Kansas(DJ Inlow)

KCTV5 will make updates as they’re made available.

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Alert Days ahead: Multiple chances for rain, thunderstorms this week in the Kansas City metro

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Alert Days ahead: Multiple chances for rain, thunderstorms this week in the Kansas City metro


There are multiple chances for rain and thunderstorms this week, including two First Alert Weather Alert Days highlighting the potential for severe thunderstorms. The first Alert Day is Tuesday. Most of the morning and afternoon will be dry, warm, humid and windy. After 5 p.m., ongoing thunderstorms across Oklahoma and southern Kansas will begin moving northeast toward Kansas City. The risk of severe weather will increase after that time and continue through 1 a.m. Wednesday, as thunderstorms lift across areas primarily along and east of Interstate 35 in eastern Kansas and central Missouri. The primary threats are large to very large hail and damaging winds. The tornado risk is low. The severe weather potential on Wednesday depends on whether the atmosphere is able to recover and destabilize after Tuesday night’s storms, Wednesday morning rain and lingering cloud cover. A dryline and cold front will approach the region from the west during the afternoon and evening, providing the focus for showers and thunderstorms that may produce large hail and damaging winds. Another cold front will bring renewed chances for showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening, and with conditions similar to Wednesday in place, there is at least some potential for severe thunderstorms. Please keep in mind that while this is a common and favorable pattern for showers and thunderstorms, most thunderstorms this week will not produce severe weather. That said, sufficient wind shear, lift, instability and moisture on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday will provide an environment where thunderstorms could thrive and support all types of severe weather. Check the forecast twice daily for updates, review your severe weather safety plan and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

There are multiple chances for rain and thunderstorms this week, including two First Alert Weather Alert Days highlighting the potential for severe thunderstorms.

The first Alert Day is Tuesday. Most of the morning and afternoon will be dry, warm, humid and windy. After 5 p.m., ongoing thunderstorms across Oklahoma and southern Kansas will begin moving northeast toward Kansas City. The risk of severe weather will increase after that time and continue through 1 a.m. Wednesday, as thunderstorms lift across areas primarily along and east of Interstate 35 in eastern Kansas and central Missouri.

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The primary threats are large to very large hail and damaging winds. The tornado risk is low.

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The severe weather potential on Wednesday depends on whether the atmosphere is able to recover and destabilize after Tuesday night’s storms, Wednesday morning rain and lingering cloud cover.

A dryline and cold front will approach the region from the west during the afternoon and evening, providing the focus for showers and thunderstorms that may produce large hail and damaging winds.

This KMBC 9 weather map shows that severe storms are possible around the entire Kansas City region on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

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Another cold front will bring renewed chances for showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening, and with conditions similar to Wednesday in place, there is at least some potential for severe thunderstorms.

Please keep in mind that while this is a common and favorable pattern for showers and thunderstorms, most thunderstorms this week will not produce severe weather. That said, sufficient wind shear, lift, instability and moisture on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday will provide an environment where thunderstorms could thrive and support all types of severe weather.

Check the forecast twice daily for updates, review your severe weather safety plan and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

This KMBC 9 weather map shows severe storms are possible in the entire Kansas City region on Friday.

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