The Governor’s Scholars program honors the top academic one percent of Kansas high school seniors. Scholars are selected from accredited public and private schools in the state.

This program is coordinated for the Governor by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. It is funded by donations from private sector businesses in Kansas. The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force was formed 30 years ago to strengthen public confidence in education.

Click here to see a full list of scholars.

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Some of the most spectacular views of a phenomenon in skies over the central United States were captured by KWCH viewers across Kansas.

Aurora Borealis, or “The Northern Lights” are best seen in rural areas where stargazing can be a special way to pass the time on spring and summer nights. The spectacular view of the lights usually reserved for areas on Earth closer to the North Pole follows the Space Weather Prediction Center issuing a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the first time in 19 years.

On Friday morning, Storm Team 12 Meteorologist Haylen Wilhite offered the following explanation ahead of the sky show.

“What this could mean for us in Kansas is the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights along the horizon near 10 p.m. Friday. You’ll want to get far away from light pollution and use a long exposure camera to see the light, as they’ll be difficult to see with the naked eye. Those in far northern Kansas will have the best chance to see the Northern Lights.”

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 45-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue that was cut off at the ankles and found days later smoldering in a trash can in a city park in Kansas.

Ricky Alderete entered the plea during his arraignment Thursday. A judge signed off on it Friday.

Authorities arrested him in February, with court records alleging he entered a Wichita home with the intent to kidnap someone as part of an effort to interfere with law enforcement.

He then was charged later that month with felony theft and aggravated criminal damage to property in the statue theft, along with two other counts. Police said there was no evidence it was a hate-motivated crime. Rather, the intent was to sell the metal for scrap, police said.

The bronze statue was cut from its base in January at a park in Wichita, Kansas. Only the statue’s feet were left at McAdams Park, where about 600 children play in a youth baseball league called League 42. It is named after Robinson’ s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with whom he broke the major leagues’ color barrier in 1947.

Fire crews found burned remnants of the statue five days later while responding to a trash can fire at another park about 7 miles (11.27 kilometers) away.

Alderete had a criminal record that includes burglary and theft, state correction department records show. His sentencing in the latest case is set for July 1.

Donations poured in after the theft, approaching $300,000, and work is underway to replace it.

Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He is considered not only a sports legend but also a civil rights icon. Robinson died in 1972.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.