Kansas

A flippin’ battle over breakfast in Liberal, Kansas

Published

1 week ago

February 11, 2026

A flippin’ battle over breakfast in Liberal, Kansas

WASHINGTON (Amazing America) — It’s a battle over breakfast that pits America against the British, but this competition isn’t about Independence — it’s about flapjacks.

It’s the annual International Pancake Day Race between women of the small Kansas panhandle city of Liberal and those in Olney, England. This marks the 77th year of the race.

This photo was taken in Liberal during one of the early 1950s races. (Courtesy: International Pancake Day Hall of Fame)

Most of us know about the annual French-inspired Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. But the pancake day race is an English-inspired Shrove Tuesday celebration. Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday are celebrated on the day before Lent, the 40 days of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter Sunday.

Twenty-five flapjack flipping runners take part in the 1950 race in{ } { }Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. (Courtesy: AP/Eddie Worth)

The annual celebration features women racing 415 yards down the street while flipping pancakes. While hilariously entertaining, it is also a source of heartwarming hometown pride, as the community of Liberal comes together for a homecoming of sorts. Similar festivities happen across the pond in Olney, England, where the tradition is said to date back to 1445.

This photo was taken in Liberal during one of the early 1950s races. (Courtesy: International Pancake Day Hall of Fame)

The friendly flapjack competition, set for Feb. 17, 2026, traces its roots to Olney, England, more than 600 years ago. Legend has it that in 1445, a woman was busy using cooking fats — which were forbidden during Lent — when she heard the church bells ringing, calling townspeople to Shrove Tuesday services.

Local school boys run before the annual Shrove Tuesday women's trans-Atlantic pancake race in the town of Olney, England.{br}(Courtesy: AP/Matt Dunham)

Local school boys run before the annual Shrove Tuesday women’s trans-Atlantic pancake race in the town of Olney, England.
(Courtesy: AP/Matt Dunham)

In a rush, she grabbed her required headscarf and ran 415 yards to church, still wearing her apron. In the years that followed, neighbors joined in to see who could reach the church first and receive a “Kiss of Peace” from the bell ringer.

1955 newspaper clipping from the Kansas City{ } Times of Mrs. Binnie Dick getting a “Kiss of Peace” from the bell ringer, British Consul H.J. Legg, after she won the pancake race (Courtesy: Newspapers.com){ }

In 1950, community leader R.J. Leete saw a magazine article about the English race and reached out to a vicar in Olney. He challenged the Olney women to race against the women of Liberal, Kansas, and the annual competition was born. Liberal has 42 wins under its spatulas, while the women of Olney flipped their way to 31 wins over the decades. A few races didn’t count because of unusual circumstances.

The first event was sponsored by the local Jaycees community organization in 1950.{ } event. (Courtesy: International Pancake Day Hall of Fame)

Today, International Pancake Day in Liberal is celebrated for nearly a week with scavenger hunts, flapjack-eating contests, a church service, a parade, and an international video call between the two cities. If you miss it this year, mark your calendar for next year.

How do you top your pancakes? Tell us whether syrup is your go-to or if you prefer something else.

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Kansas

Kansas star Darryn Peterson asks to come out early in latest ‘disappointing’ absence in win over Oklahoma State

Published

8 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Press Room

Kansas star Darryn Peterson asks to come out early in latest ‘disappointing’ absence in win over Oklahoma State

He certainly wasn’t needed, but No. 8 Kansas was without star Darryn Peterson for much of the second half of their blowout win over Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.

Peterson, who has long been considered a favorite to go very early in the NBA Draft this summer, has struggled to stay on the court all season due to various injuries and illness. But on Wednesday night in Stillwater, Peterson looked like his old self. He dropped 23 points, 20 of which came in the first half, to give the Jayhawks an early double-digit lead.

But Peterson simply didn’t last. After he drilled a 3-pointer on the wing, Peterson immediately turned to head coach Bill Self and asked to come out of the game. He didn’t return after that.

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Kansas

KC area fire departments rally to combat massive western Kansas wildfires

Published

20 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

KC area fire departments rally to combat massive western Kansas wildfires

ASHLAND, Kan. (KCTV) – KC Metro Fire Departments are mobilizing resources to combat massive wildfires that swept across western Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle.

Kansas City Kansas Fire sent two chief officers to assist with response and support efforts Wednesday morning, Feb. 18.

Crews go to southwest Kansas to battle wildfires raging in the area.(Facebook/Shawnee Heights Fire District)

The KCKFD chief officers are en route to assist with the State Incident Support Platform response and will work alongside the Ashland Kansas Fire Department and other agencies operating in the impacted region.

“We stand with the Ashland, Kansas Fire Department and all agencies operating in their community, as well as the departments working the numerous fires across western Kansas,” KCKFD said. “Additional resources may be deployed as needed.”

WILDFIRE LIVE BLOG Day 2: Fires scorch thousands of acres, evacuation orders lifted in SW Kansas

In a coordinated response, a Wildland Task Force departed Johnson County Tuesday, heading to central Kansas as part of a State of Kansas pre-positioning assignment. The deployment comes ahead of a favorable fire forecast, positioning firefighting resources strategically across the state.

The Task Force comprises firefighters from Edwardsville, Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Northwest Consolidated Fire District and Olathe, combining expertise and equipment from multiple Johnson County jurisdictions.

The deployment comes after strong winds swept wildfires from the Oklahoma panhandle into southwest Kansas on Tuesday, forcing evacuations in multiple communities. Among the hardest hit areas was Clark County, where residents of Englewood and Ashland were evacuated to communities to the east.

(Facebook/Shawnee County Fire District 4)

“The fire service stands together,” KCKFD stated, underscoring the collaborative response across state lines and agency boundaries.

By Wednesday morning, evacuation orders for Englewood and Ashland had been lifted, allowing residents to return home. However, multiple fires continued burning across Kansas’ western half and into Oklahoma.

The response also highlighted the serious injuries firefighters face in such operations. Clark County Emergency Management confirmed that at least two firefighters were transported from Clark County to Wichita for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation, with additional firefighters injured on both sides of the Kansas-Oklahoma border.

The KCKFD deployment of both chief officers and the Wildland Task Force represents part of a broader mutual aid response mobilized as firefighting agencies coordinate efforts across the region. Officials indicated the situation remained fluid, with additional resources to be deployed as needed.

Wildland Task Force, Johnson Co., Kan.(Olathe Fire Dept.)

Updates on the firefighting efforts continue as agencies work to contain the blazes across Kansas and Oklahoma.

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Kansas

Kansas remembers Jesse Jackson’s civil rights legacy and inspiring words

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

Kansas remembers Jesse Jackson’s civil rights legacy and inspiring words

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy echoes throughout the county, with Jackson being remembered in Kansas for his work during the civil rights movement and beyond.

The civil rights leader was known for his work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and for his words of encouragement and change. Jackson’s impact left a lasting impression on Charles McAfee of McAfee Architects here in Wichita.

“Jesse was always trying to make things simpler for us,” McAfee said. Now, McAfee is processing a new reality without Jackson.

“This morning, for some strange reason, I woke up, it was five o’clock. Why am I waking up? I reached over and hit my TV, and there I saw it,” McAfee said. “It hurt my heart.”

McAfee and Jackson met while attending the Congressional Black Caucus, and quickly became friends.

“It was easy to know Jesse,” McAfee said. “He was probably the most energetic, available, realistic person who always fought the good fight. He always did.”

In 1993, Jackson made his way to Kansas State University, where he addressed the student body.

“When Jesse was invited to speak at Kansas State, one of the Jackson twins and I drove up,” McAfee said. “You know, you could not listen to him and not at least buy into something with what he’s saying.”

Jackson’s words are forever remembered by those touched by them.

“God bless you,” McAfee said. “Keep hope alive.”

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