Kansas
After 3 years, Kansas City welcomes the first drivers over the new Buck O’Neil bridge
Starting Monday, drivers heading over the Missouri River will take a different Buck O’Neil Bridge for the first time since 1956.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has been designing and constructing the replacement bridge for three years. Southbound traffic has been closed at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport for the past year.
Now, northbound traffic will be moved off the old bridge and to the new one.
MoDOT will switch over traffic on January 29. The weather got in the way in weeks prior when bitter cold and precipitation prevented workers from painting the striping on the new bridge.
“In order for us to make this switch, we actually have to put our paint on the ground,” said James Pflum, MoDOT’s project director for the bridge. “We need that paint to stick. That’s what we’ve been battling over these past couple of weeks — cold temperatures or wet weather.”
Northbound drivers on U.S. 169 will now make a slight left at Fifth Street and Broadway to cross the new bridge. Drivers on northbound I-35 should continue to exit at Broadway to go north on U.S. 169.
Despite the slight weather delays, Pflum is confident the project will remain on time and on budget. The new bridge should be completed by the end of the year.
“It’s a kind of an exciting time where we’re meeting our schedules and on budget,” Pflum said. “A lot of work has come to this moment. We’re really happy to be here.”
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
The overall budget for the bridge project is almost $258 million. The nearly $220 million design-build contract — awarded to a joint venture of Massman Construction Company, Clarkson Construction Company, and HNTB Corporation — came from MoDOT, Kansas City and a BUILD federal grant.
Both new bridges are already standing, and after Monday’s switch, drivers won’t need to worry about more detours or road changes for about nine months.
During that time, crews will be completing the final construction of the project, like tying the bridges at both ends and connecting it to I-35.
But to do that, the north portion of the existing bridge must be demolished. The new southbound bridge will be used for northbound traffic until that’s done.
Pflum says MoDOT has been working with Kansas City to save what they can of the old Buck O’Neil bridge. However, due to the size of the structure and the permitting required, not everything will make it.
“We are talking to KCMO about what we can do to maybe salvage part of it to be used in other locations around the city,” Pflum said.
Currently, there are no plans for what exactly will happen with the old bridge, but the city issued a request for proposals in late December of 2023 for a firm that would manage a bridge reuse program. The initiative would use steel from the demolished three-arch bridge and coordinate the installation of the eventual project.
Kansas City previously expressed interest in converting the old bridge into a linear park, but a feasibility study found that the project would cost double its initial estimate.
The project is expected to be completed in December of this year. MoDOT encourages drivers to look at its social media and project website for “planning ahead and paying attention.”
Kansas
Kansas football transfer portal tracker: Jan. 4 developments for KU
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold explains signing QB Jaylen Mason
Check out some of what Kansas football coach Lance Leipold had to say Wednesday about why the Jayhawks signed quarterback Jaylen Mason.
LAWRENCE — The Division I transfer portal window for college football is open from Jan. 2 through Jan. 16, and that means Sunday is another chance for the Kansas football program to shape its roster.
The Jayhawks already gained one public addition earlier this offseason in Grand Valley State transfer Jibriel Conde — whose signing was announced Dec. 4. Conde, who is making the jump up from Division II, is a 247Sports-rated three-star defensive lineman in the portal and is listed by KU as a defensive tackle. On Saturday, a number of current Kansas players — including redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Marshall, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Keaton Kubecka and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Blake Herold — also outlined in social media posts on X that they are locked in with the program for the 2026 season.
Marshall is set to compete for the starting quarterback job next season. Kubecka has the chance to step up into a more significant role at wide receiver. Herold is in line to be a key part of Kansas’ defensive line.
Those positives, though, don’t outweigh the fact that there has been a sizable group of players who have revealed their intentions to transfer away. Looking overall, when it comes to those whose decisions became public before and after the portal opened, the significant names to know include redshirt senior safety Lyrik Rawls, redshirt junior linebacker Trey Lathan and freshman quarterback David McComb. Lathan led KU in tackles in 2025.
Check in here for more updates during this transfer portal window about a KU team that finished 5-7 during the 2025 season, with transfer ratings as outlined by 247Sports.
Kansas football transfer portal additions
Jibriel Conde (3-star defensive lineman from Grand Valley State) — KU lists him as a defensive tackle
Kansas football transfer portal departures
Joseph Sipp Jr. (linebacker)
Jacoby Davis (cornerback)
Dylan Brooks (defensive end)
Jaidyn Doss (wide receiver)
Carter Lavrusky (offensive lineman)
Trey Lathan (linebacker)
Tyler Mercer (offensive lineman)
Harry Stewart III (running back)
Caleb Redd (3-star edge) — KU lists him as a defensive end
Aundre Gibson (3-star cornerback)
David McComb (3-star quarterback)
Kene Anene (3-star interior offensive lineman) — KU lists him as an offensive lineman
Laquan Robinson (3-star safety)
Jameel Croft Jr. (3-star cornerback)
Logan Brantley (3-star linebacker)
Greydon Grimes (3-star offensive tackle) — KU lists him as an offensive lineman
Jon Jon Kamara (3-star linebacker)
Lyrik Rawls (3-star safety)
Damani Maxson (3-star safety)
Jaden Hamm (tight end)
Bryce Cohoon (wide receiver)
JaCorey Stewart (linebacker)
Johnny Thompson Jr. (running back)
Efren Jasso (punter)
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
Kansas
Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Hundreds of people packed the Gem Theatre over the weekend to celebrate Kwanzaa.
The celebrations run nightly through January 1. Each night highlights a different core value, including unity, cooperation and faith.
The event features local vendors and performances. Organizers say it’s a great way to start the new year.
The Kwanzaa celebration is free and open to everyone.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 27, 2025
The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
Midday: 9-8-9
Evening: 6-5-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
Red Balls: 01-23, White Balls: 12-15
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
08-12-24-26-42, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
08-10-20-47-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Super Kansas Cash numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
03-07-17-20-27, Cash Ball: 24
Check Super Kansas Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.
By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:
Kansas Lottery Headquarters
128 N Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603-3638
(785) 296-5700
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.
When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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