Kansas

Dozens of Kansas Citians hold vigil in protest of Marcellus Williams’ execution

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Dozens of Kansas Citians hold vigil in protest of Marcellus Williams’ execution

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – An hour before Missouri was set to execute Marcellus Williams, dozens gathered at every corner of 39th Street and Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, holding signs to protest the execution.

“I just think this is so wrong and I’ve thought it for so long,” said Jim Hannah. “It’s encouraging to see this many people out here, but it’s also discouraging to think that we’re still doing this.”

Those who organized and showed up were not only against this specific execution but also against the death penalty in the state. Everyone gathered as the U.S. Supreme Court made the decision to deny all three petitions for Williams. Demonstrators said they were disappointed but not surprised.

“No,” said Bob Anderson. “First of all it was last minute, but they also tend to be conservative in their opinions. Since the Missouri Supreme Court had said to go ahead with this, even though there seems to be gobs of evidence that it is an unfair killing, I didn’t think the Supreme Court at the last minute would stop it.”

ALSO READ: Kansas City leaders look to unify 911 dispatch system with police, fire to address long wait times

Earlier on Tuesday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, who denied Williams’ clemency request, released a statement outlining why, saying in part, “Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence, as such, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.”

About 6 p.m., when Williams was set to be executed, the crowd gathered in the parking lot of St. James Catholic Church to pray for Williams and hold a moment of silence.

People have gathered at 39th and Troost with signs against the execution of Marcellus Williams
Several have expressed disappointment with the latest SCOTUS decision, but add they “aren’t surprised” @KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/AYJSrE6EYK
— Chandler Watkins (@CWatkinsNews) September 24, 2024

“We know it’s not going to stop the execution tonight,” said Anderson. “We think it’s wrong to be executing this man, but we can still stand up and say this is not what we think should be done. This is not who we are, even though the state of Missouri says that’s who they are.”

The Innocence Project posted a statement following the execution on its website. It read, in part:

ALSO READ: Kansas City leaders look to unify 911 dispatch system with police, fire to address long wait times

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Kansas

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.

We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.

Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.

If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.

—

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Kansas

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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Kansas

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.

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