Kansas
Everything we know about the Kansas bill for a new Chiefs stadium
Over the past week, there’s been plenty of news (and sports talk) regarding a bill being advanced by some members of the Kansas Legislature that is intended to lure as many as two professional sports teams — particularly the Kansas City Chiefs — to new facilities that would be built in Kansas.
Originally introduced by state representative Sean Tarwater — who represents the Kansas City suburb of Stillwell — the bill did not come to a vote during the legislature’s most recent session that ended May 1. The legislature could consider it during a special session focused on tax cuts, which is set to begin on June 18.
Tarwater and two other Kansas lawmakers — House Speaker Dan Hawkins from Wichita and Senate President Ty Masterson from Andover — now spearhead a public campaign focused on passing the legislation and getting the Chiefs on board.
On Tuesday, Hawkins and Masterson sent a letter to the team’s chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, inviting the “National Football League’s flagship franchise” to “weigh in on the bill before us” — as Tarwater began a local press tour to explain and promote the legislation.
Meanwhile, former Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Olathe Republican is co-founder of a group of lobbyists who have created an organization called “Scoop and Score Kansas” to do the same.
What’s on the table for the Chiefs
If passed, the Kansas bill would authorize the issue of sales tax and revenue bonds — popularly known as “STAR bonds” — to finance the construction of a new stadium and practice facility. It is expected that $2 billion to $3 billion would be required.
These bonds are essentially unique to Kansas. They are meant to finance attractions that attract a significant part of their revenue from non-Kansas sources — and whose existence is intended to spur nearby development. Like other state and municipal bonds, they are sold (at a discounted price) to private investors. State sales taxes collected at these attractions are used to repay the private investors. After the bonds are repaid, those sales taxes flow into normal coffers.
According to the state of Kansas, STAR bond financing may only be used for “less than 50%” of a project’s total cost “as a general rule.” In a Tuesday interview with 810 Sports’ Soren Petro, representative Tarwater was noncommittal about how much the Chiefs would be required to contribute to what he said would not be a “rinky-dink, temporary solution.”
“The only requirement of the bill is that [the project will be for at least] a billion dollars,” he told Petro. “I don’t know how much [is] going to come out of their pocket — but some of the numbers I’ve seen, around $500 million is their part.”
Tarwater also noted that the Chiefs could buy some of the STAR bonds, allowing the franchise to profit from financing the stadium.
The location
While it is widely assumed that a Kansas stadium and practice facility would be built in Wyandotte County — near Kansas Speedway and the adjoining Legends shopping and entertainment district — Tarwater says this would be just one option.
“It doesn’t have to be there,” he emphasized to Petro. “This clause is pretty unique. We rewrote STAR bond bill to include more than one area — like the Dallas Cowboys did. They put their practice facility quite a ways away from the stadium and built a whole city around it.”
So it would be possible for these facilities to be built anywhere in Kansas — and they could be widely separated.
Pros and cons
Proponents point to Kansas Speedway (and its surrounding development) as a success story built on STAR bonds, which were paid off well ahead of schedule. Tarwater notes that no new taxes would be collected — and the sales tax revenue used to repay bondholders would come from those who benefit from the facilities rather than all the residents in a state, county or city.
“It’s like a destination tax,” said Tarwater. “If you use the stadium — or go visit the businesses it creates — then you’ll be paying sales tax, but no more than you would anywhere else in the state of Kansas. So there will be no increase.”
The representative admits that it sounds too good to be true.
“That’s the heart of the whole pushback,” he acknowledged. “People just aren’t receiving that message. You could argue that the area might be developed eventually anyway, but certainly not like it will be if the Kansas City Chiefs come to town — or the Kansas City Royals come to town.”
In short, all the risk for these potential projects would be borne by the teams and the investors who purchase the bonds; in the event of a default, state, city and county governments will not be obligated to repay them.
On the surface, it may seem unlikely that a stadium built for the Chiefs would fail to generate enough revenue to repay the bonds — but it’s also true that STAR bonds can (and do) default. In February, the “Prairiefire” development south of 135th Street between Nall and Lamar in Overland Park — defaulted on its STAR bond debt issued in 2012.
And according to the Kansas City Star, a Chiefs stadium built with these bonds might not lead to a touchdown for the bonds’ buyers.
Academics and other experts on stadium financing and municipal bonds who spoke to The Star cast strong doubt on whether a Royals or, especially, a Chiefs stadium and surrounding development could produce the sales tax revenue necessary to pay off on time a project 100% financed with STAR bonds. The amount of revenue needed would be significant, and sales taxes can be fickle, fluctuating with the larger economy and the popularity of the teams.
In fairness, it should be noted that when the Star article was published in early May, the bill was set to authorize 100% of construction expenses. Tarwater now says the Chiefs would be required to carry around $500 million of these costs, making the STAR bonds account for only 75-85% of the total.
The timetable
Representative Tarwater believes the Chiefs must act quickly.
“So to build a structure of this magnitude, they’ve got to act right now,” he told Petro. “That’s why we’re doing it now; [we’re] not waiting until next year. They’ve got to act now. They’ve got to make a decision. But if they don’t, this bill is good for one year. [If it is passed by the legislature], it will expire July 1, 2025.”
While the bill creates a deadline for the team to accept the state’s plan, the deadline facing the Chiefs might be a little later. Tarwater said it might take up to two years for construction to begin. So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles took almost four years to build, but Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas were both completed in less than three years. So it could take anywhere from 4-6 years for new facilities to be built in Kansas.
Since the Chiefs’ current lease at the Truman Sports Complex runs through January 2031 — enough time for seven full seasons of football — the team might not have to decide in the next year. Kansas could also extend its deadline — and the Chiefs and Jackson County could extend their lease, too.
Team interest
At several times during his interview with Petro on Tuesday afternoon, Tarwater implied that team executives are discussing this proposal with Kansas lawmakers. He said the bill’s first draft had been reviewed “with some members of the Chiefs’ family.” He also said the Chiefs “view this as an incredible offer” — and that if the bill is passed, “the chances of them coming to the state of Kansas are extremely high.”
There has also been a social media post from a Kansas City news outlet trumpeting that the Chiefs had “agreed to engage with Kansas lawmakers on special stadium financing” — although the story to which the post linked did not make that statement.
But despite being given opportunities by multiple news outlets this week, the Chiefs have declined to comment on the Kansas bill. It’s reasonable to assume the team is watching the situation carefully — team officials have previously stated they are considering all options — but for now, we cannot gauge the team’s interest.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In 2025 at Kansas Speedway, Kyle Larson set a significant record.
In 2026 at the 1.5-mile intermediate track, the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet might simply settle for a win in Sunday’s AdventHealth 400.
In winning last year’s spring race at Kansas, Larson led 221 laps, most in NASCAR history for a driver in a 400-mile race on a 1.5-mile speedway.
That victory, however, was Larson’s last in the NASCAR Cup Series, though he did claim the 2025 series title by finishing third in the Championship 4 Race at Phoenix in November.
Statistics augur well for Larson as he tries to end his 32-race drought on Sunday. He has led 761 laps at Kansas Speedway since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, more than double the total of any other driver. Denny Hamlin is second with 337.
His 1,842 laps led on 1.5-mile tracks in the Gen 7 era (since 2022 inclusive) more than double the total of the next driver on the list (Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron at 912).
Larson has led laps in 21 of the last 22 races on 1.5-mile speedways, including the last 10 in a row. If he leads 25 laps on Sunday at Kansas, he will surpass Kevin Harvick’s track-record of 949.
The two-time series champion is the only repeat winner in the last 11 races at Kansas, having won three times during that span, including the last two spring races.
His history considered, Larson has every reason to be confident at a track he thoroughly enjoys.
“Kansas is a lot of fun,” Larson said. “It’s really fast. You’re always trying to carry a lot of speed and momentum off the corners and run big arcs into the entry. There are two different ends of the racetrack, but I feel like you approach the corners in a similar way.
“In the race, you settle into a comfortable pace and balance and try to run as close to the wall as possible without hitting it. It’s a fun place. It can be challenging, but it’s good because you have options to move around.”
Chevrolet teams have been dealing with a new body style this season. Chase Elliott’s win at Martinsville is the car maker’s only trip to Victory Lane so far.
“I think we’re gaining on it,” Larson said. “I think the body stuff maybe is what we’re fighting right now. Entries (into the turns) seem to be pretty loose at most tracks, and then the window of balance is pretty narrow…
“I think we’re not bad on speed. I feel like we’re close to a win, but at the same time, I feel like we have a lot of work to do to get our cars better to where a win would be much easier.”
If a victory for Larson is realistic possibility, Kyle Busch might be satisfied with a top-10 run. On a miserable afternoon last Sunday at Bristol, Busch started 29th and finished 25th, two laps down, after tangling twice with the Toyota of Riley Herbst.
Busch’s winless streak reached 101 races at Thunder Valley, and Richard Childress Racing, the organization that fields Busch’s Chevrolets, has failed to score a top-10 finish in eight straight races for the first time since 1981. RCR is the only multicar team without a top-10 finish this year.
Ty Gibbs got his first Cup Series victory at Bristol last Sunday, but the odds are heavily against another first-time winner at Kansas. In 40 Cup races at the track, there has never been a first-time winner.
Toyota drivers have won six of the first eight Cup races this season, and they’re likely to be strong again at Kansas. Tyler Reddick could become the fourth driver in series history and the first since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win five of the first nine races in a season.
Both Reddick and 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace, who is making his 300th career start, are former winners at the 1.5-mile track. The 23XI organization has three victories at Kansas, most at any single venue.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin boasts four Kansas victories, more than any other driver. He has finished in the top-five in seven of the last nine races there.
If a Toyota driver wins on Sunday, it will be the first time a single manufacturer has won seven of the first nine races in a season since Chevrolet accomplished the feat in 2007.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – Three Kansas City-area school districts violated federal law according to the U.S. Department of Education. The department said to came to the conclusion after investigating claims for eight months.
The districts involved are:
- Olathe Public Schools
- Shawnee Mission Public Schools
- Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Topeka Public Schools was also found in violation of federal law.
The department said the investigation focuses on alleged Title IX violations and violations involving the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA.
FERPA INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
The department said it opened the investigation in August after the Defense of Freedom Institute filed a complaint alleging the violations.
The investigation determined all four school districts have policies that likely prevent schools from notifying parents whether their children are using different pronouns, going by different names, or having different names printed on their diplomas.
The department of education said the policies violate parents’ rights under FERPA to access school records pertaining to their children.
TITLE IX INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights said it determined the Kansas City, Kansas, Public School District and Topeka Public Schools violated Title IX .
The investigation found the two districts have policies that allow male students to use female restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms, according to the department.
The findings went on to say the two districts have “single-sex athletics based on gender identity.”
In addition, the Office for Civil Rights reported that KCK schools denied investigators access to information during the inquiry.
The department also said its investigation determined that Olathe and Shawnee Mission School Districts violated Title IX with policies that allow students to use restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms based on gender identity.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DEMANDS
To remedy the violations the districts must take action, according to the Department’s Offices of Civil Rights and Student Privacy Policy.
According to information from the department, those actions must include, but are not limited to:
- The Districts will no longer allow students to participate in athletics based on “gender identity,” rather basing participation on the student’s sex;
- The Districts will ensure that the use of bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and overnight accommodations is based on sex, not “gender identity;” and,
- The Districts will inform school personnel that “gender support plans” and other related documents having to do with a student’s so-called ‘gender transition’ will be made readily available and accessible to parents and guardians.
If any district involved cails to reach an agreement, the districts could lose federal funding, according to the Department of Education.
OLATHE RESPONDS
The Olathe School District responded to the notice Friday afternoon.
In a letter, the district said it has responded to all three issues involved in the investigation. It also points out that it has met with investigators over the claims for months.
The district says the claims, and investigators findings are not accurate.
“The three issues were not new to Olathe as the District was already in compliance with the law at the time of your 2025 letter. Olathe has confirmed that its staff were, and continue to be, in compliance with the law as they work with our students and families,” the district said in a letter.
Read the full letter to the Department of Education below:
KCTV5 asked Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and the Shawnee Mission School District for responses to the findings.
Their responses will be added to this article when they are received.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With less than two months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in cities across the country, KC2026 announced the lineup of artists expected to perform at the Kansas City FIFA Fan Festival.
From the Chainsmokers to Flo Rida to Kansas City legend Tech N9ne, fans can expect to see dozens of performances from top acts over the course of the 18-day event.
Here are some headline dates scheduled during the “world’s biggest football party,” according to KC2026:
- The Chainsmokers — June 13
- Flo Rida — June 19
- Cimafunk — June 20
- Gabby Barret — July 3
- The All-American Rejects — July 11
- Tech N9ne — June 12 and July 11
Several other performers will take to the stage outside of the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The list of artists can be found in the poster image provided below:
According to KC2026, all acts and dates are subject to change, and tickets to the event are already available on the KC2026 Fan Fest website.
General admission is free and open to the public; however, the organization is offering other packages to upgrade the experience. Here’s everything you need to know:
- General Admission — Free
- On a first-come, first-served basis
- Premium Garden Pass — $55
- Includes all the benefits of general admission, access to expedited entry lanes, exclusive standing-room viewing in the Premium Viewing Area, premium restrooms, a dedicated bar area and access to premium food options.
- Legacy Lounge Pass — $225
- The Legacy Lounge Pass includes all the benefits of the Premium Garden Pass with access to an air-conditioned lounge, a two-tiered viewing structure, all-inclusive food options, a premium beverage package, climate-controlled restrooms, unique photo opportunities with iconic Kansas City sports memorabilia and access into the Premium Viewing Area.
The FIFA Fan Festival will serve a maximum of 25,000 people daily and include KC match days, USMNT match days and the Fourth of July.
Fans can expect the stage at the event to be twice the size of Chappell Roan’s massive October 2025 concert, when she performed two sold-out shows on the lawn of the World War I Museum and Memorial to approximately 30,000 fans each night.
Over the course of the tournament, the festival will have themed days to get fans in the World Cup spirit. For a list of those themed events, click here.
For more information about the tournament, tune into Kansas City’s World Cup headquarters, FOX4 News, for the latest announcements before and during the historic summer event.
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