Kansas
Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from Kansas park to be sold as scrap metal: police
The brazen theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue in Kansas was not motivated by hate — but was instead committed by crooks who hoped to sell the prized sculpture for scrap metal.
Wichita police revealed the motive Monday as they announced the arrest of one of the suspects tied to the sickening crime in McAdams Park in which the statue was sawed off at the ankles and stolen on Jan. 25.
Ricky Alderete, 45, was charged with felony theft, aggravated criminal damage of property and other criminal counts as more thieves are being sought, according to police.
Less than a week after the theft, parts of the dismantled Jackie Robinson statue were found charred in a trash can in another park in what officials previously called a “heartbreaking discovery.”
“If you try to take something from this community, we won’t tolerate it,” Wichita police chief Joe Sullivan said in a press conference.
“I’m confident this is only the first arrest and there are more to come,” he added.
Alderete was booked into jail earlier this month in an unrelated case before he was charged in the statue theft Monday, police said.
The prized figure honors Major League Baseball’s first player to smash the color barrier when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
Police declined to say how many additional suspects they are seeking, but noted three individuals were at the park when the Robinson statue was hauled away in a vehicle that was later found by police unoccupied in an apartment complex parking lot.
Investigators believe the statue was stolen so it could be sold as scrap metal. The crime was not motivated by hate, police said.
“We are very confident that this was not a race-related crime,” Lt. Aaron Moses said during the press conference.
Wichita Councilman Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he was “really happy” that one of the suspects was in custody.
“I’m looking forward to the rest of them being arrested and charged,” Johnson said.
The community plans to put another Robinson statue up to replace the stolen sculpture with nearly $200,000 raised.
Robinson punched his ticket into the Hall of Fame in 1962 – the first black player to enter Cooperstown. The lightning-quick infielder, who boasted a .313 MLB career batting average, began his career with the Kansas City Monarchs as part of the Negro Leagues before signing with Brooklyn.
Kansas
Police in Kansas City, Missouri, investigate Sunday night homicide
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Investigators were called out Sunday night on a homicide near E. 47th Street and Pittman Road.
Online crime reports indicate Kansas City, Missouri, police were called out around 8:30 p.m. Sunday on a shooting in the 4600 block of Overton Avenue.
A police spokesperson was responding to the scene.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
Kansas
2026 K-State Football Early Opponent Preview, Game 6: Kansas
New coach Collin Klein knows what it takes to beat in-state rival KU as a player, finishing 2-0 in his career as the starting quarterback. In those two games, he scored nine total touchdowns, with six of them coming on the ground. The Week 6 matchup in Manhattan this season is the first opportunity for Klein to win this rivalry as the head coach, and K-State fans will be looking for that streak to be extended to 18 consecutive wins against KU.
KU has taken steps in the right direction under coach Lance Leipold, but the Jayhawks have been unable to get the job done against the Wildcats. Last year, the Wildcats limped into that matchup with just a 3-4 record. However, K-State took control early in Lawrence en route to the 42-17 victory.
Beating KU is always on top of the priority list for the Wildcats, and for Klein, keeping the streak going is something the fans are expecting.
K-State Early Opponent Preview Series: Nicholls| Washington State| Tulane| Cincinnati| Houston
Offense
One of the biggest question marks going into the 2026 season for KU is who will be the starting quarterback. Jalon Daniels might not always have been beloved by Jayhawks fans, but to lose that type of college production is tough to overcome.
Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard are in a tight battle for the job, and they both play the position differently. Both guys played sparingly last season, as Marshall showcased his rushing ability, carrying the ball 15 times for 160 yards. This is obviously the most important battle for the Jayhawks, and it could be a situation where this battle goes into Week 1 and potentially even the Missouri game.
One of the more shocking transfer portal decisions was Dylan Edwards leaving K-State, and going to KU. Edwards has battled injuries his entire career, but he gives the Jayhawks a legitimate home run threat out of the backfield. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield will be big for either quarterback, as he fits the Jayhawks offensive scheme very well.
Dylan Edwards officially announces his commitment to Kansas. https://t.co/WVPC77x2Qp pic.twitter.com/ZWNT4yk5xu
— Jason Kinander (@WIBWJason) January 18, 2026
The receiver position has some legitimate talent, as transfer Nik McMillan and Cam Pickett should form one of the better duos in the Big 12. He had 62 catches for 981 yards and three touchdowns at Buffalo, while Pickett was second on the Jayhawks last year with 45 catches for 476 yards and three scores. Depth at the position is solid, as guys like Nahzae Cox and Tate Nagy also figure to be important pieces of the offense.
Defense
This is an area where the Jayhawks have to be better, but some interesting pieces are coming back on that side of the ball. Linebacker Trey Lathan made an immediate impact after transferring from West Virginia, as he led the team last year with 86 tackles. With another year in Lawrence, look for him to take anoher big step, and be one of the best defensive players in the Big 12.
There is some talent back on the defensive line, as Leroy Harris III and Blake Herold are two guys who contributed last year. Harris led the Jayhawks with 4.5 sacks, while Herold had 43 tackles after only 20 in his first season. The secondary has some new pieces, but there is talent there, led by Louisville transfer Corey Gordon Jr. He had 53 tackles last season, and is the type of guy who figures to be on the field immediately for the Jayhawks
Schedule
The schedule makers didn’t do the Jayhawks any justice, as they have a very challenging schedule this year. A week 2 rivalry game against Missouri is definitely circled on the calendar, but the Jayhawks will be in London the following Saturday for a Big 12 matchup against Arizona State. There are many K-State fans still mad about traveling overseas last season, and that was in the opener. To have to do that in Week 3 is a big challenge.
Even the week before the big rivalry game against K-State, the Jayhawks travel to one of the most hostile places in the country to take on the Utah Utes. The conference schedule is going to be a tough challenge, as the Jayhawks have only three conference games in Lawrence.
Outlook
This is a pivotal season in the Leipold era in Lawrence. On the one hand, there is no denying that he has built KU into a respectable program after it was at rock bottom when he got there. However, Jayhawks fans want more as the team has struggled to win in the final minutes of games over the last couple of seasons.
For the Jayhawks, this is always a big game, but the stakes in this game have never been higher. The Jayhawks have shown the ability to make it to a bowl game under Leipold, but winning the Sunflower Showdown is the next step they want to see Leipold and his staff accomplish.
Game Info
Date: Saturday, October, 17
Time: TBD
TV: TBD
Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium
Series history: KU leads 64-54-5. While the Jayhawks lead the all-time series, it is the Wildcats that have won 17 straight games. The last time KU won was on Nov. 8, 2008 when the Jayhawks won, 52-21, in Lawrence.
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Kansas
Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A rainy Independence Day morning is impacting holiday events around the area.
Following an initial delay, Shawnee Co. Parks + Recreation announced the Spirit of Kansas Car Show and Blue Festival is cancelled.
As of right now, the Capitol Federal Fireworks Show is still slated to start at 10 p.m.
Other Independence Day events like the Potwin Neighborhood parade and Collins Park Neighborhood parade have been cancelled due to the rainfall. The College Hill Neighborhood parade stepped off about 20 minutes late, but still got in their event.
In Manhattan, after remaining hopeful they’d be in the clear, Manhattan Parks and Rec cancelled its Star-Spangled Spectacular Cardboard Box Regatta.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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