Kansas
Kansas Bird Flu Tops Nation
Kansas is suffering from the worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country, with nearly 414,000 birds affected, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
HPAI, an umbrella term for avian influenza that includes highly contagious strains such as H5 and H7, is considered a low public health risk, although it can pass to humans through birds and dairy products from infected cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with sporadic human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers,” according to CDC.
As of Friday, there are four affected commercial flocks and six affected backyard flocks reported in Kansas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Avian influenza kills almost 100% of the birds it infects.
The bulk of the infected birds, about 380,000, in Kansas were reported to be in a commercial operation in Pottawatomie County, USDA reports said.
In a map highlighting outbreaks across the nation, Kansas is the only state showing the most severe reports during the past 30 days. It is followed by Indiana, with about 87,000 birds affected, including two commercial flocks and five backyard flocks.
Kansas has not had a reported instance of avian bird flu in a human, according to CDC records. Since 2024, there have been 74 reported bird flu cases in humans and two deaths.
This year’s outbreak is similar to those during the last few years, said a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
“December and January have been the months when we have seen the highest number of positive cases since this outbreak began in 2022,” said Heather Lansdowne. “The winter of 2023-2024 was more active than this year, both in total cases and in number of birds affected. We are hoping this year follows the trajectory of those years and we begin to see a decline in cases moving forward.”
This year’s outbreak has spread primarily from migrating wild waterfowl, she said. The agency has encouraged poultry farmers and others to protect their birds from contact with migratory birds and their habitats.
“We have been promoting these actions to poultry owners from the start of the outbreak, both in public information and directly through veterinarians, extension agents, 4-H and FFA programs, to poultry owners we have through our systems, etc.,” Lansdowne said.
When the state discovers birds positive for avian flu, they work directly with the business owner to develop a response plan that includes a quarantine and long-term recovery plan, she said.
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Story via Kansas Reflector
Kansas
Kansas referee taking leave from officiating after viral incident during girls basketball game
EUDORA, Kan. (KCTV) – A viral moment out of Eudora has reached millions on social media over the weekend.
In the third quarter of a high school girls basketball game between Bonner Springs and Eudora on Friday night, an official ejected a Bonner Springs guard.
“She was asking for a foul. And for complaining, she got hit with a technical foul. And for reacting to that, she got hit with a second technical foul,” Eudora Sports Live play-by-play broadcaster Reid McEvoy told KCTV5 about the moment.
As the official walked over to the bench, he fell backward to the floor.
“I think her [the player’s] arm maybe brushes against his chest,” McEvoy added. “And there’s an angle when you can see he looks down at the fact that he’s been touched, and then falls to the floor very theatrically.”
Many online have accused the longtime official, Jeff Freeman, of flopping.
But Freeman, a former principal at Jay Shideler Elementary School in Topeka, gave a statement to KCTV5 on Monday, sharing his side of the story.
“I have a medical condition. I am visiting my neurologist tomorrow, hopefully, and will have additional information after that. Ask my fellow officials, coaches, athletic directors, etc., about me. My reputation is stellar. I do not want any additional punishment for that player, coach, or school. It was not their fault.”
The Kansas State High School Activities Association told KCTV5 on Monday that Freeman will take a break from active officiating. Here’s KSHSAA’s full statement:
After a few minutes on the ground surrounded by medical personnel, he eventually got back up, and proceeded to officiate the rest of the girls game, as well as the ensuing boys game.
“Everybody kind of reluctantly applauded for him,” McEvoy said. “He seemed to be alright in the end.”
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Dylan Edwards is the perfect villain for the Sunflower Showdown rivalry
Kansas State football’s transfer portal needs, what to know
K-State reporter Wyatt Wheeler breaks down the Wildcats’ needs and key information ahead of the transfer portal window opening.
MANHATTAN — Hanging on the walls at the Rally House in Aggieville in the early weeks of the season, Dylan Edwards’ purple Kansas State uniform hung next to Avery Johnson’s, as the two premier players for the Wildcats entering the 2025 season.
Those who have bought Johnson’s No. 2 jersey can wear it with pride, knowing he’s been a standout quarterback for the Wildcats, while showing rare loyalty in the current college football landscape, and that he could take his game to another level with the return of coach Collin Klein.
Those who bought Edwards’ No. 3 jersey? If they weren’t able to find the receipt to return it after his frustrating and drama-filled season, they may be looking for their nearest fire pit to burn it.
Especially now.
Edwards, one of the more polarizing players in recent K-State football history, will return to Bill Snyder Family Stadium this fall, this time on the opposing sideline, after he chose to continue his college career for the arch-rival Kansas Jayhawks.
Already largely disliked by the K-State fanbase, now that he has opted to wear the Kansas blue and crimson, Edwards will be met with hostility when the two meet for this year’s Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan.
Edwards takes on the perfect villain role in this rivalry, which has been one-sided for the better part of the last two decades.
Edwards, of course, committed to K-State out of high school, only to flip to Notre Dame before eventually decommitting to the Fighting Irish to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado. After one season at Colorado, he left to play for K-State for two seasons. In his second season with the Wildcats, he got hurt after muffing the first punt of the season and only played meaningful snaps in one game.
The weekly mystery of Edwards’ availability grew frustrating for fans, especially amid a disappointing season, until he eventually redshirted and left the team in early November. Then-coach Chris Klieman called the situation “unfortunate” after Edwards entered the transfer portal.
Fast forward to Jan. 16, and Edwards was seen in Allen Fieldhouse for the Jayhawks’ win over Baylor.
“Fall seven times, stand up eight,” Edwards posted on Instagram, announcing his commitment. “#rockchalk”
Kansas will enter the latest chapter of the in-state matchup on a 17-game losing streak, losing each game since 2008. Even when K-State looked vulnerable entering this year’s game, the Wildcats, without Edwards, still handed the Jayhawks a 42-17 defeat in Lawrence.
But if Edwards, whose talent when he’s available to play is undeniable, were to come in and help the Jayhawks end the streak? The Derby product would be seen as a hero in Lawrence, while making his name even more cursed in K-State lore.
No matter what, Edwards’ addition to the Jayhawks adds another level of intrigue to a game that’s been played since 1902. When Edwards’ name is announced at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, the chorus of boos may be even louder than the roar it gave when he broke away for a 75-yard touchdown in the Wildcats’ win over UCF.
By choosing to play for the Jayhawks, Edwards has apparently embraced the idea of being a villain in the eyes of the Kansas State faithful. You can bet that no one will be wearing their old purple No. 3 jersey when the Jayhawks make the drive down Bill Snyder Highway later this year.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
Kansas
Lawrence police identify deceased victim in Jayhawk Cafe shooting
LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) – One of the victims in the Lawrence bar shooting Saturday has been identified.
The Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department shared a Facebook post from the 18-year-old deceased victim’s father, stating in part:
On Saturday, the Lawrence police responded to the Jayhawk Cafe (The Hawk), located at 13th and Ohio, around 2 a.m.
There, they found two victims with gunshot wounds. 18-year-old Aidan was pronounced dead at the scene, and a 16-year-old male was taken to a local trauma center in critical condition.
Aiden’s father stated on Facebook that the 16-year-old victim is one of his son’s close friends.
Two suspects are facing murder charges in connection with the shooting.
One suspect is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault, and the second suspect is charged in connection with felony murder and aggravated assault.
Both suspects were booked into the Douglas County Jail.
View WIBW’s original report HERE.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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