Tornado Watch –

The National Weather Service has issued Tornado Watch 291, which remains in effect until 1:00 AM CDT Monday for portions of Kansas and Nebraska.

In Kansas (6 counties):

Jewell

Mitchell

Osborne

Phillips

Rooks

Smith

In Nebraska (13 counties):

Central Nebraska:

Greeley

Howard

Sherman

Valley

South Central Nebraska:

Buffalo

Dawson

Franklin

Furnas

Gosper

Harlan

Kearney

Phelps

Webster

Cities included in the watch area include: Alma, Arapahoe, Beaver City, Beloit, Blue Hill, Cambridge, Cozad, Franklin, Gothenburg, Greeley, Holdrege, Jewell, Kearney, Lexington, Minden, Ord, Osborne, Phillipsburg, Red Cloud, Smith Center, St. Paul, and others.

NWS has advised residents in the affected areas to remain alert, monitor local weather updates, and be prepared to take shelter if conditions worsen.

Also Read: Photos: Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia tornadoes leave ‘trail of destruction’ as 32 killed; ‘It’s pretty scary’

Grinnell Tornado – 

A tornado struck Grinnell, Kansas, on Sunday evening, causing damages to parts of the town. The Kansas Department of Transportation reported that sections of I-70 in northwest Kansas were closed after downed power lines blocked several lanes.

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall expressed support for the affected community, stating, “Our prayers are with the Grinnell community this evening following the tornado that touched down. We urge everyone to stay safe, avoid the area, and closely follow guidance from local authorities as severe weather continues to move across our state.”

Senator Jerry Moran also voiced concern, writing, “I’m concerned for the communities in western Kansas impacted by the tornadoes and am working with local officials to assess the damage and see what are the immediate needs on the ground. Kansans, please stay alert! The dangerous weather conditions across the state have already resulted in tornadoes in Gove County and Scott County with much of the state facing more storms and potential tornadoes.”

With Friday’s news of three-star Class of 2025 recruit Corbin Allen committing to Kansas, head coach Bill Self and his staff moved one step closer to putting together a final product for next season. 

Allen joins a highly-touted high school duo in combo guard Darryn Peterson (No. 1 overall recruit) and wing Samis Calderon (No. 81 overall recruit). In the amateur recruiting ranks, the Jayhawks still await the decision of priority target Dame Sarr – who seems to be inching closer to a Duke commitment with each passing day. 

Nonetheless, Kansas’ incoming freshman class just supplements an experienced trio of transfers in wing Tre White (Illinois), guard Jayden Dawson (Loyola-Chicago), and guard Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure). 

While Self and his crew are yet to put the finishing touches on the roster, here’s where things stand.

Jayhawk Starters

Darryn Peterson / Melvin Council Jr. / Jamari McDowell

Jayden Dawson / Elmarko Jackson / Noah Shelby and Corbin Allen

Tre White / Samis Calderon / Jackson

Bryson Tiller / White / Calderon

Flory Bidunga / Tiller

Peterson, Dawson, White, and Bidunga are cemented in the starting lineup for the time being. Peterson, evident by his No. 1 ranking in his class, is not a typical freshman. The 6-foot-5 guard’s combination of poise, playmaking, and scoring has Peterson in line to take over the reins from Day One. 

Meanwhile, Dawson – a deadeye from long range – pairs well in the backcourt alongside Peterson, while White’s slashing can complement both guards from the wing. 

As for the frontcourt, Bidunga has the five spot on lock, but the power forward position remains a glaring question mark. Tiller, a former top-50 recruit, reclassified up and spent time in Lawrence for the latter half of the 2024-2025 season.

His experience – even just in practice – earns him the starting role. But expect Kansas to continue bolstering its frontcourt, finding a true backup for Bidunga at the five, and potentially a different, more experienced option to start at the four, giving Tiller time to develop.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A 19-year-old from Eudora wanted for an armed robbery in Topeka remains behind bars in Kansas City as she awaits extradition.

Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Friday, May 9, indicate that Hannah H. Hillebert, 19, of Eudora, was arrested in Kansas City in connection with an armed robbery in Topeka.

Kansas court records indicated that Hillebert has been charged with aggravated robbery and interference with law enforcement officials. A criminal complaint alleged that on Dec. 5, she used a weapon to rob a man. She is then believed to have obstructed the duties of a detective.

Court documents noted that charges were not filed in Kansas until April 28. Hillebert was finally found and arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, when a waiver of extradition was signed to send her back to face judgment in Kansas.

As of Saturday, May 17, Hillebert remains behind bars in Missouri with no bond listed. No further information has been released.

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