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In both Missouri and Kansas, efforts to prepare for possible human trafficking during World Cup events are ramping up.

World Cup spurs human trafficking awareness trainings in Missouri, Kansas

Several studies affiliated with universities across the country say there’s little to no evidence that directly links large sporting events to an increase in human trafficking, including sex trafficking.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sent the following statement to KSHB 41 News:

The Sexual Trauma and Abuse CARE Center in Lawrence is seeing an increased interest in its services leading up to the World Cup, according to Christina Gentry, the center’s director of community engagement.

The Algerian men’s national team will use Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence as its base camp for the 2026 World Cup, and the city is expecting an influx of visitors while Kansas City hosts six matches this summer.

The CARE Center recently hosted a free human trafficking awareness training for hospitality businesses across Lawrence.

“Hotels and the local bars have always been a part of our outreach, but this particular time of year, we’ll be hosting our World Cup, so we wanted to make sure there will be some trafficking training,” Gentry said.

Heather Shull, general manager for DoubleTree by Hilton on the north side of Lawrence, said she’s seen some bookings filled during the World Cup. She’s hoping more will be booked in the next couple of weeks.

“We’re gearing up to know that we’re going to have a lot more business,” Shull said.

Shull attended the CARE Center’s human trafficking training.

“Our business is hospitality; we’re supposed to take care of people,” she said.

Staff at the bar located inside the hotel have already undergone sexual violence prevention training with the CARE Center.

A Lawrence ordinance requires bar staff who regularly engage with patrons to attend such training sessions in order for the bar to obtain a liquor license. The ordinance was passed in 2020, and the CARE Center provides the bystander intervention training twice a month.

“It was very fascinating and very helpful,” Shull said.

Lily O’Shea Becker/KSHB

Shull says Hilton requires its employees to attend human trafficking training.

“It doesn’t say you have to solve human trafficking, but it’s like, ‘Hey, here are the signs you might see, and you know, go to a manager or law enforcement if you’re concerned,’” she said. “But then now for the World Cup, there’s been a lot more city-wide trainings.”

She said while most human trafficking actions can happen behind closed doors at hotels, there are certain things staff can pick up on at check-in or through requests visitors have for their rooms.

The spokesperson for the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department says all of its officers will attend a human trafficking-related training in May. The department is partnering with the Justice Project in Kansas City for the training.

For Gentry, she said it’s important community members understand the CARE center’s supportive services — like its 24/7 support line — are available year-round.

This month, the CARE Center is focused on Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Lily O’Shea Becker/KSHB

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The CARE Center tied teal ribbons around trees lined along Massachusetts Street in South Park to launch the awareness month and has events planned throughout April to bring attention to the cause.

The teal ribbons in South Park include a QR code that contains information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month when scanned.

“Teal just represents an opportunity to unite the community on this issue,” Gentry said.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – MoDOT reopened the westbound lanes of I-44 in Springfield around 9 a.m. after a deadly pedestrian crash on Thursday.

Police say a pedestrian was hit and killed on I-44 near the Kansas Expressway exit around 5 a.m. Police have not identified the victim.

Emergency officials closed the interstate for about three hours. Crews exited traffic off the Kansas Expressway and the West Bypass.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self is returning for a 24th season with the Jayhawks.

The program released a statement from Self on Wednesday confirming his return for another year with the program he has led to 21 regular-season conference championships, four Final Fours and a pair of national championships.

“With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas Basketball competing for a national championship,” Self said. “I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”

The 63-year-old Self has a record of 840-272, not including the 15 wins that were vacated by the NCAA, putting him 12th on the career list.

He passed Phog Allen as the winningest coach at Kansas with a 77-69 win over Michigan State on November 12, 2024, and finished with a record of 633-167 while leading one of college basketball’s most storied programs.

Kansas’ season ended March 22 against St. John’s and fellow Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks rallied from a 13-point deficit with 7 1/2 minutes left, tying it with 13.1 seconds to go, only for the Red Storm’s Dylan Darling to hit a layup as time expired to end their season.

The Jayhawks have not survived the opening weekend of the tournament since 2022, when Self won his second national title.

“I’ve gone through some stuff off the court, so I’ll get back and get with family and visit and see what’s going on,” Self said following the loss in San Jose, California. “I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well. I’ll get back home and it will all be discussed.”

Self’s health has been a factor to monitor.

He was hospitalized just before the Big 12 Tournament in 2023 after feeling unwell, and had two stents inserted into his heart, which forced him to miss the NCAA tourney. Self had two more stents inserted last year, and this past January, he missed a game at Colorado after doctors advised him not to travel following a precautionary trip to the hospital.

“When you get to be doing it as long as I’ve done it, I looked at it in five-year increments. Now I’m probably looking at it in more two-year increments, so to speak,” he said. “So I try to focus on this season and try to get us to a second weekend — which we failed at — so I’ll go back now and break it down and see where that leads.”

Self won national titles at Kansas in 2008 and 2022. And he’s been especially good at Allen Fieldhouse, historically one of college basketball’s toughest venues. He is 27-6 against top-10 opponents at home, and his 131-81 record against Top 25 opposition is the third-best winning percentage among Division I coaches.

He also has sent 43 players to the NBA, and more could be on the way. Darryn Peterson is expected to be among the first three players to hear his name called in June, while Flory Bidunga and others could also be selected in the upcoming NBA draft.

Self was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.