Kansas

Kansas City considers banning flavored nicotine, tobacco products

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

Kansas City considers banning flavored nicotine, tobacco products

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, could ban businesses selling all flavored nicotine and tobacco products. That includes vapes and menthol cigarettes, but not marijuana.

Opponents say the ban will hurt economic revenue and businesses.

Supporters say something needs to be done to address the high chronic illness rates in low income neighborhoods.

“It puts business owners at a hard spot,” Windstar gas station owner Shaheer Qayyum said.

Brian Luton

Flavored nicotine and tobacco products make up about 30% of overall sales at Windstar, according to store management.

Qayyum explained he’s worried customers will just go to the next town over if flavored tobacco can’t be sold in Kansas City limits.

“We’re not just losing our cigarette sales, customers will come and buy $10 on pump three of gas, a candy bar, a bottle of soda, and all of those things have sales tax on them,” Qayyum said. “It’s a really big difference for us.”

The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council cites disparities of chronic health issues in low income and minority communities as the main driver behind a potential ban.

“Health equity is so critically important when we are making policy decisions,” KCMO Councilman Eric Bunch said at Tuesday’s subcommittee meeting.

The Concerned Clergy Coalition in Kansas City has a task force working to address the health issues and concerns in neighborhoods.

President Stephanie Moss, who also works as a nurse practitioner, sees the high rates of ongoing illnesses from nicotine use.

“It’s one particular reason we’re advocating for this change,” Moss said.

Moss explained flavors make the products more addictive and more dangerous.

“The retailers are centered around in those places or spaces where they are predominantly African-American,” Moss said. “[Vaping and tobacco use] really decreases the quality of life for everybody.”

The KCMO City Council originally heard the proposal on the flavored ban two weeks ago, but it was sent back to subcommittee for a re-read.

After a presentation on the health impacts and the city’s potential tax revenue loss, the committee recommended the ban ordinance move forward.

The city’s finance committee estimates a sales & stamp tax loss between $1 and $6 million.

Kansas City’s Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw explained the city could make up for that loss in other ways.

“The $50 million that we spend annual on health levy dollars, we may be able to utilize those funds, because we are expecting health outcomes to improve,” Parks-Shaw said.

Parks-Shaw also told KSHB 41 News data from other cities with similar bans shows customers will still shop at stores that no longer carry the flavored products.

The KCMO City Council will be hearing the proposed ordinance and discussing it at Thursday afternoon’s meeting.

—

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.

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Kansas

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Hundreds of people packed the Gem Theatre over the weekend to celebrate Kwanzaa.

The celebrations run nightly through January 1. Each night highlights a different core value, including unity, cooperation and faith.

The event features local vendors and performances. Organizers say it’s a great way to start the new year.

The Kwanzaa celebration is free and open to everyone.

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Kansas

Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 27, 2025

Published

1 week ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 9-8-9

Evening: 6-5-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Red Balls: 01-23, White Balls: 12-15

Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-12-24-26-42, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-10-20-47-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Super Kansas Cash numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

03-07-17-20-27, Cash Ball: 24

Check Super Kansas Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.

By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:

Kansas Lottery Headquarters

128 N Kansas Avenue

Topeka, KS 66603-3638

(785) 296-5700

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.

When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Kansas

Health alert: Influenza activity trending up across Kansas, U.S.

Published

1 week ago

December 27, 2025

Press Room

Health alert: Influenza activity trending up across Kansas, U.S.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas is reflecting national trends of respiratory virus cases on the rise.

The CDC’s latest influenza surveillance report, for the week ending December 13th, showed three states with very high influenza activity, including Colorado. Kansas was reported as having low activity.

However, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment data shows even low activity has had an impact. For the 20025-2026 season, through Dec. 22, KDHE shows influenza, pneumonia and COVID, combined, have been the direct or contributing cause in 401 deaths.

KDHE also launched a wastewater monitoring dashboard this season. It reflects data from Shawnee, Reno and Johnson counties for influenza, COVID and RSV. It shows influenza levels moderate and increasing, and COVID levels low but increasing.

The CDC estimates the U.S. has had close to five million influenza cases nationwide this season and nearly 2,000 deaths, including at least three children.

The situation has doctors reminding you to get your annual influenza vaccination if you haven’t already. Many urgent care centers, local pharmacies and your doctor’s offices have it available.

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