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Kansas delegation in U.S. House divided on Ukraine aid, endorses package for Israel, Taiwan • Kansas Reflector

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Kansas delegation in U.S. House divided on Ukraine aid, endorses package for Israel, Taiwan • Kansas Reflector


TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids backed new federal spending to help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to oppose “tyranny and terror,” but U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes drew the line at the $60 billion package supporting Ukraine’s fight against a Russian invasion.

The overall $95 billion supplemental spending deal began as four separate bills, but were folded together into one bill as an alternative to a comparable measure approved two months ago by the U.S. Senate. Passage by the Senate of the House version would send it to President Joe Biden.

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, Mann and Estes, all Kansas Republicans, and Democrat Davids voted in favor of a new round of financial support for Israel fighting militants in Gaza and for Taiwan dealing with threats from China. The delegation voted for the measure requiring divestiture or a ban on social media app TikTok, owned by a Chinese company.

Disagreement among Kansas lawmakers centered on Ukraine. Davids and LaTurner, who said he wasn’t seeking reelection in November, voted for the $60 billion aid package that passed 311-112. Mann and Estes opposed it.

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“I’ve previously voted for Russian sanctions as Ukraine faces unprovoked aggression from a tyrant,” said Estes, of the 4th District centered on Wichita, “but the $60.8 billion bill that the House passed (Saturday) was too much for me to support when the United States has already spent more than $100 billion on Ukraine aid.”

Davids, who serves the 3rd District dominated by Johnson County, said the funding would protect American allies and included humanitarian aid to Gaza through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“I voted with Republicans and Democrats to protect our allies in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in their fights against tyranny and terror and to deliver aid to innocent civilians in Gaza,” she said. “While I am frustrated that preserving our national security has been marred with partisanship in times of crisis, we must defend democracy and recognize that stability and prosperity abroad directly impact our safety and economy at home.”

LaTurner, who holds the 2nd District seat, said after a 2022 trip to Eastern Europe that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine was “unprovoked and evil” and required “unwavering support” of the United States through delivery of weapons to Ukrainian troops and humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees. His vote on the new funding bill for Ukraine held to that commitment.

Mann, of the 1st District extending from Garden City to Lawrence, said the United States shouldn’t send more assistance to Ukraine unless attached to oversight and accountability provisions.

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He was among 71 House Republicans to vote for Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s failed amendment to strike all funding for Ukraine from the overall package.

“It is in America’s interest for Ukrainian forces to defeat Russia, but it is irresponsible and unsustainable to continue funding a war in Ukraine without any oversight as to how Americans’ tax dollars are spent. We do not allow our own federal agencies to spend our tax dollars that way, and we should not allow foreign governments to either,” Mann said.

Mann said he voted with the 385-34 majority for the $8.1 billion funding measure for Taiwan, the Philippines and other allies because it was important to counter China’s aggression. He said the objective of the United States was peace but “any military offense against Taiwan would have grave and severe consequences.”

The $26 billion appropriation for Israel approved 366-58 would add to aid delivered before and after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. More than 20,000 Gaza residents have been killed in the military response by Israel.

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Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

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Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025


WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

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Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.


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Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

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Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday that he still loves baseball, but is “done” negotiating with the Royals on a new stadium for the team in the county.

According to Withington, Thursday, Jan. 8, was the deadline for the Royals to appear on the April 2026 ballot in the county.

Withington said the Royals told the county that they were not ready to meet that deadline.

Withington took to Facebook to explain that “the joy has been drained” out of him over the last few years and expressed his dislike towards the business of baseball.

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He called negotiations with the team “a closed chapter” and said that the county is shifting its focus elsewhere.

“It’s time for the Commission to focus fully on priorities we control—either upgrading our existing county jail or building a new one,” Withington wrote.

The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium in the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County expires in January 2031.

KSHB 41’s political reporter Charlie Keegan reported in May 2025 on efforts by Missouri to keep both the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

While the Chiefs announced that they will move to a new stadium site in 2031 in Wyandotte County, the Royals have not announced their next steps to get a new ballpark built.

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A stadium site near 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park has emerged as a possibility for a stadium site for the ball club.

Some residents in that area are not happy about that possibility.

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment, but has not heard back.





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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time


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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

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The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.



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