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Kansas establishes task force to study and improve wildfire emergency response

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Kansas establishes task force to study and improve wildfire emergency response


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TOPEKA — A brand new process power is specializing in methods communities can higher stop, reply and get better from wildfires.

The formation of the group is a response to the various elements of Kansas struck by main wildfires inside the previous 10 years. The monetary losses and threats to the security of Kansas residents led the governor to determine the duty power to take a complete take a look at what might be accomplished to mitigate the obvious threats.

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The duty power met for the primary time Wednesday and can create a set of suggestions from their work.

“Far too many instances lately, we’ve seen the devastating toll wildfires tackle our communities,” stated Gov. Laura Kelly. “We’re doing every little thing we are able to to raised reply to those disasters, and I’m assured the Wildfire Activity Drive will enhance how we help our communities earlier than, throughout, and after wildfires. I stay up for receiving its suggestions.”

The panel will evaluation the position that native governments and state officers play in responding to wildfires and assess how these entities can present extra help to impacted communities. It additionally will analyze circumstances that might result in or worsen a wildfire and areas or places that could be extra weak.

Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam will lead the duty power. Different members embrace state legislators and representatives from native, state and federal businesses that play a task in responding to wildfires.

The general public may have an opportunity to supply enter earlier than the completion of the duty power suggestions.

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“Kansas has been lucky to have these businesses and organizations main the response to wildfires, they usually have been devoted to bettering that response,” Beam stated. “The duty power will present a chance for them to broaden that collaboration together with with those that personally skilled the devastation of current wildfires.”

Kansas Reflector is a part of States Newsroom, a community of reports bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: information@kansasreflector.com. Observe Kansas Reflector on Fb and Twitter.

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KU researchers report that each 5% enhance in enrollment within the federal diet help program for low-income households may cut back the variety of youngsters a state positioned in foster care or protecting companies by 7.6% to 14.3%.

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The primary public ballot for the Kansas constitutional modification on abortion exhibits a detailed race and exposes different ideological divides over reproductive rights.


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The state Division of Corrections stated the most recent staffing report Monday indicated 22.6% or 416 of 1,840 uniformed jobs in 9 state prisons have been vacant. At no level in 2022 has the shortfall amongst uniformed officers on the Kansas prisons fallen under 400.

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Kansas

Family of man killed by Kansas City, Kansas police officer sues chief, Unified Government

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Family of man killed by Kansas City, Kansas police officer sues chief, Unified Government


KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – The family of a man shot and killed by a Kansas City, Kan. police officer filed a lawsuit against the officer, the police chief and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.

According to the lawsuit, an officer shot 50-year-old John Anderton in the back five times as he ran away from an emergency scene in February 2023. Anderton died from his injuries.

The Wyandotte County District Attorney investigated the shooting and determined the officer was justified in shooting Anderton.

According to the DA’s investigation, Anderton failed to follow the officer’s orders and reached for a gun when the officer fired at him.

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ALSO READ: Man recently released from Leavenworth penitentiary charged with first murder of 2025

Anderton’s brother disagrees according to the lawsuit filed Jan. 14.

The lawsuit claims the police officer violated Anderson’s civil rights when he used excessive force and shot him.

The shooting happened as crews responded to a call about two people overdosing in a house near N. 55th Street and Haskell Ave.

The lawsuit said Anderton tried helping his friends by performing CPR. He left after paramedics arrive. The lawsuit said Anderton left the house because he was concerned that staying would exacerbate his chronic COPD.

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ALSO READ: KCKFD firefighter hospitalized after person drives over fire hose

The officer stopped Anderton as he left the house.

The lawsuit states the officer “suddenly demanded” Anderton to put his hands on top of his head. That’s when Anderton tried to run away. The lawsuit claims the officer fired a dozen shots at Anderton. Five of the bullets hit him, including two in the back and one in the back of the head.

The lawsuit claims Police Chief Karl Oakman and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County are responsible because they should know how the officers are trained to use force.

ALSO READ: Kansas City begins to plan for another possible Superbowl Parade in the wake of tragedy

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Spokespeople for both the police department and Wyandotte County declined to comment due to pending litigation.

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and demands more than $75,000.



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Max Jones’ Effort For Kansas State Can Translate To Wins

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Max Jones’ Effort For Kansas State Can Translate To Wins


Even with Kansas State’s loss to Texas Tech Tuesday night, there was still much the Wildcats could appreciate.

One was Max Jones’s level of play, as he finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. But amidst his solid performance, a ton of plays beyond the box score made the difference. He kept them afloat in the second half when Texas Tech looked like they were going to turn the game back into a blowout.

“I promise our fans that we’ll put dudes on the floor that are gonna give an effort that’s worthy of wearing a K-State uniform. And if they’re not gonna be gritty and tough like Max Jones and some of the other guys showed tonight, then they won’t be on that floor,” coach Jerome Tang said.

Jones has been one of Kansas State’s most consistent scorers, scoring close to his median every game. Despite the three-game losing streak, he’s put up double-digit performances while regularly getting to the free-throw line. Jones’ stability and aggressive play make it easier for Tang to know what he can provide nightly.

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Nevertheless, Kansas State needs to start winning conference games. Jones says there’s “not a lot of pressure” to immediately win, but a fifth Big 12 loss will only fuel outside doubts.

“I’d just say we gotta keep getting better,” Jones said. “I feel like today we got a lot better, and a lot better in practice before this game. We gotta take one game at a time, and just take each game like it’s our last and just try to win.”

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.



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Kansas influencer SB Mowing raises over $750K for elderly homeowner who faced fine from city for overgrown lawn

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Kansas influencer SB Mowing raises over 0K for elderly homeowner who faced fine from city for overgrown lawn


A Kansas influencer raised over $793,000 to save a disabled elderly woman who faced a hefty fine from her town for failing to trim her overgrown yard.

Spencer, a content creator known for his landscaping business SB Mowing, said he met homeowner Beth last summer when a town official familiar with his social media videos contacted him and asked if he could help fix her lawn.

He was warned that Beth, who uses a cane to move around her property, needed to trim the yard or pay $240 for the town, which was not revealed in the video, to cut it for her.

An influencer raised $793,000 to change the life of a disabled woman. GoFundMe

‘I’ve spent a month trying to get someone to come mow,” Beth said in a video uploaded on Jan. 10. “They won’t answer their phones.”

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Beth revealed that the town officials had implemented a date for when she was required to have the yard cut before she faced the financial loss.

Spencer described the lawn that surrounded Beth’s small white house as unkept and was “getting crazy.”

“I can get that taken care of for ya,” Spencer assured her, offering his landscaping service at no cost.

“I can’t believe it that’s great,” Beth replied.

Spencer transformed her lawn by clearing grass from the driveway cracks, trimming the bushes, removing trees and mowing very tall grass.

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Spencer stepped in after lawn care companies wouldn’t help Beth. GoFundMe
Spencer offered his landscaping service at no cost. GoFundMe

“I cried on and off just listening to your machine,” Beth told Spencer after the big reveal.

Spencer added that he was happy to help Beth as she became emotional over the gesture.

“Your work makes me twinkle so I really appreciate you. I can’t tell you how much. No one’s been happy to help me,” she added.

On top of the lawn issues, Spencer then noticed the home needed improvements to accommodate Beth, who was “in desperate need of help.”

The money raised will help Beth “gain accessibility and comfort” on her property. GoFundMe

Spencer launched a GoFundMe when he noticed how Beth’s old stairs posed an issue for her to walk on and that the driveway cracks could cause her to fall.

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The small business owner raised over a half million dollars within a day to help her “gain accessibility and comfort” on other parts of her property.

Funds raised will help address accessibility issues she faces including building a new ramp outside so it’s easier for her to get to her front door, a smooth driveway and a chair lift that will allow her to get up and down stairs for her laundry.

“We’re gonna be able to do a little bit more than just your driveway and your ramp here,” Spencer revealed. GoFundMe

The money will also pay a lawn care company to maintain her yard for the “next few years” because Spencer lives too far away.

The elderly homeowner was stunned when she received the life-changing donation.

“I can’t even cry,” Beth said. “I can’t even think.”

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“I never expected help ever, ever, ever. I always help people until I got down and out,” Beth added.

“We’re gonna be able to do a little bit more than just your driveway and your ramp here,” Spencer revealed.

Spencer is making sure all the money that was raised doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

“I am also working with an attorney to set up a trust for her to make sure that all of the funds are protected,” Spencer wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page. “I don’t want anybody trying to take advantage of her and I want to make sure that the funds are used properly.”

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