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Kansas hosts first presidential primary in 32 years

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Kansas hosts first presidential primary in 32 years


TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – For the first time in 32 years Kansans have the chance to vote in a Presidential Preference Primary.

Governor Laura Kelly cast her vote Monday in the first primary run by the state since 1992, a change approved by Kansas legislators last session.

Political leaders say they expect the change up to bring out more voters.

“This is the third time in the history of Kansas and it was important to me that we did it this way. Party-run caucus process severely limits participation because of the limited number of locations and the distance you have to drive to get to those locations and honestly, that process was cloaked in secrecy it was a little bit of a mystery. The state-run primaries is a much more transparent process it provides many opportunities and gives Kansas republicans from corner to corner in this great state the opportunity to participate at their home,” says Kansas GOP Chair, Mike Brown.

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“Kansas used to have presidential primaries but that was hit or miss and that was always incumbent of the state parties to run individually which is really expensive and prior to the new legislation the state would only pay for one primary and that for us was in August,” says Kansas Democrats, Chair, Jeanna Repass.

Leaders on both side of the aisle continue to support the decision, with an expectation that primaries may make a more permanent return.

“In the state of Kansas, every single legislature is up as well and in a represented republic the only way that your vote matters is if you cast it. You are getting your vote in for a government that represents you, even if your party doesn’t win or your candidate doesn’t win those numbers count that says to the person that did win “hey I’m still here and I need you to hear me and I need your votes to reflect I have value in this state”. Everyone has to vote,” says Repass.

“American blood has been spilled for centuries just for you to have the chance to walk into that polling place and cast your vote for the person of your preference on a secret ballot and for you to get to pick who you want to be your presidential candidate. That’s why it’s important,” says Brown.

Some candidates that have already dropped out of the race will appear on the ballot, like Ron DeSantis (R), Nikki Haley (R), Dean Phillips (D), and Marianne Williamson (D) because the candidates already filed for the Kansas ballot before they suspended their presidential campaigns.

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Monday was the last day for advance ballots before polls open for election day on Tuesday, March 19th. To register to vote and to find your polling place click here.



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Extra slice, extra time: Kansas inmate’s pizza grab lands him 16 more months in prison

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Extra slice, extra time: Kansas inmate’s pizza grab lands him 16 more months in prison


LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (KCTV) – A Kansas inmate will spend more time behind bars after a dispute over an extra slice of pizza turned physical.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson announced on Wednesday, March 25, that Wyatt C. Parnell, 42, an inmate at Lansing Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 16 additional months.

Prosecutors indicated that the sentence is the result of an attempt to assault a corrections officer during a December 2019 dining hall confrontation.

What Happened

Court records noted that the incident happened around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2019 – the day after Christmas – in the facility’s maximum-security dining room.

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According to prosecutors, Parnell entered the dining hall, picked up a dinner tray and grabbed an extra slice of pizza from a separate tray.

A corrections officer repeatedly ordered him to put the tray down and leave the area; however, court documents revealed that Parnell refused.

Wyatt C. Parnell, 42(Kansas Department of Corrections)

When the officer moved to retrieve the tray and again ordered Parnell to leave, prosecutors said he yanked the tray away and threw it on the floor.

Parnell then tried to push past the officer to reach the serving line for another tray, according to court records.

The officer reported that they attempted to detain Parnell, but he resisted, leading to a physical fight.

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The Charges & Sentence

Court records indicated that Parnell pleaded no contest to attempted aggravated battery. His new sentence will run consecutively – meaning it is added to the sentence he is already serving.

“Correctional facilities rely on order and compliance to maintain safety for both staff and inmates,” Thompson said. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of disregarding lawful commands and engaging in behavior that puts others at risk.”

Parnell’s Criminal History

Corrections records show that Parnell was already serving time for:

  • Kidnapping
  • Aggravated battery
  • Two counts of criminal threat

Prison records also show a lengthy disciplinary history, including violations for:

  • Contraband possession
  • Fighting
  • Threats
  • Lewd acts
  • Entering restricted areas

Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.



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Kansas firefighters rescue chubby cat trapped in massive recliner while trying to hide from the vet

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Kansas firefighters rescue chubby cat trapped in massive recliner while trying to hide from the vet


This cat was feeling stuck.

A fat cat was nearly devoured by an unforgiving reclining chair as it desperately tried to evade its owner and got stuck ahead of an annual visit to the vet — forcing rescuing firefighters to destroy the lounger.

The Garfield lookalike summoned all its strength to avoid its owner ahead of a trip to the veterinarian on Saturday, when it somehow managed to wedge itself in the metal base of a mechanical recliner — which was full of sharp springs and hinges, photos shared by the Overland Park Police Department show.

Kansas firefighters pried a cat out of a reclincer chair. Overland Park Police/Instagram

It appeared to be mewling for help while one firefighter cradled its hind legs and another tended to one front paw. The pussycat then clung to the metal grate with its other paw, not daring to take its beady eyes off a screwdriver in the firefighter’s hand.

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The cat’s pudgy belly, jutted out as the recliner’s leg threatened to crush its chest.

Firefighters had to saw the chair in half to free the feline with assistance from animal control.

Police assured that, once the cat was safe, it “arrived to the vet for its annual checkup.”

Feline fanatics weren’t surprised by the orange cat’s brainless bolt for freedom.


Firefighters rescuing an orange and white cat from under a recliner.
Firefighters had to destroy the lounger to save the cat. Overland Park Police/Instagram

“Glad the kitty was safe!!! They will do anything to avoid a visit to the vet!!!!” one woman commented on the police department’s Instagram post.

“Anyone who has an orange cat knows this is just standard #oneorangebraincell life,” another added.

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“RIP mechanical recliner,” one user mourned.

In 2024, a 38-pound rescue cat named Crumbs got stuck in a shoe rack while trying to break out of fat camp.

In the viral snapshot of Crumbs’ ignominy, it laid face-down in a blue Croc shoe while its bulbous belly hung between the slots in the rack.





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Travis Kelce’s $77K watch has a sweet connection to Taylor Swift

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Travis Kelce’s K watch has a sweet connection to Taylor Swift


Travis Kelce wore a special watch to sign a multimillion-dollar deal with the Kansas City Chiefs Monday. Instagram/@chiefs

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift always know what time it is.

The football player signed a deal to return to the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday (a reported three-year, $54.735 million contract at that), and debuted a special timepiece for the occasion.

Along with his colorful Nike soccer shirt and Chiefs hat, 36-year-old Kelce wore a Santos de Cartier Skeleton watch featuring an open (or “skeletonized”) dial, which retails for a whopping $77,000.

He wore a colorful Nike soccer shirt and a Santos de Cartier Skeleton watch in gold. Instagram/@chiefs
Pictured here with Eric Bieniemy, Kelce reportedly inked a three-year deal with the Chiefs.. He will return for his 14th season this fall. Instagram/@chiefs
The Santos de Cartier Skeleton watch retails for $77,000.

While this appears to be the first time the Super Bowl winner has worn the style (he’s partial to Rolexes), his fiancée owns a different watch from the Santos de Cartier collection.

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In December 2024, she showed off a Santos Demoiselle featuring a diamond bezel — and later wore the discontinued style when Kelce proposed in August 2025.

It’s unclear if the watch was a gift from Kelce, but she began wearing it after her milestone 35th birthday. Sources told Page Six at the time that Kelce “showered” her with presents for the occasion — including engraved jewelry.

Taylor Swift wore a vintage Santos Demoiselle when Kelce proposed in August 2025. Taylor Swift / Instagram
Her Cartier style was first introduced in 2008 and later discontinued in 2022. Taylor Swift / Instagram
The diamond-covered version the pop star wears retails for around $25,000 on the secondhand market.

The Demoiselle was launched in 2008 and discontinued in 2022 — so whoever purchased Swift’s bling got it on the secondhand market, where similar pieces go for around $25,000.

As if the coordinating Cartier wasn’t enough, Kelce proved Swift was on his mind when he signed up for his 14th season with the Chiefs, taking the time to acknowledge a photo of his fiancée in Arrowhead Stadium as he walked in to seal the deal.

Perhaps the couple will choose Cartier Love rings as their wedding bands.

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