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Kansas lawmaker working to help family with oil-contaminated water after veto impacts assistance

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Kansas lawmaker working to help family with oil-contaminated water after veto impacts assistance


BUTLER COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH) – Following a FactFinder investigation we’ve carried out for months, a Kansas lawmaker hopes to make a difference for a Butler County family whose only water supply was left contaminated with seemingly no help to fix the problem.

“It is not their fault, they had no knowledge that the oil existed or would ever exist in their water system,” said Kansas Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta.

Williams shared the message after losing her battle to get funds to the family that continues to fight for clean water.

Williams heard the family’s pleas for help, but bringing in rural water wasn’t an option, at least not an immediate one. Williams helped to convince state budget negotiators to direct $500,000 from a state abandoned well remediation fund to compensate Jenna Krob’s family and others in Butler County impacted by the contamination. However, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the line item, saying it was outside the scope of the program.

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Kelly said the use of the money was “squarely outside the statutory scope of the program” and that while the policy was well-intended, it needs to be carefully debated to avoid unintended financial or legal obligations for the state.

For Jenna Krob and her family, the problem came to light in September, with a small.

“Water-contaminated by oil. It almost burned your nostrils,” Krob said.

In October, the problem escalated with oil seeping up into the toilet. The oil then clogged the family’s water well pump, leaving them with nothing.

A neighboring property owner had the same issue. Testing showed that the oil was from historical drilling. So, according to the state, no company could be held responsible.

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The only solution was rural water. But with a $3.5 million price tag, that was out of reach. Williams, who represents the impacted area southwest of Augusta, had another idea.

“Originally, I added a proviso into our budget bill that would allow for abandoned well money that’s used for mitigation or capping of wells to be used for demolition of these two properties,” Williams explained.

But the governor didn’t agree with how that money was going to be used.

“Ultimately, the governor vetoed it, which was devasting to the families that were counting on this, Williams said.

Williams tried with an omnibus bill to cover the cost but she said the state senate wouldn’t hear it.

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“That means that right now, it’s at the end of the line for at least this legislative session,” Williams said.

Krob said losing the expected funding was “a hard blow.”

“It was hard to hear that day that it got vetoed when we had a plan and we were hoping for something to happen,” she said.

Krob said the now-vetoed plan wasn’t perfect for her family, but it would have worked.

“I’d like them to come out and live with us for a week, always conserving water, living with five people in one bathroom and only utilizing half of your home,” she said. “There’s no productive plan for what’s gonna happen now.”

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But Williams isn’t giving up.

“We have got to take care of little specific instances such as the Prohaskas and the Krobs, and I want to do this, and I’m not done,” she said.

For Krob and her family, the game of waiting and hoping for whatever comes next continues.

“Going through this for six months. “I’m defiantly learning what hope is,” Krob said.

Williams said she’s looking at other ways to find funding, including working with the Kansas Corporation Commission to determine who is responsible for the water contamination.

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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home

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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home


KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.

As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.

“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”

The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.

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“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.

“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.

Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.

There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.

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“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.

The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.

“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.

You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal


Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.

“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.

“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”

Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.

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He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.

Passengers gather on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport after being evacuated due to a “threat” on March 8, 2026. J McDonough via KCTV

Airport staff gathered on the tarmac in front of a terminal and jet bridge.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, a spokesperson said. Peter Everett via KCTV

FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”

Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.

Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention


SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.

Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.

With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.

A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.(Janet Fulgham)

Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.

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“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.

“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.

“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.

Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.

“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.

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Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.



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