Kansas

New secretary of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks worked for Missouri conservation

Published

2 years ago

March 19, 2024

Press Room

New secretary of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks worked for Missouri conservation

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has a new leader.

Gov. Laura Kelly appointed Chris Kennedy as the new KDWP secretary, effective Monday.

“I am honored that Governor Kelly has appointed me to serve the people of Kansas in this capacity,” Kennedy said in a statement via the governor’s office. “I am delighted that my more than 30 years of experience will further strengthen the KDWP’s mission to conserve and enhance the state’s wildlife and natural resources to be enjoyed by Kansans for generations to come.”

Kennedy is a Missouri native and grew up shooting, hunting, boating and fishing. He has worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation since 1996.

Kennedy is replacing current KDWP secretary Brad Loveless.

“I’m grateful to Secretary Loveless for his steadfast commitment to the State of Kansas and our state’s natural resources over the past five years,” Kelly said in a statement. “I’m confident that Chris Kennedy is the steadfast leader needed to guide the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in its next chapter.”

Loveless announced his retirement in October but stayed on the job until a new secretary was appointed. He will now officially retire in April after assisting with the transition.

Kennedy takes over in the middle of a legislative session where lawmakers have threatened the agency’s budget in retaliation for the prospect of regulations on deer baiting. Legislators have also advanced plans to abolish the current Wildlife and Parks Commission and create a new one that Republican politicians have more control over.

Kennedy’s work with alligator gar saw him become a guest on episodes of “Monster Fish” on the National Geographic Channel and “River Monsters” on Animal Planet.

“Chris has proven himself a great leader of people with an exceptional understanding of fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation issues,” Loveless said. “He’s very fortunate to be working with the professionals at Kansas Wildlife and Parks, and conversely, I know they will really appreciate and enjoy working with someone as capable and committed as Chris.”

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

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Kansas

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas wrestling coach was charged with creating child sexual abuse materials by secretly recording minors showering during an athletic competition.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Ryan Brungardt of Salina is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Brungardt is a former employee at Lakewood Middle School and former wrestling coach for Salina Central High School.

Brungardt is accused of using a cellphone to record three minors while they showered in a locker room during the Tournament of Champions, a wrestling tournament was held at Newton High in January 2024.

Brungardt made his initial court appearance for the criminal complaint on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks G. Severson.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday

Investigators are in the process of reviewing additional seized cellphone videos in this case that are suspected to have been recorded at wrestling meets in Newton, Hays, Garden City and Salina during the 2023-2024 wrestling season.

Anyone who believes they witnessed crimes or any suspicious activity at these events is asked to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 600-8790 or report at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

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