Associated Press

NC State Wolfpack (7-3, 1-0 ACC) at Kansas Jayhawks (7-2)

Lawrence, Kansas; Saturday, 3:15 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Jayhawks -14.5; over/under is 144.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 10 Kansas hosts NC State aiming to extend its six-game home winning streak.

The Jayhawks have gone 5-0 at home. Kansas has a 2-0 record in one-possession games.

The Wolfpack play their first true road game after going 7-3 to start the season. NC State ranks fifth in the ACC giving up 65.4 points while holding opponents to 41.2% shooting.

Kansas averages 7.1 made 3-pointers per game, 1.8 more made shots than the 5.3 per game NC State allows. NC State averages 6.6 more points per game (74.7) than Kansas gives up to opponents (68.1).

TOP PERFORMERS: Zeke Mayo is shooting 31.1% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Jayhawks, while averaging 10.9 points and 3.3 assists.

Marcus Hill is averaging 13 points for the Wolfpack.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. Share your story idea with Ryan.

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My Father’s House in Paola, Kansas, is expanding affordable housing options through a $1 million grant.

For two decades, it’s provided transitional housing services for women and families. Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony was filled with emotions.

“1,089,” said Blake Heid, a board member at My Father’s House. “That’s the estimated population of rural homelessness in Kansas.”

Beth Waddle is the CEO — she founded the organization 19 years ago to value the underserved rural population.

“We take a relationship-based approach,” Waddle said. “We have to get to know people and what their needs are and earn the right to speak into their lives.”

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka is providing $17.7 million in affordable housing grants in 2023.

The city of Paola, Kansas, worked diligently to permit a tiny home project in the city limits.

My Father’s House grant dollars will benefit 14 tiny homes on a lot adjacent to its flagship location.

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“We have the money raised for 14 tiny homes,” Waddle said. “The goal is to have approximately 40 to 44 in total.”

The community has stepped up in numerous ways, volunteering to push the project to Phase 1, according to Waddle.

Her vision for the 14 Tiny Home Village is to create permanent home options with necessary hygeine and shelter services on the property.

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“As long as they need it, they can stay in the homes,” Waddle said.

My Father’s House has a waiting list for its current transitional housing program.

Michelle Sutti is the programs success story.

“I came here pregnant, 28 years old, just gotten out of jail,” Sutti said. “I didn’t have anywhere to call home.”

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For almost six years, she couch surfed, spent time with the crowd and described herself as “homeless.”

“They taught me how to be a productive member of society, they built a support system for me — everything I needed to do,” she said. “It opened the door for many opportunities; I never had anyone do that for me before.”

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Since her graudation in 2017, Waddle works full time with a certificate in accounting and lives with her husband and four children.

“It was my identity,” she said. “It’s not who I am at all anymore.”

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Miami County, Kansas, has added challenges for residents transitioning into society.

Kansas State University reports 37.42% of its rental housing units are considered “cost burdened,” meaning 30% of household incomes are spent on rent.

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“Miami County, Kansas, has the lowest vacancy rates of any southeast Kansas county in rental homes. We also have some of the highest median rental rates. When people are graduating from our program and transitioning out, it’s kind of a non-starter for them,” Waddle said. “The houses that are available are not within their price range. We saw a need for this tiny home project to increase available affordable housing options.”

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My Father’s House will begin construction almost immediately.

“What they’re doing will allow people to be reintegrated into society instead of being kicked right back out the door,” Sutti said.

The largest portion of the project is to build necessary water, sewer and electric services on the plot of land. It’s expected to be completed near the end of 2025.

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Taylor Swift has made a surprise stop at a Kansas City children’s hospital, shocking parents and patients alike as she laughed with them, posed for photos and exchanged gifts.

All parent Cassie Thomas was told beforehand was that she might want to brush her hair and teeth because there was going to be a special visitor. But she was stunned when Swift, fresh off her Eras Tour and one day before her 35th birthday, walked into her son’s son Beckett Thomas’ room on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

“No rumors. Like, we literally had absolutely no idea this was happening,” Thomas recalled.

Her 13-year-old son, Beckett Thomas, is a cancer patient and a fan of Swift’s Kansas City Chiefs tight-end boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Beckett uses a 3D printer to make earrings bearing his and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ names, walking around the hospital unit selling them to nurses.

Now, Swift has a pair as well.

“She was amazing,” Beckett’s mom said. “So down to earth.”

Another patient told Swift that her favorite song was “Love Story” and had some questions about San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, whose team played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl earlier this year.

Surprised, Swift, muttered: “Brock Purdy, What? I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy.” She then continued: “He put me through a lot last February.”

Asked before the Super Bowl whether he was prepared to disappoint Swift, Purdy responded: “Yes.”

The game ended with Mahomes rallying the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over the 49ers in overtime.

“I was very stressed for a second but it all ended up fine,” Swift told the girl, their recorded conversation posted online.

The girl then chimed in: “I like Travis now.” Swift responded with: “Me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one.”

There is no word on whether Swift will be in the stands when the Chiefs play the Browns on Sunday in Kelce’s hometown of Cleveland.