Kansas
Plevna tornado damage: Homes destroyed, warnings for Sylvia, Abbyville, and Hutchinson | Videos
A massive tornado struck Plevna, Kansas, late Sunday, destroying homes and downing trees and power lines. The twister triggered tornado warnings for Hutchinson, Sylvia, and Abbyville. According to reports on social media, search and rescue operations are underway in Plevna, and widespread power outages have been reported. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or fatalities.
Tornado Watch –
The National Weather Service has issued Tornado Watch 291, which remains in effect until 1:00 AM CDT Monday for portions of Kansas and Nebraska.
In Kansas (6 counties):
Jewell
Mitchell
Osborne
Phillips
Rooks
Smith
In Nebraska (13 counties):
Central Nebraska:
Greeley
Howard
Sherman
Valley
South Central Nebraska:
Buffalo
Dawson
Franklin
Furnas
Gosper
Harlan
Kearney
Phelps
Webster
Cities included in the watch area include: Alma, Arapahoe, Beaver City, Beloit, Blue Hill, Cambridge, Cozad, Franklin, Gothenburg, Greeley, Holdrege, Jewell, Kearney, Lexington, Minden, Ord, Osborne, Phillipsburg, Red Cloud, Smith Center, St. Paul, and others.
NWS has advised residents in the affected areas to remain alert, monitor local weather updates, and be prepared to take shelter if conditions worsen.
Also Read: Photos: Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia tornadoes leave ‘trail of destruction’ as 32 killed; ‘It’s pretty scary’
Grinnell Tornado –
A tornado struck Grinnell, Kansas, on Sunday evening, causing damages to parts of the town. The Kansas Department of Transportation reported that sections of I-70 in northwest Kansas were closed after downed power lines blocked several lanes.
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall expressed support for the affected community, stating, “Our prayers are with the Grinnell community this evening following the tornado that touched down. We urge everyone to stay safe, avoid the area, and closely follow guidance from local authorities as severe weather continues to move across our state.”
Senator Jerry Moran also voiced concern, writing, “I’m concerned for the communities in western Kansas impacted by the tornadoes and am working with local officials to assess the damage and see what are the immediate needs on the ground. Kansans, please stay alert! The dangerous weather conditions across the state have already resulted in tornadoes in Gove County and Scott County with much of the state facing more storms and potential tornadoes.”
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A man had his conviction in the 2021 killing of a Wichita teen upheld by the Kansas Supreme Court on Friday.
In a unanimous opinion, the court says that there was plenty of evidence to convict Tyler Kelly and that he had a fair trial.
Kelly was found guilty by a Sedgwick County jury in 2023 of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault in the July 17, 2021, shooting death of 16-year-old Joseph Florence. Court records show Kelly and a 16-year-old broke into Florence’s home to confront him over a girl.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder. He also got 43 months for aggravated burglary and 13 months for aggravated assault.
The judge ordered that he serve the 25 years, plus the additional 56 months before he could be considered for parole.
Kelly appealed his conviction. He argued there was not enough evidence to prove he entered Florence’s home illegally or intended to commit a crime, and he made claims of multiple incidents of prosecutorial error. He also argued that the jury should have been given use-of-force instructions to support his self-defense claim.
In an opinion written by Justice Larkin Walsh, the court says there is more than sufficient evidence that Kelly entered the home illegally with intent to assault Florence. The justices determined that Kelly received a fair trial that was free from prosecutorial error.
“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm these convictions,” the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “This ruling brings a final measure of justice to the victims and their families, and it validates the hard work of our prosecutors and local law enforcement in securing this conviction.”
Kelly is currently housed in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility with an earliest possible release date of May 1, 2048, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
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The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards, recognizing the outstanding leaders, organizations and programs that are driving innovation and expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
“Our apprenticeship partners have played a tremendous role growing our workforce over the last several years,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These apprenticeship awards honor what truly is possible when bold leadership and strategic collaboration align — and how, together, we can continue reimagining the Kansas workforce of the future.”
Since 2022, the Kansas apprenticeship program has experienced remarkable growth, including a 240% increase in new apprentices. This momentum reflects the strength of Kansas’ statewide apprenticeship ecosystem — and the commitment of the employers, education partners and workforce leaders to build sustainable talent pipelines.
Honorees were chosen based on innovation, measurable growth and long-term impact, with particular emphasis on forward-thinking strategies and sustained apprentice engagement.
The 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Award recipients:
- Excellence in Kansas Apprenticeship Award – Dr. Joel Gillespie, Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE): Recognized for his visionary leadership in expanding teacher apprenticeship programs to 391 participants, helping transform educator pathways and remove barriers to the profession.
- Kansas Business of the Year – Panasonic: Committed to workforce development through the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship. The company has grown from 96 apprentices to 125.
- Outstanding New Program of the Year – HCA Midwest Health: Launched Kansas’ first pre-licensure Registered Nurse Apprenticeship program. The program has 146 active apprentices.
- Outstanding Program of the Year – Western Missouri & Kansas Laborers District Council: Recognized as one of the most robust apprenticeship models. The Council has 445 active participants, working to support an array of backgrounds and strengthen the workforce.
- Youth Apprenticeship Development Partner of the Year – City of Winfield: Honored for its leadership in youth apprenticeship, bringing together K-12 education and higher education partners to create classroom-to-career pipelines for Kansas students.
The 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards were presented during the state’s National Apprenticeship Week Celebration on April 29 in Topeka, highlighting the continued progress and future success of apprenticeship programs and opportunities in Kansas.
“Our apprenticeship partners are making a huge contribution to our state — and to our goal of connecting 10,001 apprentices by 2031,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “Their contributions not only are changing the lives of individual Kansans but strengthening our state for generations to come.”
To view photos from the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards event, click here.
For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit here.
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