Kansas
Producers closely following developments as Kansas exports could take hit from tariffs
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – There’s been a lot to follow with the promised rollout of tariffs and what their implementation could mean for U.S. trade with Mexico, Canada and China. If the tariffs go into effect, businesses and consumers are expected to feel the impact with two of Kansas’ biggest trade partners on the receiving end. While many unknowns and changes are unfolding, Canada, Mexico and China have said if the U.S. imposes tariffs on their nation’s goods, they would impose their own. That could impact Kansas’ biggest exports, aviation and agriculture.
For Clearwater farmer and producer Max Tjaden the daily work keeping him busy before the fields are ready includes keeping up with national news and what to prepare for.
“Got up [Monday] morning thinking, ‘Well, okay, [tariffs are] going to go into effect,’” Tjaden said. “The markets were down, not as much as I thought the would be, and then I just looked a little bit and now they’re all up, eight to 16 cents, depending on which grain it is.”
Although the tariffs on Mexico and Canada paused, the United States’ northern and southern neighbors are critical export markets for U.S. and Kansas agriculture. The nation as a whole and the state of Kansas are also sources of imports, including fertilizer from Canada.
“Big agriculture exchange going on, as well as just parts for farm equipment, tractors,” Tjaden said.
2023 Kansas Department of Commerce data shows that Mexico, Canada, Japan, China and South Korea were the top destinations for the state’s exports, aviation parts, meats and grains. The biggest component, which could be targeted if tariffs are placed on U.S. goods.
“What’s unusual about this is President Trump is going after first and foremost, our biggest allies, said Newman University Associate Professor of Management Dr. Larry Straub.
Straub said that if the U.S.’s proposed tariffs go into effect, that’s money that American businesses and potentially consumers will have to pay.
“Businesses sometimes will try to shield consumers from that for a short period or partially, but particularly for a 25% tax, you can’t do that for very long, if at all,” he said.
Tjaden said he can’t remember a significant impact from the tariffs in Trump’s first administration and sees their use now as more of a bargaining tool.
“A big deficit to the advantage of Canada and Mexico and other countries as well, and I think that’s probably what their plan is to get things a lot more equal than it is,” he said.
President Trump said he’s using tariffs to not just affect trade, but also immigration and illicit drugs.
Looking at the impact of tariffs in Trump’s first term, a USDA report from 2022 looked at retaliatory tariffs on US ag that happened in 2018, after the president’s first use of tariffs. The report sad that this led to a reduction in ag exports to the countries issuing the tariffs. For Kansas, that was about $1 billion, a 7% decrease.
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A pedestrian hit by a vehicle near 31st and Mersington in Kansas City has died from injuries sustained in the crash, police say.
Officers responded to the area around 6:32 p.m. on Thursday on a report of a crash involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with injuries that were initially believed to be non-life threatening.
Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured, stopped immediately and remained at the crash and cooperated with police.
Police were notified late Friday morning the pedestrian died from their injuries.
The crash investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
We are once again starting the day with showers and storms. Rainfall will be heavy at times but severe weather is not expected with the activity that will swing through this morning. If it does happen to be dry where you are, you should still be prepared to experience some wet weather.
There will not be as much moisture around during the afternoon but there will still be some spotty showers and storms around, especially between Central and Eastern Kansas.
Most afternoon highs will still be below the norm but will also show some signs of warming where temperatures will reach the 70s.
Late evening storms will build into the southern half of the area. This will start after sundown.
These storms could become strong to severe. Wind and hail are the main threats.
Storm strength and severity will need to be monitored into the overnight. However, they should gradually start to weaken after that.
Some showers will linger into Saturday but the afternoon will not be as damp.
Highs tomorrow will be similar to today’s in the 60s and 70s.
We will once again need to watch out for some evening storms. They will move in from the west.
A sliver of Southwest Kansas and portions of the Oklahoma Panhandle could experience a strong to severe storm.
Any showers and thunderstorms will struggle to make it through the overnight. For the first time in a few days, early risers Sunday will start the day rain-free.
The rest of Memorial Day Weekend will be drier and warmer. However, another unsettled stretch follows.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A former PTA treasurer from Lee’s Summit has pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank and wire fraud after stealing more than $100,000 from the organization, according to federal officials.
Officials said Holly Mikkelsen could face up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
From Aug. 17, 2020, to July 23, 2025, Mikkelsen served as treasurer of the Summit Pointe Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (SPE PTA) in Kansas City, Missouri. The group is a nonprofit, school-based volunteer organization.
Prosecutors said that while serving as treasurer, Mikkelsen made unauthorized withdrawals from the PTA’s checking accounts for her personal benefit. Investigators said the alleged theft included writing and signing checks in the nonprofit’s name payable to herself, using those funds for personal expenses, withdrawing cash from ATMs, and transferring SPE PTA money into her personal accounts.
“The council is taking immediate steps to strengthen financial accountability across all affiliated PTAs, including a full review of existing protocols, dual authorization requirements for financial transactions, board financial training, and consistent audit practices district-wide,” said Lorenzo Harrison, Council President of LSR7 PTA. “The community will be kept informed as this process moves forward.”
Sentencing for Mikkelsen is scheduled for Sept. 24.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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