Kansas
Rape case dismissed against former Kansas basketball player Arterio Morris
Prosecutors drop rape case against ex-Kansas basketball player Arterio Morris
Prosecutors in Kansas have dropped a felony rape case against former Jayhawks basketball player Arterio Morris, citing insufficient evidence.
unbranded – Sport
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The case that saw Arterio Morris charged with rape has been dismissed, according to online court records for Douglas County, Kansas, and Morris’ defense attorney.
Morris, a former Kanas basketball player, was arrested this past September and removed from the KU program after the one count of rape was brought. Earlier this year, there was a move made to resolve the case before there was an evidentiary hearing. And now Morris won’t face that charge at all. A KU spokesperson declined comment.
Morris was scheduled to have his next hearing Wednesday. He was, according to a complaint document, facing a “severity level 1 person felony” that carried a range of penalty of “a minimum of 147 months to a maximum of 653 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $300,000 and 36 months of post-release supervision, pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6804, 21-6807, 21-6611(a)(2), & 22-3717(d)(1)(A), and amendments thereto.”
But that is no longer the case.
“For about two years we have stayed silent waiting for justice to run its course, but also trusting that the truth would come to light; which is that I am not guilty of the horrible allegations made against me,” Morris said in a social media post on Instagram. “It has been a path of trials, sorrow, and despair; but also one in which I was able to grow and become wiser to discern who I invite into my life. Today, I close a horrible chapter in my life and now I look into my future with hope and with more desire to be who I was destined to be. I am moving forward with God and my family by side.”
Hatem Chahine, Morris’ defense attorney, said he anticipated this outcome. Chahine noted he was involved with the Title IX investigation and KU hearing concerning Morris, which was also dismissed. Because the criminal matter has a higher standard than the Title IX case, it seemed possible this would be the outcome.
The request for dismissal in the criminal case came from the district attorney’s office, according to Chahine. That happened due to insufficient evidence, which Chahine agreed with. Chahine added he wishes Morris the best, hopes Morris can play in the future in college and left the door open to Morris potentially pursuing a civil recourse.
“When you get charged with something you believe you’re innocent for,” Chahine said, “make sure you get a good attorney.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X at @JordanGuskey.
Kansas
Final Availability Report Ahead of Arizona, Kansas Game
Arizona (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) was looking to end its 2-game losing streak on the road against Colorado, which was coming off an underwhelming 53-7 loss against Utah. Both teams were searching for answers and looking to get back on the right track.
Well, Arizona was able to do just that with a massive 52-17 win over Colorado (3-6, 1-5) snapping not only a 2-game losing streak but 5-game road losing streak that dates back to the previous season.
Under head coach Brent Brennan, Arizona is 2-5 with four of those losses having come with a point deficit of 28 points. In those games, the Wildcats fell behind by double-digits every single time.
One of the major reasons why Arizona was able to bounce back and snap its losing streak was due to the performance by the offense and quarterback Noah Fifita.
Fifita played at such a high-level that he was recognized by the Big 12 earning Offensive Player of the Week Award. With the Award, he became the second WIldcat this season to receive the honor with the first coming from running back Ismail Mahdi for his game against Kansas State.
Against Colorado, Fifita went an impressive 11 of 19 passing totalling 213 yards and racking up four touchdowns to zero interceptions.
As the team gets ready for its game against Kansas, Arizona will need Fifita to stay sharp and build off his Big 12 Offensive Player of Week performance.
This is the first time the two programs are playing each other since the 1966 season where Arizona lost 35-13 to Kansas. Overall the Jayhawks lead the series 2-3-1 over the Wildcats.
Arizona will be down two players, who showed up on the latest availability report in cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew and offensive lineman Jordan Brown.
In the first availability report both receiver Chris Hunter and defensive end Eduwa Okundaye showed up on the report as questionable for the game.
However, in the latest report, Hunter has now been downgraded to out with Okundaye now downgraded to out as well after being listed as questionable.
This will be the second-straight game that Grove-Killebrew will miss due to an injury. Meanwhile, Jordan Brown has been out the whole season after suffering an injury during camp this offseason.
As for Chris Hunter, he has had to battle through injuries from the offseason and some sustained during the regular season. However, the Wildcats are deeper at the receiver position than a season ago and can overcome him missing the game against Kansas.
Please be sure to share your thoughts on the latest availability report ahead of the Arizona-Kansas game. To do so, follow us on our X account by clicking on the link.
Kansas
Kansas City reaches settlement with former City Manager Brian Platt
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The City of Kansas City and former City Manager Brian Platt have reached a settlement.
In a statement shared with KCTV on Thursday, the City refused to disclose the terms of the settlement.
“The dispute has been resolved, and the City wishes Platt the best in his future endeavors,” said spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt.
KCTV has filed a records request to find out more details surrounding the settlement.
Platt was removed from his position by Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council in March. The unanimous decision was the result of several reasons, which Lucas outlined at the time. Among them was a jury’s finding that Platt encouraged staff to lie to the media and several failures in tending to job responsibilities and leadership capabilities.
The firing came three weeks after he was suspended with pay. He was replaced in May by Mario Vasquez.
On Thursday, the Mayor’s Office released a statement about the settlement with KCTV.
“The City of Kansas City has reached a settlement agreement with former City Manager Brian Platt,” the statement read. “Mayor Lucas, the City Council, and City Manager Mario Vasquez remain focused on the important work ahead for the residents of Kansas City.”
This is a developing story. KCTV will update it as more information becomes available.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Manhattan winery wins big at Kansas Business Awards
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – Liquid Art Winery & Estate in Manhattan recently won the To The Stars: Kansas Business Award for Agribusiness.
Kansas businesses were honored on Nov. 6 in Pittsburg for their contributions to Kansas communities and the state economy at the Kansas Department of Commerce’s 2025 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony. Nearly 500 attendees attended to celebrate a record 431 businesses, organizations and individuals who were nominated across 11 different categories.
This year, Manhattan’s very own Liquid Art Winery & Estate won the award in Agribusiness. Liquid Art Winery is a 16-acre estate vineyard, tasting room, winery and event space nestled in the heart of the Flint Hills. The rich soil on their estate replicates the soil profile of some of the most prominent grape-growing regions in the world, allowing the producing of premium wines.
“Kansas businesses are the backbone of the record-setting success our state has experienced over the last six years,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “All the businesses recognized at To The Stars are worthy of celebration because they exemplify our famous work ethic and determination, further solidifying Kansas as the best place in the nation to do business.”
Liquid Art Winery & Estate is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday year-round, offering charcuteries, artisan pizzas and of course wine, cider and beer. For more information on when you can plan your visit, check out the Liquid Art Winery website.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
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