Kansas
Rising Star: Former K-State star makes return to Kansas with Wind Surge
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Since he was drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft last summer, former K-State baseball star Kaelen Culpepper has been climbing through the ranks of professional baseball. Once the realization set in that he’d have the chance to play in Kansas once again, he’d had a call-up to AA circled as a goal.
Tuesday night at Equity Bank Park for the Wichita Wind Surge, less than a year from that night he was drafted, he stepped to the plate for the first time in the Sunflower State since his time as a Wildcat.
“I think I worked really hard to get back here,” Culpepper said. “I guess I’m here now and it feels really good because hopefully I’ll get to see some familiar faces. I’m just glad to be back in an area that I’m really familiar with.”
Culpepper is currently the No. 4 ranked prospect in the Minnesota Twins system and has quickly risen through the ranks of the team’s farm system, impressing eyes at every level.
“I wouldn’t say fast tracking because it’s all on my time and on their time,” he said. “It’s just what I’m doing and whenever they feel like I’m ready, that’s when they’ll pull the trigger.”
In his first two nights back in Kansas, he continued to impress. Culpepper crushed home runs in back-to-back nights in his return to his former state.
“Oh, he’s a baller man,” said Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins. “He goes out there and gives it his all. Absolute stud.”
Now as he continues to chase his big league dreams, he will do so for the time being in front of fans that know him well.
“I had a lot of friends, family, ex-teammates and parents reach out to me and say ‘Hey, we’re really excited. Hopefully we can come out and catch a game,’” he said. “So, I’m really looking forward to that.”
Although he is a native of Memphis, Culpepper said that Kansas holds a special place due to his time at Kansas State. He says he will savor his time playing in the state that helped make him the player he’s become.
“I definitely made the right decision [to go to Kansas State,]” he said. “The coaches at Kansas State treated me with a lot of hospitality and treated me like family. I’ll always cherish that. I’m very grateful for the opportunity they gave me.”
“Look where I’m at now. The sky is the limit.”
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
DEARING, Kan. (WIBW) – Two people were killed in a three-vehicle collision Monday afternoon in Montgomery County in southeast Kansas, officials said.
The crash was reported at 2:36 p.m. Monday at 1859 County Road 3900 in Dearing. The location was about a half-mile north of US-166 highway on County Road 3900.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2022 Dodge Charger was traveling north on County Road 3900 when it went left of center, side-swiping a southbound 2012 Nissan Altima before colliding head-on with a southbound 2019 Diamond Coach bus.
The driver of the Charger, Michael N. Swanzy, 37, of Independence, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the bus, Timothy W. Housel, 67, of Coffeyville, also was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan, Brandon S. Macrae, 38, of Wann, Oklahoma, was reported uninjured.
All of the drivers were alone in their vehicles and were wearing their seat belts, the patrol said.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WIBW) – Argentina is set to face Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday for the city’s first-ever World Cup match.
Argentina will take on Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium, which has gone through a makeover, at 8 p.m. CT.
Here is some information you need before kickoff:
SHUTTLE: ConnectKC26 is a dedicated regional shuttle network designed to help fans travel throughout the Kansas City region during the tournament. Shuttle routes, schedules, and key transportation hubs will provide convenient access to Kansas City Stadium on matchdays. Riders must have match tickets to board ConnectKC26 buses.
RIDESHARE: Designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off is located at Lot O, with a short walk to Entrances 2 and 3 at Kansas City Stadium.
STADIUM ENTRY: Stadium gates open three hours before kickoff. General and hospitality parking is set to open to fans one hour before gates open. FIFA encourages fans to arrive early to allow staff enough time for security screening, ticket scanning and entry before kickoff. Leaving and reentering the stadium is prohibited. In addition, smoking and vaping are not allowed.
GENERAL PARKING: Parking must be purchased in advance of the match on the Official FIFA World Cup 26 Parking website.
WATER BOTTLE POLICY: FIFA announced that fans will be allowed to bring one soft, plastic, factory-sealed 20-ounce water bottle into any FIFA match in the U.S. and Canada.
BAG POLICY: A list of prohibited items is available here.
FLAG, BANNER AND INSTRUMENT POLICY: Officials said small flags, banners and posters made of a fire-resistant material (maximum size: 2m x 1.5m / 78in x 60in) are allowed in the stadium. Larger flags, banners, posters or instruments must be approved in advance. You can click here to apply through the FIFA Fan Materials Request Portal.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The corpse flower at Winfield’s Southwestern College is blooming.
The college thought the flower would open last week, but forecasting the blooms in not an exact science.
The bloom date was based off when it last happened.
“We thought this one would behave also. It didn’t. It’s late. Just like a baby, it is late. So, this is our baby,” Bryon Rinke, greenhouse manager, said.
The greenhouse on the campus will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For those who aren’t able to travel to Winfield, a livestream of the event is on the Southwestern College YouTube page
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