Kansas

Too cold for school? Districts across Kansas face winter weather dilemma

Published

12 months ago

January 22, 2025

Too cold for school? Districts across Kansas face winter weather dilemma

SALINA, Kan. (KWCH)—School districts across Kansas responded differently to winter conditions on Tuesday morning, which brought subzero temperatures and dangerous windchills. With the air temperature and windchill being the biggest concerns, the question for districts was whether buses could get running and if students would be safe to wait on the buses.

The Salina school district held school on Tuesday after ensuring that buses were running. The district encouraged parents to bundle their children in layers, but excused absences for students who stayed home due to the weather.

“Ultimately, our parents and guardians have the option to keep their children home when they have concerns about getting to school safely in the bitter cold. At Salina Public Schools, the absence is excused by reporting it in keeping with regular reporting procedures at the child’s school,” the district said.

In Western Kansas, the Garden City school district canceled classes on Tuesday because the cold weather was too much for their buses. The district issued a statement saying, “Diesel fuel began to gel due to the temperature. This was creating an issue of getting the buses started and running correctly.

In the Wichita area, responses varied based on bus availability and the time that students had to spend outside. The Wichita school district canceled classes on Tuesday, as did several surrounding districts including Maize, Valley Center, Goddard and Haysville.

Several districts throughout Kansas, including McPherson, opted to start two hours late on Tuesday.

With cold weather and how school districts respond, Salina parent Terry Hill said that ultimately as parents, it’s important to remember one thing.

“I’m sure the school district makes their decisions based [on] many, many, many different criteria, weather being one of them,” he said. “It all comes down to if you feel that loss of a school day is that important.”

Hill said Salina Public Schools made the right call on Tuesday by leaving the decision as to whether or not students attended up to their parents.

“Giving us parents the option is good because it allows us to make a decision on if we want to subject our children to it or not,” he said. “if they feel like it’s safe enough to get buses out and get kids to and from school then I’m sure they’re making the right decision on that.”

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Kansas

Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

Published

5 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

MANHATTAN — Right when you thought Kansas State football might be done for the day, the Wildcats landed a seventh commitment from the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 5.

Gardner-Webb defensive tackle De’Arieun Hicks committed to K-State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder has three years of eligibility and totaled 21 tackles, with 4.5 being for a loss in 2025.

Hicks reportedly had a visit to Iowa State on Monday, after spending Jan. 3 with the Wildcats, and he chose to play football in Manhattan.

Hicks was a standout for the FCS program out of the Big South, playing 373 snaps and making four starts on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive line. He was the Big South’s sixth-highest graded defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, with the league’s 12th-best pass rush grade.

Hicks totaled 10 pressures, with seven quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks across 12 games.

Out of high school in Richmond, Indiana, Hicks wasn’t given a grade by 247Sports.

Kansas State was in desperate need of defensive linemen from the transfer portal following the departures of Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Andy Burburija, the latter of whom reopened his recruitment after initially signing with the Wildcats. The Wildcats also signed Adrian Bekibele, Kingston Hall and Carnell Jackson Jr. during December’s signing period.

Hicks’ size is certainly appealing, giving the Wildcats a solid prospect to develop. Given the Wildcats’ need at the position, Hicks could have an opportunity to get on the field quickly.

Hicks joins Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr., Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams, Illinois corner Kaleb Patterson, Oklahoma State linebacker Jacobi Oliphant, Miami (Ohio) safety Koy Beasley and Missouri offensive lineman Keiton Jones as those who committed to the Wildcats on Monday.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

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City Hall intruder fatally shot by employee in Lawrence, Kansas, officials say

Published

17 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

City Hall intruder fatally shot by employee in Lawrence, Kansas, officials say

An intruder was fatally shot by an armed city employee inside Lawrence City Hall in Kansas on Monday morning, officials said.

The 28-year-old man “forced his way into the building then broke through a door” on the fourth floor and into a secured area about 8 a.m., according to a police statement.

This led to an altercation with an armed city employee, Police Chief Rich Lockhart told reporters outside City Hall, about two miles north of the University of Kansas campus.

“During that altercation, the 28-year-old subject was shot and killed by the city employee,” the chief added.

The intruder wasn’t immediately identified, and it wasn’t clear if he was armed.

Authorities didn’t immediately name the city employee or his job. But police did characterize the civil servant as “trained and authorized to carry a firearm.”

The fourth floor is home to the city manager, city attorney and budget manager.

Officials said they did not know why the man went to the fourth floor, and “it’s not someone that’s known to us,” Lockhart said.

City Hall was closed and should reopen Tuesday. A municipal court in the building won’t open again until Thursday.

City Manager Craig Owens said he was grateful no city employees were hurt.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department work during the disturbing incident,” he said.

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IU football lands Kansas State transfer edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi

Published

2 days ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

IU football lands Kansas State transfer edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi

Indiana’s portal haul continued to grow Sunday as multiple outlets reported the addition of Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi.

Osunsanmi has played in 36 games over the last four years and has 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Most of that production came over the last two seasons. He has a total of 47 QB pressures during his college career.

In 2025 he played in six games and had 20 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He suffered a season-ending injury in October.

He saw action in all 13 games in 2024 as a reserve defensive end and on special teams, recording 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble over 303 defensive snaps and 31 special teams plays.

In 2023 he saw time in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, a rush end on passing downs and on special teams. He was tied for team-high honors with five tackles on kickoff coverage.

He played in four games in 2022 and preserved his redshirt.

The 6-foot-3 and 250-pound Osunsanmi has one year of eligibility remaining.

The Wichita, Kan. product (Wichita East H.S.) was regarded as the 232nd-best overall player in the nation for the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.

Osunsanmi will help fill the void left by outgoing edge rushers Mikail Kamara, Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley.

More transfer portal information:

For complete coverage of IU football recruiting, GO HERE.

The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

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