Kansas
Two well-traveled Republicans file to challenge Hutchinson Democrat in Kansas House race • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Republicans Kyler Sweely and Tyson Thrall took circuitous routes to becoming candidates for the Kansas House district centered on Hutchinson.
The two candidates will go head-to-head in the Aug. 6 primary for the GOP nomination in the 102nd District, which is held by Democratic state Rep. Jason Probst. He is seeking reelection in the district he has represented for seven years.
Sweely, a 26-year-old veteran of the U.S. Army who deployed twice overseas, transferred his official voting address May 30 from Harvey County to Reno County. He submitted paperwork the next day to file as a GOP candidate in the 102nd District. Election records indicated he voted in Harvey County elections during 2020 and 2022.
During the 2024 legislative session, Sweely resided in Topeka while working as administrative assistant to the House Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee chaired by Rep. Avery Anderson, R-Newton.
Sweely said in an interview that he had been offered employment in Reno County, but hadn’t accepted a position so he could focus on his primary campaign.
“I always had a drive to serve,” said Sweely, who was intrigued by the possibility of defeating Probst in the November general election. “It felt there was a good chance we could flip that seat.”
Probst said in an interview at the Capitol that House Republicans engaged in “district shopping” to import Sweely, who had “no connection to our community.”
District flip-flop
Tyson Thrall, the second Republican candidate in the 102nd District primary, has ties to Reno County. Thrall voted in Reno County in 2020 and ran unsuccessfully for Hutchinson school board in 2021.
Candidate records indicate, however, Thrall asserted his home address was in Nickerson when he filed May 10 to be a candidate for the Kansas House in the 114th District. That seat is up for grabs because the district’s current representative, Republican Mike Murphy of Sylvia, chose to run for the Kansas Senate.
Less than one week after filing in the 114th District, Thrall withdrew from that House contest. On May 24, he declared his address for voting purposes was in Hutchinson — not Nickerson — and filed as a candidate for the 102nd District seat held by Probst.
It’s not clear Thrall has taken up residence at the 21st Avenue address in Hutchinson listed on documents filed with the Kansas secretary of state.
He didn’t respond to a request for comment about his decision to terminate his campaign for Murphy’s seat and enter the race for Probst’s spot in the House.
Probst said Thrall also appeared to have engaged in district shopping at the behest of supporters of outgoing Rep. Murphy and retiring Hutchinson Sen. Mark Steffen, both Republicans. Murphy is seeking Steffen’s seat in the Senate and has a primary battle of his own against GOP candidate Bob Fee of Hutchinson.
The supermajority
Probst, who has lived in Hutchinson for more than 20 years, was appointed in June 2017 to fill the unexpired term of the late Rep. Patsy Terrell. He faced no opposition in 2018 when he won election to a full term in the House. Probst survived close general election races against Republican nominee John Whitesel in 2020 and 2022.
Probst has no Democratic primary rival in August, but would have to contend in November with winner of the Sweely-Thrall showdown.
“I know very little about these candidates — their experience, ideas or how they plan to help Hutchinson,” Probst said. “This interest in the 102nd District seems to have very little to do with Hutchinson or me as a candidate and legislator. It appears to be rooted in a broader political game where every seat is a piece on a political board game. That’s what bothers me the most.”
Kansas Democrats have made no secret of their intention to trim the GOP’s 85-40 numerical advantage in the House. If Democrats captured two more seats in the House, the shift would end the two-thirds supermajority controlled by Republicans that made it easier to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Likewise, GOP House leaders have placed emphasis on expanding the Republican roster in the House.
“The Republicans desperately want to hold onto their supermajority,” Probst said. “If they lose it, things like Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization might actually happen.”
Kansas
Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas
Dense fog reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in parts of central, south central, and southeast Kansas on Saturday morning, December 28, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Footage taken in Wichita by NWS meteorologist Kevin Darmofal shows his view of “another foggy start” to the day.
A dense fog advisory would remain in effect until 10 am CST, the NWS said.
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the weather service warned. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.” Credit: Kevin Darmofal/NWS Wichita via Storyful
Kansas
5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl
The Chiefs look poised to make another deep playoff run en route to a potential third consecutive Super Bowl victory, having secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the ability to rest starters in Week 18 on top of the first-round postseason bye.
Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones will obviously be the driving forces behind any major success over the next month, but there are a number of other players who will step up in a big way to help this organization reach immortality.
We all know the leaders, but who are some of the underrated Chiefs who are poised to guide Kansas City to another Lombardi?
It’s hard to call a three-time All-Pro an under-the-radar player, yet fans and national media alike still might not be aware of how special Joe Thuney has been. After another ho-hum season of perhaps the best guard play in the NFL, Thuney flipped over to left tackle, a position he does not play, and has been excellent.
The 32-year-old only has one year left in his contract. However, no offensive lineman has been more important to the Chiefs. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are elite players, though Thuney moving over to left tackle helped resurrect Kansas City’s offense and save the season.
D.J. Humphries’ acquisition has proved to be a failure. He can’t get on the field and at this point, it’s far too risky to let him protect Mahomes. Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia clearly can’t handle the role, so it feels likely that Thuney will remain the Chiefs’ left tackle throughout the playoff run.
Ranking as the fourth-best offensive guard out of 129 players at Pro Football Focus, Thuney has been marvelous.
Considering next year is the last on his contract, there’s a strong argument to be made that Brett Veach needs to do everything in his power to extend the veteran. If Thuney keeps this level of play up, he’ll be remembered as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history.
Kansas
2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two men who led police on a high-speed chase through Kansas City in a stolen vehicle have been charged in connection to another stolen vehicle.
Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that Trevon Perkins, 27, and Demont M. Vandunk, have been charged in connection to the armed robbery of a Corvette from a Kansas City detailer and a high-speed chase that followed.
A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, emergency crews were called to a local parking lot with reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, they found a local detailer who reported he had been working on a Corvette when it was stolen.
The victim told law enforcement officials that two men, later identified as Perkins and Vandunk, drove up in a black 2018 Camaro before they threatened to shoot him as they took his wallet, keys and belongings.
Investigators noted that Vandunk left the scene in the blue 2023 Corvette while Perkins returned to the Camaro and sped off. Later that night, the Camaro was spotted near E. 67th and Monroe Ave. However, when law enforcement officials attempted to pull the driver – Vandunk – over, he attempted to speed off and started a chase.
Law enforcement officials said they followed Vandunk and Perkins, who was in the passenger seat, down Meyer to Swope Pkwy. and onto Cleveland Ave. as they reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Vandunk lost control of the Camaro before it crashed into another vehicle near 40th and Cleveland.
KCPD said Vandunk and Perkins attempted to run but were quickly taken into custody. During the investigation, it was found that the Camaro had also been stolen out of Kansas City, Kansas. All of the property stolen in the earlier robbery was found and seized.
Vandunk was charged with accessory to robbery, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop. Perkins was charged with accessory to robbery and armed criminal action as a result. If convicted both could face up to life in prison.
As of Friday, Dec. 27, Perkins remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Vandunk remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond as well. A bond review hearing for him has been set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday with a preliminary hearing also at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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