SHAWNEE COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody and facing multiple allegations following a stolen vehicle pursuit, initiated by the Real Time Crime Center in Shawnee County.

Just after 10a.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) received notification of a stolen vehicle near SE 21st Street and SE California Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies responded to the area and received updates from the RTCC, leading them to the stolen vehicle. The white Nissan Rogue was recently reported stolen out of Lawrence and the license plate on the Nissan was reported stolen out of Topeka.

A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 2000 block of SE California Avenue. However, the driver, later identified s 38-year-old Destine S. Back of Topeka refused to stop, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit ended near SW 27th Street and SW Fillmore Street and both occupants ran from the vehicle. 

A K-9 Unit found Back hiding near a residence’s trashcans and a male passenger identified as 28-year-old Daizhon D. W. Amos of Topeka was located walking in the area.

Destinee S. Back is being held in the the Shawnee County Department

of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Fail to stop for a red traffic control device, Vehicles; display plate not assigned, Possession of a hallucinogenic drug,&nbsp;Possession of stolen property and Flee or attempt to elude

Daizhon D. W. Amos, booked into jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement and Possession of marijuana. Amos also had a parole violation hold.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763500661071.png" alt="Amos photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Amos photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody and facing multiple allegations following a stolen vehicle pursuit, initiated by the Real Time Crime Center in Shawnee County.Just after 10a.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) received notification of a stolen vehicle near SE 21st Street and SE California Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763500591440.png" alt="Back photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Back photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies responded to the area and received updates from the RTCC, leading them to the stolen vehicle. The white Nissan Rogue was recently reported stolen out of Lawrence and the license plate on the Nissan was reported stolen out of Topeka.A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 2000 block of SE California Avenue. However, the driver, later identified s 38-year-old Destine S. Back of Topeka refused to stop, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit ended near SW 27th Street and SW Fillmore Street and both occupants ran from the vehicle. A K-9 Unit found Back hiding near a residence’s trashcans and a male passenger identified as 28-year-old Daizhon D. W. Amos of Topeka was located walking in the area.Destinee S. Back is being held in the the Shawnee County Departmentof Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Fail to stop for a red traffic control device, Vehicles; display plate not assigned, Possession of a hallucinogenic drug,&nbsp;Possession of stolen property and Flee or attempt to eludeDaizhon D. W. Amos, booked into jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement and Possession of marijuana. Amos also had a parole violation hold.

Kansas woman, wanted for car theft, was hiding behind trash cans

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita&nbsp; expected to learn his fate Thursday.

&nbsp;Sentencing for 34-year-old Jeremy Wycoff in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom was moved to January 20, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; In September, Wycoff pleaded guilty to aggravated arson.

On the evening of April 10, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.

Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744830153415.png" alt="Wycoff - Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Wycoff - Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita&nbsp; expected to learn his fate Thursday.&nbsp;Sentencing for 34-year-old Jeremy Wycoff in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom was moved to January 20, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; In September, Wycoff pleaded guilty to aggravated arson.On the evening of April 10, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sentencing delayed for suspect in arson fire near historic Kan. theatre 

Christ Cathedral announces the return of its unique annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans worship service and Feast of St. Andrew, set for Saturday, November 29 at 6:00 pm at the Cathedral (138 S. Eighth Street in downtown Salina).

The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans spotlights the Scottish tradition of having family and clan tartans blessed during the holiday season. The Saturday-evening service and potluck are open to the public.

“All are welcome to “put on their Scottish” for the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans,” said Rev. Shay Craig, Dean of Christ Cathedral. “The holiday-season Kirkin’ service of blessing and potluck meal offer our community a taste of Scottish music, traditions and food in a beautiful historic setting.”

At 6 p.m. that Saturday night, attendees will be led into the Cathedral by area bagpipers for a service including Holy Eucharist (communion), festive music and ancient prayers. The tartan kilt, sash, scarf, or fabric swatch of any families in attendance will be blessed as their clan (family) names are “called” out loud in turn, whether or not they are of Scottish ancestry.

Immediately following the worship service is a potluck Ceilidh (‘KAY-lee’) supper, a Scottish Shortbread Dessert Buffet and fo r those age 21 and over, a Scotch Whisky tasting in the library. The evening ends as those in attendance select the Parish Chieftain to wear a special sash at the next year’s Kirkin’.

Today’s modern-day Kirkin’ traditions link back to mid-16th-century Scotland. After the English defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the wearing of tartans and playing of bagpipes were forbidden. The display or wearing of a family tartan was punishable by death. Scots continued to wear a hidden piece of tartan to church, and their minister secretly would slip in a blessing, or kirking, of the tartans into the worship service.

Celebration of Scottish roots is appropriate for Salina, as three of its four founding families were Scottish. Historically, American Episcopalians owe a debt to the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Church of England would not consecrate the first American bishop elected post-Revolution, unless he swore allegiance to the Crown. When he wouldn’t, Scottish bishops agreeds to consecrate Samuel Seabury in Aberdeen on Nov 14, 1784, asking in return that he incorporate the Scottish Rite for the Eucharist into the American prayer book. Features of this Rite are still in use today.

The first recognized Kirking service in America was held in Washington, D.C. in 1941. The tradition has since grown in popularity. Beyond spotlighting Episcopalian heritage and Scottish culture, Christ Cathedral’s Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans and Feast of St. Andrew potluck encourage participants to reflect on their own family and ethnic heritage.

Those wishing to stay for the potluck Ceilidh (‘KAY-lee’) or reserve a “Whisky In the Library” free ticket should RSVP to the church by Friday, November 21 at 785-827-4440 or to ChristCathedral@ChristCathedralSalina.org. 

Those joining in the potluck meal are welcome but not required to bring a holiday side dish or a dozen shortbread cookies. 

Recipe ideas are available at: <a href="https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/scottish-recipes/">https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/scottish-recipes/</a> or : <a href="https://www.foodtimeline.org/">https://www.foodtimeline.org/</a>

For more information on the festive, annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans or other Cathedral holiday happenings, visit <a href="https://www.christcathedralsalina.org/">ChristCathedralSalina.org</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christcathedralsalina">https://www.facebook.com/christcathedralsalina</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716584522174.jpeg" alt="Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina PostChrist Cathedral announces the return of its unique annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans worship service and Feast of St. Andrew, set for Saturday, November 29 at 6:00 pm at the Cathedral (138 S. Eighth Street in downtown Salina).The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans spotlights the Scottish tradition of having family and clan tartans blessed during the holiday season. The Saturday-evening service and potluck are open to the public.“All are welcome to “put on their Scottish” for the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans,” said Rev. Shay Craig, Dean of Christ Cathedral. “The holiday-season Kirkin’ service of blessing and potluck meal offer our community a taste of Scottish music, traditions and food in a beautiful historic setting.”At 6 p.m. that Saturday night, attendees will be led into the Cathedral by area bagpipers for a service including Holy Eucharist (communion), festive music and ancient prayers. The tartan kilt, sash, scarf, or fabric swatch of any families in attendance will be blessed as their clan (family) names are “called” out loud in turn, whether or not they are of Scottish ancestry.Immediately following the worship service is a potluck Ceilidh (‘KAY-lee’) supper, a Scottish Shortbread Dessert Buffet and fo r those age 21 and over, a Scotch Whisky tasting in the library. The evening ends as those in attendance select the Parish Chieftain to wear a special sash at the next year’s Kirkin’.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763508149184.png" alt="Photo courtesy of Kay Quinn" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Kay Quinn</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763508206439.png" alt="Photo courtesy of Kay Quinn" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Kay Quinn</figcaption>
 </figure>Today’s modern-day Kirkin’ traditions link back to mid-16th-century Scotland. After the English defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the wearing of tartans and playing of bagpipes were forbidden. The display or wearing of a family tartan was punishable by death. Scots continued to wear a hidden piece of tartan to church, and their minister secretly would slip in a blessing, or kirking, of the tartans into the worship service.Celebration of Scottish roots is appropriate for Salina, as three of its four founding families were Scottish. Historically, American Episcopalians owe a debt to the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Church of England would not consecrate the first American bishop elected post-Revolution, unless he swore allegiance to the Crown. When he wouldn’t, Scottish bishops agreeds to consecrate Samuel Seabury in Aberdeen on Nov 14, 1784, asking in return that he incorporate the Scottish Rite for the Eucharist into the American prayer book. Features of this Rite are still in use today.The first recognized Kirking service in America was held in Washington, D.C. in 1941. The tradition has since grown in popularity. Beyond spotlighting Episcopalian heritage and Scottish culture, Christ Cathedral’s Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans and Feast of St. Andrew potluck encourage participants to reflect on their own family and ethnic heritage.Those wishing to stay for the potluck Ceilidh (‘KAY-lee’) or reserve a “Whisky In the Library” free ticket should RSVP to the church by Friday, November 21 at 785-827-4440 or to ChristCathedral@ChristCathedralSalina.org. Those joining in the potluck meal are welcome but not required to bring a holiday side dish or a dozen shortbread cookies. Recipe ideas are available at: <a href="https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/scottish-recipes/">https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/scottish-recipes/</a> or : <a href="https://www.foodtimeline.org/">https://www.foodtimeline.org/</a>For more information on the festive, annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans or other Cathedral holiday happenings, visit <a href="https://www.christcathedralsalina.org/">ChristCathedralSalina.org</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christcathedralsalina">https://www.facebook.com/christcathedralsalina</a>.

Celebrate "Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans" at Christ Cathedral on Thanksgiving weekend

WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 72-year-old male inmate who was found unresponsive Sunday morning in the clinic unit of the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.

Deputies found the inmate, identified from booking records as Neal Brady, shortly after 10 a.m. Detention staff and on-site medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures. Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded, and EMS transported Brady to a Wichita hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead shortly after 11 a.m.

Brady had a history of several chronic medical conditions, including a brain tumor and hypertension, among other ailments. On Nov. 8, he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of acute kidney failure. He remained hospitalized until his discharge on Nov. 11, when he was returned to the facility and admitted to the on-site medical observation unit under close clinical monitoring.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

The Sheriff’s Office notified the Kansas Bureau of Investigation per protocol, and detectives are conducting a full investigation. The inmate’s family has been notified. The sheriff's office did not release his identity at their request. He&nbsp;had been in custody since Nov. 6 on charges of criminal threat and domestic battery.

This is the sixth in-custody death at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility in 2025, according to sheriff's department spokesman Branden Stitt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763414241433.png" alt="Brady photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Brady photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 72-year-old male inmate who was found unresponsive Sunday morning in the clinic unit of the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.Deputies found the inmate, identified from booking records as Neal Brady, shortly after 10 a.m. Detention staff and on-site medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures. Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded, and EMS transported Brady to a Wichita hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead shortly after 11 a.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737476354827.jpeg" alt="Sedgwick-County-Jail&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick-County-Jail&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Brady had a history of several chronic medical conditions, including a brain tumor and hypertension, among other ailments. On Nov. 8, he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of acute kidney failure. He remained hospitalized until his discharge on Nov. 11, when he was returned to the facility and admitted to the on-site medical observation unit under close clinical monitoring.An autopsy will determine the cause of death.The Sheriff’s Office notified the Kansas Bureau of Investigation per protocol, and detectives are conducting a full investigation. The inmate’s family has been notified. The sheriff's office did not release his identity at their request. He&nbsp;had been in custody since Nov. 6 on charges of criminal threat and domestic battery.This is the sixth in-custody death at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility in 2025, according to sheriff's department spokesman Branden Stitt.

72-year-old inmate found unresponsive in clinic unit of Kan. jail

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend standoff.

Just before 4a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.

The Topeka Police Department Response Team and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene.&nbsp; The 1000 block of SW 5th Street along with the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street were blocked off for an extended period.

After a several hour stand-off, one person was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, Tevin Roberts, 33, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Felony Interference and Domestic Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763391962443.png" alt="Roberts photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Roberts photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend standoff.Just before 4a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.The Topeka Police Department Response Team and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene.&nbsp; The 1000 block of SW 5th Street along with the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street were blocked off for an extended period.After a several hour stand-off, one person was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, Tevin Roberts, 33, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Felony Interference and Domestic Battery.

Suspect jailed after standoff at Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen learned his fate on Friday.

Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 22-year-old Samuel Loredo to 174 months in prison with Lifetime Post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In October, Loredo pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sodomy and one count each of indecent liberties with a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and aggravated interference with parental custody, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just after noon November 18, 2024 law enforcement in Murray, Kentucky informed the Wichita Police Department that a 14-year-old runaway may be in Wichita based on their investigation, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

Wichita police responded to the area of 2300 N Woodlawn in Wichita where it was believed that the child may have been. Patrol and Investigations began working together to find additional information to locate the juvenile and determine the circumstances around their presence in Wichita.

Throughout the afternoon and the evening detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit worked to conduct additional interviews. Through those interviews, detectives determined that Loredo was communicating with the 14-year-old and arranged for the juvenile to travel to Wichita.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Loredo, and booked him into Sedgwick County Jail.

Officers with the Wichita Police Department NET team located the juvenile wandering the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732189301713.png" alt="Loredo photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Loredo photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen learned his fate on Friday.Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 22-year-old Samuel Loredo to 174 months in prison with Lifetime Post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In October, Loredo pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sodomy and one count each of indecent liberties with a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and aggravated interference with parental custody, according to the District Attorney's office.Just after noon November 18, 2024 law enforcement in Murray, Kentucky informed the Wichita Police Department that a 14-year-old runaway may be in Wichita based on their investigation, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.Wichita police responded to the area of 2300 N Woodlawn in Wichita where it was believed that the child may have been. Patrol and Investigations began working together to find additional information to locate the juvenile and determine the circumstances around their presence in Wichita.Throughout the afternoon and the evening detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit worked to conduct additional interviews. Through those interviews, detectives determined that Loredo was communicating with the 14-year-old and arranged for the juvenile to travel to Wichita.As a result of the investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Loredo, and booked him into Sedgwick County Jail.Officers with the Wichita Police Department NET team located the juvenile wandering the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Years in prison for Kan. man in sex assault of runaway 14-year-old

FORD COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) trooper following a domestic violence investigation, according to a media release from the agency.

Just before 9p.m. Friday, KBI agents served an arrest warrant for Dillon Keller, 34, of Dodge City, at his residence. Keller was arrested on requested charges that include one count of kidnapping, one count of forgery, two counts of criminal threat, and two counts of domestic battery.

On July 2 of this year, the Dodge City Police Department requested the KBI investigate an off-duty KHP trooper and allegations of domestic violence. The alleged incidents occurred over several months leading up to the start of the investigation.

Following the arrest, Keller was booked into the Ford County Jail. He met the requirement for bond and was released just before 11p.m. Friday, according to online jail records.

The case is expected to be prosecuted by Kiowa County Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763224247700.png" alt="Keller photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Keller photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) trooper following a domestic violence investigation, according to a media release from the agency.Just before 9p.m. Friday, KBI agents served an arrest warrant for Dillon Keller, 34, of Dodge City, at his residence. Keller was arrested on requested charges that include one count of kidnapping, one count of forgery, two counts of criminal threat, and two counts of domestic battery.On July 2 of this year, the Dodge City Police Department requested the KBI investigate an off-duty KHP trooper and allegations of domestic violence. The alleged incidents occurred over several months leading up to the start of the investigation.Following the arrest, Keller was booked into the Ford County Jail. He met the requirement for bond and was released just before 11p.m. Friday, according to online jail records.The case is expected to be prosecuted by Kiowa County Attorney’s Office.

KHP Trooper accused of kidnapping, forgery and domestic battery

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol continues investigating a deadly crash during a police chase in Wichita and released new details on the cause of death of the driver.

On October 31, 2025, the Wichita Police Department requested assistance from the Patrol to investigate an injury crash resulting from a police pursuit at 8th and Edgemoor in Wichita.

Officers attempted to stop a vehicle near Central and Oliver and a brief pursuit ensued. The fleeing vehicle struck another vehicle at low speed near 8th and Edgemoor. Four of the five occupants fled the suspect vehicle on foot following the crash. Three of the occupants that fled were located and taken into custody by the Wichita Police Department.

The driver of the fleeing vehicle, 16-year-old Dreshawn Hardyway, sustained critical injuries from an airbag deployment during the crash. He was provided immediate life-saving measures by officers on scene until emergency medical services arrived. Hardyway was transported to a Wichita hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on November 3, 2025.

A firearm was recovered from the suspect vehicle. Injuries to the driver were initially believed to be a gunshot wound; however, medical examinations and evidence recovered during the crash investigation confirmed otherwise.

An investigation of the crash by Kansas Highway Patrol’s Critical Highway Accident Reconstruction Team (CHART) is ongoing.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas teen injured in a Halloween night chase and crash in Wichita died days after the incident.

On Halloween night, police were in the area of Central and Oliver in Wichita to monitor a crowd gathering after receiving unverified information suggesting potential violence in the area for a balloon release related to a homicide that occurred on Halloween in 2024.

While monitoring the event, officers observed a man they recognized as violating his probation conditions enter a vehicle with several others. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, and it attempted to flee.

A brief pursuit ensued and concluded at 8th Street and Edgemoor, where the suspect vehicle was involved in a minor collision with another vehicle. The driver of that vehicle sustained minor injuries.

Four people exited the suspect vehicle and fled on foot. Officers were able to detain three of the individuals, who were subsequently booked into the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) for obstruction. A fourth suspect remained at large.

A fifth male, who was the driver identified as 16-year-old&nbsp;Dreshawn A Hardyway, was found inside the vehicle with what was initially believed to be a gunshot wound. Officers provided immediate life-saving measures until EMS arrived. He was transported to a local hospital died November 3.&nbsp;Police recovered a firearm from the vehicle.&nbsp;

In accordance with Wichita Police Department policy related to vehicle pursuits resulting in crashes, the Kansas Highway Patrol was called in to investigate the traffic collision.

All five individuals in the suspect vehicle were juveniles including two 16-year-old boys, two 15-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported police were in pursuit of a southbound 2008 Chevy Malibu driven by Dreshawn A&nbsp;Hardyway, 16, Wichita, in the 800 Block of North Edgemoor Street. The Malibu turned west on East 8th Street and struck a 2021 Chrysler Voyager driven by Christopher B.&nbsp;Paramo, 23, Wichita, who was&nbsp;&nbsp;stopped waiting to turn onto North Edgemoor Street.

EMS transported Hardyway to Wesley Medical Center where he died November 3.&nbsp; Two 14-year-olds were not injured. Paramo was not injured. The drivers and occupants in both vehicles were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762033663437.png" alt="View of the crash scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>View of the crash scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol continues investigating a deadly crash during a police chase in Wichita and released new details on the cause of death of the driver.On October 31, 2025, the Wichita Police Department requested assistance from the Patrol to investigate an injury crash resulting from a police pursuit at 8th and Edgemoor in Wichita.Officers attempted to stop a vehicle near Central and Oliver and a brief pursuit ensued. The fleeing vehicle struck another vehicle at low speed near 8th and Edgemoor. Four of the five occupants fled the suspect vehicle on foot following the crash. Three of the occupants that fled were located and taken into custody by the Wichita Police Department.The driver of the fleeing vehicle, 16-year-old Dreshawn Hardyway, sustained critical injuries from an airbag deployment during the crash. He was provided immediate life-saving measures by officers on scene until emergency medical services arrived. Hardyway was transported to a Wichita hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on November 3, 2025.A firearm was recovered from the suspect vehicle. Injuries to the driver were initially believed to be a gunshot wound; however, medical examinations and evidence recovered during the crash investigation confirmed otherwise.An investigation of the crash by Kansas Highway Patrol’s Critical Highway Accident Reconstruction Team (CHART) is ongoing.-----------------SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas teen injured in a Halloween night chase and crash in Wichita died days after the incident.On Halloween night, police were in the area of Central and Oliver in Wichita to monitor a crowd gathering after receiving unverified information suggesting potential violence in the area for a balloon release related to a homicide that occurred on Halloween in 2024.While monitoring the event, officers observed a man they recognized as violating his probation conditions enter a vehicle with several others. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, and it attempted to flee.A brief pursuit ensued and concluded at 8th Street and Edgemoor, where the suspect vehicle was involved in a minor collision with another vehicle. The driver of that vehicle sustained minor injuries.Four people exited the suspect vehicle and fled on foot. Officers were able to detain three of the individuals, who were subsequently booked into the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) for obstruction. A fourth suspect remained at large.A fifth male, who was the driver identified as 16-year-old&nbsp;Dreshawn A Hardyway, was found inside the vehicle with what was initially believed to be a gunshot wound. Officers provided immediate life-saving measures until EMS arrived. He was transported to a local hospital died November 3.&nbsp;Police recovered a firearm from the vehicle.&nbsp;In accordance with Wichita Police Department policy related to vehicle pursuits resulting in crashes, the Kansas Highway Patrol was called in to investigate the traffic collision.All five individuals in the suspect vehicle were juveniles including two 16-year-old boys, two 15-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported police were in pursuit of a southbound 2008 Chevy Malibu driven by Dreshawn A&nbsp;Hardyway, 16, Wichita, in the 800 Block of North Edgemoor Street. The Malibu turned west on East 8th Street and struck a 2021 Chrysler Voyager driven by Christopher B.&nbsp;Paramo, 23, Wichita, who was&nbsp;&nbsp;stopped waiting to turn onto North Edgemoor Street.EMS transported Hardyway to Wesley Medical Center where he died November 3.&nbsp; Two 14-year-olds were not injured. Paramo was not injured. The drivers and occupants in both vehicles were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

KHP updates details in death of teen in Halloween chase, crash

Teaching literacy skills to children in their earliest years does far more than prepare them to read — it helps build the very foundation of their brain development, say two Kansas State University Extension agents.

“We’re really laying the foundation from ages zero to 3 with all of the opportunities for kids to learn,” said Monique Koerner, family and consumer wellness agent for K-State Extension’s Cottonwood District. “We know that brain development is huge in those early years, and literacy is a piece of that puzzle.”

According to the K-State Extension fact sheet,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691">Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning,</a>&nbsp;brain growth is rapid in a child’s first three years, and language and literacy activities help form lasting neural connections.

From birth to 12 months, babies are already busy wiring their brains for communication. Lisa Newman, family and consumer wellness agent in the Central Kansas District, said that even newborns recognize familiar voices.

“You can take a newborn, and they already recognize Mom and Dad’s voices, even siblings,” Newman said. “You can see evidence of that when they turn their heads toward those voices shortly after birth.”

Newman added that talking to infants throughout the day — whether during diaper changes, in the car, or at bedtime — helps strengthen those language pathways.

“Reading to your child every day, even from the get-go, is important because what’s really happening during that time is language development and making those brain connections even stronger,” she said.

It’s also well known that babies are much more able to process and learn various languages than adults are able to do.

“If you take a baby that’s born in Kansas, and take them somewhere to a foreign land, those connections can be strengthened by hearing the language that’s around them,” Newman said. “That’s why it’s easier to learn an additional language when you’re young — those brain connections are there and can be strengthened.”

Koerner added that “the plasticity of the brain is greater when we’re younger,” making early exposure to multiple languages especially beneficial.

Between 12 and 24 months, children begin to use expressive language. “By 18 months or so, children pretty much understand everything that’s being said to them,” Koerner said, “but they may not be able to speak it yet.”

Words like ‘Mama,’ ‘Dada,’ and ‘ball’ often appear first, followed by simple two-word phrases around age 2.

“Oftentimes you’ll see that language explosion around 18 months,” Newman said. “That expressive piece really starts to blossom during that time.”

From ages 2 to 3, children’s vocabularies expand rapidly, fueled by everyday conversations and shared reading. “Books can expose children to new topics and new words that might not be part of their everyday experiences,” Koerner said.

Koerner encourages parents to use “parallel talk” — describing what a child is doing — and “self-talk,” or narrating their own actions throughout the day. “Just really enriching their vocabulary by talking about what they’re doing,” she said.

Repetition also helps build connections. “There may be a treasured book they want to read over and over again, and that’s perfectly normal,” Newman said. “Repetition is part of their literacy and language skill.”

Exploring new places and experiences adds another layer of learning. “It’s so important for parents to get children out and explore new things,” Koerner said. “That will expose them to new opportunities, new vocabulary, and new experiences that help the brain develop.”

Both agents emphasized that parents are their children’s first teachers. Trusted programs such as Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, and Infant-Toddler Services can guide families who have questions about developmental milestones.

Simple routines also matter. The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes the “Brush, Book, Bed” approach — brushing teeth, reading, and then going to bed. “It sets parents up for a good bedtime routine and supports brain health,” Koerner said.

Newman noted that any reading time counts. “You see a lot of initiatives suggesting 15 minutes a day, but I believe any reading — whenever it fits into your day — is wonderful,” she said.

Koerner added, “Every family is different, and every child is different. Do what works best for your family.”

For more information, download&nbsp;Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691</a>.

More information also is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices in Kansas</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762897214431.jpg" alt="Image Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By: PAT MELGARESK-State Research and ExtensionTeaching literacy skills to children in their earliest years does far more than prepare them to read — it helps build the very foundation of their brain development, say two Kansas State University Extension agents.“We’re really laying the foundation from ages zero to 3 with all of the opportunities for kids to learn,” said Monique Koerner, family and consumer wellness agent for K-State Extension’s Cottonwood District. “We know that brain development is huge in those early years, and literacy is a piece of that puzzle.”According to the K-State Extension fact sheet,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691">Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning,</a>&nbsp;brain growth is rapid in a child’s first three years, and language and literacy activities help form lasting neural connections.From birth to 12 months, babies are already busy wiring their brains for communication. Lisa Newman, family and consumer wellness agent in the Central Kansas District, said that even newborns recognize familiar voices.“You can take a newborn, and they already recognize Mom and Dad’s voices, even siblings,” Newman said. “You can see evidence of that when they turn their heads toward those voices shortly after birth.”Newman added that talking to infants throughout the day — whether during diaper changes, in the car, or at bedtime — helps strengthen those language pathways.“Reading to your child every day, even from the get-go, is important because what’s really happening during that time is language development and making those brain connections even stronger,” she said.It’s also well known that babies are much more able to process and learn various languages than adults are able to do.“If you take a baby that’s born in Kansas, and take them somewhere to a foreign land, those connections can be strengthened by hearing the language that’s around them,” Newman said. “That’s why it’s easier to learn an additional language when you’re young — those brain connections are there and can be strengthened.”Koerner added that “the plasticity of the brain is greater when we’re younger,” making early exposure to multiple languages especially beneficial.Between 12 and 24 months, children begin to use expressive language. “By 18 months or so, children pretty much understand everything that’s being said to them,” Koerner said, “but they may not be able to speak it yet.”Words like ‘Mama,’ ‘Dada,’ and ‘ball’ often appear first, followed by simple two-word phrases around age 2.“Oftentimes you’ll see that language explosion around 18 months,” Newman said. “That expressive piece really starts to blossom during that time.”From ages 2 to 3, children’s vocabularies expand rapidly, fueled by everyday conversations and shared reading. “Books can expose children to new topics and new words that might not be part of their everyday experiences,” Koerner said.Koerner encourages parents to use “parallel talk” — describing what a child is doing — and “self-talk,” or narrating their own actions throughout the day. “Just really enriching their vocabulary by talking about what they’re doing,” she said.Repetition also helps build connections. “There may be a treasured book they want to read over and over again, and that’s perfectly normal,” Newman said. “Repetition is part of their literacy and language skill.”Exploring new places and experiences adds another layer of learning. “It’s so important for parents to get children out and explore new things,” Koerner said. “That will expose them to new opportunities, new vocabulary, and new experiences that help the brain develop.”Both agents emphasized that parents are their children’s first teachers. Trusted programs such as Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, and Infant-Toddler Services can guide families who have questions about developmental milestones.Simple routines also matter. The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes the “Brush, Book, Bed” approach — brushing teeth, reading, and then going to bed. “It sets parents up for a good bedtime routine and supports brain health,” Koerner said.Newman noted that any reading time counts. “You see a lot of initiatives suggesting 15 minutes a day, but I believe any reading — whenever it fits into your day — is wonderful,” she said.Koerner added, “Every family is different, and every child is different. Do what works best for your family.”For more information, download&nbsp;Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691</a>.More information also is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices in Kansas</a>.

KSU provides tips for Parents: Teaching literacy early builds strong brains

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.

Just before noon Nov. 9, just before noon, police were dispatched to a residence in the 2500 block of McBride Parkway in Great Bend in reference to a domestic battery and a stolen vehicle, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who advised that she had been struck and choked by Jerome Maravilla, 67, who had left the residence in the victim's vehicle. 

The victim's vehicle was located a short time later, and officers gained information that Maravilla was hiding inside of a detached garage. Maravilla was taken into custody and booked into the Barton County Jail on charges of Aggravated Battery and Theft.

The Barton County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763143484827.png" alt="Maravilla-photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Maravilla-photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.Just before noon Nov. 9, just before noon, police were dispatched to a residence in the 2500 block of McBride Parkway in Great Bend in reference to a domestic battery and a stolen vehicle, according to a media release.Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who advised that she had been struck and choked by Jerome Maravilla, 67, who had left the residence in the victim's vehicle. The victim's vehicle was located a short time later, and officers gained information that Maravilla was hiding inside of a detached garage. Maravilla was taken into custody and booked into the Barton County Jail on charges of Aggravated Battery and Theft.The Barton County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest.

Kan. man accused of attack on a woman was hiding in garage

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen will learn his fate on Friday.

Samuel Loredo, 22, will appear in&nbsp;Judge Quentin Pittman courtroom for sentencing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's ofice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732208663228.png" alt="Loredo photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Loredo photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen learned his fate on Friday.Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 22-year-old Samuel Loredo to 174 months in prison with Lifetime Post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen will learn his fate on Friday.Samuel Loredo, 22, will appear in&nbsp;Judge Quentin Pittman courtroom for sentencing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's ofice.In October, Loredo pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sodomy and one count each of indecent liberties with a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and aggravated interference with parental custody, according to the District Attorney's office.Just after noon November 18, 2024 law enforcement in Murray, Kentucky informed the Wichita Police Department that a 14-year-old runaway may be in Wichita based on their investigation, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.Wichita police responded to the area of 2300 N Woodlawn in Wichita where it was believed that the child may have been. Patrol and Investigations began working together to find additional information to locate the juvenile and determine the circumstances around their presence in Wichita.Throughout the afternoon and the evening detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit worked to conduct additional interviews. Through those interviews, detectives determined that Loredo was communicating with the 14-year-old and arranged for the juvenile to travel to Wichita.As a result of the investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Loredo, and booked him into Sedgwick County Jail.Officers with the Wichita Police Department NET team located the juvenile wandering the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sentencing day for Kan. man in sex assault of runaway 14-year-old

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;– Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents carried out a series of coordinated searches Thursday at two homes and six High Hopes ICT locations as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected state and federal narcotics and weapons violations.

( Click below to watch Sedgwick Co. Sheriff Jeff Easter's press conference)

Detectives and ATF agents served both residential search warrants including one on 119 Street in Wichita and one on South Hydraulic in Wichita, with support from the Wichita Police Department.

The Wichita Police/Sheriff’s Office SWAT team assisted with one of the home searches. The search warrants at the High Hopes ICT shops were executed solely by Sheriff’s Office detectives and ATF agents at these locations

Deputies recovered several weapons including rifles, handguns a flamethrower, illegal marijuana and other evidence of drug sales, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter.&nbsp; 

Two suspects involved in the illegal drug sales are in custody including 36-year-old Justin Alan Lane and 47-year-old Elliott Maurice Kyles, both of Wichita, were booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility. Lane is booked on a requested charge of distribution of marijuana, and Kyles is booked on a requested charges of possession of narcotics and possession of marijuana.

Both have prior felony weapons convictions, according to Easter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763119419995.png" alt="Kyles-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Kyles-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;– Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents carried out a series of coordinated searches Thursday at two homes and six High Hopes ICT locations as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected state and federal narcotics and weapons violations.( Click below to watch Sedgwick Co. Sheriff Jeff Easter's press conference)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F807972442010115%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Detectives and ATF agents served both residential search warrants including one on 119 Street in Wichita and one on South Hydraulic in Wichita, with support from the Wichita Police Department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763119463360.png" alt="Lane photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Lane photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The Wichita Police/Sheriff’s Office SWAT team assisted with one of the home searches. The search warrants at the High Hopes ICT shops were executed solely by Sheriff’s Office detectives and ATF agents at these locations<ul>
 <li>3108 West 13th Street North</li><li>240 South West Street, Ste 35</li><li>338 North Mead Street</li><li>1115 West Douglas Avenue</li><li>307 South Greewih Road</li><li>5255 North Maize Road in Maize</li>
 </ul>Deputies recovered several weapons including rifles, handguns a flamethrower, illegal marijuana and other evidence of drug sales, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter.&nbsp; Two suspects involved in the illegal drug sales are in custody including 36-year-old Justin Alan Lane and 47-year-old Elliott Maurice Kyles, both of Wichita, were booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility. Lane is booked on a requested charge of distribution of marijuana, and Kyles is booked on a requested charges of possession of narcotics and possession of marijuana.Both have prior felony weapons convictions, according to Easter.

🎥Flamethrower seized in drug raid at Kan. homes, dispensaries

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — Government, university and community leaders commemorated the opening Wednesday of a state-of-the-art convention center at the University of Kansas, which is equipped with amenities meant to draw thousands of annual visitors and generate revenue to pay off the university’s large-scale development project.

More than 100 people milled about the center’s grand entrance hall and conference rooms to hear Gov. Laura Kelly, university chancellor Douglas Girod and three others praise the teamwork and vision behind the University of Kansas Conference Center. They predicted a future of economic and community prosperity before cutting a ceremonious red ribbon held by the university’s mascots, Big Jay and Baby Jay.

The center is part of the project to revamp the school’s football stadium and northern campus entrance to create the Gateway District. The project could cost up to $808 million, and it relies heavily on state and local incentives, along with funding from the Republican-led Kansas Legislature and private donors to subsidize development.

The conference center is expected to be among the first steps in producing a return on those public and private investments.

“Not only will this facility benefit the greater Lawrence community, but it will also attract out-of-state visitors, spurring significant economic activity,” said Kelly, a Democrat. “Today marks a major step towards completion of the first phase of the university’s Gateway District project.”

The 55,000-square-foot center is the first of its kind in Douglas County. Kelly said the conference center has “required an intense collaborative effort.”

It is adjoined to the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and the center’s visitors can access a patio that puts them at eye-level with players and coaches. Conference center users can also access stadium amenities, including the digital scoreboard, meeting rooms and various offices, said Girod.

The university envisions galas, weddings, conventions, trade shows and other large social events as potential uses for the center, said Girod. Event bookings already stretch into 2027, he said.

“As a result of this design, it really positions us to host all kinds of events, bringing out-of-town visitors into our community,” Girod said, “and that’s really what it’s all about at the end of the day, to generate additional economic activity to the city, county, state and beyond.”

Girod said he hopes the new center will attract events from around the world. An estimated 400,000 people visit Lawrence annually. KU’s Rock Chalk Park soccer complex on the western edge of the city is currently under consideration for hosting a team base camp for the 2026 World Cup.

The conference center isn’t a typical one, in large part because of its location, Girod said.

“Right in the heart of Lawrence, right at the foot of the hill, right at the base of campus, right at the gateway of our campus, and, of course, as part of our stadium,” he said.

The Legislature allocated $35 million to the project in 2022 from American Rescue Plan Act funds. It received $50 million in grant funding in 2023 from the Kansas Department of Commerce, which required a three-to-one match of private funds. The city of Lawrence approved in August a $95 million package of incentives, including the city’s first Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bonds, which allow the city to finance the project with nearly $86 million in bonds. Once built, the development’s revenues and sales taxes will pay off the bonds.

Now that phase 1 is complete, the roughly $300 million phase 2 is expected to begin once KU’s football season ends, said Girod.

The second phase is expected to begin with renovations to the east side of the football stadium and construction of a parking garage and a 150-room hotel. A roughly 440-bed student housing complex, outdoor event plaza and retail, restaurant and office space are expected to follow, extending use of the area beyond football season.

Nearly 1 million people are predicted to visit the Gateway District annually once the project is complete in 2030, according to a feasibility study submitted to the city of Lawrence. Developers expect the district to produce a net economic output of $84.9 million and more than 1,600 full-time jobs.

“Today marks a shift in what is possible in Lawrence,” said Kim Anspach, the executive director of Explore Lawrence, the city’s tourism arm.

Capacity often restricted the city’s ability to host and grow events, she said. The center helps create a “steady rhythm of activity,” which helps support the year-round stability of the local economy.

The center is not a one-time boost, Anspach said; it’s a foundation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763042529180.png" alt="The University of Kansas Conference Center, which is adjoined to the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, opens in Lawrence, Kansas on Nov. 12, 2025. It is part of the Gateway District project’s renovations of the northern entrance to campus, which are expected to finish in 2030. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The University of Kansas Conference Center, which is adjoined to the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, opens in Lawrence, Kansas on Nov. 12, 2025. It is part of the Gateway District project’s renovations of the northern entrance to campus, which are expected to finish in 2030. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — Government, university and community leaders commemorated the opening Wednesday of a state-of-the-art convention center at the University of Kansas, which is equipped with amenities meant to draw thousands of annual visitors and generate revenue to pay off the university’s large-scale development project.More than 100 people milled about the center’s grand entrance hall and conference rooms to hear Gov. Laura Kelly, university chancellor Douglas Girod and three others praise the teamwork and vision behind the University of Kansas Conference Center. They predicted a future of economic and community prosperity before cutting a ceremonious red ribbon held by the university’s mascots, Big Jay and Baby Jay.The center is part of the project to revamp the school’s football stadium and northern campus entrance to create the Gateway District. The project could cost up to $808 million, and it relies heavily on state and local incentives, along with funding from the Republican-led Kansas Legislature and private donors to subsidize development.The conference center is expected to be among the first steps in producing a return on those public and private investments.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763042491946.png" alt="People gather in the University of Kansas Conference Center, which opened in Lawrence, Kansas on Nov. 12, 2025. It will host galas, parties, graduations, conventions and trade shows, said KU Chancellor Doug Girod. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>People gather in the University of Kansas Conference Center, which opened in Lawrence, Kansas on Nov. 12, 2025. It will host galas, parties, graduations, conventions and trade shows, said KU Chancellor Doug Girod. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Not only will this facility benefit the greater Lawrence community, but it will also attract out-of-state visitors, spurring significant economic activity,” said Kelly, a Democrat. “Today marks a major step towards completion of the first phase of the university’s Gateway District project.”The 55,000-square-foot center is the first of its kind in Douglas County. Kelly said the conference center has “required an intense collaborative effort.”It is adjoined to the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and the center’s visitors can access a patio that puts them at eye-level with players and coaches. Conference center users can also access stadium amenities, including the digital scoreboard, meeting rooms and various offices, said Girod.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763042452129.png" alt="Field-level access in the University of Kansas’ David Booth Memorial Stadium is attached to the university’s 55,000-square-foot. conference center, which opened in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Field-level access in the University of Kansas’ David Booth Memorial Stadium is attached to the university’s 55,000-square-foot. conference center, which opened in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The university envisions galas, weddings, conventions, trade shows and other large social events as potential uses for the center, said Girod. Event bookings already stretch into 2027, he said.“As a result of this design, it really positions us to host all kinds of events, bringing out-of-town visitors into our community,” Girod said, “and that’s really what it’s all about at the end of the day, to generate additional economic activity to the city, county, state and beyond.”Girod said he hopes the new center will attract events from around the world. An estimated 400,000 people visit Lawrence annually. KU’s Rock Chalk Park soccer complex on the western edge of the city is currently under consideration for hosting a team base camp for the 2026 World Cup.The conference center isn’t a typical one, in large part because of its location, Girod said.“Right in the heart of Lawrence, right at the foot of the hill, right at the base of campus, right at the gateway of our campus, and, of course, as part of our stadium,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763042361413.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly at the University of Kansas Conference Center opening in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly at the University of Kansas Conference Center opening in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Legislature allocated $35 million to the project in 2022 from American Rescue Plan Act funds. It received $50 million in grant funding in 2023 from the Kansas Department of Commerce, which required a three-to-one match of private funds. The city of Lawrence approved in August a $95 million package of incentives, including the city’s first Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bonds, which allow the city to finance the project with nearly $86 million in bonds. Once built, the development’s revenues and sales taxes will pay off the bonds.Now that phase 1 is complete, the roughly $300 million phase 2 is expected to begin once KU’s football season ends, said Girod.The second phase is expected to begin with renovations to the east side of the football stadium and construction of a parking garage and a 150-room hotel. A roughly 440-bed student housing complex, outdoor event plaza and retail, restaurant and office space are expected to follow, extending use of the area beyond football season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763042326830.png" alt="A banner hangs on the untouched portion of the University of Kansas football stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 12, 2025. It depicts a rendering of upcoming plans to complete stadium renovations and construct a hotel and parking garage, creating what will be known as the Gateway District. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A banner hangs on the untouched portion of the University of Kansas football stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 12, 2025. It depicts a rendering of upcoming plans to complete stadium renovations and construct a hotel and parking garage, creating what will be known as the Gateway District. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nearly 1 million people are predicted to visit the Gateway District annually once the project is complete in 2030, according to a feasibility study submitted to the city of Lawrence. Developers expect the district to produce a net economic output of $84.9 million and more than 1,600 full-time jobs.“Today marks a shift in what is possible in Lawrence,” said Kim Anspach, the executive director of Explore Lawrence, the city’s tourism arm.Capacity often restricted the city’s ability to host and grow events, she said. The center helps create a “steady rhythm of activity,” which helps support the year-round stability of the local economy.The center is not a one-time boost, Anspach said; it’s a foundation.

KU convention center opens, capping phase 1 of $800M stadium expansion, redevelopment

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist that Donald Trump “knew about the girls," according to documents made public Wednesday, but what he knew — and whether it pertained to the sex offender’s crimes — is unclear, and the White House quickly accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president.

<a href="https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/3-emails_redacted.pdf">Click here to read the emails</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-birthday-books-democrats-oversight-house-810140a196d24d32bd30691b8ff4d6a9">Democrats on the House Oversight Committee</a>&nbsp;released three emails referencing Trump, including one Epstein wrote in 2011 in which he told confidant Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had “spent hours” at Epstein’s house with a sex trafficking victim.

The disclosures seemed designed to raise new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">questions about Trump’s friendship with Epstein</a>&nbsp;and about what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">knowledge he may have had</a>&nbsp;regarding what prosecutors call a yearslong effort by Epstein to exploit underage girls. The Republican businessman-turned-politician has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has said he ended their relationship years ago.

The version of the 2011 email released by the Democrats redacted the name of the victim, but Republicans on the committee later said it was Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with a number of his rich and powerful friends. Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">took his own life</a>&nbsp;in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.

Giuffre said Trump ‘couldn’t have been friendlier'

Giuffre, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-roberts-giuffre-obit-778c4fdd6fac2522133ca3d79244bccd">died earlier this year</a>, had long insisted that Trump was not among the men who had victimized her.

In a court deposition, she said under oath that she didn’t believe Trump had any knowledge of Epstein’s misconduct with underage girls. And in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-giuffre-memoir-jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew-0adb8b983ac18a45fc7ec035dc789d08">her recently released memoir</a>, she described meeting Trump only once, when she worked as a spa attendant at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/993263aaefab49a7988bb4ccb808791d">his Mar-a-Lago club</a>&nbsp;in Palm Beach, Florida, and did not accuse him of wrongdoing.

Giuffre wrote that she was introduced to Trump by her father, who also worked at the club. She described Trump as friendly and said he offered to help her get babysitting jobs with parents at the club.

Trump “couldn’t have been friendlier,” Giuffre wrote.

Other members of Epstein’s household staff also said in sworn depositions that, while Trump did stop by Epstein’s house, they didn’t see him engage in any inappropriate conduct.

Republicans says emails released to tarnish Trump

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Democrats “selectively leaked emails” to “create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”

In July, Trump said he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-congress-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-3ca45e130deb5f2eee8deff36d99734f">banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago</a>&nbsp;because his one-time friend was “taking people who worked for me," including Giuffre. The women, he said, were “taken out of the spa, hired by him — in other words, gone.”

“I said, ‘Listen, we don’t want you taking our people,’” Trump told reporters. Asked if Giuffre was one of the employees poached by Epstein, the president demurred but then said Epstein “stole her.”

The emails made public Wednesday are part of a batch of 23,000 documents provided by Epstein's estate to the Oversight Committee.

Shortly after Democrats released the Trump-related emails, committee Republicans countered by disclosing what they said was an additional 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate. Among them: copies of pages from a James Patterson book about the ex-financier.

The release resurfaces a storyline that had shadowed Trump's presidency during the summer when the FBI and the Justice Department abruptly announced that they would not be releasing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">additional documents</a>&nbsp;that investigators had spent weeks examining, disappointing conspiracy theorists and online sleuths who had expected to see new revelations.

In one 2019 email to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-michael-wolff-lawsuit-epstein-e5a52952be556d2976d5aeaf6e40b1db">journalist Michael Wolff</a>, who has written extensively about Trump, Epstein wrote of Trump, “Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop.”

In an April 2, 2011, email to Maxwell, a former Epstein girlfriend now imprisoned for conspiring to engage in sex trafficking, Epstein wrote, “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump. (Redacted name) spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there."

Maxwell replied the same day: “I have been thinking about that.”

The name of the person said to have spent time with Trump was blacked out of the email, but House Democrats identified the person as a “victim.”

Leavitt said that the unnamed person referenced in the emails is Giuffre, who had accused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-prince-andrew-strips-royal-titles-7fad76a46a211ae24b605cbd24e80748">Britain’s then-Prince Andrew</a>&nbsp;and other influential men of sexually exploiting her as a teenager and who died by suicide in April. Andrew, who recently was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-prince-andrew-strips-royal-titles-7fad76a46a211ae24b605cbd24e80748">stripped of his titles</a>&nbsp;and evicted from his royal residence by King Charles III after weeks of pressure to act over his relationship with Epstein, has rejected Giuffre’s allegations and said he didn’t recall meeting her.

Leavitt said in a statement that Giuffre had “repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and ‘couldn’t have been friendlier’ to her in their limited interactions.”

“The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre,” the statement said. "These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trump’s historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.”

Messages seeking comment were left with Wolff, Maxwell attorney David Markus and representatives for Giuffre’s family.

Maxwell's interview with the Justice Department

Maxwell, interviewed in July by the Justice Department’s second-in-command, repeatedly denied witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions involving Trump.

“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-justice-department-interview-transcripts-1d38a010e72b5b58cca944cb3bbb0e6a">told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche</a>, according to a transcript of the interview. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”

Giuffre came forward publicly after an initial investigation ended in an 18-month Florida jail term for Epstein, who made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/96bc4bdbd240454293888afb1f5bc600">a secret deal</a>&nbsp;to avoid federal prosecution by pleading guilty instead to relatively minor state-level charges of soliciting prostitution. He was released in 2009.

In subsequent lawsuits, Giuffre said she was a teenage spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago when she was approached in 2000 by Maxwell.

Lawyers for Maxwell,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ghislaine-maxwell-fa2c504a6dfe30ce1686b857a4123b7b">a British socialite</a>, have argued that she never should have been tried or convicted for her role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. She is serving a 20-year prison term, though she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">moved from a low-security federal prison in Florida</a>&nbsp;to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after the Blanche interview.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704416234390.png" alt="FILE&nbsp; photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE&nbsp; photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist that Donald Trump “knew about the girls," according to documents made public Wednesday, but what he knew — and whether it pertained to the sex offender’s crimes — is unclear, and the White House quickly accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762964441190.png" alt="One of the emails released Wednesday by House Oversight Dems" />
 <figcaption>One of the emails released Wednesday by House Oversight Dems</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/3-emails_redacted.pdf">Click here to read the emails</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;In the interest of transparency, why not just go ahead, release the full files on Epstein, get this all over with?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karoline Leavitt: &quot;This administration has done more with respect to transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein than any administration ever.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/t9LlWGohPt">pic.twitter.com/t9LlWGohPt</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1988682162728759490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-birthday-books-democrats-oversight-house-810140a196d24d32bd30691b8ff4d6a9">Democrats on the House Oversight Committee</a>&nbsp;released three emails referencing Trump, including one Epstein wrote in 2011 in which he told confidant Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had “spent hours” at Epstein’s house with a sex trafficking victim.The disclosures seemed designed to raise new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">questions about Trump’s friendship with Epstein</a>&nbsp;and about what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">knowledge he may have had</a>&nbsp;regarding what prosecutors call a yearslong effort by Epstein to exploit underage girls. The Republican businessman-turned-politician has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has said he ended their relationship years ago.The version of the 2011 email released by the Democrats redacted the name of the victim, but Republicans on the committee later said it was Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with a number of his rich and powerful friends. Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">took his own life</a>&nbsp;in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.<h2>Giuffre said Trump ‘couldn’t have been friendlier'</h2>Giuffre, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-roberts-giuffre-obit-778c4fdd6fac2522133ca3d79244bccd">died earlier this year</a>, had long insisted that Trump was not among the men who had victimized her.In a court deposition, she said under oath that she didn’t believe Trump had any knowledge of Epstein’s misconduct with underage girls. And in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-giuffre-memoir-jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew-0adb8b983ac18a45fc7ec035dc789d08">her recently released memoir</a>, she described meeting Trump only once, when she worked as a spa attendant at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/993263aaefab49a7988bb4ccb808791d">his Mar-a-Lago club</a>&nbsp;in Palm Beach, Florida, and did not accuse him of wrongdoing.Giuffre wrote that she was introduced to Trump by her father, who also worked at the club. She described Trump as friendly and said he offered to help her get babysitting jobs with parents at the club.Trump “couldn’t have been friendlier,” Giuffre wrote.Other members of Epstein’s household staff also said in sworn depositions that, while Trump did stop by Epstein’s house, they didn’t see him engage in any inappropriate conduct.<h2>Republicans says emails released to tarnish Trump</h2>White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Democrats “selectively leaked emails” to “create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”In July, Trump said he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-congress-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-3ca45e130deb5f2eee8deff36d99734f">banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago</a>&nbsp;because his one-time friend was “taking people who worked for me," including Giuffre. The women, he said, were “taken out of the spa, hired by him — in other words, gone.”“I said, ‘Listen, we don’t want you taking our people,’” Trump told reporters. Asked if Giuffre was one of the employees poached by Epstein, the president demurred but then said Epstein “stole her.”The emails made public Wednesday are part of a batch of 23,000 documents provided by Epstein's estate to the Oversight Committee.Shortly after Democrats released the Trump-related emails, committee Republicans countered by disclosing what they said was an additional 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate. Among them: copies of pages from a James Patterson book about the ex-financier.The release resurfaces a storyline that had shadowed Trump's presidency during the summer when the FBI and the Justice Department abruptly announced that they would not be releasing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">additional documents</a>&nbsp;that investigators had spent weeks examining, disappointing conspiracy theorists and online sleuths who had expected to see new revelations.In one 2019 email to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-michael-wolff-lawsuit-epstein-e5a52952be556d2976d5aeaf6e40b1db">journalist Michael Wolff</a>, who has written extensively about Trump, Epstein wrote of Trump, “Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop.”In an April 2, 2011, email to Maxwell, a former Epstein girlfriend now imprisoned for conspiring to engage in sex trafficking, Epstein wrote, “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump. (Redacted name) spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there."Maxwell replied the same day: “I have been thinking about that.”The name of the person said to have spent time with Trump was blacked out of the email, but House Democrats identified the person as a “victim.”Leavitt said that the unnamed person referenced in the emails is Giuffre, who had accused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-prince-andrew-strips-royal-titles-7fad76a46a211ae24b605cbd24e80748">Britain’s then-Prince Andrew</a>&nbsp;and other influential men of sexually exploiting her as a teenager and who died by suicide in April. Andrew, who recently was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-prince-andrew-strips-royal-titles-7fad76a46a211ae24b605cbd24e80748">stripped of his titles</a>&nbsp;and evicted from his royal residence by King Charles III after weeks of pressure to act over his relationship with Epstein, has rejected Giuffre’s allegations and said he didn’t recall meeting her.Leavitt said in a statement that Giuffre had “repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and ‘couldn’t have been friendlier’ to her in their limited interactions.”“The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre,” the statement said. "These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trump’s historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.”Messages seeking comment were left with Wolff, Maxwell attorney David Markus and representatives for Giuffre’s family.<h2>Maxwell's interview with the Justice Department</h2>Maxwell, interviewed in July by the Justice Department’s second-in-command, repeatedly denied witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions involving Trump.“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-justice-department-interview-transcripts-1d38a010e72b5b58cca944cb3bbb0e6a">told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche</a>, according to a transcript of the interview. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”Giuffre came forward publicly after an initial investigation ended in an 18-month Florida jail term for Epstein, who made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/96bc4bdbd240454293888afb1f5bc600">a secret deal</a>&nbsp;to avoid federal prosecution by pleading guilty instead to relatively minor state-level charges of soliciting prostitution. He was released in 2009.In subsequent lawsuits, Giuffre said she was a teenage spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago when she was approached in 2000 by Maxwell.Lawyers for Maxwell,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ghislaine-maxwell-fa2c504a6dfe30ce1686b857a4123b7b">a British socialite</a>, have argued that she never should have been tried or convicted for her role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. She is serving a 20-year prison term, though she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">moved from a low-security federal prison in Florida</a>&nbsp;to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after the Blanche interview.

🎥Read the Epstein emails released by Democrats; White House responds

Team owner Clark Hunt told reporters recently that he was still considering options on both sides of the Kansas-Missouri state line

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas City Chiefs put out a request for proposals to design a new stadium on the Kansas side of the state line and are negotiating for land near the Kansas Speedway, according to two reports from Kansas City area talk show hosts.&nbsp;

Pete Mundo of KCMO talk radio&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmotalkradio.com/shows/mundo-in-the-morning-2/" target="_blank">broke the news</a>&nbsp;that the Chiefs contacted multiple firms regarding a new stadium to be built at Interstate 435 and Interstate 70. He said the news was confirmed by several sources.

Mundo stressed that the RFP didn’t mean the Chiefs had selected Kansas as the location for a new stadium and added that his “gut” said they would stay in Missouri.&nbsp;

On Monday, Kevin Kietzman said on his podcast that the Chiefs are in negotiations with NASCAR and the state of Kansas to acquire land just west of the Kansas Speedway. He said the Chiefs also may be building a hotel by the Hollywood Casino and creating an entertainment district.&nbsp;

“NASCAR owns a total of 880 acres of land at Village West, folks,” Kietzman said. “They only use 300 of them.”

Patrick Lowry, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Commerce, said major development projects require confidentiality and the agency has no comment on negotiations regarding the stadium.&nbsp;

“Kansas Department of Commerce continues to conduct a careful analysis of costs and benefits as part of crafting agreements to keep the Chiefs and Royals in the region while maximizing growth opportunities for Kansas,” Lowry said.

The Kansas Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/07/kansas-lawmakers-extend-deadline-for-chiefs-royals-to-accept-stadium-incentives/" target="_blank">agreed to finance</a>&nbsp;up to 70% of the project, with a minimum $1 billion price tag, by issuing bonds to be repaid with sales tax collected in the STAR Bond district.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Missouri lawmakers hoping to convince the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to remain in the state have&nbsp;authorized bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments.

Clark Hunt, the Chiefs owner, recently told reporter that he and his family were still considering options in both Missouri and Kansas.

“I wouldn’t say we’re in limbo. Stadium projects move at their own pace,” Hunt said. “We’ve learned over the years that you can’t really force them to go faster, even if you want them to. And so it’s just important for us to keep working on both options.”

The possibility of moving the Chiefs stadium across the state line has both excited and concerned Kansas leaders. In Wyandotte County, where the Village West area is located, an economic development leader is hesitant to talk about what the stadium might bring to his county, although he’s positive that location would be a strong one for the Chiefs.&nbsp;

“I think that area is the No. 1 tourist destination in the state of Kansas,” said Greg Kindle, president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council. “There’s infrastructure and highway infrastructure. We know there’s an ability to get people in and out of major sporting events, and if we can put a deal together that works for everybody, it’s a win-win.”

Much still needs to be assessed in terms of the economic development benefits for Wyandotte County.&nbsp;

“We’re still working through the economics of it,” Kindle said. “It has to be revenue development that works for the sports teams but also drives revenue into the community. On the front end, it’s super exciting to have a national sports team in your community because you get a lot of branding, you get more tourism, you get people who are excited about being near that environment.”

Kindle referred to the success of the Kansas Speedway and Sporting KC, both of which are in the area and hold numerous events all year.&nbsp;

“Tourism areas benefit,” he said. “New things have to be happening. This would be an interesting additional asset to the area that we hope would bring in additional hotels and restaurants and interest in that area.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748263709817.png" alt="&nbsp;GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Team owner Clark Hunt told reporters recently that he was still considering options on both sides of the Kansas-Missouri state line</h2>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas City Chiefs put out a request for proposals to design a new stadium on the Kansas side of the state line and are negotiating for land near the Kansas Speedway, according to two reports from Kansas City area talk show hosts.&nbsp;Pete Mundo of KCMO talk radio&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmotalkradio.com/shows/mundo-in-the-morning-2/" target="_blank">broke the news</a>&nbsp;that the Chiefs contacted multiple firms regarding a new stadium to be built at Interstate 435 and Interstate 70. He said the news was confirmed by several sources.Mundo stressed that the RFP didn’t mean the Chiefs had selected Kansas as the location for a new stadium and added that his “gut” said they would stay in Missouri.&nbsp;On Monday, Kevin Kietzman said on his podcast that the Chiefs are in negotiations with NASCAR and the state of Kansas to acquire land just west of the Kansas Speedway. He said the Chiefs also may be building a hotel by the Hollywood Casino and creating an entertainment district.&nbsp;“NASCAR owns a total of 880 acres of land at Village West, folks,” Kietzman said. “They only use 300 of them.”Patrick Lowry, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Commerce, said major development projects require confidentiality and the agency has no comment on negotiations regarding the stadium.&nbsp;“Kansas Department of Commerce continues to conduct a careful analysis of costs and benefits as part of crafting agreements to keep the Chiefs and Royals in the region while maximizing growth opportunities for Kansas,” Lowry said.The Kansas Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/07/kansas-lawmakers-extend-deadline-for-chiefs-royals-to-accept-stadium-incentives/" target="_blank">agreed to finance</a>&nbsp;up to 70% of the project, with a minimum $1 billion price tag, by issuing bonds to be repaid with sales tax collected in the STAR Bond district.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Missouri lawmakers hoping to convince the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to remain in the state have&nbsp;authorized bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments.Clark Hunt, the Chiefs owner, recently told reporter that he and his family were still considering options in both Missouri and Kansas.“I wouldn’t say we’re in limbo. Stadium projects move at their own pace,” Hunt said. “We’ve learned over the years that you can’t really force them to go faster, even if you want them to. And so it’s just important for us to keep working on both options.”<h2>Wyandotte opportunity</h2>The possibility of moving the Chiefs stadium across the state line has both excited and concerned Kansas leaders. In Wyandotte County, where the Village West area is located, an economic development leader is hesitant to talk about what the stadium might bring to his county, although he’s positive that location would be a strong one for the Chiefs.&nbsp;“I think that area is the No. 1 tourist destination in the state of Kansas,” said Greg Kindle, president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council. “There’s infrastructure and highway infrastructure. We know there’s an ability to get people in and out of major sporting events, and if we can put a deal together that works for everybody, it’s a win-win.”Much still needs to be assessed in terms of the economic development benefits for Wyandotte County.&nbsp;“We’re still working through the economics of it,” Kindle said. “It has to be revenue development that works for the sports teams but also drives revenue into the community. On the front end, it’s super exciting to have a national sports team in your community because you get a lot of branding, you get more tourism, you get people who are excited about being near that environment.”Kindle referred to the success of the Kansas Speedway and Sporting KC, both of which are in the area and hold numerous events all year.&nbsp;“Tourism areas benefit,” he said. “New things have to be happening. This would be an interesting additional asset to the area that we hope would bring in additional hotels and restaurants and interest in that area.”Kindle said the negotiations with the Chiefs are going on through state officials and Wyandotte has offered support as needed. He’s excited about the idea the team may come to his county, but he also wants to encourage everyone to think long-term.“They’ve been in their current location for what, 50 or 60 years. We want to make sure that whatever happens here builds on what they’ve done and the success that they’ve had, but also that we ensure that we do, in fact, get that ancillary growth that goes with the project,” Kindle said.&nbsp;<h2>Stadium investments</h2>J.C. Bradbury, an economist and professor at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, is releasing a book next year titled “This One Will be Different: False Promises and Fiscal Realities of Publicly Funded Stadiums.”&nbsp;He said economic justifications for putting tax dollars behind stadium development don’t hold up.Economists look at economic development differently than other professionals, who consider the process about increasing business activity in a community, Bradbury said.“Economists use the term economic development to describe improving economic outcomes. And stadiums are absolutely not true economic development catalysts,” he said.Bradbury said he has looked for studies that show there is an economic benefit to stadiums and hasn’t found one.“If you went and called a doctor for a study on the dangers of smoking, you wouldn’t be able to find a doctor who would say smoking is good for you, right?” Bradbury said. “If you would ask economists about the economic benefits of stadiums, you probably couldn’t find an economist who would say that they’re beneficial. But no one wants to listen to economists on that.”Multiple changes happen in communities when stadiums are built that lead people to believe the economy benefits, he said. Increased spending definitely happening around the stadium, but Bradbury said that spending is pulled from restaurants and stores not in the stadium’s entertainment sphere.&nbsp;Other factors include being unable to track businesses that don’t open up in a stadium district, such as doctor’s offices and retail stores, because of traffic and people who don’t want to live near stadiums, he said.&nbsp;“There’s actually some negative spillover effects that no one likes to talk about,” Bradbury said. He gave an example of an area in Atlanta that was near where stadiums were formerly located. For years, it was a “ghost town,” but after stadiums moved, it is now a thriving commercial district.There are positives, including the novelty effect when the stadium first opens, Bradbury said.&nbsp;“This is a private business that largely benefits the owners of the team. It’s generating hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars,” Bradbury said. “Athletes are paid millions of dollars of salaries. These organizations exist as economic entities because they’re profitable. There’s zero justification for taxpayers putting a dime for professional sports stadiums, but we just sort of got in the habit of doing that, and now I’m hoping to try to break this habit.”