AGP Executive Report

Senate Race: Democrat Adam Hamilton leads Republican Sen. Roger Marshall 47.5% to 46.7% in a new poll, within the margin of error. Marshall also paid a Hutchinson bakery $1,300 after its owner said his campaign left a 2020 cookie order unpaid. School Closures: Olathe parents are collecting signatures to seek state review of the district’s plan to close six schools; they need 6,100 valid signatures. Weather and Farming: Forecasters warn of heavy rain and possible flooding across central and eastern Kansas, with 1 to 3 inches possible. Recent rains eased drought in parts of the state, though dry conditions persist in south-central Kansas. Public Safety: A 24-year-old Missouri man was killed after being struck while crossing K-7 in Wyandotte County. On the Field: Kansas football fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, while the No. 19 Jayhawks volleyball team beat UCF in four sets.

Kansas Politics: The U.S. Senate race drew national attention as Republican Roger Marshall faced a stronger-than-expected challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton. Marshall also paid a Kansas bakery $1,300 to settle a six-year-old campaign bill. Voting: A Kansas appeals court kept in place a three-day grace period for mail ballots arriving after Election Day while a legal challenge proceeds. Cost of Living: A rural-voter survey found affordability, health care costs and access to medical care are top concerns—issues Kansas candidates face across the state. College Football: Kansas fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah after giving up 14 points in the fourth quarter; Kansas State lost 35-16 to No. 22 Houston and dropped to 0-2 in Big 12 play. Public Safety: A pedestrian was killed on K-7 in Wyandotte County, and crews in Ottawa County contained a combine fire and a hay-stack blaze without injuries. Local Decisions: Emporia voters will decide whether to prohibit certain large data centers and battery-storage projects within city limits.

College Football: Kansas fell 41-24 at No. 12 Utah, unable to recover from a slow start despite quarterback Isaiah Marshall’s 333 passing yards. Kansas State lost 35-16 at home to No. 22 Houston, which got four touchdown passes from Conner Weigman. Kansas Senate Race: The contest is drawing national attention as a possible toss-up. At a Lawrence forum, challengers discussed affordability and immigration; incumbent Rep. Tracey Mann did not attend. Shawnee County: Deputy District Attorney Lauren Amrein was named Kansas Prosecutor of the Year after securing multiple homicide convictions and trying seven homicide cases. Federal Benefits: A 79-year-old Lyons woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to repay $316,570 after admitting she collected her imprisoned husband’s Social Security benefits for nearly a decade. Kansas History: Two brothers from Bushong, killed together on D-Day in 1944, were laid to rest in Emporia after being identified decades later. Girls Flag Football: Undefeated Wamego won its regional title and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

Senate Race: Kansas’ U.S. Senate contest is now rated a tossup as Democrat Adam Hamilton challenges Republican Roger Marshall. Hamilton is campaigning on affordability, health care and tariffs; he was the only candidate to respond to a questionnaire from The Emporia Gazette. Immigration: Garden City leaders are asking Sens. Marshall and Jerry Moran and Rep. Tracey Mann for answers about recent ICE raids in southwest Kansas. Public Health: Kansas measles cases have risen to five, according to a new update. Gun Rules: A Kansas-led lawsuit helped prompt the ATF to drop nationwide registration and approval requirements for suppressors and certain short-barreled firearms. Voting: An appeals court ruled Kansas must count mail ballots that arrive up to three days after Election Day, a change that could affect how November results are tallied.

Jayhawks-Utes: Kansas’ game at No. 12 Utah was moved up to 6 p.m. local time Saturday as storms threaten Salt Lake City. Senate Race: National spending is surging in Kansas, now rated a toss-up; Democrats added $5 million as the contest draws fresh attention. Health Care: Rep. Sharice Davids proposed restoring ACA tax credits and increasing Medicare support for rural hospitals. Immigration: Gov. Laura Kelly condemned federal raids in southwest Kansas and pledged support for affected workers and families. Public Health: Kansas reported five measles cases, all linked to out-of-state travel; officials say wider community spread has not been detected. Nuclear Project: Deep Fission’s proposed underground reactor in Parsons cleared an initial federal safety review, while critics raised new questions about its finances. Fort Leavenworth: Plans to livestream the scheduled execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan have drawn bipartisan criticism; President Donald Trump has not decided whether the broadcast will happen.

Senate Battleground: Kansas’ race between Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton is now rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report. National groups are pouring money in, with Republicans pledging $14 million and a Democratic super PAC planning $5 million in spending. Topeka Roads: The city police department is stepping up speed enforcement through Oct. 19 to curb crashes. Speed was a factor in 181 of Kansas’ 3,377 reported crashes in 2024. Public Health: Kansas has reported five measles cases as infections rise nationwide. Schools: Kansas districts are adjusting to the state’s new cellphone ban, changing how students use phones during the school day.

Senate Race: Kansas’ U.S. Senate contest has been moved to toss-up status as national forecasters see Democrats gaining ground. The GOP candidate for secretary of state was fined $93,000 over a federal labor-law violation. State News: Kansas tax revenue topped estimates by 6.1% in the first quarter. The state’s measles count rose to five, with no community transmission reported; an appeals court also ruled that mail ballots arriving up to three days after Election Day must be counted. Topeka Area: A Shawnee Heights school bus was rear-ended on U.S. 40; details on injuries weren’t available. Agriculture: Drought is slowing the soybean harvest, and fuel experts say a federal dyed-diesel order may offer farmers only modest savings. Sports: Former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels threw for 189 yards and a touchdown as Tampa Bay beat Dallas 24-16 for its first win of the season.

Child Safety: Kansas’ child death review board reported 31 youth suicides in 2024, up from 24 the year before. More than half had previously communicated suicidal thoughts, the board said. Senate Race: National attention is growing as Republicans shift campaign money to Kansas, where the Senate contest has tightened ahead of November’s election. Schools: Olathe plans to close five elementary schools and one middle school after 2026-27, citing declining enrollment; the district estimates the move will save $12 million a year. Farming: Drought-hit soybean yields are disappointing in central Kansas, and harvest is running slowly. Recent rain helped replenish soil moisture. Energy: A proposed underground nuclear reactor in Parsons cleared an initial federal safety-design review, but further approvals remain and critics have raised questions about the project’s finances.

Election Watch: Kansas’ Senate race between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton is drawing national money as polls tighten, turning the state into a midterm battleground. Voters also have a key deadline: registration closes Oct. 13. Mail Ballots: A Kansas appeals court ruled ballots arriving up to three days after Election Day must be counted, preserving the state’s grace period. Food Assistance: Kansas DCF cites new requirements and staffing shortages for SNAP delays, as Northeast Kansas food pantries report more families seeking help amid rising costs. State Finances: Kansas tax revenue topped estimates by 6.1% in the first quarter of the budget year.

Kansas Senate Race: The contest between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton is drawing national attention. Cook Political Report shifted the race to a toss-up, a YouGov poll showed Hamilton ahead, and Republican groups redirected millions to defend the seat. Voting Rules: A Kansas appeals court kept in place a three-day grace period for mail ballots arriving after Election Day while a lawsuit over the rule continues. Food Assistance: Kansas families are waiting longer for SNAP benefits as the state cites new requirements and staffing shortages; Northeast Kansas food pantries also report serving more people amid rising costs. College Basketball: Washburn topped both MIAA men’s preseason polls, while Emporia State was picked 12th by coaches and 13th by media.

Local Government & Public Safety: Topeka City Council opened talks on Flock and other security cameras after residents raised concerns, with officials saying TPD uses Rekor stationary plate readers (contract ending this year) plus mobile readers, limiting access to authorized officers and cutting retention to 21 days. Education & Community Action: Olathe parents are collecting about 6,100 signatures to ask the Kansas State Board of Education to review the district’s plan to close six schools next fall, arguing for more transparency and financial detail. Health Care: Kansas Health Science University received $1.3 million in scholarships from Riverside Health Foundation to help students stay in school and return to serve rural Kansas. State Politics: Kansas AG Kris Kobach and challenger Chris Mann faced off in a debate covering crime, fentanyl, immigration and voting rights, with Kobach highlighting Title IX litigation. Human Interest: A Leawood dog led an officer to a homeowner who’d fallen and couldn’t get up for more than three hours. Sports: Utah’s No. 12 Utes host Kansas in a Big 12 defensive showdown Saturday, with both teams ranking among the league’s stingiest.

Immigration & Military Policy: A newly released Army study says shock gloves bought for ICE caused intense pain and fear during a Fort Leavenworth exercise in 2024, raising safety concerns. Kansas Politics: With advance voting starting Oct. 14, Steve Cortes is urging Kansans to vote early, arguing Democrats bank ballots before Election Day. Kansas Elections: Kansas election offices are reminding voters to check registration and note advance-voting dates, including Lyon County’s offsite voting schedule. State Courts & Crime: A Kansas man, Joseph Favata, faces felony charges tied to an alleged UNL sexual assault; documents say he drove around campus before the incident. Drug Pricing: Kansas AG Nick Brown joined a multistate push for court approval of a $400 million settlement in a drug price-fixing case. Local News: Lyon County will pay at least $600 per day for a newly impaneled grand jury. Obituaries: Dennis Franchione, a Kansas native and Pitt State Hall of Famer, died at 75.

Politics & Kansas Voting: Kansas voters face a proposed constitutional amendment clarifying that only U.S. citizens can vote, with supporters saying it closes a loophole and opponents warning the ballot language could confuse eligibility. Local Government: Topeka is collecting public input to prioritize Americans with Disabilities Act fixes after a 2025 assessment flagged accessibility gaps in city buildings. Public Safety: A 52-year-old Olathe woman died in a crash near I-35 and 75th Street, according to Kansas Highway Patrol. Statehouse/Policy: Proposed Kansas voter-qualification language is also in the mix, as election rules continue to draw attention ahead of November. Higher Education: Wichita State enrollment fell 2.5% year over year, while Kansas Apply Free Days runs this week to waive college application fees for residents. National/World: President Trump approved execution by firing squad for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, and he also signed an order easing restrictions on tax-free red-dyed diesel during a Nebraska stop.

Food Safety Recall: PepsiCo is voluntarily recalling about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade (Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, Orange Zero) in 37 states, including Kansas, because Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 weren’t declared on labels; check bottle lot codes and best-by dates and don’t drink affected bottles. Frozen Fruit Recall: A separate E. coli-linked frozen blueberry/berry recall has expanded again, now including additional Walmart and Trader Joe’s products in dozens of states, with Kansas listed among affected areas. Local Public Safety: Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a vehicle fell off K-254 near 45th Street; no serious injuries were reported. Politics & Kansas Midterms: A University of Virginia analyst says GOP voters in “MAGA-fied” states are still looking to send Trump and Republicans a message, with Kansas Senate race polling cited as tied. Education & Community: A Candidate Listening Forum in Emporia invites residents to speak with candidates in small groups, with interpretation available. Sports: Sunflower Showdown is set for 11 a.m. Oct. 17 in Manhattan, televised on FS1.

Topeka Public Safety: The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is probing an officer-involved shooting in Southwest Topeka that left 47-year-old Michael Wayne Schmidt dead; two Topeka officers were placed on administrative leave while investigators review what happened. KU Basketball Eligibility: Melvin Council Jr. is back in Lawrence after a New York court granted a preliminary injunction allowing him a seventh season; KU says he’ll begin practicing immediately. Kansas Sports Spotlight: Kansas routed Middle Tennessee 55-0 in Lawrence, shutting down the Blue Raiders and piling up 706 total yards, including 480 rushing. Local Land-Use Fight: In Tonganoxie, residents rallied against the proposed Project Bluestem hyperscale data center, saying the county has been slow to act and that the project doesn’t belong there. State Economy: Kansas reported September total tax collections of $1.08 billion, up 5.5% above estimate. Daylight Saving Time: A Cowley County farmer says making Daylight Saving Time permanent would mean more evening light for families.

Kansas Politics & Elections: A Kansas GOP super PAC is reportedly shifting money from North Carolina to Kansas as Democrats close in on Senate control, with Adam Hamilton’s campaign gaining a second Republican endorsement. KU Basketball: Kansas says guard Melvin Council Jr. is headed back to Lawrence after winning eligibility in court, giving the Jayhawks another experienced playmaker. Public Safety: An 80-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash on I-435 near Mission Rd., and two people were killed in a Franklin County, Kansas, multi-car crash. Food Safety: Frozen berry recalls expanded over possible E. coli contamination, including Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend sold in 26 states and additional Walmart Great Value lots. Weather: Hurricane Polo remnants brought tornadoes across Kansas, followed by a dry, mild stretch with highs warming into the 70s and low 80s. Sports (Kansas): Kansas football routed Middle Tennessee 55-0, while Kansas volleyball fell to BYU and KU women’s golf hosts the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational.