AGP Executive Report

Kansas Senate Race: Vice President JD Vance rallied in Topeka for Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, whose race against Democrat Adam Hamilton is unusually close. More than 150,000 Kansans have voted early, with the final week of advance voting underway. Consumer Protection: Kansas joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging shoppers were routinely charged more at checkout than advertised prices. Education: Fort Hays State University rescinded the planned December closure of Sternberg Museum after donations and pledges topped $638,000; a foundation match could push support past $1 million as the university develops a long-term plan. Jayhawks Football: Kansas beat Baylor 25-24 on a blocked field goal for its first Big 12 win, then Baylor fired coach Dave Aranda. Wichita Schools: A proposed $615 million bond faces opposition from residents concerned that planned school closures would disrupt neighborhoods and long-standing school ties.

Kansas Politics: Vice President JD Vance is in Topeka today to rally for Sen. Roger Marshall, as the Republican faces an unusually tight race with Democrat Adam Hamilton. Early voting is underway, and political analysts say the visit is aimed at energizing GOP voters. College Sports: Kansas football edged Baylor 25-24 with a blocked field goal, ending a 14-game losing streak against the Bears. Baylor fired coach Dave Aranda the next day. KU basketball fell 90-84 to Duke in an exhibition, while Kansas State lost 28-17 at Arizona State. Weather: Showers are moving across western Kansas, with locally heavy rain possible; more rain could reach the Wichita area Monday night into Tuesday.

Jayhawks’ Rally: Kansas erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Baylor 25-24 in Lawrence, earning its first win over the Bears since 2007. Isaiah Marshall scored the go-ahead touchdown, and Blake Herold blocked Baylor’s final field-goal attempt. Baylor Shake-up: A day later, Baylor fired coach Dave Aranda, who led the Bears to a Big 12 title in 2021. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman, a former Kansas State coach, will serve as interim head coach. Midterm Push: Vice President JD Vance is set to rally in Topeka Monday for Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, as Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton make their final pitches before Election Day. Wildcats Fall: Kansas State lost 28-17 at Arizona State, surrendering four rushing touchdowns to freshman Cardae Mack. Rural Health: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment opened applications for grants aimed at rural health care.

Jayhawks Rally: Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to beat Baylor 25-24 for its first Big 12 win, with Isaiah Marshall scoring the go-ahead touchdown and Blake Herold blocking a late field goal. Wildcats Fall: Kansas State lost 28-17 at Arizona State, where freshman Cardae Mack rushed for four touchdowns; K-State played without injured quarterback Avery Johnson. Midterm Push: With Election Day nearing, Democrats are campaigning across Kansas as early voting rises and the Senate race between Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton remains tight. Public Safety: Three people died in two crashes in southeast Kansas on Friday. Hoisington’s boil-water advisory has been lifted, but advisories remain for Lebo and Admire.

Kansas Elections: The U.S. Senate race between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton is drawing national attention as a possible toss-up. Early voting is up across Kansas, and candidates also clashed in debates for attorney general and governor. School Health: Nearly 100 students and staff at a Kansas elementary school were sickened in a norovirus outbreak. Wildcats & High School Football: K-State quarterback Avery Johnson is out against Arizona State, with Jacob Knuth set for his first career start. Kansas high school playoffs begin Oct. 30; Topeka High visits Manhattan, Topeka West faces top-seeded De Soto and Shawnee Heights travels to Basehor-Linwood. Topeka Roads: A construction project will temporarily affect parking on Kansas Avenue, while multiple I-70 ramps in Shawnee County are scheduled to close Monday.

Kansas Senate Race: Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton are locked in a surprisingly tight contest, with early voting up statewide. Their debate focused on Trump, fuel costs, immigration and AI. Health Care: Freeman Health System completed a $14 million expansion of its Pittsburg oncology clinic, tripling its size and adding treatment capacity. Rural Connectivity: Kansas awarded $12.9 million in broadband grants to expand internet access. Public Health: Nearly 100 students and staff were reported sickened in a norovirus outbreak at a Kansas elementary school. Courts: Attorney General Kris Kobach won a court ruling upholding Kansas’ mail-ballot signature verification law. College Sports: Kansas volleyball swept No. 13 TCU on the road.

Senate Race: Kansas’ tight contest between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton intensified after their debate, with clashes over Trump, immigration and fuel costs. Marshall’s campaign also revived abuse allegations tied to Hamilton’s former church; Hamilton denies covering up misconduct. Farm Costs: Diesel prices remain near record highs, adding pressure on Kansas farmers. The Trump administration’s $8 billion in promised farm fuel aid is expected to arrive after the election. Rural Investment: Kansas awarded $12.9 million in broadband grants for projects across 44 rural counties, with matching funds bringing the total investment to about $27 million. The state also opened $2 million in grants for drone operations, while Midwest Energy received more than $570,000 in FEMA funding to repair storm-damaged equipment. Topeka Traffic: Several I-70 ramps in Shawnee County are scheduled to close Oct. 26 through Nov. 6 for pavement work. KU Sports: Kansas women’s basketball opened its exhibition season with a 90-43 win over Northeastern State; KU soccer rallied for a 1-1 draw with No. 20 BYU.

Senate Race: Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton clashed in their final debate before Nov. 3, sparring over Trump, immigration and AI. Marshall blamed Ukraine’s war for soaring diesel prices; Hamilton challenged that claim as the close race draws national attention. Kansas Politics: Early voting is underway, with turnout in Johnson and Douglas counties ahead of 2022 levels. Vice President JD Vance is set to rally for Marshall in Topeka on Monday. Aerospace Jobs: Trump says Bombardier will invest $270 million in the U.S., creating jobs in Kansas, Texas and Indiana. The company has announced a $50 million investment at its Wichita site but has not detailed the broader figure. Wichita Schools: Voters will decide on a $615 million bond for building upgrades, new facilities and career-training programs. Wichita Tragedy: The driver in a crash that killed a man and a 6-year-old boy at a youth soccer game remains free as the investigation continues; 10 others were injured.

Senate Race: Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton clashed in their final debate over Trump, immigration, Iran, AI and other issues, as the Kansas contest draws national attention. A campaign-finance watchdog also asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate Marshall, alleging taxpayer-funded travel and campaign work by Senate staff. Public Health: A norovirus outbreak at Bentwood Elementary in Olathe affected 95 students and staff and two family members. No new cases have been reported since Oct. 13, and officials consider the outbreak over. Rural Connectivity: Gov. Laura Kelly announced $12.9 million in broadband grants for projects across 44 rural counties, alongside nearly $14 million in private and local investment. Detention Oversight: The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and KBI are investigating an inmate’s death at the county jail—the facility’s fifth in-custody death this year. Jayhawks: Kansas fell 89-83 to Louisville in an exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas Senate Race: In their final debate before Nov. 3, Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton clashed over fuel costs, Trump’s policies and control of the Senate. Marshall blamed high diesel prices on the Ukraine war; Hamilton said that claim was wrong. Hamilton also acknowledged he should have made sure a church volunteer accused of abuse was kept away from youth. Early Voting: Kansas has more than doubled its early-vote total compared with the same point in 2022, as the close Senate race draws national attention. Wichita Tragedy: Police say the driver in the deadly Stryker Sports Complex crash remains under investigation and has not been charged. The Oct. 17 crash killed a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injured 10 others. Topeka Housing: Topeka Jump plans to campaign for a March public vote on a sales tax to fund affordable housing and homelessness services, after the City Council approved putting the measure before voters. KU Basketball: Kansas fell 89-83 to Louisville in an exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse; coach Bill Self called it a useful test of the team’s late-game execution.

Public Health: Nearly 100 norovirus cases have been reported at Bentwood Elementary in Johnson County, including 95 among students and staff. Children’s Mercy also says it will be out of network for some ACA Marketplace plans starting Jan. 1, 2027, urging families to check their coverage. Water Safety: KDHE lifted the boil-water advisory for Hoisington customers south of the railroad tracks, but residents north of the tracks remain under an advisory. Election 2026: Kansas’ U.S. Senate race is drawing national attention as Republican Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton. President Donald Trump campaigned for Marshall in Wichita, where his remarks—including an antisemitic slur—drew backlash; early voting is underway. A Clearwater man was arrested on allegations he threatened to shoot Trump at the rally. Agriculture: Kansas farmers welcomed a proposed $8 billion federal aid package but say they need details and lasting solutions to high costs. USDA plans to combine cattle-market reports for Kansas and four other states starting Oct. 26, aiming to restore price information for producers. Local Safety: The driver in the deadly Wichita youth soccer-field crash was released without charges as the investigation continues; two people, including a 6-year-old boy, were killed.

Topeka Government: City Manager Robert Perez resigned effective immediately. Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley will take over Oct. 26 while the city searches for a permanent replacement. Farm Economy: President Donald Trump announced $8 billion in one-time farm aid at a Wichita-area rally as diesel costs squeeze producers. Farm groups welcomed the help but called for lasting solutions; Kansas’ U.S. Senate race remains competitive. Public Safety: Wichita police say the driver in the deadly soccer-field crash has not been charged because investigators lack probable cause. The crash killed a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injured 10 others. Energy: Deep Fission signed a 25-year deal to supply power to a Southeast Kansas industrial park, aiming to generate up to 2 gigawatts by 2031.

Farm Relief: President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion USDA program at a Park City rally to help farmers offset high diesel costs during harvest. Payment rates are expected next month, as Kansas farmers face rising expenses. Kansas Politics: Trump campaigned for Sen. Roger Marshall amid a tightening reelection race, warning voters about unrest in France and using an antisemitic slur while defending the senator. He also backed away from threats against Bombardier, which employs about 1,500 people in Wichita. Rally Security: Federal prosecutors charged Clearwater resident Jaden Read, 24, with threatening to shoot Trump, alleging he posted threats online and said he had mapped rooftops near the speech site. He was arrested before the rally. Wichita Tragedy: The driver in a crash that killed a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man at a youth soccer game was released without charges as the investigation continues. Several others were injured. Lawrence Homicide: An Olathe man was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Victor Moreno; police recommended a first-degree murder charge.

Wichita Tragedy: A pickup drove onto a youth soccer field, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injuring about 10 others. The driver was released without charges as investigators await toxicology results; officials are reviewing security at the sports complex. Toss-Up Senate Race: President Donald Trump rallied near Wichita for Sen. Roger Marshall, whose race against Democrat Adam Hamilton is drawing national attention. Trump announced $8 billion in harvest fuel aid as Kansas farmers face high diesel costs, though some say tariffs and rising expenses are hurting their businesses. Threat Charges: A 24-year-old Kansas man was charged with threatening to kill Trump ahead of the Wichita visit, according to federal prosecutors. Medicare Fraud: A Johnson County software executive was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a scheme that generated false medical orders and led insurers to pay more than $450 million in fraudulent claims.

Wichita Crash: A 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man were killed when a pickup drove onto a youth soccer field, injuring nearly a dozen others. Police released the driver without charges while awaiting toxicology and vehicle test results. Senate Race and Economy: Kansas is emerging as a battleground as Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton. Voters cite affordability, while farmers say higher diesel costs and shrinking profits are squeezing them ahead of harvest. President Trump visited the Wichita area to rally support for Marshall and later promoted his campaign online. College Basketball: Kansas added former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and opened the preseason AP poll at No. 17. Sunflower Showdown: Kansas State beat Kansas 35-24, extending its winning streak in the football rivalry to 18 games.

Wichita Crash: A pickup truck drove onto a youth soccer field, killing 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer and injuring 10 others. Police released the 34-year-old driver without charges while toxicology and vehicle tests are pending. Kansas Elections: Early voting begins Monday at some locations ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Kansans will choose state and federal candidates and vote on a constitutional amendment; President Donald Trump has promoted Sen. Roger Marshall’s reelection bid and hinted at a Kansas rally. Lawrence Homicide: Police are investigating the overnight killing of a 23-year-old man in downtown Lawrence. Sunflower Showdown: Kansas State beat Kansas 35-24, extending its winning streak in the rivalry to 18 games. AI Lawsuit: Kansas joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT endangers children and misleads users.