TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is issuing a state of disaster emergency due to the threat posed by upcoming severe weather, including hail and tornadoes. The Adjutant General's Department of Kansas announced in a press release that Kelly is giving the declaration in response to the threat of severe weather from Friday, April 26, through to Sunday, April 28. This declaration will activate the Kansas Response Plan to help mobilize state resources to help communities in need. Large hail, high winds and tornadoes are likely over the next few days, according to the Adjutant Gener ..read more

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A proposed ban in Kansas on gender-affirming care for minors also would bar state employees from promoting it — or even children's social transitioning. Teachers and social workers who support LGBTQ+ rights worry about whether they will be disciplined or fired for helping kids who are exploring their gender identities. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the proposed ban, and top Republicans anticipated Friday that the GOP-controlled Legislature will attempt to override her action before lawmakers adjourn for the year Tuesday. Their bill appeared to have the two-thirds major ..read more

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- A jury has found a Wichita man guilty of a murder in southeast Wichita in 2019. Robert Junior speaks to KSN News during an event in April 2019. (KSN News Photo) The victim was 31-year-old Robert Junior. Those who knew him said he was quickly becoming a well-known community activist. In April 2019, he arranged a community event to unite people after the March shooting death of well-known rapper Nipsey Hussle. Less than eight months later, Junior was fatally shot at his home in the 8500 block of Parkmont, near Pawnee and Rock Road. “He was a real good guy in the community ..read more

NEW YORK (AP) — When Anna Branch, 37, had her hours at work reduced in 2019, she suddenly noticed ads for an app called EarnIn. “You know how they get you — the algorithms — like they’re reading your mind,” Branch said. “The ad said I could get up to $100 this week and repay it in my next pay period.” Branch, who was working as an administrative assistant in Charleston, South Carolina, downloaded the app and added the suggested “tip.” The cash helped her cover expenses until payday when the app debited the borrowed $100, plus $14 for a tip. Five years later, Branch said she still uses the app ..read more

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III is back. The 75-year-old monarch will resume his public duties next week following a three-month break to focus on his treatment and recuperation after he was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer, Buckingham Palace said Friday. Related video above: King Charles attends church after diagnosis. Charles will mark the milestone by visiting a cancer treatment center on Tuesday, the first of several public appearances he will make in the coming weeks, the palace said. One of his first major engagements will be to host a state visit by the emperor and empress of ..read more

(The Hill) -- Former President Donald Trump is sending a long-distance birthday message to his wife, Melania, straight from the New York City courthouse where he's on trial in his hush money case. "I want to start by wishing my wife, Melania, a very happy birthday," Trump said in brief remarks to the press on Friday outside the lower Manhattan courthouse. The former first lady turned 54 on Friday.  "It would be nice to be with her," Trump said before entering court for the fourth day of proceedings, the first criminal trial of a former American president.  "But I'm in ..read more

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. (KSNW) -- 2 women led law enforcement from 4 counties on a chase in a stolen box truck Wednesday. It began when the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office received a report of a Penske box truck being stolen from a convenience store at 10th and Main Street in Independence. Deputies caught up to the truck heading east on US 160 near the US 169 Junction. The driver refused to stop, and the truck exited onto northbound US 169. Cherryvale Officers joined the pursuit and attempted to stop the truck with stop sticks, which the driver avoided. The truck then turned east onto US 400, t ..read more

WICHITA, Kan. KSNW) -- McConnell Air Force Base says they are relocating aircraft again ahead of this weekend's expected severe weather. It's the second time this month the planes have been sent off base and out of the region to avoid potential severe weather. The base’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft, flown by the 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings, began leaving Friday, with more aircraft leaving Saturday. The remaining aircraft undergoing maintenance, along with flightline vehicles and equipment will stay behind, stored in hangers. The base says flight crews will continue ..read more

WICHITA, Kan. (The Wichita Eagle) -- Lawyer Abdul Arif is the latest person trying to take advantage of the coming Wichita Biomedical Campus by purchasing a building with plans to convert it — in this case to apartments. “Having the biomed campus coming in definitely piqued our interest,” Arif said. “We feel like there’s tremendous opportunity there.” There has been an ongoing building shuffle around the site where the Wichita Transit center is downtown along William between Broadway and Topeka, which is where Wichita State University and the University of Kansas Medical Center are planning th ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (WDAF) -- Darlene Timmerman has worked in nursing for 44 years, starting her career in Salina and moving to Wichita before landing in Kansas City. She worked at the University of Kanas Medical Center and Olathe Medical Center before retiring. “I was just kind of looking and thinking about what I wanted to do in retirement that was purposeful and meaningful,” Timmerman said. “Something that was really important to me.” She remembered hosting an event and meeting another nurse named Roxanne, who told her about volunteering for Global Care Force in Ukraine. Crop-duster hits powe ..read more