Five Hospitalized After 11-Vehicle Pile-Up in Lyon County

ADMIRE, Kan. (WIBW-TV) – At least five people were injured in an 11-vehicle pile-up in Lyon County on Wednesday afternoon. One of the vehicles involved was a school bus. It happened on U.S. Highway 56 near the town of Admire. Video obtained by WIBW-TV shows vehicles demolished and in flames. The school bus was carrying six passengers, one of whom was injured. No word yet on what caused the massive pile-up. The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team is investigating.

Tech Company Oracle Lays Off 500 KC Area Employees

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KC Star) – More than 500 people have been laid off from Oracle’s Kansas City campus, following worldwide layoffs at the global tech and software company. The Kansas City Star reports that company-wide layoffs could hit tens of thousands of people. Oracle filed a notice with the state of Missouri that the company will be terminating employees at its Kansas City Campus facility (8779 Hillcrest Road). However, the campus itself is not closing. Oracle acquired local health care information technology company Cerner in June 2022 for more than $28 billion.

Company officials expect the layoffs will be permanent. KC-area employees were notified through March 31 and will officially lose their jobs between May 26 and June 1. A long list of roles were impacted – ranging from administrative assistants, sales reps, technical managers, IT directors, marketing specialists, analysts, compliance directors, software developers and more – totaling 539 workers losing their jobs.

Emporia Sinkhole Repairs Could Exceed $800,000

EMPORIA, Kan. (KSN) – It could cost a lot of money to repair the damage caused by a sinkhole that swallowed a police car in Emporia last Sunday. The sinkhole on Commercial Street between Ninth and 10th avenues was caused when a section of storm sewer pipe collapsed. The police car was rescued, but officials are still estimating the cost of repairs. KSN reports the section of pipe that collapsed is believed to have been more than a hundred years old. If the entire storm sewer line needs to be replaced, officials say the cost could exceed $800,000.

Bill Self Announces He Will Return Next Season to Coach at KU

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) – Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self announced on social media Wednesday night that he plans to return for the 2026-27 season. In a social media post, Self said, “With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas Basketball competing for a National Championship.” After KU’s season-ending loss against St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Self said, “I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy to do it.” There were some concerns about Self’s health this season, but he said during the tournament that he was feeling as good as he has in a long time. Self is one of only three active coaches, along with St. John’s coach Rick Pitino and UConn coach Dan Hurley, who’ve led their teams to multiple national championships.

Kansas Sports Authority Group Awaits Governor’s Approval

UNDATED (KNS) – Kansas is close to creating a sports authority that will oversee a $3 billion stadium deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Kansas News Service reports that the 11-member group will include state and local officials, as well as a representative from the Chiefs. The Wyandotte County stadium and Johnson County facilities will be publicly owned and operated.

Republican state Senator Larry Alley supported incentives for the Chiefs project, saying the agreement will pay off. “This legislation positions Kansas and the Kansas City Chiefs for a long-term partnership that supports jobs, investment, tourism, and national visibility for decades to come,” he said.

However, Republican state Senator Mike Thompson of Shawnee said during debate that he doubts the state will see a sufficient return on its investment. “In my mind, the creation of this sports authority is simply the final nail in the coffin for Kansas taxpayers on a deal that will live in infamy,” he argued.

If Democratic Governor Laura Kelly signs the bill that creates the authority, members will be appointed by the end of August.

Kansas Lawmakers Pass Bill Creating Statewide Guidelines for Active Shooter Drills

UNDATED (KNS) – Kansas lawmakers have passed a bill that would create statewide guidelines for conducting active shooter drills in schools. The Kansas News Service reports that schools would have to notify parents of any active shooter drill and let them exempt their children. After a drill, students would have a debriefing period before returning to classwork. The bill would also ban active shooter simulations, which mimic a law enforcement response or the presence of a shooter. The goal is to make drills more consistent across schools and reduce stress on students.

Aurora Vasquez is with Sandy Hook Promise, which started after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. “They understand what they are practicing for, and that they are practicing for the chance that they might encounter an armed person on their campus,” she said.