Kansas in the news: a court case challenges a new transgender ID law, affecting thousands of licenses. Kansas is a Midwestern, landlocked state bordered by NE, CO, OK, MO.
The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments have seen a rapid decline in perfect brackets due to numerous upsets. Less than 1,500 perfect entries remain out of over 26 million, with major surprises like 12-seed High Point defeating Wisconsin. The unpredictability highlights the tournament's difficulty and the astronomical odds of perfect predictions.
A severe storm has caused extensive damage across parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with tornadoes ripping through communities. No fatalities have been reported, but homes, schools, and infrastructure have sustained significant damage. Emergency services are responding, and surveys are underway to assess the full extent of the destruction. The storm is ongoing, and further severe weather is expected.
ICE has completed a hiring surge, adding 12,000 officers to support Trump’s deportation efforts. Concerns are rising over the backgrounds of new hires, including financial issues and past misconduct, amid rapid recruitment and limited vetting.
The Trump administration has nominated Robert Hamilton to lead FEMA as its permanent administrator. The move has followed a Trump-appointed council report recommending sweeping reforms to FEMA that would shift more disaster responsibility to states and change how federal aid is triggered and delivered.
Drought and heat have deepened losses for U.S. wheat farmers as irrigation and drought conditions worsen. Growers report sharply lower yields and higher input costs, with USDA data forecasting a historically small crop and insurance considerations shaping farmer decisions.
FBI officials have arrested five individuals in a multi-state plot involving explosive-laden drones aimed at buildings near a major event on the White House grounds. Investigators say a sniper team and a second wave were planned to capitalize on mass panic. Several suspects traveled between Cincinnati, Fredericksburg and Ohio as the case unfolded.
Yum! Brands has agreed to sell Pizza Hut for a total of $2.7 billion, with LongRange Capital acquiring Pizza Hut operations outside mainland China for $1.5B and Yum China purchasing the China business for $1.2B. The deals, expected to close in Q3 2026, allow Yum to focus on its stronger brands. Pizza Hut’s U.S. footprint has faced sales declines and closures in recent years.