Author: Brandon Peoples

An active weather pattern is bringing chances of severe weather to the Manhattan area over the next couple days. The Manhattan area is a slight risk for severe storms to develop this afternoon and evening. National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Flanagan says the storms that develop will likely then move out of the area quickly. Large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes will all be possible. Multiple rounds of rain could also lead to more flooding. Flanagan says the pattern remains favorable for storm development Wednesday and beyond. Stay tuned to News Radio KMAN for the latest up to…

Riley County Police are investigating a possible theft involving a lost wedding ring. Officers filed a report for theft Monday at a hotel in the 500 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. A 51-year-old man reported leaving his wedding ring in his hotel room for an hour and upon arrival back to the room, the ring was gone. The total estimated loss is $10,000. Police don’t yet have any suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

A boil water advisory has been issued for portions of Fort Riley due to a damaged water main. Officials say the main that provides water to the Historic Main Post, Marshall Army Airfield, Camp Funston and Camp Whiteside was damaged Sunday night. All other areas of Fort Riley are not covered by this boil water notice, which has been implemented by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The advisory impacts about 5,900 people living or working in those areas. Bottled water is being provided for residents at Corvias Leasing Office, 45 Barry Avenue, The Long Fitness Center, 8069 Normandy…

Authorities are investigating after a gunshot was heard in the Aggieville area early Sunday morning. The Riley County Police Department says officers monitoring crowds heard a gunshot in close proximity to the 1100 block of Moro Street, just before 2 a.m. and responded to a nearby walkway. While investigating the matter, officers observed two vehicles leaving the scene. Police say one of the cars sped off, while the driver of the other car was successfully detained without incident. Investigating officers located a spent shell casing in the area, but say no injuries were reported. The second vehicle that fled was…

(This is the first of a two-part news series into research being stood up at the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.)  Nearly a year after officials cut the ribbon on the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), science has started within the facility. In an interview with KMAN this week, NBAF Deputy Director Dr. Ken Burton said those activities are moving forward in phases, beginning with the lowest risk common science practices, with research to ramp up to more advanced, mission focused science later on. “Scientific activities at NBAF are at what’s called a biosafety level 1 and 2,…

Severe storms pushed through the Flint Hills Saturday afternoon, bringing strong wind gusts that led to power outages and other hazards. Tornado warnings were issued in Riley and Clay counties around 1 p.m., eventually moving through northern Pottawatomie County. Fortunately there were no reports of touchdowns in the area, though strong winds, ranging from 60-70 mph were noted after the storms, created by a “wake low,” or a mesoscale low-pressure area which trails the mesoscale high following a squall line. The National Weather Service says a 76 mph wind gust was reported around 3 p.m. at the Manhattan Regional Airport.…

Severe thunderstorms are likely to move across the Manhattan area Saturday and could pack quite a punch. The Storm Prediction Center has placed of the eastern half of Kansas, including Manhattan, in an enhanced (level 3) risk for severe storm development throughout the afternoon and evening. Storms will be capable of producing very large hail over two inches in diameter, damaging winds around 70 mph and dangerous tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service, the risk for severe weather increases after 2 p.m. and will continue through the evening hours. Locally heavy rainfall may also lead to flash flooding in…

A Manhattan man is behind bars after leading authorities on a pursuit on the Kansas Turnpike, in a kidnapping investigation. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Riley County Police Department requested assistance Friday morning locating 26-year-old Jonathan Maldonado, who was reported as being armed and traveling eastbound on Interstate 70. The victim in the case had already escaped and was safe when the call came in. Troopers were able to locate Maldonado at the Topeka Service Center on the Kansas Turnpike but he then fled toward Kansas City. Stop sticks were deployed near Kansas City and Maldonado was eventually…

State Rep. Kenny Titus is seeking a new position in the Kansas Legislature this fall. The Manhattan Republican, representing the 51st district, announced on Friday his candidacy for the 18th district Senate seat, just hours after Sen. Kristen O’Shea (R-Topeka) announced on the Senate floor she would not be seeking re-election. The re-drawn legislative maps, which take effect in 2025, show the 18th district, will include all of Pottawatomie County, making Titus eligible to seek the office. The Senate district also encompasses parts of Shawnee and Jefferson counties. In a Friday statement, Titus, who is in his first term in…

Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is seeking a spot in Congress. Schmidt, who most recently ran as the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, announced on Friday his candidacy for the Republican nomination in Kansas’ Second Congressional District, which locally encompasses Junction City and Wabaunsee County. “My family and I are grateful for the many friends and neighbors who have reached out to let us know they believe we have more to offer Kansas,” said Schmidt. “I feel a calling to serve, so I am excited to announce that I am running. I strongly believe that America needs more…