Hot temperatures are impacting Kansas. A Heat Advisory is in effect for central and northeastern Kansas until this evening. Heat index values up to 106 degrees are expected today, and people are being urged to stay hydrated. An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect for north-central Kansas from tomorrow morning through Monday evening.
Ponca City Representative Ken Luttrell has an explanation as to why he voted against legislation in the House that would have temporarily lowered gas prices. The Bill would have suspended the state gas tax until at least 2023, which would have saved folks 19 cents per gallon. He said he voted against it because it would cut off funding for county roads and bridges. The measure was defeated 76 to 16.
A warrant has been issued in Ponca City for a man who is facing felony animal cruelty charges. Police are looking for 46-year-old Jeremy Alan Smith who allegedly beat a pit bull who was attacking a bulldog to get it to let go of the dog. Smith however took it to a whole new level by beating the dog with a rake, choking it and even pouring beer down its throat to get it to release the bulldog. One the dog was unconscious Smith continued his assault on the animal by stomping on its head and then took an axe to the dog’s head. Witnesses told police that Smith said, ‘That is how you kill a dog.’. An animal control officer lives nearby and told police that he saw the entire thing.
The state of Kansas is officially recognizing the nation’s newest federal holiday. Governor Laura Kelly visited the Kansas African American Museum in Wichita yesterday where she signed a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in Kansas. Juneteenth celebrates the complete emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
Officials are revealing the cause of a wildfire in Finney County. Investigators say that the Monday’s fire was accidental, and it was caused by a bearing failure in a wheat header. The fire burned about 700 acres and no injuries were reported.