An adoption or a donation could win a dog bed from Coffeyville Friends of Animals.

Board Director Becky Barnhart says thanks to a donation they are having a drawing for a dog bed.  CFA is open Monday through Friday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

 As graduation nears for seniors in the USD 436 School District, numbers have been released concerning the latest round of ACT Test Scores.

 The average test score stayed the same in the science category, but scores in every other category has increased the last two years, including an increase from fourteen to nineteen in the English part of the test.

 Superintendent Blake Vargas says he's glad to see the numbers improve.

 Vargas says he is excited to see test numbers continue to improve in the future.

 A Mount Vernon woman is indicted on federal charges in a lottery ticket scheme.

 31-year-old Amy Young faces one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud stemming from a scheme she allegedly carried out by using stolen credit cards to purchase lottery tickets at a Phillips 66 station in Joplin. She is accused of recruiting others to claim any prizes from the tickets and the splitting the winnings. According to the indictment, during July and August 2022, Young and her accomplices purchased nearly 2,000 Missouri Lottery tickets worth around $62,000 and pocketing more than $54,000 in cash winnings.

The case was investigated by the FBI.

 The Cherry Blossom Festival gets underway today in Cherryvale.

 Organizer Carol Staton says the first order of business is to crown the Festival Royalty.

The pageant happens tonight at 6:30pm. Tomorrow's activities include a parade at 5:30pm and music in the park with Worship Calling starting at 6:30pm in Logan Park. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs through Sunday.

 Kansas joins the states of Wyoming, Utah, and Alaska in suing the Biden administration over a recent rule change to Title IX. 

 The new rules, set to go into effect on August 1^st, states that treating individuals according to biological sex instead of gender identity violates Title IX and can cause a loss of federal funding.

Kobach says allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' and women's sport is simply unfair.

when asked if he respected the transgender identity, Kobach said people had a right to change their appearance and presentation, but that they can’t change the structure and other advantages that males gain.

 A 16 year old high school student from Valley Center will travel to Europe with his best friend this summer.

 But Hayden Brown and his dog Onyx won't be there to see the sights. Instead they'll be competing in the Junior Open Agility World Championship in Belgium this July. Brown and his dog will compete as a part of the American Kennel Club Junior Agility Team USA. This is the only Junior Agility Team in the U.S. and many compare it to an Olympic team.

Brown has been competing in dog agility since he was 8 years old and his Shetland Sheepdog Onyx has been training since she was a puppy. Brown first began competition through his local 4-H club.

The U.S. Junior Agility Team is made up of 26 junior handlers from around the nation ranging in ages from 8 to 18. Brown is the only male and the only Kansan on the team.

The competition takes place in Belgium July 18^th through 21^st.

 A Porsche is left split into two halves after a high speed accident in Joplin.

 The accident occurred late last night as the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle then struck a utility pole and a building before coming to a stop nearly a block after the initial impact. Two people were in the car at the time of the accident – a male driver and a female passenger. Both were taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Their names and conditions have not yet been released.

Authorities are investigating the crash as a DWI.

 A Joplin man is dead after his pick up truck crashes off a bridge in Jasper County.

 33 year old Darren Shockley was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday evening after his Chevy Avalanche crashed off a bridge over Turkey Creek on North Black Cat Road northwest of Joplin. The vehicle traveled nearly 300 feet before coming to rest in the waters beneath the bridge. Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol say Shockley was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was ejected during the crash.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation but authorities say alcohol may have been involved.

 Multiple crews from the Bartlesville Fire Department responded Wednesday afternoon to a report of a drowning in the Caney River near Johnstone Park.

 Rescuers brought search boats to Johnstone Park and additional crews searched the river bank near the Tuxedo Boulevard bridge during the noon hour.

Bartlesville Fire Chief David Topping later confirmed it was a false report.

 The City of Fredonia has developed a new public safety issue in the past few weeks.

 At Wednesday's City Commission Meeting, Commissioner Bill Jones raised the issue of attacks by loose dog in the city. He says the issue is becoming a major concern.

Police Chief Brad Pflueger told the commission that there has been between 10 and 15 dog attacks in the city in the past few week. Pflueger says the police are aware of the problem, but handling it is a difficult issue.

Pflueger advises residents to take extra precautions when walking in the city to protect themselves until the issue can be gotten under control.

A new abortion clinic is planning to open in southeast Kansas this fall.

Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains' Tuesday announcement says Pittsburg, Kansas, will be home to a new facility providing abortion procedures and pills, among other services. The number of out-of-state residents seeking abortions in Kansas is higher now than it was before Roe vs. Wade was reversed. In March of 2023, 44% of abortion patients at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas traveled more than 250 miles for their services. After the reversal or Roe, Kansas was the first state where voters weighed in on abortion at the ballot box, rejecting a constitutional amendment that could have led to an abortion ban in August 2022. According to President of Great Plains Planned Parenthood Emily Wales, The Pittsburg facility will eventually provide gender-affirming services as well.

The growth in providers situated near state lines has generated new efforts from those opposed to abortion to restrict the practice, calling it "abortion trafficking."  This year, the Kansas Legislature passed bills for statutes that will require abortion providers to ask patients why they are terminating their pregnancies and report the answers to the state, and that will make it a specific crime to coerce someone into having an abortion.

Independence Community College announces their new Assistant Vice President of Business Affairs.

Keith Stone, who attended Independence High School, is slated to start in this position sometime this month. Interim President Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo says Stone brings a wealth of experience in accounting and business, enhancing the strength of their leadership team.

Stone is a Certified Public Accountant with a B.B.A. in Accounting from Abilene Christian University. He has also completed the Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business program at MIT Management Sloan School. Stone says his roots in Independence run deep, and he is excited to contribute to the growth and success of the place he calls home.

Wilson County continues to work on clean up from recent severe weather.

County coordinator Kris Marple says there are trees that need to be removed.

The commissioners approved a bid from Falling Tree Services for $1900, which includes the removal of two trees, as well as area clean up and limb removal.

Additional items of business at this week's commission meeting was an update from the county health department, where Director Amy Lell informed commissioners that training is needed to perform school and building inspections.

The Wilson County Commission will next meet on May 22nd at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the County Courthouse in Fredonia.

Area graduations are coming up this weekend and many will be broadcast live on the KGGF family of stations.

On Saturday, Caney High School graduation will begin at 10 a.m. and be broadcast live on the Mighty 690, KGGF, courtesy of Totel CSI, Totah Communications and Independence Community College.

Also on Saturday, Field Kindley High School graduation starts at 10 a.m. as well and will be broadcast on Sonshine 98.9, KQQF.

On Sunday, Independence High School graduation begins at 1 p.m. and will also be broadcast live on Sonshine 98.9, KQQF, courtesy of Independence Community College.

The Labette County Planning Board is holding a public hearing tomorrow.

The hearing will be at the Carnegie Arts Center at 117 South 17^th Street in Parsons and starts at 5:00pm. The Planning Board will hear comments on the proposed adoption of the Land Use Plan and Zoning Regulations for the county.

The 143 page Labette County Zoning Regulation draft can be found here.

***** Update 6:55 p.m. *****

The greatest risk for severe storms with large hail and damaging winds will affect areas of south central Kansas to the south and southeast of Wichita. Hail to around golf ball size is likely in some storms.

Severe storms are possible late this afternoon through tonight for the KGGF listening area, with Sedan and areas to the west seeing a higher risk of severe weather.

The best coverage of storms is expected across southern KS and northern OK this evening.   Potential hazards include 60 to 70 mph winds, quarter to ping pong ball sized hail, heavy rainfall and a tornado possible.  Timing is expected between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. Be sure to have multiple ways of receiving warning information and count on KGGF for severe weather coverage today if needed.

The Osage County Oklahoma Sheriff's Office says they may have found a possible link between Dennis Rader, also known as the serial killer BTK, and the disappearance of a Pawhuska woman in 1976.

 The possible link was found in a crossword puzzle Rader sent to Wichita media nearly 20 years ago. The puzzle spells out the names of Rader's 10 known victims and his home address. Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden says he believes the puzzle also includes the name Cindy Kinney. Kinney disappeared from a Pawhuska laundromat in 1976. Virden first linked Rader to her disappearance nine months ago when he learned Rader had been in the Pawhuska area during that time.

 Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher stated last fall that there was insufficient evidence to link Rader to the Kinney disappearance. After Virden's latest announcement, Fisher says he has not seen the evidence but stated that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation had found no concrete link between the two.

Photo courtesy Osage County Sheriff's Office. Left: Puzzle showing Virden's links. Right: Original puzzle

 Cherryvale residents may notice some road work going on in the city today.

 Repair work is being done on the overpass on Liberty Street beginning today. The street will be down to one-lane of traffic and a flag crew will be on-site. Drivers should expect slight delays in the area.

 A Missouri man is arrested in Independence on outstanding warrants.

 Independence Police along with Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies responded early yesterday morning to serve a warrant in the 200 block of South 1^st street. Officers arrested 25 year old Leevon Harrison of Missouri for Felony Interference with Law Enforcement. Harrison is currently being held in the Montgomery County Department of Corrections.

 The family of a man missing since the May 6 tornado is Barnsdall confirms he has beed found deceased.

 The body that was recovered on Saturday night from Bird Creek just south of Barnsdall has been identified that of 81 year old Kenneth Wayne Hogue. Hogue had not been seen since the EF-4 tornado struck his home last Monday.

 Hogue is one of two people who perished in last week's storms that swept across northeast Oklahoma.

 A Tulsa man who was convicted of buying, possessing or procuring obscene material in 2016 is in trouble with the law again in Bartlesville after failing to make a court appearance in July.

 A warrant was issued for Christopher West's arrest in October and he was taken into custody on Monday. West was given a 10-year suspended sentence in the 2016 case, but the State of Oklahoma opted for a motion to revoke that sentence in 2019. West went on to spend three years in a state penitentiary before being let out in 2022. 

West never showed up for the July court date, but will now have a new court date for next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. His bond was set at $25,00

 Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond files a lawsuit against drug manufacturers alleging unfair and deceptive pricing for insulin.

 Insulin is a hormone that helps convert food into energy and is critical to controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.

Alleging violations of the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, Drummond said manufacturers have significantly raised the prices of their diabetes drugs in lockstep during the last 15 years despite the fact that the costs of producing the critical drugs have diminished.

Drummond says the cost for the manufacturers named in the lawsuit to produce insulin today is less than $2 per vial, according to the filing. The drugs, which sold for $20 in the late 1990s, now range between $300 and $700. In the last decade, the manufacturer defendants have hiked the price of their insulin up to 1,000 percent.

Oklahoma has among the highest rates of diabetes in the nation, with 11 percent of the population or about 450,000 people living with the disease. It is the seventh leading cause of death in Oklahoma despite the availability of effective treatments.

Things to do in Southeast Kansas

• Commencement ceremonies take place this weekend in Coffeyville and Independence. Field Kindley's Class of 2024 will graduate on Saturday morning at 10am in the FKHS gym. Independence graduates will receive their diplomas on Sunday at 1pm at Memorial Hall.

• Labette County high School is presenting “A Night Among the Stars”. The show begins at 7pm Friday night at the Parsons Municipal Auditorium.

• Parsons State Hospital is having a hiring event Wednesday from 10am to 6pm. There will be on-site interviews, so job-seekers should bring any information they might need to complete an application. The event happens at the Wall Events Center at 26-05 Main in Parsons.

• The 31^st Annual Youth Fishing Derby at LeClere Park in Coffeyville happens this Sunday. Registration begins at 1pm and fishing starts at 1:30pm with free hot dogs at 3pm. Kids through age 16 are eligible to attend and admission is free.

• The Cherry Blossom Festival gets underway Thursday in Cherryvale. Festivities kick off at 6:30pm in Logan with the Queen, Little Miss & Little Mister pageant. Friday will feature the Cherry Blossom Parade at 5:30pm. the parade begins downtown and ends at Logan Park. From 6:30 to 9pm is Music in the Park with Worship Calling. a pulled pork dinner will be available at 6pm. On Saturday, the 5K Run starts things off at 7am at the swimming pool. From 8am to 1pm there will be a Car Show downtown with judging at 11am. From 9am to 3pm there will be vendors, activities and food trucks, including bingo in the Chamber Office. From 6:30pm to 9pm there will be Music in the Park with Straight Away. The Tri Mee food truck will also be on site. On Sunday, join Micah Booe at the bandstand for Church in the Park at 10:30am.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is launching a listening campaign to hear from Crawford County residents about the current challenges and potentials for the U.S. 69 Highway Study in the county.

KDOT is inviting the public to attend any of the four in-person open houses or the virtual open house. The in-person open houses will take place at different locations along U.S. 69 in Crawford County. Each event will have the same information, with study team members available to answer questions from the public. There will be no formal presentations and those attending can drop by at any time.

The first two open houses will take place tomorrow in Pittsburg. One will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium, and the second will be in the Pittsburg High School from 4 to 7 p.m.

On Friday, an open house will take place at the Palluccas Event Hall in Frontenac from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m then at Northeast High School in Arma from 4 to 7 p.m.

The City of Coffeyville Water Department begins filling the pools at Big Hill Splash.

City Manager Tim Wilson says some positive changes are coming to the aquatic center.  Wilson says the Water Department crews have worked hard to make sure Big Hill Splash will open up on time this year.