KS - June 6 2025
Graduation rate metrics questioned; Furloughs extended for workers; State can negotiate gaming compact; Pushing for greater farm exports; Pacers stun Thunder
Kansas School Finance Task Force Questions Graduation Rate Metrics
Spirit AeroSystems Extends Boeing 737 Worker Furloughs Through July
Attorney General Kobach: Kansas Can Legally Negotiate Gaming Compact with Wyandotte Nation
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Pushes for Greater Kansas Farm Exports to Italy
Pacers Stun Thunder in NBA Finals Opener with Buzzer-Beater
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1. Kansas School Finance Task Force Questions Graduation Rate Metrics
A Kansas Legislature task force examining public school funding is divided over whether graduation rates should serve as a key measure of student achievement following allegations of grade manipulation at Wichita Southeast High School. The school reported a 12.5 percentage point jump to a record 86.3% graduation rate in 2024, but its principal was replaced last week amid suspected grade fixing that may have helped students meet graduation requirements, prompting Rep. Kristey Williams (R-Augusta) to question the reliability of such metrics while other task force members defended graduation rates as essential indicators of workforce and college readiness.
Kansas Reflector
2. Spirit AeroSystems Extends Boeing 737 Worker Furloughs Through July
Spirit AeroSystems will extend furloughs for up to 350 Wichita employees working on Boeing 737 programs through July 7 as the company continues to manage inventory backlogs and production schedules. The aerospace supplier, which initially furloughed workers on May 12 due to insufficient storage space for aircraft shipments, will rotate affected employees with those who were furloughed last month returning to work while a different group begins furloughs on June 9, according to union representatives.
KWCH
3. Attorney General Kobach: Kansas Can Legally Negotiate Gaming Compact with Wyandotte Nation
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has issued an opinion stating Governor Laura Kelly is legally obligated under federal law to negotiate in good faith with the Wyandotte Nation for a casino compact that could include sports betting on tribal land. Kobach determined that such negotiations would not violate Kansas laws governing the state's four non-tribal casinos or conflict with existing compacts with four tribes currently operating gaming facilities in Kansas, prompting Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend to express appreciation for the attorney general's affirmation of the tribe's position.
Kansas Reflector
4. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Pushes for Greater Kansas Farm Exports to Italy
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins concluded a trade mission to Rome aimed at expanding market access for Kansas farmers and other American agricultural producers in Italy's $80 billion food market, where U.S. products currently account for only $1.7 billion in sales. During meetings with Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and more than 50 Italian agricultural industry leaders, Rollins promoted President Trump's America First agricultural trade agenda while emphasizing opportunities for increased exports of Kansas wheat, beef, and other agricultural commodities to European Union consumers.
Rollins also met with United Nations food organization leaders to advocate for science-based trade standards and increased purchases of U.S. agricultural products in international food assistance programs, reinforcing that U.S. taxpayer-funded programs should prioritize American commodities and serve national interests.
USDA
5. Pacers Stun Thunder in NBA Finals Opener with Buzzer-Beater
Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton sank a 21-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining to give the Pacers their first and only lead of the game in a stunning 111-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday night. The dramatic finish marked another improbable comeback for the never-say-die Pacers, who trailed for the entire game before Haliburton's clutch shot silenced the Thunder's home crowd and gave Indiana a crucial road victory to open the championship series.
ESPN
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Sources
- https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/05/kansas-task-force-debates-use-of-graduation-rate-to-gauge-student-success/
- https://www.kwch.com/2025/06/06/spirit-aerosystems-furloughs-continue-into-next-month-hundreds-working-boeing-737/
- https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/06/kansas-attorney-general-state-can-legally-negotiate-gaming-compact-with-wyandotte-nation/
- https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401766122