Storm drops several inches of snow in Kansas, Missouri

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A winter storm system sweeping across the country Thursday dropped several inches of snow in parts of Kansas and Missouri. The storm began overnight with sleet and freezing rain and fog along a swath from southern Kansas through the middle of Missouri. The National Weather Service says the snow began tapering off in the afternoon in most areas. As of mid-afternoon, Lawrence was reporting 8 inches of snow, while parts of Wichita had 7 inches. In Missouri, Kansas City International Airport reported 7 inches, breaking a record of 6 inches set in 1893. Law enforcement officers responded to hundreds of accidents, with some backing up traffic on interstates near Kansas City and Columbia for hours.