Derek Nester

About the author

Derek Nester was born and raised in Blue Rapids and graduated from Valley Heights High School in 2000. He attended Cowley College in Arkansas City and Johnson County Community College in Overland Park studying Journalism & Media Communications. In 2002 Derek joined Taylor Communications, Inc. in Salina, Kansas working in digital media for 550 AM KFRM and 100.9 FM KCLY. Following that stop, he joined Dierking Communications, Inc. stations KNDY AM & FM as a board operator and fill-in sports play-by-play announcer. Starting in 2005 Derek joined the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network as a Studio Coordinator at 101 The Fox in Kansas City, a role he would serve for 15 years culminating in the Super Bowl LIV Championship game broadcast. In 2020 he moved to Audacy, formerly known as Entercom Communications, Inc. and 106.5 The Wolf and 610 Sports Radio, the new flagship stations of the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network, the largest radio network in the NFL. Through all of this, Derek continues to serve as the Digital Media Director for Sunflower State Radio, the digital and social media operations of Dierking Communications, Inc. and the 6 radio stations it owns and operates across Kansas.

Kansas Takes Down Missouri In Border Showdown 73-64

LAWRENCE, KAN. – The No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks faced the Missouri Tigers Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse in a rematch of the Border Showdown series. Missouri...

Carter Leads Four Wildcats in Double Figures in 75-60 win at LSU

Via K-State Athletics BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana native Cam Carter led four Wildcats in double figures with a game-high 21 points, as Kansas State ran its winning...

Heartland Flyer Passenger Rail Expansion Moves Forward in Kansas

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the proposed extension of the Heartland Flyer passenger rail corridor is among the projects selected by the Federal Railroad...

No. 2 Kansas to Host Missouri Saturday in HyVee Hoops Border Showdown

Via Kansas Athletics LAWRENCE, Kan. – No. 2 Kansas (8-1) concludes its four-game homestand when it hosts Missouri (7-2) in the HyVee Hoops Border Showdown on...

Jeff Grimes Named Kansas Football Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator

Via Kansas Athletics LAWRENCE, Kan. – Jeff Grimes, a coaching veteran with 30 years of experience and more than 15 bowl games coached, has been named...

Wichita man sentenced after dealing narcotics out of hotel

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to five years in prison for having firearms while dealing illegal narcotics. According to court documents, Alexander...

New Beloit City Manager Announced

Mayor Tom Naasz and the Beloit City Council report that Halley Roberson is their approved candidate to be Beloit’s next City Manager. At its...

Kansas Geological Survey says 18% to 32% cut in groundwater pumping may stabilize aquifer

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector December 6, 2023 TOPEKA — The Kansas Geological Survey reported Wednesday groundwater levels in the High Plains Aquifer could be...

Kansas disciplinary panel dismisses complaint against judge who authorized newspaper raid

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector December 6, 2023 TOPEKA — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct has dismissed a complaint against magistrate Laura Viar for...

Statement From K-State AD Gene Taylor Regarding Nae’Qwan Tomlin

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The following statement was released by director of athletics Gene Taylor on Wednesday night (December 6) regarding senior men's basketball player...

Perry’s 3-pointer Lifts K-State Past Villanova, 72-71, in Overtime

Via K-State Athletics MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior Tylor Perry's step back 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in overtime proved to be difference in a back and forth affair,...

K-State Hosts Villanova in Big 12/Big East Battle Tuesday

Complete Release Available Here 2023-24 Record Book Available Here 2023-24 TV/Radio Speed Chart Available Here GAME 9 KANSAS STATE (6-2) vs VILLANOVA (6-3) Tuesday, December 5, 2023 >> 6 p.m. CT >>...

Kansas to Retire Two Jerseys in 2023-24 Beginning with Thomas Robinson, Dec. 9

Via Kansas Athletics LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s basketball will retire two jerseys during upcoming home games starting with Thomas Robinson Dec. 9 when the...

No. 2 Kansas Hosts Kansas City Tuesday

Via Kansas Athletics LAWRENCE, Kan. – Fresh off its 69-65 win against No. 4 Connecticut, No. 2 Kansas (7-1) will play its third of four-straight home...

New iPhone/iPad App Updates Available; Android App Updated Coming Soon

Sunflower State Radio is excited to announce that an update is available to our radio station apps for users of iPhones and iPads, with...

As school lunch debt climbs in Kansas, advocates push to make sure kids don’t go hungry at school

By Suzanne Perez - Kansas News Service WICHITA, Kansas — As first-graders file through the cafeteria line at Earhart Elementary School in Wichita, they pick up...

Kansas state tax revenue slips $13.7 million below revised estimate for fiscal year

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector December 4, 2023 TOPEKA — The state treasury in Kansas received $13.7 million less in tax revenue from income, sales...

Farm Bureau Insight: Making Fundraising Fun

By Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancher This past weekend Kansas Farm Bureau leaders from across the state gathered for our annual meeting. It...

Children’s Mercy Park to host major international match as venue for Copa America next summer

Children’s Mercy Park will welcome two of the top national teams from the North and South American regions as a host venue for a...

Z-96.3 The Lake Top 10 This Week – 11/27 – 12/3

Top 10 Songs - November 27 thru December 3, 2023 Fast Car by Luke Combs Flowers by Miley Cyrus Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift Dance...

KD Country 94 Top 10 This Week – 11/27 – 12/3

Top 10 Songs - November 27 thru December 3, 2023 Can't Have Mine by Dylan Scott The Painter by Cody Johnson Creek Will Rise...

Today’s Country 95.5 KNDY Top 10 This Week – 11/27 – 12/3

Top 10 Songs - November 27 thru December 3, 2023 Can't Have Mine by Dylan Scott Everything I Love by Morgan Wallen Fast Car...

Farmers and ranchers elect vice president, complete business at KFB’s 105th annual meeting

MANHATTAN — Nearly 400 Farm Bureau members of Kansas on Monday wrapped up business for their farm organization during Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) 105th...

Officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Monday morning at an apartment complex in...

K-State to Play in Pop-Tarts Bowl Against NC State

Via K-State Sports K-State will be playing in the state of Florida for just the seventh time ever and the first since a 28-24 victory...

Kansas to Play UNLV in Guaranteed Rate Bowl on December 26

Via Kansas Athletics LAWRENCE, Kan. – Making their second bowl appearance in as many seasons, the Kansas Jayhawks will play the UNLV Rebels in the 2023...

K-State Comes Up Clutch in Overtime over North Alabama, 75-74

Via K-State Athletics MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State scored 13 straight points, including the last 5 in regulation to force overtime, as the Wildcats seized the...

Major fentanyl and methamphetamine seizure in Wichita

SEDGWICK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s (KBI) Joint Fentanyl Impact Team announced they made a major seizure of illegal drugs. On Wednesday, Nov....

K-State Students Participate in Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Six Kansas State University students traveled to Taiwan in November 2023 to represent the state as part of the Taiwan Agricultural...

Nearly $15M Available to Connect Kansans to Digital Devices and Public Wi-Fi

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that applications are open for the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. A total of $14.7 million...

Categories