Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Friday said current economic conditions are complicating the approach to interest rates, with policymakers facing a potentially long-lasting inflation shock and a labor market with no job growth that nonetheless appears stable. Against that backdrop, Waller said the Fed could have to stay on hold for a prolonged period until the economic direction becomes clearer. Read more: CNBC Bonds

A new study that followed thousands through their lives found no evidence that fluoride in drinking water had a negative effect on young people's IQs. Researchers found that children exposed to fluoridated water did not experience lower IQ or reduced cognitive performance later in life, according to findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research followed more than 10,000 people in Wisconsin, tracking fluoride exposure during childhood and measuring cognitive performance over decades. Participants were tested at age 16 and again throughout adulthood into their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.The result: no measurable difference between people [...]

Crews contained a wildfire that started at a dairy in west Kansas on Sunday. The fire started around 1:15 p.m. at Syracuse Dairy. The Kansas Forest Service said embers from burning hay bales and silage spread to grass nearby. Winds gusting up to 40 mph caused the fire to spread. An estimated 10 to 15 haystacks burned, but the exact number is unknown because of heavy smoke. Read more: KSN-TV

Reno County is improving its emergency response by opening two newly built emergency medical services station. An open house was held Friday for the new station near Fifth Avenue and Adams Street in Hutchinson. EMS Chief Dave Johnston said the new stations were built in some high-traffic areas to help EMS improve response time. Read more: KSN-TV

Residents and history buffs of Lyon County traveled the historic Santa Fe Trail Saturday, albeit a bit differently than back in the day. Rather than riding horses and buggies, residents gathered for a bus tour of the trail that stretched from Allen to Wilmington with several stops along the way to view historic sites in the area. Organizer Jan Huston says the tour was not just about educating participants at the trail itself, but also about our own local history. She noted that of the thousands of individuals who utilized the trail, many played a vital role in the founding of [...]

The city of Emporia is encouraging homeowners to apply for Home Repair grants if they qualify — and if the city gets grant funding for the overall project. Funds will help with what are called essential home repairs “to improve safety, livability and energy efficiency” like gutter work, roofing, heating, electrical systems, windows, plumbing and insulation. Qualifying homeowners must be deeded and the occupant of the home. The property has to be located in the Emporia city limits, be on a permanent foundation and need eligible repairs. There are income qualifications — homes with four or fewer residents have a limit [...]

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is expressing dissatisfaction this week over the lack of progress made on water legislation in the statehouse this year. Water is drying up in the Sunflower State, as research shows some communities could run out of fresh water in as little as 25 years. Water supply issues in Kansas include multiple reservoirs filling up with sediment and the drying up of the Ogallala Aquifer underground. Kelly identified water as a top priority for the 2026 legislative session, but it ultimately got lost in the shuffle of bills passed this spring. Kelly told our Kansas Capitol Bureau she [...]

Riley County had its first nuisance abatement trial last week, but the legal matter might not be fully resolved for another five to six years, the county commission learned Monday. The multi-year timeline, county counselor Jacob Hansen told commissioners, would be for the entire appeals process if the case went all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court. However, Hansen said he’s hopeful the initial Riley County District Court portion of the case would have some clarity soon. District Magistrate Judge John McNish took the case under advisement after a four-hour bench trial Friday, Hansen said. Read more: News Radio KMAN

Fairway is trying to clamp down on unlicensed short-term rentals, even as the city expects a spike in property owners renting out homes during this summer’s World Cup. City officials say they anticipate the number of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals to double or even triple during the month of the World Cup this summer. But a new Kansas state law makes a Fairway city ordinance limiting such rentals temporarily unenforceable during the global soccer tournament. So, last week, city officials took a new tack, approving much steeper penalties for unlicensed rentals as a means to regulate the properties. Read more: [...]

Leaders from Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools came together to tackle some of the community’s biggest challenges. At Monday’s tri-government meeting, leaders emphasized the importance of working together across all levels of local government. Wichita’s City Manager Dennis Marstall says one of the top priorities is building a stronger future workforce, starting with students. Read more: KSN-TV