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Researchers at KU recently created the Kansas Energy Transition Atlas, a GIS-powered site that features regulatory information for every county in the state. The interactive site allows elected officials, developers, landowners and anyone interested in wind energy to easily find information on wind policy, information about the number of turbines in place, transmission lines and much more. Read more: Univ of Kansas

On the eve of Prairie Village city elections largely defined by whether candidates support or oppose the city’s $30 million municipal complex project, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that had previously stalled the city’s plans to move forward with the plan. Now, city officials say they’re figuring out how to get the project “back on track” even as the city awaits the results of Tuesday’s much-watched city council elections. Read more: Johnson County Post

In addition to its agenda items, the Arma City Council shared exciting news at the tail end of Monday night’s meeting. Plans to build a Casey’s General Store have been approved within city limits. Read more: -Morning Sun

Yesenia Leon-Tejeda, like many people on the frontier of America’s tech boom, is basking in newfound prosperity. Her hometown in northeast Oregon was not long ago known for a former chemical-weapons depot nearby, a state prison on the city’s outskirts and the strip clubs once dotting its main drag. But a growing fleet of Amazon data centers has turned the region around Umatilla into an unlikely nerve center for one of the most expensive infrastructure build-outs in U.S. history. Read more: WSJ.com: US Business

Riley County officials invited the public to review and comment on the latest draft of the county’s comprehensive plan, officially titled “Riley County Together 2040.” The plan will replace the county’s existing Vision 2025 plan, outlining land-use goals, growth priorities and ways to implement those strategies through 2040. County planner Amanda Webb told commissioners Monday the draft plan is available for viewing on the county’s website. Read more: News Radio KMAN

The Lyon County Commission approved a premium pay policy for exempt employees who go above and beyond during certain emergencies. The premium pay option requires that an exempt employee, a salaried county employee who typically does not receive overtime pay, work 60 or more hours in a week. This work may include time spent in Lyon County or assisting other counties with emergency response. Read more: www.emporiagazette.com

Sedgwick’s newest police officer isn’t a typical rookie. At 35 years old, Kyle Woods comes with experience in ballistics lab testing, forensics training, and insight from long-time law enforcement family members. Sedgwick Police Chief Bryan Hall worked with Woods at the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and in the NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) program. Hall said that when he hires officers, he first looks for high integrity and then to see if there is a cultural fit. He said that without a servant’s heart and caring for the community, they won’t be a good fit for [...]

Leawood officials are asking the public to weigh in on a more specific plan for the site of its earliest government buildings, now that the city council has decided to raze the original city hall at 96th Street and Lee Boulevard. The public will get a first look at a preliminary site plan for public gathering and green space at an open-house meeting 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at The Wave at 106, 10603 Lee Blvd. The preliminary plan, drawn up by BBN Architects and based on a city council discussion last month, will be a more detailed [...]

Shawnee recently awarded a grant loan to help a local coffee shop bring its business downtown. On Monday, the Shawnee City Council voted 5-3 to approve a $50,000 grant loan to Current State Coffee Roasters to help with renovations at its future location at 11217 Johnson Drive. Councilmembers Tony Gillette, Mike Kemmling and Jacklynn Walters were in dissent. The money comes from the Shawnee Entrepreneurial and Economic Development grant program, or SEED, which is a city-run program that provides one-time payments in the form of forgivable loans to businesses as part of the city’s efforts to encourage expansion of existing businesses [...]

Do you have pumpkins from the Halloween Holiday sitting around your house, and you’re not sure what to do with them?  The Clay Center Zoo would be happy to take them off your hands for the zoo animals. Garett Payne, Zoo Curator, said pumpkins are a special treat for most all the animals at the zoo, either for eating or playing with. Donating pumpkins to zoos or farms helps reduce food waste while providing many animals with a nutritious food source at no cost. Read more: KCLY Radio