President Joe Biden's proposed transportation bill includes billions more for Amtrak. It could mean trains could once again run through Wichita. The map Amtrak released Wednesday shows proposed routes if funding is increased. It includes a passenger line running from Wichita, through Oklahoma City and down to Texas. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said it could be a boost for the city. "It would not only be an economic boom for us but help us keep airline prices down. It would give more options and opportunities for Wichitans," said Mayor Whipple. Amtrak has not served Wichita directly since 1979. Source: KSN-TV

The City of Wichita will continue to require employees and visitors to all city facilities, including those who have received a vaccination, to wear masks, practice safe social distancing, and limit attendance at city facilities until further notice. On Thursday, Kansas legislators revoked an order aimed at encouraging counties to keep mask mandates amid the coronavirus pandemic, just hours after Gov. Laura Kelly issued it. Kelly’s order Thursday required people to wear masks indoors at businesses and public spaces and outdoors when they can’t socially distance. State law gives counties the final say, but her order meant that elected county commissions had [...]

More than two dozen Kansas airports are getting grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The U.S. Department of Transportation says $627.7 million of FAA grants are going to airports across the United States. Kansas is getting more than $18 million of it. Today’s grant announcement includes 449 grants to 390 airports. “These grants are an investment in safety and continued innovation,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson in a news release. “Every airport in every community plays a vital role in our air transportation system.” Some Kansas airports are getting a lot of money. Goodland is getting $3.1 million to reconstruct runways. [...]