Firefighters across southwest Kansas are preparing for another dangerous day as massive wildfires continue burning. After four straight days of fast‑moving fires across Kansas and Oklahoma, some departments are now dealing with injuries within their own crews while still trying to protect communities. Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Topeka is looking for public comment to improve its housing and community development efforts. The City of Topeka announced in a press release on May 18 that it's expecting $12 million over the next five years in federal funding to support housing, neighborhood improvements, public services and community development projects. City officials now want feedback from residents to guide how to best use the funds. Read more: KSNT 27 News

The Reno County Planning Commission reviewed possible changes to parking and off-street loading requirements in county zoning rules during its Thursday, May 14, meeting. County Planner Mark Vonachen said the proposal was spurred by how often the planning commission waives those requirements as part of conditional use permits because a business doesn’t need as much parking as county rules normally require. To alleviate that, he suggested removing parking minimums from the baseline requirements and instead making them part of conditions for approval of permits. That would give the planning commission the ability to tailor parking requirements to each project. Read more: [...]

A few spaces are exempt from Kansas’ new bathroom law that requires people to use the facilities in government buildings that match their sex assigned at birth, Attorney General Kris Kobach said in an opinion he released Wednesday. Kobach’s opinion, which carries no legal authority, exempted some government spaces — such as skilled nursing rooms at the Kansas Office of Veterans’ Services — from complying with the bathroom law that went into effect in February. Read more: The Lawrence Times

Maize's population is expected to reach 10,000 by 2030 as the city pursues commercial development to match its residential boom. Read more: Wichita Business Journal

As efforts to gain the upper hand on fires in Clark and Meade counties continue Friday morning, there’s a piece of good news as the evacuation order for the city of Meade has been lifted. Read more: KWCH

The city of Wichita is making preparations for opening weekend, but a lifeguard shortage could change operations at city pools this summer. The staffing issue is not limited to Kansas. Read more: KWCH

Park City City Council voted on Tuesday to allow certain businesses to sell alcohol nearly around the clock during the FIFA World Cup. The temporary expansion of alcohol sales during the tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. KSN’s Jasmin Adous explains what businesses qualify and when they are allowed to pour drinks. The expanded alcohol sales only apply to bars and restaurants. They can serve drinks from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next day during the tournament. Read more: KSN-TV

Both Ellis and Victoria are making strides in residential housing and infrastructure development. According to the Grow Hays Annual Report 2025, five new homes are now under construction in Ellis, and four more are planned for 2026. In Victoria, marking the first new residential development since 2010, the Knights Addition infrastructure is completed, creating 11 new residential lots. Read more: Hays Daily News

Eudora voters will decide in November whether to continue an existing city sales tax to instead go toward public safety after the City Commission Monday night approved putting the issue on the ballot. The city for 20 years has charged a 0.5% sales tax to pay off debt from building the Community Center and pool. That debt will be paid off this year, but city staff recommended continuing the tax to support public safety equipment and infrastructure.  Continuing the sales tax and shifting its focus to public safety would help the city accomplish one of its top priorities for 2027, funding [...]