Decreased demand due to the pandemic is forcing Amtrak to make cuts to its passenger rail trains, including the Southwest Chief which serves several Kansas communities. Southwest Chief operates between Chicago and Los Angeles seven days a week currently, which includes six Kansas communities: Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City and Garden City. Starting October 12, the Southwest Chief will operate three days a week. “We regret the impact of these planned changes on our customers, employees, and communities across the nation and we hope to restore some or all of this service back to daily in 2021,” Stephen J. Gardner, Amtrak Senior Executive Vice President and Chief of Operating and Commercial Officer said.
Source: KSN-TV

Even though the pandemic slows down many efforts in 2020, the City of Wichita continues to make downtown the place to be. Many driving on Douglas in the area in the last few years may have noticed its continued growth and development both visually and economically. Older and mostly unoccupied office buildings along the downtown strip are starting to see new life as apartments, hotels, parking lots, and new commercial and retail spaces. The City of Wichita says it will continue to develop and re-purpose areas near downtown, Oldtown, and Delano to encourage economic growth by promoting foot traffic, adding aesthetic value, and finding space for those who want to enjoy downtown working and living. 
Source: KSN-TV

With the school year starting back up, numerous schools are offering a variety of learning platforms.  Traditional learning versus remote live learning. While some parents prefer sending their kids back to school, others are bringing the classroom home. Laura Tawater has a daughter in eighth grade, learning in a traditional classroom setting. She says her daughter learns better from in-person instruction and the social contact she gets from being at school can’t be replicated from behind a screen. “She’s been at home for five months so she’s been really excited to get back to school, see her friends, engage in sports,” said Tawater.
Source: KSN-TV