Wichita could become one of the first cities in Kansas to recycle and reuse wastewater for drinking. The Wichita City Council approved a nearly $1.2 million study to figure out how the city could implement recycling and reusing water from its wastewater treatment plants. The recycled water could go for industrial uses as non-potable water or go back into the drinking water supply from direct potable reuse water. Source: Homepage

The City of Newton and Harvey County share maintenance responsibilities for the differing sides of E. First Street. The city also upkeeps a section of the road stretching out to Hillside. The county has the responsibility to upkeep the road from Hillside on. Due to existing and possible development at the Kansas Logistics Park, as well as the airport, the city has sought to expand and improve E. First Street from Newton to Oliver. As the city and county co-own both the airport and the Logistics Park, the city asked the county to share in the costs of the entire study. [...]

Amazon shoppers in Kansas City, Kansas, could soon have their packages delivered by drone. On Monday, the Unified Government Planning Commission approved a final development plan for Amazon.com Inc. to add a drone delivery launch area to its existing fulfillment center at 6925 Riverview Ave. Source: Kansas City Business News - Local Kansas City News | Kansas City Business Journal

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) is launching a new initiative to reduce violent crime in the Capital City this year. Dan Garrett with the City of Topeka announced in a press release the TPD will be launching the Police and Community Together initiative this month. The PACT program aims to increase community safety, involvement and engagement. The TPD will host a community kickoff picnic from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 at the Little Oakland Park at 900 Northeast Chester Avenue. People will have a chance to meet with TPD Chief Chris Vallejo, his senior command staff and [...]

A dog park is coming to Humboldt.  At their meeting Monday evening, City Council members approved a two-part park — one section for smaller dogs and the other for larger dogs — in the southwest corner of town at the intersection of First and Pine streets.  Source: The Iola Register

In the Manhattan city limits, the county’s new regulations on fireworks will not apply. On Monday, Riley County officials proposed an updated resolution that would extend the sale of fireworks by a couple days and increase the fee for a fireworks' sales permit. The updates follow Senate Bill 199, which passed in April. It permits the year-round sale of fireworks for permanent retailers and extends the sale for seasonal vendors. However, counties retain the authority to regulate when to sell and discharge fireworks, and Riley County's commissioners discussed Monday that the county will just extend the firework sales window by a couple [...]

If approved, the district would build two new elementary schools, renovate Oak Street Elementary into a learning center to provide pre-K options, and improve the fine arts and athletic facilities. The bond would also invest in safety, security, and infrastructure districtwide. Source: KSN-TV

Avery Moore will serve as the next assistant city manager, according to a press release from the City of Topeka. Moore holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a master's degree in management and is a Ph.D. candidate in leadership at Liberty University. Prior to joining the City of Topeka, Moore worked as a chief of police in Washington State. Source: KSNT 27 News

Panasonic announced Friday that it would make major cuts to its global workforce. But local officials said they continue to ramp up to begin EV battery production at the company's new plant in De Soto. During an investor call Friday, the Japanese company announced it would cut 10,000 jobs globally, representing roughly 4% of its total workforce. Panasonic plans to cut about 5,000 jobs in Japan and 5,000 jobs internationally by end of the company’s fiscal year, which ends in 2026. Source: Kansas City Business News - Local Kansas City News | Kansas City Business Journal

Wichita City Council members vocalized support toward securing sustainable funding for the city’s Affordable Housing Fund Thursday night at the second annual Nehemiah Assembly. The Sedgwick County Commission Chair also committed his support to expanding the city’s municipal ID program to all county residents.  The assembly, hosted by Justice Together, a grassroots coalition of interfaith communities, announces the organization’s policy pursuits. Last year, the group asked officials to commit to the municipal ID program – which launched this spring – and work on sustainable funding for the multi-agency center, Wichita’s year-round homeless services center known as the MAC. The ID program [...]