Yes. There are maternity health care deserts in nearly every state in the U.S., including Kansas.  Forty-eight of Kansas’ 105 counties are considered maternity care deserts. More than one-third of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts. This number is higher for rural counties, where nearly 58% of counties lack obstetric clinicians. Maternity care deserts are regions with no obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities.  They are associated with poorer maternal and infant health and higher mortality risks. Counties with maternity care deserts are home to 2.4 million women of reproductive age and 149,000 infants born each year. Residents travel three times longer [...]

Belleville’s grassy lot off the downtown square will soon be revitalized with the help of a $10,000 Networked Community Solutions Grant from Network Kansas. Chris Zach, Republic County Economic Development Director, said he hopes this project brings new life to a once underused lot. “Our vision is to take an underused grassy lot right off the downtown square and turn it into a welcoming gathering space for the community. We wanted to add picnic tables, create a place for food trucks, community events, and eventually add more amenities as funding becomes available,” he said. Read more: KCLY Radio

Chris Scott has been hit by a car while on his bike three times in his life. Maybe three and a half times, depending on the way you look at it. There have been several other close calls he’s had over the years. He’s also encountered reckless and angry drivers who don’t want to share the road with cyclists like him. Scott, who lives in Overland Park, is an endurance cyclist who has competed in multiple long-haul races. He likes to cycle to work in Olathe when the weather cooperates, too. Transportation experts consider individuals like Scott to be vulnerable road [...]

During a meeting earlier in August, the Haysville City Council discussed and eventually voted on an item to place the use of Flock cameras on the November general election ballot. According to The Times-Sentinel, the council voted 4-2 against putting the issue to a public vote. Council member Eric Myers, who voted in favor of the ballot item, had placed it on the agenda. Regarding the city’s eight Flock cameras currently in use, Myers noted he is opposed to spending taxpayer dollars on mass surveillance, with several residents speaking out against the cameras during a period of public comment. Read more: [...]

Can a Wichita property owner demolish a building even if it is on the national historic registry? Yes. The city’s official website confirms that a property owner can demolish a building, even if it is listed on the local, state, and national historic registries. They do, however, have to go through a significant review process to obtain a permit first. Read more: KLC Journal

LaHarpe city employees are getting an earlier start to their workdays this month. City Council members, cognizant of the ongoing spell of hot, dry weather, are directing employees to report to work at 6 a.m. each day, instead of the normal 8 o’clock, so they can end their workday by 3 p.m., when temps are at their hottest. Because of the way the city schedules its work crews, only one employee at a time will be subject to the early schedule. Councilman Scott Kroenke noted workers in extreme heat are at their most vulnerable at the end of the workday, due [...]

The Lindsborg City Council has voted to keep the city’s license-plate reader cameras, despite objections from a few residents who raised concerns about government surveillance and privacy. The cameras provide police with photographs of vehicles entering and leaving the city, but police say they do not have facial recognition or mass surveillance capabilities. Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Officials in the City of Inman are alerting the public to a potential mountain lion sighting near the Motocross and Country Park. While the report remains unconfirmed, local authorities recommend that residents exercise caution when visiting the area. In the event of an encounter with a mountain lion, individuals are advised to remain calm and avoid approaching the animal or attempting to run. Instead, maintain a safe distance and slowly retreat while facing the lion. Please contact local law enforcement to report any sightings once you have reached safety. Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced today that $24.1 million will be awarded to 32 projects to improve intersections and roads across the state through KDOT’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP). “Improving regional connectivity is a vital step in expanding accessibility across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to programs such as the CCLIP, we’re building a strong transportation foundation that will continue to deliver long-lasting benefits in Kansas.” The CCLIP provides funding for cities to make improvements on city connecting links that are on state highways. Selected projects are funded for the state fiscal years 2028 and 2029 selection cycle.  Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Everything Local

City employees working above ground demonstrated how they use a PS4 video game controller to navigate a rover as it goes through sewers while providing closed-circuit TV images of whatever it encounters. Read more: CJonline