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Crawford County commissioners vote on a resolution to adopt a moratorium on nuclear power. Commissioners approved it today, Dec 16, and it will be uniform across all unincorporated communities in the county. The moratorium stops any nuclear power projects from being constructed within those communities. It is an extension of the moratoriums currently in place for solar and wind projects, following the November 13 decision by commissioners to block the annexation of Mulberry. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Ark City schools superintendent Ron Ballard announced last week he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year, concluding a 28-year career with USD 470. Ballard shared the decision in a message to staff, saying the choice was not easy but that the timing felt right for both him and USD 470. He said he is proud of the work accomplished during his tenure and grateful to serve alongside staff committed to students. Read more: Cowley Post

The post Iola City Administrator Matt Rehder on Iola’s new data center appeared first on The Iola Register. Read more: The Iola Register

Kansans will no longer pay personal property taxes for such things as off-road vehicles, small trailers and boats. Beginning with the 2026 tax year, Kansans who own off-road vehicles, small trailers, and boats will see their personal property tax bills drop thanks to new exemptions approved under House Bill 2231. While many residents may welcome the savings, the tax relief doesn’t come without some trade-offs. After all, those taxes help public entities provide services. Read more: The Iola Register

The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will review staff recommendations to create a limited tenant right to counsel pilot program for the 2027 fiscal year, despite a renter-led advocacy group’s calls for a program to support all renters facing eviction. Lawrence Tenants, the renter advocacy group, has gone before the county commission multiple times with a proposed ordinance for tenant right to counsel, which would ensure that all renters in the county have access to legal representation throughout an eviction. Despite being in talks about a program for more than a year, the county has not implemented TRTC, and commissioners asked [...]

Manhattan Mayor Karen McCulloh said 2025 saw some major change in the way the city government streamlined its processes for voting on ordinances and resolutions. McCulloh joined Within Reason on News Radio KMAN Thursday to recap some of the highlights of the past year. In June, the commission approved a measure to allow items to be approved on a single reading, rather than two, as had traditionally been done for years. The change was intended to speed up routine or time-sensitive decisions after concerns were raised that city government processes move too slowly. McCulloh said she’s gone back and forth on [...]

A coalition of local leaders and industry experts are looking to sway Airbus to keep its A220 pylon manufacturing in Wichita, though the European planemaker has said it intends to relocate the production line to France. Read more: Wichita Business Journal

As a billionaire businessman who already owns two popular, profitable casinos in Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin Sr. knows a thing or two about what brings in customers. So even though his new Gilley’s entertainment complex in Park City only has pari-mutuel betting — it’s not a casino — he’s transformed his former greyhound park into an entertainment playground that he believes will attract adults and children from around the region. “It’s gonna blow your mind,” Ruffin said. “Everybody’s going to be surprised at what we did at the track. It’s something that even Vegas hasn’t seen yet. It would compete very [...]

The Washington City Council voted in a special meeting last week to proceed with discussions to transition from the current volunteer ambulance service into a 24/7 service that provides countywide ambulance service. The decision came after a 2-2 tie vote with mayor Garett Edgar casting the deciding vote in favor of proceeding. Read more: Backroads News | Washington County News

Salina City Commissioners Tuesday authorized Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz to execute agreements to pause enforcement of a federal judge’s ruling in November Salina’s sign codes are unconstitutional and authorizing appeal of that ruling to the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals. This centers on an ongoing battle between the Cozy Inn and the city over a mural on the north wall of their building, which the city said is not allowed under city sign codes. The court ruling held Salina’s sign codes were unconstitutional based on murals having to be non-commercial. As part of an agreement entered into between the Cozy Inn [...]