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The rapid expansion of wild pig populations, and the destruction they bring, is one of rural America’s greatest threats. Spurred by rabbit-like reproductive rates, the nation’s feral pig numbers have grown from an estimated 2 million to as many as 9 million animals during the past 20 years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the annual damage to agriculture nationwide by the four-legged rototillers is estimated at $2.5 billion. Damage to wildlife habitat, wetlands and anything earthen, such as runways and important flood-control dikes, may add another billion in damages. Kansas was not immune to the spread of wild pigs. Like Missouri, [...]

Students at Winfield High School will face new rules this year aimed at reducing distractions and improving safety, school officials said. The biggest change is a ban on cell phones, smartwatches, and AirPods during the school day. School leaders say the constant use of personal technology has made it harder for students to focus and learn. Read more: KSN-TV

Harvey County has approved a temporary ban on new commercial battery energy storage systems in rural parts of the county. The moratorium, approved by the Harvey County Commission on Tuesday, blocks new applications, permits, and construction for commercial battery storage, generation, and distribution projects until Jan. 1, 2028, or until new regulations are adopted. County officials say the pause is needed to review and update zoning rules and the county’s comprehensive plan. The current regulations do not fully address commercial battery facilities outside of certain designated areas, the county says. Read more: KSN-TV

Wichita City Council decided against adding the nearly 100-year-old Crown Uptown Theatre to its historic registry in a contentious vote at its Tuesday meeting. The Council voted down the motion in a divided 3-3 vote for placing the College Hill structure on its Register of Historic Places, which means the potential demolition of the building could move forward. Read more: Wichita Business Journal - Local Wichita News

City of Washington residents can now have chickens. The city ordinance that allows chickens was approved by the council on July 7 and published. The city council voted 3-2 back in May to proceed with plans to draft an ordinance to allow chickens, but residents could not have chickens until the new ordinance was drafted, approved and published. Read more: Backroads News | Washington County News

The purchase agreement includes a $1 million cash payment. The remaining $11.2 million balance will be paid off with the money from a Community Improvement District and the increase in the Transient Guest Tax, which is estimated will take about 20 years to gain back the city’s investment. Source: CJonline

The Sunflower State Games and Fiesta Topeka are filling the capital city with energy and visitors. Visit Topeka says events like these are making a noticeable difference in the local economy. "On the fiesta side, you know, that has traditionally been about 50,000 to 60,000 people in attendance over the multi-week activation they do. So, for us, that's about two and a half to three and a half million dollars in direct visitor spend," Visit Topeka President Sean Dixon said. "We've got more than 5,000 registered participants in the state games. So, between 250 and 500,000 right there over that two-week [...]

The Wichita City Council voted to suspend a city board focused on civil rights, diversity and inclusion on Tuesday, responding to pressure by the Trump administration to cut so-called DEI programs or lose federal funding. Trump’s executive order earlier this year aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs put hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding at risk for the city. Read more: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

Live chickens will remain off limits in Iola. At least for the time being. Iola City Council members voted 4-3 against a motion to allow residents to raise live chickens within city limits. That the chicken referendum even came to a vote was a bit of a surprise. Read more: The Iola Register

The Allen County Historical Society’s summer meeting Saturday will cover a state road that helped shape the area’s development in the 1860s. Meanwhile, the ACHS museum is part of a Sunflower Summer tourism campaign. Iolan Bob Hawk will talk Saturday about how an early road helped Allen County’s growing communities develop in a rapidly changing Kansas frontier. Hawk will speak about the Elizabethtown to Cofachique State Road’s origins at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Allen County Historical Society’s summer meeting. The program will be at the Frederick Funston Meeting Hall, 207 N. Jefferson Ave. in Iola. Read more: The Iola Register