The city of Emporia is encouraging homeowners to apply for Home Repair grants if they qualify — and if the city gets grant funding for the overall project. Funds will help with what are called essential home repairs “to improve safety, livability and energy efficiency” like gutter work, roofing, heating, electrical systems, windows, plumbing and insulation. Qualifying homeowners must be deeded and the occupant of the home. The property has to be located in the Emporia city limits, be on a permanent foundation and need eligible repairs. There are income qualifications — homes with four or fewer residents have a limit [...]

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is expressing dissatisfaction this week over the lack of progress made on water legislation in the statehouse this year. Water is drying up in the Sunflower State, as research shows some communities could run out of fresh water in as little as 25 years. Water supply issues in Kansas include multiple reservoirs filling up with sediment and the drying up of the Ogallala Aquifer underground. Kelly identified water as a top priority for the 2026 legislative session, but it ultimately got lost in the shuffle of bills passed this spring. Kelly told our Kansas Capitol Bureau she [...]

Riley County had its first nuisance abatement trial last week, but the legal matter might not be fully resolved for another five to six years, the county commission learned Monday. The multi-year timeline, county counselor Jacob Hansen told commissioners, would be for the entire appeals process if the case went all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court. However, Hansen said he’s hopeful the initial Riley County District Court portion of the case would have some clarity soon. District Magistrate Judge John McNish took the case under advisement after a four-hour bench trial Friday, Hansen said. Read more: News Radio KMAN

Fairway is trying to clamp down on unlicensed short-term rentals, even as the city expects a spike in property owners renting out homes during this summer’s World Cup. City officials say they anticipate the number of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals to double or even triple during the month of the World Cup this summer. But a new Kansas state law makes a Fairway city ordinance limiting such rentals temporarily unenforceable during the global soccer tournament. So, last week, city officials took a new tack, approving much steeper penalties for unlicensed rentals as a means to regulate the properties. Read more: [...]

Leaders from Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools came together to tackle some of the community’s biggest challenges. At Monday’s tri-government meeting, leaders emphasized the importance of working together across all levels of local government. Wichita’s City Manager Dennis Marstall says one of the top priorities is building a stronger future workforce, starting with students. Read more: KSN-TV

The Wichita Police Department showed off its new “drone hive” on Monday. The hive will house three drones and charging stations on the roof of the QuikTrip at Washington Street and Douglas Avenue. QuikTrip donated $600,000 to WPD to set up the hive. That will pay for operations for the first five years, then the city will pay $61,000 every year to maintain it. Police have said that the new location is a hub for street racing and that having the drone hive nearby will improve response across the city. Read more: KSN-TV

Fort Scott’s economic growth plan for the year has hit the ground running, so far, and now, two new businesses are generating new jobs for the city. “It’s all manufacturing, it’s all blue collar. And that’s what our bread and butter is in Bourbon County,” said Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager. Two new businesses coming soon to Fort Scott are what Matkin describes as a perfect fit for the local economy. They’ll bring 260 new industrial jobs into the community over the next couple of years – allowing for more opportunities for stable and well-paying work. Read more: KSNF/KODE | [...]

Haven High School has some new members. Their FFA program just welcomed nine new chicks into the world. The Haven City Council agreed to table and issue a resolution to allow the school to waive its ownership fees and construction fees for building the coop, with the unanimous intention to approve this once the appropriate ordinance is drafted. The chickens will be used to help the FFA students achieve the supervised agricultural experience that they need for the program. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Blue Valley Technologies (BVT) is excited to announce that residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy free public Wi‑Fi at Marysville City Park, just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. This is part of an infrastructure project made possible by a matching grant program through the Kansas Office of Broadband Development’s ADOPT (Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology) Program. The new public Wi‑Fi installation will provide reliable internet access throughout the park, supporting community gatherings, family events, and local activities. It will also enhance security and provide everyday connectivity for parkgoers. Whether sharing photos, accessing information, or staying connected [...]

Firefighters across the state of Kansas responded to multiple wildfires recently, with windy conditions making them difficult to contain. The Kansas Forest Service reports that Tanker 95 and DFMO Williams were released after assisting local crews. Burning silage and hay bales produced embers that spread into nearby grass and continued to spread due to strong winds. The wildfire progress stopped, and crews remained on scene to monitor and patrol. This week shows that the Fire danger is forecasted to be high to very high across much of Kansas, according to the forest service. They remind you if you are conducting a [...]