info2026-02-02T08:13:25-06:00February 2nd, 2026|
Synopsis: K.S.A. 12-16,140 and 12-16,141 obligate state and local law enforcement officers to cooperate with federal immigration officials and to honor ICE detainer requests on the basis of such cooperation. State and local law enforcement officers are also authorized to arrest illegal aliens in cooperation with federal immigration officials. Read more: Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2026-2
info2026-01-29T14:07:51-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Lawrence has already fallen short of its 2025 goal for fully powering municipal operations with renewable energy, and city staff say this, along with other targets, is unrealistic and lacks a clear path on how to achieve them. Now, staff want to recommend repealing an ordinance passed in 2020 outlining all of these goals. Read more: LJWorld.com
info2026-01-29T13:47:10-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Reporting directly to the City Commission, the City Manager is responsible for the overall administration of City government and supervision of department heads. The City Manager plays a critical role in budget development, infrastructure planning, and organizational leadership. Key responsibilities include: Directing and coordinating all City departments and operations Preparing and administering the annual budget Providing leadership in public finance and long-term fiscal planning Overseeing infrastructure planning, capital improvement projects, and utility operations Managing human resources functions, including recruitment, employee relations, and organizational development Advising the City Commission on policy matters and operational impacts Promoting transparency, accountability, and effective communication throughout [...]
info2026-01-29T09:53:35-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Why is Hillsboro Industries in Newton? Housing, for one. Last week, local elected officials, city staff, business owners and others involved in economic development heard from and asked questions to a panel including GAF VP Tommy Richardson and Hillsboro Industries CEO Michael Gerkin. Both individuals answered the question about what made Newton attractive to their companies. “Newton had a strategic plan, and Newton’s doing housing,” he said. Gerkin said the lack of available housing made them begin to look outside of Hillsboro, where the company began. As part of their search, they traveled up and down I-135, considering a location. Read [...]
info2026-01-29T09:51:31-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Panasonic is exploring a potential shift at its De Soto battery plant as electric-vehicle sales slow and artificial intelligence data centers create new energy storage opportunities. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal
info2026-01-29T09:48:20-06:00January 29th, 2026|
On Tuesday, the House Elections Committee held hearings on House Bill 2452, a proposal to increase accountability in local government by moving all Kansas elections to even-numbered years. Currently, most local elections are held in odd-numbered years, often seeing voter turnout below 20 percent and even falling into the single digits in many communities. The bill aims to boost participation and ensure elected officials are accountable to a broader electorate. Chairman Pat Proctor noted that a previous effort to move local elections from spring to November in odd years failed to increase turnout, with some areas still seeing fewer than 10 [...]
info2026-01-29T09:47:30-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Organizers released the route map for this year’s Biking Across Kansas on Saturday. The annual group bike ride from one end of the state to the other will take place in June. This year’s route will travel from the Colorado border to the Missouri border on a southern path. The route mainly travels along U.S. Highway 160 Highway, with some deviations onto U.S. 56, U.S. 400 and other highways along the way. Read more: KSN-TV
info2026-01-29T09:46:30-06:00January 29th, 2026|
City of Lawrence staff will make recommendations to commissioners to repeal a 2020 renewable energy ordinance and instate a new resolution aiming to attain climate neutrality by 2050, which would be tied to a countywide climate plan. Kathy Richardson, the city’s sustainability director, said that climate neutrality is defined by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding greenhouse gas use in government operations and throughout the community. This would mean Lawrence has a net-zero emission level. The resolution hasn’t been drafted yet, as staff members want to first gauge commissioners’ interest in pursuing a revised project while sunsetting the ordinance. Read more: [...]
info2026-01-29T09:44:58-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Six viral diseases — including COVID-19, the flu and norovirus — have been found at high concentrations in Lawrence wastewater as Kansas communities face peak flu season. COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus have all been detected at high concentrations in Lawrence wastewater within the last three weeks. Wastewater data indicates trends of illnesses spreading within a community but does not correlate to exact case numbers, with doctors saying it’s normal to see high concentrations of respiratory illness during flu season. “Wastewater data does not measure individual cases, but it provides a reliable picture of how much virus is circulating in [...]
info2026-01-29T09:41:52-06:00January 29th, 2026|
Humanities Kansas announces the five Kansas museums participating in “History Makers: The Future is Now,” an innovative statewide strategic planning initiative for rural museums from Humanities Kansas. Inspired by American’s 250th, “History Makers” recognizes the importance of local history in telling America’s stories. Franklin County Historical Society in Ottawa; Lincoln County Historical Society in Lincoln; Miners Hall Museum in Franklin; Scott County Historical Society in Scott City; and Wabaunsee County Historical Society in Alma; were selected through a competitive process to participate in the year-long initiative. As part of “History Makers,” the five museums will participate in statewide and local meetings [...]
