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The Riley County Jail has been operating close to its maximum capacity for several years, and this year has exceeded its population limit, with the average daily population increasing by 12% to 15% since 2019. Riley County Police Department Lt. Jason Deehr told the Riley County Law Enforcement Agency Board Monday that while the jail’s bed count for inmates is 147, its actual operational capacity according to the jail’s classification is 120. Deehr presented a graph showing the average daily population for 2025 as about 125 inmates. Though RCPD Director Brian Peete told the board Riley County enjoys a low crime [...]

While the sale of the Halstead Hospital, Halstead Inn, and Nun House was through a private transaction, Halstead city leadership, as well as representation from the Harvey County Economic Development Commission met with the new owners at certain points during negotiations while they were doing their due diligence regarding a potential purchase of the properties and provided background or other information related to the community or as requested, according to Halstead City Manager Ethan Reimer. Read more: Harvey County Now

How should large, portable buildings, such as prefabricated sheds and workspaces, be valued and assessed for taxes in Jackson County? That question was discussed at a recent Jackson County Commission meeting with Kate Immenschuh, the county appraiser and zoning officer. More than 300 new agricultural structures in the county were identified from December 2021 to December 2024 through EagleView aerial imagery. Read more: The Holton Recorder

Community and municipal leaders, elected officials and water professionals from around Johnson County and the state of Kansas gathered Friday, Oct. 17, at the 2025 Johnson County Water Summit for a morning of learning and collaboration. The summit featured welcome remarks from Commissioner Becky Fast, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, and Whitney Wilson, WaterOne Board Chair. It took place from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park. Read more: Johnson County Kansas

Cities across Johnson County have spent the last several years and millions of dollars removing doomed ash trees that were dead or dying from emerald ash borer infestations. Now, some local foresters and arborists are warning that another illness could pose a threat to mature trees that line streets and provide shade in local yards. Oak wilt is a fungal infection that can rapidly wipe out an oak tree after it becomes infected. It harms a tree’s vascular system, tricking it into blocking its own water vessels, and the disease can spread to other trees through insects or underground root connections. [...]

A multibillion development pipeline could reshape Western Wyandotte County. Here’s a look at six major real estate developments planned around the Kansas Speedway. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, alongside city officials, is exploring the possibility of bringing a next-generation nuclear power facility to Hutchinson, which could boost local economic growth and infrastructure. This interest follows TerraPower’s September 23 announcement of a memorandum of understanding with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to build a Natrium nuclear reactor somewhere in Evergy’s Kansas service area. Read more: KCLY Radio

Companies are racing to roll out nuclear reactor designs that would be faster to build and could meet rising demand for energy from AI data centers. Two nuclear companies have proposals for new reactors in Kansas. Plus: Data centers are fundamentally changing the landscape for electric utilities in Missouri and beyond. Read more: KCUR

A town hall meeting held Wednesday evening brought together leaders from the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools. The goal was to give government representatives a chance to hear from the public on how the three agencies can collaborate. In attendance was Vernette Chance, a retired teacher, who says her biggest concern is special education. Red more: KSN-TV

A potential change in the way Fort Scott handles public sales tax could mean more resources for first responders. First responders and city officials in Fort Scott are pushing for a reallocation of public sales tax funds, which will be voted on in the upcoming November elections. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com