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Governor Laura Kelly visited Hays on Wednesday for the ceremonial signing of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2172, which officially creates a water program task force aimed at developing a long-term, sustainable investment strategy for Kansas water resources. The newly formed task force is charged with designing a water program supported by a dedicated revenue source and evaluating the state’s current water funding and planning laws. It will submit a preliminary report to the governor and Legislature by January 31, 2026, and a final report by January 31, 2027. Source: KCLY Radio

The closure of a recycling plant in Wichita is now affecting neighboring communities. The City of Wellington announced it will temporarily shut down its recycling center after losing access to its main processing partner. The change comes as International Paper prepares to close its Wichita recycling facility. Although the official shutdown is scheduled for the end of the month, Friday is the last day the plant will accept recyclable materials. Source: KSN-TV

When Wichita rolled out its new ID program on June 30, Donna Castillo-Garcia and other advocates for the unhoused were some of the first in line, helping their clients obtain municipal ID cards. Thursday, Castillo-Garcia was back at city hall helping another man get his ID so he could gain access to a food bank. It’s slowly becoming a routine for the Grassroots Bridge Builders executive director as the city rolls out a new I-9 compliant ID card that community leaders like Castillo-Garcia hope will ease limitations for Wichitans who lack the standard documentation for a state-issued ID, especially those experiencing [...]

Wichita has agreed to pay $195,000 to settle a lawsuit over an accident involving a police vehicle in July 2023. Police officer Whitney Berry, in her patrol car, attempted to make a left-hand turn from a private drive and struck a vehicle driven northbound on Hydraulic Avenue near MacArthur Road on July 20, 2023, court records show. That vehicle was driven by Raymond Sipult, a Wichita resident. Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

The City of Lawrence is taking applications for funding to help financially stressed property owners rehabilitate their homes, bring properties into compliance with codes and improve energy efficiency. The city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program is offering property owners two types of loans. Both types are no-interest and no-payment loans, according to a news release from the city. Source: The Lawrence Times

Riley County commissioners on Thursday said meetings with the city are pointless if county commissioners are not allowed to ask questions or participate in discussions. Commission member John Ford said he disagrees with the structure of the joint county and city meetings, calling the current system for updates “pointless.” Source: themercury.com - RSS Results in news of type article

Planning Commission Director Karen Rothe requested the moratorium, because she has been approached by several people about BESS and stated that some of the county’s regulations are unclear. Source: Harvey County Now

As the one-man Department of Public Works Haviland, Wes Adams has a lengthy and varied to-do list every day for the city of 650 in southwest Kansas. Source: TPO Mag via KMU

Buns and Badges was such a success Wednesday evening that the Halstead Police Department had to run to the store to buy more hot dogs. Turnout was estimated at close to 200 people for HPD’s Buns and Badges free swim and hot dog feed on Wednesday night. HPD started with 150 hot dogs. Chief Josh Orem estimated the turnout was between 180 and 200 people. He said they cooked 250 hot dogs and only had 10 or 15 left over. Source: Harvey County Now

Overland Park is taking steps to acquire a seven-story office building near College Boulevard and Metcalf Avenue for $22.5 million that will serve as a future city hall. The nearly 155,000-square-foot building at 6201 College Blvd. is currently home to a variety of office tenants. County land records say that College-Lamar LP, an affiliate of Kansas City-based real estate firm Copaken Brooks, owns it. Source: Johnson County Post