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The countdown has officially begun to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across North America, including in Kansas City. Local officials on Monday morning unveiled a World Cup countdown clock in front of the fieldhouse at Overland Park’s Scheels Soccer Complex near 135th Street and Switzer Road. The event followed a weekend World Cup kickoff party at the Aspiria campus in Overland Park. Source: News

The countdown to the World Cup is on, and cities throughout the Kansas City metro are eager to showcase their offerings while hosting visitors from around the world. Shawnee is considering hosting a music and beer festival to attract World Cup visitors as well as metro families to the heart of downtown Shawnee. Source: KSN-TV

Firefighters in Columbus are taking advantage of this week's summer heat to train in their newly constructed facility. They were out in the 90-degree heat today training in the department's new "burn boxes" The containers simulate many of the conditions crews might face during a structure fire. Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Blinking red lights on Sunflower Wind turbines have vexed some county residents since the wind farm was built, and the lights once again are in county commissioners’ crosshairs. Commissioner Clarke Dirks brought up Monday that Sunflower promised weeks ago to switch to aircraft-activated lights that blink only when an aircraft is in the vicinity. Source: Marion County RECORD

An Iola city councilwoman wants to bring up discussions about doing away with voting wards in Iola, and filling the Council with all at-large seats. The size and makeup of the Iola City Council is once again under the microscope. On Monday, Councilwoman Kim Peterson said she’d like to see Iola take a closer at doing away with the city’s four voting wards, and instead look at an all at-large governing body. Source: The Iola Register

After hearing feedback from members of the Design Review Board and a lengthy discussion, Fort Scott City Commissioners on June 17 approved a motion to establish a historic preservation commission and move toward a Certified Local Government. Source: Fort Scott Tribune Headlines

The Kansas Sampler Foundation’s Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) is more than just a travel event—it’s a statewide effort to introduce Kansans and visitors to the heart of rural communities. Beginning in 2018, BKRT is designed to help the public learn about rural life by experiencing it firsthand. Source: KCLY Radio

Within Clay Center city limits, four tornado sirens are located throughout the town – one for each direction. The county further maintains sirens in Wakefield, at Clay County Park, Longford, Morganville, Green, and Clifton.  Running off radio waves, the sirens are tested weekly between March and November to ensure they are working as they should. However, if there is a threat of inclement weather, the sirens are not deployed to avoid confusion.  Source: KCLY Radio

Travelers hitting the road this summer in Kansas may come across a turtle or two trying to cross the street. But do they need any help from people? Turtles are on the move in Kansas as they look for mates or places to lay eggs. Drivers may occasionally spot one making slow progress across the road this summer and feel the need to lend a helping hand. Source: KSNT 27 News

Very soon, fireworks can be legally bought and shot in the Emporia city limits. Emporia Fire Marshal Stephen Beemer joined KVOE’s Morning Show this week to discuss the run-up to the official sales and discharge window beginning at 10 am Friday, as well as the do’s and don’ts of Emporia’s fireworks ordinance. Beemer says this is a busy week as he and other inspectors take a look at the different fireworks stands to make sure everything is up to snuff. Source: d2430