Overland Park continues to work on its new zoning framework, which could fundamentally change how Johnson County’s largest city approaches housing, echoing past efforts in other cities to tackle the widening housing shortage. Overland Park’s new approach could, among other things, eliminate traditional single-family-only districts and smooth the path for denser housing products to be built, including townhomes, cluster neighborhoods and row houses. Read more: Johnson County Post

Under Kansas law, the City Commission must consider certified citizen petitions. However, commissioners reviewed a legal analysis that raised questions about whether the proposed data center ban can be approved through the citizen initiative process. Read more: KCLY Radio

Drive-in theaters have shown movies under the stars for generations, and many Kansas filmgoers still see value for these nostalgic experiences in a changing movie landscape. Read more: KCUR

Great Bend is taking steps to make its transportation network safer through the Safe Streets for All Study. The SS4A program provides federal funding to help communities improve roadway safety through planning efforts and infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and safety education programs. Grants can cover up to 80% of project costs. The City of Great Bend will host a community outreach booth during Party in the Park on Saturday, August 8, where residents can share concerns and ideas. Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Everything Local

During the August 4, 2026, meeting, the Hutchinson City Council addressed potential improvements to public meeting protocols and authorized funding for upcoming city infrastructure projects. One topic of informal discussion was the distinction between public comments and public hearings. Councilwoman Stacy Goss highlighted inconsistencies in how these sessions are currently managed. While public comments are intended for citizens to address the council without receiving feedback, public hearings are designed for active engagement between city officials and the public. Assistant City Attorney Cody Smith was tasked with recommending a potential restructure to Mayor Scott Meggers – possibly consolidating public comments to the [...]

Riley County officials on Monday reviewed how the county should approach potential data center development as the technology becomes more common and communities across Kansas consider regulations. Planning director Amanda Webb updated commissioners during a work session sharing information from a recent data center planning summit in Topeka and examples of regulations being considered by other communities. Webb said the county is still in the information-gathering stage and is focused on understanding the potential impacts of data centers before considering any regulatory changes. Read more: News Radio KMAN

A recent string of cyber attacks on U.S. water systems underscores the threat the municipal water sector is facing and the criticality of emergency preparedness and cybersecurity measures. According to multiple news reports, cyber attacks across seven states last week were reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). News of the cyber incidents followed another report that more than 30 water systems in Minnesota were targeted in a coordinated cyber attack last weekend. The seven states affected in the most recent attack were not named, but according to a CBS News report and others, Minnesota and Michigan were among seven [...]