News

The Lyon County Commission approved the purchase of a 4-month pilot with Hyper to automate 10 non-emergency call types for a total of $16,200 to be paid from the Dispatch Contractual Services fund. The new program, developed by new San Francisco based startup Hyper, is designed to respond to calls related to utilities, parking, controlled burns, and other non-911 issues. An AI voice, customizable by gender and talking speed, will ask for information and process it, transferring the caller if needed. Read more: www.emporiagazette.com - RSS Results in news,government/*

With the Kansas Jayhawks playing their home games in Kansas City last season, Lawrence businesses lost revenue. However, with an upgraded stadium, business owners are ready for the rewards that come with it. It's been 644 days since KU last played in Lawrence. And just judging by how many people are around town, Jayhawk fans are happy that KU is finally back home. Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports

Overland Park will soon replace what flag experts had ranked as one of the worst city flags with a new one that seeks to evoke the city’s park identity and nods to its history. The new flag proposal — which follows months of mulling and public engagement — comes at the tail end of a wider city brand overhaul that staff have been working on. During that process, the city engaged North American Vexillological Association, an international nonprofit organization of flag experts and enthusiasts that had ranked the old city flag as one of the worst in the country. Read more: [...]

The De Soto City Council approved a plan to develop a $3 billion data center campus near the Panasonic plant and will back it with industrial revenue bonds. California-based Beale Infrastructure plans a 1.14 million-square-foot data center campus at the northwest corner of 103rd Street and Edgerton Road in Flint Commerce Center. Beale, a portfolio company of Blue Owl Capital Inc., specializes in data center development. The project is expected to create 155 jobs by 2040. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas City News

Olathe's industrial growth surges as Aspen Funds plans a 1M-square-foot warehouse along I-35, joining the area's expanding large-scale developments. More than 1 million square feet of warehouse will add to Olathe's expanding roster of large-scale industrial projects along Interstate 35. Overland Park-based Aspen Funds plans six single-story speculative industrial buildings near the southeast corner of 167th Street and Hedge Lane. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas City News

What was once a former detox facility in Hutchinson will soon be known as The Center, and it will be filled with resources that will help the homeless in Hutch survive on their own by teaching them life skills.  The New Beginnings leadership team says the 16-room facility will have more than 30 beds, and experts specializing in trauma support, life skills and more. They also say that New Beginnings owns the building where the detox center used to be, so they aren't breaking their budget by purchasing a new building or constructing a new facility.   Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Topeka is launching "History of Topeka," a new monthly documentary series featuring powerful stories, pivotal moments and inspiring people that shaped the city into what it is today. The very first episode is called "Topeka’s Beginnings: 30 Years That Built a Capital.” It discusses the city's free-state roots to becoming the state capital, as well as the early struggles and visions that laid the foundation for the community. Read more: KSNT 27 News

The mother of a man who was shot and killed by Olathe Police in late 2022 received $625,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that was heading to trial later this year. That’s according to an agreement obtained by the Post through public records requests dated July 23, which plaintiff Maria Varnas and Olathe City Manager Michael Wilkes signed, that details the terms of the settlement and releases all claims raised in the lawsuit. Last month, Judge Julie Robinson of the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, approved the wrongful death settlement between Varnas and the city of Olathe and former [...]

Humboldt schools have in place new rules to keep cell phones out of the classroom, joining a growing collection of districts across the nation to set forth new limitations. As the morning bell rings this fall, many students across the country will be tucking their phones away for the day — whether they like it or not. From statewide bans in Missouri to stricter local policies in Kansas classrooms, schools are drawing a harder line on cell phones, citing concerns over distraction, student behavior, and mental health. Read more: The Iola Register

Public Officer Gary Vaughan addressed that mange has been found amongst feral cats in town, which poses a concern as it can cause scabies in humans. Vaughan reported that a citizen was recently bit by a feral cat which resulted in the citizen having to undergo the rabies protocol of shots. Trapping has occurred and at least 13 cats have been sent to farms and those found with mange disposed of. Vaughan recommended that a public service announcement be made to remind citizens not to feed feral cats and to vaccinate pets for rabies and to keep them inside at night. [...]