News

A divided Federal Reserve on Wednesday voted to keep its benchmark interest rate steady, despite a barrage of criticism from President Donald Trump and dissents from two top officials. The Federal Open Market Committee, the group that sets the overnight borrowing rate, voted 9-2 to stay on hold. The federal funds rate will continue to be set in a range between 4.25%-4.5%. The level sets what banks charge each other for overnight lending, but influences a slew of other rates across the economy. Read more: Finance

Rachel McClaran looked for the next career step that would help her have a larger impact on students. That step was becoming the new superintendent in the Sedgwick School District. “I never want to be stagnant,” she said, sitting her in Sedgwick office. “Sedgwick was such a good opportunity and a nice-sized community, and I didn’t have to move out of the area.” McClaran worked for four years in the Newton USD-373 office and one year as Northridge Elementary School principal in Newton. Then she went to Valley Center as Wheatland Elementary principal. Read more: Harvey County Now

Liquor-by-the-drink sales generate about $190,000 each year for Jackson County, according to county officials. At a recent a recent Jackson County Commission meeting, Commission Chairman Mark Pruett outlined how those funds are allocated. Each quarter, the county receives a payment from the state’s alcoholic liquor tax fund. Jackson County receives 70 percent of the state sales tax on liquor sales from establishments located within the county but outside city limits. Read more: The Holton Recorder

Overland Park recently opted out of a state law that would have put restrictions on the city’s authority to issue bonds to help fund public developments and infrastructure projects. The move was necessitated by the fact that Overland Park recently surpassed more than 200,000 residents, according to the latest U.S. Census. Under a state law from the 1950s, cities of that size in Kansas must hold public elections to issue at least $200,000 in bonds. The law, which Overland Park officials have called “outdated,” predates both the city of Overland Park itself and the Home Rule constitutional amendment that deferred community [...]

With Overland Park’s plans to move city hall to the College Boulevard and Metcalf area and Black & Veatch’s plan for a new, $1 billion headquarters, attention is back on long-range plans to reimagine the center of the city. Historically defined by large office users, the corridor has been a hot topic for many years as Overland Park ponders the future of the area around its convention center — dubbed OP Central. Read more: Johnson County Post

Merriam is razing three more downtown buildings as part of its broader flood control efforts along Turkey Creek. The Merriam City Council earlier this month approved the demolition of three buildings, all currently unoccupied, along Merriam Drive next to the city’s farmers market pavilion. City officials cite flood mitigation or potential redevelopment efforts in its downtown stretch as the reasoning behind demolishing the buildings at 5700, 5718 and 5726 Merriam Drive. Read more: Johnson County Post

A first-of-its-kind “build-for-rent” subdivision in south Johnson County is fully leased just months after finishing construction. Peak Enterprises finished the 78 single-family home subdivision at the southwest corner of 175th Terrace and Pflumm Road in Overland Park, called The Homes at Wolf Creek. All are rental homes. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas City News

More than 30 people attended the latest Washington County Commissioners meeting to hear a 90-minute discussion on the future of local ambulance services. While no decisions were made, attendees—including officials from Clifton, Linn, and Washington—reviewed options and were encouraged to consult with their city councils about maintaining current services or pursuing a countywide model. Read more: KCLY Radio

Even as the pressure piles on, Diana Thompson is not going to abandon her job. A lifelong resident of Comanche County in south-central Kansas, Thompson has worked as the administrator for Pioneer Lodge nursing home in Coldwater since 2003. She bets that most of the 1,600-plus county residents do not fully understand the challenges she faces to meet the daily needs of her 25 residents. Thinly spread finances are her biggest stressors. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act isn’t alleviating any of her concerns. The budget document signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will, over a 10-year [...]

The Johnson County Fair in Gardner, Kansas, is underway this week, bringing plenty of fun for the whole family. The fair features a carnival, a parade, animal shows, vendors and more. The carnival is open 6-11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 4-11 p.m. Saturday. Tickets or wristbands are required for carnival rides. While the rides and games don’t open until the evening, there is plenty going on throughout the day. 4-H contests and other animal shows go on as early as 9 a.m. The parade also begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Read more: Top Stories