Overland Park could completely overhaul its trash and recycling collection system in favor of a new framework that gives the city more control and potentially lowers rates for some residents. Though nothing is set in stone yet, Overland Park could look to switch to a completely city-run or city-contracted trash pickup system with one or more haulers. The city could also allow homeowners associations that are content with their current trash collection to opt out. Those are all options pondered in the city’s recently completed Solid Waste Study, which looked at potential improvements to how trash is collected in Overland Park. [...]

Overland Park has placed new restrictions on e-bikes and e-scooters in the city — notably, banning kids from riding e-bikes that can go past 25 mph. It is the latest Johnson County city to update its rules for micromobility devices that have seen a recent surge in popularity among younger riders. The discussion in Overland Park comes months after 10-year-old Duke Ommert died last fall from injuries sustained while riding an e-scooter in Leawood. He was wearing a helmet. Discussion at an Overland Park public safety committee meeting last week struck the tone of balancing safety with kids’ freedom to move [...]

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced a new system to update state regulations is now working across Kansas. The change is part of a major effort to improve how state rules are created and managed. In 2025, the Secretary of State’s office hired a company called Esper, which builds software to modernize government processes. According to the release, the goal was to replace an old paper-based system that had been used for decades. Officials say the old process was slow and outdated. It relied heavily on paper, which led to problems like missing pages, wasted materials, and human errors. It [...]

As crews across southwest Kansas fight to contain wildfires, departments in the Sunflower State aren’t the only ones volunteering their time and equipment. Fire departments from Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana and Colorado were just some of those that answered the call for help. Several fire departments in Major County, Oklahoma, are on a list that Kansas can call in times of crisis. Read more: KSN-TV

The Sunflower Foundation said Wednesday that it’s awarding $355,000 in grants to 25 Kansas communities to support the creation and improvement of trails. The Paving the Way grant program offers funding, customized support and virtual learning opportunities to support communities in different stages of trail development. “We’re incredibly excited to work alongside our Paving the Way communities, whether they are just beginning their trail journeys or taking the next step in implementing the Trail Town model,” Kelli Mark, the foundation’s director of healthy communities, said in a news release. Read more: KSN-TV

The two biggest wildfires in southwest Kansas are mostly contained. According to the Meade Fire Department, the Meade Lake Complex wildfire is now 100% contained as of Thursday morning. The Kansas Forest Service reported Wednesday that the Herman Ranch Complex wildfire is now 80% contained. “While there has been no true end to the fire season in southwest Kansas, this battle is finally coming to a close,” KFS said on Facebook. Read more: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County commissioners voted Wednesday to terminate aid agreements with several small-town fire departments. Cheney, Clearwater, Mount Hope and Valley Center will have 90 days to work with commissioners to make new automatic and mutual aid agreements. Commissioner Jim Howell said a lot has changed since the agreements were established, adding that they no longer reflect the current state of operations. Read more: KSN-TV

A police chief said a large influx of storm chasers into the Blue Rapids area could have created a dangerous situation for emergency workers and others on Monday. Multiple tornadoes touched down in north-central and northeast Kansas, drawing in large numbers of people to the region. Many vehicles belonging to locals, storm spotters and chasers were caught up in traffic near the community of Blue Rapids. The Blue Rapids Police Department estimated that as many as 500 vehicles were in the area when a tornado touched down just east of the town. Read more: KSN-TV

Hours of public comment hold back a solar project proposal in Sedgwick County. The Branch Line Project, submitted by the energy system developer TED Renewables, is one of several projects being considered in Sedgwick County. It would take over nearly 1,400 acres of land north and northeast of Clearwater for solar farms. Read more: KSN-TV

Weaker winds and cooler temperatures proved to be a blessing for firefighters Tuesday as they started to get flames in Meade and Clark Counties under control. Though the fires are a long way from being out, progress has been hard to come by in previous days. “Our guys are hungry, and they are tired, and they are worn out,” said Valerie Heston, an Ashland resident helping in the recovery efforts. As firefighters man the frontlines, numerous volunteers in rural communities have been giving them the support they need to keep going, cooking meals and taking donations for first responders. Read more: [...]