News

The City of Lawrence is raising the tax it charges for hotel rooms and short term rentals. The Transient Guest Tax (TGT), now set at 6% and going up to 8%, could be a money maker next summer with hundreds of thousands of fans expected in the Kansas City-area for the World Cup. Lawrence plans to use money raised by the tax to fund events and improvements the city wants to make for the World Cup. Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports

While being formally introduced to the Barton County Commissioners Tuesday morning by Administrator Matt Patzner, one adjective was used on several occasions to describe the new Assistant County Administrator / Human Resources Director Casey Hubbard. That word was “professional.” Hubbard officially took over his new role with the County on Monday, Sept. 8. Read more: Great Bend Tribune

Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags across Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, September 11, 2025, under Executive Order #20-30. The tribute honors the lives lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “We will never forget the horrific tragedy that occurred 24 years ago, taking the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans and injuring thousands more,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “In the face of a terrorist attack, we reflect on the valor and bravery demonstrated that day by our nation’s first responders, who saved the lives of many despite losing more than 400 of their [...]

It’s a Monday morning at the Wilson County Citizen, and the paper’s staff is chasing breaking news: The annual Fall River barbecue won’t be held this year. Staff might be an overstatement. The family-owned paper in Fredonia is run by Meredith Odell, with help from her sister, Ginger, and Ginger’s two dogs, Biscuit and Pepper. Meredith Odell has worked at the paper since she was 4, more than 50 years ago. The Wilson County Citizen is one of four papers listed for sale on the Kansas Press Association’s website. And KPA director Emily Bradbury said all of them share a common [...]

A stolen vehicle alert from the Parsons Police Department’s Flock Safety license plate recognition system led to the arrest of a Texas man on multiple felony charges Sunday evening. Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com - RSS Results in news/local-news of type article

Two log jams are clogging rivers in north central Kansas, one just south of Tescott in Ottawa County and another still in Salina in Saline County. James Peterson, Tescott’s head of maintenance, says the log jam formed during Monday’s rain and contributed to widespread flooding. But for residents, it’s not the top concern. "Everything I've been dealing with and hearing is people taking care of their own house and own property, and their neighbors and anybody else that needs something. Most of them don't care about a log jam in the river," he said. Peterson says similar log jams have formed [...]

Wichita residents are being asked to share their priorities for the city’s next manager as the search to replace longtime City Manager Robert Layton continues. The City Manager Selection Advisory Committee, working with CPS HR Consulting, has launched a community survey to gather feedback on what qualities and goals residents want in the city’s next chief executive. Layton announced earlier this year that he plans to retire on Dec. 31 after serving as city manager since 2009. Read more: KSN-TV

The Wichita City Council approved two ordinances Tuesday aimed at addressing crime in Old Town and prostitution activity along Broadway. One ordinance sets a $500 mandatory fine for crimes in Old Town, including assault, drug offenses, trespassing and public nuisance violations. Judges can also bar offenders from the district during probation or diversion, with violations carrying up to $1,000 in fines or a year in jail. The second ordinance updates prostitution-mapping rules first created in 1995 for the Broadway corridor, identified decades ago as a hotspot for prostitution. Courts can now ban offenders from the area not only after convictions but [...]

County commissioners decided Monday to restrict wakeboarding boats on the county lake and to draft a policy on blasting after Orsted blasted a blade off a wind turbine a week and a half ago. Lake residents often complain about the potential for damage to docks and tied boats because of the large waves wakeboarding boats produce. “Nobody likes them unless they have one,” lake superintendent Isaac Hett said. Read more: Marion County RECORD

After almost six months on the job, Robert Reece has resigned from his position as Nemaha County Administrator effective Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. This announcement was made during the Monday, Aug. 25, Nemaha County Commissioners meeting. Reece was hired during the Jan. 7, 2025, Nemaha County Commissioners meeting by the former board of commissioners, which included Ben Glace, Dylan Keim and Jason Koch. Reece was hired on a 2-1 vote, with Koch voting nay. Read more: The Sabetha Herald