News

Sedgwick County Fire announced on Saturday via Facebook that it now has a new tool that helps firefighters locate people underwater. The AquaEye Pro is a handheld sonar system designed to help first responders quickly locate drowning victims. According to the company’s website, the tool cuts the average search time by 90%. It can also scan up to 8,000 square meters of water in five minutes, equivalent to 1½ football fields. The device is currently housed at Fire Station 32 in Park City. Sedgwick County Fire says it’s hoping to get another device to keep at a station in Haysville. Read [...]

Sen. Jerry Moran announced on Wednesday that rural Kansas hospitals and community health centers are getting more than $7 million in federal funding. The money comes from fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills, including the one approved by Congress and signed into law by the president this week. “Access to medical care is often a deciding factor for many Kansans when determining whether they will remain in the rural communities they call home,” Moran said in a news release. “These resources will support rural hospitals and community health centers across our state and help to improve outcomes, invest in new medical capabilities, [...]

The Pratt Regional Medical Center is delinquent on its rent, the county says. On Tuesday, KSN obtained a letter sent from an attorney representing Pratt County to the hospital. It is labeled “Notice of Default and Intent to Terminate Lease.” The letter, dated Jan. 23, said the hospital owed more than $1.58 million for rent from October 2024 to January. An additional $99,000 in rent was set to come due on Feb. 1. The letter also accuses the hospital of being out of compliance with two requirements in the lease: the debt-to-income ratio and the cash on hand clause that said [...]

Recent political advertisements from a Wichita organization are raising questions from the public about their legality. Wichita Forward, the group that introduced a citywide 1% sales tax proposal that will go before voters next month, is at the center of the controversy. On Tuesday, a complaint was filed alleging that one of the group’s ads may violate election or ethics laws by using a city employee in campaign messaging. The commercial features Wichita firefighters standing at what appears to be a fire station, along with several vehicles moving around the area. It includes a message from a firefighter named Warren, who [...]

The City of Wichita has renewed the Water Conservation Rebate Program for another year. On Monday, the city announced it has allocated $125,000 for rebates for customers who make purchases to help them save water. New this year is the inclusion of drought-tolerant grasses and shrubs. Read more: KSN-TV

Incorrect information was sent to some Wichita voters, raising concerns about confusion, trust, and turnout ahead of the city-wide 1% sales tax vote. Wichita Forward, the organization that brought the sales tax to the council, circulated a mailer that included an advance ballot application listing the wrong deadline and time to vote. Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett held a news conference on Tuesday. On Monday, KSN heard from the League of Women Voters and the Sedgwick County district attorney about why accuracy matters and when a mistake could become a legal issue. Read more: KSN-TV

Chuck Negron, a founding member of Three Dog Night whose lead vocals powered a string of hits including “Joy to the World," “One” and “An Old Fashioned Love Song” for one of the top rock acts of the late 1960s and early '70s, died Monday. He was 83. He died of complications from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his home in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to his publicist Zach Farnum. Read more: KSNT 27 News

There are important meetings Tuesday night regarding the future home of the Chiefs. Late in December, the team announced they planned to build a new stadium in the western portion of Wyandotte County, near I-70 and I-435. If you want to weigh in on the city giving back some of its future sales tax revenue back to paying off the stadium development, you need to show up to Kansas City, Kansas, City Hall for Tuesday night’s meeting that starts at 5:30 p.m. The commission won’t vote on this issue until Thursday at 5:30 pm, but after talking with Unified Government of [...]

USD 244 Burlington has a new superintendent. Donalyn Biehler was chosen as the district’s new leader last week. She currently leads USD 487 Herington. Biehler replaces Craig Marshall, who is retiring after 10 years leading the district. She officially begins her new duties July 1. Read more: KVOE

Removing the ban on three dog breeds considered to be aggressive went nowhere at Monday night’s city council meeting. Police Chief Aaron Slater proposed lifting the ban on pit bulls and Rottweilers about a month ago. Council members did not see the need, and since the policy was not changing, no vote was needed. Read more: Marion County RECORD