News

Community members share what they want to see in new city manager

2025-07-31T09:55:54-05:00July 31st, 2025|

Communication and transparency are some of the most common characteristics residents are looking for as the city plans to hire a new city manager. Earlier this summer, the commission chose to end City Manager Kevyn Gero’s contract and placed Assistant City Manager Zack Daniel in the interim position. The city is in the process of putting together a job posting for the position. The Eudora Times asked locals what they would like to see in a new manager as the city continues to discuss economic development, housing and the need for more city services. Read more: The Eudora Times

Champtown project expected to draw 2 million visitors annually

2025-07-31T09:55:08-05:00July 31st, 2025|

New details have been unveiled about the attractions and economic impact for the $500 million mixed-use Champtown development in Park City. The highly anticipated project is expected to become a major draw for visitors to the Wichita region and the state of Kansas with a wide range of retail, restaurants and a boardwalk full of experiences including an aquarium, butterfly pavilion, multi-sport venue and hotel across 160 acres along I-135. Read more: Wichita Business Journal - Local Wichita News

City talks tower access

2025-07-31T09:53:13-05:00July 31st, 2025|

Iola City Council members will take a look at charging telecommunications companies to use its water towers for transmitters. Iola does not charge telecommunications companies to use its water towers for various transmitters and other pieces of equipment. That may soon change. The topic arose Monday after the owners of KwiKom Communications announced the company will no longer pay a franchise fee to Iola for its services. Read more: The Iola Register

Manufacturing drives the local economy

2025-07-31T09:51:47-05:00July 31st, 2025|

According to the July 2025 economics report published by the Kelce College of Business at Pittsburg State University, local manufacturing is driving the area’s gross domestic product (GDP). Nationally, the manufacturing industry earned $7.2 trillion in 2024, according to IBIS World. That revenue was spent on materials (53.7%); research and development and artificial intelligence technology (23%); wages (11.9%); and rent, utilities, and depreciation (5.4%); leaving a combined profit margin of 6 percent. In the Pittsburg Micropolitan Statistical Area (PBSA), which is generally all of Crawford County, manufacturing is the backbone of the local economy, contributing more to local GDP than any [...]

THC back in store, sells well, but cops still think it’s illegal

2025-07-31T09:50:16-05:00July 31st, 2025|

THC beverages that police took from Carlsons’ Grocery last week in spite of the county prosecutor’s advice were returned six days later. Police still believe the beverages are illegal, but the county attorney has said no charges will be filed. The beverages have been selling well. At least 12 containers sold between Friday, when the merchandise was returned, and Monday. Read more: Marion County RECORD

Peabody meets new chief, hires clerk

2025-07-31T09:49:29-05:00July 31st, 2025|

Nearly every seat was full Monday night for a Peabody City Council meeting that included introduction of new Police Chief Matthew Neal, as well as an audit presentation by Loyd Group. The next night, at a special meeting, the council voted to hire Paul Leeker, a Sedgwick County budget analyst, as city clerk, filling a vacancy that has existed for more than a year. Read more: Marion County RECORD

Divided Fed holds key interest rate steady, defying Trump’s demands for aggressive cuts

2025-07-31T09:48:16-05:00July 31st, 2025|

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

McClaran becomes new Sedgwick superintendent

2025-07-31T09:47:02-05:00July 31st, 2025|

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 tax funds used to support local initiatives

2025-07-31T09:45:42-05:00July 31st, 2025|

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 opts out of 1950s-era state law that posed potential obstacle to major city projects

2025-07-31T09:44:28-05:00July 31st, 2025|

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 [...]

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