Municipal News & Jobs

Coming back to a previously-tabled item, the Mulvane City Council heard support for a new director of tourism development position at its May 18 meeting. Through a more coordinated and strategic approach to tourism promotion and visitor engagement, the new tourism director would help increase local tourism to positively impact the local economy.
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

USD 232 in De Soto is gearing up to consider new policies and storage solutions this summer for the state’s new bell-to-bell personal device ban. Assistant superintendent Alvie Cater presented a timeline and potential options for implementing the state’s new ban on personal electronic devices for students during the May 4 Board of Education meeting. The goal is to finalize a storage option later this summer, giving the district time to train staff and communicate the plan with families before the next school year starts in August.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A coalition of federal lawmakers from Kansas introduced in the U.S. House this week a bipartisan bill that could offer interest-free loans to rural hospitals “hanging on by a thread.” U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids and Tracey Mann of Kansas and representatives from Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Oregon and West Virginia co-sponsored the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act. Mann and Davids said rural hospitals need resources to continue serving patients and stay open. The bill could help rural hospitals build new facilities or renovate existing ones “so rural Americans don’t have to drive hours to see a health care professional,” Mann said in a statement. “Every American deserves access to affordable, quality health care, no matter their ZIP code,” he said.
Read more: Kansas Reflector

The Beloid Police Department announced on its Facebook that a train car derailment in the southeast area of Beloit has prompted the closure of several streets as emergency crews and railroad personnel respond to the incident. Officials said Brooklyn, Elm and Asherville Road are currently closed to all traffic. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes while crews work at the scene. There is no estimated timeline for when the roads will reopen.
Read more: KCLY Radio

Community leaders gathered to learn about potential data center expansion opportunities during a Chamber of Commerce presentation where Evergy Senior Director of External Affairs Jason Klindt highlighted both economic benefits and addressed environmental concerns surrounding the growth of existing facilities. “It’s an opportunity to educate our community, especially business and community leaders, city leaders, county leaders, because the more information they’ve got, the better prepared they are when those opportunities come down the pike,” Pittsburg Chamber president Blake Benson said. Benson emphasized the importance of community education, particularly given the proven success of Pittsburg’s existing data center operations.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

Bourbon County Clerk Susan Walker filed a lawsuit asking a judge to stop a recall petition tied to ballot errors in the USD 235 school board election. The lawsuit, filed May 22, 2026, asks the court to declare the petition legally invalid, stop signature collection, and block any recall election connected to it. Walker argues Kansas law requires recall petitions to be reviewed for legal sufficiency before circulation. She claims the recall committee submitted an amended petition that was never formally approved before signatures were gathered.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

Officials in northeast Kansas county are asking state lawmakers to tackle a growing problem before it turns deadly. The Marshall County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to send a letter to legislators, senators and the attorney general calling for a task force to figure out how to best regulate storm chasing. It follows an influx of hundreds of chasers who came to the state on May 18 in hopes of catching a tornado. The Marshall County sheriff said he had to drive on the wrong side of the road for two miles because a train of chasers would not pull over.
Read more: KSN-TV

Early voting begins Thursday for Morton County residents as they decide whether to remove Sheriff Thad Earls from office. Early voting will take place at the Morton County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. The recall election is scheduled for June 9.
Read more: KSN-TV

Kansas City, Kansas, is making it easier for homeowners to get short-term rental permits as the city prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches this summer. The Unified Government loosened its short-term rental requirements ahead of the World Cup and launched a new digital licensing system starting in February.
Read more: News

Data centers and battery energy storage systems will not be developed in South Hutchinson for at least one year, after the South Hutchinson City Council approved a moratorium at its meeting Monday evening at South Hutchinson City Hall. The moratorium comes as the first pause on data center and BESS development in the eastern part of Reno County. The ordinance directs the South Hutchinson Planning Commission to review current regulations and draft zoning regulations for data centers and BESS to be approved by the city council before the moratorium ends.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The Reno County Commission scheduled possible action on data centers for a Tuesday, June 9, meeting after hearing from seven county residents during public comment during the commission’s Wednesday, May 27, meeting. Susie Ratzlaff of rural Buhler presented the commission with a petition she said had 875 signatures requesting that Reno County establish a moratorium on data center and battery energy storage system (BESS) development. She also cited a national poll conducted by Gallup in March in which 71% of respondents said they opposed the construction of data centers for artificial intelligence in their area. Ratzlaff asked commissioners to give the Reno County Planning Commission direction to begin work on regulating data center and BESS development.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Memorial Day marked the beginning of concert season for one of Reno County’s oldest institutions, the Hutchinson Municipal Band. The musicians gathered at Fairlawn Burial Park for American Legion Post 68’s Memorial Day remembrance ceremony with a setlist of patriotic songs and kicked off the 151st year of the institution. “There’s history, and then there’s lore,” said Charles Johnston, the municipal band’s personnel manager. “The Hutchinson Municipal Band started as a group of community members back in 1875. We’re not exactly sure what that looked like, but there was a band present.” Johnston said that, eventually, in the early 20th century, local industrialist and State Senator Emerson Carey got a state law passed that allowed municipal bands to be organized under the city. All these years later, the group is still a place for Hutchinsonians to exercise their talents.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

If all goes to plan with contract negotiations, the residents of Lawrence should find out who their new city manager is next week, Mayor Brad Finkeldei said Friday morning. The city hasn’t released the name of the top candidate yet. City commissioners skipped a scheduled executive session and voted to direct city staff members to enter into negotiations for the city manager position. Executive sessions are closed-door meetings in which commissioners can discuss specific subjects, such as personnel matters.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Just shy of 200 residents showed up to the PSU soccer pitch to pose for an aerial photo depicting the number “150” for Pittsburg’s birthday celebration on Wednesday.
Read more: Morning Sun

A majority of Federal Reserve officials at their most recent meeting anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation, according to minutes released Wednesday. Though the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee again voted to keep its benchmark rate targeted between 3.5%-3.75%, the meeting featured four “no” votes, the most since 1992, and an apparently heightened level of disagreement about where policy should go. At issue was the impact that the Iran war would have on prices and how that would work its way into monetary policy. Officials differed on how long the war’s impact would last and whether the post-meeting statement should continue to reflect a bias toward cutting rates as the more likely next move.
Read more: CNBC Bonds

A series of fast-moving wildfires fueled by lightning, strong winds, and extremely dry conditions has scorched large portions of southwest Kansas this week, prompting a state disaster emergency declaration and a massive multi-agency firefighting response across the region.
Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe

The City of Emporia announced several leadership appointments Tuesday as officials prepare for the departure of Deputy City Manager Mark Detter and restructure key administrative roles. Detter will leave the city effective May 22 to become city administrator for Rose Hill. City officials thanked him for his service and wished him success in his new position. Following Detter’s departure, Tayler Wash has been promoted to deputy city manager. City officials said the promotion recognizes Wash’s growing leadership role and contributions to several major city initiatives.
Read more: www.emporiagazette.com

People in Great Bend will have one more day to set off fireworks this Independence Day. The Great Bend City Council voted Monday to designate July 3-4 as days to legally discharge fireworks in town between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight.
Read more: Great Bend Tribune

The four biggest school districts in Johnson County are joining together to prepare for possible legal action against the state of Kansas over what they say is a yearslong failure to adequately fund special education. In a statement on Wednesday, Olathe Public Schools, Blue Valley Schools, the USD 232 De Soto School District and the Shawnee Mission School District said they’ve “reached a tipping point” after 15 years of special education underfunding. Together, the districts serve about 83,000 students and said that they collectively took out more than $119 million from their general education budgets for the 2024-2025 school year to cover the state’s special education funding gap.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A second grocery store appears to be in the works for the city of Merriam. The Merriam City Council on Monday, in a 7-0 vote, set a public hearing for June 22 to consider establishing a community improvement district, or CID, at Merriam Town Center. Councilmember Amy Rider was absent. A CID would create an additional 1% to 2% sales tax levied on purchases at the shopping center that would go towards the district’s improvements. At the center of that improvement plan is an approximately 23,000 square foot grocery store that would be added to the shopping complex that sits near Johnson Drive and Interstate 35.
Read more: Johnson County Post

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.
Read more: Johnson County Post

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 about the city.
Read more: Johnson County Post

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 also made it harder for the public to see and understand what regulations were being considered.
Read more: KCLY Radio

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: KSN-TV

Hays will soon implement its annual restrictions on summer water use. On Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Agriculture issued an order requested by the city that prohibits residents with private wells from watering their lawns or other vegetation between noon and 7 p.m. from June 1 to Sept. 30. Other residents are already prohibited from outdoor water use during that time under city ordinance. The city has had the same summer water restrictions since the early 1990s.
Read more: KSN-TV

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that Kansas is receiving funding to help address “forever chemicals” in drinking water. More than $9.4 million in grant funding is now available to eligible communities Kansas to reduce PFAS and other chemical contaminants that are linked to cancers. PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are found in a variety of household products and are also used in some manufacturing processes.
Read more: KSN-TV

On Founders Day, the city of Pittsburg celebrated its 150th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a group photo of residents and visitors.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Hillsboro City Council offered city clerk Danielle Bartel the position of city administrator after two executive sessions totaling around 40 minutes Tuesday. “It is my pleasure to announce that we are extending an offer to Danielle Bartel to be our next city administrator,” Mayor Lou Thurston said. “We couldn’t be more excited.” Council members unanimously approved Bartel’s employment agreement and authorized Thurston to sign it.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

A community garden in Derby is part of a growing Kansas effort to address food insecurity as rising grocery costs and shrinking aid programs strain families. Carefully walking between rows of sprouting plants, Donavan Lawrence gives a tour of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church community garden in Derby, Kansas. The caretaker points out the spiral-shaped herb garden and elevated plots for people with mobility issues. He stops by a group of raised mounds where the church is using a technique called the three sisters. It’s an indigenous technique where corn, pole beans and squash sustain each other on one plot. “When you set things up correctly, they can all benefit from each other and help support each other,” Lawrence said. After a pause, he considers that the growing method is a metaphor for their garden.
Read more: The Iola Register

Chanute police officers are looking into a reported sighting of a bear, and have advised residents to use caution if they encounter the animal. The Chanute Police Department posted the alert after a resident released a video on social media, purportedly of an apparent black bear sauntering down a city street. Anyone who sees the bear should not approach the animal, but instead report the sighting by calling (620) 432-5768. Residents also are reminded to keep a safe distance from wildlife and avoid attempting to feed, follow or otherwise interact with bears.
Read more: The Iola Register

Chanute’s energy portfolio just got greener. A new 6-megawatt solar farm at 4302 S. Plummer is now online and producing energy. Evergy will own and operate the facility, while the City of Chanute has agreed to purchase power directly from the site for at least the next 30 years. The city has the option to purchase the facility after six years. 
Read more: The Iola Register

Spring Hill, Kansas, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Kansas City metro area, and a major driver in that growth is a housing boom. “It’s kind of an untapped resource, or it’s kind of a secret part of the metro area that has steadily been growing over the past few years,” said Mike Mallon, Spring Hill’s community development director. “It’s a prime position between Highway 169, Highway 69 over to the east, really trying to accommodate the growth that’s just naturally happening in southern Johnson County.” Spring Hill is split between Miami and Johnson counties but a bulk of the development is taking place on the Johnson County side. As urban sprawl continues to put pressure on the southern portion of the county, Mallon says, the city is competing with its neighbors, and they’re trying to stay ahead of the game.
Read more: KSHB news

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Olathe Public Schools has long been an attractive school district for families living in the Kansas City area — and its steadily growing enrollment numbers reflected that. But Superintendent Brent Yeager said that trend has changed in recent years, citing the rising cost to buy a home and declining birth rates for families. “Our incoming kindergarten classes are substantially smaller than our exiting senior classes,” Yeager said. “The first many, many, many years of our district from about 1965 to about 2019 it was just the opposite.” In Kansas, the amount of funding that school districts receive is tied to enrollment numbers. Yeager said the Olathe School District is missing out on $22 million annually it would receive if it had the same number of students as it had in 2019.
Read more: Johnson County Post