Municipal News & Jobs

The city of Emporia is encouraging homeowners to apply for Home Repair grants if they qualify — and if the city gets grant funding for the overall project. Funds will help with what are called essential home repairs “to improve safety, livability and energy efficiency” like gutter work, roofing, heating, electrical systems, windows, plumbing and insulation. Qualifying homeowners must be deeded and the occupant of the home. The property has to be located in the Emporia city limits, be on a permanent foundation and need eligible repairs. There are income qualifications — homes with four or fewer residents have a limit of $42,050, while homes with five to eight residents have a limit of $55,550. The city says there will be priority for elderly residents, people with disabilities and homes with three or more bedrooms. People can apply online at emporiaks.gov/homerepairgrant. People with questions can email Community Housing Specialist Jeff Lynch at jlynch@emporiaks.gov.
Read more: KVOE

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is expressing dissatisfaction this week over the lack of progress made on water legislation in the statehouse this year. Water is drying up in the Sunflower State, as research shows some communities could run out of fresh water in as little as 25 years. Water supply issues in Kansas include multiple reservoirs filling up with sediment and the drying up of the Ogallala Aquifer underground. Kelly identified water as a top priority for the 2026 legislative session, but it ultimately got lost in the shuffle of bills passed this spring. Kelly told our Kansas Capitol Bureau she wishes more got done with water legislation as the 2026 legislative session comes to a close.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Riley County had its first nuisance abatement trial last week, but the legal matter might not be fully resolved for another five to six years, the county commission learned Monday. The multi-year timeline, county counselor Jacob Hansen told commissioners, would be for the entire appeals process if the case went all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court. However, Hansen said he’s hopeful the initial Riley County District Court portion of the case would have some clarity soon. District Magistrate Judge John McNish took the case under advisement after a four-hour bench trial Friday, Hansen said.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

Fairway is trying to clamp down on unlicensed short-term rentals, even as the city expects a spike in property owners renting out homes during this summer’s World Cup. City officials say they anticipate the number of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals to double or even triple during the month of the World Cup this summer. But a new Kansas state law makes a Fairway city ordinance limiting such rentals temporarily unenforceable during the global soccer tournament. So, last week, city officials took a new tack, approving much steeper penalties for unlicensed rentals as a means to regulate the properties.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Leaders from Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools came together to tackle some of the community’s biggest challenges. At Monday’s tri-government meeting, leaders emphasized the importance of working together across all levels of local government. Wichita’s City Manager Dennis Marstall says one of the top priorities is building a stronger future workforce, starting with students.
Read more: KSN-TV

The Wichita Police Department showed off its new “drone hive” on Monday. The hive will house three drones and charging stations on the roof of the QuikTrip at Washington Street and Douglas Avenue. QuikTrip donated $600,000 to WPD to set up the hive. That will pay for operations for the first five years, then the city will pay $61,000 every year to maintain it. Police have said that the new location is a hub for street racing and that having the drone hive nearby will improve response across the city.
Read more: KSN-TV

Fort Scott’s economic growth plan for the year has hit the ground running, so far, and now, two new businesses are generating new jobs for the city. “It’s all manufacturing, it’s all blue collar. And that’s what our bread and butter is in Bourbon County,” said Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager. Two new businesses coming soon to Fort Scott are what Matkin describes as a perfect fit for the local economy. They’ll bring 260 new industrial jobs into the community over the next couple of years – allowing for more opportunities for stable and well-paying work.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Haven High School has some new members. Their FFA program just welcomed nine new chicks into the world. The Haven City Council agreed to table and issue a resolution to allow the school to waive its ownership fees and construction fees for building the coop, with the unanimous intention to approve this once the appropriate ordinance is drafted. The chickens will be used to help the FFA students achieve the supervised agricultural experience that they need for the program.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Blue Valley Technologies (BVT) is excited to announce that residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy free public Wi‑Fi at Marysville City Park, just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. This is part of an infrastructure project made possible by a matching grant program through the Kansas Office of Broadband Development’s ADOPT (Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology) Program. The new public Wi‑Fi installation will provide reliable internet access throughout the park, supporting community gatherings, family events, and local activities. It will also enhance security and provide everyday connectivity for parkgoers. Whether sharing photos, accessing information, or staying connected while enjoying the outdoors, the service is designed to enhance the park experience for all ages.
Read more: The Sunflower State Radio Network

Firefighters across the state of Kansas responded to multiple wildfires recently, with windy conditions making them difficult to contain. The Kansas Forest Service reports that Tanker 95 and DFMO Williams were released after assisting local crews. Burning silage and hay bales produced embers that spread into nearby grass and continued to spread due to strong winds. The wildfire progress stopped, and crews remained on scene to monitor and patrol. This week shows that the Fire danger is forecasted to be high to very high across much of Kansas, according to the forest service. They remind you if you are conducting a burn to have adequate water and personnel on site, reinforce and monitor firebreaks, and check and re-check any burns from today and the past several days.
Read more: Western Kansas News

The former small-town Kansas mayor pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor disorderly election conduct in Comanche County on Monday. He agreed to pay a $2,000 fine and serve a year of probation, court records show.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

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 Solid Waste staff isn’t just looking forward to more space on the campus; they’re also excited about new “smart trucks” that MSO is testing out right now.
Read more: LJWorld

The law creates two programs offering financial incentives for law students and lawyers. Another program offers up to $20,000 per year in loan repayment for attorneys working in qualifying rural counties.
Read more: CJonline

What began as a summer job at the Ark City Rec Center turned into a combination internship for credit at Arkansas City High School for senior Tristan Murphy.
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

These mechanical nests, or hives, are home to three new crime-fighting drones worth $650,000 that QuikTrip donated to the Wichita Police Department.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Haysville’s city attorney will review if it is a conflict of interest for the city engineers employed by the city as contractors to review plats designed by the engineering firm.
Read more at: Wichita Eagle

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 device will mount to the front of a vehicle, which will then drive around all of the Sedgwick streets. It will map out streets, road signs and paving markers to create a five-year plan for improvements while monitoring conditions.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Clay Center City Clerk, Amelia Blackwood, was recently appointed as board director for the League of Municipalities’ Region 2. “This role is vital,” said Mayor Jimmy Thatcher. “It ensures the voices of communities like Clay Center are heard.” 
Read more: KCLY Radio