Municipal News & Jobs

Four 11-year-old boys tugged at the heartstrings of Humboldt Council members Monday night in their request for a skate park.  “Right now, a lot of kids our age don’t have many places to go after school or on weekends,” Elisha Ivy read from a prepared statement. “Most of the time we end up stuck inside on phones, tablets or video games. A skate park would give us a safe place to be active, hang out with friends, and do something healthy instead of being on electronics all the time.” Standing with Elisha were Trev Johnston, Tripp Korte and Ryker Roach.  In their consultations with grown-ups, the boys figured a skate park would cost around $7,000 to $10,000.  When queried by new Council member John Lassman where they thought a skateboarding park should be located, Elisha’s father, Milton Ivy, said Cannon Park would be ideal, noting a “75-by-75 space that would be ample.” Council members appeared to wholeheartedly support the idea, saying that the Council’s recreation committee would study the proposal.  
Read more: The Iola Register

In her annual report to Iola City Council members Monday, economic development director Camille Lavon said her focuses include strengthening existing businesses and entrepreneurs. Hit the ground running? Camille Lavon arrived as economic development director for Iola and Allen County last summer, going at Usain Bolt-like speed. In the six months since, Lavon has garnered a greater appreciation for what the economic needs are in an increasingly tumultuous climate, particularly for southeast Kansas. She noted, in response to a question during Iola’s City Council meeting Monday, that Iola stacks up favorably with other communities across the region in terms of economic viability.
Read more: The Iola Register

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.

With the proposed 0.75% sales tax increase on the March 3 ballot, City of Hutchinson officials outlined all the cost-saving and efficiency measures they have taken to maintain the city’s current levels of service at Tuesday night’s Hutchinson City Council meeting. Below is the list of cost-saving and efficiency measures taken by the city.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

When asked what she is most proud of when it comes to the Hutchinson School District, Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson quickly pointed to the faculty and staff. “Educators are a unique lot. They’re a great lot, thank goodness for them,” Johnson said. “You just don’t stop being a teacher at 4 o’clock, you know, when you leave for the end of the day. So, so many of our teachers support in other ways in the community.” Teachers throughout the district volunteer at community organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, and are actively involved in supporting students and their families outside the classroom, she said. “They’re not just here to teach and get a paycheck,” she said. “They’re here because they care.” Not only do the district’s teachers care about students, they care about their professional development as well, she said. “Of the 422 certified staff and staff and administrators, 261, so 62% have a master’s degree or higher,” she said. That combined passion for educational excellence and taking care of students is reflected in the district’s increasing graduation rates and drop in absenteeism since 2022 when the district implemented its latest strategic plan, she noted.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Jessica Thompson isn’t often prone to hyperbole. But she can’t help but gush when talking about a housing rehabilitation initiative, made possible through a $1.4 million grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. “We’re just really excited about it,” said Thompson, chief strategy and development officer for Thrive Allen County. “This is going to change a lot of lives, for the better.” With the grant, Thrive plans to assist at least 50 Allen County homeowners with critical repairs to their houses. The program is targeted for those who fall within the low-to-moderate income brackets. Special considerations will be given to disabled, elderly and veterans, or those with weatherization issues.
Read more: The Iola Register

An Iola city councilman says the city should consider adding columbariums at Highland Cemetery, as a low-cost option for families to hold loved ones’ cremated remains. Columbariums can be considered as a low-cost alternative for loved ones who turn to cremation instead of traditional burials for funeral services. Dying can be expensive. And it’s often unexpected. “A lot of people don’t plan for that situation,” Iola City Councilman Mark Peters noted at the Council’s Jan. 20 meeting. Faced with assorted funeral costs for a traditional funeral, many opt for a less expensive option — cremation.
Read more: The Iola Register

The Garden City Commission approved a preventative maintenance treatment for some asphalt roads in the city at its regular meeting on Tuesday. The treatment, an asphalt street rejuvenation product known as Reclamite, made by Proseal Inc., was approved for a total of $72,642.32 and will treat approximately 3.11 miles of road in the Chappel Heights neighborhood as well as Susan Street, Park View Drive, Jenna Lane, and sections of Warrior Street, Cole Circle, and Amy Street. Tyler Patterson, Public Works Operation Manager, said in August of 2023 the Professional Engineering Consultants, the city’s engineering firm, conducted a Street Evaluation & Rating Study, along with recommendations on ongoing street maintenance practices and found Proseal and their products Reclamite, which they are the sole-source provider of.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

Reporting sexual assault can be difficult because of the trauma involved. To help survivors, the Riley County Police Department now offers “Seek Then Speak,” an online tool that provides a safe, private way to explore options and start the reporting process. The tool works on a smartphone and connects users to resources, medical exams, and support services. The “Seek” section helps survivors gather information and consider their options, while “Speak” guides them in documenting evidence for a police report at their own pace. Users can share as much or as little as they want, and the program creates a PDF that can be saved or sent to law enforcement. Other victim service partners in Riley County have endorsed the tool, and RCPD is the second law enforcement agency in Kansas to make it available.
Read more: KCLY Radio

The City of Sedgwick broke ground on its new fire and EMS station on Friday. City officials say the project was roughly 10 years in the making. Fire and EMS Chief Zane Hansen, for the City of Sedgwick, said the new building will provide essential support to the city’s emergency services. He estimates the current station was built in the 1970s, adding that due to its age, it cannot adequately support all of the department’s needs. “Some of the equipment barely fits by inches, and so we’re building a facility that’s going to be able to grow with us into the future,” Hansen said.
Read more: KSN-TV

A developer is sharing new details about a $50 million “luxury” apartment complex coming to Topeka’s downtown area. We got in touch with David Wingerson, a developer with Flaherty & Collins Properties, to learn more about what Topeka locals should expect from “The Hutch,” a new 192-room apartment complex with a price tag of $50 million. The four-story complex is set to be constructed in the city’s downtown area between Southwest Van Buren Street and Southwest Jackson Street along with between Southwest Sixth Street and Southwest Seventh Street.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Overland Park Police could begin releasing body camera footage in critical situations involving police officers, like shootings or instances of potential misconduct — something, historically, the department has rarely done. This week, the department announced it was rolling out a revised policy on body cameras, crafted with input from department leadership, community stakeholders, the civil rights group ACLU and legal professionals, Police Chief Doreen Jokerst said. “I wanted to make sure that it was clear and defined that we would be releasing [footage] post-officer-involved shooting [and] critical incidents,” she said. The new policy, which became official Tuesday, takes effect a couple of months after Overland Park Police rolled out new body cameras as part of a technology overhaul with what department officials have described as a more integrated, more efficient and easier-to-use system.
Read more: Johnson County Post

As dozens of local officials and advocates recently took a peek at Maura Heft’s new three-bedroom home, she proudly showed off her spacious kitchen with dark wood cabinets and joyfully explained that the home came with a finished basement. Heft and her 6-year-old daughter were moving into their first home that they own. They are the first tenants to move into a new type of affordable housing constructed by Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City on the southern edge of Olathe in Johnson County. It’s a 14-home neighborhood built on a community land trust. That’s a real estate tool that allows the organization to sell the homes at a reduced price — and keep them affordable in the future. Habitat for Humanity sold the home to Heft for about $250,000, less than half of the average home price in the county.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Property owners in Wyandotte County who want to cash in on World Cup demand will navigate a new application system that includes third-party inspections but promises to be faster.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

“Our landlord, he’s able to work with us, that way my kids can have a place of their own,” Juan Horn said. “It means a lot to have a home of our own … to be able to say that we have a home and this is ours.” Having a stable roof over his head has changed the life of Horn for the better. And the lives of his family members. He and his children were living in a homeless shelter when the shelter told him about new modular homes being made available to renters in north-central Wichita. Now, they’re living situation has improved tremendously. The house that Horn calls home as a tenant was made possible by a partnership. Wichita Affordable Housing LLC, a social impact fund, is working with Rev. Dr. Kevass J Harding and Hope Community Development Corporation, and Prime Craftsman Homes out of Oklahoma to build high quality affordable homes in the Wichita area. 
Read more: KLC Journal

If you tried to make an online Wichita water bill payment Monday, you may have experienced a problem. The City of Wichita said BridgePay, a third-party credit card processing vendor, is reporting a nationwide service disruption. The disruption has impacted credit and debit card payments and auto payments on link.wichita.gov. But checking accounts are working, the city said.
Read more: KSN-TV

A tried-and-true process has recently been brought to the U.S., and more recently to Kansas. Thanks to the 2019 Farm Bill, hemp is allowed to be used in new affordable homes built by Habitat for Humanity with the help of volunteers and students at Kansas State University. Michael Gibson, an architecture professor at K-State, has been working with Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills since 2020 to help confront the affordability crisis in Manhattan. Gibson has led a seminar where his students, in collaboration with the non-profit, have built affordable homes in Ogden. During his fall 2024 seminar class, Gibson completed some research on what they can use in this home that would not only make it affordable but also allow it to be net positive.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The City of Topeka is rolling out a revamped online map system to make city maps and geospatial information more accessible for locals. The city’s new interactive online map system aims to modernize its website by transitioning the Geographic Information System Hub into a dedicated “.gov” domain, where city geospatial information is centralized. The GIS Hub consists of geographic information about the city, along with city maps and applications.
Read more: KSNT 27 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.

The city of Wichita wants to establish its own Homestead Property Tax Relief Program if a 1% sales tax proposal is approved by voters on March 3. The state already has such a program, which provides low-income residents with up to hundreds of dollars in property tax rebates each year.
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.

CoreCivic is a step closer to reopening its private prison in Leavenworth as a lucrative immigration detention center after the city planning commission approved a special use permit over objections from local advocates. A four-hour planning commission meeting on Monday included input from advocates on both sides of the issue, ejection of a long-time community teacher after he yelled about free speech and police escorts for CoreCivic officials when they went to the restroom. Approval, with one no vote from board chairman Ken Bateman, came after the planning commission made changes in the permit originally recommended by city staff, including questioning CoreCivic officials in attendance about their processes.  The permit will now move to the Leavenworth City Commission for a vote. 
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Panasonic’s Kansas battery plant will ramp up to 50% of its production capacity in the next few months, a company executive said Monday. Kristen Walters, Panasonic Energy vice president of human resources, said the company is starting two new production lines at its De Soto plant, adding to two lines already in operation. Construction has begun on the second wing of the lithium-ion battery cell plant, and two of the wing’s four lines will be in operation in 2027, Walters said in a virtual interview. The plant opened in July amidst concerns political changes would affect operations. The Trump administration eliminated tax credits for buying electric vehicles, which dropped the industry’s sales at the end of last year in the fourth quarter by 36%, year over year, according to Cox Automotive. Walters said Panasonic Energy has added battery customers in addition to Tesla, which is its largest customer. 
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Manhattan city officials are discussing ceasing the publication of legal notices in The Mercury and instead posting them on the city government’s own website, driving through a loophole in state law. City manager Danielle Dulin proposed the switch during the city commission’s retreat Tuesday, saying that it would save $17,000 to $20,000 per year and streamline workflow. Under Kansas law, cities are required to designate an official newspaper for publishing legal notices, which also go to the newspapers’ websites and a searchable database of similar notices from around the state and nation. A legal notice is an advertisement to notify the public about impending government actions, like a tax increase or a rezoning of property.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

The City of Hutchinson is launching Build Hutch, a new small-scale developer program designed to help local residents turn interest in development into action and reinvest directly in Hutchinson neighborhoods. Build Hutch represents a new approach to local development. Rather than relying solely on outside developers, the City is intentionally building capacity among residents who already live, work, and invest in the community. The program focuses on small, achievable projects that collectively strengthen neighborhoods and support long-term growth. The program is led by the City of Hutchinson’s Strategic Growth Department, with funding awarded by the Hutchinson Community Foundation and program delivery provided by Neighborhood Evolution, a national leader in small-scale development training.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved the final resolutions to extend moratoriums on battery and hydrogen energy storage systems to Sept. 1 and another for data centers to Dec. 1. All three resolutions have a provision where they can be lifted individually as such time as regulations are in place. Also approved was a zoning code amendment related to race tracks that sets out requirements for special use permits, including that they be at least one mile from existing homes, schools, hospitals or platted subdivisions. It also includes a notification requirement for property owners within a five-mile radius and sets out other regulatory criteria. Even with the enlarged radius, the area from which protest petitions can be filed remains as is. Purchase of new service weapons for McPherson County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Officers was approved. Sheriff Jerry Montagne said in the past reserve deputies had to furnish their own weapon, but that changed largely for liability reasons, including a desire to have all officers, regular or reserve, to have the same weapon.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

Cowley County will consider actions it can take to try and slow down the construction of a proposed Evergy electric transmission line through the county, commissioners discussed during their Tuesday meeting. The project has been met with widespread opposition from property owners, who say it will damage the land and infringe on private property rights, among other concerns. The Cowley County Commission has also formally opposed the project. The transmission line, called the Buffalo Flats project after the name of the substation near Garden Plain where the line would begin, would cross through Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley and Chautauqua counties, ending at the Kansas/Oklahoma border, with the remaining 30 miles built by another company before ending at an electric substation in Delaware, Okla. Evergy has said the project will enhance electrical reliability and strengthen the power grid.
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

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 Finney County Commission approved a task order for a US Highway 83/50 Bypass study at its regular meeting on Monday. Derek Ramos, Finney County Administrator, said Finney County Commission and the Garden City Commission directed staff to develop a task order via Wilson and Company in order to provide technical assistance to both governing bodies on the US Highway 83/50 Bypass study the Kansas Department of Transportation is conducting. A Request for Proposals for professional services related to the study is due to KDOT by Feb. 4, Ramos said. “KDOT anticipates executing an agreement with the selected consultant by the end of March 2026, with the study scheduled to begin April 1, 2026, and take approximately one year to complete,” he said. Ramos said the task order will have Wilson and Company serve in a technical advisory position specific to the Bypass study, providing technical representation for the governing bodies throughout the study’s process, assisting staff and elected officials in communicating and advocating for local interests.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

The Harvey County Food & Farm Council is celebrating a decade of finding ways to get food to people. They’ve done that in many ways, and they’re working on more. One of the council members, Peace Connections Director Kendra Davila, said she feels they’re building a more resilient food system. An example of that is the Double Up Food Bucks, which is a statewide food program. People can use the food bucks at the local farmer’s market if they qualify and then can purchase $20 worth of food there for $10. The council is an advisory group of the Board of Harvey County Commissioners, said Harvey County Health Department Director and Council Coordinator Lynnette Redington. The council has 16 members and two vacant spots. They don’t lobby. They just educate and advocate, if need be. They advise the commission on food and tell them about the council’s stance on topics.
Read more: Harvey County Now

The Halstead City Council referred another new technology to its planning and zoning committee for consideration and reporting back. Instead of a battery energy storage system (BESS), this time it’s data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities. Following Harvey County’s moratorium on data centers, Halstead Mayor Gary Faelber asked the Halstead City Council to consider a moratorium on commercial data centers, as well. Council Member Charlie Robinson said he was opposed to a ban without P&Z having a chance to look at it and weigh in. Faelber said the facilities are a nuisance. “In my opinion, the people have already voted on such a subject, and it was a resounding, ‘We do not want this kind of stuff in our city,’” Faelber said. City Attorney Brad Jantz told the council they could instill a moratorium with little notice, and they could rescind it at any time, even if they put a specific time period on it. On Jan. 13, Harvey County Commissioners agreed on a moratorium on data centers in the unincorporated areas of Harvey County until Jan. 1, 2029.
Read more: Harvey County Now

With inflation at 3% and Hays City sales tax collection only up 1% in 2025, Finance Director Kim Rupp told City Commissioners that savings “across the board” helped keep the City operating in the black. “You can’t pinpoint any one particular thing. A couple of departments, Fire in particular, operated almost the whole year under-staffed so they saved some salaries,” said Director Rupp during the January 22nd City Commission Meeting. He added that a number of departments also did not use their contingency funds. “They kept expenses down, even with their regular general supplies and materials across the boards throughout all the budgets,” Director Rupp said.
Read more: Hays Daily News

Lawmakers are attempting to resolve a water dispute between two Kansas cities and a neighboring county that has spawned three lawsuits, one administrative case and, most recently, a piece of proposed legislation that could modify county authority. The outcomes could determine what roles state officials and local governments will play in securing quality water supplies for future generations. One lawsuit has been dismissed, another is making its way through the court system, and the administrative case before the state’s Water Transfer Panel is in a holding pattern. But a bill that advanced out of a House committee Tuesday would amend state law to forbid county authorities from regulating water appropriation in ways that may conflict with state authorities.
Read more: Kansas Reflector

As dozens of local officials and advocates recently took a peek at Maura Heft’s new three-bedroom home, she proudly showed off her spacious kitchen with dark wood cabinets and joyfully explained that the home came with a finished basement. Heft and her 6-year-old daughter were moving into their first home that they own. They are the first tenants to move into a new type of affordable housing constructed by Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City on the southern edge of Olathe in Johnson County. It’s a 14-home neighborhood built on a community land trust. That’s a real estate tool that allows the organization to sell the homes at a reduced price — and keep them affordable in the future. Habitat for Humanity sold the home to Heft for about $250,000, less than half of the average home price in the county. Heft said moving into the new home is a life-changing moment for her and her daughter — who have been homeless for five years while staying with family or living in transitional housing — despite Heft working a full-time job.
Read more: KLC Journal

The Leawood City Council has approved a new ordinance requiring minors to wear helmets on ‘motorized’ devices. The ordinance, passed Monday night, requires anyone under age 18 to wear a secured helmet while operating or riding as a passenger on electric-assisted bikes, scooters, skateboards, mopeds, and similar devices. City officials said the change follows concerns raised by police about the increasing use of e-bikes and e-scooters by juveniles, often without helmets. Violations of the ordinance can result in a warning or a citation carrying a $25 fine. Police have said enforcement will focus first on education and voluntary compliance as residents adjust to the new rule.
Read more: KMBC

Across Kansas, more judges are becoming attuned to the mental health struggles of those who step into their courtrooms. In Ellis County, 23rd Judicial District Chief Judge Curtis Brown has witnessed the revolving door of people who are battling addiction and untreated mental illness while simultaneously dealing with the court system. “I really like to try to help people out,” Brown says. “You’ve just got to bring in a human element and help these folks.” More than 250 miles to the east, Johnson County District Judge Robert Wonnell has grown more aware of the behavioral health challenges some people face through his work presiding over Division 6 of the 10th Judicial District. Wonnell gained a new perspective in 2019 when he attended a regional conference hosted by the National Judicial Task Force to examine state courts’ responses to mental illness.
Read more: KLC Journal

Thursday, Wyandotte County commissioners will decide whether they’ll give back a portion of new sales tax revenue to pay off a domed stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs. The development would go west of 118th Street, between State Avenue and Parallel Parkway, east of 126th Street. All 10 commissioners get to vote on this issue Thursday. Christian Ramirez is the Commissioner for the southeastern portion of the county. The stadium would go in the far western portion. “I don’t, no,” Ramirez said when asked if he knew how he was going to vote Thursday. “I still am reviewing all our comments. We’re taking all comments from yesterday. Right now, I’m just listening.” About 45 people spoke Tuesday night at a public hearing. Only a couple of them supported the way that the potential deal is drawn for Wyandotte County.
Read more: KSN-TV

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 more: KSN-TV

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, and bolster the critical work of rural providers in caring for Kansans.”
Read more: KSN-TV

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 the hospital should keeping a cash balance of at least 75 days of average operating expenses.
Read more: KSN-TV

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 focuses on how the sales tax could affect the fire department if it passes.
Read more: KSN-TV

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