Municipal News & Jobs

Major changes are coming to how inmates at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility communicate with the outside world. Beginning Monday, June 16, the jail will roll out a series of changes to its phone, video visitation, and mail systems. The jail is partnering with ICS Corrections, Inc. to handle all inmate communications in a move officials say is aimed at improving security and modernizing services. The inmate telephone system will be the first to transition, with brief service interruptions expected on June 16 while the upgrade is completed in each housing unit.
Source: KSN-TV

Kansas is putting artificial intelligence to work on its roads, skies, and sidewalks. Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that more than $4.5 million will be awarded to 20 projects across the state through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Innovative Technology Program—many of them powered by AI. From AI-driven street assessments and radar detection to automated alerts for blocked railroad crossings, this year’s funding round emphasizes the state’s growing focus on smart infrastructure and data-driven safety.
Source: KSN-TV

The City of Topeka is ready to make some improvements to multiple intersections after getting cash from the State of Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly announced in a press release on June 11 that Topeka was selected as a recipient of $75,000 in cash to improve radar traffic detection technology in the city. Topeka is one out of 20 recipients of the $4.5 million Kelly released to various projects across Kansas.
Source: KSNT 27 News

The Topeka governing body gave its input on the “readiness to serve” charge Tuesday night at city council. It’s a monthly fee for people on all water meters, whether it’s used or not. Part of the discussion was an ordinance, primarily targeting properties that owe money. Last month, letters were mailed to delinquent customers for 792 accounts, and that totaled to more than 446-thousand dollars owed. As of Tuesday, that number has gone down to 724 accounts with more than $424,000 owed. City leaders say this isn’t about usage, but rather about fairness and access. Source: KSNT 27 News

Six months after Tyson Foods and Holiday Resort announced their closures in Emporia on back-to-back days, Mayor Erren Harter says the city fared a lot better than it could have when jobs and potential ex-migration is concerned. Numbers aren’t being released, but Harter says all the Holiday Resort staff have found jobs and most are staying in or close to Emporia. Harter also says nearly all the 200-plus Tyson employees offered jobs at the Holcomb plant decided against that option and are staying put. He credits the work of the city’s Rapid Response Team in several ways, including two jobs fairs but extending beyond that.
Source: d2430

Recent heavy rains in the area have filled Winfield City Lake to more than a foot above capacity, according to numbers provided by the city of Winfield. As of Monday morning, the level of the lake was 15.5 inches above full pool. As recently as May 27, the water level was 3 feet below full. In March, the lake had reached its low this year of 42 inches below full. It was last at full pool in July 2024.
Source: Local – Cowley Post

The border war is heating up as Missouri comes to the table with its own plan to keep the Chiefs and Royals on their side of the state line. Now, all eyes are on both pro-sports teams as they weigh their options. Some Kansas lawmakers are vying for the teams to cross over, calling out Missouri’s months of deliberation over a final proposal. However, some advocacy groups are skeptical of whether a move to Kansas will pay off in the end.
Source: KSNT 27 News

A road work project that would have created a nearly 70-mile detour in central Kansas is officially delayed. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced on social media that a road work project set for K-177 Highway is delayed until next year. The project was originally set to start on June 16 and lead to the closure of 21 miles of K-177 between Strong City and Council Grove, creating a large detour route.
Source: KSNT 27 News

The City of Lawrence has approved a change in city code to allow private ambulance companies to perform non-emergency medical transports to and from the hospital to alleviate some of the burden on Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical crews.
Source: LJWorld

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.

Outside of small towns these feedlots look like miles of fences with cattle standing end to end. But some people have started to be wary of these expansive developments.
Source: High Plains Public Radio

Western Johnson County is experiencing a significant housing boom. Developers are betting on a surge in interest in the area thanks to the $4 billion Panasonic electric-vehicle battery plant.
Source: KC Star

The tourism district Loretto Companies has planned in Olathe, featuring an ultra-accessible amusement park and a sports complex focused on youth sports, is still happening, the developer says, but the timeline is uncertain.
Source: Johnson County Post

The city of Wichita opened its first accessible playground on Wednesday, marking the first of a series of planned improvements to L.W. Clapp Memorial Park. At a ribbon-cutting late Wednesday morning, city leaders celebrated the opening of the playground and the installation of a piece of public art.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

Wichita school district leaders say some student records at Southeast High School were changed — possibly to meet graduation requirements — and the district is investigating allegations of grade fixing at the school. Southeast High’s principal, Claudia Cooper, was replaced unexpectedly last week. In an email to employees, Lauren Hatfield, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, said Connie Redic would serve as Southeast’s principal for the coming school year.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

Major energy provider Evergy has filed a rate increase that could lead to higher bills for customers in the Wichita area, and stakeholders will soon have the chance to comment on the request. Evergy is requesting a $196.4 million rate increase for Evergy Kansas Central, which includes customers in Wichita, Manhattan and Topeka. The new rates would begin in September and come out to a 8.62% rate hike for residential customers, about $13 more per month.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

A town about an hour and a half drive from Wichita has a main street you might not want to miss, according to USA Today readers. Emporia, Kansas, with a population of just exceeding 24,000 residents, was recognized by the publication as having the second best main street in the U.S., ranking just behind Pennsylvania city. “Whether you’re looking for unique shopping, mouthwatering dining, or a lively night out, Commercial Street in downtown Emporia is the place to be,” the April 16 10Best Readers’ Choice piece reads.
Source: Homepage

Reviving a department after a 12-year layoff can be a daunting task for any city operation, but once in a while, things just fall into place. Larned City Manager Brad Eilts noted that for some time, he and the city council had realized not having a department for regular repair and maintenance of city vehicles and equipment was a drawback.
Source: Homepage

With seven measles cases now on record in Pawnee County, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday added the current total to its outbreak status. Its latest dashboard posting noted that last week, seven more cases were added to the state’s list, bringing the total to 71 since the beginning of the year. Measles was first reported in a Pawnee County resident by the Pawnee County Health Department to KDHE the last week of May.
Source: Homepage