Community and municipal leaders, elected officials and water professionals from around Johnson County and the state of Kansas gathered Friday, Oct. 17, at the 2025 Johnson County Water Summit for a morning of learning and collaboration. The summit featured welcome remarks from Commissioner Becky Fast, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, and Whitney Wilson, WaterOne Board Chair. It took place from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

Cities across Johnson County have spent the last several years and millions of dollars removing doomed ash trees that were dead or dying from emerald ash borer infestations. Now, some local foresters and arborists are warning that another illness could pose a threat to mature trees that line streets and provide shade in local yards. Oak wilt is a fungal infection that can rapidly wipe out an oak tree after it becomes infected. It harms a tree’s vascular system, tricking it into blocking its own water vessels, and the disease can spread to other trees through insects or underground root connections.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A multibillion development pipeline could reshape Western Wyandotte County. Here’s a look at six major real estate developments planned around the Kansas Speedway.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, alongside city officials, is exploring the possibility of bringing a next-generation nuclear power facility to Hutchinson, which could boost local economic growth and infrastructure. This interest follows TerraPower’s September 23 announcement of a memorandum of understanding with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to build a Natrium nuclear reactor somewhere in Evergy’s Kansas service area.
Read more: KCLY Radio

Companies are racing to roll out nuclear reactor designs that would be faster to build and could meet rising demand for energy from AI data centers. Two nuclear companies have proposals for new reactors in Kansas. Plus: Data centers are fundamentally changing the landscape for electric utilities in Missouri and beyond.
Read more: KCUR

A town hall meeting held Wednesday evening brought together leaders from the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools. The goal was to give government representatives a chance to hear from the public on how the three agencies can collaborate. In attendance was Vernette Chance, a retired teacher, who says her biggest concern is special education.
Red more: KSN-TV

Two different generations of Pittsburg residents are helping the city grow. City officials say they’ve been making a push to attract younger working professionals to Pittsburg, with new construction projects and high-quality businesses. More recently, the city reported an uptick in retirees moving to the city from out of state.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A discussion to control the noise surrounding a Bitcoin mining facility in Bourbon County is tabled for now. A representative from Evolution Tech, the company behind the facility, was scheduled to make an appearance at today’s Bourbon County Commissioners meeting after several recent noise complaints. However, Commissioner Samuel Tran told us the company postponed its appearance. Tran says Evolution Tech has sought legal counsel to prepare for any questions commissioners or the public might ask.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com