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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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]