City officials in Topeka are getting involved in an ongoing lawsuit between a local Indian tribe and the state lottery. The Topeka City Council voted in favor of intervening in an ongoing lawsuit between Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the state of Kansas on Aug. 11. The governing body passed a resolution to step into the lawsuit “to protect the City’s interests” as the nation is allegedly trying to expand the boundaries of its reservation. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in early July this year. The nation alleged [...]

The Topeka City Council voted to amend the language used in a one-year moratorium for data centers to restrict utility connections for these types of projects. The new amended language includes the restriction of utility connections inside and outside of city limits for data centers. City officials said this is necessary to prevent administrative exceptions that would allow staff to extend utility services outside of city limits to serve as a data center. Read more: KSNT 27 News

Kansas Tourism has announced that applications for the Attraction Development Grants program will open August 17. The program is designed to provide funding support for the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions that encourage travel to and throughout Kansas. A total of $1 million will be granted during this round. The deadline for applications is October 16, 2026.  Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

Not many country folks want to become city folks. At least, that’s what Pottawatomie County leaders learned in 2019 when they asked residents of the Green Valley area whether they wanted to incorporate and create an independent town. At that time, 70% of residents said they didn’t want to form a new city, and 70% said they didn’t want Manhattan to annex Green Valley, either. But the area directly east of Manhattan, roughly the southern part of Blue Township, continues to grow. The population of Blue Township has risen from 4,926 in 2020 to an estimated 5,541 in 2026, an increase [...]

The Garden City Commission approved an amendment to the City Codes and the creation of new sections to the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding micro data facilities at its regular meeting on Aug.4. Aleecya Charles, Garden City Assistant Neighborhood and Development Services Director, said both items come after a recent influx of data facilities on both large and small scales. Because of the influx of development of these types of facilities nationwide, the city proposed an amendment to its Zoning Regulations that will set parameters for any new development regarding Micro Data Facilities, Charles said. Read more: Garden City Telegram

Despite the age-old noise restraints for the Hesston Public Library, an increase in activity led to the refurbishment of a room. The community is invited to the ribbon-cutting for the new computer lab at HPL on Monday, Aug. 17, with a 4:30 p.m. cut time. Staff moved four computers into the area, as there are seven total machines available for public use. “I’d say the biggest reason we started brainstorming the idea of a computer lab was the increase in library use, especially during the summer and after school,” Abigail Skiles, library director, said. “This led to an increase in noise [...]

The North Newton City Council decided against renewing an ordinance regarding a traffic infraction substitute for certain marijuana offenses. This was during its regular monthly Monday night meeting at the North Newton City Building. Instead, they decided to allow the expired ordinance to remain expired and directed staff to talk about the matter more. “I’ll follow up with whatever we find,” City Administrator Brad Harris said. He said that, in 2024, the city adopted an ordinance that amended that version of the public offense code to create a traffic infraction process for some marijuana offenses relating to small possession. Read more: [...]

A 17-unit affordable housing project in downtown Overland Park aimed at people who have intellectual and mental health challenges got a boost Thursday in the form of gap funding approved by the Johnson County Commission. The commission agreed to extend a zero-percent interest line of credit to the Friends of (Johnson County Developmental Supports) so that construction costs can be met while the non-profit continues to raise money and waits on grant money to be released. The $2.5 million loan was requested because of the impacts of inflation on the construction costs and the sometimes slow release of grant money after [...]

For Sara Swanson, the lead behavioral specialist at Lenexa-based dog training company Sit Now Stay, leashing dogs is a must. When she was a child, a dog overpowered its owner and attacked her dog. So her advice for clients regarding off-leash dog walking is simple: Don’t. “It’s one of those things where, even if we put a lot of effort in, just for the safety of our own dogs, ourselves and those around us, it’s best to keep them leashed in a public area,” Swanson said. In Johnson County, by and large, cities require pet owners to keep dogs leashed in [...]

The Clay Center Zoo is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Willie, its Asian water monitor, with a “gotcha day” celebration event Sunday, August 16 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The zoo will host a Sundae Social Meet and Greet and visitors will have the opportunity to meet Willie, take photos and talk with zoo staff about the animals and the facility. Free ice cream donated by Simply Scoops will be available while supplies last. The zoo expressed appreciation for the community’s continued support and encouraged residents to bring family and friends to the celebration. Read more: KCLY Radio