Kansas Tourism, a division within the Kansas Department of Commerce, today announced that applications are open for the Tourism Marketing Grant program. The grants are designed to assist local tourism organizations or attractions in new or first-time innovative marketing initiatives. “Strong tourism marketing is essential for ensuring our communities are reaching new audiences, attracting more visitors and generating economic opportunities for local businesses,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These grants are a way to help showcase what makes Kansas special while strengthening our state’s tourism economy.” Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

Chase Koch's Movement Musick nonprofit partners with the Queen family to bring a 30,000 square-foot grocery store to downtown Wichita, addressing a long-standing gap in the market. Read more: Wichita Business Journal

Local artist and community muralist Brady Scott is working on another mural on a downtown building in Hutchinson, and he was given only two requests by the building’s owner: paint it blue and put in natural elements. Scott started working on a mural at 322 N. Main St.—The Hutchinson Tribune’s office—Thursday and said he’s bringing out rural aspects of Kansas life in a mural on the front of the building. He designed the mural based on reference images and his own creativity and has completed several across Hutchinson. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The potential for data centers being built in Pottawatomie County gives rural landowners an uneasy future, an agriculture law professor said. Roger McEowen is the Kansas Farm Bureau professor of agricultural law and taxation at Washburn and also teaches undergraduate agricultural law courses at K-State. He said July 15 that the dynamic farmers are primarily concerned with big infrastructure and its burden on neighbors. Read more: News Radio KMAN

With political campaigning and the posting of campaign signs fully underway ahead of the August primary election, the Kansas Department of Transportation recently put out a reminder on display regulations for political signs. Per KDOT, all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited from being placed on state highway right-of-way (including Highway K-15 through Derby). By law, all right-of-way on state highways is exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs placed by KDOT are allowed on the 9,500-mile state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes. Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a policy that aims to standardize how the city chooses affordable housing projects to award incentives. Some projects receive funding through the city’s affordable housing trust fund, which comes from a special city sales tax. Lawrence voters in November 2024 approved doubling the affordable housing sales tax to one penny for every $20 spent in town. The funds have supported numerous projects over the past several years. The city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, comprised of volunteers who were appointed by city commissioners, make recommendations, and city commissioners ultimately vote on whether to approve them. The new incentive policy provides [...]

After months of debate and more than two hours of public comment Wednesday, the Emporia City Commission unanimously approved the key zoning measures needed to move the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus to its next phase, while emphasizing that no data center has been approved and any future project must still return for additional public hearings and commission approval. The commission also unanimously adopted new large-volume water and wastewater service policies intended to govern future high-demand industrial projects before taking up the digital campus agenda items. The policies establish how the city will evaluate, negotiate and recover costs from future large-volume [...]

Zach Johnson is the new superintendent for U.S.D. 234, Fort Scott’s school district, as of July 1. As a leader, Johnson hopes to help facilitate a collective vision that focuses on the success of all students, he said. “I believe in supporting and creating a culture that adds value and support to our staff. I look forward to working alongside our staff to create positive student outcomes every year.” Read more: Fort Scott Biz

Lawrence city commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a study and 10-year plan to address housing issues in the city. Consultants from Development Strategies have been working on the affordable housing study for the city since October. Justin Carney, principal with Development Strategies, presented the final study to the commission on Tuesday. The study was intended to research and quantify Lawrence’s largest challenges when it comes to housing, and to identify goals, specific strategies and solutions to tangibly improve the situation. Read more: The Lawrence Times

As school approaches, there is still a need floating around for area districts. There is a shortage of bus drivers across the state, and Harvey County is no stranger to these effects. Currently, Halstead is in the most dire straits, as USD-440 is short three open positions. The state requirements are a driver must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Kansas drivers license, while being able to obtain the proper CDL and pass the appropriate tests, including a DOT medical test. The individual must also meet driving record standards while successfully completing the hiring requirements of the [...]