Topeka Gas Eases to $3.68 While Diesel Rises to $4.90
AAA’s Aug. 2 Topeka metro check shows regular gas easing slightly while diesel rises, keeping fuel costs important for commuters and diesel users.
Kansas
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Wichita names Michael Mire as next fire chief ahead of Aug. 24 transition
Wichita City Manager Dennis Marstall has appointed Michael Mire as the city’s next fire chief after a national search. Mire is expected to assume command Aug. 24, replacing retiring Chief Elizabeth Snow.
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Shawnee County to close Northwest Redwood Lane for 46th Street project
Northwest Redwood Lane is scheduled to close Wednesday, Aug. 5, between Northwest Kendall Drive and Country Club Park for work connected to the 46th Street project.
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Overland Park council votes to close Bluejacket and Stonegate neighborhood pools
The Overland Park City Council voted July 22, 2026, to close Bluejacket Pool and Stonegate Pool rather than rebuild or continue operating the neighborhood facilities, according to a local online post and subsequent public discussion.
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Bluhawk announces eight new stores in Overland Park, including L.L.Bean
Bluhawk announced eight new stores in Overland Park, including what KCTV5 described as the Kansas City area’s only L.L.Bean. The development said more retailers and restaurants are expected.
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Kansas City voters to decide five city measures, including $750 million sewer bonds and $100 million housing bonds
Kansas City Council has placed five municipal questions on the Aug. 4 ballot, including proposed sewer, housing and city-facilities bond authorizations and a Central City sales-tax renewal.
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Final advance-voting hours set before Aug. 4 Kansas primary
Johnson County’s final advance-voting session before the Aug. 4, 2026, Kansas primary is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 3, with two listed sites in Overland Park.
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Kansas voters to decide whether Supreme Court justices should be elected
Kansas voters will decide Aug. 4 whether to amend the state constitution to replace the current Supreme Court selection system with elections, with future procedures to be set by law if the measure passes.
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Kansas health officials investigate cyclospora cases tied to national outbreak and recalled lettuce
Kansas health officials are continuing to investigate cyclosporiasis cases associated with a national outbreak and a July 17 voluntary recall of Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce.
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NWS forecast keeps dangerous heat risk in view for Overland Park
The National Weather Service forecast for Overland Park calls for highs near 90 degrees, humid conditions and warm nights through Aug. 3, following a regional extreme-heat episode.
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Kansas voters set to decide whether state Supreme Court justices should be elected
Kansas voters are scheduled to decide Aug. 4 whether to replace the state’s appointment-and-retention system for Supreme Court justices with direct elections.
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Kansas Medicaid disability-services waiver approved for October launch
Federal approval clears Kansas to begin its Community Supports Waiver on Oct. 1, 2026, with projected first-year enrollment of 500 people.
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Dangerous heat wave pushed Kansas City heat indexes to 105 or higher
Kansas City-area locations reported heat-index values of at least 105 degrees during a late-June and early-July heat wave, while forecasts warned of continued hazardous conditions through the July 4 weekend.
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UMKC names Miguel Mostafá dean of School of Science and Engineering
Miguel Mostafá, Ph.D., is scheduled to begin as dean of UMKC’s School of Science and Engineering on June 1, 2026, leading a unit serving more than 3,000 students and reporting $72 million in ongoing research.
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Kansas City advances proposal to expand CPKC Stadium and redevelop riverfront
Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced legislation supporting a major expansion of CPKC Stadium and additional development along Kansas City’s Missouri River riverfront.
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Shawnee County officials review cyclosporiasis outbreak as summer cases continue
Health experts shared an update on a cyclosporiasis outbreak during a Shawnee County work session, with key details including case numbers and a possible source not established in the available report.
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Wichita City Council schedules Aug. 4 meeting as Kansas primary approaches
Wichita’s City Council has a meeting and agenda listed for Aug. 4, the same date as the 2026 Kansas primary. The city’s adopted 2026 budget lists $342.8 million in city budget spending and $776.6 million across all funds.
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Kansas primary election is Aug. 4; advance voting is underway statewide
Kansas voters will cast primary ballots Tuesday, Aug. 4. Every county was required to begin in-person advance voting by July 28, while ballot contests, voting locations and hours can vary by voter and county.
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Kansas City Council weighs voter-approval rule for major private stadium projects
Kansas City Council is considering a city-code proposal that would require voter approval before city officials could advance or materially support certain large stadium, arena and venue projects.
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Overland Park Arts and Heritage Center designated for early voting ahead of Aug. 4 Kansas primary
Johnson County voters can cast in-person early ballots at the Arts and Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., ahead of Kansas’ Aug. 4, 2026, primary.
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Kansas launches new statewide Office of Early Childhood
Kansas’ new cabinet-level Office of Early Childhood began operations July 1, consolidating programs and staff from several state entities under inaugural director Christi Smith.
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Kansas bill proposes framework on transnational repression tied to foreign adversaries
Kansas Senate Bill 454, introduced in the 2025-26 session, would create the proposed Crush Transnational Repression in Kansas Act and define the foreign governments and entities covered by the measure.