Rice County News

AAA: Gas Prices Wobble, But They Don’t Fall Down

Friday, July 7

By Andrew Gross & Devin Gladden WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2023)—Pump prices barely budged over the past week, despite the expected demand surge due to the July 4th holiday. AAA predicted that more than 43 million people would hit the road to celebrate the nation’s birthday.... Read More.

GHB Test Strips Now Legal for Purchase in Kansas

Friday, July 7

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – It is now legal to buy test strips in Kansas that can test whether a drink has been spiked with a date rape drug. The Kansas News Service reports that GHB test strips became legal on July 1.The test strips... Read More.

Kansas Attorney General Sues to Prevent Transgender People from Changing Driver’s Licenses

Friday, July 7

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican attorney general of Kansas sued Friday to block transgender residents from changing their sex on their driver's licenses and to rebuke the Democratic governor for defying his interpretation of a new law.Attorney General Kris Kobach went to a... Read More.

Chase by Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ends in Death of Shooting Suspect

Thursday, July 6

EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a woman who was fatally injured in a crash while being chased by the Kansas Highway Patrol on Wednesday had just fled the scene of a shooting. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the... Read More.

Kansas Ends Fiscal Year with $10.1 Billion in Tax Revenue Based on Surge of $400 Million

Thursday, July 6

By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — Collection of income and sales taxes by the state of Kansas in the just-completed fiscal year reached $10.16 billion to surpass the previous year’s revenue deposits by more than $400 million, officials said Wednesday.Totals reported by the... Read More.

KDOT, Law Enforcement Urge Drivers to Slow Down

Wednesday, July 5

TOPEKA, Kan. – From July 10 to July 16, law enforcement across the state will participate in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign and will increase enforcement for speeding vehicles to improve traffic safety. The Kansas Department of Transportation funds this campaign to raise... Read More.

Kansas Kids Count Data for Education Released

Wednesday, July 5

KANSAS (KNS/KCUR) - Kansas ranks 26th in the nation for education. That's according to the latest Kids Count Data Book. Missouri ranks 22nd.The annual child wellness report says about 70% of fourth graders in both Kansas and Missouri were not proficient in reading. Ryan... Read More.

Massive Retail Crime Wave Washes over Kansas and Missouri

Wednesday, July 5

NEW YORK (CNN/KPR) - Retail crime in Kansas is bad and getting worse. So says Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.In an interview with CNN, Kobach said Kansas and Missouri are among the top 10 states in the nation for the volume of retail crime.... Read More.

Rehabilitation Work on Several Houses in Lyons is Proceeding

Wednesday, July 5

LYONS, Kan. – Rehabilitation work on several houses in Lyons under a Community Development Block Grant is proceeding. Community Development Coordinator Alicia Hommon told the Lyons City Council Monday that work on two of the houses has been finished, while five more will be... Read More.

Safety Corridor Pilot Program Focuses on Saving Lives

Wednesday, July 5

KANSAS – Motorists traveling four stretches of highway across Kansas will now see increased traffic safety messaging and new signage as part of the Safety Corridor Pilot Program.The Safety Corridor Pilot Program is a five-year initiative to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in four... Read More.

Nominations Open for Kansas Business Awards

Wednesday, July 5

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2023 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The popular annual awards program recognizes companies and individuals around the state for the positive impact they make to their communities and to the Kansas... Read More.

Ad Astra Radio Acquires Iola Radio Stations KIKS and KIOL

Monday, July 3

IOLA, Kan. – Ad Astra per Aspera Broadcasting, Inc. (Ad Astra Radio) announces the acquisition of 101.5 KIKS and 1370/99.3 KIOL from longtime owners Tom and Monica Norris, effective July 1, 2023. Ad Astra Radio owns and operates nine other radio stations in Kansas... Read More.