Rice County News

Country Artist Cooper Alan with Frank Ray Hit the Stage at Kansas State Fair September 12

Monday, May 8

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Country music fans, mark your calendars! Rising star Cooper Alan will be performing with Frank Ray at the Kansas State Fair on Tuesday, September 12. After graduating college, Cooper Alan packed up and moved to Nashville, TN where he has been making waves... Read More.

Sterling College Commencement Ceremony Saturday

Thursday, May 4

STERLING, Kan. - Sterling College will honor the Class of 2023 for the 2023 Sterling College Commencement ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 6, at 9:45 a.m. in the Gleason Physical Education Center on the Sterling College campus. Don Reed ’68,... Read More.

Governor Kelly Announces $30 Million to Increase High-Speed Internet Availability

Thursday, May 4

TOPEKA – Wedneday, Governor Laura Kelly announced a new program aimed at helping Kansas communities that lack high-speed internet. The Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program will provide $30 million in competitive funding opportunities to build the infrastructure needed for more homes and... Read More.

EPA Fulfills Governor Kelly’s Request to Save Kansans Money at the Gas Pump This Summer

Thursday, May 4

TOPEKA, Kan. – Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted her request to allow the sale of E15 products – gasoline blended with 15% ethanol – during the summer months through an emergency waiver. This action will help prevent potential fuel shortages and... Read More.

Lyons City Council Discusses Potential Candidates, Process for Hiring an Interim City Manager

Thursday, May 4

LYONS, Kan. – During a special noon-hour meeting Thursday, the Lyons City Council agreed to begin the process of hiring an interim city administrator. The decision comes after the resignation of current city administrator Chad Buckley was announced earlier in the week.Mayor Dustin Schutz... Read More.

Biden Rule Protecting Lesser Prairie Chicken Overturned by U.S. Senate

Thursday, May 4

By Ariana Figueroa, Kansas Reflector WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed on a 50-48 vote a resolution overturning a Biden administration rule that listed a popular Southwestern game bird under a federal endangered species designation.The White House has vowed President Joe Biden would... Read More.

Kansas Officials Plan to Cut Down on Foster Placements

Thursday, May 4

By Rachel Mipro, Kansas Reflector KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas Department for Children and Families will work to reduce unnecessary foster care placements, said DCF Secretary Laura Howard, expressing optimism about new funding measures and legislation.“This was a strong legislative session in terms... Read More.

Kansas April Tax Collections Fall Short of Estimates

Tuesday, May 2

TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - State tax collections for April fell short of estimates. The Kansas Department of Revenue reports that tax collections for April totaled $1.3 billion, about 2.3% or $30.1 million below the estimate. The number also marks a 14.7% fall from April... Read More.

Lyons City Administrator Chad Buckley Resigns

Tuesday, May 2

LYONS, Kan. – Lyons City Administrator Chad Buckley announced his resignation during Monday night’s Lyons City Council meeting. Buckley tendered his verbal resignation effective immediately following a series of executive sessions. No reason was given for the decision. Buckley had served as City Administrator... Read More.

Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force Announces 2022 Challenge Award Recipients

Monday, May 1

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 91 schools as recipients of the 2022 Challenge Awards.The awards recognize Kansas schools that are making a notable difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in their school population. Since... Read More.

Here’s where gas Prices are Headed (For Now) and Why

Monday, May 1

By Casey Quinlan, Kansas Reflector KANSAS - Higher temperatures. Higher gas prices.Drivers across the country have seen that seasonal given play out in recent weeks. The national average for a gallon of regular gas was $3.63 on April 28, up 19 cents over the previous... Read More.

Kansas Legislature Approves K-12 Education Budget with Private School Benefits

Monday, May 1

By Rachel Mipro, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Legislature passed a K-12 education package Friday that fully funds public schools but includes expansion of a private school tax credit and allows private school students to participate in public school sports and activities.Lawmakers abandoned... Read More.