Wichita News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Kansas is on the brink of a cannabis legalization showdown as the August 4 primary looms, with Democrats united behind medical marijuana and Republicans staying silent — despite polls showing even many GOP voters support it. While neighbors like Missouri have moved forward, Kansas lags, forcing candidates to choose sides. Democratic hopefuls Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher are pushing for both med...

Vandalism struck the Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita, Kansas, with serious damage to four vintage locomotives and train cars—some 70 to 80 years old—costing an estimated $10,000 to repair. Broken windows, graffiti, and even oil drained from a locomotive left the historic site reeling. This is the worst incident this summer, and the museum’s director is already fencing off a rooftop a...

The U.S. Junior National Badminton Championships just launched in Wichita, Kansas — the nation’s biggest youth badminton event — drawing over 700 young athletes and nearly 1,400 parents to the buzzing Edge Sports Complex. Running nonstop from 9 AM to 9 PM daily for a full week, this marathon tournament is testing endurance as much as skill. Hosted across the country to broaden young players’ horiz...

Help kids start the school year strong—Salvation Army’s “Stuff the Bus” drive is collecting supplies to fill over 2,000 backpacks for students in Reno County who can’t afford basics. Drop off donations this Friday & Saturday at Walmart on East 17th Ave, or anytime next week at Salvation Army or First Call for Help. Need help? First Call’s got you covered. Your contribution makes a real difference....

Three baby ducks got stuck in a storm drain—and the Hutchison Fire Department turned a wild morning into a heartwarming rescue. After a dog walker spotted distressed quacking, firefighters rappelled down to save the ducklings, nicknamed Mo, Curly, and Larry. They gave them a Dawn-soap spa, then reunited them with their mama near Lake Talbott—complete with emotional quacks of thanks. All three duck...

Kansas is making waves by partnering with Ripple to debut XRP patches on all Jayhawk sports uniforms this fall, blending athletics with cutting-edge finance. Beyond flashy logos, Ripple is funding tech and finance education for student-athletes and creating career pathways in the digital economy. Athletic leaders like Travis Goff and Bill Self praise the bold move as a symbol of innovation and com...

Tad Cullum’s legal team is going after DA George Leach over alleged gag order violations after Leach reportedly misled the public about Cora Twombly’s daughter not having to testify — a key part of her plea deal. The DA’s office fires back, calling the statements factual corrections against online misinformation. Meanwhile, the case — which began when Butler and Kelley vanished in March — is heati...

Fifty years of culture, community, and cuisine come together at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum as they team up with Hunter Health for a free, health-focused festival this Saturday. Celebrating their shared history — Hunter Health began right in the museum building — attendees can enjoy free health screenings, groundwater contamination tests, and delicious Native dishes from chef Jason Champagne...

Truck Takes Out Traffic Light in Newton | Wichita News

Severe storms with hail and damaging winds could hit northwest Kansas this evening, moving east through Thursday morning. Temperatures will soar, especially south, with heat indices nearing 105 degrees. Another storm system brews in western Kansas Thursday night, bringing more damaging winds and possible hail. Friday sees scattered storms south of I-70 with strong winds and large hail. The weekend...

Wichita families are stuck in a nightmare of EBT delays, with people queuing for days—sometimes before sunrise—only to be told they’ll be seen in 47 days or worse, turned away. One dad’s been repeating the same forms for three days with no resolution, while others face a new system that even blocks asking about their place in line. The stress? Real. Kids go hungry. Parents break. And the state won...

Former Salina Animal Shelter manager Andrea Murphy faces animal cruelty charges alongside Monique Hawley, accused of euthanizing three puppies without proper sedation and by untrained staff. Murphy pleaded not guilty and her team is pushing to move the trial out of Saline County, citing media frenzy and public outrage that could taint jury selection. Animal advocates insist the evidence will speak...

Wichita’s downtown is about to get a major upgrade with the addition of a 30,000-square-foot full-service grocery store—developed by the Price Chopper family—to tackle food access and draw more residents and workers to the area. Part of a larger revitalization plan for the block between First and Second streets and Topeka and Emporia avenues, the store will sit near the Shirkmere building, soon to...

Kansas International Dragway cancels its highly anticipated Summer Nationals this year, citing scheduling conflicts and critical track infrastructure issues—including cracked surfaces and faulty sensors. Despite reopening under new ownership this year, the historic dragway, dating back to 1963, can’t deliver the show they want to put on. Other events remain scheduled, but fans are disappointed as...

A harrowing crash on K-16 in Jackson County left a 12-year-old boy injured but not life-threatening after a flatbed pickup slammed into a stopped trash truck—though both the driver and trash crew walked away unharmed. The road was briefly shut down, now reopened, as authorities dig into how the collision happened. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/d...

Glasco, Cloud County, is under a boil water advisory after a pressure drop during maintenance allowed bacteria to potentially enter the system. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment must lift the advisory after certified lab testing confirms safety. Until then, boil all water for one minute before drinking or cooking, use bottled water, avoid ice from automatic makers, flush taps if wate...

A local museum is grappling with devastating vandalism that destroyed historic windows—replaceable glass, but irreplaceable authenticity. To deter repeat offenses, they’re installing a fence at the main entry point where teens were scaling roofs and crashing through. Surveillance confirms the culprits are juveniles, not homeless individuals. While repairs will take months and rely on volunteer eff...

Coleman Middle School in Wichita is turning summer break into a hands-on sustainability adventure, where kids grow food, care for animals, clean up neighborhoods, and even process e-waste and collect cans—turning eco-action into real funding and life skills. With constant tasks keeping them engaged and grounded, this program proves education doesn’t have to be confined to classrooms—it’s messy, me...

Starting this Sunday, Forever stamps jump to 82 cents — up 5% — as domestic postcards and international mail also see price hikes. Since 2021, stamps have risen steadily, doubling since 2006. More increases are planned for 2028, potentially pushing a stamp toward $1. Despite higher prices, the USPS still faces a $2 billion loss, declining mail volume, and even suspended retirement contributions to...

Spangles, the beloved Wichita fast-food chain with roots dating back nearly 50 years, is entering a new era with the Hamideh family now at the helm—effective tomorrow. Once owned by two brothers and expanded to over 25 locations across Kansas, the brand is poised to honor its iconic roots while scaling up for the future. The new owners promise to preserve the traditions that made Spangles a Kansas...

Health insurance premiums on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace are set to jump 14% on average next year — a painful climb after last year’s 18% surge. Seventy-seven insurers across 16 states and D.C. are asking for hikes, mostly between 10–20%, with none proposing cuts. The spike? Blame expired subsidies (gone for those earning over $63K), rising healthcare costs, and federal rule changes. As he...

Spangles, the beloved Wichita burger chain with roots dating back to 1978, is officially changing hands after nearly 50 years under the Steven family. The Hamideh family — seasoned restaurateurs with Popeyes and IHOP experience — are stepping in, promising to honor the brand’s traditions and beloved vibe. With 26 locations across Kansas, this transition marks the end of an era for longtime fans, b...

Wallace, Kansas is under a boil water advisory after a pressure drop in the water system allowed bacteria to potentially grow—here’s what you need to know: boil all water for one minute before drinking or cooking, avoid ice from your fridge, use bottled water, and run faucets until water clears. For dishes, mix a teaspoon of bleach per gallon. Bathing is fine, but watch little ones. The fix is und...

Kansas just got a game-changer for families navigating autism: a free, locally-tuned chatbot called the Kansas Autism and Disability Resource Navigator, built by University of Kansas researchers. It’s pulling from trusted Kansas-specific sources to deliver hyper-relevant answers — already helping over 500 families with more than 1,000 questions since launch, all funded by grants. Listen in comfort...

Two men found dead near a Wichita bridge are suspected overdose victims, with police investigating the grim scene on the south side near Pawnee Avenue and McLean Boulevard. The wife of one victim, a 57-year-old man, is cooperating with investigators as authorities await autopsy results to confirm the cause of death. This is an ongoing, developing story. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli...