Brandon K. Peoples

14 hours ago | themercury.com | Brandon K. Peoples

Community volunteers have slowly transformed Wamego into its summertime alter ego, “Boomtown USA.”Each year, the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display dazzles crowds with innovative pyrotechnics and a musical soundtrack to enhance the overall sensory experience. Chris Hupe, who leads Wamego’s pyro crew, said the show will use a new software platform to add professional-level lighting effects to the fireworks.

1 day ago | themercury.com | Brandon K. Peoples

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi on the need for greater support for law enforcement and improvements to the justice system during a Wednesday subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill. Moran highlighted challenges that are faced by small and rural police departments. “They don’t have grant writers, and if somebody’s writing a grant, they’re being taken off the street, off the township roads,” Moran said. Bondi acknowledged the issue.

1 day ago | themercury.com | Brandon K. Peoples

The National Job Corps Association was allowed to continue its operations after a federal judge on Wednesday granted a preliminary injunction to stop the U.S. Department of Labor from shutting it down. Melissa Graf is the executive director of Life Skills Connection, an organization that contracts with Job Corps in other parts of the country. She said the decision allows programs like Flint Hills Job Corps in Manhattan to continue operations, at least for now.

2 days ago | themercury.com | Brandon K. Peoples

City commissioners received their first look Tuesday at the budget planning process for 2026. Deputy city manager Jason Hilgers presented a detailed overview of property valuations as the city prepares its 2026 budget. “We had about a 3.7% growth in Riley County and we had about a 5.5% growth in Pottawatomie County,” he said. “Together that made up about a 3.82% increase.

2 days ago | 1350kman.com | Brandon K. Peoples

City commissioners on Tuesday received a comprehensive overview of Manhattan’s utility rates, budget planning and property valuations, with city staff outlining the city’s financial health and future challenges. Director of public utilities Kevin Niles is recommending a 3% increase in water and wastewater rates to keep up with rising costs, fund critical maintenance and avoid any sharp rate hikes in future years.