Emporia Gazette

3 days ago | emporiagazette.com | Sarah Roderick-Fitch

(The Center Square) – Visa delays at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide could negatively impact the tourism industry as the country prepares to host major international events, a pair of lawmakers claim, despite recent data showing improvements. Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Mark Warner, D-Va., penned a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to “address dramatic visa delays,” which they say threaten international tourism, thus negatively impacting businesses.

4 days ago | emporiagazette.com | Chantelle Kincy

Before Nashville became a country music hit factory and Memphis laid down the blues, Macon was already shaping the sound of America. From Little Richard's wails to the soulful ache of Otis Redding and the rebellious spirit of the Allman Brothers Band, this small Georgia city built the bones of rock, soul, and what we know now as Southern Rock. In Macon, that legacy doesn’t live in the past; it's alive, echoing through studio walls, club stages, and city streets.

4 days ago | emporiagazette.com | Sam Lennon

By Sam LennonA cat that was trapped under floorboards for three weeks is believed to have survived by drinking beer. Ben Smith says his pet Leia clambered into his neighbor’s open floor in Deal, Kent, moments before it was tiled shut with her beneath. Such was his family’s despair, they even shelled out $1,000 for a pet detective to help trace the missing animal.

6 days ago | emporiagazette.com | Chris Adams

Emporia High School Sports RoundupThe Lady Spartans were in action Saturday against Wichita Life Prep, prevailing 16-1. They move to 8-14 on the season. It was a second consecutive solid offensive showing for Emporia as they amassed 11 hits. Most of the damage was done in the first inning. After an error and a walk scored two runs, the Spartan bats sparked.

1 week ago | emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis

During Friday evening and Saturday morning ceremonies, nearly 800 graduates from Emporia State University walked across the stage during Spring Commencement, receiving degrees and celebrating years of hard work and growth. Hundreds of graduates, families, and friends filled W.L.W. Civic Auditorium Friday evening to celebrate Masters and Doctoral graduates. The following morning, hundreds flocked yet again to the Civic Auditorium to cheer on friends and family receiving undergraduate degrees.