Iola News – Page 5 – Ad Astra Radio

Nominations now being accepted for Allen County Magistrate Judge

Friday, May 15

Nominations are now being accepted by the 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission to fill the District Magistrate Judge position in Allen County Judge Charles Apt III is retiring from June 10th. To be eligible, a nominee must be a graduate of a high... Read More.

218 Million Bushel Kansas Wheat Crop Projected

Friday, May 15

The 2026 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas wrapped up on May 14th. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. The three-day average yield for the... Read More.

Judge Apt to Retire June 10, Process to Select Replacement Begins

Thursday, May 14

The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission met by conference call Thursday to discuss the process to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Allen County that will be created on the retirement of Charles Apt III June 10th. A magistrate judge generally handles misdemeanor,... Read More.

Three Area Coalitions Honored for Strengthening Child Care

Thursday, May 14

Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize 66 Kansas communities as Child Care Community Champions, honoring their dedication to strengthening local child care systems. This recognition is part of the Child Care Friendly Communities initiative—a statewide program that uplifts community-led efforts to... Read More.

NMRMC & SEKMHC Finalize Ashley Clinic Purchase Agreement

Thursday, May 14

CHANUTE, Kan. — Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) and Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) officially announced the finalization of the purchase agreement of the Ashley Clinic by the medical center. The property will transfer ownership on May 28, 2026. This an important step... Read More.

Kansas Book Festival Announces Tornado Anniversary Event Featuring Bill Kurtis, Melissa Brunner.

Thursday, May 14

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Book Festival announces A Night for the History Books: Bill Kurtis Remembers, an evening with beloved journalist, documentarian, and author Bill Kurtis. On the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Topeka tornado, the Kansas Book Festival is asking the author... Read More.

Industry Leader Says SEKMHC Expansion Saga a Warning to Other Mental Health Providers

Wednesday, May 13

Kessler’s comments provide one of the clearest public acknowledgements yet from the state CMHC association that SEK pursued a path significantly different from other Kansas behavioral-health providers during its rapid expansion into primary care and dental services. The federal CCBHC system was created to expand... Read More.

Iola City Council Approves Recycling Assistance, Notice of Acceptance on US 54 bid

Tuesday, May 12

In a meeting that took all of 20 minutes with three members absent, the Iola City Council Monday night approved providing up to 50 dollars a month for electric costs for Allen County Recycling for the last half of 2026. There was some... Read More.

Lt. Governor David Toland Talks About Economic Development, Iola Theatre, and Future Plans

Monday, May 11

Despite economic headwinds nationally. Kansas Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland says Kansas is more than holding it's own. Toland told Iola Radio News Friday since he and Governor Laura Kelly took office nearly 7 ½ years ago, there has been... Read More.

AG Kobach Says Swatting Calls Coming From Single Foreign Source

Monday, May 11

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says the recent round of “swatting” incidents has foreign roots. Five such incidents, where fake calls are made claiming a threat with the hope of prompting intensive law enforcement action, were reported last week in southeast Kansas. Attorney... Read More.

Jo Dee Messina Brings Bridges Tour to the Kansas State Fair

Monday, May 11

Country Stars Take The Kansas Star Casino Grandstand Stage Sunday, September 13 at 7:30 PM HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Country music icon Jo Dee Messina will bring her signature powerhouse vocals and chart-topping hits to the 2026 Kansas State Fair. Messina will take the stage at... Read More.

KBI Investigating Officer Involved Shooting Tied to Thursday Night Chase

Friday, May 8

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate an officer involved shooting Thursday night in Bourbon County involving Crawford County Sheriff's deputies. The KBI said deputies were pursuing a stolen semi-truck fleeing north from Pittsburg, reported to be driving into... Read More.