Rice County News

Women Aviators Launching from Fairhope Alabama in the 48th Air Race Classic

Tuesday, June 10

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Get ready for a thrilling spectacle as women pilots from across the United States gear up to ignite the skies with the spirit of adventure and competition in the most anticipated aviation event of the year. The Air Race Classic, tracing... Read More.

Introducing Ad Astra Radio’s Hutchinson / Larned News Director Kaitlyn Mauro

Wednesday, June 4

Ad Astra Radio is excited to introduce the newest member to the News Team, Kaitlyn Wolters-Mauro from Atwood, Kansas. Kaitlyn will have the title of Hutchinson/Larned News Director. "At Ad Astra Radio, we take our role as local broadcasters very seriously. We want to entertain, engage... Read More.

May Total Tax Collections Over $657M; 31.7% Above Estimate

Tuesday, June 3

TOPEKA, Kan. — The State of Kansas ends May 2025 with total tax collections at $657.7 million. That is $158.3 million, or 31.7%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were down 0.2% from May 2024. “Surpassing estimates this month is a positive indicator, but we... Read More.

City of Lyons Shown Study of Possible Increases in Water and Wastewater Charges Over Next Five Years, Other Highlights from June 2 Council Meeting

Tuesday, June 3

LYONS, Kan. — Lyons residents could be facing significant increases in water and wastewater charges over the next five years. A study presented to the City Council Monday gave an overview of what increases may be in store over the next five years. The study... Read More.

Friendship Meals and Some Meals on Wheels Programs Threatened Due to Funding Shortfalls

Friday, May 30

Unless additional funding can be secured, Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels programs in ten counties operated by Hutchinson-based Everfull, formerly Aging Projects, Inc., could be terminated by the first of July. Locally, this could involve programs locally in Kingman, McPherson, Reno, and Rice... Read More.

Severe Winds and Rainstorms Hit Golden Belt Sunday Morning, Causing Damage and Bringing Much-Needed Rainfall

Sunday, May 25

Winds gusting to over 70 miles an hour blasted southern and western areas of the Golden Belt early Sunday morning, those areas seeing beneficial rainfall over the weekend. Hardest hit was Hodgeman County where three limbs and power poles were downed, with a couple of... Read More.

Six Fatalities from Crashes Reported Over Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday, May 25

As of mid-afternoon Sunday, at least six people have died in crashes on Kansas Highways. The Kansas Highway Patrol said four of the fatalities came from a Saturday afternoon crash on K-4 about four miles west of the K-15 junction south of Abilene where a... Read More.

Trump Issues Disaster Declaration for 28 Kansas Counties

Friday, May 23

President Trump has granted a disaster declaration for 28 Kansas counties for damages caused by winter storms, straight line winds, flooding and wildfires from June 14-19. The declaration sought by Governor Laura Kelly will make available assistance to local units of governments and certain private... Read More.

NextEra Energy Resources Grants $50,000 STEM Classroom Makeover to USD 444 Little River-Windom

Thursday, May 22

LITTLE RIVER, Kan., May 20, 2025 — NextEra Energy Resources, one of America’s largest energy infrastructure developers, has awarded a $50,000 Classroom Makeover Grant to Kansas Unified School District 444 Little River-Windom through its charitable arm, the NextEra Energy Foundation. This grant underscores NextEra... Read More.

Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff for Memorial Day

Thursday, May 22

TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, on Thursday, directed flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup until noon on Monday, May 26, 2025, in recognition of Memorial Day. “Each Memorial Day, we come... Read More.

Rep. Mann, Colleagues Invest in Land Grant Universities and Agriculture Innovation

Thursday, May 22

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Kim Schrier (WA-08), alongside Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral AuGmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful (AG RESEARCH) Act. The Ag Research... Read More.

Rep. Mann Votes to Advance President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill

Thursday, May 22

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill fulfills priorities that Rep. Mann and President Trump campaigned on, including making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, securing the nation’s borders, and reducing... Read More.