Hutchinson

We’re excited to announce a new daily newsletter format for Hutchinson Citizen Journal, delivering local, state, and national news to your inbox each morning. Each news bullet links directly to the full story on our website, where you’ll also continue to find jail logs and obituaries. We’re also building an event calendar for the Hutchinson community — stay tuned for that launch soon. Thank you for reading and supporting local journalism.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Greg Loving, CEO, and Rica Simpson, Hutchinson City Editor (rica@citizenjournal.us)

• The Reno County Commission voted unanimously to simplify public transit costs, setting fixed-route fares at 50 cents and capping countywide trips at $4 to increase accessibility. →
• Utilizing newly acquired equipment, the county plans to paint 100 miles of road markings this year to improve safety and visibility on county highways. →
• A developer warns that mounting political opposition could jeopardize a proposed data center project. These concerns highlight growing friction between large-scale infrastructure development and local resistance. →
• A section of Red Rock Road between Whiteside Road and Mohawk Road is closed indefinitely starting Tuesday for bridge replacement work overseen by Reno County Public Works. →
• The Cosmosphere will host a public watch party for NASA’s historic Artemis II mission launch on April 1, 2026, starting at 3:30 PM. The event features a live countdown and expert presentation as astronauts prepare to circle the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. →
• Hoisington and Nickerson split their Tuesday baseball doubleheader as the Cardinals claimed a 4-3 extra-inning win in the opener. The Panthers responded in the nightcap, riding an eight-run fifth inning to a 12-8 victory. →
• The Hoisington Cardinals improved to 6-0 after dominant 18-3 and 19-1 victories over Nickerson. Brynn Tarlton fueled the sweep with a no-hitter and five RBIs in the opening game. →
• Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 69 today, followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms arriving after 3 p.m.

🌾 Kansas

• The Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2610, eliminating judicial discretion over pretrial release for felony charges and mandating arrest warrants for all felonies, sending the measure to Gov. Laura Kelly's desk over opposition from prosecutors, sheriffs, judges and civil rights groups. →

• Sedgwick County officials hosted a public meeting Tuesday to gather resident input on potential regulations for data center development, including zoning and water and energy use concerns. →

• Olathe Public Schools plans to reduce special education positions for the first time despite growing student demand, after shifting $44 million from its general fund last year to cover a widening gap between costs and state funding. →

• A New York-based nonprofit launched a billboard campaign across Kansas with the message "God made trans people" to connect transgender residents with gender-affirming health care resources amid increased legislative restrictions. →

• Kansas coach Bill Self has publicly discussed possible retirement due to health concerns, adding uncertainty to a program struggling alongside other traditional college basketball powers like Kentucky and North Carolina. →

🇺🇸 US

• President Trump will deliver a nationally televised address Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET to provide an update on Iran, saying the U.S. has eliminated Iran's nuclear threat and the war will conclude within two to three weeks. →

• The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the U.S. and allies reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force, making it the first Persian Gulf country to enter the conflict as a combatant. →

• Automakers are scaling back EV investments, leaving dozens of electric vehicle parts facilities across the country mostly empty and losing money. →

• NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts on a trajectory around the moon in the first crewed deep spaceflight since 1972. →

• A federal judge ordered construction stopped on President Trump's proposed White House ballroom until Congress authorizes the project, ruling Trump likely lacked authority to replace entire sections of the White House without consulting Congress. →

Weather

April 1 1985: Nike releases its first Air Jordan shoes, named for basketball superstar Michael Jordan.

It sells 450,000 pairs in the first month.

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