KS - August 4 2025
Wichita Housing Shortage; USDA Moves Jobs; Building Collapse Kills One; KPERS Reports Returns; Hot Weather Returns
Wichita Housing Shortage Reaches Crisis Level After Decades of Declining Construction
USDA Opens Public Comment on Plan to Move 2,600 Jobs From Washington to Regional Hubs
One Dead, Three Injured in Kansas City Dollar Store Building Collapse
Kansas Public Pension System Reports Strong 10.4% Returns Despite Market Volatility
Hot Weather Returns to Kansas With Temperatures Climbing to 90s This Week
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1. Wichita Housing Shortage Reaches Crisis Level After Decades of Declining Construction
Wichita faces a severe housing shortage of 20,000 to 50,000 units after years of declining residential construction that began with the 2008 recession, according to a comprehensive analysis by the Wichita Journalism Collaborative. The coalition of 10 organizations, including The Wichita Eagle, reviewed 20 years of building permit data from the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, which oversees construction in Wichita and much of Sedgwick County. The analysis reveals Wichita is missing more than 17,000 single-family homes that would have been built if the community had maintained its pre-recession construction pace. At current building rates, it would take more than 25 years to close this gap, even as demand for affordable starter homes continues to surge. The construction industry has been devastated by the prolonged downturn, with the number of permitted homebuilders dropping from 199 in 2005 to just 134 in 2023. Most telling, only 18 of the builders who secured permits in 2005 are still obtaining permits today, illustrating how the recession permanently hollowed out the local construction industry and created long-term barriers to meeting housing demand.
Kansas.com
2. USDA Opens Public Comment on Plan to Move 2,600 Jobs From Washington to Regional Hubs
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a 30-day public comment period for the Department of Agriculture's reorganization plan that would relocate approximately 2,600 Washington-based positions to five regional hubs, including Kansas City, Missouri. The plan, part of President Trump's commitment to move federal agencies outside the national capital region, would also establish hubs in Raleigh, Indianapolis, Fort Collins, and Salt Lake City while consolidating operations and closing USDA's South Building.
USDA
3. One Dead, Three Injured in Kansas City Dollar Store Building Collapse
A partial building collapse at a Family Dollar store in midtown Kansas City killed one person and injured at least three others Sunday July 27, according to the Kansas City Fire Department. Emergency crews responded to the 3700 block of Broadway Boulevard just after 2:45 p.m. when part of the building's front facade collapsed.
Kansas City Star
4. Kansas Public Pension System Reports Strong 10.4% Returns Despite Market Volatility
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System ended fiscal year 2025 with approximately $$29.3$ billion in assets and a strong 10.4% investment return despite significant stock market dips earlier in the year. Chief Investment Officer Bruce Fink called the performance "very solid returns" when reporting preliminary numbers to the KPERS board.
Topeka Capital-Journal
5. Hot Weather Returns to Kansas With Temperatures Climbing to 90s This Week
Meteorologist Peyton Sanders forecasts hotter temperatures returning across Kansas over the next several days, with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s to lower 90s Tuesday and climbing into the 90s statewide by Wednesday. Gusty south winds up to 30 mph will affect western and central Kansas, with heat index values potentially reaching 100degrees due to humidity, and the hot weather is expected to continue through the weekend before a cold front brings chances of showers and storms.
KWCH
Sources
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