Top 5 Kansas news stories
April 16 2026
Google Data Center Plan Splits Barber County
Three Salina Projects Break Ground
Fort Hays Tech NW Gets Federal Lab Funding
Newman Opens Mobile Ag Lab for Southwest Kansas
WSU Tech, Foley Open ThinkBIG Training Lab
Google Data Center Plan Splits Barber County
BARBER COUNTY, Kan. — A proposed Google data center near Sharon, about 12 miles east of Medicine Lodge along U.S. 160, has divided residents who are weighing potential economic benefits against impacts to land and water. Plans include multiple large buildings to house computer systems, along with support facilities and security infrastructure. Farmer Herb Landwehr, who lives roughly 1.6 miles from the proposed site, said he is not opposed to growth but raised concerns about the location, water usage, noise and a lack of public information. Cattle rancher Loren Boor said a recent community meeting produced few answers, particularly on water availability. City Council member Brian Smith, in a written statement, said the project could help fund city needs. Sedgwick County has approved a temporary moratorium on new data center applications and Harvey County has adopted a moratorium through 2028; residents say they were told Barber County would not adopt one, and county commissioners have not responded to inquiries.
KAKE
Three Salina Projects Break Ground
SALINA, Kan. — Three projects advanced in Salina on Thursday, led by a ribbon cutting for SkyWest Airlines' new Overnight Maintenance Base at Salina Regional Airport, which is expected to add jobs and support SkyWest fleet operations. Salina Family Healthcare broke ground on a new community center that same afternoon, supported by more than $3 million in federal resources for a clinical education facility and training programs aimed at strengthening Kansas' rural healthcare workforce. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems also cut the ribbon on a new Salina facility, part of the company's expanded Kansas presence following a $10 million gift to Kansas State University Salina's Aerospace and Technology Campus in October 2022. Attendees across the events included SkyWest CEO Chip Childs, General Atomics President David Alexander, Salina Mayor Mike Hoppock, state Sen. Scott Hill, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran.
Greg Loving
Fort Hays Tech NW Gets Federal Lab Funding
GOODLAND, Kan. — Fort Hays Tech Northwest will receive federal funding for renovation of its rural advanced manufacturing innovation lab, which is designed to prepare students for manufacturing careers across Kansas. Fort Hays Tech Northwest President Dr. Corey Isbell hosted the Friday announcement event. Fort Hays State University President Dr. Tisa Mason and Fort Hays Tech North Central President Eric Burks joined the visit. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced the funding.
Greg Loving
Newman Opens Mobile Ag Lab for Southwest Kansas
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Sen. Jerry Moran joined Newman University on Tuesday to cut the ribbon on the school's new Smart Mobile Agriculture Lab. The lab will provide hands-on training for agriculture students at Newman's Wichita and southwest Kansas campuses. Moran said he secured federal resources in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill to support purchase of the mobile lab. Newman President Dr. Kathleen Jagger and Garden City Community College President Dr. Ryan Ruda attended the ceremony.
Greg Loving
WSU Tech, Foley Open ThinkBIG Training Lab
WICHITA, Kan. — WSU Tech and Foley Equipment opened a new ThinkBIG Lab this week at WSU Tech's City Center Campus, expanding hands-on training for students pursuing careers as heavy equipment technicians. The nearly 4,000-square-foot facility features engine and transmission teardown stations that mirror industry settings. The ThinkBIG program is a Caterpillar-developed technician training program offered in partnership with Foley Equipment, the Caterpillar dealer for Kansas and northwest Missouri. Students employed by Foley alternate between classroom instruction and paid fieldwork in an earn-while-you-learn model, graduating with an associate degree and a direct pathway into full-time employment. WSU Tech President Dr. Sheree Utash and Foley Equipment President and CEO Ann Konecny spoke at the event; participants may also receive tuition support and a professional-grade toolkit valued at approximately $14,000.
KSN
Sources
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 20 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!
Brought to you by (click me!)
