Top 5 Kansas news stories
June 4 2026
Kansas Governor's Race Field Locks in at 10 Candidates
Ellis County Approves 175-Megawatt Tallgrass Solar Development
Gigawatt-Scale Flint Hills Digital Campus Proposed in Emporia
Lawrence Buys Former Journal-World Press Building for $2.1 Million
Kansas Awards $40.5 Million to Overhaul 31 Local Bridges
Kansas Governor's Race Field Locks in at 10 Candidates
TOPEKA, Kan. — Seven Republicans and three Democrats officially filed for the open governor's seat before the noon June 1, 2026 deadline, setting the field to succeed term-limited Gov. Laura Kelly. Senate President Ty Masterson, who carries President Trump's endorsement, leads the GOP slate and tapped state Sen. Jeffrey Klemp as his running mate. Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog filed three hours before the deadline on the Democratic side, joining Kelly-endorsed state Sen. Ethan Corson of Fairway and former state Sen. Cindy Holscher of Overland Park. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer declined to run. The primary is set for August 4, 2026.
KWCH
Ellis County Approves 175-Megawatt Tallgrass Solar Development
HAYS, Kan. — The Ellis County Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the 175-megawatt Tallgrass Solar Development at its June 2 meeting, drawing strong public support for its projected economic impact. The project, developed by ibV Energy Partners, includes a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement expected to generate $1.1 million annually for the county. Developers assured neighboring landowners the project would not expand beyond its initial capacity or add battery storage, and that financial bonds would ensure the property is restored upon decommissioning. Those full annual payments will not begin until power production starts around 2029 or 2030, but the county expects earlier benefits. County Administrator Darin Myers said the county will receive a $200,000 grant upon completion of a road use agreement in September 2026 and an additional $200,000 community project grant in September 2027, both payable regardless of construction status.
Cronkite
Gigawatt-Scale Flint Hills Digital Campus Proposed in Emporia
EMPORIA, Kan. — Kanza Park Place LLC announced on June 2, 2026 that planning has begun for the Flint Hills Digital Campus at Emporia's Industrial Park IV, pending creation of a new Digital Infrastructure Overlay District zoning designation. Officials compared the project's potential long-term economic impact to the Wolf Creek nuclear plant in adjacent Coffey County, which came online more than 40 years ago. The Emporia Planning Commission has scheduled a special meeting and public hearing for June 23, 2026. Residents recently packed a City Commission meeting to raise concerns about water use, electrical demand, noise and property values.
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Lawrence Buys Former Journal-World Press Building for $2.1 Million
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence City Commission unanimously approved the $2.1 million purchase of the former Lawrence Journal-World building to serve as a City Hall annex. The facility will ease severe space constraints at the current City Hall, which was built more than 50 years ago. The 54,000-square-foot annex is expected to eventually house the municipal court and other public-facing departments, improving accessibility and security. The purchase and immediate renovations — including a $700,000 roof replacement and $1 million to clear an alley utility easement — will be funded through previously authorized temporary notes and bond debt.
Cronkite
Kansas Awards $40.5 Million to Overhaul 31 Local Bridges
TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly and state transportation officials announced Wednesday that 31 local bridge projects will share a combined $40.5 million in state and federal funding to replace or repair aging infrastructure. With local matching funds added, the initiative will inject nearly $44.5 million into city and county road networks. Hutchinson was awarded $1.15 million for the East Sixth Avenue bridge over the East Side Drain, while Crawford County will receive $1.9 million for a replacement near Frontenac and Sumner County secured $2 million for a bridge over the C.R.I. & P. Railroad southwest of Wellington. The funding splits between two Kansas Department of Transportation programs: the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program will distribute about $20 million in fiscal year 2027 to replace 15 bridges and remove four deficient structures, and the Off-System Bridge program will provide $20.5 million for 16 projects in federal fiscal year 2028. KDOT received 182 applications requesting $222 million this cycle, underscoring high demand as more than 5,000 of the state's 19,000 local road bridges need updates.
Greg Loving
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