Driving around Wichita, you’ll see the occasional Tesla, electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup or even one of the city’s battery-powered buses quietly cruising around town. With more electric vehicles have come more worries about what happens if they catch fire. They burn much hotter, emit noxious gases and pose an electrocution risk. But the idea […]
Wichita Journalism Collaborative
The Beacon is a member of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative and sometimes posts stories from local peer newsrooms.
Posted inHealth
Doctors say new Kansas law asking women why they’re getting an abortion is unconstitutional
Abortion providers are challenging a new Kansas law that will soon compel women to tell their doctors — and the state health department — their top reason for seeking an abortion. They say the law, set to take effect July 1, is unconstitutional and violates patient privacy. “Conversations that happen in the exam room are private,” […]
Posted inHousing, Local Government, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
Wichita’s mayor backs municipal IDs, but city council objects they weren’t consulted
Some Wichita City Council members were surprised Thursday night when Mayor Lily Wu and City Manager Robert Layton announced to a large crowd the city’s commitment to municipal IDs and other initiatives that haven’t been voted on. One such commitment was to implement a municipal ID program, an initiative started by previous Mayor Brandon Whipple […]
Posted inWichita Journalism Collaborative
Building a local news ecosystem that works for Wichita
Wichita’s local news ecosystem welcomed national attention last week, when Press Forward joined The Wichita Foundation to showcase newsrooms that are on the front lines of building a more robust information ecosystem for the future of our communities. We’re thrilled to be a part of one of the very first chapters of Press Forward — […]
Posted inHousing, How To, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
What to know if you’re thinking about buying a house in Wichita
Buying a house can be a daunting process at any time, with it being the largest purchase most people make. It may be especially so right now because of rising housing costs and interest rates, plus the limited market of houses available. This story was developed for an email course, part of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative’s […]
Posted inHousing, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
Meet the group offering dinner with a side of community in a downtown parking lot
As the sun set on the parking lot of St. John’s Episcopal Church on North Topeka Street, volunteers began arriving, setting up tables, playing music and rolling out coolers. Every Thursday night, people from different walks of life congregate with a shared purpose: to meet the needs of downtown Wichita’s homeless population and anyone else […]
Posted inHousing, Local Government, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
Will Sedgwick County homeowners see tax appraisals increase again? Here’s what to expect
Takeaways: Sixty percent of Sedgwick County homeowners will see higher tax appraisals when notices are mailed out March 1. Despite the bad news for three in five residential property owners, it’s actually the lowest proportion of appraisal increases since 2018. Appraisals went up for 80% of homeowners in 2023 and 88% in 2022. This year, […]
Posted inHousing, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
A young Wichita couple become first-time homebuyers — by acting fast
Carla Mendez and Jacob Salas spent just three days shopping for their first home. It was either that, or miss out on the place the young couple fell in love with. The open dining room and living room connect to the kitchen that comes with new appliances. And it sports a patio off the living […]
Posted inLocal Government, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
Union Pacific sued over chemical spill affecting Wichita neighborhoods near 29th and Grove
Wichita residents living above a chemical spill from Union Pacific Railroad face property damages and a loss of property value as a result of the company’s negligence, according to a federal lawsuit filed this week by law firms across the country. The class-action lawsuit addresses a chemical spill at a Union Pacific rail yard near […]
Posted inLocal Government, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
Is Oaklawn Wichita’s forgotten neighborhood?
Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí. Andree Sisco’s entry into public service came about when she couldn’t find anyone willing to mow the grass. Sisco moved to Oaklawn, an unincorporated community sandwiched between Wichita and Derby, in 1981. Nestled between the Arkansas River and Kansas 15, Oaklawn sits on 260 acres, a […]