Jessie Gray’s business plan always included building a stage. The troupes that frequent Gray’s improv studio, the Flying Pig on East Douglas Avenue, give performances to sold-out crowds on a flat surface. When Gray opened in 2019, she estimated that by 2022 she would have the funds for a stage and lights. COVID changed that. […]
Local Government
The latest news about local government in Wichita and Sedgwick County, and how it affects your community, from The Wichita Beacon.
Posted inLocal Government
Behind closed doors: What a tree policy reveals about how Wichita crafts new regulations
A tree policy drafted by the city of Wichita became more focused on regulating trees on city-owned land — and leaving out private property — after a meeting that included a developer and a nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization. The city currently removes at least twice as many trees as it plants each year, a […]
Posted inLocal Government
Condemnations of dangerous and dilapidated houses tripled in Wichita in 2021
There are some houses in Dana Edwards’ neighborhood that catch her eye — boarded-up homes, ones that look like the porches are falling in, abandoned houses. The city of Wichita owns some of them. “They catch your eye because they aren’t in the proper condition of a livable house,” said Edwards, who is the president […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita City Council approves $5 million affordable housing fund
The City Council voted on Tuesday to allocate $5 million for the creation of Wichita’s first affordable housing fund. The fund, which aims to increase the quality and quantity of affordable housing in Wichita, will be paid for with a portion of the city’s $72.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. The federal […]
Posted inLocal Government
Emailing, tweeting and subscribing: All the ways to contact Wichita City Council members
Local governments shouldn’t operate without their community’s input. So, how can you bring an issue to the City Council? Who represents what? Where can a Wichitan stay updated on their council member’s agenda? The Wichita Beacon has put together a guide on the members of City Council, how to contact them and where to follow […]
Posted inLocal Government
Sedgwick County allocates all $100 million of its COVID recovery funds — to itself
Since COVID-19 began, the nonprofit Cairn Health has struggled to maintain its budget to provide health services to low-income individuals in Sedgwick County. “We have seen a decrease in our revenues because we’re primarily funded through what would be considered fundraising, either through the United Way’s fundraising or through our own,” said Aaron Walker, executive […]
Posted inLocal Government
Sedgwick County election workers get mixed messages in wake of data breach
Update: EasyVote Solutions, LLC, the company at the center of a data breach that impacted Sedgwick County election workers, has wrapped up its investigation of the incident and is notifying people who were impacted, Election Commissioner Angela Caudillo said. The company will provide credit monitoring and identity theft protection for one year to those who […]
Posted inLocal Government
What is the future of Airbnb rentals in Wichita? It’s starting to come into focus.
Denny Marlin was out of town when the shooting happened at an Airbnb rental near his home in Crown Heights last April. When he returned home after a weekend away, a pall hung in the air. One person — 20 year-old Elijah Davis — died as a result of the shooting. Three others were injured. […]
Posted inLocal Government
Sedgwick County says over 800 election workers impacted by data breach
Update: EasyVote Solutions, LLC, the company at the center of a data breach that impacted Sedgwick County election workers, has wrapped up its investigation of the incident and is notifying people who were impacted, Election Commissioner Angela Caudillo said. The company will provide credit monitoring and identity theft protection for one year to those who […]
Posted inLocal Government
Social Security numbers of nearly 180 Sedgwick County election workers exposed following data breach
Editor’s note: We updated this story on March 23 to clarify that information reviewed by The Wichita Beacon showed that the Social Security numbers of 176 election workers for Sedgwick County were exposed. The personal information of at least 150 more Sedgwick County election workers has been exposed following a data breach, according to information […]