Good morning, Wichita!
Happy Monday, we hope this week is full of productivity as we prepare to enter the New Year. Check out some of our stories coming from Wichita right now. Happy Holidays!
In Today’s Newsletter:
- Wichita City Council votes to be more strict on homeless campsites
- Kansans will no longer pay sales tax on groceries
- April May Webb is the recipient of the 13th Annual Jazz Sassy Award
- Renters are living in fear of landlord retaliation while in poor living conditions
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WICHITA NEWS
Wichita City Council Approves Expanded Enforcement on Homeless Encampments
The Wichita City Council has voted for stronger enforcement of an ordinance against illegal camping. The move, which supporters argued would simplify the ordinance, came after two hours of public comment.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
Submit Your King Holiday Events
Our King Holiday calendar of events will be printed in our Jan. 10 issue. To make sure your event is listed, make sure to have your event info submitted by Fri., Jan. 3. Submit your King event, or any event, by scanning or clicking the QR code below.
KANSAS STATE NEWS
State Sales Tax on Groceries Drops to Zero Jan. 1
On Jan. 1, 2025, Kansans will no longer pay state sales tax on groceries. They will still pay city- and county-imposed taxes, but the current state tax of 2% will be reduced to zero.
A MESSAGE FROM ERNESTINE CURTIS, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, PENFED
HOW ABOUT A NEW HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY?! Check out this 1 story, 3BR, 3BA, with a deck and outdoor storage in the Chisholm Creek Neighborhood, 5602 Shadowridge St, Wichita, KS 67220. Call Ernestine at (316) 766-6024 for more information or a tour.
CULTURE
North Newton Native Wins Major Jazz Singing Award
April May Webb, a native of North Newton, KS, is the winner of one of the most prestigious honors for jazz singers, the 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, also known as the “Sassy Award” for Vaughan’s nickname.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
Nominate a Love Couple
How about being one of the featured couples in our 2025 Valentine’s Issue? Or recommend a couple whose relationship you admire. Learn more about the details and nominate somebody. Just click the photo or button below.
HOUSING
Low-Income Renters in Kansas Live In Poor Conditions Fearing Landlord Retaliation
Many low-income renters in Kansas live in decaying homes with health hazards and believe there is little they can do to improve their situation, a new survey shows.
Some renters avoid submitting maintenance requests or reporting their poor living conditions to authorities because they fear retaliation — like an eviction — from their landlords.
More findings from the report here
Abortions Are Up in the US. The Data Paints a Complicated Picture
It’s now been two and a half years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, what does the data look like. (AP News)
Costco is Pushing Back — Hard — Against the Anti-DEI Movement Costco is trying not to join companies like Walmart and John Deere tractor. (CNN)
Is President Jimmy Carter’s Death a Federal Holiday? Get details on National Day of Mourning. (Newsweek)
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