Local News

Nearly the first hour of Wednesday’s meeting went to people pleading the USD 383 school board to reconsider its changes to school start times. About a dozen parents and teachers spoke during public comment, hoping for the board to reverse its Dec. 17 decision to have elementary students start class earlier and high school students [...]

The post Parents still pleading for later start times after board passed change in December appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Property tax was a hot topic Wednesday at the 2026 area Kansas state legislators meeting as Republican state officials disagreed with their Democrat counterparts and city representatives on who should address the issue. Sen. Brad Starnes, R—22nd District, and Rep. Nathan Butler, R—68th district, said property tax is a top issue for the 2026 legislative [...]

The post State legislators and city officials clash over property tax appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Manhattan City Manager Danielle Dulin presented the city’s vision of growth for the U.S. Highway 24 corridor in east Manhattan. In the next 50 years, Dulin said the city hopes to develop 400 acres for housing and 700 acres for industrial use. Dulin said the city’s community development team created a vision for development in [...]

The post Dulin highlights 1,100 acre east Manhattan gateway plan to state legislators appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

City commissioners on Tuesday dissolved the Frederick Douglass Recreation Complex Advisory Board upon its request. The commission’s decision also added two positions to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and amended that board’s bylaws. This consolidation makes a nine-member PRAB board with a requirement to use best efforts that two members are from Ward 1, [...]

The post One advisory board to absorb another amid city consolidation appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

A man charged with second degree murder appeared in Riley County District Court Tuesday for a status hearing. Erick Sanchez-Chavez, 29, of Manhattan appeared via Zoom from the Riley County Jail. He faces charges of second degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threat. Police arrested him last month following an investigation [...]

The post Manhattan man facing murder charges appears in Riley County court appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

A stolen vehicle pursuit that began on I-70 Monday afternoon ended in rural Wabaunsee County after the suspect crashed and attempted to flee on foot, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office. The chase began Jan. 6 when law enforcement — including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Alma Police Department and Wabaunsee County deputies — attempted [...]

The post Suspect found hiding in pond after I-70 stolen vehicle pursuit appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The region will enjoy one more warm, pleasant day before a shift back to more typical January conditions begins on Thursday. Forecasters say rain is expected to move in tomorrow, followed by a transition to light rain and snow by Friday evening. Confidence in the finer details of the system remains low, but most locations [...]

The post Warm stretch to end before rain and light snow arrive appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The director of the Riley County Police Department says he rejects any suggestions that local police are siding with federal immigration enforcement or pushing back against it. “We don’t actively participate in immigration detention, but we do follow the law,” Brian Peete said. Peete joined Within Reason with Mike Matson Friday on News Radio KMAN, [...]

The post RCPD director says Manhattan isn’t taking sides on immigration enforcement appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

A Manhattan woman made her first appearance in Riley County District Court Monday afternoon for a case charging her with helping a man charged with the murder of 36-year-old Mark Rickenbaker. Joleann Cathleen Killham, 24, is charged with obstructing apprehension or prosecution and interference with law enforcement. A complaint filed with the court said Killham [...]

The post Woman charged with aiding murder suspect makes first appearance appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Carlos O’Kelly’s closed its doors permanently Tuesday after 37 years of business in Manhattan. The company confirmed the closure in a statement. “Closing our Manhattan Carlos O’Kelly’s was a difficult business decision,” restaurant officials said in an email to The Mercury. “Like many in the restaurant industry, we continually evaluate performance, and despite our best [...]

The post Manhattan’s Carlos O’Kelly’s closes after 37 years appeared first on News Radio KMAN.