Local News

The Kansas Department of Labor says unemployment remained unchanged in November at 2.9 statewide, which is also consistent for where unemployment was at one year ago. Riley County’s unemployment rate is at 1.7%. Pottawatomie County is at 1.6%. Geary County is at 3.3%. Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,700 [...]

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As the 2023 school year comes to a close, Superintendents Joan Simoneau of USD 323, and Rob McKim of USD 320, reflect on the year and preview what they are looking forward to in 2024. Simoneau emphasized the importance work her district has done in 2023 on helping young students improve their reading skills district-wide: [...]

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Snow will be with us throughout the afternoon as a winter weather advisory is in place until 6 p.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service says we can expect light snow and snow showers and periods of heavy snow at times. Accumulations of 1 to 2 inches is possible. More snow is expected along a line [...]

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Local broadcaster, author and professor Ian Punnett died Thursday following a brief illness. He was 63. Punnett was the Chief Operator and Faculty Advisor for Kansas State University’s student radio station Wildcat 91.9 FM. He joined K-State in 2018 as a professor of practice in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication. Retired A.Q. [...]

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Riley County Police are investigating a number of fraudulent liquor purchases in Manhattan and Ogden. According to Friday’s activity report, four separate incidents were reported Thursday at different liquor stores across the city. All told two unknown suspects in each case reportedly stole an estimated $4,400 worth of liquor, using someone else’s credit card, from [...]

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The weather outside certainly hasn’t been frightful this holiday season. In fact, the Manhattan area has seen a pattern of unusual warmth and humidity. Meteorologist Chip Redmond with Kansas Mesonet says it could lead to some records being broken over the holiday week. “For the month, we’re averaging five degrees above normal for high and [...]

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AAA is projecting that more than 115 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles during the 10 day holiday travel period. That’s up 2.2% over last year and the second highest expected end-of-year travel forecast since 2000. AAA Kansas spokesman Shawn Steward gives a rundown on what is expected in the Sunflower State. Steward advises [...]

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Riley County Extension Director Gary Fike is requesting the county hire an engineering firm to evaluate the structural viability of Pottorf Hall. The building is used for a wide variety of activities, and gets extensive use during the Riley County Fair. Fike says it has numerous structural issues. The north wall of the building has [...]

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The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new loan program designed to support small business growth in the Manhattan area in 2024. The new Elevate Micro-Loan Program enables entrepreneurs to have access to small loans up to $15,000 with 4% interest rates and 36-month repayment to qualifying businesses in the city limits of [...]

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The 12th annual Manhattan Community Christmas Dinner will be back to provide another meal on Christmas Day this year. The event averages approximately 50 volunteers every year who oversee the cooking and distribution of hundreds of free meals to members of the Manhattan Community. Event organizer Karen Paulus explains. Tiffany Oppelt with TheraPie is also [...]

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