Daily
Wichita
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, Wichita. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Exploration Place is finishing a new Kansas-themed outdoor playground that will open in March and feature 10 play areas such as Foggy Flint Hills and Sunflower Meadow. The museum is launching a volunteer program to support the themed spaces. KWCH
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ An Antonov AN-124 cargo plane landed at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport Thursday morning to pick up large Boeing parts, and airport officials closed part of the taxiway to safely park the oversized aircraft. KWCH
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ The union representing 1,600 aerospace workers reached a tentative agreement with Boeing that boosts wages, benefits, and time off, and union members in Wichita will vote by 5 p.m. Jan. 30—if approved, the contract takes effect Feb. 1. KWCH
- ➤ Kansas agriculture and livestock exports rose to $1.3 billion in the first 10 months of 2025 (up 17.9% from 2024) according to the Rural Mainstreet Index. Bank CEOs remain cautious amid low grain prices and weak farm equipment sales. KNSS
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Wichita State University’s new Cattoi Book Technologies Lab, now on Lindquist Hall’s sixth floor, lets students learn classic book-making with historic tools (like wax tablets and typewriters), while the Museum of World Treasures preserves an early MLK civil rights document from light damage. KMUW
- ➤ On Tuesday, the American Center for Law & Justice filed a civil rights complaint against Eureka school district and Marshall Elementary after a late October sixth-grade session when a counselor blocked role model names from being written on the board. School officials have not yet announced corrective steps. KNSS
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Governor Kelly announced that Kansas received $11.2 million for rail service improvement projects across 10 counties, including a Newton siding expansion to handle 8,000 additional carloads from a new facility. The funds combine annual, carryover & loan payments from KDOT’s Rail Service Improvement Program. KWCH
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Local mental health professionals faced funding uncertainty after the Department of Health and Human Services cut funds on Wednesday then restored them 12 hours later, leaving service providers hesitant to plan future programming. KWCH
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Wichita State lost 85-67 to Florida Atlantic on Thursday after FA pulled ahead early, with Kanaan Carlyle and Isaiah Elohim each scoring 18 points, while Wichita saw contributions from Will Berg + Dre Kindell + Karon Boyd that could not close the gap. KWCH
- ➤ KAKE News airs The Highlight Reel at 4 p.m. every Thursday, featuring basketball highlights from Wichita State, KU and K-State. The program provides local fans with a quick, clear look at their favorite college hoops. KAKE
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Concert by Tay Money
8-10 p.m. — WAVE — Tickets available — Enjoy a live performance by Tay Money featuring her hit song 'Hood Still the Same'.
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Time Travel Half-Marathon and 5k/10k
9 AM – 12 PM — Plum Shelter, 6501 W 21st St N, Wichita, KS — Unique referral code system for refunds — Lace up for a family-friendly dash through time with races for all ages.
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Chair Yoga at Maize Recreation Commission
1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in — Enjoy chair yoga for all mobility levels with a focus on strength, balance, and community.
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East Carolina Pirates vs. Wichita State Shockers Men's Basketball
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Charles Koch Arena — Free t-shirt for early fans — Witness a thrilling basketball game while supporting mental health awareness.
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Air Capital Hoopfest
7 p.m. — Newman University-Fugate Gymnasium — $15 for Adults, $8 for Kids, Students, and Seniors — Experience the excitement of top high school basketball with future stars competing for glory.
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Chair Yoga at Haysville Senior Center
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. — Haysville Senior Center — Free for members — Experience a gentle yoga practice that enhances strength, balance, and community spirit.
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Wichita Campus Open House
3:30-5:30 p.m. — Galen College of Nursing - Wichita — Free entry — Explore the nursing programs and meet the faculty at this informative open house.
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Turnpike Tributedours Concert
8-10 p.m. — WAVE — Tickets start at $69 — Experience an unforgettable night with Turnpike Tributedours live in Wichita.
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R&B Night with Lizzen
9 p.m. — Elisabeth’s Lounge — General Admission & VIP available — Enjoy a night of smooth sounds and classy energy with R&B sensation Lizzen.
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Chair Yoga at Maize Recreation
1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in fee — Engage in gentle chair yoga to improve strength, flexibility, and mindfulness in a supportive community environment.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Well done is better than well said.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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