Daily
Wichita
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Good morning, Wichita. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 12th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Sedgwick County Zoo saw over 702,000 visitors in 2025 due to new elephant & chimp births while earning a five-year AZA accreditation and fixing hail damage. The zoo will complete a $10M elephant barn expansion in May as it prepares for additional animals and upcoming births later this year. KNSS
- ➤ Teacher Bruce Bingham of Fairfield Middle and High School battles cancer and faces a stolen car as his community rallies support + launches a GoFundMe fundraiser to help him replace his vehicle. KWCH
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ McPherson Pet Resort closed abruptly this week, leaving pet owners and employees without notice. Former staff and clients expressed shock (as management offered no explanation) and are now looking for answers. KWCH
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Kansas Highway Patrol troopers helped SB Mowing, a local lawn care service, recover a stolen truck after the owner posted a social media plea two days ago (the truck was inherited from his grandfather). FOX Kansas
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Former Bishop Carroll administrator and state champion football coach Alan Schuckman will serve as the school’s president starting July 1. The Catholic Diocese described his appointment as part of a renewal plan aimed to unlock the school’s potential + build on its legacy. KWCH
- ➤ Three seniors from Central High School in Burden have been awarded the Rudd Foundation full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, room and board as well as career support for attending a Kansas university. Adison Henderson, who performed at Carnegie Hall, highlights the academic excellence of their small school. KWCH
- ➤ Wichita State student senator Josh Mallard proposed adding a clearly labeled student health header to myWSU portal + including links for screenings, after-hours care, and emergencies during the Feb. 11 Student Senate meeting; the resolution is now under review by the Student Services Committee. The Sunflower
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kansas lawmakers are debating a bill to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $16 an hour; supporters say the change will ease worker burdens, referencing states like Nebraska and Colorado, while opponents warn that grocery prices will rise and expect a public hearing by the Committee on Commerce soon. KWCH
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach delivered a naloxone distribution box with three kits to Wichita State today to help reverse fentanyl overdoses. It is the first of 40 boxes planned statewide, and Kobach said he keeps a kit in his pickup + urges locals to get one if needed. KWCH
- ➤ Kansas farms faced record bankruptcy filings last year as family debt soared and mental health struggles increased; the Kansas Farm Bureau formed a Farm Family Resiliency Task Force & will offer support programs for farmers today. KWCH
- ➤ Prairie View mental health center's CEO Marcy Johnson warns that social media addiction harms children by reducing grey matter and triggering tantrums. Wichita Public Library will host a screen-free week later this spring (featuring play spaces and tactile activities) to offer safe alternatives to screen time. KWCH
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Resilient Gemstones Ladies Conference 2026
7 p.m. — Hyatt Regency Wichita — Registration Fee Required — A faith-centered conference providing hope and healing for women impacted by trauma.
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Valentine's Day Prix Fixe Dinner
Evening — Wine Dive + Kitchen — $75 per person — Celebrate love with a curated multi-course dining experience that will elevate your night together.
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Chair Yoga Class
1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in — Engage in empowering chair yoga to enhance strength, flexibility, and community connection.
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Chair Yoga Class at Maize Rec
1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in fee — Enjoy calming chair yoga that promotes strength, flexibility, and community.
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Chinese New Year Celebration
12:30 – 3:00 PM — Botanica, The Wichita Gardens — Included with general admission — Celebrate Lunar New Year with crafts, zodiac discovery, and cultural traditions for the whole family.
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School's Out - Dodgeball Is In
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Rose Hill Recreation Commission — Fun and engaging — Gather with dodgeball enthusiasts for a friendly competition.
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2000s Nostalgia Party
9 PM – 12 AM — The Cotillion — $15.33 to $21.09 — Celebrate the early 2000s with iconic hits and nostalgic vibes.
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Black Business Tour
10 AM – 4 PM — Cargill Protein Headquarters — Free entry — Explore and support Black-owned businesses in a vibrant community ride-along experience.
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2026 Wichita Kansas Inspection Authorization Renewal Seminar
7:30 a.m. — Colonel James Jabara Airport — Registration required — Complete your 8-hour training requirement for Inspection Authorization renewal with expert presentations and provided lunch.
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Nekrogoblikon Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — WAVE — Ticket prices vary from $65 to $120 — Experience the unique sounds of Nekrogoblikon in a lively concert atmosphere.
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
The reason to win the game is so that you can be free of it.
~ Naval Ravikant
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