Daily editionTuesday, September 1st, 2026
Good morning, Wichita.
The Daily Wichita Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 1st of September.
Community
Don Alberto Quezada, known as Elote Man, is recovering from surgery as Wichita residents organize a fundraiser + cart upgrades to support his family and help him return to his Nomar District spot on Oct. 25.
KWCHRead more
Business
FioRito Ristorante is moving to Bradley Fair in 2027 as its E. Douglas Ave venue became too crowded plus the owners plan to finish interior construction by April 1 after Bella Luna Cafe vacates the space.
Wichita By E.B.Read more
Culture
On Saturday, Aug. 29, 'Left on Read' marked Kansas’ first Black Bookstore Day by hosting about 200 people at its new brick house on Central, where co-owner Latasha Eley Kelly secured proclamations from Governor Laura Kelly + Mayor Lily Wu and announced plans to expand the celebration nationwide.
FOX KansasRead more
Wichita State’s Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology will move from Neff Hall to the second floor of Ablah Library; after summer construction delays, the museum is set to open in late October or early November (offering improved space for students and staff).
The SunflowerRead more
Education
St. Philip Neri Seminary was formally established last Wednesday in downtown Wichita during a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and now trains 31 seminarians drawn from Wichita, Dodge City, and Salina dioceses - after evolving from nine years as St. Joseph House of Formation.
FOX KansasRead more
Lorraine Breckenridge-Sterling & Bonita Gooch, both Wichita North High graduates, are among seven inducted into the 2026 Hall of Fame class, set to be honored Oct. 3 during Alumni Weekend.
The class features Phil Ruffin along with other notable alumni.
The VoiceRead more
Derby Hills Elementary will welcome students back today after a kitchen fire caused Monday’s closure.
The school will offer one lunch option while restoration work continues in the kitchen, staff lounge and music room.
KWCHRead more
State rules now ban Wichita State from requiring courses with diverse content after a new DEI-CRT definition was approved by the state finance council.
Faculty are concerned by limited guidance (raising questions about academic freedom and accreditation) and will engage in an exemption process before full compliance is required in July 2028.
The SunflowerRead more
Wichita State’s Student Government met on Aug. 26 and approved a new appropriations budget after DEI rules changed agency funding.
The finance commission and senate set tiered budgets for groups like Graduate Student Council and Spectrum (RSOs now face reduced funding limits).
The SunflowerRead more
Environment
Local HVAC companies in Wichita have received hundreds of calls as temperatures top 100 degrees — causing parts like contactors to overheat and air conditioning to fail.
Providers such as Dan's Heating and Cooling are replacing components so residents can stay cool until the heat eases.
KWCHRead more
Government
Wichita City Council is set to approve the next phase of the Redbud Trail at Tuesday night’s meeting, which will add a new pedestrian overpass to help trail users cross Rock Road safely between 13th Street and 21st Street.
Construction will begin in early 2027 with upgrades supported by a $150,000 donation from Koch Inc.
KWCHRead more
Health
The beloved 'elote man' is reportedly facing health challenges that have raised community concern—neighbors share support as he continues serving his popular snack.
KWCHRead more
Sports
Former Mulvane High School standout Jayden Price, who played for North Dakota State (and had prior NFL experience), will join the New Orleans Saints' 53-man roster when the regular season begins in a couple of weeks.
KWCHRead more