Daily editionTuesday, September 22nd, 2026
Good morning, Wichita.
The Daily Wichita Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 22nd of September.
Community
Wichita Wagonmaster's Downtown Chili Cookoff will benefit local nonprofits + bring residents together for chili tasting downtown.
Organizers say the event supports local charities and builds community spirit.
KWCHRead more
Local pumpkin growers at P and M Pumpkin Ranch and Stems Pumpkin Patch are open for the fall season, relying on precise irrigation systems+targeted water solutions to beat triple-digit summer heat.
The farms urge families to visit their websites for updated hours and activity schedules.
KWCHRead more
Wichita fans can now vote in the Sweet 16 Shops for Wichita’s Most Liked Coffee tournament as it enters its second round on Facebook.
The contest, featuring 32 local coffee shops, invites the community to back their favorite with voting starting this week on Wichita By E.B.
Wichita By E.B.Read more
Business
This summer saw multiple Wichita restaurants close, including longstanding spots like Chico’s (closed Sept. 19) and Blaze Pizza, while new ventures such as Dave’s Hot Chicken and Chiang Mai East are set to take over many of the former spaces.
Wichita By E.B.Read more
Economy
Wichita gas stations report higher fuel prices as diesel hits a national record, a sign of rising rates affecting drivers.
Officials say market pressures continue to shift and expect prices to change in the coming days.
KWCHRead more
Education
Federal student loan caps set earlier this summer may force Kansas medical students at schools like KansasCOM to use pricier private loans for tuition, raising concerns that the gap will worsen doctor shortages — especially in rural areas.
KMUWRead more
Wichita State is set to merge departments across nearly every college, and faculty are calling for clearer input before a provost review in October — they oppose using policy 2.10 that they say bypassed shared governance.
The SunflowerRead more
Environment
Botanica plans to build a 3-million-gallon water reservoir and K-12 education center in Sim Park to capture runoff amid drought concerns.
The Wichita City Council approved a 30-year lease (at $1 per year) on Sept. 15, enabling the project.
KWCHRead more
After a rough summer drought, Botanica is hosting water-saving workshops — inviting Wichita residents to learn practical conservation techniques for homes and gardens.
KWCHRead more
Pumpkin farmers in Wichita are battling rising heat + drought as they prepare for Halloween.
They are adopting new irrigation methods to protect their crops as the busy season nears.
KWCHRead more
Government
Wichita Police located a 72-year-old man (Robert Falterman) and confirmed he is safe after a statewide silver alert, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
KAKERead more
Wichita's Eisenhower National Airport received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Small Community Air Service Development Program Monday, as Senator Jerry Moran announced plans to add a direct east coast route.
The funding will expand services and create business opportunities.
KWCHRead more
Health
Monday, Park City hosted its fifth annual Blood Drive Battle—a friendly contest with Valley Center and the Greater Kansas Red Cross.
Donors entered a raffle for a $200 gift certificate while officials said the process took about an hour.
KWCHRead more
Local Wichita mother Cassandra Clark suffered anaphylactic shock after taking Excedrin for a migraine at work and spent over a week in emergency care, leaving her family with unexpected medical bills.
A friend organized a fundraiser to help them recover as they work toward returning to everyday life.
KWCHRead more