Daily editionTuesday, November 18th, 2025
Good morning, Wichita.
The Daily Wichita Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 18th of November.
Community
ShowerUp Wichita launched a mobile laundry unit on Sunday to add free clothes washing to its five-year free shower service for people experiencing homelessness.
The rolling laundromat uses donated machines to wash and dry a load in 45 minutes — it is available outside Church on the Street on Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m.
KSNRead more
Collections for Operation Christmas Child are underway — local drop-off sites will accept shoebox gifts until November 24 — to help provide children with holiday cheer.
KSNRead more
Business
Local Wichita businesses have rallied in support of the upcoming Jonas Brothers concert and aim to boost downtown commerce — organizers expect the event to attract large crowds and increase local revenue.
KWCHRead more
Culture
A large Christmas tree was lit on Sunday at 313 S. Market in downtown Wichita showing 3,200 lights that each hold a memory of a loved one—part of the Lights of Life event hosted by Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.
KSNRead more
Legendary parody musician Weird Al Yankovic will perform at INTRUST Bank Arena on June 21 as part of his 90-city Bigger & Weirder tour—his tour begins on May 26 in Hollywood and runs until October 17.
Wichita fans can look forward to a record-breaking performance from the well-known act.
KWCHRead more
Economy
Shoppers at Dillons in Wichita are finding lower prices on key Thanksgiving items—turkey is down 3.7%, frozen vegetables dropped 15%, and rolls decreased 22%—even as overall food prices rose 3% this year.
Wells Fargo Agri-Food Intelligence estimates a 10-person store-brand meal will cost about $80, showing a welcome discount for holiday preparers.
KWCHRead more
Education
Wichita State’s student government is reviewing all student fee-funded groups for FY 2027 after a $929,000 shortfall caused by lower headcount and a fee error—this review will begin in the spring semester to balance budget impacts, a change approved by the Student Senate.
The SunflowerRead more
Ablah Library at Wichita State switched from Voyager to the open source FOLIO system on Sept. 16 to better manage print and electronic resources.
The new system uses OpenAthens to help student searches and will integrate 29 million resources from MOBIUS libraries by January — staff training kept the transition smooth with few reported issues.
The SunflowerRead more
Government
Sedgwick County Fire Department has introduced a new accelerant-sniffing dog—trained to detect fire accelerants during investigations—after a recent demonstration of the canine unit's capabilities.
The dog will bolster the department's efforts to investigate fire incidents.
KWCHRead more
Tenant advocates say Wichita's City Council rejected proposals that would require a landlord registry and ban income-based discrimination, leaving renters facing unsafe housing conditions—tenant groups now plan to educate renters on their rights and push for future reforms.
The council instead formed a task force to study building codes, which means protections for tenants remain limited.
The VoiceRead more
New federal rules will tighten work requirements for SNAP recipients in Missouri and Kansas, and most enrollees must now show 80 hours a month of work, school, volunteering, or caregiving to keep benefits.
The changes will risk food support for thousands of adults and families—about 14,000 in Missouri and 5,000 in Kansas—while states face extra costs to run the program.
The VoiceRead more
Health
Ascension Via Christi is hosting a two-day hiring event this week that will offer on-the-spot job offers for health workers.
Today the St. Joseph session runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at Conference Room #30033600 E. Harry St.—on Thursday the St. Francis session will run from 8 a.m. to noon at Conference Room #2035929 N. St Francis Ave., inviting both recent graduates and experienced professionals to meet recruiters.
KSNRead more
Real Estate
A study published November 17 showed Wichita topped a list of cities with the most rentals under $1,000—indicating a trend toward affordable housing in the area.
KWCHRead more
Sports
Wichita State announced that longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Kennedy will retire after the 2025-2026 season.
Kennedy has called Shocker games for 46 years — he built a record streak of 1,400 consecutive games — and paused calls two seasons ago for prostate cancer treatment.
FOX KansasRead more
Wichita Events
Chair Yoga Session at Maize Recreation
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 · 1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in fee — Enjoy a gentle and supportive yoga practice designed for all mobility levels.
Best In Show - Film Screening
Thursday, November 20th, 2025 · 7-8:30 p.m. — Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center — $8 — Enjoy a hilarious satire capturing the eccentric world of dog show competitors and their charming pets.
Casey Donahew Concert
Friday, November 21st, 2025 · 8:00-9:30 p.m. — The Cotillion — All Ages — Enjoy live music from Casey Donahew with special guest Jaron Bell.
Air Capital Combat
Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 · 7-11 p.m. — The Cotillion — $48.88 to $90.24 — Enjoy an exciting night of MMA and kickboxing featuring both professional and amateur bouts for all ages.
Chelcie Lynn Live Performance
Sunday, November 23rd, 2025 · 7:30-10 p.m. — The Cotillion — $44.14 to $72.37 — Enjoy a night of laughs with Chelcie Lynn while all seating is reserved.
Chair Yoga at Maize Recreation Commission
Monday, November 24th, 2025 · 1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in — Experience the community-centered benefits of accessible chair yoga for improved strength and flexibility.
Chair Yoga at Maize Recreation Commission
Wednesday, November 26th, 2025 · 1-2 p.m. — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in — Engage in accessible chair yoga to enhance strength, flexibility, and community spirit.
Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet
Thursday, November 27th, 2025 · 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Vora Restaurant European — $42 adults, $18 children — Enjoy a lavish buffet with seasonal favorites and European-inspired dishes.
Danielle Nicole Concert
Friday, November 28th, 2025 · 7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Cotillion — Tickets available — Experience the soulful sounds of Danielle Nicole and special guests with heartfelt themes of love and perseverance.
ICT Artisan Expo
Saturday, November 29th, 2025 · 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Wichita Sports Forum — $1.00 admission — Explore over 150 craft vendors and enjoy a family-friendly experience with food trucks and a Kid’s Zone.