Trace Salzbrenner/The Wichita Beacon

While the Wichita Public Library stocks plenty of books for Denise Sutton to reshelve, an influx of capital spending demonstrates how more people are seeing libraries as essential for education, public safety and access to information.

Community

Despite leaner times, Wichita stays the course on libraries

While the library system has suffered cuts and consolidations in years past, city officials are routing $2 million to complete long-term building plans that will revitalize most of Wichita’s seven libraries.

Carla Mendez and Jacob Salas sit in the window of the home they recently purchased.

Community

A young Wichita couple become first-time homebuyers — by acting fast

Trace Salzbrenner/The Wichita Beacon

Carla Mendez and Jacob Salas bought their first home in only three days, showing how competitive home buying can be in Wichita.

A Wichita bonding company advertises “guaranteed lowest price,” but Sheriff Jeff Easter worries bonds are getting too cheap.

Community

Two killings, two very different cash bonds — and a debate about fairness in Wichita

Trace Salzbrenner/The Wichita Beacon

Two arrests in Wichita highlight how bail can vary from one case to the next in Kansas. Some people are pushing for change.

The Northeast Millair neighborhood sits directly south of a chemical spill at a rail yard at 29th and Grove.

News

Study finds higher rates of liver cancer, low birthweights near toxic site in northeast Wichita

Celia Hack

Almost 30 years after its discovery, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment conducted a health survey in several historically Black neighborhoods located above contaminated groundwater.

Ruby Ligon’s home sits about 500 feet from a groundwater plume contaminated with a carcinogenic chemical. She says she didn’t learn about the contamination until 2022.

News

‘I’m just so angry’: How the state failed to follow its plan to tell Wichitans of toxic groundwater

Celia Hack

The state created a plan in 2003 to keep a predominantly Black neighborhood in Wichita informed about toxic groundwater in their community. It failed to follow through on several key aspects.

Fishing poles line the dock at K-96 Fishing Lake.

News

Community members want fishing lake near toxic site tested, but state says it’s not necessary.

Celia Hack

The state says its data and models show the lake doesn’t need to be tested.