Latest news with #DavidToland
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Enjoy free entry to 230+ Kansas attractions with Sunflower Summer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2025 Sunflower Summer program has begun, and Kansas Tourism is inviting families to the state for a season full of fun. The Sunflower Summer program, designed specifically for Kansas students and their families, provides free admission to over 230 attractions. The season begins on Saturday, July 12, and ends on Sunday, Aug. 3. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Participating attractions include museums, discovery centers, historic sites, arboretums, zoos and more. Click here for a full list of attractions for Sunflower Summer. 'Sunflower Summer is more than just a fun family outing – it's an investment in our future,' Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. 'By giving Kansas students the opportunity to experience the rich history, culture and natural beauty of our state, we're helping the next generation fall in love with Kansas. At the same time, this program drives real economic impact to our communities by supporting local attractions and generating increased visitor spending.' All Kansas school-aged children, from pre-K through 12th grade, including students in public, private, or homeschooling programs, are eligible for the Sunflower Summer program. The program covers admission costs for eligible students and one adult guardian per attraction. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Tickets can be claimed through the free Sunflower Summer app and redeemed at the venue upon arrival. You can download the Sunflower Summer app at the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes considers run for Kansas governor
LENEXA, Kan. — The race for governor in the Sunflower State may get another name. State Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes is considering a run for the position. If Sykes got in, she'd be the second major Democrat to announce she's running. In an interview with FOX4 on Monday, Sykes told FOX4 she's having conversations about that and trying to decide what's best for her and her family. How Trump's megabill will impact health care During the interview, she also said it will be interesting to see who else gets into that race. The Republican field's stacked with former Governor Jeff Colyer, current Secretary of State Scott Schwab, and former Johnson County Board of County Commissioner Charlotte O'Hara. Current State Senate President Ty Masterson will likely get into the race too. Friday, we asked Johnson County Community College Associate Professor of Political Science Andrea Vieux what other Democrats could get into the race. On that side, we know State Senator Cindy Holscher has already gotten in. 'Whether they'll be as high profile candidates as someone like Cindy Holscher, or Dinah Sykes, or Dave Toland, is probably not going to happen just in terms of the Kansas Democratic Party and who they have available,' Vieux said. FOX4 reached out to colleagues of Lieutenant Governor David Toland Friday. We did not hear back in time for our deadline. 'It wouldn't surprise me,' Vieux said when asked if it would surprise her if Toland did not get into the race. 'Again, going back to the early Cindy Holscher announcement and maybe that playing into the calculation of other potential Democrats. The Democrats don't want to have a highly contested primary, and so, once you have a big name in there, it sort of does reduce the probability that other big names will come out and put their name out there.' Emporia State Political Science Professor Michael Smith says Holscher does not have statewide name recognition right now. Holscher lives in Overland Park. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri 'She'd have to do a lot of work,' Smith said Friday. 'But I'm not sure Laura Kelly did either when she first started. Among political insiders, of course, but not among the rank-and-file voter, and the other piece of that of course Jonathan is raising money and having the connections to be able to raise money, being a State Senator really helps with that.' Smith was one of FOX4's guests on this Sunday's episode of '4 The People.' Smith's interview will air in its entirety July 6 at 10 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grants boost rural Kansas communities
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — Dozens of small towns across Kansas are receiving a boost thanks to a new grant program focused on revitalizing rural communities. The Kansas Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that $298,825 has been awarded through the inaugural round of the Towns Grant, a program created to support quick, quality-of-place improvements in communities with populations under 5,000. The funding will support 32 small-scale projects across the state, ranging from park upgrades to emergency infrastructure. The Towns Grant is a partnership between the Department of Commerce and three statewide philanthropic organizations: the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the Kansas Health Foundation, and the Sunflower Foundation. Kansas Tourism awards $25K grant to Exploration Place 'Commerce is committed to providing opportunities for any community in Kansas that has the vision and desire to better their town,' Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. 'These are meaningful, local projects that might not have been possible otherwise.' Some of the projects receiving funding include: Hoisington, where seating at Bicentennial Park will be restored to improve safety and preserve a key event space Milford, which will build an emergency helipad to improve medical access in remote areas Nicodemus, where the community playground will be expanded and upgraded Powhattan, where park improvements will support a more welcoming gathering space Scottsville, population 26, which will repair its main street to maintain access for residents and visitors. The grants, capped at $10,000 per project, were open to towns that have not received Kansas Department of Commerce funding since 2019. 'The Hansen Foundation understands both the needs and the passion in these small communities,' Doug Albin, chairman of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, said in the release. 'We're proud to support residents who are doing the work to make their hometowns shine.' Leaders from all partner organizations emphasized the importance of collaboration in helping rural Kansas thrive. 'Rural Kansas thrives when organizations step out of their silos and work together,' Kansas Health Foundation CEO Ed O'Malley said. To see a full list of funded projects, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce website. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas leaders not planning on extending STAR Bonds
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland is leading negotiations with the Chiefs and the Royals as both teams try to figure out where they'll be playing in 2031. January of that year is when their current leases expire at the Truman Sports Complex. Kansas House Speaker and Wichita Republican Dan Hawkins said he talks with the teams every once in a while, and they're also talking with the Kansas Department of Commerce. Olathe Youth Baseball program shutting down after 70 years of service Hawkins said on Friday that he thinks the teams are close to some sort of proposal that the department would bring to people like him. He also said they don't plan on at least at this time, extending the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond package that ends June 30 of this year. With that in mind, FOX4 asked him if he thought the teams would make their stadium decisions in about a month. 'Well, I'm not sure I agree with that,' Hawkins said. 'Actually, I think we've made a very good proposal, and I think that they know we've made a good proposal, and certainly, Missouri hasn't done anything.' Meet baseball's 'Greatest Showman:' The founder of the Savannah Bananas Missouri Governor and Republican Mike Kehoe plans to call his state lawmakers back into Jefferson City in June of this year for a special session regarding the Chiefs and the Royals after the State Senate failed to pass the stadium package earlier in May. Hawkins was on FOX4 Friday as part of Sunday, May 25th's episode of 4 The People. FOX4 will post the full conversation on the website later that day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas starts program to cut costs for community centers
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — A new state grant program aims to address a common challenge faced by rural Kansas communities: the high cost and complexity of building modern community centers. The Blueprint to Build initiative, announced by the Kansas Department of Commerce, streamlines the process for small towns to create multi-use community spaces by providing pre-designed building plans and construction funding, aimed at reducing costs and accelerating development. 'For many Kansas communities, finding affordable solutions for community facilities can be difficult,' Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said in a news release. 'This innovative new CDBG program provides immediate resources to build vibrant community spaces across Kansas.' Restaurant in Old Town seized for overdue taxes: KDOR Eligible communities can apply for grants up to $2.5 million for three standardized, energy-efficient building designs featuring essential amenities like multipurpose rooms and telemedicine offices, with optional gymnasiums or aquatic spaces. The goal is to reduce costs by eliminating custom architectural work, allowing communities to focus on construction expenses. The centers will be located in walkable downtown areas or near public facilities to lower infrastructure and maintenance costs. Larger communities such as Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park are not eligible. Towns with fewer than 2,500 residents can request up to $1.5 million, while those above that population threshold can request up to $2.5 million. The application period opens on May 1 and will close on Nov. 14. Pre-applications can be submitted. More information on the grants is available at or by contacting the Kansas CDBG team at CDBG@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
