As mentioned last week, petitions are now being circulated to change Emporia's method of government after the City Commission approved several procedural steps that could facilitate a data center in Emporia. Two petitions are being floated specifically on government changes. One would end the current City Commission fo...

Closing a door to a kitchen likely limited fire damage to a house near the Lyon-Greenwood county line Sunday afternoon. Just after 5:30 pm, Olpe, Emporia, Madison and Hartford-Neosho Rapids firefighters were dispatched to 243 Road K -- officially in rural Madison. Olpe Fire Chief Wade Schmidt says the homeowner was usi...

A man originally accused of child abuse by choking was not sentenced as scheduled Friday because, according to Lyon County court documents, he did not appear at his hearing. Ernest Donale Emerson Rayton had pleaded no contest to an alternate count of aggravated battery - physical contact with a deadly weapon this past ...

A man initially accused of distributing cocaine and using a cell phone illegally towards that end was sentenced this month. Christopher Alexandro Diaz was originally charged after alleged illegal drug activity in early October 2025. Diaz was sentenced for the illegal cell phone use and cocaine possession last week. Dia...

More blistering conditions are coming Monday after a second straight day of heat index readings above 110 degrees. Sunday had a high temperature of 100 degrees and a top heat index reading of 112, following Saturday's high of 98 and heat index of 116. Conditions will be similar Monday with highs up to 102 and heat inde...

There will not be a girls basketball season at Hartford High this fall and winter. USD 252 board members reluctantly approved a 1-year pause in scheduling and operations as part of their meeting Wednesday night, according to Superintendent Ryan Muhlig. Hartford girls had a small roster for the 2025-26 campaign that was...

Emporia State cross country is gearing up for a five-race schedule in 2026. ESU will open the season for the ninth-straight year at Wichita State's JK Gold Classic where the E-State men will run the 6K course and the Lady Hornets will attack the 5K route. ESU then heads to Butler County CC for the Ollie Isom Invite o...

The Emporia State football team has been selected for three games in the MIAA's 2026 MIAA Football Game of the Week Package. It's the third year of the deal between the conference and 38 the Spot in Kansas City, owned by Scripps News. The package will include 13 MIAA games to TV audiences in the greater Kansas City a...

The Mighty Spartans youth football program has officially extended its registration deadline to July 24th, giving local parents additional time to sign up their athletes for the upcoming season. ​Roster spots are still open for athletes entering the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. To ensure development and health, the prog...

Emporia State women's basketball has added a final piece for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Head coach MJ Baker has added freshman Camilla Sartori from Milan, Italy. She led her team to a runner-up finish at the Italian U19 Nationals in 2025 and helped her team to the Series B playoffs last season. She joins seven pla...