Category Archives: News
Emporia man arrested on suspicion of trading in child sex abuse materials, exploitation
Formal charges are pending against an Emporia man accused of internet crimes against at least one child. Emporia Police officers arrested 21-year-old Alexander Ballenger on Friday on suspicion of inte...
Jan 18, 2026 Alexander Ballenger. Lyon County Jail photo.
Rec Commission set to field updates on new public rec building, DeBauge Complex plans
The Emporia Recreation Commission has several updates ahead for its meeting this week. Board members will get the latest from the Rec Commission Steering Committee overseeing a possible new recreation...
Jan 18, 2026
High fire danger continues areawide
The area fire danger remains high as the week begins. The National Weather Service says Sunday will have highs in the mid-40s with winds shifting from south to northwest and gusting as high as 30 mph ...
Jan 18, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
Emporia Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals convening Tuesday
The Emporia Metropolitan Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals have their first meetings of 2026 Tuesday. The Board of Zoning Appeals will have two items on their agenda to consider, both re...
Jan 17, 2026 Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Emporia High School girls basketball coach hospitalized following two vehicle accident Friday
Emporia High School girls basketball coach Bill Nienstedt was hospitalized following a two-vehicle accident at the Emporia city limits Friday morning. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol crash log,...
Jan 17, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
Several blood drives upcoming in Emporia between now and February with need for blood nearing critical levels
The American Red Cross remains busy in both collecting blood donations and offering assistance to those impacted by recent emergencies over the course of the winter and holiday season. According to Ja...
Jan 17, 2026 Red Cross logo.
UPDATE: Reading man identified as individual deceased following tractor rollover northeast of Emporia late Friday morning
A Reading man is dead following a single-vehicle accident northeast of Emporia Friday. According to Lyon County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Williams, Lyon County Deputies and Emporia/Lyon County EMS were di...
Jan 16, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
Trial ending in religious discrimination lawsuit against ESU
Closing arguments are ahead as a jury trial concludes in a religious discrimination lawsuit filed against Emporia State University and two administrators. Former Information and Design Technology prof...
Jan 16, 2026 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Flu numbers easing somewhat, but health officials still urging vaccinations
Seasonal illness trends are moving lower across Kansas, but the Department of Health and Environment and local providers are still encouraging people to get vaccinated as the winter illness season con...
Jan 16, 2026 Kansas Department of Health and Environment graphic.
MEDITECH adjusts Newman Regional Health patient portal
Within the next few days, Newman Regional Health's patient portal will look a lot different than it has. The hospital has enacted significant updates to the MHealth portal as developed by MEDITECH Exp...
Jan 16, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
