The Topeka Tenants group has formally endorsed a rental registry for the city. A rental registry would require landlords to register their properties with the local municipality. The Shawnee County Landlords Association has expressed opposition to the proposed registry. Topeka Tenants have formerly endorsed giving a rental list on the books. During the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on March 11, Jonathan Smith, a Topeka Tenant member, read the endorsement for the committee. “Topeka Tenants, formerly endorses a landlord registry and tenant protection proposals that would include many benefits for both tenants and landlords, thus creating social safety nets for vulnerable populations on both sides,” Smith said. “Ultimately, we believe a landlord registry will result in a safer and more inviting city.”
Read more: Topeka Capital

Casey’s convenience stores are being planned in Maize and Kechi, a return to Maize and a first for Kechi for the chain. A March building permit filed with the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, valued at $585,000, shows a Casey’s store planned for 5345 N. Maize Road, at the intersection of 53rd Street North and Maize Road. The building at the address was a former Pizza Hut, according to an online listing. The site is near entrance and exit ramps to K-96. Casey’s formerly had a store in Maize at 4605 Maize Road that had operated for roughly 30 years before it closed in October 2016, the Wichita Eagle reported.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

For the past several years, more than one third of teams playing in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship have had to stay in hotels outside of Reno County for the tournament in Hutchinson, as there weren’t enough appropriate blocs of hotel rooms. LeAnn Cox, vice president of operations and tourism with Visit Hutch, said the contract with the NJCAA requires 10 rooms each with two beds per team. Since the closure of the Atrium Hotel in 2019, nine teams have had to stay in McPherson, Maize, or elsewhere, she said. But since the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn last fall, the number of teams staying outside of Hutchinson will be reduced to three when the tournament tips off Saturday.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The nitrate level in Dodge City’s water has dropped below the federal standard and is safe to drink, the city announced on Wednesday. The city said secondary testing showed the nitrate level within the water system was at 6.42 milligrams per liter. The testing was conducted at a lab that holds National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program certification, which is recognized by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Read more: KSN-TV

In his press conference Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said monetary policy is “appropriate.” The Federal Open Market Committee held interest rates in a range between 3.5% and 3.75%, with one 25 basis point rate cut expected this year and one next year, as the Middle East conflict lingers.
Read more: Bond Buyer and CNBC

David Toland, Kansas commerce secretary, said the departure of recent college graduates to other job markets has led to a “talent shortage” in the state’s workforce pipeline. According to figures presented by Toland, the state has hemorrhaged about 12,500 college graduates annually over the past five years. Tolandsaid the exodus of students has actually served as a selling point in attracting industry to Kansas. “You bring these jobs here, we’ve got the people,” he said of the sales pitch. “They’re trained up, they’re ready to go, and we think they’ll stay in Kansas if you create the economic opportunities for them to.
Read more: CJonline