Kansas

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

Published

3 weeks ago

December 20, 2025

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Museums across the United States are struggling with declining attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kansas institutions are bucking the national trend strong visitor numbers.

A recent survey by the American Alliance of Museums asked more than 500 museums nationwide and found traffic remains down since the pandemic began in 2020.

Kansas museum reports record attendance

The Kansas Aviation Museum experienced its highest attendance year ever in 2024, according to Ben Sauceda, president and CEO of the museum.

“2024 was our highest record attendance year ever as a museum, and so we’re seeing a lot of momentum around that,” Sauceda said.

Sauceda credited state programs for boosting museum visits across Kansas.

“Things like the Sunflower Summer Program that Kansas offers. That has been a huge boost to attendance in museums across our state,” he said.

The Gathering Place also reported increased traffic since the pandemic, according to museum officials.

Adam Smith, president and CEO of Exploration Place, said Kansas museums have remained stable.

“I think in general, Kansas is, you know, we’ve seen, we’ve been pretty solid, actually,” Smith said.

Financial challenges persist nationally

The national study shows one-third of museums reported loss of federal grants and contracts impacted them this year.

Museum leaders said institutions must adapt to succeed in the current environment.

“Even as museums, we are still businesses that have to operate in a manner of innovation and creativity. And so again, I think the ones that are finding success right now are the ones that are learning and finding ways to innovate and change and meet the demands of the market where they’re at right now,” Sauceda said.

Smith emphasized the importance of family engagement.

“And so finding ways in which families like to spend time together while creating unique learning or exposure opportunities is how you have to move forward,” he said.

Museums like the Kansas Aviation Museum continue advocating at the state level for renewal of the Sunflower Summer Program for the 2026-2027 season.

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Kansas

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.

We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.

Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.

If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.

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Kansas

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

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.

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Kansas

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.

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