Kansas
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.
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A pedestrian hit by a vehicle near 31st and Mersington in Kansas City has died from injuries sustained in the crash, police say.
Officers responded to the area around 6:32 p.m. on Thursday on a report of a crash involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with injuries that were initially believed to be non-life threatening.
Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured, stopped immediately and remained at the crash and cooperated with police.
Police were notified late Friday morning the pedestrian died from their injuries.
The crash investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
We are once again starting the day with showers and storms. Rainfall will be heavy at times but severe weather is not expected with the activity that will swing through this morning. If it does happen to be dry where you are, you should still be prepared to experience some wet weather.
There will not be as much moisture around during the afternoon but there will still be some spotty showers and storms around, especially between Central and Eastern Kansas.
Most afternoon highs will still be below the norm but will also show some signs of warming where temperatures will reach the 70s.
Late evening storms will build into the southern half of the area. This will start after sundown.
These storms could become strong to severe. Wind and hail are the main threats.
Storm strength and severity will need to be monitored into the overnight. However, they should gradually start to weaken after that.
Some showers will linger into Saturday but the afternoon will not be as damp.
Highs tomorrow will be similar to today’s in the 60s and 70s.
We will once again need to watch out for some evening storms. They will move in from the west.
A sliver of Southwest Kansas and portions of the Oklahoma Panhandle could experience a strong to severe storm.
Any showers and thunderstorms will struggle to make it through the overnight. For the first time in a few days, early risers Sunday will start the day rain-free.
The rest of Memorial Day Weekend will be drier and warmer. However, another unsettled stretch follows.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A former PTA treasurer from Lee’s Summit has pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank and wire fraud after stealing more than $100,000 from the organization, according to federal officials.
Officials said Holly Mikkelsen could face up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
From Aug. 17, 2020, to July 23, 2025, Mikkelsen served as treasurer of the Summit Pointe Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (SPE PTA) in Kansas City, Missouri. The group is a nonprofit, school-based volunteer organization.
Prosecutors said that while serving as treasurer, Mikkelsen made unauthorized withdrawals from the PTA’s checking accounts for her personal benefit. Investigators said the alleged theft included writing and signing checks in the nonprofit’s name payable to herself, using those funds for personal expenses, withdrawing cash from ATMs, and transferring SPE PTA money into her personal accounts.
“The council is taking immediate steps to strengthen financial accountability across all affiliated PTAs, including a full review of existing protocols, dual authorization requirements for financial transactions, board financial training, and consistent audit practices district-wide,” said Lorenzo Harrison, Council President of LSR7 PTA. “The community will be kept informed as this process moves forward.”
Sentencing for Mikkelsen is scheduled for Sept. 24.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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