Latest news with #Wichitans
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Looking for some behind-the-scenes stories? These two Eagle interns hope to have them
When a lot of Wichitans were hunkered down during Tuesday's rain deluge, Allison Campbell was trudging through Highland Cemetery, snapping photos for a Wichita Eagle article. The intrepid Campbell is one of two interns who are working for the publication this summer. Ainsley Smyth, who said she spent Tuesday 'safe in the office calling school board candidates,' is the other. Both live in Kansas and have attended Wichita State University, where Campbell just graduated and Smyth will be a senior. Campbell said she was a military brat who was born in Germany and spent a substantial amount of time in South Africa, where her mother was born, before her family eventually landed in Holton, Kan. That's where she graduated high school and her where her parents still live. 'My teenage angst was lived out there.' However, it was when she was visiting South Africa at around age 8 when the power of what journalism can do struck her. Campbell saw a copy of Time with a photo of a highway she knew in Johannesburg with an accompanying story on some of the most unequal places in the world. On one side of the road were dilapidated houses. On the other were more were beautiful homes with pools. 'That picture really, really stuck with me,' said Campbell, who had been born following apartheid. 'It opened my eyes in a way that I think was discomforting but was a much-needed discomfort.' An incredible high school journalism teacher further inspired her, as did getting to know the staff at the Sunflower at WSU. 'Their work was astounding.' Campbell's work came to be as well. She was named the Kansas Collegiate Media Journalist of the Year. 'It gives me goosebumps to be able to give back to people,' she said. Just like the Time photo did for her, Campbell said she likes that she can show diversity in communities so people 'can really transform how they live and conduct their lives.' Smyth, who is from Lenexa, wasn't interested in journalism until high school when she joined the newspaper staff where some friends were. That's when she found something else that journalism offers. 'I liked knowing sort of the behind the scenes of my school.' Smyth said she enjoyed having a different way to interact with teachers through her work, too. Last summer, Smyth interned at local NPR affiliate KMUW. This summer, she said she's likely going to cover a range of topics for The Eagle. So far, that includes an entertainment and environmental story and a look at improvements at Clapp Park. Smyth, who plans to make a career of journalism, said she hopes to do local government stories, too, for that same behind-the-scenes knowledge she sought in high school. 'That kind of interests me.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Downtown Wichita plan seeks input
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — What should downtown Wichita look like in 10 years? City residents will have a chance to weigh in as a new phase of planning kicks off this summer, with public events designed to turn ideas into change. The effort is part of Phase 2 of the Downtown Wichita Action Plan, a community-driven vision led by Downtown Wichita, in partnership with the Greater Wichita Partnership and global design firm Sasaki. Organizers say the next steps will build on input from more than 500 Wichitans who participated in Phase 1 last year. More tornadoes and fewer meteorologists make a dangerous mix that worries officials Public input so far has focused on making downtown more walkable, diverse in housing, rich in culture, and better connected to the Arkansas River. The community is being asked to help shape the design concepts that could define the next decade. Two public events are scheduled: June 1: Riverfest Pop-Up — From 1 to 6 p.m., the Action Plan team will host a booth at Riverfest where visitors can learn more and share feedback. June 2: Open House at TempleLive — Residents are invited to attend from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wichita Scottish Rite to explore early design ideas and contribute directly to the planning process. A detailed summary of Phase 1 feedback and additional updates are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Loco for Cinco Fest highlights art and culture with live mural painting
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Many Wichitans filled the streets of downtown at the Loco For Cinco festival to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and local art and culture. The annual event not only brings Wichitans in but also people from Dallas-Fort Worth. Artists Juan Velazquez and Armando Aguirre were selected as this year's artists for the Loco for Cinco mural project, and the two painted their murals live during the event. Aguirre painted a Catrina, which is usually a female figure dressed as a skeleton or skull-faced. It's an iconic symbol of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). 'I was happy they chose this design because it was one that had been rejected for other clients, other opportunities. I kept holding on to it because I'm like, I know one day I'll be able to paint it,' Aguirre said. Aguirre's art has taken him not only across Texas but also California and Tennessee. In his first visit to Wichita Falls, he said seeing the culture and art come alive shows the city's identity. 'I feel like this is the perfect piece to do for today for Cinco de Mayo. Something that is celebrating our culture and our heritage,' Aguirre said. 'It makes me feel good because one of the things that I've been wanting to do is go out and paint in other places, travel, and paint. I'm doing that today, and it makes me feel really good.' To check out Aguirre's work, click here for his Instagram. You can find Velazquez's work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
New electric company scam has Wichitans on their toes
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) —While Wichita Falls continues to deal with a flood advisory, some people are facing a new threat: an electricity scam. Suszette McKee's street is usually quiet. But recently, an electric company scam has broken the peace, soliciting McKee and some of her neighbors. The alleged company offered to lower her bill by removing ONCOR delivery charges, but McKee felt it was fishy after she asked for more information. 'He wouldn't tell me anything,' McKee said. 'He wouldn't give me any information. Do you know what company you work for? And then I asked him, do you have an ID? And he said yes, I do. And he's flipping around on his phone, and then he changed the subject and never showed me an ID or anything.' When she declined the offer, the scammer left, and McKee then called Reliant Energy about the attempted scam. They said they've received many calls about scams of that nature. Had McKee fallen for it, she discovered the consequences could have been significant. 'What they could do is if they get your account number, they can just change your electric company without you even knowing it,' McKee said. McKee said the scammers were wearing basic yellow safety vests and lanyards that said 'Simplicity' on them. Now that she's aware of the risks the scammer's plan posed, she wants her neighbors and others to be aware of them too. 'There are a couple of people on the neighborhood app that have said the same things happened to them,' McKee said. 'So, I just wanted people to be aware, you know, if somebody comes up and, especially if they ask to look at your electric bill, don't let them.' McKee lived through the Terrible Tuesday tornadoes in 1979 and has experienced her fair share of scams stemming from that incident. As experienced as she is, she'll be even more wary about who she trusts with her electric bill. 'I'll go on the website, or I'll call, you know, the electric company and see what deals are best for me or something,' McKee said. 'But I wouldn't trust anybody to come to my door and want to sell me electric or anything.' The Better Business Bureau is just one place with advice and resources available to prevent falling victims to scams. It's always important to do the proper research before hiring or making a financial decision involving another company. So, with Wichita Falls already in the height of storm season, electric company scammers are just one more thing for Wichitans to watch out for. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wichita River crest delayed; city warns of mosquitoes
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJLT) — The latest reports from the National Weather Service Thursday morning show that the Wichita River is expected to crest later than originally predicted. RELATED STORY: Wichitans prepare for potential flooding following rains City officials said there are currently no plans to preemptively cut off electricity in the city limits, and there is no need for evacuations since there is only minor street flooding within the city limits. City officials assure residents that all local agencies are staged and ready to activate if the situation changes. One concern due to the recent rains is the increase in the mosquito population. While the large mosquitoes usually seen in floodwaters are nuisance mosquitoes and not disease carriers, residents are still encouraged to wear an EPA-approved repellent. Larvae packets are available for free at the Health District during regular business hours. Spraying for mosquitoes will begin as soon as weather conditions allow for the best results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
