Megan Moser – B104.7 Manhattan's Hometown Country Station https://b1047.com Bringin' B Country to the Flint Hills for Over 25 Years Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:54:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 43030200 School board follows state cell phone ban with new policy https://b1047.com/school-board-follows-state-cell-phone-ban-with-new-policy/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:54:53 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=447603

USD 383 students will be without their phones from the beginning of the school day to the end under a new policy the school board approved Wednesday to align with Kansas law.

The Manhattan-Ogden school board at its meeting voted 6-1 to approve a policy prohibiting students from “using or accessing personal electronic communications devices during the school day while on district owned or operated property.” The school district had been developing its own cell phone policy, but officials decided they had to change tack after Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a more stringent cell phone ban in March.

Devices include not just cell phones but also tablets, computers, watches, wireless headphones or earbuds, and text messaging devices. Students’ personal devices must be turned off and securely stored during the school day.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 427633 Q&A | What we know so far about Pott Co. data center proposal https://b1047.com/qa-what-we-know-so-far-about-pott-co-data-center-proposal/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:24:08 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=447545

We don’t yet know many of the specifics of a large-scale data center proposed for Pottawatomie County, which was presented to the public last month.

The developer hasn’t shared the name of the company that would be the end-user, the size of the facility or details about its utility needs.

But we’ve gathered some of the basic questions we’re hearing from residents about what could be a very large project and what it will mean for the region. Here’s what we know so far:

What is a data center?

A data center is really a bunch of computer servers, as well as all the infrastructure required to keep them running. That includes power sources, cooling systems and networking equipment.

Many of these centers are owned by big companies like Google and Amazon, though some are owned by operators that rent out storage space to smaller companies.

When we talk about “the cloud,” we’re really talking about storing information in data centers.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 427275 Riley County appraiser notes increase in appeals https://b1047.com/riley-county-appraiser-notes-increase-in-appeals/ Fri, 29 May 2026 17:20:15 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=447405

Riley County’s appraiser warned county commissioners that appraisal appeals are increasing again after a brief decline and said millions of dollars in pending exemptions could affect future budgets.

During a commission meeting Thursday, county appraiser Anna Burson said the office is preparing for small claims hearings related to the 2026 tax year while continuing to manage payment-under-protest hearings and Board of Tax Appeals cases dating back several years.

Burson presented historical appeal data dating to 2018. She said residential properties continue to account for the majority of appeals. Appeals peaked in 2023 and, after declining for a period, are rising again.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 426045 USD 383 approves AI server purchase for district use https://b1047.com/usd-383-approves-ai-server-purchase-for-district-use/ Thu, 21 May 2026 15:42:06 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=447222

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved the purchase of a district-based artificial intelligence server.

Board members said the technology is necessary for the future of education and emphasized privacy and security safeguards.

The board unanimously approved a $23,000 quote from United School Administrators for the artificial intelligence server and three configured models. Board members and administrators said the system would allow the district to use AI tools internally without sending student or district data to internet-based AI platforms.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 423999 Driver in crash with mayor was cited for speeding, records show https://b1047.com/driver-in-crash-with-mayor-was-cited-for-speeding-records-show/ Wed, 20 May 2026 18:06:50 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=447172

The driver of a motorcycle in a crash involving Manhattan mayor Susan Adamchak was cited for speeding, according to police records obtained by The Mercury on Wednesday. Those records also make clear that the motorcyclist hit Adamchak, rather than the other way around.

The crash occurred Sunday afternoon on Zeandale Road. The initial police report, which formed the basis for the news report published Monday by The Mercury, said Adamchak crashed into the motorcyclist.

Adamchak, 72, said she was leaving the Unitarian Universalist church, turning left onto Zeandale road in her car.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 423789 Dodson: County administrator needs to be more than a department head https://b1047.com/dodson-county-administrator-needs-to-be-more-than-a-department-head/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:58:49 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=446065

Having a proper administrator will help Riley County have a “seat at the table” with other entities, Mike Dodson told commissioners at Thursday’s meeting.

Dodson, a former legislator, mayor and commanding general at Fort Riley, spoke as part of the Citizen Group for Advancing Riley County Growth and Prosperity, to share its conclusions in a presentation.

The commission in February hired a consultant to make a recommendation on changes to the county’s leadership structure.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 413340 School district reports modest academic gains in accountability report https://b1047.com/school-district-reports-modest-academic-gains-in-accountability-report/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:36:54 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=445812

USD 383 officials said Wednesday they’ve seen modest academic gains and are addressing ongoing challenges in the district’s latest accountability report.

Andrea Tiede, director of teaching and learning for the Manhattan-Ogden District, shared with the school board some data comparing 2024 and 2025 in several areas.

According to data, the district’s graduation rate stood at 83.3% percent in 2025, up from 82.8% in 2024. The state rate is 90.5%.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 411585 USD 383 cell phone policy boosts engagement, teachers say, but new law raises questions https://b1047.com/usd-383-cell-phone-policy-boosts-engagement-teachers-say-but-new-law-raises-questions/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:48:55 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=445607

One year in, the cell phone policy in USD 383 schools is driving improved classroom engagement and behavior, district officials said Wednesday, though a new Kansas law may soon require stricter enforcement and create new challenges.

Officials gave a report reflecting on the policy’s first year during the Manhattan-Ogden school board meeting Wednesday at Lincoln Education Center. The policy requires students keep devices in bags, pockets or special pouches, though they can use them during passing periods and at lunch.

More than 92% of educators reported improved student engagement under the policy, while about 94% said classroom climate has improved, according to teacher survey data.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 409373 USD 383 school board votes to refinance debt, which could save $600K https://b1047.com/usd-383-school-board-votes-to-refinance-debt-which-could-save-600k/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:44:08 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=444974

The USD 383 school board on Wednesday voted unanimously to refinance old debt to save money.

The issue arose because the district’s outstanding Series 2016 bonds are approaching eligibility for refinancing.

Superintendent Eric Reid said at the board meeting that every so often market conditions shift so that it becomes prudent to refinance past debt.

The outstanding amount for the Series 2016 bonds is $43.19 million, with interest rates ranging from 3% to 5%. The district is in a position to get a lower interest rate, which could result in a savings of an estimated $600,000 to $700,000, depending on terms, according to meeting documents.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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]]> 402998 USD 383 school board votes to refinance debt, which could save $600K https://b1047.com/usd-383-school-board-votes-to-refinance-debt-which-could-save-600k-2/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:44:08 +0000 https://1350kman.com/?p=444974

The USD 383 school board on Wednesday voted unanimously to refinance old debt to save money.

The issue arose because the district’s outstanding Series 2016 bonds are approaching eligibility for refinancing.

Superintendent Eric Reid said at the board meeting that every so often market conditions shift so that it becomes prudent to refinance past debt.

The outstanding amount for the Series 2016 bonds is $43.19 million, with interest rates ranging from 3% to 5%. The district is in a position to get a lower interest rate, which could result in a savings of an estimated $600,000 to $700,000, depending on terms, according to meeting documents.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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