AGP Executive Report

Cultural Heritage: French filmmaker Sebastian Cassen is in Kansas documenting St. Rose Philippine Duchesne’s work with Potawatomi survivors. His crew visited sites in Mound City and Centerville, bringing attention to a little-known chapter of Kansas history. State Parks: Camping and vehicle permit fees at Clinton State Park and other Kansas parks rise Nov. 1. At Clinton, overnight camping goes from $12.75 to $17.75 a night, while the annual vehicle permit increases from $25 to $39. Travel Health: Kansas measles cases have climbed from two to five, with all linked to out-of-state travel. Health officials report no broader community spread so far and recommend checking vaccination status before traveling.

State Park Costs: Kansas park fees rise Nov. 1. Daily vehicle permits go from $5 to $7, overnight camping from $12.75 to $17.75, and annual vehicle permits from $25 to $39. Kansas City Road Travel: MoDOT plans to close I-70 between Paseo and Van Brunt for 11 months starting in January. Detours could send more drivers onto city streets, so visitors should plan extra time. Places to Stay: A new roundup spotlights unusual Kansas Airbnbs, including converted silos and schoolhouses.

State Park Costs: Kansas parks will raise fees Nov. 1. Daily vehicle permits go from $5 to $7, overnight camping from $12.75 to $17.75, and annual vehicle permits from $25 to $39. Kansas City Travel: A major I-70 closure is set to begin in January, shutting the route from Paseo to Van Brunt for 11 months. Detours could push more drivers onto neighborhood streets. Fall in Lawrence: October Halloween events offer seasonal outings, while a city board is weighing ways to grow Lawrence’s airport as an economic hub. Stay Somewhere Different: A new roundup spotlights Kansas vacation rentals in converted silos, schoolhouses and other unusual settings.

Lawrence Events: Halloween season brings pumpkin patches, themed pop-ups and family-friendly frights around town, with Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch open through Oct. 30. Regional Air Travel: Southwest plans to launch a direct Kansas City–Puerto Rico route in summer 2027, adding a new option for Kansas-area travelers. Wichita Visit: The state’s first Latter-day Saints temple remains open to the public through Oct. 10 ahead of its Nov. 1 dedication. Kansas Stays: A new roundup highlights distinctive Airbnb options across the state, from silos to schoolhouses. Wamego Attraction: Oztoberfest unveiled a 15-foot Toto statue, adding to the town’s Oz-themed draws. Lawrence Airport: An advisory board is shaping a vision for a safer, more accessible airport and a stronger role in regional economic growth. Hays Museum: A recent tour found no immediate major building repairs needed at Sternberg Museum, though heating and ventilation systems may need replacement in coming years.

Wichita Visit: The new Latter-day Saints temple in north Sedgwick County is open for public tours through Oct. 10, ahead of its Nov. 1 dedication. Unusual Stays: A new guide rounds up memorable Kansas Airbnbs, from silos to historic schoolhouses. Outdoor Access: Clinton State Park plans a new one-mile accessible trail and upgrades to two boat ramps near the marina. Kansas City Connections: Southwest plans to launch direct flights from Kansas City to Puerto Rico in summer 2027. Hays Attraction: A recent inspection found the Sternberg Museum building in good shape, though its heating and ventilation systems may need replacement in coming years.

Kansas City Arts: KC Rep’s production of John Proctor Is the Villain runs at Copaken Stage through Oct. 25, offering visitors a timely downtown theater stop. Museum Stop: The Hansen Museum in Logan features Hoxie artist Kristin Johnson’s gourd creations as its October Artist of the Month. Outdoor Access: Clinton State Park plans a new one-mile accessible trail and improvements to two boat ramps near the marina. Roadside Attraction: Wamego has unveiled a 15-foot Toto statue for Oztoberfest, adding a new photo stop for visitors. Future Flights: Southwest plans to launch direct Kansas City–Puerto Rico service in summer 2027. Coming to Wichita: Buc-ee’s is moving closer to the city, though details on its arrival remain limited.

Outdoor Access: Clinton State Park plans a new one-mile accessible trail and upgrades to two boat ramps near its marina, adding options for visitors on the water and trails. Kansas Attractions: Wamego unveiled a 15-foot Toto statue during Oztoberfest, giving Wizard of Oz fans another reason to stop in town. A Kansas artist’s nearly 600 giant metal sculptures have also been preserved, though public access details weren’t included. Travel Connections: Southwest plans to launch direct flights from Kansas City to Puerto Rico in summer 2027. Roadside Stops: Buc-ee’s is edging closer to Wichita, a development to watch for Kansas drivers and road-trippers.

Wichita Homelessness & Public Safety: Wichita advocates are urging the city to pause plans to clear an encampment in Chapin Park, saying the move could displace at least 26 people as staff prepare to remove it Monday after a reported rise in 911 calls tied to assault, arson, and gun crimes. Local Libraries & Reading Access: The Wichita Public Library is marking Banned Books Week with events aimed at promoting intellectual freedom and free access to information. Kansas Trapshooting Spotlight: The Kansas Trapshooting Association named its 2027 Hall of Fame class, including Ted Grindstaff from the Galatia/Otis area, with the induction banquet set for June 11 in Sedgwick during the Kansas State Trapshooting Championship. Travel Costs Watch: GasBuddy price reports for the week ending Sept. 26 show Kansas diesel and gasoline prices fluctuating, with several counties listing single-station “lowest” deals—useful for travelers planning fuel stops.

Tourism & Local Business: Visit Franklin (Williamson County) added four new board members—Lacie Simonton (Choate Construction), Walter Denton (City of Franklin), Tom Tunnicliffe (Williamson County Commission) and Johnny Weber (The Weber Bros Hospitality)—aiming to boost tourism across Franklin and eight surrounding communities. Road & Travel Disruption: KDOT will close the K-4/Auburn Road on-ramp to eastbound I-70 in Shawnee County starting Oct. 8, with reopening planned for Oct. 15; detours will route drivers via westbound I-70 and S.W. Valencia Road. Gas Prices Watch (Kansas): GasBuddy reported bargain spots for drivers across the state, including E85 at $2.94 in Osage County, regular gas as low as $3.69 in Labette County, and diesel lows like $6.09 in Marshall County—useful for road trips and weekend getaways. Community Concerns: Olathe residents are pushing back on a proposed quarry expansion near 151st Street and Clare Road, citing dust, blasting impacts and health risks ahead of a City Council decision. Sports Travel Note: Patrick Mahomes Sr. can attend most Chiefs home games this season while on probation, but not the approved away games in Las Vegas or Cincinnati.

Kansas Tourism & Outdoors: A new history-focused look at the National Grasslands explains how Great Plains conservation efforts helped restore prairie lands after the Dust Bowl, with grass key to protecting soil, water, and wildlife habitat. Kansas Travel Watch: If you’re planning a road trip this fall, note the I-405 closure in Bothell (Oct. 9–12) that can mean heavier traffic and longer travel times nearby—plus extra congestion expected Oct. 12 when the Chiefs visit Seattle. Kansas Community & Culture: The Kansas Supreme Court formally swore in new justice K. Christopher Jayaram in Topeka, a local civic milestone that may interest residents planning visits around major government events. Sports & Travel Tie-In: The Kansas City Chiefs face a big schedule storyline as wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is expected back in 12–16 weeks after an ankle injury.

Kansas Travel & Tourism: Kansas officials rejected a plan meant to stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer in southwest Kansas, pushing back on a district-wide water saving approach they say isn’t aggressive enough—an issue that can shape long-term water reliability for farms and communities that travelers pass through. Visitor Planning: If you’re traveling around major events, note that Kansas City’s Crown Center Royals stadium plan is moving forward with a proposed “stadium impact area” that would redirect tax revenue over 30 years, with a council committee review set for Oct. 6—watch for future downtown traffic and development changes. Health & Safety: Pennsylvania measles cases topped 1,000, with hundreds hospitalized and multiple deaths reported, a reminder for Kansas visitors to check vaccination status before trips. Sports Travel Buzz: The Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyquan Thornton injury update is drawing attention after the team’s win—good to know if you’re planning game-day travel.

Kansas Travel & Tourism: Fall outdoors: The Kaw Valley Almanac urges Kansans to hit prairie and woodland trails for cooler-season color, with nature notes built around the Kansas River Basin’s seasonal rhythms. Local travel safety: A weekly reminder from the region’s outdoor beat highlights fall hiking conditions and the value of checking forecasts and trail needs before you go. Air travel watch: FlightHub’s 2026 travel trends report points to big destination shifts for travelers, with Casablanca, Morocco surging and U.S. travel patterns stabilizing after last year’s dips. Kansas planning & water: Ogallala Aquifer: Kansas officials are pushing back on a southwest Kansas water-saving plan, arguing it isn’t aggressive enough—an issue that can shape long-term rural travel and recreation. College access: Apply Free Days: Kansas universities waive application fees this week to help more students start planning trips to campus. Community culture: Wamego Oztoberfest: A local event spotlights a new 15-foot Toto statue, adding another reason for visitors to swing through central Kansas.

Kansas Sports: Dylan Edwards powered Kansas’ 55-0 shutout of Middle Tennessee with 137 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while the Jayhawks’ defense held MTSU to 136 yards. Road Safety: Kansas Highway Patrol reports an 80-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash on I-435 in Leawood after his Honda ran off the road, hit a crash attenuator and signpost, and ended in a ditch. Travel & Tourism Spotlight: Wamego’s Oztoberfest unveiled a 15-foot Toto statue downtown—now billed as the world’s tallest Toto—aimed at drawing more visitors to the Oz-themed event. Aviation/Travel Ops: TSA directed checkpoint ID officers to remain standing instead of sitting, a change meant to boost security and “hospitality,” though the union warns it could affect safety and comfort. Local Events & Culture: Chiefs charity flag sales helped raise over $7.5 million for Ronald McDonald House Kansas City, continuing a long-running Kansas City tradition.

Kansas Tourism & Travel Safety: Buffalo National River is stationing a Preventative Search and Rescue team at select trailheads this fall, aiming to help hikers and boaters plan safer trips by checking routes, gear, forecasts, and river levels. Oz-Themed Weekend Draw: Wamego’s Oztoberfest unveiled a 15-foot Toto statue downtown—now billed as the world’s tallest Toto—built to pull more visitors to the long-running Wizard of Oz celebration. New Air Route for Kansans: Southwest Airlines will add a Kansas City International–Puerto Rico nonstop in summer 2027 (Saturdays, June–August), adding seats and expected tourism lift for the island. Local Sports Spotlight (Travel-Friendly Events): Kansas football rolled to a 55-0 shutout over Middle Tennessee, while Wamego’s festival and Kansas City’s Chiefs charity push (over $7.5M raised for Ronald McDonald House Kansas City) add more reasons to plan trips around game days and community events. Airport Experience Update: TSA is directing ID-check officers to stand instead of sit at checkpoints, part of a passenger-experience effort that unions say could affect comfort.

Kansas City travel boost: Southwest Airlines will launch a new nonstop Kansas City–Puerto Rico route in summer 2027, adding about 1,575 seats and an estimated $1.3M economic impact. Local tourism culture: The World Series of Barbecue kicks off at the new American Royal venue in Kansas City, with construction limiting public events to Pigapalooza while 350+ teams compete. Road-trip safety & access: A Kansas State student survived a 70-foot fall after jumping off an overpass to avoid a truck, underscoring the need for caution on highways. Art stop worth the detour: A Kansas roadside metal-sculpture “outdoor gallery” in Mullinville continues to draw visitors to M.T. Liggett’s preserved totems along US 400/Kansas 54. Sports travel note: KU’s Dylan Edwards powered a 55-0 win over Middle Tennessee, a reminder that Lawrence game weekends keep bringing visitors.

New Air Link for Kansans: Southwest Airlines will launch a direct Kansas City–Puerto Rico route in summer 2027, adding about 1,575 seats and an estimated $1.3M economic boost for the island. Barbecue Tourism Update: The World Series of Barbecue is underway at the new American Royal venue in Kansas City, Kan., but public events are scaled back due to construction. Kansas Park Upgrade: Clinton State Park is adding an about 1-mile accessible day-use trail near a children’s fishing pond, plus improvements to two boat ramps. Travel & Local Economy: Kansas City’s tourism buzz also includes the new KC–Puerto Rico nonstop, while sports crowds and events continue to drive weekend travel demand. Sports on the Road (KU/Big 12): BYU swept Kansas volleyball at home, and KU soccer is set for a Big 12 road match vs. Baylor. Community & Safety: Flood impacts and road closures were reported across Kansas this week, with local officials urging caution.