CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester, a durable left-hander who won three World Series titles during 16 years in the majors, has announced his retirement. Lester, who turned 38 on Friday, finishes with a 200-117 record…

Distrust, misinformation and delays because of the holidays and bad weather have combined to produce what authorities say are alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccination rates in U.S. children ages 5 to 11. As of Tuesday, just…

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A severely corroded pipeline ruptured and spilled more than 300,000 gallons of diesel fuel just outside New Orleans after the operator delayed needed repairs, according to federal records. Most of the…

Four months after Iola’s Westco outlet was shuttered when its roof collapsed during a torrential rainstorm, work has begun to move the furniture store down the block. Crews began a two-pronged effort this week to…

Imaginations are running wild this month at the Iola Community Theatre. A  group of local performers will serve up their ability to perform spontaneous skits Saturday, and again Jan. 22 at the ICT Warehouse for…

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Wichita school district is warning parents that temporary school closures may be necessary because so many teachers are out sick with COVID-19.  Superintendent Alicia Thompson told parents in an email…

Iola High School has announced its second-quarter honor rolls for 2021-22. All A’s:  Seniors: Braxton Curry, Jenna Curry, Ryker Curry, Heidi Hibbs, Nicholas Karns, Gabe Kilby, Reece Murry, Cooper Riley, Chloe Sell, Miah Shelby, Dennis…

Allen County made significant improvement in the Kansas COVID-19 Rankings, and nearly reached the 50% mark in vaccinations as the omicron variant continues to surge. In spite of those positives, though, another 77 new cases…

U.S. consumer prices soared last year by the most in nearly four decades, illustrating red-hot inflation that sets the stage for the start of Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes as soon as March.  The consumer price…

TOPEKA — Kansas college students could soon benefit from a continued effort to minimize rising college tuition, pending approval on a provision in the governor’s budget. In her budget, Gov. Laura Kelly included a request…