Local banks have closed their lobbies because of increases in coronavirus cases in the area. The banks will maintain drive-thru services, which will be open during their regular banking hours. Most banks also offer some…

HUMBOLDT — Humboldt joined the economic development group spearheaded by Thrive Allen County at its meeting Monday evening.  “There’s power in numbers,” said Mayor Nobby Davis. Humboldt agreed to pay $10,000 a year for the…

Following the application by several local businesses for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funds, commissioners approved moving forward with disbursement. The county was recently awarded $132,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce to help with…

With the state poised to slowly emerge from a COVID-19 shutdown, the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department has released a series of guidelines for various businesses to follow as they reopen their doors to the…

One of the most bold yet sensible ideas to address the twin crises America faces to its health and economy is coming from, of all sources, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley. The Republican junior senator wants…

The state is using every proverbial arrow in its quiver to help businesses cope with the ongoing COVID-19 economic shutdown, Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland said Friday. The Iola native spoke as part of…

OAK PARK, Illinois (AP) — One Tulsa, Oklahoma, bar owner said more than a dozen motorcyclists showed up unannounced, but he served them a round of shots anyway to celebrate a birthday. Another live-streamed a…

Earlier this week I reached out to a dozen locals to see how they’re doing with the orders to lay low because of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the get-go we slipped into a comfortable banter,…

A walk along downtown’s Madison Avenue Wednesday helps tell the story of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Iola merchants both professionally and personally.  “We haven’t had a customer in three days,” said Cheryl Zajic,…

All “non-essential” businesses in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson counties were advised to close their doors beginning this morning to help curtail the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus that is sweeping the nation. Rebecca Johnson,…