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🌱 How a 10-year data center ban could hit Emporia wallets

Emporia, Kansas Patch AM: a 4 min read

Greetings Emporia! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a 10-year data center ban could hit Emporia wallets
  • Why a new lawsuit could upend Emporia’s data center zoning
  • Is Emporia’s Flint Hills Digital Campus really still moving forward?

Also on today's calendar: WAWA Book Club and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 77, low: 47.
  • Monday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Longbine warns proposed moratorium could take Emporia ‘out of the game' (emporiagazette.com) — Emporia voters are being urged to weigh the long-term tax and growth impacts of a proposed 10-year data center moratorium that could block billions in new taxable investment. Former state Sen. Jeff Longbine argues the community should keep the option open to evaluate individual projects, highlighting potential property tax relief for homeowners, schools, and local government.
   

2. DATA CENTER: New lawsuit accuses Emporia of not properly handling Digital Infrastructure overlay process (kvoe.com) — Emporia faces a new lawsuit in Lyon County District Court challenging how the city approved its Digital Infrastructure overlay tied to a possible data center. Local landowners argue the Planning Commission lacked authority to act on a zoning classification that didn’t yet exist, and the city has only days left to formally respond in court.
   

3. Flint Hills Digital Campus still seeking partners after public website goes offline (emporiagazette.com) — The team behind the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus in west Emporia says the project is still alive, even though its public website has gone offline. Organizers report they’re now focused on lining up a development partner, financing, and an end user, with zoning approvals already in place and technical due diligence continuing behind the scenes.
   

4. ESU Defense Holds the Line for Scoreless Draw in Pittsburg (kvoe.com) — Emporia State’s women’s soccer team kept its shutout streak alive Friday, grinding out a 0-0 draw at Pittsburg State behind a 10-save performance from goalkeeper Terra Rybuck. Despite being heavily outshot and out-cornered, the Hornets’ defense held firm, with Aubrey Seltman playing all 90 minutes. Emporia State now heads to Edmond to face Central Oklahoma on Sunday.
   

5. Headlines for Thursday, October 1, 2026 (kansaspublicradio.org) — Kansas higher education news includes a bright spot for Emporia residents: Emporia State University recorded the state’s largest enrollment jump this fall, up 6%. The statewide roundup also covers a deputy’s rape charge, a Topeka hit-and-run case, a controversial nuclear project, KU childcare concerns, and the planned closure of Fort Hays State’s Sternberg Museum, among other stories.
   

📸 Around Emporia

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Emporia. Apply here.
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Cashier in Emporia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Emporia here.

Ok Emporia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Emporia

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Emporia

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.