Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Urban Prep’s new accreditation could reopen scholarships for Wichita families.

Spotted on the Wichita calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

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Tuesday September 29th Patch AM
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What's up Wichita! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

Hosting an event in Wichita? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.

In today's newsletter:

  • How Urban Prep's new accreditation could reopen scholarships for Wichita families.
  • What Wichita's push to dismiss the Flock camera lawsuit could mean
  • How will Wichita's $1 million FEMA grant change local fire response?

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 82 and low of 71 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy, heavy t-storms; humid, temps: high: 79, low: 68.
  • Thursday: Cloudy, showers around; humid, with a high of 71 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Urban Prep Gains Accreditation, Eyes Growth Again (communityvoiceks.com) — A Wichita K-8 private school, Urban Preparatory Academy, has gained key accreditation that could restore its eligibility for Kansas' tax-credit scholarships, easing tuition for local low-income families. The school, which serves many Black students, is stabilizing after enrollment cuts and major grants, and is again exploring long-term growth, including a possible high school expansion and new scholarship opportunities for Wichita families and donors.
   

2. City of Wichita seeks to dismiss lawsuit over Flock cameras (kwch.com) — Wichita residents should know the city is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its use of Flock license plate reader cameras as unconstitutional surveillance. The plaintiff's attorney and privacy advocates argue the system enables warrantless tracking and could be vulnerable to hacking, while the city maintains in court filings that no improper use of personal information has been alleged.
   

3. FEMA Awards Nearly $15 Million to Fire and First Responder O... (waynecojournalbanner.com) — Wichita residents should know that FEMA has awarded $1 million to the Wichita Fire Department to upgrade equipment and strengthen emergency response. The grant is part of nearly $15 million going to first responders across four Midwestern states, aimed at improving safety, readiness, and resilience when disasters strike.
   

4. Pilotless plane flies over Wichita, putting the future of aviation on display (ksn.com) — An autonomous Cessna 208 Caravan equipped with Joby Aviation technology flew over Wichita and landed here Monday, showcasing pilotless flight to local aviation leaders and residents. The system handled sensing, fuel balancing, and safety checks while a human only monitored, and the company says Wichita's demo is part of a national tour ahead of future emergency, cargo, and eventually passenger uses.
   

5. In case you missed it: Photos from opening night of Somewhere Fest (kansas.com) — Somewhere Fest kicked off in downtown Wichita despite rain and lightning delays, bringing more than 30 bands to multiple stages along St. Francis. The two-day festival mixes big-name acts with local artists, silent discos, and a rolling "Beat Bus," all with the goal of uniting Wichita around music and community.
   

📸 Around Wichita

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wichita

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📣 Wichita Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Wichita food pantries and mobile distributions for September 28–October 5, 2026
    All locations are in Wichita unless noted. Information can change. Please call ahead if driving far. If requirements are not listed, they may be… (Nextdoor Crestview Heights)
  • Free to good home I hane one 3 month old kitten to give away blk and white tuxedo cat she was born at the homeless camp and was wild untill we found her and her mother and brought them home to try and find her a good forever home she is sweet and
    loves treats we named her river because that's where she was found. (Nextdoor Meadowlark)
  • TAKKION - Transportation Partners and Logistics, LLC posted a job opening for Forklift Operator I - FSL (LOCAL ONLY) in Wichita. Apply here.
  • Star Lumber & Supply Co, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler in Wichita. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wichita here.

Ok Wichita! 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: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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