Showers likely

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Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4pm. High near 83. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Link to the National Weather Service radar.

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Inside the Journal
Page 1 – Top news stories, weather
Page 2 – Features, Obituaries, State news, Public
Notices
Page 3 – Community & Library Calendars
Page 4 – Recent Local News
Page 5 – Local News Archive

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Legislator chides commission members for attendance

State Rep. Rick James on Monday, July 20, reminded members of the Linn County Commission that the county residents counted on them to attend meetings. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – State Rep. Rick James, the Republican representative from District 4, spoke with Linn County Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson on Monday, July 20. Commissioner Jason Hightower was not present. James said one of the topics he wante

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Rhetoric on Supreme Court amendment leaves voters unclear on how to choose

By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com The most hotly debated issue on the Aug. 4 primary ballot is the question of amending the Kansas Constitution to change the way members of the Kansas Supreme Court are selected. Currently the seven members of the court are selected by a process where a nine-member committee comprised of attorneys and non-attorneys who review a candidate’s qualifications and performance records. Three of the top candidates are chosen, a

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Primary election set for Aug. 4, early voting, mail ballots under way

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Linn County voters will head to the polls to cast ballots in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Residents who plan to vote should make sure they have their drivers license or other approved photo identification to check in. Voters were able to cast advance ballots starting Monday, July 20 at the County Clerk’s office in the courthouse at Mound City. Advanced voting will be open Monday through Friday this

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Heartland Art Guild, miniature show gives Parker resident motivation to return to her art

Deborah Arnold, a multimedia Parker artist, entered a miniature water-color wash drawing of a horse and newborn foal (second from the top at right) in this year's Heartland Art Guild miniature art show. She recently joined the guild as a way to meet fellow artists and renew her interest in creating art. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PAOLA – With the annual Heartland Art Guild’s annual miniature show wrap

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

2024 SEPTEMBER 400 x 400 Linn County Journal.jpg

• William Lee Anderson

• Marjorie Wickoren

• Larry Michael York

• Clinton Eugene Williams

For recent local news, go to
page 4
by clicking here.

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Quilt guild unveils patriotic 250th anniversary quilt that will be raffled off

The quilt in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is made from squares from each of the Material Girls' guild members. It will be auctioned off this fall. (Linn County Quilt Guild Facebook) Reporting by Meribeth Kehl Material Girls secretary-treasurer A red, white and blue-themed quilt pieced together from individual blocks made by the members of Material Girls was unveiled on Thursday, July 16, at the quilting guild's monthly meeti

Journal Staff Report

Democratic candidates descend on Pleasanton for annual picnic

By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com The Linn County Democratic Party held its annual summer picnic on Saturday, July 18, at the Pleasanton Community Center. About 50 people attended the event. Those attending were introduced to several candidates who will be on the Aug. 4 primary ballot. In addition to hearing a brief stump speech by each candidate, attendees also had the opportunity to talk with them one-on-one. The candidates for federal offices includ

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

U.S. 69 overlay project is delayed in Bourbon, Linn counties

Road work on U.S. Highway 69 has been delayed because of contractor scheduling issues. (Wix file photo) KDOT press release A Kansas Department of Transportation project to overlay about 25 miles of U.S. 69 in Linn and Bourbon counties has been delayed due to contractor scheduling issues. The overlay work will start the last week of July. The project begins just north of Pleasanton on the southbound lanes and moves south. The southbound lanes will receive a 4-inch asphalt over

Press release

Commission chair indicates county involved in lawsuit with solar farm developer

A comment by the chair of the Linn County Commission indicates that a lawsuit has been filed against the county by a solar energy developer. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@lcloud.com MOUND CITY – A representative from a solar energy project across the state line in Missouri met with the Linn County Commission on Monday, July 13, about a proposed transmission line going from the solar project to a substation adjacent to the La Cygne Generating S

Charlene Sims, Journal co-publisher

City Events

Blue Mound

• City Council meeting, Aug. 10, 6:30 p.m.

La Cygne

• City Council, Aug. 5, 7 p.m., City Hall

Linn Valley

• July 27, City Council meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Mound City

• City Council meeting, Tuesday, August. 4, 7 p.m. at city hall.

• Jayhawk Blast, Sept. 12, starts at 4 p.m.

Parker

• City Council meeting, 7 p.m., Aug 13

Pleasanton

• Special City Council meeting, 6 p.m., July 23

Commentary: Supporters of Supreme Court amendment hide potential political corruption under guise of 'democratic' vote

Retired 6th District Court Judge Richard "Dick" Smith speaks to a group about proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution during a recent event. Voters will vote on whether to change the current system of choosing justices for the state Supreme Court. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Richard "Dick" Smith Retired 6th District Court Judge Kansas voters will be asked to decide on Aug. 4 whether the system of choosing justices should be changed. The leadership in

Journal Commentary

Commentary: Of ditches and the right of drainage

A partially collapsed culvert under an alley entrance in La Cygne highlights a problem with not maintaining city drainage systems. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, publisher linncountyjournal@icloud.com Sometimes journalists get drawn into being a part of the news. We hate when that happens. After all, our mantra is (at least should be) objectivity. But sometimes the issue of the lowly ditch (pun intended) just has your name written all over it and y

Roger Sims, Publisher

2026_Linn County Fair_LinnCoJournal_RODEO.jpg

Demolition derby kicks off Linn County Fair night shows

The Linn County Fair Demolition Derby once again this year kicks off eight days of activity at the fairgrounds at Mound City. It is one of the most popular events and draws drivers and cars from the region. (Journal file photo) By John Teagarden Journal contributor The Demolition Derby begins the 156th annual Linn County Fair, in Mound City on Saturday, August 1, at 7:30 pm. Coronation of the 2026 Linn County Fair queen will take place before the start of the derby. The Rook

John Teagarden, Journal contributor

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson
For the most recent Country Notebook column click on this link.

Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff
For the most recent Matters of Faith column, click on this link.

More Local News

Southeast Kansas education board candidates share perspectives on curriculum, digital technology

The candidates to running to represent the state education board's southeast district are, from left, Republican Destry Brown, Democrat Heather Guernsey and Republican Renee Slinkard. Brown and Slinkard will oppose in the Aug. 4 primary election. (Composite by Kansas Reflector from photos submitted by the candidates) By Baya Burgess Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Candidates running for a southeast Kansas State Board of Education seat differ on whether social issues belong in class

Kansas Reflector

Johnson County leads cyclosporiasis cases as parasitic illness explodes across Kansas

The one-celled cyclospora parasite invades the intestines and causes diarrhea and other digestive symptoms. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Cases of the intestinal illness, which can cause explosive diarrhea, rose to nearly 300 this week in Kansas, up from 55 last week, according to numbers from the state. By Frank Morris Kansas News Service Cyclosporiasis cases in Kansas have jumped more than fivefold in a week. And Johnson County is leading the increase. Last w

Kansas News Service

Pasta on the Plains: A new Kansas-grown wheat could soon be in your box of noodles

Pasta made from durum wheat line the shelves at a grocery store. (Photo by Calen Moore / Kansas News Service) A new type of wheat dotting Kansas fields has a special use: making pasta. Wheat acres have continuously declined in Kansas because traditional varieties are not making farmers much money these days. The noodle-focused wheat variety could change that. By Calen Moore Kansas News Service Kansas farmers could soon play a role in spaghetti night or be the source of macaro

Kansas News Service

La Cygne's Blast in the Park offers variety of entertainment

At dusk, fireworks light up the sky over La Cygne Community Park in a grand finale of the 2026 La Cygne Blast in the Park. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com Saturday evening’s Blast in the Park at the La Cygne Community Park was an evening celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, only this time on July 11 instead of July 4. But all the trappings of an Independence

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Jayhawk staff exploring options to launch virtual school in 2027

The Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education is expected to receive a report at its August meeting on the feasibility and need to establish a virtual school. If approved, the school would not get under way until fall 2027. (Photo by Thomas Park / Unsplash) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com MOUND CITY – At the June meeting of the Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education, Superintendent Shawn Thomas posited a question to board members: Should the district look at cr

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

For more recent local news, go to
page 4 by clicking here.

State, Regional & National News

US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent

The U.S. Capitol on the evening of Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) By Amelia Twyman States Newsroom WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Tuesday to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide in a bipartisan move that pushes the country one step closer to ending the long-contested ritual of semiannual clock changes. The House passed the measure, called the Sunshine Protection Act, 308-117. Its future in the Senate is uncertain. Introduced by Republi

Kansas Reflector

Virtual, home-schooled Kansas students enrolled in public school activities up 154%

Andy Brienzo, auditor for the Kansas Legislative Post Audit Committee, says most of the 20 school districts examined have written policies that match state law regarding allowing non-public school students to participate in public school activities overseen by the Kansas State High School Athletics Association. (Kansas Reflector screen grab of the Legislative Post Audit Committee meeting on July 8, 2026) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — The number of virtual and no

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Kansas Farm Bureau PAC endorses Vicki Schmidt in GOP gubernatorial primary

Vicki Schmidt, the Kansas insurance commissioner and a former Kansas senator, earned the Kansas Farm Bureau political action committee’s endorsement in the upcoming Republican primary election for governor. She appears here June 1, 2026, after filing for governor at the election office. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — The Kansas Farm Bureau’s political action committee endorsed state Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt in

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Kansas libraries could lose millions under Trump budget proposal

Federal cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services could impact Kansas summer reading programs and other services at libraries. (Photo by Roger Nomer / Kansas News Service) The Institute of Museum and Library Services supports libraries across the country, including Kansas. Now its future is in question as the Trump administration proposes to eliminate it in next year’s budget. By Roger Nomer Kansas News Service Kansas librarians are warning about potential cuts to

Kansas News Service

Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s union membership sparks political finger-pointing

State Sen. Ethan Corson, left, and Sen. Cindy Holscher, both Johnson County Democrats, appear at an April 26, 2026, debate in Shawnee. They now are turning up the heat in their campaigns for the Democratic Party's nomination for governor by arguing about labor union endorsements and membership issues. A third candidate in that Aug. 4 primary is Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Kansas Democrati

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

More local news

For recent local news, go to page 4 by clicking here.

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Linn County Journal

Friday, July 24, 2026

Showers likely

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Top Stories

Legislator chides commission members for attendance

Rhetoric on Supreme Court amendment leaves voters unclear on how to choose

Primary election set for Aug. 4, early voting, mail ballots under way

Heartland Art Guild, miniature show gives Parker resident motivation to return to her art

Quilt guild unveils patriotic 250th anniversary quilt that will be raffled off

Democratic candidates descend on Pleasanton for annual picnic

U.S. 69 overlay project is delayed in Bourbon, Linn counties

Commission chair indicates county involved in lawsuit with solar farm developer

City Events

Blue Mound

• City Council meeting, Aug. 10, 6:30 p.m.

​

La Cygne

• City Council, Aug. 5, 7 p.m., City Hall

Linn Valley

Mound City

• City Council meeting, Tuesday, August. 4, 7 p.m. at city hall.

• Jayhawk Blast, Sept. 12, starts at 4 p.m.

​

Parker

Pleasanton

Commentary: Supporters of Supreme Court amendment hide potential political corruption under guise of 'democratic' vote

Commentary: Of ditches and the right of drainage

Demolition derby kicks off Linn County Fair night shows

More Local News

Southeast Kansas education board candidates share perspectives on curriculum, digital technology

Johnson County leads cyclosporiasis cases as parasitic illness explodes across Kansas

Pasta on the Plains: A new Kansas-grown wheat could soon be in your box of noodles

La Cygne's Blast in the Park offers variety of entertainment

Jayhawk staff exploring options to launch virtual school in 2027

State, Regional & National News

US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent

Virtual, home-schooled Kansas students enrolled in public school activities up 154%

Kansas Farm Bureau PAC endorses Vicki Schmidt in GOP gubernatorial primary

Kansas libraries could lose millions under Trump budget proposal

Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s union membership sparks political finger-pointing

More local news

Phone: 913-259-2546
Email: linncountyjournal@icloud.com