Category Archives: Government
Governor Kelly Issues Statement on Order in SNAP Benefits Case
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KS Commerce Launches New Program to Power Research, Innovation
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program (Phases 0 and 1), a new initiative to help Kansas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers compete and win in the national innovation arena. The program will enable Kansas to leverage federal funding and research and development opportunities more effectively through strategic partnerships that help companies enhance their global competitiveness while strengthening the state’s role in advancing national security.
“As called for in the Kansas Framework for Growth, this program will allow strategic investments in our state’s innovation economy and our talented innovators,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By supporting high-quality proposals and helping Kansas companies commercialize their technologies, we are strengthening our state’s competitive edge and attracting impactful federal funding to support innovation, research and technology development.”
The program brings together a consortium of support partners – Kansas Office of Innovation, Kansas FAST Program, Kansas Small Business Administration, Kansas Small Business Development Center, Kansas EPSCOR, Network Kansas, KU Innovation Park, Kansas State University, and others – to provide early-stage funding, wrap-around technical assistance, and commercialization support as Kansas-based applicants pursue federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Through the proposal development assistance (Phase 0) and state matching funds for awarded projects (Phase 1), the ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program will help deliver Kansas’ fair share of federal research and development funding.
The highlights of the program include:
- Funding Available: $250,000
- Award Amounts for Phase 0: Up to $3,000 per award with a required 50% match
- Award Amounts for Phase 1: Up to $25,000 (must include proof of federal award)
- Eligible Applicants: Kansas-based for-profit small businesses that meet all federal SBIR/STTR requirements and conduct at least 51% of Phase 1 research in Kansas
By supporting both early-stage proposal development and successful awardees, the program aims to increase the number, quality and success rate of SBIR and STTR proposals from Kansas and fuel economic growth statewide.
“This program is the direct result of the hard work and advocacy of our growing innovation ecosystem,” Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said. “Through the ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program, the Office of Innovation is doubling down on its commitment to support Kansas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers – helping them accelerate the journey from idea to commercialization and bring groundbreaking solutions born right here in Kansas to market.”
Applications opened today, October 31, and will close Friday, November 28.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to join any or all of the information sessions to learn more about the application process and the network of support available to them. Information sessions will take place:
- Virtual, 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, register here
- In-person, 11:00 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Groover Labs, 334 N. Saint Francis Ave., Wichita
- In-person, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Innovate 24, 1880 Kimball Ave., Ste 120, Manhattan
- In-person, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, KU Innovation Park, 2029 Becker Dr., Lawrence
- Virtual, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, register here
For more details, application information or questions about the program, visit the website here or contact Brandon Hutton here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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FSHS Thespians Announce Auditions for Children’s Christmas Show
The Fort Scott High School Thespians are holding auditions for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
Auditions are open to children in 1st-8th grades and take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 17 OR 18 in the FSHS Auditorium. Children do not need to prepare anything in advance, but should plan to stay for the duration of the audition time on one of the nights. Parents should be present at the beginning for information and to fill out audition forms.
Rehearsals are Nov. 19 & 20, Dec. 1-4, and Dec. 9-11 from 6-8 pm. Productions are Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. There is a $30 participation fee for children cast in the show.
A Christmas Carol is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 with any questions.
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Interstate Highway 70 Closed Westbound In Topeka This Weekend
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Draft Minutes of the Uniontown City Council Meeting on Oct. 14
CITY OF UNIONTOWN
UNIONTOWN, KS 66779
OCTOBER14, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The Regular Council Meeting on October 14, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by
Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart.
Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Joe George, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City
Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Sally Johnson and City Clerk Haley Arnold.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
CITIZENS REQUEST
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Johnson presented the September 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds
was $252,115.82, Receipts $31,969.75, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $54,279.68, Checking Account Closing
Balance $226,781.89. Bank Statement Balance $236,405.85, including Checking Account Interest of $50.74, Outstanding
Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $9,623.96, Reconciled Balance $226,781.89. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit
$38,501.14, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $23,159.28, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,414.89, Total All
Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $333,857.20. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $528.81, and Utility CDs
$1,920.63 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,449.44. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for
the month of September 2025, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. September
Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond &
Interest $1,622.00, Capital Improvement-Streets from Gas Utility $6,250.00, Capital Improvement-Streets from General
Fund $2,500.00, Utility Capital Improvement-Streets from Sewer Fund $750.00, and Capital Improvement-Streets from
Water Fund $2,000.00, for Total Transfers of $20,572.00. Net Loss for the month of September $25,333.93, Year-to-Date
Net Loss $37,081.85. Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $103,492.52 (76.9%), Expenditures $95,272.53
(62.4%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $26,499.17 (71.2%), Expenditures $32,012.71 (69.4%); Water Fund YTD Revenue
$84,725.37 (68.4%), Expenditures $91,205.86 (57.2%); General Fund YTD Revenue $142,473.78 (95.1%), Expenditures
$192,841.51 (90.2%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $5,979.53 (82.4%), Expenditures $4,356.02 (60.0%). The
September 2025 payables to date in the amount of $32,459.80 were presented. The invoices from Consolidated R.W.D.
#2 has not been received by noon meeting day.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
Minutes of September 9, 2025 Regular Meeting
September Treasurer’s Report, Profit & Loss Report by Class & October Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan reported the ditch at 202 4th St had been mowed and cleaned up by HB Mowing.
401 Sherman weedeating, junk vehicles, and trash issues; phone call will be made to property owner by council member
Bradley Stewart. 301 2nd St 1 trash and overgrown vegetation; certified letter will be sent to property owner. 101
Washington trash and overgrown vegetation; citation will be issued. 405 Hill in compliance.
City Superintendent Bobby Rich had nothing to report.
Clerk Arnold informed the council of the upcoming Trunk or Treat and volunteered to hand out candy. Council set a
$150 limit to purchase candy.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – absent
Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing
Councilwoman Pritchett – nothing
Councilman Stewart – Has ideas for the memorial stones in the park. He will email ideas to the council and will vote at a
later date.
Mayor Jurgensen – Proposed the idea of selling the empty property on the corner north of City Hall. Declined 4-0. Ask
the council about vacation of that portion of the Alley located between Lot 4 and Lot 5, Lot 12 and Lot 13, Block 2,
Well’s Addition.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0, to start the process of vacation of alley located
between Lot 4 and Lot 5, Lot 12 and Lot 13, Block 2, Well’s Addition.
Repairs to the fire engine at the park will cost $675 to be split with Ruritan. Discussed installing cameras at park and
updating camera system in City Hall and Community Center. Prices and placement will be discussed at the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
SEED Grant – Treasurer Johnson working on close out paperwork for the project. 5 shelves were purchased for the
library. MEW Inc. will be in to finish setting up laptops and guest WIFI password.
FEMA Flooding– Second Street, component 2 is complete. Currently have no update from FEMA on this matter.
Council discussed the cost from the City to finish components 1, components 3, and components 4.
Motion by Stewart, Second by Ervin, Approved 4-0 to pay FEMA project components out of Capital
Improvement-Streets.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected
personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open
meeting to resume at 8:27.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Pritchett, Approved 4-0, to add City Clerk Haley Arnold as an authorized
user of City bank accounts.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 8:29PM.
KS Governor Sues Trump Administration
Governor Kelly Sues Trump Administration
for Illegally Suspending SNAP Benefits
~~Coalition Urges Court to Immediately Restore SNAP Funding
Relied Upon by 42 Million Americans~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”
On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them.
Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.
The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.
In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.
While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.
Joining Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.
Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at dcf.ks.gov.
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Kansas Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1
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U.S. Senator Roger Marshall Newsletter
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KDOT seeking comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the Federal Fiscal Year 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at ksdot.gov/about/publications-
The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes November 6. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at 785-296-2252.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, 785-296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
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Agenda for This Evenings Bo Co Commission Meeting Oct. 23
Reminder there is also a work session discussing benefits at 5:00 PM.
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 6:00 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
II. Payroll Update – County Clerk
III. Noise Resolution
IV. Adjournment _____________
Commissioners Discuss Noise Resolution in the County Today at 6 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission will have a special meeting at 6PM to discuss a Noise Resolution.
Submitted by
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk