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Category Archives: Government
KS High School Athletics Adopted New Policy in Response to Fairness In Women’s Sports Act
KDOT: Bourbon County To Receive New Light Towers
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KS Senators Urge Fed to Adjust Electricity Transmission Costs
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Jerry Moran (R-KS) wrote a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the commission to adjust their electricity transmission costs that are disproportionately hurting Kansas consumers.
Currently, Kansans are paying an absurd amount to transport wind energy generated in Kansas to other states. In fact, Kansans are paying for 67% of the transmission costs for the energy but only need to use about 30% of it.
Last October, the FERC issued a ruling that would have fixed this unfair cost allocation but recently reversed that decision. In the letter, the senators call on the FERC to immediately reinstate the original ruling and ensure Kansas energy consumers are not subsidizing neighboring states energy usage.
“Kansas ratepayers are being penalized by bureaucrats in Washington for providing critical energy resources across the country,” Senator Marshall said. “At a time when Kansans are paying more by double digits for just about everything due to inflation, FERC’s recent waiver reversal just rubs salt in the wound for Kansas consumers. The current framework is unfair; Kansans should not have to subsidize energy costs for neighboring states, it’s that simple.”
“Kansas is home to an abundance of energy production, but families and businesses have been paying inflated transmission costs as a result of FERC procedure,” Senator Moran said. “It is FERC’s statutory obligation to make sure costs are allocated in a manner that is roughly commensurate with the benefits received. I urge the commission to work with stakeholders to create a reasonable cost allocation plan that does not overburden Kansas ratepayers.”
Highlights from the letter include:
“I write to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reinstate its order accepting the Southwest Power Pool, Inc.’s (SPP) tariff filing that was issued in this proceeding on October 28, 2022… SPP’s filing created a process to resolve the unreasonable allocation of costs for transmission facilities in geographic portions of the SPP region that have experienced rapid expansion of new wind generation resources,” the Senators wrote.
“FERC’s recent reversal of its order accepting SPP’s filing means that Kansans alone will continue to pay unreasonably high transmission rates for facilities that benefit the entire SPP region,” the Senators continued.
“In recent years, Kansas has been in the top five states in the country in terms of both the level of wind energy supplying electricity generation in Kansas and the annual growth of wind capacity in Kansas. However, as discussed below, the overwhelming majority of the wind generation in the Sunflower Zone is not affiliated with any customer in the Zone and is instead exported to the SPP region,” the Senators said.
“As you are also aware, the excessive level of transmission costs allocated to the Sunflower Zone as a result of the influx of wind generation in the State of Kansas is a consequence of SPP’s “Highway/Byway” (HWBW) cost allocation methodology. Under the HWBW methodology, the costs for reliability and economic upgrades that are identified in SPP’s transmission planning process are allocated among individual SPP Zones and the entire SPP region based on the voltage level and location of transmission facilities,” the Senators wrote.
You may click HERE to read the full letter.
Apprenticeships Increase in Kansas
Governor Kelly Celebrates Nearly 40% Increase in Apprentices Since Creation of Office of Registered Apprenticeship One Year Ago
TOPEKA – Today marks one year since Governor Laura Kelly established the Office of Registered Apprenticeship through Executive Order 22-07. The Office was created to strengthen workforce development and grow the economy by modernizing and expanding apprenticeship opportunities and by building partnerships with educational institutions.
Since Governor Kelly’s executive order, Kansas has made great strides in expanding apprenticeship opportunities: There has been a 37.9% increase in Kansans participating in apprenticeships since September 2022, with nearly 4,400 apprentices in Kansas today. In addition, the Office has expanded the type of occupations in which Kansans can gain experience: 49 new job titles have been added, resulting in a total of 107 occupations in the apprenticeship pipeline.
“Through the Office of Registered Apprenticeship, we are helping Kansans gain the skills they need to get jobs that don’t require a college degree – and we’re developing the workforce needed to attract new businesses to the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Because of our efforts, Kansas continues to lead the nation as the state with the most business investment per capita.”
All Registered Apprenticeship programs must have five core components to be recognized for certification, including on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, wage progression, and industry-recognized credentials. However, the driving force must be a business or industry willing to support an apprentice to “earn and learn” a career.
“Registered apprenticeship is an increasingly central component of our efforts to build up the Kansas workforce,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our purposeful economic development is creating thousands of new opportunities for hard-working Kansans across the state.”
Since the creation of this office, there has been a 38.8% increase in the completion of apprenticeship programs – from 129 program completers in 2022 to 179 in 2023.
“We are executing a targeted plan to expand high-quality registered apprenticeships, and we are showing results across the entire state of Kansas,” said Shonda Anderson, Director of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship. “Most importantly, we are bridging partnerships with our labor unions, business and industry, local workforce boards, non-profits, higher education, and even cross-departmental partnerships.”
Governor Kelly has also taken other actions to support apprenticeships, including:
- Governor Kelly signed the Kansas Apprenticeship Act to promote and expand apprenticeships for the most in-demand industries in Kansas through tax credits and grants.
- U.S. Department of Labor awarded Kansas $6.3 million to “Lead Apprenticeship Results in Kansas.” With this, the Office of Registered Apprenticeships will work with stakeholders to grow teacher educator apprenticeships, inside and outside justice involved apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and other programs in Kansas’ most in-demand industries.
- Kansas was selected to participate in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship. Through the Policy Academy, Kansas will develop a strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities to youth ages 16 and older to help them build the skills needed for the modern workforce.
- The Office of Registered Apprenticeship launched a statewide Teacher Educator Apprenticeship Program, making Kansas home to one of the most innovative teacher-educator apprenticeship programs, allowing para-educators to obtain their bachelor’s degree and gain a Kansas Teaching certificate while being paid to teach in the classroom from day one.
- The Office is using $4.7 million in grants to expand registered apprenticeships in the care economy, IT sectors, construction, and more.
More information on Kansas Registered Apprenticeships can be found on the Kansas Department of Commerce website.
City Works to Replenish Water to Marmaton River From Lake Fort Scott
Funding to Create New Child Care/High Speed Internet Awarded Kansas
Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Awarded $40M to Build Community Multi-Purpose Facilities, Expand Access to Child Care
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced today that Kansas has been awarded $40 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury for a new program, the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator (CPF Accelerator). The program will provide local communities with funding to build or renovate multi-purpose facilities that create new licensed child care slots and provide Kansans access to high-speed internet for digital work, health, and education supports.
“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator Grant program is another example of how my administration is finding new ways to expand access to affordable, quality child care and other essential community services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This grant opportunity will enable more communities to work with local businesses to meet a pressing need for Kansas families.”
In June 2023, the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund’s Child Care Capacity Accelerator awarded more than $43 million to 52 organizations and partnerships across Kansas. The new CPF Accelerator grant opportunity builds on that momentum by providing prospective grantees a new funding source for the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of community facilities and other capital improvement for community-driven projects and programs. This funding is the latest effort to support the state’s rapidly growing work in early childhood and boost communities in scaling up their facilities to serve families and children.
“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator is another exciting chance to invest in the infrastructure needed to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare as well as a full range of programs and services to help families meet basic needs,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “The Kansas Children’s Cabinet is proud to continue our work to champion community-driven solutions to the multi-faceted challenges facing families with young children today.”
The RFP is available here, with two submission deadline options. The first-round application deadline is Oct. 2, 2023, and the second-round deadline is Dec. 18, 2023. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund encourages applicants to decide which deadline is appropriate for their project as there is no advantage or consequence in applying by either deadline. Applications will be submitted online via the Kansas CommonApp portal.
Kansas was previously awarded $83.5 million from the Capital Projects Fund to build reliable broadband infrastructure and extend high-speed internet to more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions in underserved counties across the state. A portion of Kansas’ $40 million award for the CPF Accelerator will be used to assist in the administration of the program. Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs, these two funding opportunities will infuse more than $83 million into Kansas’ early childhood care and education sector.
Click here to learn more about the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
Wishing Kansans a Happy Labor Day
Kansas is home to hard workers and major industries that support agriculture, aviation, health, science and more across our nation and the world. Thank you to all who contribute to make Kansas a great state to work, live and raise a family.
Miles Across Kansas
While traveling across Kansas during the August Work Period, I added almost 6600 miles to my truck. Thank you to all the Kansans I met with during my time back home.
KS Tourism Grants Available
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Skubitz Plaza Mural Completed
The local historic depiction of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment is completed.
The mural faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the place of the mustering of the regiment during the American Civil War.
St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc worked on the mural for a week in August with temperatures over 100 degrees.
“The project took six days to complete,” Bayoc said in an interview. “I started spray painting the sketch on Monday and made final touches on it Saturday afternoon. The only long day was Wednesday which was crucial in getting it done on schedule.”
He worked from afternoon to evening because of the location of the mural on the north side of the building. That week of August 2023 the community experienced over 100 degrees daily.
“The heat was a definite factor,” Bayoc said. “It cut my days shorter than I am used to spending on murals of this scale. Also the rail and the steps made for some interesting body maneuvering to get the soldier on the left and the banner bottom middle done.”
Bayoc describes his work and its meaning.
“I chose the soldier with the flag because black folks always hoped going to battle for the country would gain their rights and respect as citizens,” he said. “The ad (To Arms! To Arms!) was crucial because putting guns in the hands of black soldiers was crucial to the (Civil War/slavery) times and foreshadowed their being the first regiment to see battle. I like the line created by the rifle and what it adds to the design. Their name and regiment number flank the left side and of course, elements from the battalion flag provide the backdrop.”
The public is invited to join the “Free To Serve” mural unveiling on Friday, October 6 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
“We will veil the mural before out-of-town guests arrive for the Gordon Parks celebration for a more grand reveal, but until then the mural is available to be photographed,” Rachel French, coordinator of the project for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division said.
The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity awarded funding for the project, along with several local benefactors.
FSHS Tiger Newsletter
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Tiger Cheer! |
Front Row, sitting, from left: Ava Johnson; Katlyn Parker; Julia Maloun; Kinley Dillow; Jerri Smith Middle Row, kneeling, from left: Camrie Hunziker; Sadie Claypool; Emilly Moore; Jaidyn Crumby; Anna Farrington; Molly Claypool Back Row, from left: Elsa Bishop; Maddi Cook; Jocelyn Fess; Carsen Allen; Mesa Casper; Cadence Hunziker; Emersyn Logue; Gabbi Majors |
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Front Row: Assistant Coaches Brennen Feeback; Josh Messer; Alvin Metcalf; Jared Martin Back Row: Assistant Coach Adam Clements; Head Coach Bo Graham; Assistant Coach Matt Glades |
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Front Row, from left: Lennox Vann; Ty Marbery; Caden Bradley; Chase Hyer; Jasper Allison; Jacob Snyder; Cal Cosens; Cedrik Martin; Dub Chipman; Colton Rogers Second Row, from left: J.C. Gross; Morgan Shaw; Brody Gomez; Luke Harris; Jaden Garcia; Peyton Stowell; Eli Martin; Brady Messer; Malaki Cady; Nolan Madison; Landon Hill Third Row, from left: Donald Morris; Ryder Newton; Adam Wright; Chandler Bybee; Terrance Lee; Trace Metcalf; Dexter Williams; Wesley Cox; Blake Tomasi; Chris Belcher; Dayton Fly Middle Row, from left: Noah Miles; Mason Crume; Jacob Adams; Kaden Cannon; Gavin Miles; Maddox Robinson; Drayke Wood; Mason Smith; Teegan Stiles; Jacob Olive; Kassen Woods; Grace Anderson, manager Fifth Row, from left: Cooper Wilson; Cohen Bradley; Ostin Harrington; Gavin Griffiths; Daymeion Anderson; Treyton Valentine; Matt Weston; Shai Kennedy; Cohen Glessner; Maverick Cooper; Kaylee Coover, manager Sixth Row, from left: Sullivan Gonzalez; Lane Laird; Colson Gulager; Paxton Allen; Eli Lindo; Malike Bassett; Anthony Mitchell; Joseph Moberg; Skyler Goodbody; Aubrey Martin, manager |
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Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball! |
Front Row, kneeling from left: Eden Haught; Hadlee Tuck; Hadley Forester; Raveyn Kegler; Avery Stewart Back Row: Head Coach Terra Kegler; Dakota Hazelbaker; Keegan Yarick; Kylee Comstock; Sydney Pruitt; Brylie Shaub; Assistant Coach Kevin Flanner |
Junior Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball! |
Front row, kneeling from left: Anna Farrington; Jillian Belcher; Kynlee Hampton; Mallorie Hall; Molly Hoyt; Gracin Pitts; Raylee Cowan Back row, standing from left: Rhyla Lewis; Jacee Rogers; Makayna Woody; Tuesday Glessner; Kinsey Simons; Aubrey Yarick; Simran Caldwell; Sadie Claypool; JV Coach Selena Alvarado |
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Front Row, sitting from left: manager Gabby Rusk; Brodie Wright; Deven Coulter; Maxi Leon; Junior Montanez; Andrew Lyon; Malachi Larsen; Tekoah Russell; Nicole Layton; managers Kenna Miles and Cadence Hull Second Row, kneeling from left: manager Lauren Hull; Aidan Tate; Alexis Daly; Addisyn Coon; Kaydan Russell; Nate Mintz; Bryson Bassett; Otto Voller; Joseph Joyce; Levi Fairchild; Jacob Eisenbrandt; manager JoDee Pollock Standing, from left: Raj Gugnani; Zaida Summers; Daxton Wyatt; Vladimir Clark; Aden Koppa; Kellen Pool; Lizzy Fairchild; Gabby Judson; Rayne Soverns; April Mayes; Ella Moore; Assistant Coach Shaunn Pytlowany and Head Coach Gary Floyd II |
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Tiger Cross Country! |
Front Row, seated from left: Jessie Harper; Alyssa Popp; Sofeea Anderson; Jocelyn Fess; Kodi Casper Middle Row, kneeling from left: Mason Mumbower; Josh Woellhof; Gavin Catalano; Jaxson Schafer; Landon McDaniel Back Row, standing: Abigail Eastwood, manager; Mesa Casper; Cody Geiger; Ben Davenport; Hunter Harrington; Trevin Worthing; Carsen Allen; Hannah Peck, manager |
Lady Tiger Golf! |
Front Row, from left: Emma Martin; Riley Findley Middle, from left: Luci Dunkeson; Lillian Jackson; Alyssa Hunt Standing in the back: Head Coach Julie Heatherly and Assistant Coach Jon Barnes |
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JUNIORS HOST PROM!Each member of the Class of 2025 received the following email: “Please fill out the attached form to indicate if you plan to just pay for prom or if you are willing to help fundraise for prom. https://forms.gle/ Please encourage your student to respond. |
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Front Row, from left: Band Assistant Theresa Buntain; Rayne Soverns; Madalyn Ballou; Jaleigh-Auna Robinson; Julieanna Dixon; Drum Major Casey Gomez; Band Director Justin Robinson Second Row, from left: Milo Donnelly; Bryana Weber; Jayden Newman; April Mayes; Peighton Head; Jace Anderson Middle Row, from left: Dimple Williams; Kaiden Clary; Garrett Arvidson; Xandria Fowler; Ben Phillips Fourth Row, from left: Peighton Brown; Savanna Cunningham; Maya Ethridge; Finnegan Magee; Declan McHenry; Bradley Hicks; Chrislen Newman Back Row, from left: Gavin Griffiths; Canton Dean; Devlin Cole; Tayton Allen; Jonathan Wilkinson; Levi Holt; Dave Smith |
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USD 234 school lunch menus can be found on our website at usd234.org; through the Nutrislice school lunch app; or this link: Each student gets one free breakfast and one free lunch. Extra meals: $2.65 for an additional breakfast, $4.70 for an additional lunch |
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Katelyn earned this academic honor because of her GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 and/or AP Exams. She is being recognized as part of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program. Award winners are given the opportunity to include this academic honor on their college applications and many colleges intentionally recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service. Congratulations Katelyn and keep up the good work! |
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No Bo Co Commission Meeting on September 4
There will not be a Bourbon County Commission meeting on September 4, 2023, due to the Labor Day holiday. The Commissioners will hold a meeting following the 5:30 p.m. budget hearing on September 7, 2023.