February 2026
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Labor has released the February 2026 Kansas Labor Report. The full report can be accessed here: February 2026 Kansas Labor Report.
The March 2026 Kansas Labor Report will be released on Friday, May 1.
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Lou Howard was hired as the new Bourbon County Emergency Manager on February 13.
She knows the area because she has lived and worked here her entire life.
“I have spent many years serving in public safety in several different roles. I served with Bourbon County Fire District 3 for many years as a firefighter / EMT,” Howard said. “I held several officer positions and served as a board member for several years. I gained extensive experience in emergency response, incident command, and working alongside other first responders to protect our community.”
“I also worked for the City of Fort Scott as a Communications Technician before becoming the 911 Communications Director for the Fort Scott Police Department/Bourbon County 911 Communications Center. As Communications Director, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the 911 center and supervised staff while helping ensure emergency calls and radio communications were handled accurately and efficiently.”
She is currently working full-time at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office as an administrative assistant for the sheriff and Bourbon County Corrections.
The Emergency Manager position is a part-time position.
What does the Bourbon County Emergency Manager do?
“As the Bourbon County Emergency Manager, my role is to coordinate activities relating to the prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to natural disasters, major emergencies, or terroristic events. I will work closely with local fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public health, and local, state, and federal government officials to coordinate emergency planning and response efforts.”
My responsibilities include disaster preparedness planning, coordinating response efforts during emergencies, supporting training and exercises, and helping educate the public about preparedness and safety.
“One of the first projects I am working on is implementing Genasys Protect, which will replace CodeRED as Bourbon County’s emergency notification system. The system will allow residents to receive important emergency notifications and updates, including severe weather alerts and other public safety information.”
To learn more about emergency management and the new alert system, stop by the Emergency Preparedness booth at the 103.9 Home Show this Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Scott Community College.
With the Kansas tornado season in full swing, this is a good time to know where to get alerts.
“I will have a Bourbon County Emergency Management booth and will be happy to help residents get registered for the new alert system and answer questions.”
Education and Experience
She graduated from Fort Scott High School and has continued her education and training through her career in public safety.
She completed Firefighter I and Fire Service Instructor, and many other training courses through the University of Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute.
“I completed my Kansas Board of EMS Emergency Medical Technician certification through Fort Scott Community College and went on to complete the Emergency Medical Training Officer certification. I am an American Heart Association instructor and have completed coursework in Emergency Management through Barton County Community College.”
“In the field of emergency communications, I earned certifications through The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) as a Public Safety Telecommunicator and Communications Training Officer, and completed the Center Manager Certification Program through the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).”
Contact information
Lou Howard, Bourbon County Emergency Manager, has an office in the courthouse at 210 National Avenue, Fort Scott.
Phone: 620-215-6316
Email: [email protected]
Website: bourboncountyks.org
The Facebook page is Bourbon County Kansas Emergency Management.
A local Fort Scott Community College student is moving forward with skills he has developed on his own, called A-Z Odd Jobs.
“I grew up helping my grandpa, Mark Tucker, on his cattle farm, and that is where I learned how to operate the tools I now use every day,” Max Blubaugh said. “I’ve grown up in Fort Scott, and I love being present in Bourbon County. I like to transform properties for people and give them something to be proud of.”
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TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has released the November 2025 Kansas Labor Report. The full report can be accessed here: November 2025 Kansas Labor Report.
The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has released the October and November 2025 Kansas Labor Reports. Due to the lapse in federal funding during the federal government shutdown, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from Oct. 1, 2025, through Nov. 12, 2025. As a result, KDOL will not publish separate reports for the October and November 2025 Kansas Labor Reports. Establishment survey data from the Current Employment Statistics program for October 2025 will be published with the November 2025 data. Household survey data from the Current Population Survey, which serve as the primary input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics models, were not collected for the October 2025 reference period due to a lapse in appropriations and will not be collected retroactively.
The December 2025 Kansas Labor Report will be released on Friday, January 23.
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Fort Scott, KS – It is with great pleasure that the Board of Trustees announces the appointment of Dr. Jack Welch as the President of Fort Scott Community College, effective June 30, 2025.
Dr. Welch brings to our college a distinguished background in higher education leadership and experience with FSCC and the community of Fort Scott. With his deep understanding of student success, community engagement, and academic excellence, he is exceptionally well-suited to lead our institution into its next chapter.
In this role, Dr. Welch will oversee all aspects of the college’s operations and strategic direction, working closely with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to ensure that our mission of accessible, high-quality education continues to thrive.
We are confident that he will bring vision, dedication, and collaborative leadership to Fort Scott Community College, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead under his guidance.
There will be an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and the community to meet and talk to Dr. Jack Welch at a later date. Thank you.
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Executive Summary
The Business Retention and Expansion Survey (BRES) was
conducted by HBCAT in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott
to assess the local business climate. The survey gathered 34
responses and six in-person interviews, reflecting ongoing
challenges in the region due to business closures.
Key Findings:
• Industry Composition: The largest sectors represented were Services (37.1%), Retail
Trade (22.9%), and Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (14.3%).
• Employment Trends: 24% of businesses reported employment growth, 59% remained
stable, and 18% experienced declines.
• Workforce Challenges: 73% of respondents struggled with recruiting and retaining
workers, especially unskilled (38%) and semi-skilled employees (35%).
• Business Expansion & Financing: 18% of businesses plan to expand within two years,
while 15% reported forgoing expansion due to lack of financing.
Business Information Needs
Local businesses expressed a strong desire for more information on:
• Small business and entrepreneurial support resources tailored to the needs of startups and
local business owners.
• Workforce and job training programs to improve access to skilled labor and reduce hiring
challenges.
• Local market matching programs to connect businesses with regional suppliers,
customers, and partners.
• Access to capital and financing to support expansion, equipment upgrades, and working capital needs.
• Improved communication between local and state governments and businesses, to increase transparency and responsiveness.
Possible Actions Local Government Could Take:
1. Improve Marketing of the City – Increase promotional efforts to attract new residents, visitors, and businesses by showcasing Fort Scott’s assets, events, and opportunities.
2. Enhance Communication – Create clearer, more consistent communication channels between the City and the business community, including regular updates and outreach.
3. Develop Incentive Programs – Introduce or expand financial and regulatory incentives for new and existing businesses looking to launch or grow in Fort Scott.
4. Increase Workforce Development Efforts – Collaborate with HBCAT and other partners to create stronger pipelines for skilled labor and job training programs.
5. Address Housing as a Critical Need – Prioritize policies, partnerships, and development strategies that expand housing options for workers and families to support long-term
economic stability.
Next Steps for The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
1. Launch an Employer Learning Collaborative – Convene local employers to clarify their workforce needs, discuss shared challenges, and identify specific skill gaps, particularly around unskilled and semi-skilled labor. HBCAT may host panel discussions
and is seeking facilitation support to guide this effort.
2. Engage High School Students Through Mentorship and Incentives – Partner with high school business classes to connect students with the RCP Mentorship Program and Community Health Workers, and link them to financial incentives available through the
City’s small business grant program and local community college resources.
3. Explore Soft Skill Curriculum Implementation – Evaluate the existing soft skills curriculum used by SEK KANSASWORKS in other districts to determine cost and feasibility of implementing it in Fort Scott schools, with the goal of aligning with local employer expectations.
Submitted by Jody Love
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.
Rural Community Partners
President and CEO
Office: 620-224-2563 Ext. 4
Cell: 620-215-2892
104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold four special meetings in the Hedges Administration Building during the following dates and times. After calling the meeting to order, the Board will immediately adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel as they conduct interviews of four presidential finalists. No action is expected to follow any of these special meetings.
Friday, June 13, 2025
8:15 am – 11:15 am
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Monday, June 16, 2025
8:15 am – 11:15 am
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Submitted by
Juley McDaniel
Director of Human Resources
Fort Scott Community College
