As Labor Day approaches, the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds motorists to celebrate responsibly by driving sober during the holiday weekend.

To deter impaired driving, motorists will see increased local and state law enforcement presence on Kansas roads from Aug. 19–Sept. 7 as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.

Although 2025 data showed a decrease in alcohol-related crashes compared to the previous year, preliminary Kansas data for 2025 indicates that alcohol-impaired driving still had devastating consequences. An estimated 66 people were killed and more than 950 were injured in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. In addition, drug-related crashes claimed 51 lives and injured 240 people. Every one of these crashes — and the resulting deaths and injuries — was preventable.

“Even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive,” said KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman. “Impaired driving can have life-changing consequences for the driver, passengers and everyone sharing the road. A single decision to drive after drinking can result in serious consequences, including fines, jail time, injuries or even death.”

KDOT encourages drivers to:

• Designate a sober driver or use a cab or ride-share service if planning to drink or use drugs.
• Never let someone who is impaired by alcohol or drugs drive. Take the keys and arrange a sober ride.
• Make sure all guests at gatherings have a safe way home.
• Contact local law enforcement if you see an impaired driver on the road.

Drivers can find more educational resources on impaired driving by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving and nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit KanDrive.gov, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas. Travelers who need assistance on the highway can dial *47 for the KHP or *582 while on the Kansas Turnpike. If it’s an emergency, call 911.

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced five recipients of the Rural Apprenticeship Innovation for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) grant. The grant will provide seed funding to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in rural Kansas communities with populations under 50,000.

“Registered Apprenticeships give career-minded Kansans the option to earn a paycheck while gaining the necessary skills to be successful in their chosen professions,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The RAISE grant is a way to strengthen our rural communities by creating workforce opportunities, supporting local employers, and retaining talented Kansans across the state.”

The five awarded RAISE grant projects go to:

• American Implement, Garden City ($100,000) – Funds will support increasing apprenticeship enrollment by at least 10%, reaching 12–13 apprentices across 15 employers, addressing current enrollment barriers and supporting growth of apprenticeship opportunities.
• Atkinson Industries LLC, Pittsburg ($100,000) – Funds will support the launch and expansion of nVent’s Registered Apprenticeship program, beginning with electrical roles and at least five apprentices in one year with 10–15% annual enrollment growth.
• Great Jobs KC, Topeka ($100,000) – Funds will help expand apprenticeship opportunities in Ford County with goals of recruiting 5–10 candidates and registering at least five apprentices during the 12-month grant period, beginning with Curtis Machine and adding 2–3 additional employer partners.
• Heineken Electric, Beloit ($100,000) – Funds will be used to support recruitment, training, technical instruction, transportation assistance and instructor support. With 19 apprentices in seven rural communities, the funds will aim to increase current enrollment numbers.
• Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson ($100,000) – With 51 active apprentices, the funds will be used to add at least 12 new rural apprentices – a 24% growth in enrollment – expanding access to high-wage, high-demand careers while building a sustainable rural apprenticeship pipeline.

“Investing in Registered Apprenticeship programs means investing in communities, small businesses and hard-working Kansans,” Director of the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Shonda Anderson said. “Our awarded organizations are creating innovative pathways that give Kansans the opportunities to build skills, earn while they’re learning, and pursue meaningful careers that are close to home.”

RAISE grants provide direct operational support—covering areas like business support, marketing and outreach, staffing, curriculum development, training equipment and program administration—to help new and existing programs grow, expand their services and reach more Kansans. Registered Apprenticeships offer a sustainable, economical way to connect residents with meaningful training for long-term careers, helping retain talent in rural areas and keep Kansas competitive.

To learn more about the support from the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit kansascommerce.gov.

About the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.

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.

TOPEKA – Thousands of vehicles will travel the Kansas roadways during the Labor Day weekend. Many families will head out for the long weekend as summer ends and the school year begins. Safe Kids Kansas, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), State Farm Insurance and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), want to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect their most important cargo, their families.

This year, Aug. 31 – Sept. 13, a safety belt awareness campaign called “Bucks for Buckles” will be held in 44 cities across Kansas. Local volunteers will distribute dollar bills to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicles. Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats when it comes to saving lives and reducing injuries.

“Every trip you take in a vehicle has some risk of being involved in a crash,” Safe Kids Kansas State Director Cherie Sage said. “That’s why it’s so important to be prepared by wearing your seat belt and using appropriate child safety seats and booster seats for every person, on every ride.”

According to the KDOT 2025 Occupant Protection Observation Survey, 84.7% of Kansans were wearing their seat belts, compared to the national average of 91% in 2024. Kansas saw a 1.5% decrease from 2024 to 2025. Seat belts save more than 15,000 lives yearly and are the best defense against drunk, aggressive and distracted drivers.

“Wearing a seat belt can cut your risk of a serious injury in a vehicle crash by up to 50%,” Sage said. “It takes just a few seconds to buckle up, and that simple step can help save your life. Make it a habit every time you get in the vehicle.”

For more information about safety belts or child safety seat use, call 785-296-1223 or visit SafeKidsKansas.org, SafeKids.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram: @safekidskansas.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in the Dean Family VIP Room at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. The meeting will begin at noon and continue until all agenda items are addressed.

The Commission will hold a public hearing and final vote on proposed changes to state park fees, nonresident waterfowl hunting on public lands, fall turkey hunting seasons, and deer seasons on military units.

Proposed state park fee changes include increasing the daily motor vehicle permit from $3.50 to $5.50 and the annual motor vehicle permit from $22.50 to $37.50. Senior and disabled permit fees would also increase, with daily permits changing from $1.75 to $2.75 and annual permits from $11.25 to $18.75. The Easy Pass annual motor vehicle permit would increase from $15 to $30. Listed permit amounts do not include applicable transaction and processing fees.

Proposed camping fee changes would eliminate the annual camping permit and increase the overnight camping permit from $9 to $15 and the 14-night camping permit from $110 to $165. Nightly utility fees would increase from $9 to $11 for one utility, $11 to $13 for two utilities, and $12 to $15 for three utilities. Listed camping amounts do not include applicable processing fees.

Commissioners will also consider a proposed regulation restricting nonresidents hunting migratory waterfowl, coot, sandhill crane, rail, or snipe on Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) lands and waters to hunting before noon. Under the proposal, nonresident hunters pursuing those species could hunt until 11:59 a.m. and would be required to leave department lands and waters, along with their personal possessions, by 12:59 p.m.

The proposed restrictions would not apply during the September teal season or to light geese during the light goose conservation order. They also would not apply to nonresident hunters on Walk-In Hunting Access areas or those participating in KDWP special hunts and events.

The Commission will also vote on a proposal to reestablish the fall turkey hunting season for Kansas residents. If approved, resident hunters would be limited to one fall turkey permit, valid for one bearded turkey. The proposed season would run Oct. 31 through Jan. 31 of the following year, excluding the Wednesday following Thanksgiving and continuing for a total of 12 days, including the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. Commissioners will also consider deer seasons on military units.

Commissioners will receive updates on regulations currently moving through the promulgation process, including nonresident waterfowl stamp fees, senior hunting and fishing licenses, and trail cameras on public lands.

Other agenda items include an overview of KDWP’s wildlife rehabilitation program. During the workshop session, commissioners will discuss fishing regulations, including creel, size, and possession limits.

The public is invited to attend the meeting in person or virtually, with opportunities for public comment. Instructions for joining the meeting virtually, a complete meeting agenda, and the proposed regulation changes can all be viewed at ksoutdoors.gov/commission.

An interpreter for the hearing impaired can be requested by calling the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Individuals with disabilities can request other accommodations by contacting KDWP at (785) 294-2645.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, in Oakley.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public water bodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.

The seven-member, bi-partisan Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission serves in an advisory capacity in formulating policies and plans for KDWP. The commission holds public hearings on rules and regulations proposed by the Secretary of KDWP and ultimately votes to approve, modify, or reject those proposals.

UPDATE: The start date on this project has changed.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a pavement patching project on Tuesday, Sept. 8, on K-7 north and west of Fort Scott in Bourbon County.

The nearly 14-mile project area starts at U.S. 54 and continues north to the K-31 junction.

A pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone as the project progresses. Motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

The K-7 project is expected to be completed in October, conditions permitting.

Emery Sapp and Sons Inc. and Subsidiaries, of Columbia, Missouri, is the contractor for the $272,731 project.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones. For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 511. For updates on construction projects in southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.

Aug. 20, 2021

KDOT Has Permanently Closed Yates Center Rest Area on U.S. 75

The Kansas Department of Transportation has permanently closed the rest area on U.S. 75 north of Yates Center in Woodson County.

The rest area, which is about 5.5 miles north of U.S. 54 on U.S. 75, has been closed to the public for maintenance, repairs and evaluation since February.

The decision to close the facility followed an internal review of its condition, usage levels and long-term viability. Repairing the damage or replacing the facility would be too costly given current funding priorities. Also, alternative rest areas and services are available on the corridor.

The building has been razed, and demolition of remaining pavement is in progress.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones. For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 511. For updates on construction projects in southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.