KANSASWORKS Offers Employment Resources at Statewide Virtual Job Fair

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers to take part in the Statewide Virtual Job Fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 22.

“Kansas is experiencing a remarkable period of growth that’s creating countless new opportunities for employment,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “As businesses look to expand and seek talent, our workforce centers are excited to connect Kansans with fulfilling careers.”

The virtual job fair allows for anyone searching for a position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

The Statewide Virtual Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click 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.

About KANSASWORKS:

KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.

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~~Balanced Budget Fully Funds Schools, Continues Investments in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, and Addresses Water Needs~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced on Thursday her annual budget, which is balanced and continues to fully fund Kansas’ K-12 public schools. The budget also invests in early childhood services and special education and addresses both short and long-term water needs.

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~~Governor Kelly Emphasizes How Kansas can Prosper for Generations Throughout the Remainder of the 21st Century~~ 

Powered by the State Library of Kansas

Information about the 2025 Kansas Legislature and legislative session is only an email, online chat or phone call away on the Legislative Hotline for Kansans, 1-800-432-3924. Kansas’ Legislative Hotline is a trustworthy resource for state residents with questions about the Kansas Legislature and is staffed by professional reference and research librarians.

Kansans are encouraged to call the Legislative Hotline to learn who their legislators are and access their legislative contact information; check the status and history of bills, understand the legislative process, locate historical information and other inquires related to Kansas government.

“It is critical for Kansans to have access to accurate and timely information about state government and issues that matter to them most,” said State Librarian Ray Walling. “By using the Legislative Hotline, Kansans can be assured they will get the information they need from a trusted source, trained librarians from their State Library.”

Kansas residents can connect with the Legislative Hotline by phone, chat or email: 

• Phone: 1-800-432-3924.
• Online Chat: library.ks.gov/chat.
• Email: [email protected].

Live assistance is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Messages left via voicemail or email are promptly returned on the next business day. Additionally, Kansans can engage in real-time conversations with librarians through the Ask a Librarian service at library.ks.gov/chat. TTY users can dial 711 for assistance.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) (collectively, “Kansas”) is issuing fish consumption advisories for 2025. The following advisories identify types of fish, or other aquatic species, that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. General advice and internet resources are provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits and risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters.

Definitions/Servings:

Bottom-feeding fish: buffalo, carp, catfish, sturgeon and suckers

Shellfish: mussels, clams and crayfish

Serving size (skinless fish fillets before cooking):

• Adults and children age 13 and older = 8 ounces
• Children age 6 to 12 = 4 ounces
• Children younger than 6 = 2 ounces

Statewide Mercury Advisories for Fish:

There are many health benefits associated with going outside and catching and consuming fish; however, all fish contain some amount of mercury. Consumption of mercury-rich fish can harm the development of fetuses, nursing babies, and growing children. As a result, anyone who routinely eats fish or serves fish to children, including store-bought fish, should carefully consider the type and amount of fish eaten. Therefore, mercury-sensitive individuals (women who are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, and children 17 or younger) should follow the guidelines presented below for eating Kansas-caught fish.

Fishing and Eating Guidelines:

• Eat smaller portions – a fillet about the size of your palm.
• Eat fish species with less mercury (see “Preferred Choice Fish” chart below).
• If you don’t know what type or size of fish you’ve eaten, wait at least one week before eating fish again.
• When fishing, keep fish shorter than your forearm (fingertips to elbow) or less than 20 inches, as regulations allow. Visit Fishing Regulations / Fishing / KDWP – KDWP (ksoutdoors.com) for more information.

Reduce the recommendations above if you tend to keep fish larger than 20 inches to:

• Preferred Choice Fish – not more than 1 serving per week
• Second Choice Fish – not more than 1 serving per month

For specific questions or concerns about mercury in Kansas-caught fish, contact KDHE. For information about mercury in fish caught in other states, store-bought fish, and other types of seafood, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish | US EPA website.

Waterbody-Specific Advisories for All Consumers:

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish to 2 servings per month from the following location because of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):

• Little Arkansas River from the Main Street Bridge immediately west of Valley Center to the confluence with the Arkansas River in Wichita (Sedgwick County).

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish to 1 serving per month from the following locations because of PCBs:

• Cow Creek in Hutchinson and downstream to the confluence with the Arkansas River (Reno County).

• K-96 Lake in Wichita (Sedgwick County).

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish to 1 serving per month from the following location because of arsenic:

• Mill Creek from Madison Road east of Morrowville to confluence with Little Blue River (Washington County).

Kansas recommends not eating specified fish or aquatic life from the following locations:

• Antioch Park Lake South in Antioch Park, Overland Park (Johnson County); all fish due to pesticides: dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane and dichlorophenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs).
• Arkalon Park Lakes in Liberal (Seward County); Kansas recommends not eating any aquatic life because the lakes are sustained solely by treated municipal wastewater.
• Arkansas River from the Lincoln Street dam in Wichita downstream to the confluence with Cowskin Creek near Belle Plaine (Sedgwick and Sumner counties); bottom-feeding fish due to PCBs.
• Kansas River from Lawrence (below Bowersock Dam) downstream to Eudora at the confluence of the Wakarusa River (Douglas and Leavenworth counties); bottom-feeding fish due to PCBs.
• Mill Creek from Washington (below 18^th Road) downstream to confluence of Little Blue River (Washington County); shellfish due to arsenic.
• Shoal Creek from the Missouri/Kansas border to Empire Lake (Cherokee County); shellfish due to lead and cadmium.
• Spring River from the confluence of Center Creek to the Kansas/Oklahoma border (Cherokee County); shellfish due to lead and cadmium.

Waterbodies Affected by Harmful Algae Blooms:

To date, measured algal toxin levels in fish samples collected from waters affected by harmful algal blooms suggest the fish are safe to eat.  However, please take the following precautions:

• Avoid skin contact with water.
• Wear gloves when handling wet fish and equipment.
• Rinse fish with clean water.
• Remove skin from fillets and rinse with clean water prior to cooking or freezing.
• Eat only skinless fillets.
• Do not eat shellfish.

General Advice for Reducing Exposure to Chemicals in Fish:

• Keep smaller fish to eat (regulations permitting) and let the big ones go.

• Avoid eating fish parts other than fillets.
• Trim fat from fillets and/or use cooking methods that allows fat to drip away.
• Avoid subsistence fishing (relying on wild-caught fish for daily nutritional needs) in rivers within or immediately downstream of large urban/industrial areas.
• Do not eat fish or aquatic life from wastewater outfalls, waste treatment lagoons or stormwater retention ponds.

Other information from KDHE, KDWP, EPA and the American Heart Association

To view the advisories online – and for information about KDHE’s Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program –  Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program | KDHE, KS.

For information about fishing in Kansas – including licensing, regulations, fishing reports and forecasts –  Fishing in Kansas | KDWP.

For information about the health benefits and risks of including fish in your diet, visit Eating fish twice a week reduces heart, stroke risk | American Heart Association.

For technical information regarding the U.S. EPA risk assessment methods used to determine advisory consumption limits, visit EPA Guidance for Developing Fish Advisories | US EPA.

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Governor Kelly Announces $17M

to Transform Maternal Health

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced on Wednesday that Kansas has been selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of 15 states to participate in its Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model program, which includes a $17 million grant award over the next 10 years. The goal of the TMaH Model is to improve maternal and child health care for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members.

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Governor Kelly Announces
Food Sales Tax Completely Eliminated

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday announced that in 2025, Kansans are projected to save $156 million due to the reduction in the state sales tax rate from 2% to zero and the “Axe the Food Tax” legislation she signed in 2022. According to projections from the Kansas Department of Revenue, reducing the state sales tax on groceries from 2% to zero will save shoppers $13 million per month this year.

“The complete elimination of the state sales tax on food is a win for Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By axing the food tax once and for all, the average family of four will save $500 per year on groceries. I’m proud that we’ve put more money back into Kansans’ pockets thanks to this commonsense legislation.”

After working tirelessly to put the state on solid financial footing, in 2021 Governor Kelly called on the Kansas Legislature to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries as soon as possible. The Legislature ultimately passed legislation that gradually reduced the state sales tax on groceries over three years.

In 2023, the state sales tax rate on groceries went down from 6.5% to 4%, saving consumers $187.7 million per year. At the end of 2024, it was projected that shoppers saved nearly $570 million due to the reductions in the state sales tax rate on food and food ingredients during the two years the reduction has been in effect.

The state sales tax reduction applies to food, food ingredients, and certain prepared foods. When looking at a receipt, shoppers will see two tax rates, one for qualifying purchases and one for all other items.

The total elimination of the state sales tax on qualifying items went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

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Governor Kelly Announces December

Tax Collections Surpass Estimate by $66.7M

TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends December 2024 with total tax collections at $1.1 billion. That is $66.7 million, or 6.3%, above the estimate. Total tax collections are up 8.1% from December 2023.

TOPEKA – While the risk to the general public still remains very low, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reminding Kansans to practice caution around wild birds and backyard poultry amid increasing reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus both nationally and within Kansas.

HPAI is primarily an infection of wild birds; however, in the ongoing outbreak beginning in early 2022, numerous animal species have been infected including domestic poultry, dairy cattle, wild carnivores like skunks and raccoons, and domestic cats. The virus is spread by migratory waterfowl, primarily ducks and geese.

“The public health risk of HPAI remains low,” KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dereck Totten said. “While there has been no person-to-person spread, KDHE is monitoring the situation carefully. We are working with people who have had flocks test positive and encourage the public to avoid contact with sick birds.”

Fall migration of wild birds increased in November and December, resulting in additional exposure to HPAI and thus an increase in cases in domestic poultry in Kansas. Since Dec. 3, the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has identified HPAI in six non-commercial backyard flocks and two commercial flocks.

Since this virus can infect humans who come in close contact with sick or dead birds and other infected animals, KDHE, in coordination with local health departments, monitors all exposed individuals for symptoms of influenza-like illness. While no human cases have been identified in Kansas, 66 cases of HPAI have been confirmed in humans in the United States in 2024. Those cases are nearly all from exposure to infected poultry or dairy cows, and no known human-to-human spread has occurred.

Current information regarding HPAI in animals in Kansas can be found at KDA Avian Influenza.

Most of the infections in humans the U.S. have been mild and primarily present as red, itchy eyes, but there is the potential for more severe illness, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. For more information on keeping yourself healthy while handling poultry, visit CDC Avian Influenza.

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