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Category Archives: Kansas
Bourbon County District Court to temporarily relocate
Bourbon County District Court offices will temporarily relocate from October 21 to November 20 to allow for elevator modernization in the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Bourbon County is in the 6th Judicial District, which also includes Linn and Miami counties.
Bourbon County court offices will remain open throughout the relocation, and the court clerk’s office can be reached at 620-223-0780 during business hours.
The computer set up for members of the public to search court records will also be moved to the temporary location.
The temporary location will be:
108 W 2nd St.
Fort Scott
“We appreciate everyone’s patience while our court is relocated,” said Chief Judge Amy Harth, 6th Judicial District. “We are fortunate the temporary location is just around the corner from where the court is now, which helps us minimize the disruptions to our court operations and services.”
While the court is relocated, all court hearings will be by videoconference unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge.
Persons scheduled to appear in court remotely may use their own devices if they are set up for videoconferencing. The court will also offer videoconference access from its temporary location. Public access to court proceedings will be through viewing rooms at the temporary location.
In addition to court hearings, all court services officer check-ins will be by videoconference unless otherwise approved by the chief of court services.
Kansas DCF Partners with Binti for Family Finding Tech
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today a new partnership with Binti, a technology company focused on child welfare. The Binti Family Finding and Engagement platform strengthens practitioners’ ability to quickly identify and engage a child’s relatives and trusted adults, including non-relative kin, to support family connections and kinship placements.
Research shows that children in foster care who remain connected to relatives and trusted adults experience improved well-being, reduced trauma, and a greater chance of finding a safe, permanent home. Kansas’ use of Binti’s platform will provide crucial support to children who are at risk of entering foster care or are already in care.
“Children do better when they remain connected to the people and communities they know,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “By using advanced family finding technology, we can uncover important family and trusted adult connections that might otherwise be missed, giving more children the chance to stay with people who offer familiarity, support, and a lasting sense of belonging.”
“Every child deserves the chance to grow up surrounded by people who know and love them,” said Felicia Curcuru, Co-founder and CEO of Binti. “We’re proud to partner with the Kansas Department for Children and Families to give practitioners the tools they need to find those connections faster and help more children build lasting bonds with family and trusted adults.”
DCF Child Protective Services (CPS) staff and Prevention and Protection Services contractors are responsible for conducting and documenting their own family-finding efforts. Currently, multiple resources are used, including Consolidated Lead Evaluation and Reporting (CLEAR) software, internal DCF systems, contractor case-management systems, case records, internet searches, and other available sources. Due to differing systems and documentation practices, it can be difficult to share information, avoid duplicate searches, track previous outreach and responses, and maintain a complete statewide record of family-finding efforts.
The Family Finding and Engagement platform aims to remedy this by centralizing the approach to family finding to one platform. Available to CPS, Family Preservation providers, and foster care case management agencies, the Binti platform will connect information across the child and family well-being system, ensuring that what is learned at each stage of a family’s involvement is carried forward.
Binti has been awarded a one-year contract with a total cost of $624,620 for the initial term, with an option to renew for three additional 12-month periods. DCF expects the platform to be operational in 2027.
Kansas Arts Commission Seeks New State Poet Laureate
TOPEKA – The Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) today announced that applications for the next Poet Laureate of Kansas currently are being accepted. The Poet Laureate serves as Kansas’ leading voice for poetry, connecting communities through workshops, lectures and other public programs.
“Arts and culture play an important role in advancing the quality of place and economic vitality of communities across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Supporting the Poet Laureate is a way for Commerce and the Arts Commission to invest in our communities by elevating Kansas voices, building the state’s creative economy, and connecting the literary arts to the communities and businesses they help sustain.”
Responsibilities for Poet Laureate during their four-year term include presenting at a minimum of eight free public events each year, developing a signature program for Kansas audiences, and participating in the annual Poetry Out Loud program. Selected poets will work with Kansas Arts Commission staff on outreach and maintain an active writing and publishing practice.
“Poetry is a creative platform for artists to share where they come from, their personal values and their perspective of the world,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “This is an opportunity for poets eager to showcase their talents to Kansas communities and help more Kansans view poetry as a beneficial piece of their lives.”
To be considered for Poet Laureate, applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate university program
- Have lived in Kansas for at least three years and remain a resident throughout the term
- Be available to travel and present statewide
- Demonstrate a strong body of publicly accessible poetry and active publishing practice
- Have a minimum of three publications from the previous five years
- Not be a current KAC staff member or former Poet Laureate of Kansas participant
Traci Brimhall, the current Poet Laureate of Kansas who has served since 2023, is an author of four poetry collections, most recently The Grief Artist. Her poems have appeared in publications including The New Yorker, Poetry Orion and Best American Poetry.
“It’s truly been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to serve Kansas as Poet Laureate these past four years,” Poet Laureate of Kansas Traci Brimhall said. “I’ve gotten to visit so many great libraries and communities and I’m astonished at the great talent growing in all corners of our state.”
Applicants for the next Poet Laureate must include an artist statement, a narrative describing their vision for advancing poetry in Kansas, a resume or curriculum vitae, and 10 original poems. Applicants may, but are not required to, also submit up to three supplemental materials, such as letters of support or an outline of a proposed public program.
Finalists will be invited to Topeka to present a sample of the programming they would offer during their term. The position includes a $12,000 annual stipend and travel support for approved programs with nonprofit and community organizations in Kansas. The four-year term begins January 1, 2027.
Applications close Friday, October 9. The complete guidelines and the application can be found here.
For more information or questions about the Poet Laureate of Kansas, please contact arts@ks.gov.
Kansas Courts Mark Constitution Day and Week
TOPEKA—Chief Justice Eric Rosen signed an administrative order today proclaiming September 17 Constitution Day and September 17 through 23 Constitution Week in Kansas courts and encouraging all Kansans to commend its observance.
He signed the order in the Supreme Court courtroom, where the court had convened to hear cases on its docket. Before signing, he gave brief remarks connecting the U.S. Constitution with the Declaration of Independence signed 250 years ago.
“The Declaration announced our ideals that all people are created equal and endowed with rights that no government may rightfully take away,” he said. “But it was the Constitution that established a government of laws and an independent judiciary to protect rights, fairly resolve disputes, and uphold the rule of law.”
He added that the words in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution endure today because each generation accepts responsibility for giving them meaning. That responsibility now belongs to this generation, and it includes a duty to instill these ideals in others.
Celebrating Constitution Day in Kansas courts
Rosen noted several examples of court activities that celebrate Constitution Day and Constitution Week, including Supreme Court and Court of Appeals visits to schools, a mock trial for third graders, and educational programs at the Kansas Judicial Center.
Educational programs at Judicial Center
Students from northeast Kansas high schools visited the Kansas Judicial Center September 16 to participate in the Gene Balloun Legal Career Education Program. The Kansas 1st Amendment Foundation organized the event to introduce students to legal careers and help them develop related skills.
Staff in the Office of Judicial Administration led tours of the Judicial Center, taught students how to get into law school and become an attorney, and shared the history of the appellate courts. In the morning, the students attended Supreme Court oral arguments and were introduced to the court by Ken Thomas, executive director of the Kansas 1st Amendment Foundation. Chief Judge Sarah Warner and Judge Karen Arnold-Burger of the Court of Appeals spoke to the students to wrap up the daylong program.
Laurel Klein Searles, chief of attorney services and compliance, said the program is a great way for students to learn more about the legal field.
“These students chose the program because they are already interested in careers in law,” she said. “The visit is about connecting these students with professionals already working in the field who can share their firsthand experiences and answer their questions.”
Supreme Court special session in Liberal
The Supreme Court will visit Liberal High School as part of its outreach to familiarize Kansans with the court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary in recognition of Constitution Week.
The court will be in session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, after which justices will greet the public in an informal reception.
Court of Appeals Constitution Day dockets
In its annual recognition of Constitution Day, Kansas Court of Appeals’ panels will visit three college campuses next week to hear cases before students and members of the public.
On September 22, a three-judge panel will hear arguments in Lawrence at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the University of Kansas School of Law, while another panel will hear arguments in Manhattan at Kansas State University. A third panel will hear oral arguments September 23 at Washburn University School of Law.
When the visits were announced, Warner said the cases selected for them were chosen because they include constitutional questions.
“Through these cases, students and the public can witness how constitutional rights impact everyone’s daily lives and understand how judges approach and decide constitutional disputes,” Warner said.
Mock trial for third-grade classrooms
To reach a younger audience, Judge Robert Wonnell of the 10th Judicial District invited third-grade classrooms nationwide to participate in a mock trial conducted from his Johnson County courtroom.
More than 47,000 students from 47 states and more than 90 classrooms on military bases around the world registered to participate in this year’s virtual event.
“The mock trial teaches students about our responsibilities, opportunities, and rights under the Constitution of the United States of America,” Wonnell said. “Students listen to witnesses, evaluate evidence, and act as jury to decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty of violating a fictitious law that prohibits running in the hallway.”
Judges throughout the Kansas courts were encouraged to connect with third-grade classrooms in their communities and to volunteer to visit classrooms in person for the event.
Importance of celebrating Constitution
In Administrative Order 2026-PM-098, Rosen notes the importance of celebrating the Constitution that shapes American democracy.
“As justices, judges, and court staff, we are honored to uphold that promise and to share its meaning with the people we serve,” Rosen said. “We encourage all Kansans to reflect on the freedoms and responsibilities guaranteed by the Constitution.”
KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fair Sept. 24
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland invites jobseekers and employers to take part in the September Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24.
“Our monthly KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fairs are designed to give Kansans a platform to discover and explore open job opportunities in a wide variety of career fields,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “With the number of new jobs increasing and industries expanding into Kansas, we’re creating opportunities for everyone in the Sunflower State.”
The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a new job to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.
This month’s Virtual Statewide 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 they might be asked to engage in an 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 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.
Kansas Commerce Seeks IDA Program Administrators
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Department of Commerce is seeking qualified community-based organizations to administer Individual Development Account (IDA) programs. These programs are designed to reduce both the number of Kansans receiving public income support and the number of communities with high concentrations of poverty.
Applications will be accepted through October 16.
IDA programs allow administering organizations to provide a match on deposits made by low-income participants who are saving to buy a home, making repairs on existing homes, starting or expanding a business, or attending continuing education classes at a college or technical school.
“Being an IDA program administrator gives community organizations a powerful way to invest in the people they serve by offering direct support for homeownership, education and entrepreneurship,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We want to partner with communities that are ready to help us deploy these barrier-breaking programs across the state and build a more prosperous future for all Kansans.”
Financial assistance is provided to charitable, tribal and religious organizations that administer IDAs in their community through the sale of tax credits. Organizations that service a specific region, multiple regions or the entire state can receive up to $100,000 in tax credits annually for three years. For the first two years, organizations are granted up to 20% of the funds earned to use for operational costs and 15% for each following year.
“Individual Development Accounts are a way to help level the playing field for all Kansans by strengthening families and supporting local economies,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “By partnering with local nonprofits across our state, we’re able to help Kansans reach their full potential and open new doors for themselves and their loved ones.”
Organizations interested in administrating an IDA program are encouraged to register for an informational webinar at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 15. Registration is required to attend. To register for the upcoming webinar, click here.
To learn more about the IDA program, visit the program webpage or contact Kerri Falletti at Kerri.Falletti@ks.gov or by phone at (785) 207-5206.
About the Quality Places Division: Established in 2024, the Quality Places Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality of life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, visit kansascommerce.gov/community-development.
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.
Kansas Flags at Half-Staff for 9/11’s 25th Anniversary
TOPEKA – Today, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags throughout the State of Kansas be lowered to half-staff from sunup to sundown on Friday, September 11, 2026, to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
“Twenty-five years after the unthinkable tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans and injured thousands more, we uphold our commitment to remembering those whose lives were permanently altered by a horrific terrorist attack,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We will never forget the bravery demonstrated that day by so many, including our nation’s first responders, who saved countless lives despite losing more than 400 of their own. Their sacrifice and service will never be forgotten.”
To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, visit: https://www.governor.ks.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.
Kansas Commerce Launches BLOCK Downtown Grant Program
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of the Building Local Opportunity through Coordinated Kansas Investment (BLOCK) program, a competitive placemaking initiative designed to help one Kansas community dramatically transform the appearance of a downtown block.
A total of $500,000 is available through this pilot program. One award will be made. The BLOCK application period will open September 11, 2026, and close September 30, 2026. The award will be announced by October 10, 2026, and all funded improvements must be completed before December 15, 2026.
“This is a Kansas-style ‘extreme makeover’ for a BLOCK of your main street,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “If you need to spend October figuring out who is going to do the work, this isn’t the right opportunity for your town. We’re looking for communities that have a vision, have done the groundwork, and have the people in place to make it happen FAST.
“The goal is more investment, stronger businesses and a more robust local economy.”
BLOCK is intentionally different from traditional grant programs by encouraging communities to coordinate multiple properties, partners and investments around a shared vision. The program is designed for communities that can create a dramatic impact in a short amount of time.
Projects may include improvements such as new awnings, tuckpointing, signage, painting, façade improvements, lighting and other strategic enhancements that can quickly transform the appearance and vitality of a downtown block. The goal is to take the buildings, businesses and assets that already exist and make the entire block look and feel dramatically different so they generate additional economic activity.
The compressed timeline also is intentional. Commerce wants the work completed before below-freezing temperatures and Kansas winter weather make exterior improvements more difficult. That means applicants need to come prepared. Contractors, painters, masons, sign companies, suppliers and other key partners should already be identified and ready to begin work when an application is submitted.
Inspired by the rapid, collaborative transformations popularized by “extreme makeover” programs, BLOCK brings community partners, property owners, businesses, contractors and resources together to create a visible, concentrated transformation in a short period of time. Once the project has begun, the awarded community will be expected to begin and finish all construction and rehabilitation efforts within a 14-day window.
“Instead of investing in one building at a time, we are asking communities to look at an entire block and ask, ‘What would happen if we coordinated all of these investments at once?'” Commerce Assistant Secretary Matt Godinez said.
Communities applying for BLOCK will be asked to show Commerce the block as it exists today and show what it could become. Applicants will identify a single downtown block containing at least three structures and present a coordinated strategy for creating a dramatic transformation.
A 1:1 match is required, with matching funds secured at the time of application. Of the required match, at least 75% must be provided through cash or grant funds, while up to 25% may be provided through documented in-kind contributions. Communities demonstrating additional public-private investment and strong coordination with other funding programs will receive additional consideration.
Additional program information and application materials are available here.
About the Quality Places Division: Established in 2024, the Quality Places Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality of life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, 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.
KDHE Opens CPR Training and AED Funding Applications
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is now accepting applications for state funding to support cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and the purchase and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The funding, authorized through House Bill 2513, is available to eligible public and nonpublic school districts, as well as religious or charitable associations, libraries and tribal entities that have a registered and approved Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) with KDHE.
The program is designed to increase access to lifesaving training and equipment across Kansas, with an emphasis on expanding access in rural communities. Funding opportunities include CPR and AED training for public and nonpublic school districts and support for AED maintenance and purchases.
A total of $750,000 is available through three funding opportunities:
- $500,000 for AED maintenance and/or purchases for eligible public and nonpublic school districts.
- $125,000 for CPR and AED training for eligible public and nonpublic school districts.
- $125,000 for AED maintenance and/or purchases for eligible religious or charitable associations, libraries and tribal entities.
Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2027, or until all available funding has been expended. The first application review will begin Oct. 1, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to apply early while funding remains available.
Public and nonpublic school districts can apply for available training, AED purchase and maintenance opportunities through the school entity application.
Religious or charitable associations, libraries and tribal entities can apply for AED purchase and maintenance funding through the non-school entity application.
For additional information, visit the KDHE CERP webpage.
KDA Opens FY27 Crop & Livestock Research Grant Applications
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the FY27 Crop & Livestock Research Grant Program. Funds for the program are appropriated to the agency by the Kansas Legislature from the State Water Plan Fund.
The state’s Crop & Livestock Research Grant Program has developed over the years to support research efforts aimed at promoting water conservation and agricultural productivity, with a special emphasis on activities that benefit the long-term sustainability of agriculture over the High Plains aquifer in coordination with the State Water Plan. Areas of particular interest include improving the performance and marketability of drought-tolerant crops; increasing nutrient uptake and reducing nutrient runoff; maximizing efficiency of water use; and improving drought resilience for agriculture in areas with limited water resources.
This is a competitive, reimbursement-based grant program. Applications will be evaluated by a technical review committee. The recommendations of the committee will be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, who will make the final award determination.
Applications are due to KDA no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 23, 2026. For more information, please download and carefully read the Request for Applications document from the KDA website: agriculture.ks.gov/grants.
The funding appropriation for the FY27 Crop & Livestock Research Program is $450,000. Applicants may request up to $100,000 per project, and projects can be up to three years in duration.
The vision of the Kansas Department of Agriculture is to provide an ideal environment for long-term, sustainable agricultural prosperity and statewide economic growth. The agency will achieve this by advocating for ag sectors at all levels and providing industry outreach.
Kansas Appellate Court Cases Now Searchable Online
TOPEKA—The public can now search case information from the Kansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals on the judicial branch CaseSearch website.
Previously, only district court case information could be searched at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Now public case information from the appellate courts is also searchable through the site.
With this change, it’s also possible for visitors to any Kansas court to use a public access terminal to search for cases. Each district court and the appellate courts in the Kansas Judicial Center have a computer reserved for the public to search court cases and documents.
The branch launched CaseSearch in 2025 to replace the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. It offers more features than the portal it replaced, including more search types, a filter to search within case events, and more data in the financial details.
Case information versus case documents
Case information includes details about a case including case number, case type, who’s involved, attorney names, and hearing dates. Case documents include the documents filed in a case.
CaseSearch results for appellate cases include both information and documents, but only documents filed after March 13, 2025, are available. Public documents filed earlier can be accessed through a courthouse terminal.
Some case types and records are not available on CaseSearch. They are described in Supreme Court Rule 22: Access to Public Electronic District Court and Appellate Case Records.
Confidential or sealed cases and documents are not public and are not available through either CaseSearch or a courthouse terminal.
Appellate case types temporarily unavailable on CaseSearch include juvenile offender, disciplinary, and original actions.