Category Archives: Kansas

Area News, Business, Kansas

Evergy Is Allowed to Recover Costs, From Customers

Leave a comment

KCC approves settlement agreements allowing Evergy to
recover costs to build two gas plants and a solar facility

TOPEKA – This afternoon, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved two settlement agreements which allow Evergy Kansas Central (EKC) to recover the cost of three new generation facilities intended to meet increasing electric demand and improve reliability. Last fall, the utility announced plans to build two gas plants and a solar facility. Evergy filed an application with the Commission in November, requesting a determination of how costs incurred will be recovered from customers.

The application generated a great deal of interest. In addition to Evergy and Commission Staff, 31 parties sought and were granted the right to intervene and formally participate in the proceedings. As a result of their work, the Commission was presented with two settlement agreements for consideration: a unanimous settlement agreement regarding the solar facility, and a non-unanimous settlement agreement on the gas plants.

Evergy is proposing the new solar facility (Kansas Sky) to be located in Douglas County and owned 100% by Evergy Kansas Central. The estimated cost of construction is $228.1 million. After careful review, the Commission found the unanimous settlement agreement related to Kansas Sky was supported by substantial, competent evidence, will result in just and reasonable rates, and is in the public interest.  In making this finding, the Commission found the arguments regarding resource diversification compelling.  To date, very little utility-scale solar generation has been successfully developed in Kansas, and the profile and attributes of solar energy, if developed, will be complimentary to existing generation in the region, including wind generation.

Evergy’s gas plant proposal calls for two 710 MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants. The Viola plant will be located near Evergy’s Viola Substation in Sumner County and is expected to operate by January 1, 2029. The McNew plant will be built in Reno County and is expected to operate by January 1, 2030. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West will each have 50% ownership in the gas plants. The cost of construction to Evergy Kansas Central is estimated at $788.75 million for the Viola plant and $800.52 million for the McNew plant.

The Commission finds approving the CCGT Settlement is in the public interest.  The Commission believes the CCGT Settlement is an efficient and reliable plan to add generation capacity to Evergy’s fleet.  Furthermore, the Commission believes the CCGT Settlement contains sufficient safeguards and guardrails to protect customers in the event of cost overruns.

The CCGT settlement will not immediately impact rates. Other than the Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) rider recently authorized by the Legislature, which Evergy can begin utilizing 365 days after construction begins on each plant, no other costs will be added to rates until Evergy files a subsequent rate case.

The frequency of rate cases is also addressed by the Commission in today’s order.

“The Commission is troubled by the frequency and magnitude of rate cases and strongly encourages Evergy to focus on pacing investment to better align with load growth and mitigate large rate increases. The Commission understands new investment is needed to support reliability and economic development in Kansas. However, affordability must be a major priority and proactively pursued as Evergy addresses a seemingly endless list of “justifiable” projects and initiatives. To meet future capacity needs, for example, the Commission will expect Evergy to demonstrate its serious consideration of less capital-intensive options like demand response, utilization of surplus interconnection sites and grid-enhancing technologies.”

Today’s order is available here.

The Kansas Sky unanimous settlement agreement is available here.

The CCGT non-unanimous settlement agreement is available here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

 

 

###

Kansas

Five Ways the Big, Beautiful Bill Will Harm Kansas Kids and Families

Leave a comment
Submitted by Jessica Herrera Russell | [email protected], Kansas Action For Children

 

Topeka, KAN. – Today, the U.S. House gave final approval to the One Big, Beautiful Bill ahead of the July 4th deadline given by President Trump. The bill contains more than $1 trillion in funding cuts from Medicaid and SNAP, jeopardizing lifelines for American families.

 

Unfortunately, Kansas won’t remain unharmed once these budget cuts and corresponding arbitrary rules go into effect over the next few years. Here are five ways low- and moderate-income families will be harmed for years to come.

 

SNAP Could End in Kansas Completely. It may seem alarmist, but it’s true. With states now required to pay part of the SNAP benefits cost – which has never been a requirement in the program’s history – based on each state’s payment error rate, Kansas will see an approximate $62 million-a-year bill starting in FY 2028.  

 

When that daunting bill comes due, Kansas lawmakers must choose to allocate funding to continue the program in Kansas or likely be unable to draw down the additional federal funding.

 

If SNAP were to end in Kansas, around 187,000 Kansans (including around 85,000 kids) would not be able to access grocery help. This would be devastating for Kansas kids not only in the short term, but across their lives. One study estimated that for every $1 of SNAP benefits invested in children, $62 is returned over their lifetimes.

 

Work Requirements Don’t Meet Families’ Needs. With more low- and moderate-income Kansans set to be subject to work reporting requirements – including parents – SNAP benefits will be stripped away from thousands due to the onerous paperwork burdens caused by these stringent rules.

 

For SNAP, the federal bill subjects able-bodied adults age 18-64 – including parents of children 14 years or older – to these work reporting requirements. These one-size-fits-all rules don’t provide for how often lower income workers are subjected to job instability, such as unexpectedly fewer hours than is required to remain eligible or even potentially making just above the income cut off one month but not the next.

 

Kansas Kids Will Lose Out on Child Tax Credit. With the bill’s new requirement for at least one parent to have a Social Security Number in order for their child to be eligible to receive the federal child tax credit, nearly 25,000 Kansas kids are projected to lose out starting in tax year 2025.

 

Child tax credits are among the most effective tools for lifting children out of poverty, as parents utilize the payments for food and essential items. In 2021, the federal child tax credit kept 2.9 million children out of poverty nationwide. Without this tax relief targeting everyday families, financial stability in households with children are set to worsen.

 

Health Care Access Will Be Harder for Kansans. Around 17 million are projected to lose health coverage, and Kansans won’t remain unscathed. A recent estimate found 13,000 Kansans would lose coverage through KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program.  

 

The state is also projected to lose $3.9 billion in federal and state dollars over the next decade. For rural hospitals that already operate on slim margins, any loss of funds could mean hospitals in rural communities decrease their services – like labor and delivery – or close their facilities completely. This impact hurts all Kansans, not just those accessing Medicaid.

 

And with the Kansas state budget already projected to be hemorrhaging funds by FY 2028, this could have much wider impacts on what priorities – K-12 funding or the new SNAP cost burdens – state lawmakers decide to fund.

 

Threatens Services for Kansans with Special Needs or Disabilities. Reduced funding will threaten optional services provided through KanCare. If lawmakers have a skinnier budget than they are used to, these optional services could be some of the first places where lawmakers look to pass a balanced budget.

 

One example of an optional service within the KanCare program is home and community-based services (HCBS), which help children and people with special needs or disabilities receive accommodations that allow them to stay in their homes instead of a hospital or institution. If this option were to be cut to save the state money, these individuals could lose in-home nursing care, medical supplies, specialized transportation, and more.

 

Additionally, any progress Kansas has made with reducing the IDD/PD waiting lists, which has been in headlines in recent years, would be lost.

 

###

 

 
ABOUT KANSAS ACTION FOR CHILDREN: KAC is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to make Kansas a place where every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive. For nearly 50 years, KAC has been a resource to leaders and advocates who are working to ensure a brighter future for every child.         

 

Government, Kansas

KS Commerce Launches New Chapter of Kansas Community Empowerment Program

Leave a comment

Commerce Launches New Chapter of Kansas Community Empowerment Program

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Department of Commerce has assumed the administration of the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program as of July 1. Previously administered by K-State Research and Extension, the program is a long-standing cornerstone of Kansas’ community development efforts.

“Bringing Kansas Community Empowerment to Commerce strengthens our commitment to volunteer-led community development, revitalization and long-term investment in communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This transition ensures the program continues to flourish while streamlining partnerships that empower local leaders and sustain vibrant, resilient communities.”

The transition highlights Commerce’s core commitment to promote and work alongside communities to inspire growth and preserve local identity.

“Over the years, the Kansas Department of Commerce has been a strong partner in the development and delivery of the Kansas Community Empowerment program across the state,” Assistant Vice President and Director for Extension at Kansas State University Gregg Hadley said, “and we look forward to seeing the results of their work in the future.”

The program will be housed within the Quality Places Division (QPD), home to several other critical rural initiatives, including the Office of Rural Prosperity, Office of Broadband Development, Kansas Main Street and Community Development Block Grants. QPD also works on issues related to housing, placemaking and childcare. By integrating KCE into this ecosystem, the agency aims to accelerate community momentum across the state.

“The transition is more than continuing an existing program. It’s about building on the decades of hard work and expanding the efforts of the program to create great impacts across the state,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matthew Godinez said. “We are honored to carry on this legacy, and we look forward to partnering with communities to help them achieve their visions and goals.”

This new phase will involve a community certification process, providing a clear pathway for communities to set strategic goals, demonstrate progress and increase their eligibility for funding and investments. Certified communities will be recognized as leaders in local development and receive enhanced access to grant opportunities. Communities will receive additional points on applicable Commerce grants, helping amplify local efforts with state-level support.

KCE communities can also expect a dynamic slate of engagement opportunities, including an annual statewide summit to bring together local leaders from across Kansas to network, learn and share success stories. Opportunities for training and leadership development will support capacity-building at the local level, assisting communities in moving from vision to reality. Additional resources and training opportunities will be announced over the coming months.

For more information about the Kansas Community Empowerment program and how to get involved, visit the webpage here or contact Sara Bloom at [email protected] or (785) 506-9278.

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 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.

###
Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor:
Facebook  Twitter  Visit our Website  GovDelivery Signup
Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

State of Kansas v. Dawson James Mitchell in Bourbon County: Hard 50 Life Sentence Affirmed

Leave a comment

Today from the Kansas Supreme Court:

Appeal No. 125,156: State of Kansas v. Jason M. Gleason Sr.

 

Appeal No. 125,156 archived oral argument

 

In a per curiam decision, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals, which had held that Gleason’s conviction in Reno County District Court for battery against a state corrections officer must be reversed because of prosecutorial errors, both on their own and in conjunction with an erroneous jury instruction. The Court held there was only a single prosecutorial error and it was harmless.

 

Gleason also argued on appeal that the erroneous jury instruction nevertheless violated his “inviolate” jury rights under Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights. The Court held that the Section 5 jury right preserves the same protections that existed in common law when the Kansas Constitution was adopted in 1859. Thus, after a historical analysis, the Court determined that Section 5 jury claims are analyzed under a presumed prejudice standard. Such errors require reversal unless the State can show there is no prejudice. Absent prejudice, there is no violation of the Section 5 jury right. The State made such a showing here, so Gleason’s Section 5 jury rights were not violated. Gleason’s conviction was thus affirmed.

 

Justices Melissa Standridge and Eric Rosen concurred in the judgment only.

 

This case was argued before the Supreme Court at its November 12, 2024, special session in Louisburg.

 

Appeal No. 126,350: State of Kansas v. Brian Beck

 

Appeal No. 126,350 archived oral argument

 

Beck was driving on Interstate 70 in Geary County when he was pulled over by a law enforcement officer. Beck was committing no driving infractions, but a car dealer’s frame around his license plate partially obstructed the state name on the plate. According to the officer, he was not able to easily read the state name, putting the plate in violation of K.S.A. 8-133, which requires that license plates be maintained “in a condition to be clearly legible.” Because Beck exhibited suspicious behavior, the officer and a backup unit searched his car and found methamphetamine. Beck attempted to drive away during the search but was subdued and arrested. He was charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of having no drug tax stamp, and one count of interfering with law enforcement.

 

Before trial, Beck moved to suppress consideration of the methamphetamine found in the search, claiming the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop him and search his car. The Geary County District Court denied the motion and allowed the evidence to go to a jury. The jury found Beck guilty of all three counts. Beck appealed to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the conviction. The Supreme Court granted review.

 

In a unanimous decision written by Justice Eric Rosen, the Court reversed the district court ruling that denied Beck’s motion to suppress and reversed the convictions based on the evidence obtained from the search of his car. The Court examined the relevant statutes and concluded that Kansas does not require the state name be printed on license plates in an easily readable fashion. For this reason, obstructing or partially obstructing the state name does not give law enforcement reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed. The Court further discussed how distance from a vehicle and environmental conditions may affect whether a license plate is clearly legible. The Court directed district courts to apply an objective standard to decide whether a reasonable officer would have reasonable suspicion that, under the totality of the circumstances, the license plate was not maintained in a condition to be clearly legible. The Court remanded the case to the district court for a new hearing consistent with the analysis in the opinion.

 

Appeal No. 126,819: State of Kansas v. Uraquio Agustine Arredondo

 

Appeal No. 126,819 archived oral argument

 

Grant County District Court found Arredondo guilty of one count of felony child abuse and one count of felony murder in the death of the 3-year-old son of Arredondo’s domestic partner. The child became unconscious and stopped breathing while under Arredondo’s care. Emergency care personnel were unable to revive the child, and he died in a hospital. Medical examiners determined the child had suffered from traumatic blows to the head and showed signs of other traumatic injuries. Arredondo told law enforcement and others the child had choked on a meal Arredondo served him, but evidence from the home indicated the child had not been eating around the time he stopped breathing. Arredondo appealed his conviction.

 

In a unanimous decision written by Justice Eric Rosen, the Supreme Court affirmed Arredondo’s conviction. The Court determined that law enforcement did not impinge on Arredondo’s constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment during any of the three times they entered the residence. This was primarily because Arredondo voluntarily consented to the searches of his home. The Court further held that Arredondo did not preserve at trial a challenge to the admissibility of statements he made to law enforcement, which meant he could not challenge those statements on appeal.

 

Justice Evelyn Wilson did not participate in the decision.

 

Appeal No. 127,231: State of Kansas v. Dennis O. Haynes III

 

Summary calendar. No oral argument

 

Haynes, who is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, filed a postconviction motion seeking access to arrest and search warrants and their supporting affidavits from his criminal case. The Sedgwick County District Court granted him access to the arrest warrant affidavit but denied his request for any search warrant affidavits. In a unanimous decision written by Justice K.J. Wall, the Supreme Court partially reversed the district court’s ruling. The Court held that K.S.A. 22-2302(b) and K.S.A. 22-2502(d) give defendants a personal right to obtain affidavits supporting both arrest and search warrants. But the statutes do not provide access to the warrants themselves, perhaps because those warrants are usually public documents once law enforcement executes them. The Court therefore affirmed the district court’s ruling on the arrest warrant affidavit but reversed its denial of any search warrant affidavits because K.S.A. 22-2502(d) requires disclosure of those materials. The case was remanded with instructions to make those materials available upon payment of the necessary production fees.

 

Appeal No. 127,721: State of Kansas v. Dawson James Mitchell

 

Summary calendar. No oral argument.

 

In a unanimous decision written by Justice K.J. Wall, the Supreme Court affirmed the consecutive hard 50 life sentences imposed on Mitchell for the premeditated murders of his mother and stepfather. On appeal, Mitchell argued the Bourbon County District Court should have imposed hard 25 sentences based on his severe mental illness, troubled upbringing, and accepting responsibility. He also argued the sentences should run concurrently rather than consecutively. The Court held that while the district court acknowledged Mitchell’s mitigating evidence, it reasonably concluded the factors did not constitute “substantial and compelling reasons” to deviate from hard 50 sentences given the premeditated, brutal nature of the crimes. The Court also concluded that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing consecutive sentences because Mitchell killed two people.

 

Visit our Search Decisions page for published and unpublished decisions from the Kansas Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
url    url    url    url    url

Government, Kansas

New KS Law Prohibits Foreign Money in Constitutional Amendment Campaigns

Leave a comment

Kobach nets big win on new Kansas law banning foreign money in campaigns

TOPEKA – (July 1, 2025) – A Kansas law that prohibits the use of foreign money in state constitutional amendment campaigns is in effect today, July 1, thanks to a court win by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree blocked a request from Kansans for Constitutional Freedom for a preliminary injunction to stop the state from implementing the ban on foreign money flowing into political campaigns.

“Judge Crabtree’s opinion is well reasoned and thorough. The Kansas Legislature acted constitutionally when it addressed the specific problem of foreign nationals funneling money into referendum campaigns on Kansas constitutional amendments,” Kobach said. “The people of Kansas have the right to decide these important questions for themselves without any foreign influence. Foreign nationals should not be influencing Kansas elections, period. This is a win for Kansas.”

In his ruling, Crabtree writes that Kansans for Constitutional Freedom is likely to lose its constitutional challenge to the new law.

Read Crabtree’s order here.

Government, Kansas

KS State Legislature Cuts State General Fund

Leave a comment

Governor Kelly Issues Statement on Consequences of State Legislature’s 1.5% Cuts to State Agencies

TOPEKA – The Kansas Legislature passed into law Senate Bill 125, which mandates state agencies reduce their State General Fund state fiscal year 2026 (SFY26) budget by 1.5%. Governor Laura Kelly issued the following statement in response to agencies implementing the Legislature’s 1.5% cut at the beginning of SFY26:

“As governor, I have worked to get Kansas back on the right fiscal track and provide Kansans with the resources they need to prosper without risking the future of the state. I share the Legislature’s goal to reduce spending where possible and to increase efficiency in state government. However, the Legislature’s mandate to cut state agencies’ budgets across the board is not the way to increase efficiency. A blanket cut is neither targeted nor thoughtful.

“Instead, the Legislature’s blanket budget reduction results in millions of dollars in funding losses to agencies managing programs that are vital lifelines for the most vulnerable Kansans: children, people with disabilities, seniors. At a time when federal funding is withdrawn, withheld, or outright cancelled, the effects of the Legislature’s blanket cuts will be compounded. Despite challenges posed at both the state and federal levels, my administration remains committed to serving the people of Kansas.”

###
Government, Kansas

Limited Access Area Hunts Available

Leave a comment

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Special Hunt Application Period Now Open

PRATT – Looking for a hunting experience without the crowds in some of Kansas’ most unique locations? The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Special Hunts program provides limited access to areas not normally open to hunting. More than limited-entry opportunities will be available this fall and winter. While access through the program is free, hunters must still meet all licensing and permit requirements under Kansas law.

Opportunities for deer, upland game, waterfowl, dove, and furbearers will be offered, with hunts taking place on a mix of public lands, parks, private lands, and other select areas. Managers, biologists, landowners, and partners offer these hunts with safety, management, and positive relationships in mind.

All fall and winter special hunt opportunities are available through a single application period, open July 1-29, 2025. Details of each special hunt and application details are available at ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Special-Hunts-Information. Successful applicants will be selected through a random drawing.

“The Special Hunts program offers hunters unique opportunities to access generally restricted areas under certain conditions. Whether public land or private, because access is limited for safety and management reasons, these hunts can be high-quality experiences for a wide range of hunters,” said Brian Serpan, KDWP Public Lands Regional Supervisor. “The Special Hunts program does not guarantee a successful hunt or large numbers of wildlife, but it provides a great opportunity to introduce someone to hunting, explore a new area, and enjoy the Kansas outdoors.”

Both Kansas residents and non-resident hunters can apply, though some hunts are restricted to residents only. When applying online, hunters will select hunts by species, date, and one of four hunt type categories: open, youth, mentor, or disabled.

  • Open Hunts are available to all applicants with no age or experience restrictions.
  • Youth Hunts require each hunting party to include at least one hunter age 17 or younger, accompanied by a non-hunting adult age 18 or older. Some hunts may have more specific age requirements.
  • Mentor Hunts are designed for youth and novice hunters supervised by a licensed adult mentor age 18 or older. Both the novice and mentor may hunt, unless otherwise specified.
  • Disabled Hunts are intended for hunters with disabilities. Some hunts may have specific eligibility requirements.

The drawing of applicants will take place in early August, and all applicants will be notified by email in mid-August. Successful applicants will receive their hunt permit and any additional details via email.

Hunters are responsible for purchasing any licenses, permits, tags, or stamps required by law, and must have completed a certified Hunter Education course unless exempt. Nonresident deer hunters must have drawn a Kansas deer permit earlier in the year to be eligible for deer special hunts.

For more information about KDWP’s special hunts program, visit ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Special-Hunts-Information.

###
Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor:
Facebook  Twitter  Visit our Website  GovDelivery Signup
Government, Kansas

11th Judicial District Nominating Commission sends names of three nominees for district judge to governor 

Leave a comment

 

TOPEKA—The 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of three nominees for district judge to Gov. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy.

 

The vacancy was created when Judge Lori Bolton Fleming’s appointment to the Kansas Court of Appeals was confirmed by the Kansas Senate.

 

The 11th Judicial District is composed of Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties.

 

The nominees are:

  • Sarah Elnicki, Pittsburg, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
  • Mandy Johnson, Pittsburg, Labette County Attorney’s Office
  • John Mazurek, Pittsburg, The Mazurek Law Office

Eligibility requirements 

To be considered for district judge, a nominee must be:

  • at least 30 years old;
  • a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and
  • a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.

Term of office

After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

 

Nominating Commission 

 

The 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Eric S. Rosen as the nonvoting chair; Michael Gayoso Jr., Baxter Springs; John Lehman, Girard; Shane Adamson and Dennis Dodd, Parsons; Sara Beezley, Pittsburg; and Angela Rippel, Scammon.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
url    url    url    url    url

Government, Kansas

KS Supreme Court accepting public comment on updates to child support guidelines 

Leave a comment

 

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on proposed updates to child support guidelines.

 

The court will accept written comment by email to [email protected] until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 23. The subject line must read “Child Support Guidelines.”

 

A strikethrough version of the guidelines with the proposed updates is on the child support guidelines webpage on the Kansas judicial branch website.

 

The updates are proposed by the Kansas Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee based on 2025 House Bill 2062 enacted on April 10.

 

The bill, which takes effect July 1, amends K.S.A. 23-3002 to modify how individual retirement accounts are treated in statutes that govern child support. The bill also amends K.S.A. 20-165 to include a mother’s direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses among the factors the Supreme Court must consider when adopting child support guidelines. It also prescribes rules for ordering that type of support.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
url    url    url    url    url

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Is In the Ask For Disaster Declaration

Leave a comment

Kelly Administration Requests Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for May 18-19 Severe Weather


TOPEKA – Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking for a major presidential disaster declaration due to damages caused by a series of severe thunderstorms accompanied by straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of May 18-19, 2025. Multiple counties sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, and government-owned buildings.

“Small towns like Plevna and Grinnell are the heartbeat of our state, and I am committed to providing and ensuring these communities, and the region, have the resources they need to rebuild and thrive,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Since day one of the recovery process, my administration has coordinated the deployment of technical, logistical, health, and environmental resources, in addition to advocating for recovery needs to relevant federal agencies like FEMA and the SBA.”

Governor Kelly made the request to seek federal assistance through the Public Assistance Program. The program provides funds on a cost-share basis to repair damaged public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

In the month since the severe weather, the Kelly administration has been a proactive partner in the response and recovery efforts of the impacted communities. These efforts have thus far resulted in Governor Kelly visiting Grinnell on May 22; Governor Kelly requesting U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans be made available on May 28 which were subsequently made available on May 31; formally issuing a state of disaster emergency proclamation on June 4; initiating a joint Public Assistance Program Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) conducted by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on June 5; and on June 17, formally requesting a major presidential disaster declaration.

During the night of May 18-19, 2025, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding affected the counties of Bourbon, Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Kiowa, Logan, Pratt, Reno, Scott, Sheridan, and Stafford.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) began their response in coordination with local officials on May 18, and continues to be an active partner to the impacted communities. KDEM is facilitating damage assessments, human service needs coordination with volunteer organizations, technical recovery assistance, and coordination with federal partners like SBA and FEMA.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) quickly mobilized the night of the tornadoes to close Interstate 70 (I-70) to clear debris and downed powerlines. After removing debris, KDOT organized traffic control for I-70 lane reductions to facilitate the installation of new power lines until May 21.

The Kansas Highway Patrol provided augmentation to local law enforcement, traffic control, and aerial reconnaissance of the damage path from tornadoes.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on May 20, issued a Disposal Without a Permit (DWOP) to Grinnell for on-site burial of disaster debris; and in Plevna, KDHE issued a fee waiver to the Reno County landfill, waiving the $1 per ton state tipping fee for disaster related debris. On May 21, KDHE suspended fee assessments to obtain certified copies of birth and marriage certificates for impacted Gove County residents until July 18, 2025; and fulfilled a Gove County request for tetanus vaccines to be distributed through Gove County Emergency Management and KDEM. KDHE also provided staff to the multi-agency resource center created on May 22 to connect impacted residents with resources.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) participated in the multi-agency resource center to assist residents in signing up for assistance programs administered by DCF.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on May 31, after receiving a request from Governor Kelly on May 28, a disaster declaration for Gove, Graham, Lane, Logan, Ness, Scott, Sheridan, Thomas,  and Trego counties, which makes available low interest federal disaster loans to Kansas small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents to offset physical and economic losses from the May 18 storm and tornado. On June 6, SBA announced that Harvey County was eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which provides working capital to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster.

Governor Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation on June 4 for Bourbon, Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Kiowa, Logan, Pratt, Reno, Scott, Sheridan, and Stafford counties, activating the disaster response and recovery portions of the Kansas Response Plan. The Kansas Response Plan outlines the process by which disasters are responded to, mitigated, and recovered from; a process which recognizes that disaster recovery efforts are led at the local level.

On June 5, Kansas initiated the joint Public Assistance Program Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA), conducted by FEMA Region VII and KDEM. PDA teams assess damages to public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and utilities, to determine if those counties meet federal damage thresholds to qualify for federal disaster assistance. The PDA is the next step in determining if damage reaches the threshold needed for a state to formally request a Presidential disaster declaration.

On June 17, Governor Kelly sent a letter to FEMA asking for a major presidential disaster declaration.

###
Government, Jobs, Kansas

KANSASWORKS Hosts June Virtual Job Fair for Open Positions Across Kansas

Leave a comment

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 25.

“As businesses continue to expand and invest across every region of our state — we are seeing more career opportunities than ever before being created here in Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Anyone seeking a new role or looking to jumpstart their career is encouraged to attend and connect with some of Kansas’ best companies — and learn about the wealth of opportunities out there right now.”

The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a state position 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 agencies 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 accommodations 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.

###
Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor:
Facebook  Twitter  Visit our Website  GovDelivery Signup
Government, Kansas

Kansas GOP Chair issues statement on Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iran

Leave a comment
In response to the Israel’s strikes on Iran, Kansas GOP Chair Danedri Herbert issued the following statement:
“The Kansas GOP stands behind our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel, in its preemptive strikes against Iran. It was an act of self defense, and Israel was well within its rights to protect its citizens by destroying Iran’s nuclear capability.”
Paid for by the Kansas Republican Party, Roger Lomshek, treasurer.