Pull Off, Lights Out: KDOT, KHP launch

Kansas dust storm safety campaign

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) are launching a new safety campaign sharing safety guidance for western Kansas drivers traveling through areas with blowing dust and high winds.

A public service announcement (PSA) highlighting dangers in dust storms was created as part of the safety campaign. KDOT and KHP encourage media outlets, traffic safety partners and the public to share the PSA, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/DoDWPzY_kRM.

Dust storms often occur from December to April. The region’s flat plains, open agricultural fields, ongoing drought conditions and strong wind patterns create an environment where hazardous dust storms can develop rapidly.

“In Kansas, a windy day can turn dangerous fast. Knowing how to react properly can save lives,” said Technical Trooper Tod Hileman.

Drivers are urged to prioritize safety over speed when encountering high winds or sudden reduced visibility. The high winds can create sudden gusts and cause larger vehicles, including large trucks, RVs and trailers, to sway or lose control.

Blowing dust adds another layer of danger, with visibility capable of dropping to zero within seconds. These sudden “brownout” conditions increase the likelihood of multi-vehicle crashes.

“It’s important to remember what to do in these situations, because these steps may be the difference between safety and disaster. We want the traveling public to be knowledgeable, so they can respond when visibility is low,” said KDOT Director of Safety Troy Whitworth.

The Pull Off, Lights Out campaign outlines several critical safety steps for motorists involving dust storms, which include:

• Avoid driving into or through a dust storm, if possible.
• Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible.
• Turn on low beam headlights if you must drive through dust.
• Never stop in a travel lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles.
• Turn off all vehicle lights, including headlights and emergency flashers, while parked.
• Set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal.
• Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the visibility to clear.

Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather alerts and be aware of rapidly changing conditions throughout the region. For current road conditions and traffic information before you leave, visit Kandrive.gov or call 511.

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NOTE: Media outlets are encouraged to use the link above or to download the PSA at https://kansashighwaypatrol.sharefile.com/share/view/sf4419024c00347888b1a50990bb1d7ae

Commerce Opens Applications for
Rural Champions Program

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that the Office of Rural Prosperity has opened applications for the third cohort of the Rural Champions program.

A total of $549,600 will be distributed across 12 rural Kansas communities with population of 40,000 or less to support the new cohort’s initiatives.

“Through the Rural Champions program, we’re empowering local leaders with a specific vision to create transformational change within their communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These grant opportunities provide the tools and resources these change agents need to remove barriers and enhance the quality of life in the place they call home.”

The Rural Champions program was designed to provide dedicated development support to cities, counties, community foundations, tribal nations and community organizations that have experienced difficulty making progress on critical local issues that hinder economic and community growth.

Offered in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Program, the Rural Champions program funds dedicated development assistance for rural communities that lack capital, expertise and other important resources to complete local projects.

“Rural Champions cohort communities have a deep understanding of their local challenges and opportunities and are committed to creating a positive future,” said Jessica Hunt, vice president of programs and strategy for the Patterson Family Foundation. “As our Foundation works toward thriving rural communities, we recognize that efforts like this can help launch new strategies toward complex rural issues.”

Since the Rural Champions program began in 2022, 26 communities have received funding to develop and create solutions for an array of different rural challenges. From establishing 24/7 mental health telehealth resources in Morton County to creating a collaborative homelessness service network in Emporia — or rebuilding a grocery store after a devastating fire in Dighton — this program is empowering rural communities across the state. Other project summaries can be found in the most recent Rural Champions Guidebook here.

The grants will provide cohort members with $20,800 as a stipend to compensate the Rural Champions as they work through locally identified key challenges. Awardees also receive an additional $25,000 grant at the end of the year to move communities into the implementation phase of their projects.

“The Rural Champions program has been impactful across the state — and has created a roadmap for other communities that face similar challenges,” Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said. “By providing resources and financial support, we’re able to uplift rural communities in all parts of the state regardless of zip code.”

To apply, a community must identify a Rural Champion and document a focus area that has been identified as a significant need. Additionally, applicants must provide matching support that includes a dedicated mentor, office space, equipment and a cash match to cover travel expenses for quarterly training. Applicants that provide an additional cash match to increase hours or pay for the Champion will receive added consideration in the review process.

Award announcements will be made in March.

Applications are being accepted until 5:00 p.m. February 20, 2026. Organizations that submit before January 5 can request a pre-review of their application.

An informational webinar will be presented at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 17. To register, click here.

For additional information and to read more about the projects from the previous cohorts, visit here or contact Kelli Hansen at (785) 230-9857 or [email protected].

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.

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Labor Report

September 2025

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has released the September 2025 Kansas Labor Report. The full report can be accessed here: September 2025 Kansas Labor Report.

Due to the lapse in federal funding during the federal government shutdown, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from Oct. 1, 2025, through Nov. 12, 2025. As a result, KDOL will not publish a separate report for the October 2025 Kansas Labor Report. Establishment survey data from the Current Employment Statistics program for October 2025 will be published with the November 2025 data. Household survey data from the Current Population Survey, which serve as the primary input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics models, were not collected for the October 2025 reference period due to a lapse in appropriations and will not be collected retroactively.

The November 2025 Kansas Labor Report will be released January 7, 2026. The release schedule for December 2025 has not yet been finalized. We will communicate the date when it becomes available.

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Kansas Broadband Receives Federal Approval for $166.6M BEAD Final Proposal

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved the Kansas Office of Broadband Development’s (KOBD) $166.6 million final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The approval represents a significant milestone toward delivering high-speed internet access to the 26,673 eligible households and businesses across Kansas.

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