Category Archives: Kansas

Entertainment, Government, Kansas

“To The Stars” From KWPT

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Division of Tourism Launches New Tagline Celebrating Spirit of Kansas

 

TOPEKA – The Tourism Division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism introduced its new tourism marketing tagline and campaign last week, which honors and celebrates the perseverance that defines what it means to be a Kansan.

 

The new tagline – To The Stars – builds upon the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, meaning “to the stars through difficulty.”

 

“‘To The Stars’ reminds us who we are and shows us where to go,” said Kansas Tourism director Bridgette Jobe. “It’s a salute to the free-spirited. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.”

 

The coming year will continue with stories and features on the Kansas Tourism website, TravelKS.com, that build on and further develop To The Stars.

 

Travelers are encouraged to learn about the perseverance that embodies To The Stars displayed by Free Staters in the war against slavery, dust bowl farmers, Santa Fe Trail pioneers, Amelia Earhart, Nicodemus settlers, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, plaintiffs in the Brown v Board of Education landmark case, Greensburg residents, and many other notable Kansans who charged ahead despite adversity. More information about these historical figures, including places to visit to learn about them, can be found on the Kansas Tourism Blog and at TravelKS.com.

 

“Like many of us, the travel industry in our state and nation is experiencing unprecedented challenges amidst the global pandemic,” Jobe said. “‘To The Stars’ is as relevant as ever for Kansas, and now we have a chance to learn more about, and take hold of, the fortitude that has forged our state by visiting sites that commemorate them.”

 

The Division of Tourism is encouraging #SafeTravels which includes physical distancing while exploring Kansas’ wide spaces and unspoiled beauty.

 

“Everyone is looking for what they can do with their family this summer, and fantastic experiences are waiting just down the road in Kansas,” Jobe said. “Take a road trip to find a new adventure – whether that’s a visit to the Fort Scott National Historic Site to learn more about Bleeding Kansas, a hike at our newest state park Little Jerusalem Badlands, or traveling to buy local beef from a producer and seeing Kansas along the way.”

 

T-shirts and other merchandise featuring new To The Stars and Kansas designs are available at the Kansas Gear Store on TravelKS.com.

Government, Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly Announces the Phase-In of Drive Tests

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Dept. of Revenue takes precautions against COVID-19 while keeping safety and health top-of-mind

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly directed the Kansas Department of Revenue to begin phasing in the availability of drive tests. To start administering these tests, steps had to be taken to ensure the health and well-being of all who interact with the Kansas Department of Revenue offices.

 

“A significant part of getting Kansans back to work and back to school, is getting them back on the road,” Governor Kelly said. “By phasing in our drive tests statewide, with the proper health and safety protocol in mind, we make sure Kansans can travel to work, school, or to the grocery store.”

 

Examiners will be outfitted with face masks and gloves. Additional protective equipment may be worn when administering these tests. All people inside a vehicle in which a driving test is being administered are required to wear a face mask. If an applicant declines to wear a mask, a test can be rescheduled for a later time once circumstances call for mask use to subside.

 

This is in addition to continuing the implementation of social distancing guidelines and requiring appointments and screenings upon entering offices.

 

“The operational processes we have implemented will help us continue our services in a healthy manner while also ensuring Kansans get back on the road safely,” said David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles.

 

To see if an office is offering the drive test and instructions on making an appointment, customers are asked to visit www.ksrevenue.org/reopening.html.

 

The following offices will make drive tests available beginning June 22, 2020.

County Office Address
Allen 1 N. Washington, Iola
Barton 1400 Main St., Room 207, Great Bend
Bourbon 108 W. 2nd, Fort Scott
Butler 640 N. Andover Rd., Andover
Cherokee 1101 E. St., Baxter Springs
Cloud 811 Washington, Suite B, Concordia
Cowley 320 E. 9th St., Winfield
Crawford 202 E. Centennial Dr., Suite C11A, Pittsburg
Douglas 1035 N. 3rd St., Suite 119, Lawrence
Ellis 1222 Canterbury Dr., Hays
Finney 2506 N. John St., Garden City
Ford 2601 Central Ave., Dodge City
Franklin 225 S. Walnut St., Ottawa
Johnson 6507 Johnson Dr., Mission
Johnson 13507 S. MurLen Suite #137 Olathe
Johnson 7600 W. 119th St., Suite D, Overland Park
McPherson 322 N. Main St., Suite 205, McPherson
Montgomery 404 N. 14th St., Independence
Nemaha 203 N. 8th St., Suite 2, Seneca
Neosho 301 West 14th St., Chanute
Phillips 520 S. 7th St., Phillipsburg
Pratt 300 S. Ninnescah St., Pratt
Reno 125 W. 2nd St., Suite A, Hutchinson
Riley 8200 S. Port Dr., Suite 105, Manhattan
Saline 2910 Arnold, Salina
Scott 303 Court St., #6, Scott City
Sedgwick 620 N. Rock Rd., Suite 300, Derby
Sedgwick 1873 W. 21st N, Wichita Twin Lakes
Seward 615 N. Kansas Ave. B, Liberal
Shawnee 300 SW 29th St., Topeka
Thomas 990 S. Range St., #3, Colby
Wyandotte 155 S. 18th St., Kansas City

 

The Division of Vehicles continues to encourage Kansans to renew their driver’s licenses online by using iKan, the state’s official app for online driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. The app can be accessed by going to www.ikan.ks.gov, or by searching iKan and downloading from the Apple App or Google Play mobile stores.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Osawatomie State Hospital Has One Staff Positive for COVID 19

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COVID-19 Case at Osawatomie State Hospital; Kansas Neurological Institute Reports 12 Cases

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today that one staff member at Osawatomie State Hospital (OSH) has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first positive case at OSH in either residents or staff. Howard also announced the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) has 12 new positives cases in five staff members and seven residents.

To protect the identity of staff and residents at each hospital, no further information will be released.

Friday, June 19, an employee at OSH reported a positive test result to the hospital’s infection control nurse. In coordination with the Miami County Health Department, all 11 residents on the unit who were in close contact with the positive employee will be tested as a priority. A testing strategy that reaches beyond those working or living on the unit is currently being discussed and several steps have been taken to further maximize safety precautions already in place to minimize risk of further exposure:

  • Any employee with direct, close contact with the positive employee has been contacted and begun a 14-day quarantine as instructed by the Miami County Health Department.
  • Any patients directly exposed to the positive employee are strongly encouraged to isolate in their room and wear a facemask anytime they leave their room. Patients on the unit where the employee worked will remain on the unit and are being closely monitored for any change in status. COVID-19 testing will be implemented at the appropriate time according to time of exposure.
  • At this time, there will be no admissions to the affected unit. All staff working on the affected unit are required to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, to include nurses, other professionals, security and housekeeping.
  • Separate entrances and exits have been established on the affected unit to minimize exposure to staff and patients on other units.
  • The frequently touched surfaces in the affected unit are now being disinfected three times per shift.

“This is an extremely stressful time for patients, their loved ones and our staff members,” OSH Superintendent Kristin Feeback said. “We recognize that communication with patients, families and staff is critically important, especially after a confirmed COVID-19 case. I appreciate our staff being so responsive and adaptive to the instructions given by local health officials to make sure we do all we can to prevent the spread of the virus as effectively as possible.”

Thursday, June 18, KNI reported one staff member and one resident in the same home on campus tested positive for COVID-19 and at least one more staff member was symptomatic. Officials at KNI worked in collaboration with the Kansas Department for Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Shawnee County Health Department to administer more than 80 tests to all staff working in the affected home as well as all residents in the building where that home is located. At the time of this release, those tests have resulted in positive cases in five staff members and seven residents in three living units covering two campus buildings. Three of the 12 positive cases at KNI are symptomatic, but zero currently require hospitalization.

KDHE and KNI and local health department officials are expanding testing on campus in the coming days to include all staff in potentially affected areas with a goal of an additional 200 staff tested by end of day today. Residents in all three affected living units have already been tested. KNI continues to follow similar PPE practices to those implemented at OSH.

“We are thankful to the health officials at the state and local level for their quick and effective communication and response,” KNI Superintendent Brent Widick said. “Our residents are like family and we work very hard to keep them safe, so this kind of news takes a real emotional toll on our staff.”

KNI reported its first two cases of staff members on April 17 this year. Both of those cases have been cleared.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Government, Kansas

KS Is NOT Phasing Out of Phase 3, Due To Increase in COVID 19

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Governor Laura Kelly Recommends Kansas Stay in Phase 3 of “Ad Astra” Plan

 

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that communities do not move into Phase Out of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” which was originally planned to begin June 22, and instead stay in Phase 3 for at least two more weeks.

 

“Though many Kansans and communities have been social distancing, wearing masks, and working hard over the past few weeks to mitigate the spread of the virus, we have unfortunately seen an increase in disease spread,” Governor Kelly said. “After consulting with Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE, I have decided that our state is not ready to move into the final phase of the ‘Ad Astra’ plan until July 6, 2020, at the earliest.”

 

The emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties continuing with Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.

 

“My administration is dedicated to getting Kansans back to work and back to school, in the safest way possible. We can’t do that if every person and community does not follow the Phase 3 guidelines,” Governor Kelly said. “Please wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands often. Our state’s economic recovery depends on it.”

 

Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:

 

  • Mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals are not recommended;

 

  • All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and are recommended to follow all public health guidelines;

 

  • On-site staffing has no recommended restrictions;

 

 

As always, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

 

  • Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;

 

  • Remaining home when sick or running a fever;

 

  • Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;

 

  • Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;

 

“Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas Fiscal Budget 2021

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Governor Laura Kelly’s SPARK Taskforce Approves Resolution, Budget for Fiscal Year 2021

 

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee approved proposed operating expenditures for the Recovery Office and SPARK Taskforce for the 2021 fiscal year.

 

“Kansas communities and businesses are hurting from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Governor Kelly said. “We must get these resources to Kansas counties as quickly as possible. To do that, we need an office infrastructure that’s prepared to administer these funds efficiently and effectively.”

 

The FY21 budget, as approved, accounts for roughly 0.25% of the state’s overall allocation of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The proposal will now advance to State Finance Council for consideration and final approval on Thursday, June 25.

 

“Today’s Executive Committee decision will ensure the Recovery Office has adequate resources to develop the necessary framework and structure for administering the state’s portion of the CARES Act’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF),” Executive Director Cheryl Harrison Lee said.

 

The Executive Committee also approved a resolution stipulating compliance with all federal guidance that must be adopted by counties receiving funding in Round 1 prior to drawing down CRF funds.

 

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Addresses Claims For Unemployment Insurance

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Governor Laura Kelly Takes Immediate Action to Address KDOL’s Unemployment Insurance Caseload

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced multiple actions she will be taking to address the issues impacting the Kansas Department of Labor’s (KDOL) ability to handle the volume of claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI).

 

Governor Laura Kelly accepted KDOL Secretary Delía García’s resignation and the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Ryan Wright will serve as acting Secretary of Labor until a permanent candidate is nominated for appointment. Governor Kelly will also bring in specialists to look for ways to improve response times for Kansans applying for UI, implement new processes to manage the caseload, and mitigate future backlogs and errors that have occurred while attempting to deliver payments.

 

“As Governor, I’m responsible for KDOL’s handling of unemployment claims. I am taking immediate action to ensure Kansans who are out of work, through no fault of their own, are getting the assistance they need,” Governor Kelly said. “I want to thank Secretary García for her service to Kansas. While states around the country have struggled to manage unemployment claims during the worst public health crisis in a century, Secretary García inherited an agency that had its funding, its technology, and its staff gutted by the previous administration.”

 

On June 10th, duplicate payments were made to more than 4500 claimants of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and some Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) claimants for a total of about $7 million. Without consulting Governor Kelly, on June 18th, KDOL began attempting to reverse the duplicate payments in a process known as a “clawback.” The clawback caused some PUA and FPUC recipients’ bank accounts to be overdrawn.

 

KDOL is working with its partner banks to identify and reimburse any PUA or FPUC recipient whose account was overdrawn because of the clawback. KDOL will also create a special hotline and an email for Kansans who have been impacted.

 

“These last few months have been unusually stressful on everyone. State government employees in Kansas and around the country have been asked to deal with an unusually high volume of activity. We have a responsibility to the people we represent to get it right. And when we don’t, we’ll make the changes needed to fix the problem,” Governor Kelly said. “I will use every resource at my disposal to ensure that we improve our response time to Kansans and build an infrastructure at KDOL that will be prepared in the event of further economic impacts from COVID-19.”

Government, Kansas

Use of right of way limited to highway purposes

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The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to remind the public that according to state law, all rights of way on state highways are to be used exclusively for highway purposes. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system.

 

The violation that occurs frequently is the placement of various signs that are removed and taken to local KDOT offices. However, it is also unlawful for any persons to display on highway right of way outside the city limits any goods, wares or merchandise for sale.

 

One exception to this is the sale of farm or garden products, but these sales must be made exclusively at the entrance to the farm or garden where they were produced as long as the sales are conducted a safe distance from the traveled way.

 

Any other location of these sales violates state law and will be removed by KDOT and/or law enforcement.

Government, Kansas

U.S. Supreme Court Decides to Uphold DACA

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Governor Laura Kelly’s Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold DACA

 

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly on the United States Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold protections for Dreamers was the right one. Dreamers have contributed much to our communities and to our economy, and ending DACA would have cost our state more than $335.9 million every year.

“There are more than 6,000 DACA recipients in Kansas — they serve in our military, work in our hospitals, teach our kids, and pay taxes. They were brought here as children, this is their home, they belong here.”

Business, Government, Kansas

KCC Investigates Evergy Agreement with Eliot International

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Out of concern for customers, KCC launches an investigation into Evergy’s deal with asset management company Elliot International

TOPEKA – This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission voted to open a general investigation into an agreement between regulated utility, Evergy, and asset management company Elliot International. The agreement, reached in February, requires the utility to consider cutting costs or pursuing a merger transaction in order to increase shareholder profits.

KCC staff petitioned Commissioners to launch the investigation out of serious concern that the agreement could negatively affect Kansas electric customers.

“Staff is very concerned that Elliott’s focus on increasing shareholder value will place Evergy’s customers at a high risk of paying higher rates or receiving lower quality service in order to support an increase in shareholder value,”  the KCC filing said.

By opening an investigation, the Commission, stakeholders and customers will be fully informed of the analysis and rationale of Evergy’s decisions relating to the Elliott agreement.

Staff’s report outlines an extensive number of issues that present a challenge to Elliot’s shareholder enhancement concept. Those include:

  • Merger commitments made in 2018 when the Commission approved the merger of Westar and Kansas City Power & Light into one company now known as Evergy.
  • KCC Staff and Evergy rate studies that point to extensive capital expense investments and reduced sales as major drivers of the increases in Evergy’s rates.
  • Legislative efforts to reduce Evergy’s rates to become more regionally competitive.
  • The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evergy will be required to file a report addressing questions posed by KCC staff no later than two weeks after its board makes a decision whether to pursue a cost reduction plan or a merger transaction. The deadline for that vote is August 17.

Today’s order can be viewed at http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=509dd85d-5964-4d3c-923d-1f2ba1811834

Government, Kansas

Driver’s License Renewal Made Easier

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Executive Order Extending Relief from Online Driver’s License Renewal Age Restrictions

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she signed an Executive Order Monday that will help make renewing driver’s licenses easier for people across the state.

 

Executive Order #20-46 offers temporary relief from age restrictions that prohibit applicants 50 years of age or older from applying to renew their driver’s license online. Under the new order, all drivers under the age of 65 are permitted to use the online renewal system.

 

“Providing every opportunity for Kansans who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 to conduct business virtually is crucial in our efforts to safely get Kansans back to work and back to school as quickly as possible,” Governor Kelly said. “This order is one of several actions my administration is working on to help Kansans return to normal while making sure we protect the health of our of seniors and others who are at higher risk in this pandemic.”

 

The order will remain in place until rescinded, until July 31, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier.

 

To view Executive Order #20-46, click here.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas Quarantine List Changes

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KDHE adds states to travel quarantine list, removes others

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added three states to the quarantine list: Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas, and removed six states from the list: Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. This is effective for persons returning today, June 17, and moving forward. The state will review/update this list on July 1.

 

A comprehensive list of those individuals in Kansas needing to quarantine for 14 days includes those who have:

 

Traveled to:

  • Maryland on or after May 12.
  • Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas on or after June 17.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
  • International travel on or after March 15.

 

Others needing to continue quarantining:

  • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

 

Please note these quarantine orders do not apply to critical infrastructure sectors needed to continue operations during this pandemic. Public health, including hospitals, clinics, law enforcement, meatpacking supply, etc. need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans. While KDHE strongly recommends these quarantine restrictions for everyone, we do recognize that services need to continue. KDHE encourages facilities to ensure they have updated their Emergency Preparedness Plans and implement protocols to ensure that no employee comes to work symptomatic.

 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

 COVID-19 Relief Funding for Kansas Counties, Agencies 

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State Finance Council Approves COVID-19 Relief Funding for Kansas Counties, Agencies 

 

TOPEKA – The State Finance Council today approved the distribution of $400 million in funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to local Kansas governments to help combat the health and economic challenges COVID-19 has brought on their communities, and to help prepare for possible future outbreaks of the disease.  

 

“This first round of coronavirus aid will be critical as we work to get Kansans back to work and school, in the safest way possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m pleased that the State Finance Council acted quickly, and in the best interest of Kansans. We must continue to provide our communities with the resources needed to mitigate the spread of the virus and revitalize our state’s economy.”  

 

The initial funding proposal came from Governor Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee, which is charged with distributing over a billion dollars in federal funds Kansas received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  

 
“The funds approved today are a great first step in helping our communities recover from the unique health and economic challenges created by COVID-19,” said Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Executive Director of the Recovery Office. “We will continue to consult with community members as well as experts from the public and private sectors so that our local governments can access funding that fulfills their individual recovery and preparedness needs.”   

 

Under the first round of funding, each county will receive resources based on their population, case rates and unemployment rates. Funds will be provided to counties for both reimbursement and direct aid for eligible expenditures under the CARES Act. 

 

The State Finance Council today also approved reimbursement for COVID-19-related costs for state agencies totaling $16.7 million, as well as FY 2020 expenditures for the Office of Recovery. 

 

“These reimbursements will help offset the unexpected expenses caused by COVID-19 so that Kansans can continue to receive agency support,” Governor Kelly said. “Now more than ever, our state agencies must be ready to offer their quality, much-needed services to the people of Kansas.”

 

Other actions taken by the State Finance Council in relation to COVID-19 relief:  

 

·         Approved allocation of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) to the Kansas Board of Regents;  

·         Approved expenditures from other agency federal funds that receive grants for the purpose of federal coronavirus relief.