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Category Archives: Kansas
Inclement weather possible: KDOT crews stand ready
Early weather forecasts from different weather services are showing the possibility of inclement weather affecting parts of Kansas as well as several northern and western states this holiday weekend.
If inclement weather does impact the highways, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is ready to treat roadways as needed. KDOT employees have been preparing since September: Salt, sand and brine materials have been ordered, trucks and other equipment have undergone preventive maintenance and crews have completed training courses.
“Whatever the obstacle, KDOT crew members work together and find a way to get the job done,” said Director of Field Operations Ron Hall. “Our crews always do their best to serve the public in their efforts to clear the highways.”
Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed shared a reminder for all travelers: “Check on road conditions and weather forecasts in advance and possibly delay travel plans. It’s important to stay informed, plan ahead and travel safe.”
Resources and safety reminders for motorists:
- Road conditions: Before traveling, check KanDrive.gov, KDOT’s road condition website, which is available 24/7 and provides camera views to see current conditions. Travelers can also download the KanDrive app in the App Store or Google Play.
- Keep an eye on forecasts: Forecasts will change up to and throughout the holiday weekend. Check weather sources for updated forecasts.
- Emergency kit: Motorists are reminded to travel with a stocked emergency kit in their vehicle.
- Emergency contacts: Travelers who are stranded or need assistance can call the Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch at *47 or the Kansas Turnpike Authority at *KTA if using the turnpike. If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Kansas maintains about 9,500 miles of highways, including more than 25,000 total lane and ramp miles. Clearing snow from these highways takes time, especially while the snow is still falling.
Secretary Reed emphasized the importance of safety for the crews working to keep roads open.
“KDOT employees work challenging 12-hour shifts to remove snow and ice from the highways,” said Secretary Reed. “Don’t drive in their blind spots and give them space to work so they can focus on the job.”
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Judicial branch launches new district court public records search tool
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Kansas Labor Statistics Are Delayed
Bureau of Labor Statistics Operations Have Resumed, October Labor Report Delayed
TOPEKA – Due to the lapse in federal funding, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025. As a result, the release of the October 2025 Kansas Labor Report, including jobs numbers and unemployment data, which was originally scheduled for November 21, was postponed until further notice.
With the conclusion of the federal government shutdown on November 12, 2025, BLS operations have resumed. While work is underway, updated release dates for the delayed Kansas Labor Market reports for September and October are not yet available. The Kansas Department of Labor will share the new release dates as soon as they are confirmed.
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Bronson Receives $199K Grant for Sidewalks And Playground Equipment
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KS Health/Environment Launches New Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard
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Kansas Campsite Reservations For 2026 Available December 1
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Input Sought On Public Lands Trail Cameras
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Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan Priorities
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced priorities for the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan, which has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the state’s application for the $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Through this program, Kansas could receive significant federal funding to improve the health and sustainability of rural communities statewide.
“Our Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan will fundamentally change the delivery of health care in rural communities across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m confident that Kansas’ plan, crafted by leading experts, will lay the groundwork to build a more collaborative, more efficient health care system that provides the right care, at the right time, in the right place.”
The plan’s goals are to:
- Improve rural Kansans’ health outcomes and transform the delivery system by implementing and sustaining initiatives that promote preventive health care and address root causes of diseases,
- Enhance rural health care providers’ efficiency and sustainability,
- Attract and retain a high-skilled health care workforce,
- Spark growth of innovative care models in rural communities that improve quality of care while reducing costs, and,
- Foster the use of innovative technologies to increase access to care for rural Kansans.
The plan development was led by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), in partnership with the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance (KRHIA) and the University of Kansas Care Collaborative. Public KRHIA meetings were held to discuss and refine the initiatives to be included in the plan.
If awarded, KDHE will serve as the lead agency implementing Kansas’ Rural Health Transformation Plan. The KRHIA will continue to serve as the primary vehicle for stakeholder engagement throughout the implementation of these initiatives.
The KRHIA worked with the state application team to identify key initiatives to achieve the plan’s goals. The following initiatives are included in Kansas’ application:
- Expand Primary and Secondary Prevention Programs to reduce chronic disease rates by increasing access to preventive screenings, behavioral health services, and nutrition counseling.
- Secure Local Access to Primary Care for rural Kansans to receive care earlier on in the appropriate setting and within their communities – thereby strengthening the fiscal sustainability for rural Kansas hospitals.
- Build a Sustainable Rural Health Workforce to ensure more rural Kansans have access to primary care, dental, and behavioral health providers and ease nursing and allied health shortages in rural Kansas.
- Enable Value-Based Care to have 100% of rural Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in accountable care relationships by 2031 that focus on improving patient health outcomes while lowering the total cost of care.
- Harness Data and Technology to enable rural Kansas providers to expand the use of telehealth and remote monitoring, utilization of consumer-facing technologies, and meaningfully engage in data sharing and analysis of aggregated patient and outcome data.
CMS is expected to announce funding awards by Dec. 31, 2025. The project narrative, which contains additional details about the contents of Kansas’ application, can be found here.
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KS Tax Collections Up 7.5% Above Estimate
October Total Tax Collections at $695.6 Million; 7.2% Above Estimate
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends October 2025 with total tax collections at $695.6 million. That is $47.0 million, or 7.2%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were up 4.1% from October 2024.
“While this month’s tax collections indicate some good news, corporate income tax collections have significantly missed the mark, which is concerning,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My administration will continue to monitor revenues and prioritize fiscal responsibility as I craft my Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal.”
Individual income tax collections were $367.4 million. That is $67.4 million, or 22.5% above the estimate. Individual income tax collections were up 17.9% from October 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $15.9 million. That is $24.1 million, or 60.2% below the estimate, and down 58.2% from October 2024.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $289.5 million, which is $3.5 million, or 1.2% above the estimate, and down 1.7% from October 2024.
Click here to view the October 2025 revenue numbers.
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Ks Governor Sues Attorney General
Governor Kelly Sues Attorney General Kobach in Kansas Supreme Court to Protect
Governor’s Constitutional Authority
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Kris Kobach in the Kansas Supreme Court to protect the State of Kansas and the constitutional powers of the Office of the Governor. The lawsuit is necessary due to Attorney General Kobach’s failure to defend Kansans against the Trump Administration’s unlawful federal overreach, despite repeated requests from Governor Kelly to do so.
“Time and again, Attorney General Kobach’s blatant partisanship is on display, harming and embarrassing Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “While he was quick to sue the previous presidential administration, alleging he would protect Kansans from federal overreach, he has not once followed through on that claim now that the Trump Administration has repeatedly done just that. Not only has the Attorney General’s willful ignorance undermined my administration’s efforts to protect Kansans, but it has also cost our state millions of dollars for essential programs and services. If the Attorney General refuses to stand up for Kansas, at least Kansans can rest assured knowing that I will.”
The Attorney General’s refusal to stand up for the State of Kansas has prompted Governor Kelly to join two recent federal lawsuits. The most recent being the lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeking release of congressionally approved emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance to nearly 188,000 Kansans. November benefits for this program are not expected to be available due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. More information about this lawsuit can be found here.
In August, Governor Kelly also joined a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Trump Administration from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved funds for several public health and safety programs including testing for lead in schools and child care facilities, environmental cleanup, ensuring the safety of dams, and financing to improve drinking water safety. More information about this lawsuit can be found here.
In September, Attorney General Kobach filed suit against Governor Kelly and the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) asking the court to force the Governor and DCF to turn over the personal information of thousands of Kansans in response to an unlawful federal request. Governor Kelly and DCF successfully dismissed Attorney General Kobach’s egregious attempt to compromise the privacy of thousands of Kansans.
Attorney General Kobach has previously incorrectly asserted that he alone controls litigation on behalf of the State of Kansas. The Kansas Constitution makes clear that the governor is the ‘supreme executive’ of the state, meaning that Governor Kelly has the constitutional authority to control the decisions of the executive branch.
The lawsuit Governor Kelly filed today asks the Kansas Supreme Court for an order in quo warranto against the Attorney General to prevent him from intruding on the Governor’s ‘supreme executive’ power as the head of the executive branch so she can continue to defend Kansans without interference from Attorney General Kobach.
A copy of the lawsuit’s petition can be found here and a copy of the memorandum in support can be found here.
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Governor Kelly Issues Statement on Order in SNAP Benefits Case
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