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Category Archives: Kansas
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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KS Commerce Launches New Program to Power Research, Innovation
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program (Phases 0 and 1), a new initiative to help Kansas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers compete and win in the national innovation arena. The program will enable Kansas to leverage federal funding and research and development opportunities more effectively through strategic partnerships that help companies enhance their global competitiveness while strengthening the state’s role in advancing national security.
“As called for in the Kansas Framework for Growth, this program will allow strategic investments in our state’s innovation economy and our talented innovators,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By supporting high-quality proposals and helping Kansas companies commercialize their technologies, we are strengthening our state’s competitive edge and attracting impactful federal funding to support innovation, research and technology development.”
The program brings together a consortium of support partners – Kansas Office of Innovation, Kansas FAST Program, Kansas Small Business Administration, Kansas Small Business Development Center, Kansas EPSCOR, Network Kansas, KU Innovation Park, Kansas State University, and others – to provide early-stage funding, wrap-around technical assistance, and commercialization support as Kansas-based applicants pursue federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Through the proposal development assistance (Phase 0) and state matching funds for awarded projects (Phase 1), the ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program will help deliver Kansas’ fair share of federal research and development funding.
The highlights of the program include:
- Funding Available: $250,000
- Award Amounts for Phase 0: Up to $3,000 per award with a required 50% match
- Award Amounts for Phase 1: Up to $25,000 (must include proof of federal award)
- Eligible Applicants: Kansas-based for-profit small businesses that meet all federal SBIR/STTR requirements and conduct at least 51% of Phase 1 research in Kansas
By supporting both early-stage proposal development and successful awardees, the program aims to increase the number, quality and success rate of SBIR and STTR proposals from Kansas and fuel economic growth statewide.
“This program is the direct result of the hard work and advocacy of our growing innovation ecosystem,” Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said. “Through the ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program, the Office of Innovation is doubling down on its commitment to support Kansas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers – helping them accelerate the journey from idea to commercialization and bring groundbreaking solutions born right here in Kansas to market.”
Applications opened today, October 31, and will close Friday, November 28.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to join any or all of the information sessions to learn more about the application process and the network of support available to them. Information sessions will take place:
- Virtual, 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, register here
- In-person, 11:00 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Groover Labs, 334 N. Saint Francis Ave., Wichita
- In-person, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Innovate 24, 1880 Kimball Ave., Ste 120, Manhattan
- In-person, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, KU Innovation Park, 2029 Becker Dr., Lawrence
- Virtual, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, register here
For more details, application information or questions about the program, visit the website here or contact Brandon Hutton 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.
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KS Governor Sues Trump Administration
Governor Kelly Sues Trump Administration
for Illegally Suspending SNAP Benefits
~~Coalition Urges Court to Immediately Restore SNAP Funding
Relied Upon by 42 Million Americans~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”
On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them.
Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.
The lapse in benefits 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. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.
In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.
While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.
Joining Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.
Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at dcf.ks.gov.
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Kansas Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1
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Safety Tips For Halloween
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TOPEKA – With just a few safety steps, you can prevent children from going bump in the night to ensure a happy Halloween. Injuries can be scary, but the good news is they are preventable. Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center and the Kansas State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of your fall festivity planning.
Child pedestrian injuries are more likely on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as more children will be on the streets and sidewalks. Kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.
Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house. Children younger than age 12 should not cross streets on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager. If your children are mature enough to be out without supervision, make sure they keep to familiar areas that are well-lit, stick to a pre-planned route and trick-or-treat in groups. Carry a cell phone in case of an emergency but pay attention to your surroundings and don’t be distracted by texting or talking on the phone.
“On Halloween night, it’s important to see and be seen,” Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas, said. “Carry a flashlight and have your trick-or-treaters wear reflective tape or stickers on costumes and treat bags.”
Remind children to be careful with candy. It’s hard to resist the temptation to dive right into treats, but it is best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware that kids are in a candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away and keep the Poison Help number programmed into your phone: 1-800-222-1222.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source. Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery-powered candles or lights. Remember to ensure your family has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, both inside and outside of every sleeping area.
“Our goal is to keep every trick-or-treater safe this Halloween,” Mark Engholm, Kansas Fire Marshal, said. “Use battery-powered candles, watch for trip hazards and remind kids to stay alert and visible while out collecting treats.”
With Halloween just a week away, follow these tips to ensure everyone has a fun and safe holiday:
Costume Safety
- Choose costumes and decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
- Prevent trips and falls by choosing a costume that is the right size and choose non-toxic face paint and makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Make trick-or-treaters visible to drivers with reflective tape or stickers and carry glow sticks and flashlights to help see and be seen. Remind kids not to chew or bite glow sticks, as the liquid inside can irritate their mouths and eyes.
Decorate Safely
- Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, including candles, light bulbs and heaters.
- Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and decorations.
- Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
- If you are attending parties or haunted houses, look for the exits in case of an emergency.
- If using dry ice, wear gloves or use tongs when handling it, and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
- Stick to sidewalks or paths. Do not walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be hazards you can’t see.
- If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Only cross the street at corners and crosswalks – not between parked cars – and make eye contact and wave at drivers before crossing to ensure they see you.
- Pay attention to your surroundings and put away phones and other potential distractions.
Drive Safely
- Slow down and be alert in residential neighborhoods, especially when turning at intersections or entering and exiting driveways and alleys. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
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About Safe Kids Kansas Safe Kids Kansas is a non-profit coalition of statewide partners working to prevent childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability in children. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment serves as the Lead Agency for the coalition.
Visit us at safekidskansas.org, Facebook and Instagram.
About the Kansas State Fire Marshal
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Kansas from the hazards of fire, explosion and hazardous materials. KSFM’s aims to reduce the deaths, injuries, and property losses of Kansans through inspection, enforcement, regulation, investigation, hazardous material incident mitigation and public education.
Visit us at firemarshal.ks.gov, on Facebook or X/Twitter.
About the Kansas Poison Center The Kansas Poison Center at The University of Kansas Health System serves the entire state of Kansas 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are free, fast and confidential. Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.
KDOT seeking comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the Federal Fiscal Year 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at ksdot.gov/about/publications-
The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes November 6. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at 785-296-2252.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, 785-296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
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KS Department of Agriculture Crop and Livestock Research Grant Opportunity
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the FY26 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 grant funds are in turn awarded to projects and organizations based on their alignment with the State Water Plan and their potential impact on the Kansas agriculture industry. Areas of particular interest include improving the performance and marketability of drought-tolerant crops; improving the ability of farmers to reduce input requirements, increase effectiveness, and reduce nutrient runoff; and agriculture innovations that reduce water use, improve water quality, or improve drought resilience.
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 November 25, 2025. For more information, please download and carefully read the FY26 Request for Applications document from the KDA website: agriculture.ks.gov/grants.
The funding appropriation for the FY26 Crop & Livestock Research Program is $450,000. Applicants may request up to $100,000 per project, and projects can be up to two 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.
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