PRATT – Hunters looking for unique opportunities on public and private lands across Kansas can apply for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ Special Hunts program in July. The program offers more than 400 limited-access hunting opportunities throughout the fall and winter, providing access to areas that are not typically open to hunting or are managed to provide high-quality hunting experiences.

The Special Hunts program includes opportunities for deer, upland game, waterfowl, dove, turkey, and furbearers on select public lands, private lands, and wildlife areas across the state. While participation in the program is free, hunters must obtain all applicable hunting licenses, permits, tags, and stamps as required by Kansas law.

Applications for all fall and winter Special Hunts will be accepted July 1–31, 2026. Hunts can be viewed and applications submitted at ksoutdoors.gov/special-hunts. Successful applicants will be selected by a random draw with notification emails sent in mid-August.

Resident and nonresident hunters may apply, though some hunts are restricted to Kansas 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 16 or younger, accompanied by a non-hunting adult age 18 or older. Some hunts 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 can hunt, unless otherwise specified.
• Disabled Hunts are intended for hunters with disabilities. Applicants must have a valid Disabled Identification Card issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue for disabled parking privileges. Some hunts may have specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants are responsible for meeting all eligibility requirements and obtaining any required licenses, permits, tags, or stamps before participating. Hunter Education certification is required unless exempt by Kansas law. Nonresident hunters applying for deer Special Hunts must have successfully drawn the appropriate Kansas deer permit to participate in deer hunts.

For complete program information, hunt listings, eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit ksoutdoors.gov/special-hunts.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program is accepting new member applications from Kansas communities. KCE supports locally driven projects that strengthen quality of place, volunteer engagement and long-term community vibrancy. The enrollment period will close August 31.

Backed by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the program provides tools, training and funding that help local leaders turn great ideas into lasting impact.

“Kansas communities are full of character, history and charm — and those qualities aren’t just a point of pride, they’re an economic asset,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Any project — big or small — can turn charm into growth, and that’s exactly what this partnership with the state is designed to do.”

There are three participation tiers applicants can choose from: Communities of Growth, Communities of Action and Communities of Excellence. Communities select what they believe is the best fit for their goals, capacity and preferred level of involvement. For information about each tier, click here.

Admission into the KCE program provides eligibility for both Kickstart and Impact grants. Kickstart grants are designed to build momentum and capacity through smaller, community-driven projects, where Impact grants are meant to support larger, long-term investments.

For the 2026-2027 cycle, the total amount of available funding for the Kickstart grant is $40,000. Application reviews take place monthly. Funding is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For this period of funding, the Impact Grant will have $60,000 in total with $30,000 available for each round. The first round was awarded in May, and the final round will be announced in December.

The grants are administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and funded in part by the Patterson Family Foundation, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Sunflower Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.

“The Kansas Community Empowerment program is ideal for any sized, rural Kansas community,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “With the learning opportunities and funding resources this program offers, you can make extraordinary things happen in your community.”

Enrolled communities will participate in monthly check-ins, quarterly training courses and optional pop-up events. This year, communities will attend the inaugural awards banquet, coinciding with a Legislative Day on the Hill. During these events, organizations and communities are encouraged to speak to their legislators about the importance of community development and in turn be recognized for their work.

“KCE’s new chapter with Commerce will help continue to grow our vision of creating more vibrant communities with a positive future,” KCE Board President Doug Helmke said.

Applications must be submitted through the Kansas Community Empowerment online application system.

Communities that have already enrolled in KCE do not need to enroll again unless there is a change in tier status. Questions regarding enrollment applications or funding should be directed to the KCE team at [email protected].

For application details, eligibility requirements and webinar information, visit the Kansas Community Empowerment webpage or contact Matthew Morrison at [email protected].

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture invites you to join them in Manhattan this summer as they discuss growth opportunities for agriculture at the 11th annual Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth on Thursday, August 20, at the Hilton Garden Inn at 410 S. 3rd Street in downtown Manhattan.

Each year, the Ag Summit takes on new challenges, and that has led to different formats in the last couple of years. This Summit will again see a significant change, as the whole day will be focused on transportation in agriculture, including the infrastructure, logistics, and networks that support the movement of Kansas agricultural products from farm to market. We will examine issues related to these topics through our speakers and panels, including a look at the new commodity flow study, a discussion about state infrastructure, and an examination of what improvements are needed to expand market access for Kansas producers.

The keynote speaker, Alejandra Castillo, president and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association, will share expertise related to trade opportunities and how investments in domestic infrastructure can solidify Kansas as a consistent international trade partner in the long term.

Along with this shift to a focused topic, another change to note is that KDA will not be hosting the annual social this year, but instead will be encouraging attendees to attend the K-State College of Agriculture’s ribbon cutting for the new agronomy innovation complex, which will be taking place shortly after the end of the Summit.

Due to the generosity of the sponsors, there is no cost to attend the Ag Growth Summit events, but it is important that attendees register by August 5 to guarantee a meal. After that date, walk-ins will be accepted as space allows. Registration can be found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/Summit.

All farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners and industry professionals are welcome at the 2026 Ag Growth Summit — if you’re committed to working for agricultural growth in Kansas, please join KDA in this effort.

If you have questions about the 2026 Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth, please contact Naomi Hawkinson at [email protected] or 785-564-6799.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.

The water recreation season in Kansas officially runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, as do the harmful algae blooms (HAB) response program’s active operations. Kansans should remain vigilant while engaging in activities taking place in or on the water, such as swimming, boating, and fishing.

A HAB may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g., direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache.

If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported as soon as possible at kdhe.ks.gov/1163.

Active Advisories

WARNING

• Gathering Pond, Geary County
• King Lake, Lyon County
• Kirwin Lake, Phillips County
• Lake Afton, Sedgwick County

WATCH

• Clinton Lake, Douglas County
• Ford County Lake, Ford County
• Jewell State Fishing Lake, Jewell County
• Marion Reservoir, Marion County (Lowered July 2)
• Jeffrey Energy Center Make-up Lake, Pottawatomie County
• Chisholm Ridge Ponds (Clearwater), Sedgwick County

LIFT

• Augusta Santa Fe Lake, Butler County
• Jetmore City Lake, Hodgeman County
• Marion County Lake, Marion County
• Pomona Lake, Osage County
• Wellington Lake, Sumner County

A Hazard status indicates that a HAB is present, and extreme conditions exist.

When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone, be closed to the public.
• In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary.
• In zoned lakes, if a lake zone is issued at a Hazard level, all other adjacent lake zones may be recommended for an advisory status dependent on lake conditions.

A Warning status indicates that a HAB is expected or present.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.
• Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
• Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
• Water contact should be avoided.
• Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
• Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
• If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
• Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

A Watch status means that a HAB is possible and may be present.

When a watch is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
• Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
• Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
• Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water and wash with clean water after any contact.
• Clean fish thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

Advisories are Lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit kdhe.ks.gov/HAB and check out the interactive story and informative video.

July 2, 2026

Repair work will begin the week of July 6 on the Delaware Road bridge over U.S. 169 south of Humboldt in Allen County, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Work will require the staggered closing of exit and entry ramps.

In the first phase, repair work begins on Delaware’s westbound lane, which will require the southbound U.S. 169 exit ramp and the northbound entry ramp to be closed. A signed detour will direct northbound traffic south on U.S. 169 to the 1150th Street interchange to turn north.

In the last phase, the southbound U.S. 169 entry ramp and the northbound exit ramp will be closed while the eastbound lane of Delaware is repaired. A signed detour will direct southbound traffic north two miles on U.S. 169 to the Hawaii Road interchange to turn south.

Traffic across the bridge will be reduced to one lane and guided by traffic signals. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph in the work zone. Travelers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Repair work includes patching and overlaying on the concrete bridge deck, repairing a trench drain and other work. The shoulders under the bridge will be closed for some of the work. The project is expected to be completed by December, conditions permitting.

This portion of Delaware Road also is known as Tank Farm Road. PBX Corporation and Subsidiary, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has the $626,527.57 contract.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones. For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 511. For updates on construction projects in southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.

July 2, 2026

About 25 miles of U.S. 69 in Linn and Bourbon counties will receive an asphalt overlay starting the week of July 6, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The work will start just north of Pleasanton on the southbound lanes and move south. The southbound lanes will receive a 4-inch asphalt overlay, and portions of the route will require milling before the overlay. Pavement markings also will be added.

The contractor will close one lane at a time to work on a short stretch of highway then switch to the adjacent lane as the project progresses. Temporary exit/entry ramp closures will be required on the route.

The work zone speed limit will be reduced to 65 mph.

Work will occur during daylight hours Monday through Friday, and the U.S. 69 project is expected to be completed in December, conditions permitting.

APAC-Central Inc., of Fayetteville, Arkansas, has the primary contract for the $15.95 million project.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones. For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 511. For updates on construction projects in southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.