Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Kansas

KDOC Implements Grants for Juveniles in Detention~

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Kansas Department of Corrections Announces Implementation of Grants Expanding Behavioral Health Services for Juveniles in Detention

WICHITA, Kansas. – The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) today announced the successful implementation of over $1.4 million in grant funding, which has enabled juvenile detention centers across the state to provide vital mental health and substance use services to young people. The grants, established through the 2023 passage of House Bill 2021, address the significant behavioral health needs of juveniles and connect families to crucial support services sooner.

“This funding is a game-changer for our ability to effectively help Kansas youth in the justice system,” said Megan Milner, KDOC Deputy Secretary. “By identifying and addressing mental health and substance use needs early, we are providing a pathway for young people to receive the support they need to avoid future system involvement. For many detention centers, this is the first time they have had the capacity to offer these essential services”.

This grant program utilizes the state’s Evidence-Based Programs fund to improve services in Kansas’ nine locally operated juvenile detention centers. Assessments conducted since the grants were implemented in 2023 have revealed a critical need: over 80% of youth admitted to a detention center have mental health or substance use disorders. The grants are directly addressing this by funding timely assessments, case management, and behavioral health services.

“These grants provide crucial funding to address the needs that may be influencing a youth’s behavior in the community, thus resulting in them coming to the attention of the justice system. By getting them connected to services as early as possible, we can provide a structure of support for the youth and their family to hopefully change their trajectory in the juvenile justice system”, said Steve Stonehouse, Sedgwick County Director of Corrections.

The KDOC is responsible for the adult and juvenile correctional systems in the state, ensuring a safe and secure environment while providing opportunities for offenders to become productive members of society upon release.

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Government, Kansas

Registration Open for Governor’s Water Conference

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Register by Friday, October 24

Registration for the 2025 Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is open. The conference will take place on Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.

The conference will feature the latest policy and research developments on water issues in Kansas, including presentations on:
– Surface and Groundwater Issues
– Water Quality
– Education and Outreach

Registration closes on October 24. For more information, including the draft conference agenda and speaker bios, visit the Governor’s Water Conference page at kwo.ks.gov under the News & Events section.

This event is open to the press. Press badges are available for one or both days. When you arrive, visit the late registration desk to get a badge.

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As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation. KWO in coordination with the KWA also reviews all water laws and makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for needed legislation.

 
Government, Kansas

Help With Wireless phone service, Interne plan

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Lifeline program helps Kansans in need stay connected

TOPEKA – Phone and internet services are vital to accessing healthcare and community services, finding employment, and calling for help in an emergency. However, the cost to stay connected is out of reach for many Kansans.

In observance of National Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, September 7-13, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in creating awareness of the program offerings and encourages those in need of assistance to apply.

Lifeline provides combined federal and state discounts of up to $17.02 per month to help pay for residential or wireless phone service, internet, or a bundled phone and internet plan. Subscribers living on tribal lands qualify for additional discounts. Currently, nearly 8.6 million Americans, including 19,500 Kansans, are enrolled in the program.

Eligibility is based on income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or participation in certain assistance programs such as:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA)
  • Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Head Start Tribal Programs (income based)
  • The Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands

In addition, the Safe Connections Act (SCA) of 2022 helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and related crimes get discounted phone, internet or bundled services through the Lifeline program. Those who qualify under SCA can receive up to six months of emergency Lifeline support and their privacy will be protected. Details are available at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/survivor-benefit/.

More information on income eligibility, participating Lifeline providers, and the enrollment process is available on the KCC’s website or by calling 800-662-0027.

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Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Receives $1M For Bridge Project on Jayhawk Rd.

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Governor Kelly Announces $40.5M
for 27 Local Bridge Projects


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed today announced that 27 local and off-system bridge projects across Kansas will receive a combined total of $40.5 million in state and federal funding as part of two local bridge improvement programs.

“By funding bridge projects across our state, we are directly investing in the future of our communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Repairing and replacing aging bridges ensures people and commerce can move safely and efficiently throughout Kansas.”

Combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, the total project value is over $46.5 million. By reshaping the local bridge programs, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).

There are more than 19,000 bridges on local road systems across Kansas, and over 5,000 of those bridges need updates to meet today’s standards.

“The Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program has allowed us to enhance our commitment to local bridges,” Secretary Reed said. “This is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about strengthening the vital connections that keep our towns and cities thriving.”

KDOT will award about $20 million through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP) in Fiscal Year 2026. The funds will go to 11 bridge replacement projects, and an additional four deficient bridges will be permanently removed from local systems. The KLBIP, established in 2015, provides funds to local public authorities for the replacement or rehabilitation of deficient city and county-owned bridges. The program also allows cities and counties to be awarded additional funds for the removal of deficient bridges.

KDOT will award $20.5 million through the Off-System Bridge program (OSB) in Fiscal Year 2027 to fund 16 projects across the state. The OSB program was established to comply with federal requirements to use a specific portion of federal funds for bridges not on the federal-aid system. The funding is a combination of federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, Bridge Program Funds, and state funds.

The OSB and KLBIP programs are used for city and county bridges in need of replacement or repair that are not on the state highway system. Funds for both programs are awarded through an application process and, in most cases, require a local contribution. KDOT uses selection criteria that consider items such as bridge condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads, and past project history.

For this cycle of the local bridge programs, KDOT received a combined total of 163 applications requesting $189.3 million.

Below is a list of the recipients and project locations for the KLBIP and OSB programs.

2026 Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program Projects

Local Government Agency

Location

Local Contribution

Local % Match

KDOT Match Funds

Funds for Bridge Removal

Total Funds Awarded

City of Topeka

SW 57th Street over S. branch Shunganunga Creek 0.2 miles east of US-75

$528,758

20%

$1,200,000

$      –

$1,200,000

Edwards County

20 Road (RS 1491) over a tributary to Little Coon Creek 7.0 miles north of Offerle

$65,521

0%

$900,000

$      –

$900,000

Ellis County

125th Avenue over the Saline River 12.5 miles north and 0.5 miles east of Ellis

$757,178

15%

$4,300,000

$60,900

$4,360,900

Gray County

FF Road over Crooked Creek tributary 6.0 miles south and 0.8 miles east of Haggard

$110,459

5%

$750,000

$      –

$750,000

Greenwood County

100th St over Fall River tributary 3.0 miles east and 3.2 miles north of Climax

$142,509

5%

$1,200,000

$       –

$1,200,000

Harvey County

SW 14th St over Sand Creek 1.9 miles west of I-135 in Newton

$1,057,558

15%

$2,550,000

$      –

$2,550,000

Lincoln County

E Kiowa Road over Wolf Creek 4.5 miles west of Sylvan Grove

$31,902

0%

$1,970,000

$50,000

$2,020,000

Neosho County

Veteran’s road over the Neosho River 1.0 miles east and 2.6 miles south of St. Paul

$840,859

15%

$3,065,000

$      –

$3,065,000

Rawlins County

Road 16.5 over Little Beaver Creek 0.4 miles north of Blakeman

$95,552

0%

$2,300,000

$      –

$2,300,000

Rooks County

J Road over Sand Creek 8.2 miles west of Stockton

$57,616

5%

$1,100,000

$52,200

$1,152,200

Trego County

380th Avenue over drainage ditch 1.4 miles south and 13.0 miles east of Trego Center

$40,951

0%

$500,000

$      –

$500,000

 

 

$3,728,863

 

$19,835,000

$163,100

$19,998,100

2027 Off-System Bridge Program Project Recommendations

Local Government Agency

Bridge Location

Local Contribution

Local Cost %

Maximum Funds Awarded (covering 100% of Construction and CE)

Doniphan County

Oxide Road over an abandoned CRI railroad immediately south of US-36 2.5 miles east of Troy

$82,994

6.80%

$1,250,000

Bourbon County

Jayhawk Road over tributary to Marmaton River 2.5 miles South and 1.9 miles West of Fort Scott

$87,362

8.90%

$1,000,000

Butler County

SW 80th Street over the Walnut River located 3.6 miles North and 2.0 miles East of Augusta

$251,537

11.20%

$2,000,000

Chase County

YY Road over Jacob Creek tributary 4.7 miles South and 1.0 mile East of Saffordville

$133,227

11.20%

$1,100,000

Cloud County

Wagon Road over Grave Creek 2.8 miles North and 6.0 miles East of Jamestown

$92,822

7.50%

$1,300,000

Cowley County

155th Road over Silver Creek 9.6 miles East and 4.0 miles North of Arkansas City

$114,663

5.60%

$2,000,000

Geary County

McNeal Road over East Branch Humboldt Creek 5.0 miles South and 12.0 miles East of Junction City

$104,834

12.50%

$800,000

Harper County

SE 120 Avenue over Bluff Creek 3.0 miles East and 0.4 miles South of Bluff City

$416,269

17.20%

$2,000,000

Kingman County

SE 100 Street over Rose Bud Creek 3.2 miles North and 0.2 miles West of Rago

$76,442

10.30%

$750,000

Linn County

E 850th Road over Little Sugar Creek on the north edge of Mound City 0.6 miles East of K-7

$614,308

23.50%

$2,000,000

Osage County

S Fisher Road over Plum Creek tributary 1.7 miles South and 1.5 miles West of Burlingame

$124,491

11.70%

$1,000,000

Osborne County

S 55th Road over South Fork of the Solomon River 1.0 miles South and 5.5 miles East of Osborne

$65,521

4.30%

$1,600,000

Ottawa County

Frontier Road over Sand Creek 0.5 miles North of Bennington

$68,252

7.80%

$900,000

Phillips County

W 700 Road over Starvation Creek 0.5 miles North of Stuttgart

$76,442

6.80%

$1,200,000

Riley County

Lasita Road over Timber Creek 1.0 mile North, 6.0 miles West of city of Riley

$66,614

11.10%

$600,000

Stafford County

SE 60 Street over the North Fork Ninnescah River, 6.0 miles South and 0.4 miles West of Stafford

$76,442

7.90%

$1,000,000

$2,452,220

$20,500,000

More information about KDOT’s bridge program is available on its webpage on the KDOT website.

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Government, Kansas

KS August Tax Collections Above Estimate

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August Total Tax Collections at $692.3 Million; 3.9% Above Estimate


TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends August 2025 with total tax collections at $692.3 million. That is $26.2 million, or 3.9%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were up 4.0% from August 2024.

“This month’s stronger-than-expected tax collections highlight the strength of Kansas’ work to attract business investment and workforce development, evidenced by reported witholdings up 13.7% over August of 2024,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “However, even if these better-than-expected revenues continue, I remain concerned about the reckless budget’s impact on the long-term fiscal health of the state and the risk of departing from the course of fiscal responsibility we have been on.”

Individual income tax collections were $361.2 million, which is $16.2 million, or 4.7% above the estimate. Individual income tax collections were up 9.7% from August 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $18.2 million, which is $1.8 million, or 9.0% below the estimate, and down 9.7% from August 2024.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $294.2 million, which is $11.2 million, or 4.0% above the estimate, and down 0.1% from August 2024.

Click here to view the August 2025 revenue numbers.

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Government, Kansas

KS Dept. of Commerce Awarded Economic Development Award

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Commerce Receives IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Department of Commerce has been awarded the 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Commerce received the award for the agency’s work in the Special Event category that impacts the entire state population.

IEDC singled out the five-day, 26-stop, 2,100+ mile Community Impact Tour Commerce’s Quality Places Division took to highlight transformative projects across the state, engage with local stakeholders, and celebrate community progress during National Community Development Week.

“Our Community Impact Tour was more than a road trip. It was a chance to connect face-to-face with the people and organizations making positive change happen throughout Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The state’s strategic investments are helping spark new economic opportunities in small towns and larger cities alike, and we are honored that IEDC recognized this important work.”

The Quality Places Division within the agency will be honored at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit on September 14-17.

“The Kansas Department of Commerce is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Community Impact Tour initiative,” IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle said. “This award shines a spotlight on the state’s commitment to its communities and showcases the significant impact of economic development. And IEDC is honored to present this award to Commerce to celebrate both their leadership and innovation in the field.”

Each year, IEDC honors an array of entities, initiatives and programs that are consistently demonstrating excellence in the realm of economic development. Those honorees lead transformational projects that revitalize communities and advance the practice of economic development.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our work recognized on a national stage, and this is actually the second award this initiative has received,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “Earlier this year, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) also honored the Community Impact Tour. These recognitions reinforce the importance of investing in community connections and quality-of-life improvements across the state.”

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.

About the Quality Places Division:

Established in 2024, the Quality Places Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality of life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, click here.

About the International Economic Development Council:

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in a full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/.

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Government, Kansas

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt’s Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

I spent another productive week at home, crisscrossing the district and meeting with small business owners, local officials, farmers, and everyday Kansans. It is truly a blessing to be able to represent the Second District.

Supporting Main Street

As a proud Representative of a state where over 99% of businesses are small businesses – and as a member of the House Committee on Small Business – advocating for main street is one of my top priorities in Washington. This past week, I headed to Topeka to meet with the Greater Topeka Partnership.

Since 2018, the Greater Topeka Partnership has brought the Topeka Chamber, Downtown Topeka, Inc, GO Topeka, and Visit Topeka together under one roof, with the shared goal of improving the economic climate in Shawnee County and beyond. The Partnership does wonderful work for the businesses and people of our community. I provided them with an update from Washington and shared the work I’ve been doing on the federal level to ensure our main street businesses can continue to thrive in the Second District.

 

I also hosted a small business roundtable with the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) last week, where I discussed the positive impact the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” will continue to have on our state. As the largest small business trade association in the country, NFIB works every day to be a voice for our Kansas entrepreneurs.

The bill contains major wins for our small businesses, including making the Section 199A Qualified Business Income Deduction permanent. If Congress failed to extend this key piece of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, more than 45,000 small businesses in our district would have their tax rate raised significantly at the start of next year. The bill also permanently extends Death Tax relief, which is particularly important to our family-owned farms in Kansas, and supports growth by providing immediate expensing of capital investment.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended our meetings last week for taking the time to speak with me. Providing Kansans with a strong economy is incredibly important to me; I’m confident we’re well on our way to doing so.

Peace Through Strength

Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images file

President Trump promised the American people he would restore peace through strength, and he’s doing just that. Kansans I talk to every day are very clear about two things: they want the endless bloodshed in Ukraine to end, and they don’t want our military to be involved.  I couldn’t agree more with both of these points, and I’m hopeful President Trump is making substantial progress toward ending the war and finally delivering peace in Eastern Europe.

 

On Friday, I joined KVOE in Emporia to discuss my thoughts on the negotiations.

ABC News map

Congress also has a major role to play in restoring America’s strength. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I work on legislation that directly affects our military every day. Prior to leaving for our extended district work period, our committee advanced the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual bill which authorizes funding for our entire military. This year’s NDAA will make our military more lethal, improve our servicemembers’ quality of life, and ensure the Department of Defense is always ready to respond to any threat.

I’ll be back in Washington next week, where my colleagues and I will support commonsense legislation the American people expect.
Government, Kansas

Grant Applications Open to Help Expand Apprenticeship Programs in Kansas

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TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $550,000 in grant funding is available to support the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas.

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship grant will be divided into two distinct opportunities aimed at attracting and retaining more skilled employees. The first is a continuation of the established registered apprenticeship sponsor funding, available to state educational institutions, joint-labor organizations, businesses, nonprofits and workforce boards to support projects that expand their reach. The second is a new opportunity for small businesses to help them adopt registered apprenticeship programs.

“We have been intentional with our approaches to increase the reach and impact of registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas for one simple reason – they work,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “In the last three years, we’ve made extraordinary progress — with employer participation increasing from 280 companies to more than 1,000. These grants will help ensure even more employers can take advantage of the power of apprenticeships, and their ability to attract and retain talent.”

The existing program offers grant awards up to $150,000 which can be used to support technical instruction, outreach, staffing, partnerships and administrative costs. In addition, small business grants of $7,000 also will be available to companies with fewer than 10 employees that register at least one apprentice by the end of the grant period. Both applications must be completed by September 20, 2026.

“This grant opportunity has played a key role in expanding high-wage and high-demand registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “We’ve been extremely successful in expanding not only union-based apprenticeships but adding new industries such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing. We want to ensure businesses of all sizes get access to these opportunities.”

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship grant program is one of many tools offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce to support workforce development for high-wage, high-demand occupations statewide. To apply or learn more about the office, the program and other resources offered, click 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.

About the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.

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Government, Kansas

KDOL Launches Kansas Amusement Management System

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Kansas Department of Labor Launches New Kansas Amusement Management Permitting System

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) is proud to announce the launch of the Kansas Amusement Management Permitting System (KAMPS), an innovative online portal designed to make amusement ride registration and permitting faster, easier and more secure for operators across the state.

Through KAMPS, operators can conveniently register their rides, manage permits and upload all required documents in one centralized, user-friendly location. This modernized system streamlines compliance, reduces paperwork and supports safer operations for amusement ride patrons throughout Kansas.

“The safety of Kansas residents and visitors is a top priority,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “By introducing the KAMPS portal, we’re giving amusement ride operators the tools they need to meet safety requirements quickly and efficiently, while ensuring our agency can provide the best oversight possible.”

The portal is available now at dol.ks.gov/amusement-rides. KDOL staff is ready to assist operators with any questions about registering rides, managing permits or uploading documents.

For assistance, please contact KDOL’s Amusement Ride team at 785-296-4386 or email [email protected].

Government, Kansas

Today From The Kansas Supreme Court

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Today from the Kansas Supreme Court:

Appeal No. 125,999: Sarah E. Tharrett, as Successor Trustee of the Roxine Poznich Revocable Trust v. David T. Everett

 

Summary calendar. No oral argument.

 

The Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the Court of Appeals judgment that dismissed Everett’s appeal due to acquiescence to the Bourbon County District Court judgment. The Court of Appeals held that Everett had acquiesced to the district court’s closure of the trust by accepting his distribution check. The Court of Appeals further held that it did not have jurisdiction to award Tharrett her attorney fees on appeal based on its reading of Kaelter v. Sokol, 301 Kan. 247, 340 P.3d 1210 (2015). On appeal, Everett argued that the district court judgment was void for lack of due process or that an exception to acquiescence doctrine applied. In a unanimous decision written by Justice Caleb Stegall, the Supreme Court held that when a trust beneficiary accepts the distribution awarded to them, they cannot then take an inconsistent position and challenge the amount distributed on appeal. Furthermore, due process violations do not necessarily void a judgment. Due process violations that completely undermine personal jurisdiction void a judgment, but that situation was not present here. No exception to acquiescence applied. Therefore, the Court of Appeals correctly dismissed the merits for lack of jurisdiction. However, the Supreme Court found there was a live controversy as to fees, so it awarded Tharrett $11,320 in attorney fees.

Appeal Nos. 126,718 and 126,719: In the Interests of K.W.D. and E.L.D., Minor Children

 

Appeal Nos. 126,718 and 126,719 archived oral argument

 

The Leavenworth County District Court terminated Father’s parental rights to two minor children who were adjudicated as children in need of care and remained in state custody for an extended period while Father was incarcerated. The Court of Appeals affirmed on grounds of Father’s unfitness due to incarceration. On review, a majority of the Supreme Court agreed the district court had not erred in terminating Father’s parental rights on this basis. In a decision written by Justice Melissa Standridge, the majority explained that in assessing the likelihood parental unfitness will change in the foreseeable future, the inquiry does not end merely because the underlying condition has a defined endpoint. Rather than simply determining whether the parent will be physically available, the majority held the critical question is whether the parent will be able to care properly for the child in a time frame consistent with the child’s best interests. In dissent, Justices Caleb Stegall and K.J. Wall would find that Father’s parental rights were improperly terminated based on his incarceration since Father had a designated release date and his condition of unfitness was likely to change in the foreseeable future.

This case was argued before the Supreme Court at its April 29, 2025, special session in the Logan Intergenerational Family Education Center in Logan.

 

Appeal No. 127,534: State of Kansas vs. Stanton Holt

 

Appeal No. 127,534 archived oral argument

 

The Supreme Court affirmed the Geary County District Court judgment that denied Holt’s motion for postconviction DNA testing pursuant to K.S.A. 21-2512. Holt was convicted of more than 60 offenses including two counts of first-degree murder following a string of 1993 burglaries. In 2020, Holt motioned for additional testing of blood-stained exhibits. He alleged that new DNA testing techniques could show that the biological material on the exhibits was solely his DNA. However, the district court denied Holt’s motion following an evidentiary hearing because the exhibits had been stored in such a manner that would materially undermine the scientific accuracy of any testing, specifically due to concerns with the chain of evidence, handling of, and the physical condition of the exhibits. In a decision written by Justice Caleb Stegall, a unanimous Court held that additional testing of corrupted exhibits would be inconclusive and any results from additional testing could not be exculpatory, as required by K.S.A. 21-2512(c).

Case No. 128,150: In the Matter of Paul F. Good

 

Case No. 128,150 archived oral argument

 

Good engaged in a series of actions from 2021 through 2023 in which his alcohol use played a role. These actions resulted in law enforcement intervention and several criminal convictions. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated. During the course of those proceedings, he sent a series of emails to the disciplinary administrator and other attorneys containing implicit threats of harm and asserting he was suffering from a terminal illness, which was not true. This conduct, in addition to other violations of disciplinary rules, led the Supreme Court to impose a sanction of indefinite suspension from the practice of law in Kansas.

Case No. 128,447: In the Matter of Thomas C. McDowell

 

Case No. 128,447 archived oral argument

 

The Supreme Court suspended McDowell indefinitely from the practice of law after finding multiple violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. The Court found that McDowell failed to file a will with the court and upon learning of his omission, proceeded to bully his client into submitting a false affidavit with the court to attempt tardy admission of the will even though that could expose the client to liability. He further engaged in a pattern of conduct to cover up his shortcomings for over four years. This resulted in the client losing approximately $155,000 he would have otherwise inherited from his parents. Furthermore, the client did not pursue a malpractice suit because McDowell did not have malpractice insurance. The Court held that it would consider reinstatement only after McDowell had made full restitution of $155,000 to the client.

Visit our Search Decisions page for published and unpublished decisions from the Kansas Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
url    url    url    url    url

 

Area News, Kansas

8 Tips to Protect Your Family, Community and Wallet

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Kansas Gas Service is encouraging safe digging on 811 Day

Ahead of 811 Day, recognized on Aug. 11, Kansas Gas Service encourages everyone planning any outdoor projects to consider how to dig safely before they begin.

Kansas law requires residents to call 811 or submit a request online at Kansas811.com before starting any digging project to help protect themselves, their property and their community. Kansas Gas Service highlights 8 safe digging tips, 1 important reminder and 1 essential number to call—not just on Aug. 11, but all year long.

 

8 Safe Digging Tips and Reasons to Call 811

  1. Plan ahead. Gather all the details of your property and project and call 811 or submit a request online at least two business days ahead of when you plan to start digging.
  2. Safety first. You may not think you need to contact 811 – but you probably do. For digging projects big or small, from installing a mailbox to building a deck or planting a tree, contact 811 to be safe.
  3. Be a good neighbor. No one wants to lose service – especially in the August heat. Hitting a buried line in your yard could wipe out service for your entire neighborhood. Contact 811 and be patient until the utilities crews arrive to mark your project area with colored flags or paint.
  4. Keep pets inside. They may want to say hello to utility crews marking lines outside, but it’s safest for everyone if they stay secure indoors.
  5. Color match. Understand what the different colors of flags or paint in your yard mean. For example, natural gas lines are marked with yellow flags. Learn more here.
  6. Leave flags alone. It’s best to leave the flags in place throughout your digging project to be sure you don’t accidentally hit any lines.
  7. Dig carefully. Make sure to dig at least 24 inches away from the flags in order to avoid inadvertently hitting a line. This is called the “tolerance zone.”
  8. Start with peace of mind. By contacting 811 and knowing where the lines are buried in your yard, you can rest assured that you’ve done what’s necessary to start your project on the right foot and keep everyone safe.

 

One Takeaway, One Number to Call

Safety is always the top priority. No matter the size of your project, failing to contact 811 can lead to serious injury if you hit a buried line, service disruptions and legal consequences for breaking the law. It can also cause delays or require repairs to your home project—unexpected costs that can add up quickly. Using the free 811 service helps keep you safe, your project on track and your wallet protected.

 

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state in terms of customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

 

Government, Kansas

KS Tax Collections Up in July

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July Total Tax Collections at $670.2M;
3.3% Above Estimate


TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends July 2025 with total tax collections at $670.2 million. That is $21.2 million, or 3.3%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were up 1.5% from July 2024.

“While this month’s tax collections highlight the strength of Kansas’ workforce and economy in the short-term, I remain concerned about the long-term fiscal health of the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We must stay vigilant and recommit to fiscally responsible budgeting in order to stay out of the red in the coming years.”

Individual income tax collections were $347.5 million. That is $32.5 million, or 10.3% above the estimate. Individual income tax collections were up 12.7% from July 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $18.5 million. That is $16.5 million, or 47.1% below the estimate, and down 46.0% from July 2024.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $291.8 million, which is $2.2 million, or 0.8% below the estimate, and down 4.4% from July 2024.

Click here to view the July 2025 revenue numbers.