Government, Kansas

February Total Tax Collections at $506.3M; 10.3% Below Estimate

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TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends February 2026 with total tax collections at $506.3 million. That is $58.4 million, or 10.3%, below the estimate. Total tax collections were down 7.6% from February 2025.

“February’s report reflects that revenues collected were down nearly $59 million, at the same time the Legislature is building their budget,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Legislature should keep in mind the structural imbalance their past budget created and look to my budget for a path to rectify the unsustainable imbalance over time.”

Individual income tax collections were $205.7 million. That is $44.3 million, or 17.7% below the estimate. Individual income tax collections were down 14.1% from February 2025. Corporate income tax collections were negative $349,104. That is $15.3 million, or 102.3% below the estimate, and down 102.1% from February 2025.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $253.4 million, which is $433,844, or 0.2% above the estimate, and up 2.6% from February 2025.

Click here to view the February 2026 revenue numbers.

Government, Kansas

National Consumer Protection Week March 1-7

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Kobach advises consumers to ‘spot, avoid, and report’ scams during National Consumer Protection Week

TOPEKA – (March 2, 2026) – In observance of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 1–7, 2026, Kansas Attorney General Kobach is joining consumer advocates nationwide to educate and empower citizens to recognize, report, and avoid scams and deceptive business practices.

Scammers are evolving their tactics to utilize artificial intelligence, deep fakes, and sophisticated phishing techniques. Attorney General Kobach is urging the community to remain vigilant. U.S. consumers reported billions in fraud losses last year. Accordingly, consumer protection week serves as a crucial reminder to be aware and practice smart consumer habits.

“Scammers are getting more sophisticated every day, but there are basic steps we can all take to spot fraud and protect ourselves,” Kobach said.

“Consumer protection is an important function of an attorney general’s office, and this week is a great opportunity to learn about the latest scam trends and share tips with family and friends,” said Joseph Sciarrotta, Chief Deputy Attorney General, said.

The Attorney General’s Public Protection Division resolved 4,039 consumer complaints, filed 3,952 new ones, and secured $3,241,320 in settlements for Kansas in 2025. Their efforts protect Kansans from fraud and scams. In his first three years in office, Attorney General Kobach has held businesses large and small to account.

Scams to watch for:

  •  Imposter Scams: Callers posing as government agents or bank fraud departments claiming your account is compromised.
  • Job Scams: Fake job solicitations promising high pay for little work designed to steal personal information or money.
  • -Investment & Romance Scams: Long-term groomingscams, like “pig butchering” where scammers build trust online before luring victims into, often times, fake cryptocurrency investments.
  • Online Shopping & Subscription Traps: Deceptive websites offer “free trials” that become difficult to cancel and lead to unauthorized recurring monthly charges.

Protect yourself:

  • Stop and Think. If a call, text, or email pressures you to act immediately, it’s a scam. Legitimate organizations will not threaten you on the spot.
  • Verify the Source. Never trust caller ID or an incoming text or email alone. Hang up on the caller and contact the company or agency directly using a number you look up yourself, not the one provided in the message. Do the same for an email or text. Go to the legitimate website on your own initiative to verify the inquiry, never click a link in an email or text.
  • Use Secure Payment Methods. Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate government or business organizations will not request payment by gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto. Never pay for “free” gifts, prizes, or services either.
  • Guard your Personal Information. Do not share sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank information in response to an unexpected request.

If you suspect a scam or have been targeted, you can contact the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection section at [email protected] or (800) 432-3699. Complaints may also be filed online at www.ag.ks.gov.

 

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Kansas Attorney General’s Office | 120 SW 10th Ave. | Topeka, KS 66612 US
Kansas, Schools, Youth

Kansas Thespians Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day Topeka, KS

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— On March 11, 2026 Kansas Thespians host a Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol. Over 200 Students, educators, and advocates come to the Capitol from across the state to advocate for positive arts legislation and theatre programming in our schools.

As dedicated supporters of theatre, Senator Cindy Holscher, and Representative Kirk Haskins have partnered with Kansas Thespians for this day to highlight the economic impact of the arts in our communities and the importance of strong arts education in our schools. Kansas Thespians promote lifelong learning through theatre in over 100 high school and junior high Thespian troupes across the state, with over 3000 inducted students.

Their hard work has been honored numerous times at the International Thespian Festival with schools, individual students, and educators from our state being recognized for their remarkable work.

The impact of arts programming and theatre can be felt in communities across Kansas. It is estimated by the Thespians that high school theatre brings in around a million dollars in community monies which is significant to our state. Theatre students will visit with their legislators, observe legislators in action on the floor of the senate, and have a possible photo op with the Governor.

### For more information on the advocacy day, contact the Kansas Thespians Advocacy Chair, Contact: Katie Murphy Advocacy Chair Email: [email protected]

Representatives are available for interviews to speak on this issue and bring awareness to the cause.

To schedule an interview with Thespian Representatives, please contact Katie Murphy

 

DRAFT Schedule for Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day FROM 2025

 

8:30- Begin arriving. Enter through North Entrance at ground level to pass through security. Proceed to first floor to check in.

 

9:00- Check on first floor. Tables will be visible.

 

9:30 – Large group photo

 

10:00-12:00 – Meetings with Reps

 

12:00 – Go to singing positions in Rotunda ground floor. Warm up etc.

 

12:15- Sing in the Rotunda

 

12:30- 12:50- Press Conference with Senator Cindy Holscher, Representative Haskins and Advocacy Steering Committee committee member

 

12:50- Lunch, additional legislative appointments

 

2:15 Assigned schools enter the Senate Gallery.

 

2:30  Senator Cindy Holscher’s Point of Privilege and Proclamation.

DID YOU KNOW KANSAS THESPIANS … 

 

  • Maintains 98 active Thespian or Junior Thespian troupes.
  • Has over 2900 active high school or junior high Thespian members in Kansas.
  • Has numerous Thespian troupes attend The International Thespian Festival.
  • Maintains 6 Student Thespian Officers who work together on the Kansas Thespian State Board.
  • Holds a Kansas Thespians Festival each year with over 2300 students, teachers, and college representatives in attendance. During this time Kansas Thespians rent the entire Century II Convention Center and  The Wichita Hyatt Regency, Wichita, Kansas for this three day event.
  • Had an administrator recognized as Theatre Administrator of the Year by the Educational Theatre Association 2023 and 2024.
  • Has an Olathe Director of Theatre selected to serve on the national Educational Theatre Association Board of Directors.
  • Is recognized as a Gold Honor Chapter by The Educational Theatre Association.
  • Olathe South High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2020  by The Educational Theatre Association.
  • Leavenworth High School garnered first place in the nation 2020 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
  • Topeka West High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2022  by The Educational Theatre Association.
  • Topeka West High School garnered first place in the nation 2022 and 2023 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
  • Topeka High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2023  by The Educational Theatre Association.

 

Overall, Kansas has over 20,000 students involved in theatre each year with each Kansas Thespian School producing an average of five productions a year. This equates into an average of 15 performances a year per school with an average attendance of 150 people or more per show. When the math is figured,and you add the total number of performances across Kansas, we have at least a quarter of a million people watching high school musicals and plays across our great state with a box office impact of at least $1,300,000  spent on attending high school productions, not to mention spending impact on local businesses for production supplies estimated at another half a million or more.

Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

THEATRE EDUCATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN MARCH 

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Students at Fort Scott High School Lead Community Advocacy Efforts 

Students at Fort Scott High School are joining the national grassroots  effort called Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) to advocate for the benefits of theatre  education in schools. Members of International Thespian Society (ITS) Troupe #7365 are  drawing attention to the need for increased access to quality theatre programs for all students.

To get the word out, students are participating in a number of theatre related activities. On Feb.  27 the troupe participated in community service activities at the Senior Center in downtown Fort Scott. They held a Theatre in Our Schools Month Kick-Off Party on March 1 at FSHS and presents to the USD 234 Board of Education on March 9. On March 11, the troupe travels to Topeka to meet with Thespians from across the state and Senator  Tim Shallenburger and Representative Rick James to celebrate and discuss Theatre Advocacy Day in KS.

Throughout the month, the troupe will dress to represent various musicals on Musical Mondays and wear theatre-related shirts on Theatre Shirt Thursdays. They also have Improv Acting  Troupe practice on Tuesdays after school and FSMS Drama Club on Fridays after school. A group of Thespians are also traveling to New York City to see Broadway shows and tour the Broadway Museum over Spring Break. To  finish out the month, the troupe holds the annual FSHS Talent Show & Senior Minute to Win It at 7 p.m. on March 26. The Talent  Show is open to the public and tickets are $5 at the door.

The ITS is the theatre honor society for middle and high school students. These Thespians plan  and implement TIOS activities in their schools, in their communities, and with elected officials.  The presentations and activities explain how theatre education positively shapes students’ lives  by instilling necessary life skills. TIOS Month is an opportunity for students, parents,  communities, school boards, and elected officials to come together to make theatre education more available to all students. One of the key messages is that theatre skills help students develop vital 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, as well as social/emotional skills critical to students’ growth as young adults.

 

Sophomore Aimee Hardwick said, “Drama didn’t just teach me how to act, it taught me how to believe in myself. And while sometimes, I’m still quiet, it’s no longer because I feel like I have to, it’s because I choose to be. Drama isn’t just an activity, it’s my safe space, and it has changed my life.”

 

Isis Patton, sophomore, adds, “Theatre education helps students be creative with others and say what they think and feel. When students act, direct and put on a show they learn how to talk to people and see things from different points of view. These skills are useful when students are on stage and in life.”

Theatre in Our Schools is jointly sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education  (AATE) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). For more information about TIOS, visit  schooltheatre.org/tios and follow #TheatreInOurSchools on social media.

About the Educational Theatre Association  

The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional  association for theatre educators. EdTA is the parent organization of the International Thespian  Society, the honor society for theatre students that’s inducted more than 2.5 million Thespians  since 1929. Additionally, EdTA operates the Educational Theatre Foundation, the organization’s  philanthropic arm dedicated to broadening representation and increasing access. Visit  schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA inspires theatre educators to transform lives.

About the American Alliance for Theatre & Education 

The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), among the most recognized arts  education organizations, works to ensure that every young person experiences quality theatre  arts in their lives provided by proficient, talented artists and educators. Based in Washington,  DC, AATE continues to advocate for arts education, serving as a national co-sponsor of Arts  Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill and on the leadership team of the National Coalition for Core Arts  Standards (NCCAS). AATE co-authored the National Standards for Theatre Education K-12,  sits on the Arts Education Partnership steering committee as well as the Arts Education National  Advisory Council, and serves on the editorial board of the Arts Education Policy Review.

 

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Church news, Fort Scott, Youth

Nazarene Youth Trivia Night is March 7

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FSN TEENS ANNOUNCES 4TH ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT TO SUPPORT STUDENT MISSIONS AND CAMP EXPERIENCES

Fort Scott, KS — Fort Scott Nazarene Church’s student ministry, FSN Teens, is excited to host its 4th Annual Trivia Night on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 pm at 1728 Horton Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701.

This fun-filled evening is open to everyone and designed to bring the community together for a great cause. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for laughs and fellowship, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy friendly competition while supporting FSN Teens.

Participants can register as individuals or form teams of up to six people. Entry is $10 per person or $60 per full team. Trivia will be played in rounds throughout the night, with plenty of chances to show off your knowledge. Dinner will be available for purchase, and childcare will be provided with registration.

Proceeds from the event help send students to transformational experiences, including summer camps, mission trips, and the Nazarene Youth Conference — opportunities that foster growth in faith, community, and leadership.

Local businesses and supporters are encouraged to get involved by entering a team, sponsoring a round or the entire event, donating a silent auction basket, or helping promote the night in the community. If you are interested in sponsoring the event reach out to Andrea Bryant at [email protected].

Event Details at a Glance:
📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
📍 Location: 1728 Horton Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701
💵 Cost: $10/person or $60/team (up to 6)
📧 Contact: [email protected]

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support the next generation of leaders — gather your squad, dust off your trivia skills, and join us for a night of fun and purpose!

https://facebook.com/events/s/-4th-annual-trivia-night-/1660731478226895/

Fort Scott Community College, Opinion

From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch

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FROM THE BLEACHERS-753

BY DR. JACK WELCH

The “Dropout” Who Became a Harvard Professor

 We live in a world that loves labels. In the education field we hear words like advanced, average, behind and dropout frequently. Sometimes the label says more about the system than the student, though.

Todd Rose is often cited as a powerful example of this truth. In high school, he struggled academically and eventually dropped out with a 0.9 GPA. By most traditional measures, it was apparent, he was not college material. He did not appear to be promising in obtaining college degrees. By all means, he did not appear to be likely to succeed.

Life compounded the narrative. He was married at a young age and was working low-wage jobs. He was on welfare, and at one point was even homeless. His future did not look like it included higher education, much less elite academia, but necessity has a way of clarifying purpose.

Todd was determined to provide for his family. He earned his GED and enrolled at a local community college. He did not have a master plan. He had a simple goal: just to do better. Then something unexpected happened. After receiving his GED, he realized he wasn’t incapable. He had simply not thrived in a one-size-fits-all, factory-style education model. He was given flexibility, encouragement, and space to learn differently, and his abilities surfaced. Community college became the proving ground where his confidence replaced doubt. From there, his path accelerated.

After receiving his Associates Degree, he transferred to a four-year college. He earned a bachelor’s degree and eventually a masters. What followed was amazing, he then received a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Where did this lead Todd? Not only did he receive a Ph.D. from Harvard, he became a Harvard professor.  At Harvard he launched a think tank focused on personalized education and rethinking how we measure human potential.

Let that sink in. Todd was a high school dropout with a 0.9 GPA and became a Harvard professor. The lesson isn’t that everyone will follow that exact path. The lesson is that potential is often mismeasured.

Education systems can identify performance. They cannot always identify capacity. That’s why second chances matter. That’s why alternative pathways matter. That’s why community colleges matter. Some students don’t fit the mold. That doesn’t mean they lack ability. It may simply mean they need a different road map.

We would be wise to remember: the “dropout” in one chapter may be the doctoral candidate in the next.

Thought for the Week, “Never confuse someone’s current performance with their ultimate potential.” Jack Welch

Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Bourbon County Arts Council 34th Annual Fine Arts Exhibit

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The Bourbon County Arts Council will present its 34th Annual Fine Arts Exhibit from March 5th through March 14th, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.

The Arts Council will host the Chamber Coffee at 8:00am on Thursday March 5th, at the Ellis Center. The Exhibit will be open to the public beginning Thursday March 5th through Saturday March 14th: weekdays from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, and on Saturdays, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  The Opening Reception to honor this year’s Juror and artists will be held on Thursday the 5th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm; the public are invited to attend and enjoy the opportunity to meet and visit with them about the art.

Artists will have their work on display and for sale in this multi-media exhibit, in categories including Ceramics, Drawing & Graphics, Fiber Arts, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor. A “themed” category was added to the Exhibit, with this year’s theme being “Life Inspiring”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above categories, in relation to the theme.  This year, artists from Kansas and Missouri, will participate in the Fine Art Exhibit, including local artists Kathy Allen, John Batrelsmeyer, Sally Brandon, Steve Floyd, Kate Freeman, Oriah Freeman, Lucy Gladbach, Leslie Godden, Sara Hannigan, Katie Hueston, Jodi Johnson, Bobbi Kemna, Andrea Latham, Katelynn McCoy, Jill Moler, Connie Neil, Kadra Nevitt, Eric Popp, Elisabeth Ross, Kaitlyn Walker, and Karen Wilterding.

Cash prizes awarded for category winners are given by the Bourbon County Arts Council in memory of E.C. Gordon, and by the generous sponsorship from these local businesses:  Buerge Art Studio, Citizens Bank, City State Bank, Edward Jones-Jamie Armstrong , T.E. Freeman Studios, Front Door Realty-Crystal Mason and Diane Striler, H&H Realty, Landmark Bank, Lyons Realty, Mid-Continental Restoration,  State Farm Insurance, Union State Bank, and Ward Kraft.

Al Letner will serve as Juror for this year’s exhibit. Mr. Letner is a 1976 graduate of Pittsburg State University with degrees in Art and History in Education. He has been an artist and educator both in Missouri and Kansas for more than 40 years. He has exhibited and won awards for his work for decades and has judged art competitions on both educational and professional levels. Mr. Letner continues to work in 2-D and 3-D at his studio near Pittsburg, Kansas.

The Bourbon County Arts Council encourages everyone to come and enjoy an exciting collection of original artwork! The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 1208 Horton St., in Fort Scott, Kansas. There is no admission charge for this event.

 

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Trustees Special Meeting Today at Noon.

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FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING

BURRIS building

MARCH 02, 2026 – 12:00 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY

 

1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER

 

2.0 FLAG SALUTE & INVOCATION

 

3.0 CONSIDERATION OF RFP – CONTRACTOR – FRAME GRANT                                                                                                                    (ACTION)

 

4.0 ADJOURN                                                                        (INFORMATION)

 

Government

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

This week, I was honored to join my colleagues in both chambers of Congress to attend President Trump’s State of the Union address and reflect on the accomplishments his administration and the 119th Congress have completed. While we’ve done great work, there is still much to accomplish and issues that we must tackle in order to provide further stability and assurance to the American people.

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on the importance of career and technical education (CTE) for the small business workforce. Mike Gibson from Associated General Contractors–Kansas testified before the committee at my invitation about the Build UP Kansas initiative and prioritizing great CTE jobs for the next generation. Thank you, Mike, for your testimony and expertise.

Rep. Derek Schmidt (KS-2) questions witnesses during House Committee on Small Business hearing. 

Also earlier this week, I introduced a bill called the State Partnerships to Enhance Removal of Criminal Aliens Act, which focuses on what most Kansans agree should be the top priority for immigration enforcement – swift deportation of illegal aliens who also commit crimes while present in the United States. The bill would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into voluntary agreements with state and local prosecutors to represent DHS in removal proceedings before immigration courts, streamlining the process to obtain removal orders for aliens convicted in state courts.

We are roughly two weeks into a partial government shutdown due to a lapse of funding for DHS. In my view, and as I often shared previously, government shutdowns are preventable and unnecessary. It is my hope that congressional Democrats come to the table to fully open DHS and work with congressional leadership to ensure every department in the federal government is fully funded.
Around the District

Enjoyed visiting with Kansans this past week! Thank you to the following for the hospitality and productive discussions:

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth
  • Western Farm Show in Kansas City
  • KCK Fire Department in Kansas City
  • Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka
  • FritoLay in Topeka
  • Brown County Conservation District Annual Dinner in Hiawatha
Kansans in Washington

I also enjoyed meeting with many Kansans during their visits to Washington:

  • Mike Gibson, Associated General Contactors-Kansas
  • John Ford, Riley County Commission
  • Kansas State University
  • Kansas Municipal Utilities
  • Kansas Medical Society
  • National Industries for the Blind
  • Liberty Utilities

Thank you all for stopping by!
Constituent Services

My team stands ready to help Kansans in the Second Congressional District who are dealing with unresolved federal issues. This includes assistance with the VA, Social Security, the IRS, and other federal agencies.

 

If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency and need assistance, please call my office at (785) 205-5253 or fill out the form on our website.

As always, my office is here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure to also follow me on social media at the links below for timely updates from my office.

 

It’s a tremendous honor to represent our Second Congressional District in Congress!

Sincerely,

Derek Schmidt

Member of Congress

Washington D.C. Office
1223 Longworth

House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Topeka Office

3550 SW 5th St.

Suite B

Topeka, KS 66606

Pittsburg Office

402 North Broadway St.

Suite B

Pittsburg, KS  66762
Bourbon County

Bo Co Coalition Meets March 4

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

 

March 4, 2026 1:00 PM

Scottview Conference Room

315 S. Scott Ave

 

 

  1.  Welcome: 

 

 

  1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1.  Program:  Teresa Davenport, Care to Share

 

 

  1.  Open Forum:

 

 

  1.  Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be March 4, 2026.

 

Bourbon County Local News