Government, Kansas

KS Kansas Sports Facilities Authority Act is Signed Amid Others

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Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Creating Kansas Sports Facilities Authority Act

~~Instrumental Legislation Establishes Governance of Kansas City Chiefs’
New World-Class Stadium, Practice Facility in Kansas~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has signed House Bill 2466, creating the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority Act. The bill enables the construction of a sports facility and related infrastructure for a National Football League (NFL) franchise team to play its home games and extends the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds program. Governor Kelly and the Kansas City Chiefs announced in December 2025 that an agreement has been reached to build a domed stadium and a mixed-use entertainment district, as well as a new team headquarters, training facility, and mixed-use development in Kansas.

“The Kansas City Chiefs’ historic agreement with the State of Kansas is monumental for our economy, creating thousands of new jobs, attracting tourists from around the world, and elevating Kansas as an elite place to put down roots,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This bill provides the necessary governance structure and guardrails to manage and oversee the team’s facilities, ensuring Kansans for generations to come will continue to cheer on our beloved team at home. We’re turning Kansas into a premier destination for sports and entertainment, without raising state taxes or taking funding away from essential services.”

The Kansas Sports Facilities Authority Act establishes the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority to govern the stadium and practice facility. The authority will consist of 11 voting members who are Kansas residents with relevant education, training, and experience related to facility administration, accounting, law, marketing, or other related fields. The authority’s voting members will be the secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, and one member appointed by each of the following: governor, president of the Senate, speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate, and the team. The mayors of the two cities where the team’s facilities are located would also be entitled to appoint a voting member to the authority, which could be themselves, as long as the city participates in a STAR Bond project. The initial members must be appointed by August 31, 2026. The authority is required to conduct annual independent financial audits, maintain a public website, and submit annual reports to the Legislature.

“This bipartisan legislation establishes a responsible path forward that brings the Chiefs to Kansas while ensuring the State’s investment is carefully structured and protected,” said Representative Sean Tarwater, District 27. “I commend the Legislature for making those protections a priority, and I appreciate Governor Kelly’s support in signing this important bill into law.”

The agreement with the Chiefs is a massive economic win for Kansas, with the construction phase alone creating over 20,000 jobs and $4.4 billion in economic impact for the state. From there, the stadium will bring over $1 billion in annual impact. The agreement is a public-private partnership that includes a $3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County, which will open at the start of the 2031 NFL season, and a new Chiefs headquarters and training facility in the City of Olathe in Johnson County. Both sites will have mixed-use developments that could include sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel, and residential properties.

“The Chiefs’ decision to come to Kansas is transformational for our workforce and economy and puts Kansas on the map as a global tourism destination,” said Senator Oletha Faust Goudeau, District 29. “In passing this bipartisan bill, we’re building a brighter future for Kansas by putting responsible structures in place to oversee construction and operation of the stadium and practice facility and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

In addition to House Bill 2466, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

Substitute for House Bill 2114: Clarifying which structures shall be considered water obstructions and not a dam, increasing application fees for a permit to construct, modify or add to a dam, requiring preconstruction permit fees, and requiring any licensed professional engineer who conducts inspections to be approved by the chief engineer or a certified intern engineer who is under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer.

House Bill 2116: Requiring cities and counties of certain population sizes to use standard contract provisions as used in state contracts.

House Bill 2192: Limiting or prohibiting work release for people convicted of a second or third offense of domestic battery, requiring an offender convicted of a first offense to undergo a domestic violence offender assessment, excluding certain offenders convicted of a nonperson felony from participation in certified drug abuse treatment programs, and authorizing community correctional services officers to complete criminal risk-need assessments for divertees who are committed to such programs.

House Bill 2413: Providing that theft of livestock or implements of husbandry is a severity level 5, nonperson felony. Additionally, the bill amends the criminal statute for cruelty to animals to exclude the actions of a person who catches a feral cat to provide vaccination, spaying, or neutering and returns the cat back to the location where the cat was caught after providing such care. The bill would also provide enhanced penalties for offenses committed related to transnational repression (TNR) and require the development of TNR recognition and response training.

House Bill 2462: Requiring rules and regulations for potable reusable water to be adopted and making changes to the sunset, funding transfers, and grant process for the Water Technical Assistance Fund and Water Projects Grant Fund.

House Bill 2464: Extending the sunset date of the Angel Investor Tax Credit, the number of years that new credits may be issued or earned for contributions to graduates of aerospace and aviation-related educational programs and employers of program graduates and the tax credits for contributions to the Eisenhower Foundation and Friends of Cedar Crest Association

House Bill 2479: Authorizing electronic monitoring with victim notification as a condition of release prior to trial for certain offenders charged with a domestic violence offense, domestic battery, stalking, or violation of a protective order; increasing penalties for the crimes of endangering a child and aggravated endangering a child when the child is less than 6 years of age; and amending provisions of the Kansas Criminal Code related to the crimes of breach of privacy, blackmail, and unlawful sexual relations.

House Bill 2481: Authorizing local governments to opt in to the sale of alcoholic beverages 23 hours a day, seven days a week, for the duration of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, between May 15, 2026, and July 25, 2026, requiring the collection of transient guest taxes for any short-term rental or vacation unit, and prohibiting city and county governments from limiting the number of permits or other authorizations required for the operation of such units.

House Bill 2482: Removing the requirement that the state board of education use a certain exam provider to deliver certain college entrance and career readiness exams and requiring the board to provide for such exams using any provider.

House Bill 2485: Amending the Kansas blueprint for literacy to provide certain requirements for the state board of education, the state board of regents and school districts with regard to literacy education and reporting; requiring the development of a comprehensive literacy implementation plan; authorizing the chief executive officer of the state board of regents to negotiate and settle any repayment obligations arising under any scholarship, grant, or other financial aid program administered by the board; directing the governor to approve short-term workforce training programs for Pell grant eligibility; providing for the transferability of credentials earned through career readiness assessments toward a degree; prohibiting Kansas promise scholarship awards from being used to fund remedial hours offered as part of corequisite courses; providing requirements for agreements between postsecondary educational institutions and school districts for the provision of postsecondary courses taught in secondary schools.

House Bill 2507:Increasing the cap on certain stamp fees, amending the Kansas Open Records Act, and authorizing the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to adopt certain rules and regulations.

House Bill 2509: Adding advanced practice registered nurse to the definition of healthcare provider for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act and adding an advanced practice registered nurse position to the board of governors of the healthcare stabilization fund. The bill also permits licensed physical therapists to perform certain capillary blood tests.

House Bill 2042: Authorizing the adoption of certain rules and regulations related to hazardous waste monitoring and permit application fees by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

House Bill 2647: Authorizing the Kansas Department of Transportation to establish a statewide conduit system for fiber optic transmissions of broadband connections.

House Bill 2124: Amending the law regarding speed limits in residence districts and the operation of golf carts.

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Government, Kansas

KS Bipartisan Bill Strengthening Public Safety Signed Amid Others

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Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill
Strengthening Public Safety


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Senate Bill 374, which requires further consideration of evaluation and treatment during competency proceedings for defendants charged with the most serious offenses. This legislation strengthens public safety protections by closing a critical gap in Kansas statute that could lead to potentially dangerous defendants being released after being found incompetent to stand trial, while also balancing the due process rights of defendants.

Senate Bill 374 is also known as the Logan and Austin Bill, named after Logan and Austin Jackson, who were murdered by their father in 2020. Their mother, Tara, provided testimony on the bill and has been an advocate for closing loopholes that could result in violent and potentially dangerous offenders being released into the public.

“I am proud to sign Senate Bill 374, the Logan and Austin Bill, into law,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This unanimous, bipartisan legislation sends a clear message that protecting Kansas families is a shared priority. By closing a critical loophole, we are ensuring that individuals who pose a serious danger are no longer left in legal limbo and that courts have the guidance they need to act appropriately and swiftly.”

When considering further treatment and evaluation for a defendant who’s been found incompetent to stand trial, this bill ensures courts can now consider the prior behavior of the defendant when determining whether the individual would pose public safety risks to the community upon release.

“I appreciate the Governor’s swift action to sign Senate Bill 374, the Logan and Austin Act, into law, and I’m proud to have worked alongside our local County Attorney Todd Thompson and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office on this bipartisan effort to close a loophole and better protect Kansas families,” said Senator Jeff Klemp, District 5.

Senate Bill 374 addresses and clarifies several matters:

  • Allows prosecuting attorneys to initiate and participate in involuntary commitment proceedings.
  • Clarifies what must be included in petitions and recognizes the harm that the defendant poses to themselves or others.
  • Allows courts to consider the full scope of risk, including prior convictions, pending charges, and a defendant’s overall behavior.
  • Provides a tiered, proportionate approach to dismissal.
  • Acknowledges that the State has a compelling interest in continued treatment and supervision in the most serious cases.

“The bill ensures public safety while seeing to it that those convicted of serious crimes get the mental health assistance they need to at least be able to participate in their own defense,” Representative Tobias Schlingensiepen, District 55, said. “I applaud Governor Kelly’s willingness to sign this bill into law.”

This legislation closes critical loopholes, strengthening safeguards and ensuring those who have committed serious crimes are evaluated appropriately and not put in positions to threaten themselves, victims, and the general public.

In addition to Senate Bill 374, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

House Bill 2068: Amending various provisions in the Pharmacy Act of the State of Kansas and the Pharmacy Practice Act regarding pharmacist scope of practice, pharmaceutical compounding, authority to delegate access to the state’s prescription monitoring program database, and the remote practice of pharmacy

House Bill 2518: Creating the Kansas Transparency in Consumer Legal Funding Act.

House Bill 2533: Enacting four multistate licensure compacts: the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact; the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact; the Esthetics Licensure Compact; and the Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact.

House Bill 2534: Requiring school districts to develop fentanyl abuse education programs and to maintain a stock supply of naloxone, creating the Student Safe at School Act regarding the conduct of active shooter drills and simulations, amending the definition of “crisis drill” for purposes of rules and regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal, and amending requirements concerning school district at-risk accountability plans.

House Bill 2560: Authorizing the sale of certain property on behalf of Kansas State University and amending statute to exempt state educational institutions from certain statutes concerning the execution of contracts, procurement of goods and services, transactions involving easements, disposition of surplus property, establishment of hospitality limitations, and participation in the Kansas Quality Program.

House Bill 2573: Amending statutes concerning the Kansas board of accountancy; relating to licensure requirements for certified public accountants.

House Bill 2590: Creating the Kansas Community Property Trust Act and amending the Kansas Uniform Trust Code.

House Bill 2591: Allowing a financial institution to establish a trusted contact program, allowing for suspected financial exploitation reporting, delaying suspicious transactions, creating the Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act as part of the Kansas Money Transmitter Act, prohibiting state receivership of a technology-enabled fiduciary financial institution (TEFFI) that becomes insolvent or declares bankruptcy, requiring earned wage access service registrants to be subject to the Kansas Financial Institutions Information Security Act, and other technical changes.

House Bill 2596: Creating a limited exception to the Prison-made Goods Act of Kansas to authorize the Secretary of Corrections to establish a pilot program at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility to enter into contracts for production of manufactured or modular homes.

House Bill 2601: Establishing a Child Abuse and Neglect Registry maintained by the Secretary for Children and Families and requiring administrative hearings.

House Bill 2613: Providing for the crime victims compensation board to establish fees for examinations of persons who may be victims of sexual assault, authorizing the board to adopt rules and regulations to administer such fees and to use money in the crime victims compensation fund for the payment of such fees and allowing certain exceptions to the confidentiality of records and information given to the board.

House Bill 2615: Designating a portion of US-56 as the Bill Tucker Memorial Highway, a portion of US-75 as the Big Gen George H Wark Memorial Highway, and removing the portion of US-75 from the Purple Heart/Combat Wounded Veterans Highway.

House Bill 2653: Requiring the secretary of corrections to assist inmates with obtaining identification and employment-related documentation prior to release from custody.

House Bill 2700: Establishing the Kansas digital right-to-repair act to provide the right for persons who purchase digital electronic equipment to obtain the legal authorization and necessary documentation and parts from original equipment manufacturers to diagnose, maintain and repair such equipment.

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Government, Kansas

Expanding  Health Coverage for Kansas Children Bill is Signed Amid Others

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Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand
Health Coverage for Kansas Children


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Senate Bill 271, bipartisan legislation that permanently updates the outdated income eligibility requirements for Kansas’ Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and protects access to affordable health coverage for Kansas children.

“Every Kansas child deserves access to quality, affordable health care,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “For far too long, Kansas has relied on temporary fixes to address the outdated standards that made it harder for families to get the coverage they need. I’m pleased to sign this bipartisan, commonsense legislation that cements these updates to the Kansas CHIP income eligibility requirements and prioritizes the health, well-being, and future of Kansas kids.”

Senate Bill 271 adjusts the household income eligibility threshold for the State CHIP from 250 percent of the 2008 federal poverty level to 250 percent of the current federal poverty income guidelines, aligning Kansas with the rest of the nation. This change safeguards access to coverage for working families while ensuring income eligibility keeps pace with today’s economic realities.

“This was a true bipartisan effort to pass a clean SB 271,” said Representative Susan Ruiz, District 23. “We recognized that passing this bill has been a long time coming and was the right thing to do for the children of Kansas.”

Additionally, Senate Bill 271 directs the Secretary of Health and Environment to codify the existing practice of using a sliding-fee scale that charges premiums per family and ensures that eligible children can maintain coverage at renewal if families remain eligible and pay all delinquent premiums. The legislation also removes outdated provisions regarding waiting periods and penalties for non-payment of premiums within a continuous eligibility period to align state and federal law.

“Making CHIP premiums based on a sliding-fee scale per family is a practical, family-first approach,” said Representative Will Carpenter, District 75. “Senate Bill 271 ensures costs are more affordable and predictable, so families don’t have to choose between paying for health coverage and other basic needs. This bill is a commonsense step to keep more Kansas kids covered.”

In addition to Senate Bill 271, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

Senate Bill 380: Requiring retail electric suppliers to provide nondiscriminatory rates and services to entities that provide electric vehicle charging services and prohibiting any costs and expenses associated with a retail electric supplier’s electric vehicle charging stations from being recovered in electric rates.

Senate Bill 382: Providing for the administration of statewide assessments to virtual school students by such students’ virtual schools, adding third parties who contract with school districts to the definition of special teacher, providing for special education state aid reimbursement for certain qualified teachers, authorizing nonpublic schools to permit nonaccredited private elementary or secondary school students to participate in certain activities and authorizing foreign exchange students who reside with a host family to enroll in and attend the resident school district of the host family.

Senate Bill 403: Authorizing the Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and Delta Waterfowl license plates, prohibiting a license plate with any frame or other object on or around the plate that affects its visibility or legibility, and clarifying the definition of “conviction” in the Kansas Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act.

Senate Bill 408: Excluding a child engaging in age-appropriate independent activities from the definition of a child in need of care in the revised Kansas code for care of children and requiring the Secretary for Children and Families to enter into a memorandum of understanding with military organizations and create a referral process for children in need of care cases involving children of military personnel to provide families with services.

Senate Bill 412: Imposing a duty on a conservator to notify certain entities and persons of any court order commanding performance or safekeeping of a conservatee’s estate assets.

Senate Bill 435: Authorizing the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System board of trustees to elect the vice chairperson of the board, requiring newly affiliated Kansas Police and Firemen’s Retirement System employers to contribute at the actuarial required rate for past and future service, and repealing certain working after retirement statutes for state and local elected officials.

Senate Bill 480: Reviving repealed statutes related to estates of absentees and requiring nonresident fiduciaries to appoint an agent residing in this state.

Senate Bill 487: Requiring the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to implement a statewide offender registration system for agencies who register offenders under the offender registration act, providing for a petition to determine that an offender is indigent, and authorizing a notice to appear to be issued for a violation of the act involving nonpayment of a fee.

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2099: Authorizing the Secretary of Corrections on behalf of the state of Kansas to convey a 57-acre parcel of land located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, to Leavenworth County.

House Bill 2158: Permitting beekeepers who meet certain requirements to sell packaged honey and honeycombs without holding a food establishment or food processing plant license under the Kansas food, drug and cosmetic act.

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2501: Providing for immunity from civil liability to federal firearms licensees for returning a firearm to the firearm owner at the termination of a firearm hold agreement, removing the criminal prohibition against firearm suppressors and shotgun barrel length requirements, and enhancing penalties for certain felonies committed while using a firearm suppressor or short-barrel shotgun.

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Government, Kansas

KS Pharmacy Benefit Managers Regulation Bill Signed Amid Others

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Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill
Lowering Costs for Kansans


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Senate Bill 20, which regulates Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the middlemen responsible for negotiating drug prices between manufacturers, pharmacies, and insurers, as well as setting reimbursement rates for prescription medications.

“I’m pleased to support smart, bipartisan legislation that places long overdue guardrails on PBMs by requiring those who conduct business in our state to do so in a fair and transparent manner,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Increasing regulation of PBMs is a critical, necessary step towards lowering costs for Kansans and ensuring that their health needs and best interests are put first.”

“We’ve seen more than 100 local Kansas pharmacies close in the past decade alone. This has left thousands of Kansans in pharmacy deserts, forcing them to travel long distances to pick up their needed prescriptions. Kansans deserve better, and that’s what SB 20 will do,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, District 21. “This bill will increase transparency and accountability within our pharmaceutical industry, ensuring Kansans and locally-owned pharmacies are not being priced out of their life-saving medications or the pharmaceutical market. I am proud of the bipartisan work that went into crafting this legislation and getting it across the finish line. The path for this commonsense reform wasn’t without hurdles, but my colleagues and I worked across the aisle to provide much-needed relief to hardworking Kansans.”

Senate Bill 20 enacts several changes to current PBM practices, including granting the Kansas Insurance Commissioner increased authority to regulate PBMs, ensuring all pharmacies are reimbursed using the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), mandating that drug rebates pass through to health plans, and bans spread pricing so PBMs can no longer charge health plans more than they reimburse pharmacies, which previously resulted in a profit for PBMs.

“Kansans deserve a prescription drug system that works for them, not one that operates behind closed doors by those who seek to profit from it,” said Senate Vice President Tim Shallenburger, District 13. “Senate Bill 20 brings transparency, fairness, and accountability to pharmacy benefit managers by banning spread pricing, ensuring fair reimbursement rates, and strengthening reporting requirements. Most importantly, this bill works to lower prescription costs, protect rural communities and independent pharmacies, and ensure Kansans across this state have access to care and medications they rely on every day.”

Through Senate Bill 20, a new regulatory framework guarantees that the needs of patients – not PBMs – are prioritized.

In addition to Senate Bill 20, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills: 

Senate Bill 23: Authorizing the Department of Insurance to revoke the license of a nonresident agent without the requirement of a hearing and adjusting the time frame in which insurance agents and public adjusters must respond to inquiries from the Commissioner of Insurance.

Senate Bill 92: Amending parallel generation law to extend an exclusion regarding large-load facilities from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027.

Senate Bill 232: Establishing the Born to Invest Act, requiring the Office of Vital Statistics to provide certain information on children born in Kansas to the State Treasurer.

Senate Bill 321: Making various commemorative designations for bridges and highways.

Senate Bill 325: Creating the Vehicle Services Modernization Task Force, specify limits in paying for help in collecting motor vehicle registration and certificate of title fees, and renaming certain fees and authorizing an increase to a transaction fee.

Senate Bill 353: Designating an official Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame and establishing the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame selection committee.

Senate Bill 356: Authorizing the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) to adopt proposed permanent administrative rules and regulations regarding sports wagering.

Substitute for House Bill 2250: Adding administering an emergency opioid antagonist up to 10 years past the product’s expiration date as a protected act immune from criminal prosecution, authorizing a licensed private psychiatrist hospital to maintain a stock supply of emergency medication kits for pharmaceutical emergencies, permitting pharmacists to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to schools for emergency medication kits, and authorizing the use of expedited partner therapy to treat sexually transmitted diseases.

House Bill 2357: Providing for expungement of certain court records and consideration of mediation in eviction actions in which the underlying rental agreement is governed by the residential landlord and tenant act.

House Bill 2497: Amending the Kansas Contracts and Promises statute by limiting the existing prohibition on prepayment penalties to only apply to consumer-purpose home loans.

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Church news, Fort Scott

First Southern Baptist’s SPRING CRAFT SHOW is April 10

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

First Southern Baptist Church

Kick off spring at First Southern Baptist’s

SPRING

CRAFT SHOW!

April 10th
8am-5pm

April 11th
8am-3pm

@ 1818 South Main St.

(across from Briggs Auto)

31 vendors confirmed

Shop a wide variety of handmade, boutique,

and one-of-a-kind finds!

Church sponsored meals:

Homemade Chicken Noodle Dinner – $10

(includes mashed potatoes, homemade chicken noodles, green beans, homemade roll, and 2 cookies)

Pulled Pork Sandwich – $10

(includes baked beans and 2 cookies)

** DINE IN, CARRY OUT, OR CALL FOR DELIVERY (2+ MEALS) AVAILABLE!

Delivery times

Friday: 10:30am-5pm

Saturday 10:30am -3pm

Questions?

417-262-3948 or 620-215-3202

Click HERE to visit the

First Southern Baptist Church

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit the

First Southern Baptist Church

Website!

A special Thank You to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

CHC/SEK to Offer Free Lung Cancer Screenings for Women

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FORT SCOTT, Kan.—The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is offering free low-dose CT lung cancer screenings for eligible women.

These screenings can help detect lung cancer before symptoms appear. “Catching lung cancer early gives you the best chance for successful treatment. This quick, painless scan could save your life,” said Kimberly Wass, CHC/SEK Radiology Lead.

“We know how busy life can get, so we’ve made screenings as easy and convenient as possible,” said Wass. “You’re welcome to schedule during one of our event dates or choose a day that works best for you. The screening itself takes just 15 minutes.”

The screenings will take place at 2322 S. Main in Fort Scott. To make an appointment, call 620-223-8484.

The event dates include:

  • Wednesday, April 15, 2026: 4 pm to 7 pm
  • Saturday, April 18, 2026: 9 am to 12 pm

Eligible participants include women ages 50 to 80 who:

  • Are uninsured or underinsured
  • Are current smokers with a 20-pack-year history or former smokers who quit within the past 15 years and also have a 20-pack-year history
  • Have not been diagnosed with lung cancer in the past five years
  • Do not currently have respiratory symptoms

Women with insurance are also encouraged to call; CHC/SEK staff can help them review their coverage options.

The program is funded by the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund Women’s Giving Circle.

For more information, visit chcsek.org.

 

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About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.

Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Fort Scott Stories is more than a film

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

The Gordon Parks Museum

You’ve never seen Fort Scott like this before…Be part of something powerful. Be part of our story.

✨

The premiere of Fort Scott Stories is more than a film. It’s a moving look at the heart, history, and people that make our community what it is today ❤️

From youth to elders, business owners to community leaders… this is Fort Scott. Raw, real, and unforgettable.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Doors Open: 6:30 PM

Film Begins: 7:00 PM

📍 Gordon Parks Museum (Ellis Fine Arts Building)

FREE Admission

(Donations are welcome)

Cash Bar Available

Click HERE to reserve your seat!

Seats will fill quickly. Don’t miss this unforgettable night celebrating the soul of Fort Scott!

Watch the Fort Scott Stories trailer by clicking the button below ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TRAILER

Click HERE to visit the

The Gordon Parks Museum

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit the

The Gordon Parks Museum

Website!

A special Thank You to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Bourbon County, Government, Jobs

Bourbon County’s New Emergency Manager: Lou Howard

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Lou Howard, Bourbon County Emergency Manager. Submitted photo.

Lou Howard was hired as the new Bourbon County Emergency Manager on February 13.

She knows the area because she has lived and worked here her entire life.

“I have spent many years serving in public safety in several different roles. I served with Bourbon County Fire District 3 for many years as a firefighter / EMT,” Howard said. “I held several officer positions and served as a board member for several years. I gained extensive experience in emergency response, incident command, and working alongside other first responders to protect our community.”

“I also worked for the City of Fort Scott as a Communications Technician before becoming the 911 Communications Director for the Fort Scott Police Department/Bourbon County 911 Communications Center. As Communications Director, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the 911 center and supervised staff while helping ensure emergency calls and radio communications were handled accurately and efficiently.”

She is currently working full-time at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office as an administrative assistant for the sheriff and Bourbon County Corrections.

The Emergency Manager position is a part-time position.

“Fortunately, Sheriff Martin, Major Moore, and my coworkers have been very easy to work with,” she said. “I can leave the office if I need to take care of Emergency Management issues or attend meetings or trainings, and make up the time as long as everything is getting done.”
“Anything that can be taken care of for Emergency Management outside of business hours, I have been doing before clocking in at the Sheriff’s office or after clocking out and working weekends on it.”
“Emergency Management, like other emergency services, is definitely not a Monday through Friday 9-5 job. It has been a balancing act juggling both positions, but I feel like I am handling it well so far.”
Yes! Our Facebook page is Bourbon County Kansas Emergency Management.

What does the Bourbon County Emergency Manager do?

“As the Bourbon County Emergency Manager, my role is to coordinate activities relating to the prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to natural disasters, major emergencies, or terroristic events. I will work closely with local fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public health, and local, state, and federal government officials to coordinate emergency planning and response efforts.”

My responsibilities include disaster preparedness planning, coordinating response efforts during emergencies, supporting training and exercises, and helping educate the public about preparedness and safety.

“One of the first projects I am working on is implementing Genasys Protect, which will replace CodeRED as Bourbon County’s emergency notification system. The system will allow residents to receive important emergency notifications and updates, including severe weather alerts and other public safety information.”

To learn more about emergency management and the new alert system, stop by the Emergency Preparedness booth at the 103.9 Home Show this Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Scott Community College.

With the Kansas tornado season in full swing, this is a good time to know where to get alerts.

“I will have a Bourbon County Emergency Management booth and will be happy to help residents get registered for the new alert system and answer questions.”

Education and Experience

She graduated from Fort Scott High School and has continued her education and training through her career in public safety.

She completed Firefighter I and Fire Service Instructor, and many other training courses through the University of Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute.

“I completed my Kansas Board of EMS Emergency Medical Technician certification through Fort Scott Community College and went on to complete the Emergency Medical Training Officer certification. I am an American Heart Association instructor and have completed coursework in Emergency Management through Barton County Community College.”

“In the field of emergency communications, I earned certifications through The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) as a Public Safety Telecommunicator and Communications Training Officer, and completed the Center Manager Certification Program through the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).”

The Bourbon County Courthouse.

Contact information

Lou Howard, Bourbon County Emergency Manager, has an office in the courthouse at 210 National Avenue, Fort Scott.
Phone: 620-215-6316
Email: [email protected]
Website: bourboncountyks.org

The Facebook page is Bourbon County Kansas Emergency Management.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Destination Creation Workshop this coming Monday, April 13th

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

brings you

Destination Business Expert

Jon Schallert

For a Destination Creation Workshop
this coming Monday, April 13th

8:30am-2pm at River Room Event Center

Registration includes light breakfast
refreshments & lunch!

Don’t miss it!

We encourage you to sign up today!

The deadline to sign up is this Friday 4/10
so we can make necessary arrangements.

Jon’s strategies can apply to any type of business, attraction, nonprofit, our community and region!

We are fortunate to be bringing him here
thanks to partnerships of Network Kansas
and the City of Fort Scott, so we encourage your attendance to have a great showing!

IF you have heard Jon before, he says this will
be a “102” version with new content!

Visit jonschallert.com for more info.!

Join the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for a powerful, hands-on workshop with nationally recognized destination business expert Jon Schallert. This isn’t just another seminar; it’s a strategy-driven experience designed to help you attract more customers, increase your sales, and turn your business into a true consumer destination.

April 13th
8:30am-2:15pm

(check in begins at 8am)a ,a

@ The River Room Event Center

3 W. Oak St.

In-County Attendee: $50

Out-of-County Attendee: $75

(Includes breakfast refreshments & lunch)

SCHEDULE

8:30-11:45 pm

Breakfast & Workshop

12:00-12:45 pm

Lunch

12:45-2:15 pm

Marketing Roundtable

To Register click the button below:
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This event wouldn’t be possible without our event sponsors, Network Kansas and The City of Fort Scott, and in partnership with The River Room Event Center and Sleep Inn & Suites.

If you’re serious about growing your business, this is the room you need to be in!

A special Thank You to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly Vetoes 15 Bills

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed 15 bills.

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 361:

“This new federal program needs to be thoroughly vetted to understand the potential impact on funding for our public schools. If it is, in essence, just another voucher program designed to re-direct taxpayer dollars to private schools to the detriment of our public schools, Kansans have made clear they don’t want it. My veto allows time for proper vetting and educated decision-making.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 361.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 391:

“At a time when Kansans are facing ever-increasing costs and sky-high rents, the Legislature chose to pass a bill that will make it harder for Kansas renters to find an affordable place to live. This bill also takes away the discretion of local elected officials to formulate housing policy that’s best for their community. I encourage the Legislature to focus on policy that respects the authority of local officials and that makes it easier, not harder, for Kansans to afford basic necessities.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 391.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 462:

“Local elected officials and local government officials are best equipped, and constitutionally and/or statutorily authorized, to deal with issues of local concern. Should they need the assistance of the state Attorney General to resolve an issue, they can call upon him/her. This bill would transfer the underlying authority from the locals to the Attorney General. There is no good reason for this usurpation of power.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 462.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2329:

“In 2016, after much thoughtful fact-finding and deliberation, the Kansas Legislature passed SB 367, a monumental overhaul of our approach to our juvenile justice system. The effort was led by Representative Russ Jennings, the late former Commissioner of the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority and a nationally recognized expert in the field. The intent of the reforms in SB 367 was to reduce the number of children in the “system” by providing more effective diversion and treatment programs in the community. Overall, the reforms worked. But they also exposed some gaps in the system, primarily centered around appropriate placement for children whose behaviors made it hard to find suitable placement for them in the community. HB 2329 was a well-intentioned response to that problem. Unfortunately, while looking for a solution for one problem, HB 2329 would reverse much of the forward progress made under SB 367. I encourage the Legislature to set up a special committee to study this issue again, in depth, and craft legislation that will build on the successes of SB 367 and retain Kansas’ position as a leader in the Juvenile Justice realm.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2329.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2333:

“I have long believed that the quality of public debate in our nation has been declining, and I strongly support the toning down of political rhetoric and a return to civility. Schools and college campuses are excellent places to begin this process. However, free speech and civil discussion are already protected by our state and federal constitutions. This will cause confusion for courts and schools and create confusing caselaw.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2333.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2372:

“This legislation poses a myriad of legal concerns. First this legislation creates serious tension between ensuring law enforcement officers can carry out their duties while respecting the First Amendment rights of Kansans to observe and record their actions.

“Second, there are already federal laws in place establishing the crime of interfering with federal law enforcement, meaning there is no need to create a state crime for the same unlawful activity. Additionally, this legislation would increase liability exposure, increase costs, and remove local control from county commissions in making determinations about preserving public safety and law enforcement operations.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2372.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2437:

“This legislation would impose restrictions on online voter registration that could suppress civic engagement and make it harder for Kansans to vote. It risks purging the voter rolls of rightfully eligible voters.

“Furthermore, this legislation directs certain state agencies to provide the personal information—including name, date of birth, residential address, and the last four digits of the social security number—of public assistance benefit recipients to the Secretary of State’s Office, even though disclosure of this information may be prohibited under federal law.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2437.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2569:

“The ability to vote by mail preserves this fundamental right of any Kansan to participate in the democratic process. It eliminates barriers imposed by proximity to a post office, work schedules, age, disability or illness, lack of transportation. By eliminating the ability to vote by mail for many Kansans, HB 2569 will disenfranchise a significant number of Kansans who are not able to vote in person. That appears to be the purpose of this bill as there is scant evidence of illegal voting necessitating these restrictions.

“Additionally, HB 2569, by requiring any lawsuits relating to election laws be filed in Shawnee County District Court, restricts due process and equal treatment under the law based on geography.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2569.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2587:

“Kansas has one of the strongest driver’s license verification systems in the country and already requires individuals to provide evidence of citizenship or lawful presence in order to obtain a license or state ID. This has been the case throughout my entire administration and HB 2587 does not solve an existing problem.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2587.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2593:

“This legislation takes away the power of local governments to bring suits affecting their constituents if not approved by the Attorney General. Access to the courts should not be conditioned on the Attorney General’s discretion. I reiterate that local governments should oversee decisions like these as they best understand their needs.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2593.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2626:

“HB 2626 contains several provisions that would be very beneficial to Kansas veterans. As the daughter of a career military man, I look for every opportunity to make life better for active-duty military, our veterans and their families.  Unfortunately, the Legislature added a provision to this bill that would allow for-profit entities to prey upon unsuspecting veterans, charging them hefty fees for services those veterans can receive at no-charge from state-supported veterans’ service organizations. I ask the 2027 Legislature to pass this bill again when they convene next January, without the poison pill provision.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2626.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2651:

“This bill takes away a judge’s discretion to issue a summons instead of a warrant in any felony case. This means that for low-level non-violent felonies, individuals must have a warrant issued and be detained, regardless of the felony. This blanket rule increases costs to the criminal justice system. Law enforcement entities testified to the negative impacts this legislation would bring upon their departments. I stand with them in opposing this bill.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2651.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Substitute for House Bill 2731:

“Substitute for HB 2731 adds unnecessary costs and bureaucracy in our human service and health agencies. These agencies already exchange data with each other and engage in rigorous oversight to reduce fraud and ensure that only eligible persons receive public assistance and health benefits. This bill does nothing new other than increase costs to the state by nearly $4 million, necessitate the hiring of 44 more employees and add unnecessary additional processing steps. Those additional steps will likely cause our processing error rate to increase, resulting in federal penalties costing millions of dollars. I don’t believe this was what the Legislature intended but will be the result if HB 2731 becomes law.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Substitute for House Bill 2731.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2521:

“Private child placement agencies are just that: private. They are not government agencies; they are private entities contracting with state government to provide contracted services. They are not, and should not be, provided the protections given to public agencies under the Tort Claims Act. HB 2521 would set a dangerous, and expensive, precedent.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2521.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2004:

“Due to the sensitive, personal information the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) maintain on Kansans who participate in programs like SNAP, there are strict data privacy protections regarding which entities have access to this data already embedded in federal law. This bill puts DCF and KDHE in the untenable position of violating state or federal law, thus open to lawsuits.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Substitute for House Bill 2004.”

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Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Budget Bill

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TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has signed the state’s budget, House Bill 2513, which allocates funding for Fiscal Years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.

“To put it simply, this is a bad budget that went through a bad process.

“Once again, the Legislature completely ignored my statutorily-required budget proposal that would have put our state back on track to a structural balance between revenues and expenditures,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Instead, Legislative Leadership rushed through this session, drafting and passing the budget before April Consensus Revenue Estimates are announced in just twelve days. While a full understanding of the fiscal impact of this budget won’t be known until April 20th, a few of its failures are obvious.

“This budget fails Kansas children by inexplicably cutting funding for mental health services in schools and severely underfunding special education. It cuts core services provided by state agencies to Kansans while protecting funding for the Legislature—whose own budget has doubled in the last few years—and its pet projects. In a truly shameless move, Legislators increased their own salaries by 4% after giving themselves a 93% pay raise just last year. They gave their own staff a 10% increase while offering a mere 1% to the state employees who plow our roads, who work in our prisons and our mental health facilities, who keep our communities safe.

“Despite this being a really bad budget, I will sign it, because the alternative is worse. Due to the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passed by Congress last year, Kansas taxpayers are having to shoulder costs previously absorbed at the federal level. As a result, our state agencies’ budgets had to be increased. Those millions of dollars of added costs are appropriated in this budget while they were not in last year’s.

“This is the last budget that I will sign as governor. It is my hope that the next governor will have a Legislature that is willing to return to the traditional partnership that is more likely to produce a budget that is fiscally responsible, invests in our state’s future wisely, and is befitting the trust Kansans place in us to be good stewards of their resources.”

Governor Kelly also line-item vetoed aspects of the budget. Find more information and her veto messages here.

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Bourbon County Local News