From the office of Gov. Laura Kelly
Week of September 14, 2025
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly announced several economic development initiatives and made key appointments during the week of Sept. 15, 2025, according to multiple official communications from her office.
Kelly reported that Kansas has committed to 1,541 economic development projects worth more than $24.4 billion in capital investment and over 77,000 jobs during her administration, according to her weekly newsletter.
The governor participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Owens Corning's multimillion-dollar fiberglass expansion project in Kansas City, Kansas. Kelly said the project will create new jobs, strengthen advanced manufacturing and demonstrate that Kansas is an ideal location for business.
Kelly also celebrated the dedication of the Docking Library addition to the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum in Arkansas City. She praised the Docking family's service to Kansas, noting their decades of public service.
The governor joined the Kansas Women's First Responders Symposium in Salina, where she addressed women in fire, emergency medical services and law enforcement. Kelly said these women risk their lives daily for their communities and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting women in public safety roles.
In personnel actions, Kelly ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor Magistrate Judge Erich Campbell, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who died Sept. 18, 2025. Flags will remain at half-staff until his interment on Sept. 25.
Kelly also appointed Allie Burris of Salina to a district court position in the 28th Judicial District, filling a vacancy created by Judge Rene Young's retirement. Burris currently works as an attorney at Blackwell & Struble and serves as appointed defense counsel in drug court. She is active in community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina.
The governor's office noted that district court judges in the 28th Judicial District are appointed by the governor and selected from nominees chosen by a district nominating commission. The other nominees were Michelle Martin and Brad Sutton.
This summary is based on multiple official communications from the Kansas Governor's Office for the week of Sept. 15, 2025.