Kansas Economy Adds 3,800 Jobs, Keeping Unemployment Below National Average

Kansas House Blocks International Organizations' Enforcement Authority in 85-35 Vote

Low Name Recognition Leaves 58% of Democratic Voters Undecided in Governor's Race Poll

Boeing Offers 20% Wage Increases Over Five Years in Tentative Wichita Contract

Growing Tech Industry Interest Fuels Enrollment Surge at KSU Nuclear Engineering Program

Kansas Economy Adds 3,800 Jobs, Keeping Unemployment Below National Average

TOPEKA — Kansas employers added 3,800 jobs in November while maintaining an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, well below the national rate of 4.6 percent, according to data released by the Kansas Department of Labor. Trade, transportation and utilities led employment gains with 1,500 new positions, while manufacturing and construction added 1,300 and 1,100 jobs respectively, though the hospitality sector shed 300 jobs during the month and has lost nearly 3,700 positions over the past year. The state's labor market showed divergent trends in government employment, with state and local governments modestly expanding payrolls while federal positions fell 10 percent over the year with 2,700 job losses. Health care emerged as the state's strongest job creator, adding 3,500 positions annually as medical service demand continues rising. Average hourly earnings reached $32.70, representing a 2.5 percent increase in purchasing power after inflation, while Kansas maintained a labor force participation rate of 67.4 percent compared to 62.5 percent nationally.

Kansas Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 3.8%, Well Below National Average

State adds nearly 4,000 jobs in November as health care hiring offsets losses in restaurants and federal workforce

citizen journalGreg Loving

Kansas House Blocks International Organizations' Enforcement Authority in 85-35 Vote

TOPEKA — The Kansas House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday declaring that international organizations lack enforcement authority within the state, passing House Bill 2204 by an 85-35 margin along largely partisan lines as all opposing votes came from Democrats who characterized the measure as unnecessary political theater. Democrats argued the United Nations and World Health Organization already possess no enforcement power over Kansas and warned the legislation could complicate federal immigration actions requiring international cooperation, while Republican supporters defended it as essential protection of state sovereignty as the Senate separately advanced a constitutional amendment reducing the legislative threshold for ratifying U.S. constitutional amendments from two-thirds to a simple majority.

Citizen Journal

Low Name Recognition Leaves 58% of Democratic Voters Undecided in Governor's Race Poll

TOPEKA — A Public Policy Polling survey of 699 Democratic voters shows 58 percent unable to choose between gubernatorial candidates Sen. Cindy Holscher and Sen. Ethan Corson in the party's August 4 primary, with both Johnson County state senators remaining largely unknown statewide despite Holscher holding a 33-to-9 percent advantage among the 42 percent of respondents who expressed a preference. The poll, commissioned by the Holscher campaign, revealed 68 percent of voters could not form an opinion about Holscher and 79 percent lacked sufficient information about Corson, reflecting minimal campaign advertising spending by either candidate with more than seven months remaining before the primary that will determine the Democratic nominee to face the Republican primary winner in the general election.

Kansas Reflector

Boeing Offers 20% Wage Increases Over Five Years in Tentative Wichita Contract

WICHITA — The union representing 1,600 aerospace professionals at Boeing's Wichita operations reached a tentative agreement Thursday featuring 20 percent wage pool increases over 58 months, improved medical and dental benefits, enhanced retirement matching, and a $6,000 ratification bonus, with the negotiating team unanimously recommending approval before the January 30 voting deadline. The proposed contract includes annual guaranteed raises of at least 2 percent with additional merit-based increases, a switch to Boeing's medical insurance plans projected to save workers an average of $3,100 annually, increased 401(k) matching to 10 percent starting in 2027, and an average of six additional paid time-off days per year, replacing the current agreement expiring January 31. SPEEA's WTPU represents more than 1,600 aerospace professionals working in non-engineering roles at Boeing's recently reacquired Wichita operations. They have been working under a six-year contract that expires on Jan. 31. Nationally, SPEEA represents nearly 19,000 engineers, scientists, technical workers and pilots at Boeing Co. sites in Washington, Oregon, Kansas, California and Utah.

KWCH

Growing Tech Industry Interest Fuels Enrollment Surge at KSU Nuclear Engineering Program

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor, one of only 31 university-based reactors operating in the United States, has driven significant enrollment growth in the nuclear engineering program over the past five to seven years as major technology companies and the federal government increase focus on nuclear energy applications. The 60-year-old facility located in Ward Hall provides students with practical reactor operation experience and paid employment opportunities, while also supporting research collaborations. Program officials are planning expanded community tours to educate the public about the reactor's educational and research capabilities.

KWCH

Sources

1. Citizen Journal
2. Citizen Journal
3. Kansas Reflector
4. KWCH
5. KWCH

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 20 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!

Brought to you by (click me!)