Kansas
Kansas raising death benefits for families of killed workers in ‘truly necessary’ overhaul • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — The state is set to bolster benefits for families of workers who have been killed and for workers who have been permanently disabled, marking change for the first time in more than a decade.
Kansas workers will see the effects of the change in little more than a month, following the passage of legislation overhauling what have been some of the lowest workers’ compensation rates in the country.
Senate Bill 430, a bipartisan law formed after vigorous negotiations with business and labor groups, will go into effect July 1. Lawmakers sent the bill to the governor in March, and she signed it April 11. Gov. Laura Kelly held a second ceremonial signing Wednesday to reiterate the law’s importance, surrounded by lawmakers, labor groups and members of the National Guard.
Kelly estimated the last meaningful updates to workers’ comp happened 13 years ago, and it took 24 years of work before that to achieve change.
“I remind you of this so we all truly appreciate how big a deal this really is,” Kelly said.
A family of a worker killed on the job will receive up to $500,000 in death compensation benefits, up from the previous cap of $300,000. For a worker with an injury resulting in a permanent and total disability, benefits will be capped at $400,000, up from $155,000. Compensation benefits for a temporary total disability will go from the previous cap of $130,000 to $225,000. The benefits will also undergo cost-of-living adjustments starting in 2027.
“The bill’s language is the result of countless hours of effort by representatives of injured workers, industry, and the state to craft much-needed and meaningful updates to the Kansas Workers Compensation Act,” said Anton Andersen, a defense attorney and director for the Kansas Self Insurer’s Association.
Other changes include extending workers’ compensation coverage to those in the Kansas National Guard and decreasing the Social Security retirement offset for certain disability benefits.
“This legislation is a significant step in achieving a balance between the needs of workers and the realities of the business world,” said Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Shultz. “We are proud to play a part in the creation of a more fair and equitable system.”
SB 430 also allows for the settlement of workers’ compensation cases without a formal court hearing and limits use of independent medical examinations, among other provisions.
“It has been way too long since we have revised our worker compensation laws,” Kelly said in an interview after the signing. “This was absolutely necessary. We were one of the states with the lowest workers’ compensation of any state in the country.”
The Minnesota Twins were defeated 3-1 by the Kansas City Royals, who used home runs by Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins, two hitters not known for their power, on an unseasonably warm day in front of a sellout crowd of 39,320 in Kansas City’s home opener.
The temperature at first pitch on Monday was 85 degrees.
In the first game at Kauffman Stadium since the Royals moved in the fences 8 to 10 feet, all four runs scored on home runs. However, all three home runs also would have been out with the old dimensions.
Kris Bubic (1-0) picked up the win for Kansas City. He allowed one run on two hits in six innings. John Schreiber pitched the ninth for his first save.
Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1) took the loss for the Twins.
Both Woods Richardson and Bubic were effective, though neither was brilliant. Woods Richardson allowed just two runs but on five hits. Bubic walked three. Both starters allowed baserunners in all but one inning.
Bubic was the third straight Royals starter to pitch at least six innings with one or fewer runs allowed after Michael Wacha allowed no runs in 6 innings Saturday and Seth Lugo allowed no runs in 6 1/3 innings on Sunday.
Matt Wallner opened the scoring in the second inning for the Twins with a 424-foot home run that nearly reached the fountains in right-center.
The Royals answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning when Isbel’s homer landed in the Royals bullpen in right field. Isbel managed only four home runs in all of 2025.
Collins then extended the lead to 3-1 with a 400-foot blast into the Twins bullpen in the seventh. It was Collins’ first hit this season, having started the season 0-for-8.
Up next
After an off-day Tuesday, the Twins and Royals resume the three-game series Wednesday.
The Kansas City Royals host their 2026 home opener on Monday afternoon. They’ll be hosting the Minnesota Twins in an American League Central matchup.
Baseball returns to Kauffman Stadium for the first time in 2026 on Monday afternoon. That’s when the Kansas City Royals (1-2) will take the field for their home opener. Their first home game of the year is a divisional matchup, with an American League Central foe in the Minnesota Twins (1-2) coming to town for a three-game set. It was a very even series between these two teams last year, with the Royals winning seven games and the Twins winning six.
How to Watch Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Today:
Game Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Game Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Minnesota Twins (NEW), FOX (KFJX – Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS)
Location: Kauffman Stadium
Live Stream the Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game: Start watching now!
The Royals get to return home on a high note, after picking up their first win of the season on Sunday. That was in the series finale with the Atlanta Braves, which saw them drop the first two games. Catcher Carter Jensen homered and drove in two runs in that 4-1 victory.
Minnesota was also on the road this weekend and won one of three games. The Twins took the middle game against the Baltimore Orioles to open the season. Third baseman Royce Lewis had a strong series, hitting the Twins’ only two home runs to this point.
What Time Is The Minnesota vs Kansas City Game On?
The Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game will take place on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Tune in to see the Royals’ home opener, the 54th at Kauffman Stadium.
What Channel Is The Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Game On?
All of the action in this game can be found on Minnesota Twins (NEW), FOX (KFJX – Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS). Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup, as well as numerous other sports leagues.
Live Stream the Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game: Start watching now!
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Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current
Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current LIVE GAME: Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current look to seize control of thrilling Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current. Every team in the Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current will host Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current at Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current Park Stadium with the Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current a single point ahead of Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current in the standings and just one behind leaders Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current.
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