Kansas
Kansas to receive $2.1M to help formerly incarcerated residents find jobs
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – The Sunflower State will receive more than $2 million to expand job training and education programs for formerly incarcerated residents.
The Kansas Department of Corrections announced on Wednesday, Jan. 14, that it has joined a 4-year national initiative aimed at breaking barriers that prevent those with criminal records from finding work.
“Kansas has long recognized the profound impact education and workforce programs have on our incarcerated population, and our state’s selection for the Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks is true recognition of the strides we have made,” said Governor Laura Kelly.
Kansas is 1 of 4 states chosen for Jobs for the Future’s Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks. The state beat out 30 other applicants.
What Kansas Will Receive
Over the next four years, state leaders said Kansas will receive:
- Up to $2.1 million in funding
- $1.8 million in technical assistance
- Access to a secure data-sharing platform
- Participation in a national learning network
Officials indicated that Maine, North Carolina and Oregon also joined the program.
Why it Matters
State leaders noted that more than 70 million Americans have records of arrest, conviction or incarceration. Many face discriminatory hiring practices and legal restrictions that limit job opportunities.
“States play a critical role in creating education and workforce systems that open doors to opportunity,” said Molly Lasagna, Senior Strategy Officer at Ascendium Education Group. “When leaders align policy, funding, and data around a shared commitment to economic mobility, they can build pathways that work for learners and employers alike—especially for individuals with histories of incarceration that have been traditionally excluded from those opportunities.”
Kansas officials said connecting formerly incarcerated residents to education and employment reduces recidivism and address workforce shortages.
“Connecting returning citizens to training, education, and employment opportunities sets them up for success upon their release and reduces recidivism,” Gov. Kelly noted. “Our efforts are rooted in the core belief that when we invest in people, we create safer communities, a thriving workforce, and a stronger state for all.”
How Kansas Will Use the Funding
The state plans to:
- Strengthen collaboration among state agencies
- Improve reentry metrics and tracking
- Expand employer engagement
- Connect education programs during incarceration to job opportunities after release
“As Kansas experiences significant economic growth and workforce demand, state leaders are showing interest in how fair chance employment can contribute to the state’s future‚” said Rebecca Villarreal, Senior Director at JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement.
Get Involved
State leaders said they are forming a 5-person advisory board of people directly impacted by incarceration. Applications are now open.
“We are excited to collaborate with the bipartisan, inter-agency leaders from across Kansas who are committed to strengthening the state’s workforce, supporting businesses, and creating pathways to quality jobs for learners with histories of incarceration,” Villarreal said.
According to KDOC, the Coleridge Initiative, a nonprofit focused on data-driven public policy, will provide technical support. Mathematica will evaluate the program.
Jobs for the Future launched the initiative in 2024 with support from Ascendium Education Group.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Kansas City man sentenced for cocaine trafficking, possession of illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of an illegal firearm.
According to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 22-year-old Antoine R. Gillum was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
His sentencing stems from a June 2024 incident in a metro gas station. KCPD investigators contacted Gillum inside and found that he had discarded a 9 mm pistol in an aisle between the merchandise. He also discarded a pill bottle containing multiple illegal substances: cocaine base, oxycodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Officers searched the vehicle Gillum had arrived in and found approximately 32 grams of cocaine base.
On May 6, 2025, Gillum pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It’s a part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Deadly 4-car crash kills 2 people, injures others in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A crash near a busy highway killed two people and injured two others.
Emergency crews responded to the crash at U.S. 71 Highway and Meyer Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
When crews arrived they determined four cars were involved in the crash.
Police are investigating how the crash happened.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Homegrown Jayhawk stars ready to shine at Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – As Kansas women’s basketball prepares to enter the postseason at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, they’ll be led by two Overland Park natives who have been two of the most electrifying players to watch in the country this year.
Junior guard S’Mya Nichols and freshman forward Jaliya Davis have played integral roles in the recent growth of the program. Both cite the desire to help grow the Jayhawks into something special as reasons for committing there.
“Where we wanted to take Kansas women’s basketball, I wanted to be a part of that growing evolution,” Nichols told KCTV5.
“We [my family] were also really big Jayhawk fans. We came to a lot of games,” Davis said about her childhood.
The two were both 5-star recruits in high school, and their commitments marked historic recruiting victories for the KU women’s basketball program.
First came Nichols in the Class of 2023, picking KU over Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“I genuinely wanted to go to Kansas,” she said.
Then Davis became the highest-rated player to ever commit to KU as part of the Class of 2025.
“When you go back to S’Mya Nichols being a local, Kansas City, Overland Park product, a nationally respected player, Jaliya was really the next one that was very important for the Jayhawks to keep home,” said head coach Brandon Schneider.
Now as a junior, Nichols has established herself as one of the most consistent scorers and physical guards in the nation.
But it’s the Shawnee Mission West’s alum’s leadership that defines her legacy in Lawrence.
“The team leader, the quarterback,” Coach Schneider described Nichols. “I think oftentimes the player that everybody looks up to off the court.”
“I mean it means everything. Knowing that I’m important to the team, and that they see me as that as well,” said Nichols with a smile.
Both Nichols and Davis were recruited by the Jayhawks for years, going all the way back to seventh grade.
“Well, we offered her in middle school,’ Coach Schneider said with a laugh about Davis.
“Oh he put in a lot of work,” laughed Davis. “I mean, obviously, seventh grade, that’s a long time.”
It was that dedication from Coach Schneider that led her to choose the Jayhawks over Texas, South Carolina, Baylor, and Oklahoma – where he dad played ball.
“I think it really was the relationship we had and grew. He was always there, every single one of my games,” Davis said about Schneider.
After just one practice as teammates, Nichols voiced a big belief about Davis into existence – and it’s probably going to come true.
“I saw her first practice, and I sent her a text, and I’m like ‘I think you can win Freshman of the Year’, and I still stand by that,”
Davis is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for eight weeks in a row. That sets a power conference all-time record.
“I think it’s really cool. I mean obviously it’s a team effort, they’re always looking for me,” Davis said about her historic accomplishment.
“Just a phenomenal stretch of basketball for her, and so well deserving,” said Coach Schneider.
Now these two homegrown stars are at the forefront of a late-season push to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now, CBS Sports bracketology has them as a ‘First Four Out’ team.
But a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament could certainly help seal their invite to the big dance.
“Obviously we’re not in the position that we were hoping to be in, but I think we can make the most out of it, and get to where we want to be,” Davis said about the opportunity at hand in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Overland Park kids are especially fired up about starting the postseason in their own backyard.
“I have a big support system. So I bet my family will take a big chunk of that area during that tournament,” Davis laughed.
“I remember being younger, and the College Basketball Experience is right next door. So I felt like at one moment that was the big stage, when I got to play my little AAU tournaments in there. And then all of a sudden I’m literally in T-Mobile Center on the actual big stage, so it’s pretty cool,” said Nichols.
The Jayhawks are the 11-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and will face 14-seed UCF in the first round on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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