Kansas
Lawmaker and Topeka woman who fought for Good Samaritan Law in Kansas proud to see it finally take effect
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Until Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 419 in May, Kansas was one of two states without Good Samaritan Laws, which overlook drug possession charges for those who call for help during life-threatening situations.
This changes starting July 1, thanks to the efforts of various lawmakers and advocates.
Since her daughter Kaylee Burger passed away from an accidental overdose in August, Amber Saale-burger has worked tirelessly to ensure no other family feels that pain, through advocacy and by passing out Narcan and fentanyl strips, but she knew more had to be done and felt Kansas needed to implement laws recognizing the value of a life despite drug-related struggles.
” There’s this big stigma, you know, ‘You’re a junkie, you’re an addict. You’re not worth saving,’ but absolutely they are,” Saale-burger said. “ They’re somebody’s mom, or sister, or brother. “
Losing four family members in the past two years to fentanyl, this crisis became personal for Saale-burger. She believes her loved ones would still be here today had someone not been too scared to dial 911 immediately.
“My sister-in-law was 36 and her three kids are missing their mom because she’s not here because they were afraid to call,” Saale-burger explained. “My 16-year-old son-in-law: the same situation. He took a Percocet, he thought and he didn’t wake up. “
She reached out to Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor, knowing he already had one foot in the door trying to get new legislation passed. Seeing the uptick of deaths at home in Leavenworth, he was fully on board.
“This fentanyl epidemic has just hit us like a tsunami,” Proctor said. “These drugs are put into pills that look like Oxycontin or look like Percocet or look a hundred other drugs.”
Saale-burger and Proctor were among several to give testimony in favor of the bill.
Proctor emphasizes a government official’s responsibility for the well-being of their citizens and says you can’t save someone’s life that’s already dead.
“When somebody’s in the middle of an overdose incident,” Proctor said. “You know, none of that philosophical stuff matters. We need to get them help immediately revive them and then we can concentrate on getting them help for their addiction.”
Both encourage future bystanders in that situation to take action without fear.
“If this saves just one life it’ll all have been worth it,” Proctor said.
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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A man had his conviction in the 2021 killing of a Wichita teen upheld by the Kansas Supreme Court on Friday.
In a unanimous opinion, the court says that there was plenty of evidence to convict Tyler Kelly and that he had a fair trial.
Kelly was found guilty by a Sedgwick County jury in 2023 of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault in the July 17, 2021, shooting death of 16-year-old Joseph Florence. Court records show Kelly and a 16-year-old broke into Florence’s home to confront him over a girl.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder. He also got 43 months for aggravated burglary and 13 months for aggravated assault.
The judge ordered that he serve the 25 years, plus the additional 56 months before he could be considered for parole.
Kelly appealed his conviction. He argued there was not enough evidence to prove he entered Florence’s home illegally or intended to commit a crime, and he made claims of multiple incidents of prosecutorial error. He also argued that the jury should have been given use-of-force instructions to support his self-defense claim.
In an opinion written by Justice Larkin Walsh, the court says there is more than sufficient evidence that Kelly entered the home illegally with intent to assault Florence. The justices determined that Kelly received a fair trial that was free from prosecutorial error.
“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm these convictions,” the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “This ruling brings a final measure of justice to the victims and their families, and it validates the hard work of our prosecutors and local law enforcement in securing this conviction.”
Kelly is currently housed in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility with an earliest possible release date of May 1, 2048, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
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The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards, recognizing the outstanding leaders, organizations and programs that are driving innovation and expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
“Our apprenticeship partners have played a tremendous role growing our workforce over the last several years,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These apprenticeship awards honor what truly is possible when bold leadership and strategic collaboration align — and how, together, we can continue reimagining the Kansas workforce of the future.”
Since 2022, the Kansas apprenticeship program has experienced remarkable growth, including a 240% increase in new apprentices. This momentum reflects the strength of Kansas’ statewide apprenticeship ecosystem — and the commitment of the employers, education partners and workforce leaders to build sustainable talent pipelines.
Honorees were chosen based on innovation, measurable growth and long-term impact, with particular emphasis on forward-thinking strategies and sustained apprentice engagement.
The 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Award recipients:
- Excellence in Kansas Apprenticeship Award – Dr. Joel Gillespie, Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE): Recognized for his visionary leadership in expanding teacher apprenticeship programs to 391 participants, helping transform educator pathways and remove barriers to the profession.
- Kansas Business of the Year – Panasonic: Committed to workforce development through the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship. The company has grown from 96 apprentices to 125.
- Outstanding New Program of the Year – HCA Midwest Health: Launched Kansas’ first pre-licensure Registered Nurse Apprenticeship program. The program has 146 active apprentices.
- Outstanding Program of the Year – Western Missouri & Kansas Laborers District Council: Recognized as one of the most robust apprenticeship models. The Council has 445 active participants, working to support an array of backgrounds and strengthen the workforce.
- Youth Apprenticeship Development Partner of the Year – City of Winfield: Honored for its leadership in youth apprenticeship, bringing together K-12 education and higher education partners to create classroom-to-career pipelines for Kansas students.
The 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards were presented during the state’s National Apprenticeship Week Celebration on April 29 in Topeka, highlighting the continued progress and future success of apprenticeship programs and opportunities in Kansas.
“Our apprenticeship partners are making a huge contribution to our state — and to our goal of connecting 10,001 apprentices by 2031,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “Their contributions not only are changing the lives of individual Kansans but strengthening our state for generations to come.”
To view photos from the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards event, click here.
For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit here.
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