KS - December 13 2024

1. Kansas Metros Lead State in Wage Growth but State Overall Trails National Average
2. Kansas Bird Flu Outbreak Hits Migratory Geese Hard
3. Kansas Colleges Partner to Tackle Workforce Needs
4. Kansas Ranks 25th in Tax Competitiveness
5. Vlad The Leopard Is Dead

1. Kansas Metros Lead State in Wage Growth but State Overall Trails National Average

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of Kansas City released its Second Quarter 2024 County Employment and Wages in Kansas report on Friday. Employment grew in three of the four largest counties in Kansas from June 2023 to June 2024, according to the report. Shawnee County had the largest weekly wage gain at 5% when compared to the same time last year followed by: 

Johnson – 3.9% wage growth. 

Sedgwick – 3.8% wage growth.

Wyandotte – 1.9% wage growth.  

While the largest counties in Kansas saw wage growth, wages for Kansans still fell below the U.S. average of $1,390, according to the BLS report. The average wages in some of the most populous counties were: 

Johnson – $1,370. 

Wyandotte – $1,221.

 Leavenworth – $1,123. 

Shawnee – $1,122. 

Sedgwick – $1,117. 

The only county that reported wages above the national average was Coffey County with a weekly wage of $1,462. Jewell County reported the lowest average weekly wage of $676.  

Article Source: KSNT

2. Kansas Bird Flu Outbreak Hits Migratory Geese Hard

A. A highly infectious type of bird flu began spreading in dairy cows across the US earlier this year, providing the pathogen with one of its best opportunities to date to evolve and more easily infect people. Infectious disease experts have been concerned about the virus, called H5N1, for decades. Of the more than 900 people worldwide who are known to have caught it since 2003, around half died as a result.  

B. A Kansas wildlife expert is weighing in on what state residents should do if they encounter wild birds showing signs of serious infection. 27 News reached out to Wildlife Disease Program Coordinator Shane Hesting with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) regarding a recent spike in bird flu cases at state reservoirs and wetland areas. Bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), is being recorded in numerous states this year. Hesting told 27 News on Dec. 4 that dead and dying wild migrating birds were reported at eight different reservoirs and wetlands across the state. However, while reports are now decreasing as of Dec. 12, Hesting said around 14,000 sick and dead Ross’s geese, snow geese and Canada geese have been recorded from the end of November through to December.

Article Source: New Scientist, KSNT

3. Kansas Colleges Partner to Tackle Workforce Needs

A. A new effort is underway to address the nursing shortage in Kansas. Two Kansas colleges are joining forces to create a pathway for aspiring nurses. This partnership between Cowley College and Southwestern College is meant to help students earn their bachelor of science in nursing. According to the University of Kansas Medical Center, nursing shortages in our state aren’t going anywhere, as 29% of Kansas registered nurses plan to retire within the next five years. The KU Med Center also says that during the last decade, enrollments in nursing education plummetted 39%. This new partnership creates a pathway for Cowley students to take their two-year associates in pre-nursing to Southwestern with priority placement.  

B. In an innovative educational partnership, Garden City Community College and Kansas State University are joining forces to make bachelor’s degree programs available to students in southwest Kansas without requiring them to relocate. This collaboration will allow students to complete their education locally, addressing a critical need in a region where only 17.9% of residents hold a four-year degree compared to the state average of 33.9%. The new initiative enables students to complete their first 60 to 75 credit hours at GCCC before finishing their bachelor’s degrees with K-State in Garden City. Programs will combine remote instruction with on-site lab experiences, offering flexibility and alignment with local workforce demands in fields like agriculture, education and health and human sciences.

Article Source: KSN, HPJ

4. Kansas Ranks 25th in Tax Competitiveness

Kansas remains steady at 25th overall in the 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index, a continuation of its position from 2024, according to the Tax Foundation. While having incremental improvements in specific taxes, Kansas must address its systemic issues through spending restraint and eliminating income taxes to fully capitalize on its economic potential.  

Article Source: KS Policy Institute

5. Vlad The Leopard Is Dead

Manhattan has lost one of its furry residents after a long life. Sunset Zoo officials on Friday said Vlad, a 20-year-old Amur leopard, died of natural causes Nov. 25. Vlad, who had lived had Manhattan’s zoo for more than 11 years, was one of the oldest living Amur leopards on record. The life expectancy of Amur leopards in the wild is about 10-15 years and in human care about 18 years.

Article Source: Manhattan Mercury

Sources

1. https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/shawnee-co-sees-largest-wage-growth-in-kansas-report/

2. A https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-400-bird-flu-suddenly-got-serious-in-2024-infecting-dozens-of-people/
B https://www.ksnt.com/kansasoutdoors/kansas-biologist-estimates-14000-birds-have-fallen-ill-or-died-of-bird-flu/

3. A https://www.ksn.com/news/health/kansas-colleges-teaming-up-to-combat-nursing-shortage/
B https://hpj.com/2024/12/11/partnership-will-expand-ag-degree-access-in-southwest-kansas/

4. https://kansaspolicy.org/kansas-unchanged-in-tax-competitiveness/

5. https://themercury.com/news/sunset-zoos-20-year-old-amur-leopard-vlad-dies/article_48ffe8e8-b97c-11ef-a279-cfe70cf9e3ff.html