Statewide virtual job fair set for Wednesday

Gov. Laura Kelly has invited job-seekers and employers to participate in the upcoming Statewide Virtual Job Fair, hosted by KansasWorks, from 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.

“Every day businesses are moving to and growing in Kansas, but to succeed long-term, they need talented employees,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “I encourage Kansans to take advantage of the resources KansasWorks offers for job-seekers and sign up to attend this virtual job fair.”

Registration is required in order to participate in the event, regardless of previous participation. The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features a Job Seeker Training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in.

“We have KansasWorks workforce centers in 27 cities across Kansas,” Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These centers are ready and available to assist job-seekers with the necessary tools to finding employment with companies that are ready to hire.”

Workforce development teams are dedicated to providing assistance with the job search process, creating effective resumes, job training, job placement and more, according to a spokesman. Job-seekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers might request to engage in a video interview on the spot.

Candidates can participate via any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at 877-509-6757 prior to the event.

Go to https://app.premiervirtual.com/events/bd6cbe13-d2cd-4161-a27d-4d52f2edf663/kansasworks-virtual-statewide-job-fair-november-16-17 to register for the Virtual Job Fair.

Missing persons report issued for KCK woman

Joannie Wilcox

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department has issued a missing persons report for Joannie Wilcox, 61, who lives on North 74th in Kansas City, Kansas.

Wilcox, who has a medical condition requiring prescription medications, left without her medications, according to her family, which is concerned about her.

She was last seen leaving in the evening of Nov. 9 near Washington High School, according to police.

Wilcox is 4-feet-9 with gray hair, according to the police.

Anyone who may have seen Joannie Wilcox or knows of her whereabouts should call 911 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS, according to the police.

Chamber examines election results, looks to 2023

Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

The Public Policy Committee of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce met Friday, Nov. 11 to assess the recent general election results and worked on its Legislative Agenda for 2023.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the incumbent Democratic Congresswoman for the 3rd District, was successful in winning a third term. She was able to defeat Republican challenger Amanda Adkins for a second time. Rep. Davids won despite Republicans who gerrymandered the 3rd District by stripping out traditionally Democratic areas of Wyandotte County and putting it in the 2nd Congressional District.

Wyandotte County will be represented by two Congress members. U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a conservative Republican incumbent, defeated Democratic newcomer Patrick Schmidt by more than 35,000 votes.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, the Republican incumbent, had little trouble defeating Mark Holland, a Democratic former Kansas City, Kansas, mayor, who lost by more than 200,000 votes statewide.

Third party candidates played an important role in the race for governor and lieutenant governor. The incumbent, Democrat Laura Kelly and her running mate, Democrat David Toland, were able to edge by, defeating Republicans, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and his running mate, Katie Sawyer. State Sen. Dennis Pyle, an independent candidate, and Seth Cordell, a Libertarian, attracted more than 30,000 votes. Had they not been in the race, most political observers believe Schmidt would have won. Pyle was upset that his Kansas Senate District had been gerrymandered.

Democratic legislative candidates were successful in Wyandotte County except for Bill Hutton, who lost to Republican Mike Thompson.

In reviewing its Legislative Agenda, the Chamber probably will keep many of its existing agenda items as its looks to 2023. The Chamber has traditionally supported STAR bonds, a finance method that uses sales tax to pay for infrastructure, the efforts of the district attorney to enforce business licenses, expanded Medicaid, origin-based sales tax, early child education, workforce development, sports book gaming and affordable child care.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is a member of Business West.