This Month's Latest Tech News in Topeka, KS - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

This April marked a pivotal moment for tech policy in Topeka, with Kansas officially reclassifying broadband and telecommunications as critical infrastructure through the bipartisan House Bill 2061.

As reported in StateScoop's analysis of Kansas's broadband policy shift, this move elevates the legal protections for cables, towers, and digital infrastructure, making tampering a felony and ensuring more reliable service for residents.

Governor Laura Kelly emphasized,

“We know that it is critical all Kansans have access to reliable high-speed internet,”

reinforcing the state's push for universal connectivity.

The law's enactment places Kansas alongside states like North Carolina and Tennessee, reflecting a national trend to safeguard digital equity. For a comprehensive breakdown of the bill's provisions and implications, visit the official Kansas government press release.

This legislative milestone comes amid broader state measures to secure technology from foreign influence and cyber threats, as highlighted by recent US News coverage of anti-China technology proposals.

The month's policy actions underscore Topeka's growing role at the crossroads of infrastructure security, digital inclusion, and innovation in 2025.

Kansas has taken a transformative step in technology policy by reclassifying broadband as critical infrastructure through the enactment of House Bill 2061, joining a select group of states prioritizing digital connectivity alongside traditional utilities.

The new law, signed by Governor Laura Kelly in April 2025, designates essential telecommunications equipment - such as cables, wires, antennas, and supporting structures - as protected critical infrastructure, making it a felony to damage or tamper with them.

This move aims not only to deter vandalism but also to ensure uninterrupted internet service across Kansas, a crucial factor for digital equity, economic development, and public safety.

Governor Kelly emphasized,

“By classifying broadband cables and wires as critical infrastructure, we are taking steps to deter tampering with these essential materials to ensure that Kansans' internet service is not disrupted.”

Supporting this commitment, Kansas is leveraging $452 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding, as detailed in the Kansas Office of Broadband Development broadband funding update.

Beyond improved security and emergency response, the designation facilitates access to federal guidance from agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, while strengthening interagency coordination for resilient networks, especially in underserved areas.

Recent nationwide data further underline the need for vigilance: in just three summer months of 2024, nearly 44 incidents of network vandalism per day affected over 325,000 customers.

For more on Kansas's landmark decision and the policy's greater significance in the digital age, visit the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society analysis of critical infrastructure classification and a detailed policy discussion on the AGL InfoTech reclassification overview.

Frito-Lay's Topeka fleet is taking the spotlight this fall by joining the North American Council for Freight Efficiency's (NACFE) highly anticipated Run on Less – Messy Middle demonstration, starting September 8, 2025.

This three-week event brings together 13 fleets from across North America - each showcasing a unique approach to long-haul trucking efficiency using four key powertrain technologies: diesel, natural gas, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.

Frito-Lay will participate with a Volvo VNL sleeper tractor equipped with an Optimus Technologies system running on B99 biodiesel, highlighting the brand's commitment to real-world sustainability.

Operational and telematics data from all participating trucks, gathered in partnership with Geotab, will be publicly shared in real time on the Run on Less website, boosting transparency and industry learning.

As Mike Roeth, NACFE's executive director, puts it:

“The Messy Middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency-enhancing technologies. In this, our fifth run, we are featuring tractors powered by diesel, natural gas, batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells. These four powertrain solutions represent currently available options for fleets today.”

Below is a glimpse at some of the diverse participating fleets and their technologies:

Fleet	Location	Truck Model & Powertrain
Frito-Lay	Topeka, KS	Volvo VNL sleeper, B99 biodiesel
4Gen Logistics	Rialto, CA	Volvo VNR day cab, Battery electric
Pilot Travel Centers	Bloomington, CA	Hyundai XCIENT day cab, Hydrogen fuel cell

Fleet profiles and live results will be updated throughout the run.

For more details and the complete fleet lineup, visit the official NACFE event announcement and follow industry coverage via FleetOwner's participants overview.

Kansas has enacted significant new legislation in April 2025 to restrict Chinese technology and investment, reflecting a sweeping national trend of heightened scrutiny on foreign influence.

The new Kansas law bans the use of artificial intelligence platforms and genetic sequencing tools owned or controlled by designated foreign adversaries - most notably, DeepSeek, a rapidly popular China-based AI model - across state agencies and public procurement processes see Kansas AI platform ban details.

The law also covers a broader swath of technology and investment, including prohibitions on public pension investments in Chinese firms and limitations on the ownership of property within 100 miles of military installations by entities linked to China, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea Kansas' anti-China law highlights.

These moves are part of a wave of 240+ anti-China proposals introduced in at least 41 states, frequently in GOP-majority legislatures. Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft emphasized the state's role in national security, stating,

“All of us have a part to play”

in countering Chinese threats.

The motivation stems from persistent concerns over cyberattacks, foreign espionage, and the protection of critical infrastructure, as well as recent high-profile incidents like the 2023 Chinese balloon.

At the federal level, the Department of Commerce has also tightened export controls on advanced AI and computing, reinforcing the push to decouple sensitive technology flows from China see expanded AI export regulations.

While critics note the relatively small proportion of U.S. land owned by Chinese interests (about 277,000 acres, or 0.02%), state lawmakers argue these steps are essential to safeguard national interests in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Following a national surge in state-level anti-China measures, Kansas has enacted new laws targeting both technology and property ownership linked to foreign adversaries.

In 2025, state lawmakers across the U.S. introduced at least 240 anti-China proposals, with Kansas' recent legislation restricting the procurement of Chinese artificial intelligence and medical equipment, and limiting property acquisitions near military installations by entities tied to China, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea.

These moves reflect a broader trend: anti-China proposals have been introduced in at least 41 states, predominantly in Republican-led legislatures, and are driven by security concerns, threats of cyberattack, and public sentiment intensified by recent geopolitical incidents.

According to a comprehensive report on U.S. state anti-China legislation, restrictions range from banning Chinese tech purchases to ending symbolic sister-city relationships.

Despite these actions, data from a U.S. Department of Agriculture report shows that Chinese ownership accounts for only about 277,000 acres - just 0.02% - of U.S. agricultural land.

State Action	Area Targeted
Kansas	AI, medical equipment, property near military bases
Arkansas	Sister-city ties, promotional contracts
Tennessee	Organ transplants linked to China

Expert Kyle Jaros observes, “The vast majority of China's threats to the U.S. are in cyberspace.

Some of those defenses are still not solid.” As noted in military news coverage on U.S. state anti-China policies, concerns over critical infrastructure and data security remain top priorities.

“All of us have a part to play,”

Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft emphasized, underscoring the bipartisan vigilance detailed in recent US News analysis of state anti-China legislation as Kansas aligns its tech policy with a growing, nationwide anti-China stance.

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency's highly anticipated Run on Less – Messy Middle demonstration is rolling into Topeka this fall, bringing a showcase of cutting-edge long-haul trucking technologies to the heartland.

Over three weeks starting September 8, 2025, thirteen fleets - including Topeka's own Frito-Lay, which operates a Volvo VNL sleeper tractor running B99 biodiesel with Optimus Technologies - will put diesel, natural gas, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains to the real-world test.

As NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth describes,

“The Messy Middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency enhancing technologies. In this, our fifth Run, we are featuring tractors powered by diesel, natural gas, batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. These four powertrain solutions represent currently available options for fleets today.”

Operational data - including fuel efficiency, emissions, and performance - will be captured via Geotab telematics, with live updates publicly accessible on the official Run on Less official website.

Below is a snapshot of the participating fleets and their vehicle technologies:

Fleet	Location	Truck Model	Powertrain	Fuel Type
Frito-Lay	Topeka, KS	Volvo VNL sleeper	Optimus/B99 biodiesel	Biodiesel
Albert Transport	Laredo, TX	Freightliner Cascadia sleeper	Detroit DD15	Diesel
Saia	Stockton, CA	Tesla Semi day cab	Electric	Battery Electric
Pilot Travel Centers / Penske Logistics	CA & TX	Hyundai XCIENT day cab	Hydrogen Fuel Cell	Hydrogen

With insights and live data driving public understanding, the event is set to inform decarbonization strategies for local fleets and the national industry alike.

Explore the full list of participating fleets, event details, and registration opportunities at NACFE's official event announcement, with additional background and fleet profiles available through FleetOwner's Messy Middle coverage.

Amid a dramatic 36% increase in ransomware attacks targeting Kansas public agencies last year, state leaders are taking bold actions to secure infrastructure against cyber threats.

Governor Laura Kelly recently signed landmark legislation reclassifying broadband as critical infrastructure, making it a felony to damage or interfere with telecommunications assets - fortifying both high-speed internet reliability and emergency service access.

Complementing this, 2024's cybersecurity law mandates all government branches develop NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0-compliant programs by July 2028, giving Kansas the distinction of being the only state to require such rigor by statute (Kansas Cybersecurity Update).

The new focus on cyber resilience is further demonstrated by Senate Bill 291's IT Integration Project, which engages agency, legislative, and Gartner Consulting resources in an enterprise-wide security overhaul, as outlined below:

Workstream	Responsibilities	Lead
Security & Risk	Assess cyber documentation, enforce state cyber standards, conduct cyber controls assessment	Michael Orozco
Architecture	Review data sharing, design secure state IT framework	Vimal Sharma
Change Mgmt & Comms	Develop strategies for project lifecycle, stakeholder engagement	Joe Oliva

This coordinated approach is a response to recent incidents, including ransomware disrupting Kansas court operations and city services in Wichita and Franklin County.

As Representative Dan Osman remarked,

"By classifying broadband infrastructure as critical infrastructure, we are making progress to protect the equipment that keeps Kansans' internet access intact."

Stakeholders from government and the public sector are further rallying at regional cybersecurity summits and public-private collaborations.

For more on these efforts and broader policy shifts, see the full Kansas IT Integration Project details.

Amid a nationwide wave of over 240 anti-China legislative proposals introduced across at least 41 states, Kansas has substantially altered its state procurement and property policies in pursuit of so-called "tech decoupling." Recent laws now restrict the use of Chinese artificial intelligence tools and medical devices in state-funded operations, alongside stricter bans on public agencies purchasing tech products - including drones and software - affiliated with China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela.

The Kansas Legislature also moved to ban companies and individuals from these countries from owning non-residential real estate within 100 miles of military installations, a move affecting investments such as the $95 million Cnano Technology facility in Johnson County.

The table below summarizes the new restrictions:

Law/Proposal	Areas Targeted	Affected Entities
AI/Tech Procurement Ban	State purchase of Chinese AI models, medical equipment	Government agencies, contractors
Foreign Land Ownership Ban (SB 172)	Property near military bases (100-mile radius)	Firms & citizens from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela
Divestiture Requirement	Non-residential real estate ownership	Foreign principals from named countries (must divest within one year)

While supporters frame these bans as key defenses against espionage and foreign influence, critics warn of economic fallout and question the necessity given that, for instance, Chinese entities own less than 0.02% of U.S. agricultural land.

Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft emphasized,

“All of us have a part to play”

in reducing reliance on adversarial technology.

Dive deeper into these sweeping legislative trends with the US News analysis of state-level anti-China actions, the Kansas City Star's report on Kansas' landmark foreign land ownership ban, and legal coverage on rapid restrictions against Chinese AI in state contracting.

Topeka continues to lead the charge in sustainable logistics through Frito-Lay's participation in NACFE's anticipated “Run on Less – Messy Middle,” a three-week demonstration launching September 8, 2025, that spotlights evolving clean-trucking technology across 13 North American fleets.

Frito-Lay's Topeka operation will deploy a Volvo VNL sleeper outfitted with the Optimus Technologies system and fueled by B99 biodiesel, showcasing how traditional diesel engines can be rapidly adapted to low-carbon solutions.

This landmark event features four main powertrain types - diesel/renewable diesel, natural gas, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell - giving industry leaders and the public transparent, real-world insights by live-tracking operational data via Geotab telematics.

As highlighted by NACFE's Executive Director Mike Roeth,

“The Messy Middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency-enhancing technologies. In this, our fifth Run, we are featuring tractors powered by diesel, natural gas, batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells. These four powertrain solutions represent currently available options for fleets today.”

The diversity of participating vehicles, from electric Tesla Semis to hydrogen-powered Hyundai XCIENTs, underscores both the complexity and promise of transitioning to cleaner freight.

See the breadth of technology in action with this simple overview:

Fleet	Location	Vehicle	Powertrain
Frito-Lay	Topeka, KS	Volvo VNL sleeper	B99 Biodiesel
UPS	Salt Lake City, UT	Kenworth T680 day cab	Natural Gas
Saia	Stockton, CA	Tesla Semi day cab	Battery Electric
Penske Logistics	Katy, TX	Hyundai XCIENT day cab	Hydrogen Fuel Cell

As fleets weigh economic and operational realities, Topeka's Frito-Lay exemplifies innovation, helping set national benchmarks for emissions and efficiency.

Explore the event's full details and data-driven insights at the Run on Less official news site, examine the complete fleet roster and technologies at NACFE's participant breakdown, and delve into commentary on the region's sustainability leadership in the CleanTechnica Frito-Lay archive.

Kansas has taken a pivotal step toward bridging the digital divide in rural communities by reclassifying broadband as critical infrastructure through House Bill 2061, signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly in April 2025.

This new designation expands legal protections for broadband cables, wireless towers, and related equipment, introducing felony charges for vandalism or interference - a move designed to ensure reliable high-speed internet for all Kansans and deter costly service disruptions that have plagued thousands of customers statewide.

The legislative update aligns Kansas with a broader national strategy, as other states like Florida and North Carolina make similar moves to safeguard telecommunications.

Governor Kelly stated,

“By classifying broadband cables and wires as critical infrastructure, we are taking steps to deter tampering with these essential materials to ensure that Kansans' internet service is not disrupted.”

Additionally, this policy shift is expected to enhance Kansas's competitiveness for nearly $452 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding currently under review to boost rural access and digital opportunities.

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is responding to these changes by updating program applications and releasing a strategic plan emphasizing digital skills, affordable service, and devices that facilitate civic and economic participation.

For a detailed look at Kansas's broadband law and its statewide impact, visit Kansas Declares Broadband Critical Infrastructure, Boosts Legal Protections.

Further analysis is available at Kansas Reclassifies Broadband as Critical Infrastructure, and those seeking an overview of related funding and development initiatives can access the Kansas Office of Broadband Development.

April marks a leap forward in fleet transparency and real-time data management as the latest MyGeotab platform updates bring advanced features to Topeka fleets.

Notably, live route completion tracking via the new API and a streamlined Data Connector for robust vehicle diagnostics allow fleet operators to monitor progress and system health with unprecedented precision.

At the recent Connect 2025 event, Geotab introduced predictive AI tools such as Driver Risk Insights and an enhanced Sustainability Center, shifting safety analytics from vehicles to individual drivers and centralizing emissions, electrification, and operational metrics (Geotab Connect 2025 highlights).

These innovations set new benchmarks for operational visibility, cost savings, and compliance - key for both public and private sector users. As Sabina Martin, Geotab's VP of Product Management, emphasized,

“With AI-powered Driver Risk Insights, we're giving fleet managers and drivers a predictive edge - helping them prevent collisions before they happen, reduce costs, and create a culture of continuous safety improvement.”

The shift to centralized live-tracking platforms is summarized in the following table:

Feature	Benefit
Live Route Completion API	Dashboards and automated insights for progress tracking
Data Connector & Diagnostics Table	Fleet-wide fault monitoring, lifecycle analysis
Sustainability Center	Real-time fuel, emissions, and electrification data

For a deep dive on the analytics transforming fleet management, see Geotab's full telematics overview and benefits.

As Topeka stands at the intersection of tech policy and innovation, its landscape reflects national trends while carving out a unique path for local progress.

This month, the city's entrepreneurial spirit was showcased by the launch of Omni Circle's diverse entrepreneur community, designed to bridge access and knowledge gaps for Kansas startups in partnership with fintech leader Cyphr, K-State 105, and more (Omni Circle's entrepreneur hub boosts startup access in Topeka).

On the infrastructure front, Topeka is set to benefit from the much-anticipated Link Innovation Labs - a 17,000 square-foot downtown incubator developed with input from Silicon Valley partners - which aims to advance ag tech and animal health R&D and is scheduled for a June 2025 groundbreaking (Downtown Topeka's new innovation lab combines Silicon Valley expertise and local vision).

Meanwhile, sweeping federal and state regulatory updates - including critical AI, connected vehicle, and digital asset policies - are setting new benchmarks for safe, inclusive, and cutting-edge growth in Kansas and beyond (Key 2025 tech policy developments impacting Topeka innovation).

For Topeka residents seeking to capitalize on this momentum, Nucamp offers a range of flexible, career-focused coding bootcamps in web and software development, cybersecurity, and Python/DevOps, with robust financing and scholarship options available.

Visit Nucamp's scholarship programs for details on how to get started and join the next wave of tech talent shaping Topeka's future.