Unfortunately, part of Kansas is in a state! (6)

I believe the answer is:

alaska

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'a state' is the definition.
(Alaska is a US state)

'unfortunately part of kansas' is the wordplay.
'unfortunately' becomes 'alas' ('alas' is used to express regret).
'part of kansas' becomes 'ka' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'alas'+'ka'='ALASKA'

'is in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alaska that I've seen before include "Largest state of the USA" , "NW US state" , "Cold US state" , "Most northerly state of America" , "Detached US state" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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