Winter weather

We Kansans can empathize with our east- and west-coast friends. We've seen and experienced the weather that they're currently mucking through--maybe not the mudslides, but the storms, snow, and ice. Been there. Luckily, Kansas government is prepared this winter to help when it hits the Midwest. (As we all know, it will eventually.) Take a look at how your government is preparing your community for the inevitable.

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning : Nature's Most Violent Storms : a Preparedness Guide
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/ttl.pdf
(Issued by the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross, a 16-page booklet in pdf format that can be printed off and distributed to schools, libraries, government offices and others)

Winter weather- create a preparedness kit with the help of FEMA:
http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html

Travel and weather

Check the roads before you leave home from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT):
http://511.ksdot.org/KanRoadPublic_VE/Default.aspx

Find more travel information from KDOT:
http://www.ksdot.org/offTransInfo/511Info/511traffictravel.asp

Are You Ready?
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/index.shtm
(Issued by FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Administration, a guide for communities on preparing for disasters. Documents and kits are available in various formats and the guide is also printed in Spanish)

NOAA's All Hazard Monitor
http://www.noaawatch.gov/
Storm Prediction Center
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/index.html
(Fire, flood, drought and storms… the National Weather Service has it all here)

An Introduction to Storm Observation and Reporting
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/stormspotting/
("Storm Spotting 101" from the National Weather Service Forecasting Office, Norman, OK)

FEMA For Kids
http://www.fema.gov/kids/index.htm
(Information on disaster preparedness and response for children)

Kansas Severe Weather Information Sources

KSReady.Gov
http://www.ksready.gov/
(Kansas state and regional networks/agencies working together on disaster preparedness)

Tornado FAQ
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/
(From the National Weather Service)

National Weather Service Offices Around the Region Serving Kansans
www.weather.gov/topeka
www.weather.gov/wichita
www.weather.gov/dodgecity
www.weather.gov/goodland
www.weather.gov/kansascity
www.weather.gov/springfield
www.weather.gov/hastings

Lightning Safety
http://www.accesskansas.org/ksadjutantgeneral/Disaster-Emergency/Lightning%20Safety/Lightning%20Safety.htm
(Kansas Adjutant General's Department)

Regents Admission Requirements

Recent articles and news stories have reported on changes in the admission standards at Kansas' Regents schools. These standards, passed by the Kansas Board of Regents on December 15 will have an impact on freshmen entering high school in 2011. Below is information on the changes that will take place as well as current information on admissions.

KANSAS BOARD OF REGENTS
December 15, 2010 News Release
http://www.kansasregents.org/board_approves_new_state_university_admissions_standards
(Announces the upcoming changes in admissions standards. Also provides information on the background of admission standards in Kansas, current admission standards, the new standards for 2011 admissions and a link to the December 15-16 Board Meeting Agenda document)

• Admission Requirements for State Universities
• Qualified Admissions Curriculum
• Qualified Admissions FAQs
• Approved Qualified Admissions Curricula at High Schools
• Qualified Admissions Regulations
• How and When to Update Curriculum
• Kansas Scholars Program (pdf pamphlet)

KANSAS UNIVERSITIES ADMISSIONS WEB PAGES
(View the current admission requirements at the six Regents universities)

• Emporia State University
• Fort Hays State University
• Kansas State University
• Pittsburg State University
• University of Kansas
• Wichita State University

....

A New Administration

The New Year will ring in a change to the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor’s Cabinet. The Kansas Constitution requires a special staff, called the transition team, to ease the changeover from one administration to another. Kansas Statutes 75-133 through 75-137 dictate how the transition team is to be funded and utilized by the incoming and outgoing governors.

You can find the text of KSA 75-133 through 75-137 at:
http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/index.do

Information on the inaugural events for Sam Brownback can be found at:
http://www.brownbackinaugural.com/

Contact Governor-elect Sam Brownback’s office at:
transition.team@ks.gov

Articles regarding the transition team:
Pittsburg Morning Sun
Kansas City Star

Official Kansas Governor's website:
http://governor.ks.gov/

List of current Executive branch boards, commissions and department members:
http://www.kssos.org/forms/communication/boards.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

Online shopping safety tips

It has been reported that the Monday after Thanksgiving set records for internet sales. This holiday season many individuals are choosing to shop online rather than fight the crowds and weather. Online shopping is fun, easy, and can be done quickly, but it does come with some risks. Here are some safety tips from the State Library and other state and federal agencies to keep you and yours safe and happy this season.

Protect your online identity with these tips from the Kansas Attorney General:

http://www.ksag.org/page/internet-fraud and

http://www.netsafekansas.com/home/

Federal Trade Commission tips:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/online.shtm

What to do if you've been a victim of identity theft:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//consumers/defend.html

Tips brought to you by a conglomerate of Federal agencies:

http://www.onguardonline.gov

Research the reliability of your online store at the Better Business Bureau:
http://www.bbb.org/online/consumer/default.aspx

Check for the Verisign logo or the Better Business Bureau logo on the sites where you shop:
http://www.verisign.com/index.html

Tips from the U.S. Postal Service regarding mail fraud:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Giving to charity this season? Ensure your dollars are going to the cause you wish to support at the Kansas Secretary of State's site:

http://www.kscharitycheck.org/

Article contact: Kim Harp