Kansas Government Information

Aviation in Kansas

2012-01-18T14:44:00.014-06:00

The aviation industry has played and continues to be a vital part of the Kansas economy. Below are links to resources on aviation in Kansas as well as news stories on recent events concerning aviation in Kansas.

HISTORY

Wings over Kansas
A website that gives reports, reviews, and detailed histories of various aspect of aviation history.
http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/history/list.asp

Kansas Aviation Museum
A great all around resource for a wide variety of aviation history in Kansas.
http://www.kansasaviationmuseum.org/

Aviation and Aviators in Kansas

From The Kansas Historical Society’s Kansapedia. Gives information on famous Kansans that werein the forefront of developing the aeronautics industry in Kansas. Also includes information on some corporations.

http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/aviators-and-aviation-in-kansas/11971

MAJOR AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS IN KANSAS TODAY

HawkerBeechcraft
http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/

Wikipedia entry for Beechcraft
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft

The Boeing Company
http://www.boeing.com/

Wikipedia entry for Boeing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing

Bombardier Learjet
http://www.learjet.com/en/3_0/3_2/3_2_1/3_2_1.jsp

Learjet in Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learjet

Cessna Aircraft Company
http://www.cessna.com/

Cessna in Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna

General Wikipedia entry on Aircraft manufacturing in Wichita
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wichita,_Kansas

Kansas Department of Transportation / Division of Aviation
For up to date commercial information on the what the government of Kansas is doing in aviation, this is the best resource.
http://www.ksdot.org/divaviation/

RECENT EVENTS CONCERNING AIR MANUFACTURER OPERATION IN KANSAS

Governor Brownback's Press Releases
The following link will provide a cite where you can get
press releases from the Governor concerning recent events.
https://governor.ks.gov/media-room/media-releases

The Wichita Eagle has covered recent events concerning Boeing leaving Wichita. Here is a link to many of the Stories. You can use their search function to locate others.
http://www.kansas.com/search_results?aff=1100&q=boeing+leaving+wichita&submit.x=12&submit.y=7&submit=Search

Airports in Kansas
Kansas has one large commercial airport, and many smaller airports. There is a regional airport being developed in Garden City With the help of federal funds.

Kansas Airport Directory
http://www.ksdot.org/divaviation/PDF_Pic_Pages/Binder1.pdf

Mid-Continent Airport – Wichita
Wichita is serviced by various airlines, the main carrier has been AirTran, which was bought by Southwest Airlines. Southwest has Agreed to continue service to Wichita. Here are some links from The Wichita Eagle that will provide more information.
http://www.kansas.com/search_results?aff=1100&q=southwest+airlines&submit.x=31&submit.y=7&submit=Search

Mid-Continent Airport website (Wichita)
http://www.flywichita.org/

Garden City Regional Airport in the news
http://www.gctelegram.com/news/American-Eagle-Announcement-1-17-12

More articles on Garden City’s Airport
http://www.kansas.com/search_results?aff=1100&q=garden+city+regional+airport&submit.x=15&submit.y=6&submit=Search

The Garden City Regional Airport website
http://www.fly2gck.com/gcrawebsite/homepage/homepagelayout.html?homepagecontent/main/main.html

Article contact: Tom Roth
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Enjoy Kansas at 151

2012-01-11T13:46:00.141-06:00

It is hard to believe, but Kansas is already coming up on another birthday - the 151st.

It's a good time to remember that the website of the Kansas State Historical Society offers rich resources for those who enjoy interesting trips in Kansas, online shopping, and online exhibits.

On the Visit page online visitors can learn more about Kansas Historic sites and where they are located. Kansans can plan day trips or short vacations by region of the state at Travel by Region:

High Plains

U.S. 36

Flint Hills

Wooded Hills

East I-70

or by special interest in Travel by Theme:

Civil War

American Indians

African Americans

Forts & trails

Kansas families

Nature

Missions

Diners

Without driving at all, Kansans can vist a variety of online exhibits on the Historical Society's Exhibit Page. These include:

All That Glitters: Dressing Up & Stepping Out
Beyond Lewis and Clark: The Army Explores the West
Carry A. Nation:The Famous and Original Bar Room Smasher
Forces of Nature
From Far Away Russia: Russian-Germans in Kansas
Game Faces: Kansans in Sports
Sinners and Saints: Vice and Reform in Kansas
They're Playing Our Song: Community Bands in Kansas
Willing to Die for Freedom: A Look Back at Kansas Territory

Those who love to head for museum gift shops should know about the Online Museum Store. The left sidebar features a fascinating variety of Kansas-themed books and gifts.

Black History Month 2012

2012-01-11T08:09:00.010-06:00

Monday will mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, an observance of the life of the man and his message of equality and justice. Beyond January Black (African American) History Month is observed in February. Below are some resources on African Americans in Kansas and the United States:

KANSAS

African Americans in Kansas
http://kansas150slk.blogspot.com/2011/01/african-americans-in-kansas.html
(The 2011 Kansas 150 blog article on African Americans in our state)

Biographies of African Americans held by the State Library of Kansas
http://sites.google.com/site/afambio/
(Resources that can be requested by contacting the Library)

Kansas State Data Center
http://www.kslib.info/sdc/statewide.html
(Scroll down to the bottom of the screen for "African Americans in Kansas)

Kansas African American Affairs Commission
http://www.kaaac.ks.gov/

African-Americans in Kansas and the West
http://www.kshs.org/p/african-americans-in-kansas-and-the-west-a-bibliography/13533
(Kansas State Historical Society)

Nicodemus Kansas National Historic Site
http://www.nps.gov/nico/
(National Park Service)

Nicodemus Kansas: the African American Mosaic
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam010.html
(Library of Congress)

Exodus to Kansas
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2008/summer/exodus.html
(National Archives)

U.S AND MISSOURI

FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
African American History
http://free.ed.gov/subjects.cfm?subject_id=116
(Federal Resources for Educational Excellence)

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

African American Odyssey
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/aohome.html

Africam American History and Culture
http://www.loc.gov/rr/mss/guide/african.html

African American Perspectives, 1818-1907
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aap/aaphome.html

The African American Experience in Ohio, 1850-1920
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/ohshtml/aaeohome.html

From Slavery to Freedom: The African American Pamphlet Collection, 1822-1909
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aapchtml/aapchome.html

Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/snhome.html

Slaves and the Courts, 1740-1860
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/sthtml/sthome.html

Voices from the Days of Slavery
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

African American History
http://www.nps.gov/history/aahistory/
(Visit sites around the country with a connection to African Americans and African American history)

Missouri's African American History
http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/africanamerican/intro.asp
(from the Missouri State Archives)

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Black (African-American) History Month, 2011
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11ff_01.html

Black History Month Biographies
http://www.census.gov/multimedia/www/radio/black_history_month/

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Online Resources guide
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/library/bib/african.htm

PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Black History Month on PBS
http://realscreen.com/2011/12/08/pbs-unveils-2012-black-history-month-line-up/

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Welcome back to Topeka, Legislators

2012-01-04T14:37:00.005-06:00

On January 9, members of the Kansas House of Representatives and
the Kansas Senate will return to Topeka for the 2012 Legislative Session. As
required by the Kansas Constitution, the legislators will meet for 90 days,
ending the session sometime in early May. Governor Sam Brownback will present
his second State of the State speech on January 11 outlining his goals for the
state during 2012.

Previous Governors' State of the State addresses and other messages can be found online at:
http://www.kslib.info/messages/index.html

Section of the Kansas Constitution requiring the Governor to deliver a message to the legislature:
http://www.kslib.info/constitution/art1.html

The Governor is also required to present a budget plan for the state:
http://budget.ks.gov/gbr.htm

Find your legislators' contact information at:
http://www.kslegislature.org/

Find out who your state legislators are by entering your address at:
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/

Click on either House or Senate and then on the member's name. This will bring up a picture and the contact information for your legislator- OR you can call the Legislative Hotline, a service of the State Library, to leave a message for your legislator at 1-800-432-3924.

Talk to your legislators about what concerns you:
1. When emailing or writing a letter to your legislator, address him or her as Honorable Representative or Honorable Senator
2. Be sure to include how your concern affects people in your area
3. Offer background information to support your argument
4. Offer to testify to your argument

Find out more about your legislators:
Directories:
http://www.kssos.org/forms/communication/legis.pdf
Histories of elected officials:
http://www.kssos.org/forms/communication/history.pdf
Legislators Past and Present:
http://www.kslib.info/legislators/index.html

Call the Legislative Hotline with any questions regarding Kansas government, the status of bills going through session, bill numbers for certain policy issues, legislative history assistance, or how to contact your legislator: 1-800-432-3924

Article contact: Kim Harp

Here Comes the Man in Red!

2011-12-20T08:39:00.005-06:00

Here comes the man in red!... and no, I don't mean Herbie Husker, the University of Nebraska mascot!

Yes, boys and girls of all ages can once again track the journey of Santa as he traverses the world dropping off gifts and buffing Rudolph's red nose on Christmas Eve. Below are a few links to "dot gov" sites providing information on Old Saint Nick for your entertainment.

Track Santa's journey around the world
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/
(North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD)

Do a search in google for letters to Santa (include the quotes in your search):
"letters to santa" site:gov
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22letters+to+santa%22+site%3Agov&aq=f&oq=

This from the Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/dec08/santa.html

and this from NASA:
http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery-detail.asp?name=SantaClaus

In Search of Santa (Smithsonian Institute)
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?show=131259

Warmest wishes to you all during these holiday seasons and our best to you into the new year!

The Staff of the State Library of Kansas

It takes a village... to ensure child safety

2011-12-15T11:38:00.001-06:00

Parenting styles vary greatly, but it can be agreed that ensuring a child's life is free from intentional or preventable harm is every citizen's responsibility. The government uses statistics and reports to create safety programming and allocate funds to agencies that serve families and children. These programs and gencies help parents ensure the safety of their children. Learn what the state and federal governments are doing to ensure the safety of all children in Kansas.

IF YOU SUSPECT ANY CHILD IS BEING HARMED or NEGLECTED,
contact the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330

Government Studies and Statistics:

Annual report of the Child Death Review Board, a division of the Attorney General's Office:
http://www.ksag.org/files/2011_SCDRB_Annual_Report.pdf

Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) Reports and Publications:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/cfs/Pages/CFSOutcomesandReports.aspx

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Reports and Statistics:
http://www.kdheks.gov/phi/khsr.html

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Child Health Statistics:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/children.htm

KidsCount data center:
http://www.aecf.org/MajorInitiatives/KIDSCOUNT.aspx

Missing or exploited children:

AMBER Alert program in Kansas:
http://www.ksamber.org/ksamber/index.do

National Center for Missing or Exploited Children:
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US

Federal Office to Monitor Trafficking of Persons:
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/

FBI Office of Human Trafficking:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking

How to get assistance for children you suspect are involved in human trafficking:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl10-05.htm

Child Abuse or Neglect:

Kansas Child Protective Services:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/cfs/Pages/ChildProtectiveServices.aspx

Kansas SRS Child Abuse & Neglect Registry:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/cfs/Pages/AbuseNeglectRegistry.aspx

Kansas Save Haven Law. ***If you have an infant up to 45 days old, which you are unable to care for financially, physically, emotionally or otherwise you may give your child over to a medical facility, fire station or health department. Choose this option over harming your child:
http://www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org/states/kansas/
http://www.ksrevisor.org/2010/C38/38-2282.pdf

Sexual Violence:

KDHE Sexual Violence and Education division:
http://www.kdheks.gov/rpe/index.html

Kansas Bureau of Investigation offender registry list:
http://www.accesskansas.org/kbi/ro.shtml

Rape statistics:
http://www.kdheks.gov/rpe/download/rape_indicators.pdf

Healthcare and Nutrition:

KDHE Bureau of Family Health:
http://www.kdheks.gov/bfh/index.html

Kansas WIC program:
http://www.kdheks.gov/nws-wic/index.html

CDC Nutrition information:
http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/professionals/data/index.html

National Institute of Health information:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Diet_and_Nutrition.cfm

School and Childcare Safety:

Kansas Department of Education:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3905

Kansas Coordinated School Health Program:
http://www.kshealthykids.org/KCSH_Menus/KCSH_Home.htm

Kansas Attorney General:
http://www.ksag.org/page/kansas-state-child-death-review-board-encourages-safety-for-school-children

KDHE Childcare Licensing:
http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/index.html

Safekids Kansas:
http://www.safekidskansas.org/child_care.htm

SIDS and Safe sleeping:

Kansas Attorney General:
http://www.ksag.org/page/kansas-state-child-death-review-board-promotes-sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids-awareness

CDC SIDS information:
http://www.cdc.gov/SIDS/index.htm

Back to Sleep campaign from the National Institute on Health:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/

Safe Transportation:

KDHE information on child safety seats:
http://www.kdheks.gov/kansasbooster/

Safekids Kansas information:
http://www.safekidskansas.org/child_passenger.html
and
http://www.safekidskansas.org/pedestrian.html

Kansas Department of Transportation:
http://www.ksdot.org/burTrafficSaf/brochures/pdf/itsthelawprimarymay2010.pdf

December Holidays

2011-12-07T15:06:00.014-06:00

December signals the beginning of many different celebrations, holidays and observances in the United States and around the world. Starting with World AIDS Day on December 1st and culminating with New Years Eve the month offers a diverse journey through awareness, cultures, belief systems, history and many opportunities to give of oneself to others.Below are some links to resources and information on some December events with an emphasis on Kansas:

The Winter Holidays

http://www.kslib.info/ref/misc/web/winterholidays.html
(Information on December holidays and events provided by the State Library of Kansas)

Diversity Calendar
http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/
(The University of Kansas Medical Center offers up a calendar with information on special days around the world)"

World AIDS Day is December 1st
The Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment urges people at risk to be tested
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2011/11292011.htm

Kansas Travel & Tourism
http://www.travelks.com/
(For Kansas events around the state click on EVENTS and put in a search term: winter, Christmas, snow, etc. Site is part of the Kansas Department of Commerce. They also provide a short list of Featured Events.)

Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott, Kansas
http://www.nps.gov/fosc/planyourvisit/clt.htm
(U.S. National Park Service)

December books for children provided by the Kansas City Kansas Public Library
---Christmas Books
http://library.booksite.com/5366/nl/?list=CNL3
---Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
http://library.booksite.com/5366/nl/?list=CNL7

Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Books and Videos for Children
http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/resources/children/reading_lists/christmas_kwa.asp
(Provided by C ombined Arms Research Library, Fort Leavenworth)

Christmas Cookie Recipes
http://www.girard248.org/holidays/christmas/cookies.html
(Brought to you by the Girard Public Schools)

Decorate with care!
http://www.kspace.org/bitstream/1984/4560/1/11-20-03Kansas+Department+of+Health+and+Environment+-+News+Release.pdf
(Advice on the use of candles, lights, trees, food, decorations from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Inspect Christmas Trees Often
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/sty/2005/Christmas_trees120905.htm
(Kansas State University Research and Extension)

Food Safety Tips for a Safe Holiday
http://www.kspace.org/bitstream/1984/7207/1/12-18-08Kansas+Department+of+Agriculture+__+News.pdf
(Kansas Department of Agriculture)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Amending the U.S. Constitution

2011-11-23T12:21:00.002-06:00

In recent weeks, Congress has proposed and worked on amendments to the U.S. Constitution regarding the national debt. The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution as a living document, and procedure to allow the Constitution to change with the times was built in. That said, amending the Constitution is not an easy process.

The Article V. of the U.S. Constitution states that there are two ways to amend and there are two ways to ratify amendments:

Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

List of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/constitution/pdf/con001.pdf

Ratification process for amendments:
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/

Synopsis of amendment and ratification procedure:
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/constitution/amend.html

For indepth analysis of the Amendment and Ratification procedures, read the
Constitution of the United States: Browse, 2002 Edition & 2008 Supplement: Mode of Amendment
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/constitution/pdf2002/015.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

Charities and Volunteering

2011-11-18T11:18:00.007-06:00

Kansans are well known for giving their time, talents and dollars to others in need. We especially think of how we might share something of what we have during this season of celebrations and gifts. Below is a update of resources from a KGI blog written by Kim Harp in 2009 on volunteering and charitable giving.

Giving to Charities
http://www.ksag.org/page/charities
(Information from Attorney General Derek Schmidt)

For Charities and Donors
http://www.bbb.org/us/charity/
(Information from the U.S. Better Business Bureau)

Kansas Charity Check
http://www.kscharitycheck.org/main.html
(Includes a "Charity Search" http://www.kscharitycheck.org/search.asp feature which allows you to see basic information on charities. Some organizations are exempt from registering. A list of these types of organizations can be found in the law, K.S.A. 17-1762) http://kslegislature.org/li/statute/017_000_0000_chapter/017_017_0000_article/017_017_0062_section/017_017_0062_k/

United Way of the Plains and the 211 Telephone number:
http://www.unitedwayplains.org/index.php?Itemid=224
(Find an organization to donate to or volunteer with through the United Way)

Community Health Charities of Kansas and Missouri
http://ksmo.healthcharities.org/index.asp
(Community Health Charities of Kansas & Missouri gives employees the freedom to support the local health charities of their choice through payroll deduction)

Global Impact
http://www.charity.org/
(Assure help for the world’s most vulnerable people by giving to charities working in developing countries around the world)

Find volunteer opportunities at:
Governor's Mentor Program
http://kansasmentors.kansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx
(Kansas Mentors is a statewide mentoring partnership that connects existing mentoring programs with each other and serves as a resource center for communities wishing to start a program. Kansas Mentors works to promote the great mentoring opportunities found throughout the state and to find ways to recruit more Kansans to become part of these efforts)

Kansas Volunteer Commission
http://www.kanserve.org/
(The Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC) is a governor appointed commission that serves to promote and develop volunteerism throughout Kansas by connecting nonprofit organizations to each other while also providing resources and support to local service organizations and individuals)

Create the Good
http://createthegood.org
(Be a force for good... whether you have 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 days)

iParticipate
http://www.iparticipate.org/
(Search volunteer opportunities near your location)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Medicaid Reform

2011-11-10T11:23:00.007-06:00

This week Governor Sam Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., accompanied by KDHE Secretary Robert Moser, M.D., Aging Secretary Shawn Sullivan and SRS Secretary Robert Seidlecki, announced plans to reform the state's Medicaid system. The plan is "based on three criteria: improving quality care for Kansans receiving Medicaid; controlling costs of the program; and long-lasting reforms that improve the quality of health and wellness of Kansans." It instigates a person-centered care coordination program called KanCare. The KanCare plan is based upon Medicaid statistics and public forum meetings held this past summer. Parts of the plan are subject to Legislative approval. KanCare will take effect January 2013.

This plan includes renaming and reassigning duties among the Kansas Department on Aging, Kansas Department on Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the Juvenile Justice Authority.

Watch the video of the announcement:
http://www.youtube.com/govsambrownback

See the text of the announcement:
http://governor.ks.gov/frontpagenews/2011/11/08/administration-announces-medicaid-reforms

Read the executive summary:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reform_forum/download/KanCare_Executive_Summary.pdf

Learn more through the Frequently Asked Questions:
https://governor.ks.gov/frontpagenews/2011/11/08/kancare-frequently-asked-questions

See a chart of the reassigned agency duties:
http://www.agingkansas.org/Programs_by_Agency.pdf

Public input from stakeholders report which instigated these changes:
http://kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reform_forum/download/KS_Public_Input_and_Stakeholder_Consult.pdf

Medicaid Public Forum summary:
http://kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reform_forum/download/Kansas_Medicaid_Public_Forum_Summary.pdf

Current Medicaid statistics:
http://kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reform_forum/download/Kansas_Medicaid_Population_Demographics_Wichita_Dodge_City.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

For Kansas Kids Online

2011-11-03T08:20:00.017-05:00

Several Kansas state government agencies provide resources and fun pages online for children. Below is a sampling of what you can find:

Kansas Kids
http://www.kssos.org/resources/kansas_kids.html
("A place for the Sunflower State's youngest citizens to discover all sorts of fun and interesting things about Kansas." Provided by the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State's)

Kansas Historical Society Students' Portal
http://www.kshs.org/portal_students
(Online games, cool things, famous Kansans trading cards, explore the State Capitol, archeology activities, Kansas Kaleidoscope, printable pages, activities for younger children, etc.)

Kids' Zone (KDHE)
http://www.kdheks.gov/bar/kids_corner/
("Cruise the clean air highway." Provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Kids' Zone (State Treasurer)
http://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/prodweb/personal_finance/kids-zone.php
(Learn about personal finance. Provided by the Kansas State Treasurer's Office)

Kid's CURB
http://curb.kansas.gov/kidlinks.htm
(Topics such as energy, telecommunications, recycling, and internet safety, as well as helpful tips to save energy. Provided by the Kansas Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board.... CURB)

Kid's Road
http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/kids/main.html
(Provided by the Kansas Highway Patrol)

Kids Learn About Agriculture
http://www.ksda.gov/kansas_agriculture/content/236
(The Kansas Department of Agriculture provides links to great resources for kids to learn all about agriculture)

Kansas Safe Kids
http://www.kdheks.gov/safekids/index.html
(Dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. A lot of the material is more for adults but there is some material for children as well. Provided by a coalition of over 70 statewide and regional organizations and businesses)

Kansas Kids Kan
http://www.kansasgreenschools.org/kkc
("The Kansas Kids Can Newsletter, published through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Waste Management, is designed for fourth grade students, but would be appropriate other grades as well. It contains information on waste and recycling issues with hands-on investigations related to the newsletter topic")

Kid Stuff!
http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?aid=8
(Though not an online activities page this site lists things to do in the Sunflower State that would especially appeal to children. Provided by the Kansas Travel and Tourism)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Trainings and career development offered

2011-10-28T14:58:00.003-05:00

Tough times are lingering, yet many Kansans are finding new avenues to employment. Career development, trainings, and college offer exciting possibilities. And, there are many options offered by the State of Kansas and the Federal agencies to assist Americans in finding the educational opportunties that may lead to new careers.

Job & Career Accelerator from the State Library of Kansas:
http://jca.learnatest.com/LEL/?HR=http://www.kslc.org

Thriving in Tough Times, Employment and Training resources:
http://thrivingintoughtimes.wordpress.com/employment-training/

Training from the Kansas Department of Labor, KansasWorks:
https://www.kansasworks.com/ada/skillmatch/skl_ResourcesOverview.cfm

Apprenticeships:
http://www.kansasapprenticeship.org/jobseekers/Pages/default.aspx

Career training from Heartland Works, Inc.:
http://www.heartlandworks.org/Seeker/Seeker_Services_2nd_Page.htm

Workshops and certifications from Workforce Centers:
http://www.workforce-ks.com/index.aspx?page=43

Career Onestop from the U.S. Department of Labor:
http://www.careeronestop.org/

U.S. Job Corps:
http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

Youth Training from the U.S. Department of Labor:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/training/youth.htm

Links to Kansas Universities and Community or Technical Colleges:
http://www.kansasregents.org/interactive_map_listing

Kansas Career Zoom- information on career technical education training opportunities from 26 Kansas public institutions:
http://careerzoomkansas.com/

Educational Opportunities for unemployed workers:
http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/opportunity/index.html

Article contact: Kim Harp

Road Construction

2011-10-24T15:35:00.006-05:00

It is jokingly said that there are two seasons in Kansas... Winter and Road Construction. As highway and local street improvement projects continue across the Sunflower State we thought some links to information on road transportation might be helpful.

Traffic and Travel Information
http://www.ksdot.org/offTransInfo/511Info/511traffictravel.asp
(Closed roads, driving conditions, weather, Metro areas, regional and national conditions. Provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation)

KanDrive
http://www.kandrive.org/
(Links to road conditions and work zones around the state)

KanRoad
http://511.ksdot.org/KanRoadPublic_VE/Default.aspx
(An interactive map showing traffic alerts on highways around the state as well as live camera views at selected sites. Provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation)

RWIS (Road and Runway Weather Information System) Map and Weather Data
http://www.ksdot.org/burcompser/generatedreports/weather.asp
(Clickable map showing temperatures, humidity and wind speeds at selected locations in Kansas. Provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation)

T-Works
http://kdotapp.ksdot.org/tworks
(T-WORKS is a 10-year, $8 billion transportation program designed to create jobs, preserve highway infrastructure, and provide multimodal economic development opportunities across the state)

Mileage Between Kansas Cities
http://www.ksdot.org:9080/burtransplan/dist_chrt.cgi
(Put in two towns for travel distances. Provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation)

Kansas Highway Rest Areas
http://www.kandrive.org/images/Kansas%20Rest%20Area%20Map.pdf
(Use the interactive map to find places to pull over at along your trip)

Trucking KS
http://truckingks.org/
(Assists for truckers and other commercial drivers in Kansas)

Kansas City Metro Area Live Traffic
http://www.kcscout.net/
(Roadwork in and around the KC Metro Area)

Kansas City Metro Area
Lane Closure Info
http://www.ksdot.org/kcMetro/laneclose.asp

City of Lawrence Construction Updates
http://www.lawrenceks.org/construction

City of Topeka Street Closings
http://www.topeka.org/StreetClosings/

Wichita Public Works & Utilities
http://www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/PublicWorks/
(Click on Major Construction Projects for Streets & Buildings for a weekly report on road closings and construction in Wichita)

Sedgwick County Current and Future Road Closings
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/Public_Works/road_closings.asp

Other Kansas Towns
http://www.skyways.org/towns/
(Blue Skyways. A service of the State Library of Kansas)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Disability Employment Awareness

2011-10-17T10:38:00.004-05:00

Governor Brownback has proclaimed October to be Disability Employment Awareness Month. Throughout October, employers are encouraged to consider mentoring and hiring individuals with disabilities. Kansas runs specific adaptation programs to assist employers and employees in creating optimum working enviroments and career development. Learn how you can help link students and job seekers with employers this month!

Governor Brownback's proclaimation:
https://governor.ks.gov/frontpagenews/2011/10/13/governor-proclaims-october-as-disability-employment-awareness-month

National American Association of People with Disabilities' (AAPD) Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) program : http://www.disabilitymentor.net/

Kansas equipment exchange:http://www.equipmentexchange.ku.edu/home.htm

Kansas Agrability Project (assists farmers in obtaining adaptations to continue work):http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/agrability/welcome.asp

Kansas Human Rights Commission:http://www.khrc.net/

Assistive Technology:http://www.atk.ku.edu/

More assistive technology:http://www.katco.net/

Kansas Works:https://www.kansasworks.com/ada/default.cfm

Kansas Job and Career Accelerator:http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/

Labor market information from the Kansas Department of Labor:https://klic.dol.ks.gov/

Article contact: Kim Harp

¿Habla Ud. Español?

2011-10-07T10:47:00.008-05:00

Spanish language resources on government websites are an increasingly familiar sight. Below are some Kansas government pages with information in Spanish as well as links to some federal sites:

Kansas.gov en Español
http://www.kansas.gov/es/
(El sitio mejor del estado Kansas)

Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Servicios sociales y de rehabilitación
http://www.srs.ks.gov/lang/spanish/Pages/default.aspx

Kansas Secretary of State
Instrucciones para registro de votante
http://www.kssos.org/forms/Elections/Spanish/SpanishvoterReg.pdf

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Solicitud de copia certificada del acta de nacimiento
http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/download/birth_esp.pdf

Obtenga la solicitud para una copia certificada del acta de matrimonio
http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/download/marriage_esp.pdf

Formulario para solicitar una copia certificada del acta de divorcio
http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/download/divorce_esp.pdf

La Oficina de Salud Local y Rural
http://www.kdheks.gov/olrh/spanish_text.htm
(La Oficina de Salud Local y Rural del Departamento de Salud y Medio Ambiente de Kansas, provee asistencia a comunidades de Kansas para establecer o modificar sus sistemas de distribución de servicios de salud)

Kansas Corporation Commission
Programa Lifeline de Kansas
http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/pi/lifeline_es.htm
(Usted puede ser elegible a recibir hasta $17.77 de descuento en su cuenta mensual de teléfono local por medio del programa Lifeline. Si actualmente no tiene servicio de teléfono, usted también puede ser elegible para un descuento en el cobro de conexión por medio de Link Up America)

Asistencia económica para gastos de calefacción
http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/pi/cwr_spanish.htm
(Si usted no puede pagar su cuenta por completo, llame a su compañía de utilidades para hacer un acuerdo de pago)

Kansas Department on Aging
Su guia para obtener recursos alimentairas en Kansas
http://www.agingkansas.org/Publications/Nutrition/Guide_to_KS_Food_Res_SPA.pdf

Servicios para los Ancianos Frágiles Basados en el Hogar y la Comunidad
http://www.agingkansas.org/Publications/Other/HCBSFE_SPANISH.pdf

KansasWorks.com
Otras Lenguas
https://www.kansasworks.com/ada/skillmatch/skl_otherlanguages.cfm
(Clique a "Spanish" en el menú desplegable. CLique a la flecha a la derecha de "Spanish" para traducir la pagina)

Kansas Department of Labor
El Departamento Laboral de Kansas
http://www.dol.ks.gov/en_espanol.html
(El Seguro de Desempleo es un programa que provee temporalmente beneficios semanales a trabajadores desempleados que califíquen. La oficina de Beneficios determina la elegibilidad y el pago subsiguiente de beneficios a los trabajadores desempleados. Estas personas deben cumplir con ciertos requisitos antes de recibir beneficios de desempleo. La oficina de Contribuciones es responsable de la recolección de impuestos estatales de los empleadores. Este pago del seguro no es deducido del sueldo de los empleados)

El Gobierno Federal

Gobierno USA.Gov
http://www.usa.gov/gobiernousa/index.shtml

Benefits.Gov
¿Busca Beneficios?
http://es.benefits.gov/?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=gbcc_page_locate_state&_nfls=false&_code=KS

Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis-es

Community Virtual Library
(A resource of Spanish language sites set up by the nonprofit, Community Virtual Library, in the virtual world, Second Life)
Ayuda en Español
https://sites.google.com/site/cvlcollections/help/usespanol

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Healthcare in Kansas

2011-09-28T10:45:00.002-05:00

In the summer of 2011, the State of Kansas facilitated a series of Medicaid Public Forums where more than 1,000 participants engaged in discussions on how to reform Kansas’ Medicaid system. Forum participants from Topeka, Wichita and Dodge City produced over 1,500 comments and recommendations for reform. Recommendations were focused on the three segments of the Medicaid population:
• Children, Families and Pregnant Women,
• The Aged
• The Disabled

Learn more about Medicaid and the resources used by Kansas government officials in policy decision making.

U.S. Census charts the insured and noninsured:
http://blogs.census.gov/censusblog/2011/09/my-entry.html

Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) including Healthwave and Health Connect:
https://www.kmap-state-ks.us/

Kansas Medicaid Statistics:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reform_forum/download/Kansas_Medicaid_Population_Demographics_Wichita_Dodge_City.pdf
Federal regulations regarding Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP):
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-02-02/pdf/2011-1686.pdf

Medicaid and Healthwave fact sheets:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/healthwave/fact_sheet.html

Medicaid transformation:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_transformation/default.htm

Medicaid roundtable summaries:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reform_forum/

Kansas Healthcare Market reports:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/medicaid_reports/Health_Care_Market_Reports.html

Article contact: Kim Harp

Monarch Butterfly

2011-09-19T13:01:00.004-05:00

It is an annual event of colorful, fleeting proportions when royalty travel through the Sunflower State every September. The monarch butterflies waft through wood, prairie and town gracing us with their presence on their way south to winter in Mexico.

Below are links with information on the butterflies, their lives, the annual migration and the dangers these beautiful creatures face in the 21st century. The resources below include some Kansas links as well.

GENERAL INFORMATION

"Monarch Butterflies Caught, Tagged to Track Migration"
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/sep/19/monarch-butterflies-caught-tagged-track-migration/
(Lawrence Journal World, September 19, 2011)

Migration of the Monarch Butterfly
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGuides/butterfly.html
(Library of Congress Science Reference GUides)

The Monarch Butterfly and Milkweed
http://ed.fnal.gov/entry_exhibits/insect/monarch.html

Monarch Butterfly
http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/migratoryspecies/monarchbutterfly.cfm
(US National Park Service)

Earthshots" Satellite Images of Environmental Change
Angangueo, Mexico
http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Angangueo/Angangueo
(The southern home of the monarch butterfly in Mexico is threatened by thinning and clearing of trees the insects depend on for habitation)

Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
http://www.mlmp.org/
(The Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) is a citizen science project involving volunteers from across the United States and Canada in monarch research)

Monarch Butterfly Lifecycle
http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/monarch.html
(The Wild Ones Animal Index)

Monarch Butterfly Program
http://www.fws.gov/international/DIC/regionalprograms/mexico/monarch.html
(Since 1995, the Wildlife Without Borders-Mexico Program has made a continuing commitment to support the conservation of monarch butterflies. By working with various partners to protect the monarch overwintering habitat, the Service helps ensure that highly valued butterflies in the United States are protected on their multi-generational migration through Mexico)

KANSAS CONNECTION

Monarch Watch
http://www.monarchwatch.org/
(Kansas Biological Survey, University of Kansas)

Monarch Butterfly
http://www.gpnc.org/monarch.htm
(Great Plains Nature Center)

Butterfly on the Brink
Text: http://www.features.ku.edu/monarchs/
YouTube: http://youtu.be/MdtDcKg-x8w
(University of Kansas article. "Intense deforestation in Mexico could ruin one of North America's most celebrated natural wonders -- the mysterious 3,000-mile migration of the monarch butterfly")

Monarch Butterflies in Space
http://youtu.be/u3lcgYNyCvU
(Monarch Watch — a KU-based network of students, teachers, volunteers and researchers dedicated to study of the monarch butterfly — is providing caterpillars to NASA, along with a special artificial diet. If all goes according to plan, the insects will eat, grow and go through metamorphosis to emerge as adult butterflies in 17 days while in low Earth orbit)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Jobs in the U.S.

2011-09-08T15:09:00.009-05:00

Over this past year, Governor Brownback has hosted seven summits focused on job creation in Kansas. “These summits will bring together stakeholders involved in the various engines of the Kansas economy to openly exchange ideas on what the state can do to help their industries grow and create jobs,” Governor Brownback said. Tonight, President Obama will address the nation regarding his plan to increase jobs. Many agencies study the economy and the employment situation. The President, Congress, state governors and state legislatures use the variety of tools these agencies create to develop policy, laws and regulations. Read on to see some of the tools used by Federal, state and local governments to track employment.

NATIONWIDE

News release from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics on August’s employment:
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/jec.htm

Overview of the 2007-2009 Recession:
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2011/04/art1full.pdf

Current Monthly Employment Statistics (since 1981):
http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cesregrec.htm

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Personal Income National data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis:
http://www.bea.gov/iTable/index_nipa.cfm

Job Openings and Labor Turnover (JOLTS) from the Department of Federal Reserve:
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/categories/32241

Update: President Obama's 9/8/2011 jobs speech to the joint Congressional session:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/08/american-jobs-act

STATE LEVEL

Indicators of the Kansas Economy by Kansas, Inc.:
http://www.kansasinc.org/pubs/working/IKE%20-%20March%202011.pdf

Kansas Wage Survey:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/lmis/wagesurvey/ws2010/wagesurvey_2010.html

Monthly Labor Report:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/HOME/NewsReleases/mlr.html

Annual State of Labor from the Secretary of Labor:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/home/NewsReleases/state.html

2010 Job Vacancies in Kansas Survey:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/LMIS/jobvacancy/jvs2010/jvs2010.html

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Review:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/LMIS/uinewslet/lmr.html#unemploy_insurance_newsletters or
http://www.kspace.org/handle/1984/11882

Kansas Occupational Outlook:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/lmis/projections/projections.html

Kansas County Profile Reports (including 2010 employment statistics) from the University of Kansas’ Institute for Policy and Social Research:
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/kcced/profiles/

County Wage Comparison tools from Wichita State’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research:
http://www.cedbr.org/content/2011/2010_County_Look-up.xlsx

U.S. State and County Unemployment Rate Comparisons (graph) from the U.S. Department of Labor:
http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=usunemployment&ctype=l&strail=false&nselm=h&met_y=unemployment_rate&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=state&tdim=true&tstart=631152000000&tunit=M&tlen=243&hl=en&dl=en

Article contact: Kim Harp

Animal Agriculture Summit

2011-09-02T09:04:00.037-05:00

Governor Brownback recently announced that he's scheduled a summit meeting on the economy and animal agriculture, September 28th in Garden City. Part of a series of summits held around the state on improving the Kansas economy this meeting will focus on the retention and expansion of farms, ranches and agribusiness in the state as well as ways to encourage new agricultural entities to enter the state. Featured speaker at the summit will be Dr. Giovanni Gasperoni of Novus International.

Specific topics to be covered in the gathering will include growing animal agriculture including workforce, Kansas’ advantages and disadvantages for business, food safety, animal health and animal welfare.

Provided below are some links to resources on animal agriculture, animal health, food safety and the Summit:

Governor's Economic Summit on Animal Agriculture
http://ksagriculture.kda.ks.gov/Pages/Default.aspx
(September 28, 2011, St. Dominic Catholic School, Garden City)
-- Agenda
-- Registration Form
-- Location and Lodging
-- Background Information
-- Contact
-- Dr. Giovanni Gasperoni biography

"Brownback To Host Animal Ag Summit"
http://www.hutchnews.com/Latestlocalnews/Brownback-to-host-animal-ag-summit
(Hutchinson News, August 30, 2011)

ANIMAL AGRICULTURE
Kansas Department of Agriculture
--Meat and Poultry
--Dairy
--Statistics

National Institute for Animal Agriculture
http://www.animalagriculture.org/

Animal Production (US Department of Agriculture)
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ANIMAL_PRODUCTION&navtype=RT&parentnav=PRODUCERS

AGRIBUSINESS
Kansas Department of Agriculture
--Marketing
--Statistics

Kansas Agri Business Expo
http://www.ksabe.org/mx/hm.asp?id=Home

Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture
http://www.kansassustainableag.org/valueadded.htm

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/

FOOD SAFETY
Kansas Department of Agriculture
http://www.ksda.gov/food_safety/

Food Safety (US Government)
http://www.foodsafety.gov/

ANIMAL HEALTH
Kansas Animal Health Department
http://www.kansas.gov/kahd/index.shtml

Kansas Department of Agriculture Animal Health
http://www.ksda.gov/animal/

Kansas City Animal Health Corridor
http://www.kcanimalhealth.com/
("KC area companies account for nearly 32% of total sales in the $19 billion global animal health market")

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

ANIMAL WELFARE

Farm Animals: Animal Welfare Information Center
http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?tax_level=1&info_center=3&tax_subject=170

ASSOCIATIONS, COUNCILS
(An incomplete list of organizations involved with different aspects of animal agriculture in Kansas)
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association
Kansas Ag.org
Kansas Beef Council
Kansas Livestock Association
Kansas Cattlemen's Association
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Kansas Dairy Association
Kansas Sheep Association
Kansas Pork Association
Kansas Meat Goat Association
Kansas Honey Producers Association
Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers' Association
Kansas Emu Association
Midwest Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association
Kansas Agricultural Aviation Association
Kansas Graziers Association
Kansas Poultry Association
Dr. R. Scott Beyer
Department of AS&I, 130 City Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-1600

RESEARCH, GENERAL INFORMATION
Kansas State University Animal Science and Industry
http://www.asi.ksu.edu/p.aspx

Kansas Bioscience Authority
http://www.kansasbioauthority.org/
("Created by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 with the sole purpose of advancing Kansas’ leadership in bioscience")

Kansas Farm Bureau
http://www.kfb.org/

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Small Business works in Kansas

2011-08-18T13:52:00.006-05:00

The U.S. Department of Treasury announced last week they are providing funds to two banks in Kansas via their Small Business Lending Fund. This fund was created as part of the 2010 Jobs Act to help banks lend to new small businesses. This fund is just one of many resources available to entrepreneurs. Find more resources for new business start-ups below.

Small Business Lending Fund (U.S. Treasury)

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sb-programs/Pages/Small-Business-Lending-Fund.aspx

Kansas Business Center (Kansas Department of Commerce)

http://www.kansas.gov/businesscenter/

Network Kansas (Non-profit)
http://www.networkkansas.com/

Kansas Small Business Development Center (Partnership between Kansas Department of Commerce and US Small Business Administration)
http://ksbdc.kansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Minority and Women Business Development (Kansas Department of Commerce)
http://ks-kdoc.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=231

Federal and State business grants (Network Kansas)
http://www.networkkansas.com/entrepreneurs/funding-options/business-grants

Federal grants (Small Business Administration)
http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants

Business incentives to locate in Kansas
http://ks-kdoc.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=93

Small Business Workshops (Kansas Department of Revenue)
http://www.ksrevenue.org/smbusworkshops.html

Advantage Loan Initiatives (Small Business Administration)
http://www.sba.gov/advantage

Financing for small business and non-profits
http://www.self-help.org/business-and-nonprofit-loans

New markets venture capital (Small Business Administration)
http://www.sba.gov/content/new-markets-venture-capital-companies

Article contact: Kim Harp

Presidential Election 2012

2011-08-14T22:39:00.007-05:00

And so it begins... Another race to the White House is underway. Below are some basic sources on U.S. presidential elections, campaigners, campaign finance, the Electoral College and other resources available from government and non-government sites.

Federal Election Commission
http://www.fec.gov/

2012 Presidential Form 2 Filers
http://www.fec.gov/press/press2011/presidential_form2nm.shtml
(All individuals who have filed a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) with the FEC to register as a 2012 presidential candidate)

2012 Presidential Campaign Finance
http://www.fec.gov/disclosurep/pnational.do
(Summarizes financial information disclosed by each Presidential candidate who has reported at least $100,000 in contributions from individuals other than the candidate)

2012 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions Alphabetically by State
http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P12/events.phtml

2012 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions Chronologically by State
http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P12/events.phtml?s=c

What is the Electoral College
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

Electoral College FAQs
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/faq.html

Distribution of 2008 Electoral Votes
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/2008/allocation.html

2008 Voting and Registration (U.S. Census Bureau)
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2008/index.html
(Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of Congressional and Presidential election years in the Current Population Survey)

American Presidential Elections
http://amview.japan.usembassy.gov/e/amview-e20080123-02.html
(Document by Allan J. Lichtman issued online by the American Embassy in Japan explaining how Americans elect their president)

Election of the President for Kids
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/election/president.html

Political Party Information
http://www.votesmart.org/party_info.php

Open Directory Project
U.S. Presidential Elections
http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Government/Elections/President/
2012 Presidential Election
http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/President/

Gallup Pole: Election 2012
http://www.gallup.com/poll/election.aspx
(Presidential polling questions, results, reports and comparisons over the campaign cycle)

United States Presidental Election 2012 (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2012
Includes Links to Official Candidate Websites

MEDIA SITES
ABC News (click Vote 2012)
CBS News Elections
CNN Election Center
FOXNews
MSNBC Politics
PBS Online NewsHour

Back to School!

2011-08-04T15:01:00.004-05:00

It's hard to think of fall and returning to school when it's been so hot. The calendar has turned another month, making parents check school supply lists and trying to squeeze in a few last-minute summer activities. Listed below are some resources available from government and private organizations to help orient your mind to school days.

Assistance in getting school supplies

Operation School Bell (Wichita area)- provides back-to-school clothes, uniforms and hygiene items to students in need
http://assistanceleaguewichita.org/programs/

Communities in Schools (statewide)- provides a variety of assistance to keep kids in school
http://ciskansas.org/about-us/services-programs/

Salvation Army- provides school supply, children’s programmng, tutoring, preschools
http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/usc/www_usc_kan.nsf/vw-sublinks/796AE67B170E332D86257558007142FA?openDocument

For your back-to-school vaccination and health needs:

Laws that require vaccinations and the statutory exceptions:
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/Kansas_Statutes_Related_to_School_Immunizations.pdf

Form to verify your child’s vaccinations:
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/KCI_Form.pdf

Kansas physical forms for participating in high school sports:
http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/FORM-PPE.pdf

School Lunch

School nutrition programs as provided by the Kansas Department of Education:
http://www.kn-eat.org/SNP/SNP_Menus/SNP_Home.htm

National school lunch program:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/

Play Hard, Stay Healthy from the USDA
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardhealthylifestyle/

Childcare

How to pick the perfect before or after school childcare:
http://www.childcare.gov/

ERC Resource & Referral provides customized child care referrals, professional development and resources for early childhood professionals, and referrals to community resources:
www.ercrefer.org

United Way 2-1-1:
www.211kansas.org/

Parent Resources

PTA:
http://www.ptacentral.org/kansas.htm

Kansas Parent Information Resource Center:
http://www.kpirc.org/

Article contact: Kim Harp

It's so hot!

2011-07-28T11:06:00.003-05:00

Off to the lake to beat this heat this weekend? Before you go, make sure that your local lake or reservoir does not have any current algae bloom warnings. Algae blooms are known to cause illness in humans and pets and can cause a fish die-off or “dead-zone” if they grow too large. Algae blooms occur more frequently in warm weather though no one is quite sure what triggers an algae bloom to become intense. Fertilizer runoff and other man-made chemicals seeping into waters have been thought to be one cause, heat and other natural causes such as slow moving water can be another.

To keep you and yours safe as you head to the lake, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment posts warnings of algal blooms and what to look for if you suspect the water may be a cause of a recent illness.

What is an algae bloom?
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm

Check here! Current warnings for Kansas waters:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/algae_advisories.htm

Signs that will be posted if waters have an advisory warning:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/download/BGA_Signs.pdf

Examples of what blue-green algae blooms look like:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/download/BG_Algae_Examples.pdf

Illnesses you could get if you are exposed to algae blooms:
http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm

The Response Plan from KDHE for algal blooms:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/download/BGA_Response_Plan.pdf

When algae go wild, macro-algal bloom on the Yellow Sea:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/pictures/110725-algae-china-beaches-qingdao-swimming-science-environment-world/

Article contact: Kim Harp

The U.S. National Debt

2011-07-19T13:30:00.008-05:00

The United States public debt is a measure of the obligations of the United States federal government and is presented by the United States Treasury in two components and one total:

--Debt Held by the Public, representing all federal[1] securities held by institutions or individuals outside the United States Government;
--Intragovernmental Holdings, representing U.S. Treasury securities held in accounts which are administered by the United States Government, such as the OASI Trust fund administered by the Social Security Administration; and
--Total Public Debt Outstanding, which is the sum of the above components.[2]
[Wikipedia]

Below are some basic links to information on the United States National Debt:

An Overview of the United States National Debt
http://www.csub.edu/kej/documents/weekly_updates/2011-06-13.pdf
(2011 document by Abbas P. Grammy, CSU-Bakersfield)

Frequently Asked Questions About the National Debt
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/resources/faq/faq_publicdebt.htm
(From the U.S. Dept of the Treasury)

Federal Debt: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04485sp.pdf
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/longterm/debt/
(U.S. Government Accountability Office. Both a website and a pdf document)

Budget of the United States Government: 2012
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/

Citizen's Guide to the 2010 Financial Report of the United States Government
http://www.fms.treas.gov/fr/10frusg/10guide.pdf
(U.S. Dept of the Treasury)

Debt and Deficits, by David Rosen
http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/ve/library/debt.pdf
(A dated work, 1994, but a good resource for basic information on the National Debt. Examines the national debt and deficits, looks at their size and impact, and discusses various policy measures for bringing them under control)

Ten Trillion and Counting
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tentrillion/
(Public Broadcasting System)

U.S. Bureau of the Public Debt
http://www.publicdebt.ustreas.gov/
(Borrows the money needed to operate the federal government and to account for the resulting debt. See the National Debt to the penny. The Bureau also provides a Twitter page for the Debt.)
The Debt to the Penny and Who Holds It
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np

Budget Deficit and National Debt Reduction
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/DeficitandN
(C-Span Video Library. A panel of former Congressional Budget Office directors talked about federal budget deficits and the national debt)

The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/105193.pdf
(by D. Andrew Austin, 2008, Congressional Research Service)

U.S. Dept of the Treasury Page For Kids
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/kids/kids.htm
(Includes information on the National Debt at a level understandable for children, teens and those of us adults who have problems balancing our own checking accounts!)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Mental Health in Kansas

2011-07-07T14:56:00.004-05:00

One of the many tasks of the state agency, Social and Rehabilitation Services, is to "support persons with mental illness in their recovery and in living safe, healthy, successful, self-determined lives in their home and community. Services are provided at a community-based level and include medication management, out-patient therapy, case management, mental health rehabilitation, personal support, and crisis services." SRS partners with Community Mental Health Centers to provide a safety net of service to ensure that all of Kansas is covered.

Under Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) 19-4001 et. seq., and KSA 65-211 et. seq., 27 licensed Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) currently operate in the state. The primary goal of CMHCs is to provide quality care, treatment and rehabilitation to individuals with mental health problems in the least restrictive environment. These Centers have a combined staff of over 4,000 providing mental health services in every county of the state in over 120 locations. Together they form an integral part of the total mental health system in Kansas.

According to the Association for Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, the independent, locally owned centers are dedicated to fostering a quality, free standing system of services and programs for the benefit of citizens needing mental health care and treatment. The primary goal of CMHCs is to provide quality care, treatment and rehabilitation to individuals with mental health problems in the least restrictive environment. The Centers provide services to all those needing it, regardless of economic level, age or type of illness. In Kansas, more than 97 percent of all citizens seeking public mental health care are seen at CMHCs. The remaining 3% are served through psychiatric residential treatment facilities, state hospitals, nursing or other residential care facilities, or private organizations or services.

Kansas Community mental health center directory:
http://www.acmhck.org/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx

Find your local community mental health center by map:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/services/Pages/MapCMHC.aspx

SRS provides support for peer-to-peer assistance programs called Consumer-Run Organizations in which adults support each other in the community:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/mh/Pages/Services/GrantsandContracts/CROs.aspx

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) in Kansas:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/mh/Pages/Policies/Licensing/PRTFs/PRTFClassII.aspx

Alternatives to PRTF’s from Kansas Health Solutions:
https://www.kansashealthsolutions.org/members/download.php?id=145&filename=PRTF%20Waiver%2001.11.10.pdf

Nursing facilities and residential care facilities are other pieces of the mental health conglomerate of SRS-supported organizations:
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/mh/Pages/Services/NFsMH.aspx

Manual for Parents of children with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) and the SED Waiver:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kmap-state-ks.us%2FDocuments%2FContent%2FProvider%2520Manuals%2FPD%2520SED%25201-04.pdf&ei=ggcWTtFvh9zRAcrnpV8&usg=AFQjCNEg9RC_pxtzcMF1OFH3EzJa2SFD5Q

Family Guide to Systems of Care for Children with Mental Health Needs (From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services):
https://www.kansashealthsolutions.org/members/download.php?id=44&filename=family%20guide.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

4th of July

2011-06-29T10:50:00.012-05:00

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Independence Day, commonly known as The 4th of July, is a day celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the rights and freedoms bestowed upon us by the men and women who struggled to establish a new nation over 230 years ago.
It is a day of parades, picnics, outdoor concerts and of course fire work displays.

Below are links to some information on the Day, celebrations in Kansas and associated topics.

SOME BASIC RESOURCES
Basic Readings in U. S. Democracy
http://infousa.state.gov/government/overview/demo.html

Our Flag / U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 2003. (H. doc./108th Congress, 1st session; 108-97)
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/ourflag.pdf
(You'll need Adobe Acrobat software to view this document online)

Fun facts about the Fourth of July (U.S. Census Bureau )
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb10-ff12.html

Today in History – July 4th from the Library of Congress
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul04.html

Decarlation of Independence (National Archives "Charters of Freedom" web site)
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/declaration.html

The Fourth Of July (from FirstGov.gov)
http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml

Star Spangled Banner (Smithsonian)
http://americanhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/
(Though the original poem was written during the War of 1812 we're including it here as it is very much a part of 4th of July celebrations)

KANSAS 4th OF JULY ACTIVITIES
4th of July Celebration at Fort Leavenworth
http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?CID=1128&QString=trip

Fourth of July Celebration
http://www.visitwamego.com/things-to-do/festivals-and-events/4th-of-July/default.aspx
(Wamego)

Freedom Festival
http://www.freedomfest.shermanfairgrounds.com/
(Goodland)

HutchFest
http://www.hutchfest.com/
(Hutchinson)

KCRiverFest 2011
http://kcriverfest.com/
(Kansas City, Missouri)

RiverFest
http://www.wichitariverfest.com/
(Wichita)

Star Spangled Spectacular
http://www.starspangledspectacular.org/
(Overland Park/Shawnee Mission)

Sundown Salute
http://www.sundownsalute.org/home.html
(Junction City)

SEARCHING OUR ONLINE CATALOG (ATLAS)
Click on any of the following headings to browse through lists of material available at the State Library of Kansas, the Kansas State Historical Society (partial holdings for KSHS ) and other research libraries in Topeka, Kansas.

Fourth of July
United States. Declaration of Independence
United States. Continental Congress
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
Check out the ATLAS Catalog for other resources: http://topekalibraries.info/search

If you see something you'd like to borrow from the State Library of Kansas or have further questions feel free to contact us

Stay Safe this Summer

2011-06-24T13:37:00.001-05:00

The summer solstice has come and gone yet the hottest days of summer are still looming. Summer in Kansas means fishing on the lakes, harvesting, baseball, festivals, picnics and camping. Fun activities full of wonderful memories! We want to keep those memories happy and ensure the safety of all families as we enjoy the great Kansas outdoors this summer. Several Kansas government state agencies offer tips and assistance on how to stay cool and safe this summer.

Beat the Heat! Tips from the Department of Health and Environment:
http://www.kdheks.gov/beh/extreme_heat.htm

Whether in lakes, rivers or pools- swim with a buddy!
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/

Don’t forget your sunscreen and prevent accidents:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/injury/

Make sure your kids are not locked in hot cars this summer with tips from Safe Kids Kansas:
http://www.safekidskansas.org/

Before you take a trip, check out these tips on carseat safety:
http://www.ktsro.org/child-passenger-safety

Other driving safety considerations:
http://www.nsc.org/SAFETY_ROAD/DRIVERSAFETY/Pages/driver_safety.aspx

http://www.ksdot.org/burTrafficSaf/brochures/albrochrs.asp

As you bike on Kansas trails keep these tips in mind:
http://www.safekidskansas.org/wheeled_sports.html

http://www.ksdot.org/burrail/bike/

As always, use your best judgment and better safe than sorry!

Article contact: Kim Harp

Kansas' Part-time Legislature

2011-06-09T11:02:00.006-05:00

Due to our agricultural heritage, Kansas has a part-time Legislature; this means that our Representatives and Senators meet daily from January through May to make or amend laws. Seventeen other states have part-time Legislatures and our closest neighbors, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado, have two-thirds-time legislatures. Senators and Representatives receive $88 per day they are in session plus a $123 subsistence pay per day they are in Session. This equates to around $18,990 for a 90 day session, thus most legislators hold other jobs aside from being a Senator or Representative. The dates for Session are convenient for those legislators who run farms, especially since there is a break in session in early April to get spring crops going. 12.7% of Kansas legislators are retired from other occupations.

But just because the Legislature has left Topeka and gone home for the remainder of the year, does not mean that they have stopped working for their constituents. The period between Sessions is known as “interim.” During the interim, legislators prepare arguments, work on boards or commissions, hold interim committee meetings called for by the previous Session to discuss potential bills or legislation, and meet with their constituents. Interim is also the time that legislative state agencies perform audits and studies that were either called for by legislation in the previous Session or are in preparation for the next Session. So while the Capitol building is quiet, legislative business is still buzzing.

Learn more about the make-up of our Legislature at (click on Kansas from the map):
http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?TabId=18248

Once the 2011 interim committee schedule has been decided, it will be posted under the interim link on http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Committees.htm

After each interim committee meets, it develops a report to the following Session. See 2010’s reports:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Committees-2010.htm

See an index of all interim committee reports since 1934:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Publications/SubjectIndex1934through2009.pdf

See what audits are being performed this interim and find older audits from the Division of Post Audit:
http://www.kansas.gov/postaudit/

Interim is a great time to speak to your legislators with any concerns. Your legislator does not have staff during the interim so you will need to contact them at home. Their home numbers are published and they expect calls from constituents. You can find their numbers by going to www.kslegislature.org and clicking on either “House” or “Senate” from the tabs along the top.

For a complete directory of the Legislature go to (available in PDF or Excel):
http://www.kssos.org/pubs/pubs_legislative_directory.html

If you do not know the name or contact number for your legislator go to http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/ and input your county and your address. Or you can call the Legislative Hotline, 1-800-432-3924, to learn how to contact your legislator or to leave a message for your legislator.

Article contact: Kim Harp, Legislative Reference Librarian

Breast Cancer and AIDS/HIV Resources

2011-06-03T10:06:00.014-05:00

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the publication of an article by the US Centers for Disease Control announcing the discovery of a new disease we now know as AIDS. Also in June we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day (June 5th). Our blog topic this week is two-fold then providing paths to resources on breast cancer and AIDS/HIV.

BREAST CANCER
"In the United States in 2007, 202,964 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,598 women died from the disease. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women." (CDC website)

Breast Cancer And You
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/pdf/BreastCancerFS_Dec2010.pdf
(Online pamphlet with basic information)

Basic Information on Breast Cancer
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/
(US Centers for Disease Control)

Breast Cancer Screening
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
(US Centers for Disease Control)

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm

University of Kansas Cancer Center
Breast Cancer Information
http://www.kucancercenter.org/patient-care-and-cancer-information/specialties-and-treatment/breast-cancer/

Breast Cancer Overview

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast Cancer Survivorship Center

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Breast Cancer Resources & Links

Breast Cancer in Kansas
http://www.kdheks.gov/phi/download/BreastCancer2005.pdf
(Online Kansas Department of Health and Environment pamphlet)

Kansas Early Detection Works Program
http://www.kdheks.gov/edw/about.htm
("The goal of the Early Detection Works program is to reduce death from breast and cervical cancer among the women of Kansas")

HIV/AIDS
Thirty years ago this week medical scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control published a paper identifying a new disease which became known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). During the past three decades about 30 million people have succumbed to the illness worldwide. It is estimated that another 33 million are currently infected with the HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) around the globe as well.

AIDS.gov
http://www.aids.gov/

HIV/AIDS Basics
http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/

HIV/AIDS
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/
(US Centers for Disease Control)

HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/
(US Centers for Disease Control)

HIV Testing
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/index.htm
(US Centers for Disease Control)

AIDS Timeline
http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/overview/aids-timeline/

"AIDS 30 Years Later"
http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_060211_full_show.mp3/view

U.S. Statistics
http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/overview/statistics/

U.S. Response to the Global Threat of HIV/AIDS: Basic Facts
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/158497.pdf

World AIDS Vaccine Day
http://blog.usaid.gov/2011/05/world-aids-vaccine-day-igniting-the-prevention-revolution/

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Kansas HIV/AIDS Program
http://www.kdheks.gov/hiv/

Kansas HIV/AIDS Bi-Annual Data Tables
http://www.kdheks.gov/hiv/hiv_std_update_newsletter.html

Kansas HIV Prevention Education and Risk Reduction
http://www.kdheks.gov/hiv/hiv_prevention_education.html
(The focus and strategies of HIV prevention efforts continue to change in response to shifting needs of individuals and communities across Kansas. Simply stated, the goal of this program is to reduce the spread of HIV infection in the state of Kansas)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

New Laws

2011-05-26T15:18:00.004-05:00

The Governor recently signed several bills. Despite common belief, that does not mean that a bill goes into effect as a law right away. A bill becomes law upon its effective date. There are two clauses in a bill that declare its effective date: either the bill declares it is effective upon publication in the statute book, or it declares it’s effective upon publication in the Kansas Register.

If a bill states that it will become effective “upon publication in the statute book,” that means it will be effective July 1, 2011. If the bill states that it will be effective “upon publication in the Kansas Register,” that means it will be effective upon the next publication of the statewide weekly newspaper, the Kansas Register. The Legislature’s website is now listing the date bills have been published in the Kansas Register when you search through to a bill’s history. In order to find the bill history, go to www.kslegislature.org and click on “bills and laws” from the tabs along the top. Then type in the bill number you wish to search for in the “filter” box at the right. If you do not know the bill number to a bill, call the Legislative Hotline at 800-432-3924. Our staff can look it up for you and walk you through the search.

You can find the Kansas Register at the Secretary of State’s website at:
http://www.kssos.org/pubs/pubs_kansas_register.asp.

See the news releases from Governor Brownback’s office regarding bill signings:
https://governor.ks.gov/home

See the full list of bills that have been signed by the Governor:
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/year1/measures/reports/laws_fr/

See a list of the bills still awaiting the Governor’s signature at:
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/year1/measures/reports/gov_fr/

See a short summary of bills either passed or soon-to-be signed in the 2011 Preliminary Summary of Legislation - Supplement II:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Publications/2011-supplement-2.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

Tornado Safety

2011-05-10T16:32:00.019-05:00

Recent weather events across the South are a painful reminder to us all that we live each day with the uncertainties of weather around us. Springtime storms can spawn tornadoes or straight winds that wreak havoc over large areas cutting off power, water and immediate access to medical/governmental/commercial services. Knowing the best actions to take in protecting yourself during a tornado and being prepared for possible periods of time after a disaster without basic services at hand can make a big difference in riding out the storms of spring and summer.

Below are links to information on tornado safety and disaster preparedness with a couple informative resources for children.

Tornadoes: Nature's Most Violent Storms
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/tornado.shtml
(National Weather Service)

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning: Nature's Most Violent Storms
http://www.weather.gov/om/brochures/ttl.pdf
(16 page booklet from the National Weather Service)

Tornado Safety / by Roger Edwards
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html
(U.S. Storm Prediction Center, Norman, Oklahoma)

Tornado Safety Rules
http://www.ksn.com/content/weather/features/severeweathertips/story/Tornado-safety-rules/oujsaBF6tUuz7tm5Cj6u0w.cspx
(KSN TV news)

Family Preparedness Plan
Disaster Supply Kit
http://wwworigin.weather.com/outlook/wxready/articles/id-33
(From the Weather Channel. Help protect your family against potential weather disasters and emergency situations by compiling an emergency supply kit)

How to Assemble a Disaster Preparedness Kit
http://mmrs.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/727
(A short video from FEMA on putting together a kit for families)

Editorial: Take cover, not footage
http://cjonline.com/opinion/2011-05-05/editorial-take-cover-not-footage
(An editorial from The Topeka Capital-Journal on the need for putting safety before videoing oncoming twisters)

Weather Safety DVDs
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/?n=wxdvd
(The National Weather Service in Wichita will provide safety videos for free in a DVD format if you live in the state of Kansas. Just fill out the form below to select which DVD you would like mailed to you)

Wichita Weather Talk Request Page
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/?n=talks
(When available meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Wichita will come to your function to provide a weather safety talk free of charge. Please fill out the form below to request a talk)

Weather Education
http://www.weather.gov/om/edures.shtml
(Information for children, teens and young adults. Materials range from coloring books, puzzles and games, to lesson plans, brochures, satellite images, and career information for weather related fields, such as meteorology, hydrology and climatology)

Playtime for Kids: Tornadoes
http://www.weather.gov/om/reachout/tornadoes.shtml
(Information for children on tornadoes)

Tornado in a Box Display
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/educate/torbox/torbox.php
(The Tornado in a box was constructed to be a visual aid for, WFO Wichita KS, public weather training programs)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Recovery efforts- helping our neighbors

2011-05-04T10:48:00.003-05:00

We Kansans know natural disasters and we know that it takes help from our community, friends and family to pull through. Our neighbor states are facing long-term recovery after tornadoes, storms and floods. Several Kansas counties are facing severe droughts. If you are among the fortunate who are not facing Mother Nature’s wrath, and you wish to help your Kansas and southern neighbors, look to these resources to find ways to help.

Donating

Looking for a good organization to donate?

List of charities given a seal by the Better Business Bureau:
http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/participants.asp

Have goods to donate? Find out what needs are first from the National Donations Management Network:
http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema/PublicPortal/ListOfNeeds.aspx?PortalID=0

Don’t get scammed! If you are contacted to donate for a charity- make sure it’s registered and legit by going to:
http://www.kscharitycheck.org/ or
http://www2.guidestar.org/ or
http://www.bbb.org/us/charity/

Make sure that whomever is soliciting for funds gives you the required information about their organization:
http://kslegislature.org/li/statute/017_000_0000_chapter/017_017_0000_article/017_017_0066_section/017_017_0066_k/

There are organizations that are exempt from registering with the Secretary of State:
http://kslegislature.org/li/statute/017_000_0000_chapter/017_017_0000_article/017_017_0062_section/017_017_0062_k/

Unlawful acts in charitable funds as applied to the planning, conduct or execution of any solicitation or charitable purpose:
http://kslegislature.org/li/statute/017_000_0000_chapter/017_017_0000_article/017_017_0069_section/017_017_0069_k/

How your government helps during a recovery:

Kansas Governor Brownback declares drought:
https://governor.ks.gov/media-room/media-releases/2011/04/27/04-27-11-governor-requests-usda-declare-drought-disaster-for-21-kansas-counties

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides emergency loans for drought-stricken areas:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=efl

Individual Assistance information from the Kansas Adjutant General, Division of Emergency Management:
http://www.kansastag.gov/kdem.asp?PageID=167

The Kansas Adjutant General, Division of Emergency Management can send response personnel during times of disaster and recovery:
http://www.kansastag.gov/kdem.asp?PageID=83

View all states that have disaster declarations:
http://www.fema.gov/dhsusda/searchState.do

Get updates on natural disaster and recovery efforts:
http://blog.fema.gov/search/label/Severe%20Storms%20%2F%20Tornadoes

Federal recovery assistance:
http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm

Recovery information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/after.shtm

FEMA helps you locate your family immediately following a natural disaster:
https://egateway.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm

Tips for rebuilding after a disaster:
http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/resources.shtm

Rebuilding libraries, historical societies, museums and other important cultural organizations vital to communities:
http://kansaschern.wordpress.com/

Article contact: Kim Harp

Bob Dole

2011-05-02T10:07:00.014-05:00

Bob Dole is as much a part of the political landscape of Kansas as the Flint Hills are a part of the Sunflower State’s physical landscape. A constant presence in public life since the early 1950s when he was elected to the Kansas State House of Representatives, he is known the world over as a man of strong character and deep convictions with a wry sense of humor and a cooperative spirit that understands the ins and outs of the political process in passing legislation.

Recently Dole was honored at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C, a place dedicated to those Americans who fought during that global conflict over 60 years ago. The former senator has been a prominent supporter of the Memorial and chief among its fundraisers. A bronze plaque will grace the Memorial honoring Dole near its visitor center.

The links below provide resources on The Man From Russell offering different views into his life, public and personal:

BIOGRAPHY
(A short bio from the Congressional Biographical Directory)
DOLE, Robert Joseph, (husband of Elizabeth H. Dole), a Representative and a Senator from Kansas; born in Russell, Kans., July 22, 1923; graduated, Washburn Municipal University, Topeka, Kans., with an undergraduate and law degree in 1952, after attending Kansas University 1941-1943 and University of Arizona 1948-1949; during the Second World War served as a combat infantry officer in Italy; was wounded twice and hospitalized for thirty-nine months; awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with an Oak Cluster for military service; admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Russell, Kans., 1952; member, State house of representatives 1951-1953; county attorney of Russell County 1953-1961; elected as a Republican to the Eighty-seventh Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1961-January 3, 1969); elected to the United States Senate in 1968, reelected in 1974, 1980, 1986, and 1992, and served from January 3, 1969, to June 11, 1996, when he resigned to campaign for the presidency; majority leader 1985-1987, 1995-1996; minority leader 1987-1995; chairman, Committee on Finance (Ninety-seventh through Ninety-eighth Congresses), Special Committee on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Ninety-ninth Congress); chairman, Republican National Committee 1971-1972; advisor, President’s Delegation to Study the Food Crisis in India 1966; advisor, U.S. Delegation to Study the Arab Refugee Problem 1967; advisor, U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization 1965, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979; member, U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 1970 and 1973; member, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe 1977; advisor, GATT Ministerial Trade Conference 1982; member, National Commission on Social Security Reform 1983; member, Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission 1984; unsuccessful Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1976; unsuccessful candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 1988; unsuccessful Republican nominee for President of the United States in 1996; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 17, 1997; chairman, International Commission on Missing Persons in the Former Yugoslavia 1997-2001; national chairman, National World War II Memorial 1997-2004; engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C., 1997-

Bob Dole Official Website
http://www.bobdole.org/

Robert J. Dole, Tributes Delivered in Congress
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDOC-104sdoc19/pdf/CDOC-104sdoc19.pdf
(1996 publication)

Dole Institute of Politics
http://www.doleinstitute.org/
(located at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS)

Dole Portrait Unveiling
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/common/generic/Bob_Dole_Unveiling_Caption.htm

Electoral History of Bob Dole
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_history_of_Bob_Dole
(Wikipedia, 1950-1996)

U.S. Presidential Election, 1996
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1996
(Wikipedia. Dole was the presidential nominee of the Republican Party)

U.S. Presidential Election, 1976
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1976
(Wikipedia. Dole was the vice-presidential nominee of the Republican Party)

Bob Dole Quotes
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/bob_dole/
(From: ThinkExist.com)

World War II Memorial
http://www.wwiimemorial.com/

Sen. Robert J. Dole Scholarship Program
http://www.sms.scholarshipamerica.org/senatordolepublicservice/index.html
(Recognizes Kansas high school students who have demonstrated leadership and community involvement)

Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wichita, KS
http://www.wichita.va.gov/

Robert J. Dole US Courthouse, Kansas City, KS
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.showProfile&profile_id=1009038

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Things to consider when buying a vehicle

2011-04-21T13:34:00.006-05:00

Buying a vehicle new or used is always a nerve-wracking event. There are so many things to consider and so many ways a deal can go awry. Arm yourself with information before you head to a dealership. The State of Kansas and the Federal government have some helpful tips and guides to help you know what your rights are when buying a new or used vehicle.

FTC information regarding the privacy of your personal information given to a dealer: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus64-ftcs-privacy-rule-and-auto-dealers-faqs

FTC Facts for Consumers; Buying a used car:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut03.shtm

Federal Law 16 CFR Part 455- Trade Regulation Rule; Sale of Used Motor Vehicles:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/usedcar-comply.shtm

Car buying tips from the Kansas Attorney General:
http://www.ksag.org/files/Cartips.pdf

Facts about Vehicle Repossession:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut14.shtm

Kansas Lemon Law:
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/statute/050_000_0000_chapter/050_006_0000_article/050_006_0045_section/050_006_0045_k/

Better Business Bureau summary of the Kansas Lemon Law:
http://www.bbb.org/us/Storage/16/Documents/BBBAutoLine/KS-LLsummary.pdf
and
http://www.bbb.org/us/Storage/16/Documents/BBBAutoLine/KS-LLaddinfo.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

ATLAS Catalog

2011-04-08T16:29:00.014-05:00

National Library Week is fast approaching, a week dedicated to promoting and celebrating libraries and the services they provide. With this in mind this week's KGI blog hones in on one of the many services provided by the State Library of Kansas to government officials and employees as well as the people of Kansas, the online ATLAS Catalog.

ATLAS (The Associated Topeka Libraries Automated System) is a consortium catalog containing resources of the State Library, the Kansas Historical Society, the Kansas Supreme Court Law Library and various libraries at Washburn University.

The State Library has over 200,000 records in the catalog. Each record points the seeker to an item, book, magazine, annual, magazine article, web page, etc. that will hopefully be of help to them in their quest for information.

You can access ATLAS using two different screens. The first provides a googled approach to locating resources. The Second is a more traditional "Author, Title, Subject, Keyword" set up.

ATLAS (google like search)
http://topekalibraries.info/

ATLAS (traditional search)
http://topekalibraries.info/search

Searching can be limited to one library by clicking on the different library names listed on the right menu. If you wish to broaden your search to include all libraries again just click on the link at the bottom that says "All ATLAS Libraries."

Each library in ATLAS has its own page providing links to information and resources that library can offer you. The State Library of Kansas ATLAS page is http://topekalibraries.info/search~S4
Among the links within the State Library's ATLAS page are:

New at the Library (New at the State Library)
Our Databases
Ask a Librarian
My Library Account
State Library Homepage
Kansas Library Card
Audio Books, Music and More

Keep in mind that the library catalog of the 21st century is not your grandparent's card catalog of the 1950s! The ATLAS catalog allows you to limit and expand a search limiting words and terms within titles, authors and subjects. You can also limit searches by year of issuance or the type of material you're seeking.

Here's a short selection of some State Library collections whose holdings (complete or partial) can be found within ATLAS:

Illustriana Kansas (1933)
(A biographical work. All the biographies have been cataloged and available from the State Library via interlibrary loan)

A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans (1918)
(About 2500 of the biographies of this print and online resource have been cataloged)

Kansas Attorney General Opinions
(About 400 AG opinion records are found in ALTLAS linking reserachers to the online collection held by Washburn University School of Law.

Kansas Governors' Executive Orders
(Extending back to Gov. Robert Bennett these records provide links to online copies of the Orders)

The Kansas Historical Quarterly

Kansas History

Kansas!
(Over 1,100 records for articles in publications published by the Kansas Historical Society)

Kansas Wildlife and Parks
(The State Library has cataloged articles out of this magazine going back to 1991)

KSPACe
(Online Kansas state government publications. View some KSPACe collection records in ATLAS here)

Radiation and your government

2011-03-31T14:02:00.003-05:00

With the disaster in Japan, Kansans can't help but think of the effects it may have upon themselves and their neighbors. We're concerned for our Japanese friends we look to see how we can help. We Kansans don't need reminders how nature can throw us curve balls and we know how to pick up after a natural disaster; yet the scale and the subsequent nuclear effects of this disaster leaves us scratching our heads and worrying. Learn more about the effects of radiation and our own nuclear reactor, Wolf Creek here.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management, an arm of the Kansas Adjutant General's Office, manages natural or man-made disasters. http://kansastag.ks.gov/kdem_default.asp

See the Division's statement regarding radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant:
http://www.ksready.gov/FAQ.shtml

Find out more ways in which Kansas responds to radiation from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment:
http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/index.html

Learn more about radiation and its effects from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/

Read the news on nuclear safety from the Unites States Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
http://www.nrc.gov/japan/japan-info.html

Learn about levels of exposure and the health effects of radiation:
http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation.html

Learn more about the safety features of our nearest nuclear plant, Wolf Creek:
http://www.wcnoc.com/japan1.htm
Safety Plan:
http://www.wcnoc.com/preparedness.htm

Read studies of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami:
http://nei.org/

Protecting your identity

2011-03-17T15:30:00.004-05:00

It’s amazing how much of our personal information is floating around out there. Between what Google gleans from our online searches, to our shopping preferences on Amazon, and any information we share intentionally via blogs, Facebook or Twitter, the Internet is filled with our personal information. Help ease your fears- look to see how your government helps to protect your online and offline identity.

Educate yourself:
Tools available from the Kansas Attorney General for citizens to keep safe on the net:
http://www.netsafekansas.com/home/

Tips for parents to teach their children about staying safe online:
http://www.netsafekansas.com/content/page/title/Parents

Educate yourself on the different types of Internet crimes with information from the FBI:
http://www.ic3.gov/preventiontips.aspx

Learn about mail and Internet fraud with information from the United States Postal Service, Division of Inspection Service:
http://www.deliveringtrust.com/learn/

Keep on top of scams:
Internet crime alerts from the FBI:
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110310.aspx

Use the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) tools to keep safe and keep alert on scams:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/privacy.shtm

Watch the Internet fraud alerts:
https://www.ifraudalert.org/

What to do:
File a complaint for Internet fraud and crimes with the FBI:
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

Report online or offline child exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2936

Remember the rules of “THINK BEFORE YOU POST,” a campaign of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
http://tcs.cybertipline.com/knowthedangers8.htm

Teach others how to keep their identity safe with safety curriculum and lesson plans from the U.S. Congress:
http://www.isafe.org/

If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, use the FTC’s tools for getting back on track:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//

Article contact: Kim Harp

2010 US Census and Kansas

2011-03-10T11:29:00.005-06:00

Last Thursday, the US Census Bureau released the first set of numbers from the 2010 Census for sub-state areas. The data set is called PL 94 data, because it is release in accordance with Public Law 94-171, which basically says that the Census Bureau has until one year after the census to send redistricting data to the states. This data will be used to update Kansas’ legislative districts to reflect the changes in the state’s population since 2000.

As this set is intended for redistricting purposes, it is limited in scope. It contains the total population count, count by race and Hispanic origin, voting age and housing unit counts down to small levels of geography.

Although there were no real surprises in the data, it is interesting, and somewhat disconcerting, to see what most people thought was true. Kansas, on the whole, grew over the decade by about 6%. However, most individual counties (79 out of 105) lost population while only 26 counties gained people. Most incorporated cities (432 out of 627) lost population as well. This map shows the population change in counties. The green counties gained population. The yellow counties lost less than 5% of their population, the orange counties lost 5-11.5%, and the red counties lost 11.6-22.1% of their population.

The next batch of numbers to be released is scheduled for this summer, sometime between June and August. Those will include all race groups, all ages, sex, and housing ownership. The 2010 Decennial Census did not ask any questions about income, those stats can be found in the American Community Survey.

You can find more data at:

State Data Center of Kansas
http://www.kslib.info/sdc/index.html

American FactFinder
http://factfinder.census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau
http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn63.html

Article contact: Peter Haxton
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Legislative deadlines

2011-03-03T13:57:00.003-06:00

The Kansas legislative process is nearly halfway over for the 2011 session. The House and Senate have adopted rules to conduct business in a timely fashion. Last Friday was "Turn around day", a deadline in which bills must have passed from one chamber to the next. Bills that did not make it out of their original chamber must wait in committee until 2012. The next deadline in which bills are supposed to have passed their second chamber is called "drop dead day."

There are certain legislative committees which are exempted from the deadlines: House Appropriations, Senate Ways and Means, House and Senate Federal and State Affairs, House Taxation, and House Calendar and Printing.

Aside from the omnibus and mega bills which appropriates monies to state agencies, any bills introduced after deadlines cannot be acted upon until 2012.

After the 90th calendar day of session only governor vetos and the omnibus bill may be considered in either chamber.

An exception: bills can be considered past deadlines if there is a constitutional majority (2/3) vote within either chamber.

If you have a concern that you would like your Representatives or Senators to hear, you can find their contact information at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/year1/members/.

If you do not know who your representative or senator is go to http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/, enter in your county and address and it will show you the names and districts of your legislators.

If you would like to know if there has been a bill introduced on a topic you are concerned about , call the Legislative Hotline, staffed by the State Library of Kansas' reference librarians, at 800-432-3924.

After you have been given the bill number for your topic, you can see which chamber the bill is in, whether it has come to a vote, and where it stands now at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/year1/measures/

If you have any trouble navigating the legislature's website call the Legislative Hotline.

Whooping Cough

2011-02-24T09:47:00.015-06:00

Anyone who has worked on their family history with family in the U.S. at the turn of the last century is familiar with the disease, pertussis, or whooping cough, a highly contagious, sometimes deadly bacterial disease.

During the late 1800s and into the middle of the 20th century pertussis accounted for the deaths of thousands of Americans, mostly children. In the 1940s, the pertussis vaccine, combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTP), was introduced and by 1976, the incidence of whooping cough in the U.S. had decreased by over 99%.

Sadly pertussis has been on the rise of late. In 2005, 25,616 cases were reported according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health agencies and the media have been sounding the call warning parents and other care givers to be aware of the renewed threat of this disease.

Symptoms for whooping cough are initially mild, and then develop into severe coughing fits, which produce the namesake high-pitched "whoop" sound in infected babies and children when they inhale air after coughing. Anyone displaying these symptoms should seek medical assistance immediately.

Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children but can be prevented by immunization with pertussis vaccine. Pertussis vaccine is most commonly given in combination with the vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus.

Below are resources on pertussis from government, organizational and news media resources.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Whooping Cough - Pertussis (US CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/

Whooping Cough - Pertussis (KDHE)
http://www.kdheks.gov/pdf/hef/ab1060.pdf
(A printable pamphlet available from the Kansas Dept of Health and Environment)

Whooping Cough (Medline Plus)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/whoopingcough.html

PERTUSSIS VACCINE

Kansas Immunization Program (KDHE)
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/

"Adults Need Vaccines Too" (KDHE)
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2010/12272010.htm
(News release from the Kansas Dept of Health and Environment)

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine
http://www.medicinenet.com/pertussis/article.htm
(MedicineNet.com... commercial site)

NEWS SOURCES

"21,000 Had Whooping Cough Last Year, CDC Says" (Wichita Eagle)
http://www.kansas.com/2011/02/23/1732660/21000-had-whooping-cough-last.html

"Pertussis, Whooping Cough, Is Back" (WIBW News)
http://www.wibw.com/13newsat4/headlines/103682609.html

Whooping Cough (CNN news)
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/whooping-cough/DS00445.html

Breaking Down Whooping Cough (CNN news)
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/21/breaking-down-whooping-cough/

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Thriving in Tough Times

2011-02-18T14:07:00.010-06:00

From the beginnings of territorial days Kansans have at times lived through tough times. Drought, debt, dust... most all of us have been knocked down at some time or another.

Fortunately during these tough times there have often been others ready to offer a hand up. Neighbors and strangers have reached out to one another as well as government, institutions, organizations and religious bodies. Kansans have proven themselves to be generous in their time and talents in assisting those in need.

Two years ago staff at the State Library of Kansas began at website called "Thriving in Tough Times." The site provides resources to assist Kansans in finding a new job, figuring out how to refinance a home mortgage, where to turn to for help with medical costs/treatment and many other issues pressing in during our current tough times. The site, recently revamped, can be found online at:

http://thrivingintoughtimes.wordpress.com/

Within Thriving in Tough Times you'll find help in these areas:

Employment & Training
(Agencies, organizations and others who can help you with finding employment, career planning, applying for unemployment benefits, disability and veterans' assistance, training and GED information, and other related resources)

Finances
(Agencies, organizations and others who can help you with utility bills, grocery bills, tax assistance, military benefits, family assistance, housing and other services)

Housing
(Agencies, organizations and others who can help you with housing needs, questions, financial assistance sources, utilities assistance, support group locations and other services.)

Health
(Agencies, organizations and others who can help you with medical needs, health insurance questions, financial assistance sources, support group locations and other service)

Families
(Agencies, organizations and others who can help you with family, questions, financial assistance sources, support group locations and other services for infants through seniors)

Get Help at your local library!
(Local libraries, agencies, organizations and others who can help you)

If you or your agency would like to add/ edit content and links on this site, send an email to the Janie Rutherford at the State Library, janier@kslib.info. You'll receive an invitation to join the site.

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Indoor Air Pollution

2011-02-09T16:22:00.010-06:00

During the winter months we tend to close ourselves up in our houses, businesses and other buildings guarding against the cold. But within this closed environment we can become susceptible to particles, gases and other objects floating in the air.

The links below offer information on identifying, treating and preventing indoor air pollution. The links here are a sampling of resources from various state and federal agencies

GENERAL RESOURCES

Indoor Air Hazards
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hlsaf2/mf2788.pdf
(Kansas State University Research and Extension)

Indoor Air Hazards Fact Sheet
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hlsaf2/mf2787.pdf
(Kansas State University Research and Extension)

Indoor Air Hazards Every Homeowner Should Know About
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/indoorair-hazards/main.htm
(Federal Citizen Information Center)

The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/450.html
(Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Indoor Air Quality
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/
(U.S. EPA website)

CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon Monoxide Alert
http://www.kdheks.gov/beh/carbon_monoxide.htm
(Information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Carbon Monoxide
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
(An introduction from the U.S. EPA)

Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html
(U.S. EPA)

DUST MITES

Dust Mites
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/dustmites.html
(U.S. EPA)

Dust Mite Allergy
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/allergiestodustmites/id039203.pdf
(The Patient Education Institute)

FORMALDEHYDE

Formaldehyde
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html
(An introduction from the U.S. EPA)

Formaldehyde
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/formaldehyde.htm
(Information from the California Air Resources Board)

Toxic Substances Portal - Formaldehyde
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=219&tid=39
(Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)

MOLD, FUNGI

Mold Resources
http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/mold.htm
(The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has created this mold web-page to assist citizens who want to learn more about mold")

"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home"
http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/download/moldguide.pdf
(U.S. EPA web document)

Controlling Mold Growth In the Home
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hous2/mf2141.pdf
(Kansas State University Research and Extension)

RADON

Kansas Radon Program
http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/
(Kansas State University Engineering Extension)

Radon Publications and Resource
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html
(U.S. EPA Publications and Resources)

Kansas Vapor Intrusion Guidance
http://www.kdheks.gov/ber/download/Ks_VI_Guidance.pdf
(Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Toxic Substances Portal - Radon
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=71
(Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
(An introduction from the U.S. EPA)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Your Home
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/voc/vocfactsheet.pdf
(Minnesota Department of Health)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Debt collectors and scams

2011-01-26T09:27:00.005-06:00

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt released a statement regarding a new scam. According to his statement, a company called, "National Credit Solutions [is] purporting to be a debt collection agency. Most of the consumers who have been contacted have been contacted either by mail or by telephone. National Credit Solutions says it is contacting the consumers to collect a late fee owed by the consumer to Hollywood Video. The organization tells the consumer that the late fee was never paid and that Hollywood Video has turned the account over to National Credit Solutions for collection, and increasing the amount due. The organization then tells the consumer that the amount must be paid immediately or it will be reported on the consumer's credit report. National Credit Solutions often will also attempt to bargain with the consumer to get them to pay on the spot, accepting less than the amount to ensure payment." If you have been contacted, please do not send money, do not let anyone pressure you into sending money, and use the resources in this post:

See Attorney General Derek Schmidt's full statement at:
http://www.ksag.org/page/attorney-general-schmidt-warns-consumers-about-new-scam

The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) guide for steps you can take if you have been scammed:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm

Kansas law KSA 50-623 et seq. regards Kansas consumer protection

Kansas law KSA 50-634 regards remedies and debt collectors

Where to file a consumer protection complaint with the Attorney General:

http://www.ksag.org/page/file-a-complaint

Where to file a complaint at the FTC:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

Consumer Protection video from the FTC:

Celebrating Kansas in 2011

2011-01-19T13:05:00.002-06:00

Although the official day is January 29, 2011, Kansans will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Kansas statehood throughout 2011. Below is a sampling of sites and articles offering events, dates and places where you can participate in this grass roots fête of everything Kansas:

Kansas 150 Calendar of Events
http://ks150.kansas.gov/Pages/Calendar.aspx
(Kansas 150 website)

News About the Kansas Sesquicentennial
http://ks150.kansas.gov/Pages/news.aspx
(Kansas 150 website)

Kansas 150 Celebrations
http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?AID=583
(Kansas Travel and Tourism Division)

Kansas Day at the Kansas Historical Society
http://www.kshs.org/portal_kansas_day

Kansas 150 Commemoration
http://ks150.kansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx
(Kansas 150 Advisory Committee)

Kansas Day Presentation: John Carlin
http://www.washburn.edu/reference/cks/flyer2011legal.pdf
(January 28, 2011, sponsored by the Center for Kansas Studies at Washburn University)

150 Things I Love About Kansas
http://www.kshs.org/p/150-things-i-love-about-kansas/15782
(Kansas Museum of History Exhibit, Jan 28-Dec 31, 2011)

Kansas Arts Calendar
http://kansasartscommission.org/calendar/
(Kansas Arts Commission)

Kansas Humanities Council 2011 Calendar
http://kansashumanities.org/site/calendar.html?Name=Value

"150 Years of Statehood"
http://www.kansas.com/2010/12/26/1647772/array0xc041d28.html
(Wichita Eagle)

"Kansas 150th anniversary events"
http://www.kansas.com/2011/01/16/1676492_kansas-150th-anniversary-events.html
(Wichita Eagle)

"Kansas Day 2011"
http://kansas150slk.blogspot.com/2010/12/kansas-day-2011.html
(Kansas 150 SLK, State Library of Kansas)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Legislators are back in session

2011-01-13T10:18:00.006-06:00

On January 10, the 2011 Legislature returned to Topeka to represent you in the Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas State Senate. As required by the Kansas Constitution, Governor Sam Brownback presented his State of the State speech in which he laid out his goals for the state and the current status of state functions to the legislature.

Previous Governors' State of the State addresses and other messages can be found online at:
http://www.kslib.info/messages/index.html

Section of the Kansas Constitution requiring the Governor to deliver a message to the legislature:
http://www.kslib.info/constitution/art1.html

The Governor is also required to present a budget plan for the state:
http://budget.ks.gov/gbr.htm

The following are recommendations to communicate with your elected officials:

Find your legislators' contact information at:
http://www.kslegislature.org/

Find out who your state legislators are by entering your address at:
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/

Click on either House or Senate and then on the member's name. This will bring up a picture and the contact information for your legislator-
OR you can call the Legislative Hotline, a service of the State Library, to leave a message for your legislator at 1-800-432-3924.

Talk to your legislators about what concerns you:
1. When emailing or writing a letter to your legislator, address him or her as Honorable Representative or Honorable Senator
2. Be sure to include how your concern affects people in your area
3. Offer background information to support your argument
4. Offer to testify to your argument

Find out more about your legislators:
Directories:
http://www.kssos.org/forms/communication/legis.pdf
Histories of elected officials:
http://www.kssos.org/forms/communication/history.pdf
Legislators Past and Present:
http://www.kslib.info/legislators/index.html

Call the Legislative Hotline with any questions regarding Kansas government, the status of bills going through session, bill numbers for certain policy issues, legislative history assistance, or how to contact your legislator: 1-800-432-3924.

Bullying

2011-01-05T16:07:00.009-06:00

Bullying has come into the national spotlight within the past year due to some tragic cases primarily involving young adults. At the state level there are several organizations and agencies which offer information and resources for schools, parents, children and adults on signs of bullying and how to deal with it. Below are some links to resources with an emphasis on Kansas information.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Kansas Bullying Prevention
Kansas State Department of Education
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.ksde.org/bullyingprevention
(Links, Instate resources and organizations, Kansas Safe Schools Hotline, etc)

Bullying Prevention
(Kansas Safe Schools Resource Center)
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3896

Kansas Bullying Prevention Program
http://www.stopbullyingkansas.org/

Definitions and Characteristics of Bullying
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3913

Sample Bullying Prevention Program
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3902

Sample Bullying Prevention Policies
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3904

Cyberbullying
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3900
(Kansas State Dept of Education)

Cyber Bullying
http://www.netsafekansas.com/content/page/id/190
(Net Safe Kansas)

Cyberbullying
http://libguides.pittstate.edu/cyberbullying
(Resources provided by Axe Library, Pittsburg State University)

Kansas Children's Service League
https://www.kcsl.org/BullyingPrevention.aspx

Kansas Suicide & Crisis Hotline
http://suicidehotlines.com/kansas.html

Stop Bullying Now
http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/default.aspx
(U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA))

Bully Police USA
http://www.bullypolice.org/

BullyingInfo.org
http://www.BullyingInfo.org

Safe & Civil Schools
http://www.safeandcivilschools.com/

National Crime Prevention Council
http://www.ncpc.org/search?SearchableText=bullying
(Search results for "bullying")

WORKPLACE BULLYING

Workplace Bullying Institute
http://www.workplacebullying.org/targets.html
(Online brochures offered by the Institute)

Workplace Bullying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_bullying
(Wikipedia)

Workplace Mobbing
http://workplace-mobbing.com/

Workplace Bullying: What Everyone Needs to Know
http://www.wfse.org/info/Bullying.pdf
(Washington State publication with good, general information)

PUBLICATIONS

U.S Department of Education
http://www.edpubs.gov/ProductCatalog.aspx?KeyWordSearch=&TypeofSearch=exact&searchterm=bullying

Bullies Booklist for Teens
http://www.grpl.org/wiki/index.php/Bullies_Booklist_for_Teens
(Grand Rapids Public Library)

Bullying: A Fiction and Nonfiction Resource Guide
http://info.infosoup.org/lists/bullying.asp
(InfoSoup)

ATLAS ONLINE CATALOG
(Holdings at the State Library of Kansas, Washburn University, Kansas State Historical Society, Kansas Supreme Court libraries)
--BULLYING
--CYBERBULLYING

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Winter weather

2010-12-29T14:06:00.005-06:00

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

2010-12-20T15:11:00.010-06:00

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)

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

....

A New Administration

2010-12-13T14:24:00.005-06:00

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

2010-12-02T13:43:00.005-06:00

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

Caffeine and Alcohol

2010-11-23T14:36:00.008-06:00

Last week, the FDA announced findings that alcoholic energy drinks containing high of amounts caffeine and malt liquor were unsafe and issued warnings to the producers of such beverages. Monday, the Kansas Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) division announced that alcoholic energy drinks such as Four Loko, are banned and should be removed from shelves.

Kansas Statute Annotated 41-210 states the Director of the Kansas Alcohol and Beverage Control "...shall have broad discretionary powers to govern the traffic in alcoholic liquors and to enforce strictly all the provisions of this act in the interest of sanitation, purity of products, truthful representation and honest dealings in such manner as generally will promote the public health and welfare. All valid rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this act shall be absolutely binding upon all licensees and enforceable by the director of alcoholic beverage control through the power of suspension or revocation of licenses."

Four other states have issued similar bans: Michigan, Utah, Oklahoma and Washington.

Letter from Thomas W. Groneman, Director of Alcohol and Beverage Control, directing liquor stores to remove caffeinated alcoholic beverages:

http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/AlchEnergyRescind.pdf

Press release from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding caffeinated energy drinks:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm234109.htm

More information on caffeinated malt beverages from the FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm190366.htm

The brands included in the FDA's warning:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm233755.htm#core

Fact sheet from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on the dangers of mixing energy drinks and alcohol:
http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/cab.htm

News related to alcoholic energy drinks:

CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/17/alcohol.caffeine.drinks/index.html?iref=allsearch

New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/us/27drink.html

Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/health/os-caffeine-alcohol-mix-20101118,0,277094.story

The Wichita Eagle:
http://www.kansas.com/2010/11/22/1600064/state-bans-four-loko-other-caffeinated.html#storylink=omni_popular

The Kansas City Star:
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/22/2463028/kansas-announces-immediate-ban.html

Article contact: Kim Harp

Clean Out Your Refrigerator

2010-11-17T09:31:00.006-06:00

Thanksgiving is coming. You know what that means: friends and family visiting, lots of food to buy and prepare. The day arrives, and you wade into the refrigerator looking for the chilled cranberry sauce. Where is it? Behind the container of Greek yogurt, that expired (is “use by” really that important?) 2 weeks ago? Maybe the cranberry sauce is lurking behind the carton of Chinese takeout from last week that you were going to eat for lunch … on Monday. Oops!

November 15th was National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. This annual event originated in 1995 by Whirlpool and is a good time to demonstrate just how varied and informative government documents can be. And though November 15th is past it’s never too late to take care of those culinary treasures in your refrigerator which have lost a bit of their nutritional luster.

So, grab a strong trash bag, don your plastic yellow gloves and put on your air filter face mask. But first, check out the treasure trove of government information below.

Food Safety from the USDA

Refrigeration and Food Safety
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Refrigeration_&_Food_Safety/index.asp

Food Product Dating
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Food_Product_Dating/index.asp

Fall and Winter Food Safety
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Countdown_to_the_Holiday/index.asp

What does “Fresh” turkey really mean?
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Poultry_Label_Says_Fresh/index.asp

Removing Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Removing_Odors_from_Refrigerators_and_Freezers.pdf

More Fact Sheets on food safety:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/index.asp

Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html

Frozen Foods and Power Outages
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/frozen_food.html

FoodSafety’s Channel on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/USDAFoodSafety
Lots about turkey right now

Regulation of refrigerators and freezers

Refrigerator Safety Act
http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/Rsa.pdf

Warnings about children and unused refrigerators
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5072.html

Recalls by product type (freezer, refrigerator)
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/prod.aspx
or all household products
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/household.html

Energy Efficiency

What is the Energy Star program http://www.energystar.gov/ , and does your refrigerator or freezer qualify?
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_find_es_products

How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Home Appliance
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea07.shtm

Find a qualified refrigerator or freezer
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.search_refrigerators

Federal Trade Commission, Appliance Energy Data
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/appliances/fridge.htm

Appliance labeling FAQs
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/faq.htm

Incidentally, November 29 is “Throw Out Your Leftovers Day”. After reading through these government documents, I bet you will already have taken care of that!

Article contact: Cindy Roupe

Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs

2010-11-10T14:35:00.016-06:00

The first sentence of the Mission Statement of the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs states that "the mission of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs (KCVA) is to provide Kansas veterans, their relatives, and other eligible dependents with information, advice, direction, and assistance through the coordination of programs and services in the fields of education, health, vocational guidance and placement, and economic security."

As an advocate, resource center and service agency for military veterans and their families the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs provides a wide range of programs which benefit clientele statewide whose service time ranges from World War II to newly completed service within any branch of the U.S. Military.

Below are links to some of the programs and services offered by the Commission:

KANSAS COMMISION ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS HOME PAGE
http://www.kcva.org/

CONTACT INFORMATION
http://www.kcva.org/contact.shtml
(Address, phone and fax numbers, email and comment form)

KCVA SERVICE OFFICE LOCATIONS
http://www.kcva.org/vs/office_locations.shtml
(The Commission has field and service offices in Colby, Garden City, Fort Dodge, Wichita, Winfield, Independence, Lawrence, Kansas City, Junction City, Salina, Emporia and Topeka)

VETERANS' BENEFITS
http://www.kcva.org/vb/
(Information on: Disability Benefits, Dependents' and Survivors' Benefits, Burial Benefits, Health Care, Education and Training, Home Loans, Life Insurance, Military Distinctive License Plates, Filing Claims, Appealing Claims, Medals, DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), Prescription Drug Coverage, and Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment)

VETERAN SERVICES
http://www.kcva.org/vs/index.shtml
(Includes contacts and information on: Medical treatment, Claims assistance, the Persian Gulf War Health Initiative, Ionizing radiation exposure and Type II Diabetes treatment support for some Vietnam War era veterans.

VETERAN EDUCATION SERVICES
http://www.kcva.org/ves/
(financial support for veterans seeking further education at colleges/universities, vocational/technical schools, apprenticeship programs, other on-the-job training programs and flight schools)

MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT
http://www.kcva.org/mfs/
(Lists of organizations which give support to military families)

OPERATION RECOGNITION
http://www.kcva.org/or/
("The State of Kansas sponsors "Operation Recognition" to honor World War II and Korean era veterans who left school to join the military and never received a high school diploma")

KANSAS SOLDIER'S HOME
http://www.kcva.org/sh/
(A care center for Kansas veterans located in Fort Dodge, about five miles southwest of Dodge City)

KANSAS VETERAN'S HOME
http://www.kcva.org/vh/
(A care center located in Winfield)

KANSAS CEMETERY PROGRAM
http://www.kcva.org/cp/history.shtml
("Senate Bill 19 was passed in 1999 authorizing the Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs to establish, operate, and maintain a state veterans cemetery system, to serve the veterans, spouses, and eligible dependents of the veterans of Kansas")

KANSAS STATE SERVICES
Kansas Military Bill of Rights and other services provided by the State
Includes the following services and benefits provided by the State of Kansas:

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Drawing the Lines and Divvying up the State

2010-11-03T12:14:00.019-05:00

Now that the election has come and gone and votes have been tallied, one of the next tasks for the State Legislature is redistricting and apportionment. During the process of redistricting, the Legislature will use the new 2010 census population data to re-draw Kansas House, Kansas Senate, Kansas Board of Education and the state's four Congressional districts. As population shifts, counties may gain or lose representation in the State Legislature or Congress. The final drawing of boundaries will occur after the adjournment of the 2012 legislative session.

Public Law 94-171, enacted by Congress in December 1975, requires the Census Bureau to provide state legislatures with the small area census population tabulations necessary for legislative redistricting.

The Legislative Redistricting Advisory Committee has already begun work on compiling resources for the Legislature.

Members of the Redistricting Advisory Committee:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/2010CommMembership/2010-redist-ad-grp.pdf

Find maps, demographic tables and profiles for current Kansas House and Senate districts enacted by the 2002 Legislature. The population information was derived from the 2000 US Census of Population and Housing. The same information is available for Kansas' 10 State Board of Education and four Congressional districts:

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/LegisDist.htm

Find your Legislative, Congressional and Board of Education district numbers:

http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/

See the data available to the Legislature to use to help determine district boundaries:
http://www.census.gov/rdo/data/redistricting_data.html and
http://www.census.gov/rdo/data/state_legislative_district_data.html

Guide to the 2010 Redistricting Data from the U.S. Census:
http://www.census.gov/rdo/pdf/StrengthInNumbers2010.pdf

Learn more about the timeline for redistricting in Kansas from the Legislative Research Department:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Publications/2010Briefs/s-s-2-redistricting-timeline.pdf

As prescribed by the Constitution, the first decennial census was conducted in 1790. Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State at the time, directed the enumeration. Since then, the census has been taken in each year ending in a zero digit. Thus, the most recent enumeration (Census 2000) was the last census of the 20th century.

Learn more about apportionment at the U.S. Census:

http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/apportionment/index.html

Read the formula used to compute apportionment:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/apportionment/computing.html

History of apportionment in the United States:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/apportionment/history.html

View current state data for Kansas from the State Data Center of Kansas:

http://www.kslib.info/sdc/

Article contact: Kim Harp

VOTE!

2010-10-27T11:18:00.016-05:00

The general election is less than a week away. You've heard and read the ads, debates, news reports, pamphlets and speeches. The most important opinion is still to come... YOURS! The only way you can make that opinion heard is by voting.

The Secretary of State has a great site with information on how/where/when to vote at:
VOTE KANSAS!
http://www.voteks.org/main.html
The site includes information on the voting process, accessibility, the complaint process and contact information if you have other questions or comments. Among the helpful links on this site are:

SEARCH YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/

LOCATE YOUR POLLING PLACE
(Do a search to find out where you vote)
https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/

ABSENTEE BALLOT SEARCH
https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Don't forget that we're also voting on two State Constitutional Amendments this election. The Secretary of State provides links to the proposed amendments here:

Proposed Amendments to the Kansas State Constitution
http://www.kssos.org/other/constitutional_question_english.html

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Prison Beds in Kansas

2010-10-20T15:26:00.007-05:00

On October 9th, The Kansas City Star reported that Kansas had run out of beds for male prisoners. The Kansas Sentencing Commission (KSC) and the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) have been studying this trend and making projections for some years. KDOC Secretary Roger Werholtz is asking the Kansas Legislature for extra funding for more beds, parolee programming and alternative placements. This issue is likely to be addressed this next year.

KSC Ten Year KDOC Inmate Custody Classification Projection
http://www.accesskansas.org/ksc/documents/FY2011_KDOC_Inmate_Custody_Classification_Projection_Report.pdf

Letter from the Chairman of the Kansas Sentencing Commission regarding the current state of available beds and inmate reduction
http://www.accesskansas.org/ksc/documents/Prison_Bed_Reduction_Letter_to_Governor_w_attachment_2_25_2010.pdf

Report of the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight to the 2010 Kansas Legislature

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/2009CommRepts/2009CRto2010leg.pdf

Monthly Offender Population Report from the Department of Corrections

http://www.doc.ks.gov/publications/End%20of%20Month%202010.pdf

Statistical Summary- FY 2009 Community Corrections Offender Population
http://www.doc.ks.gov/community-corrections/resources/FY09%20CC%20Summary%20Data.pdf

Article contact: Kim Harp

The U.S. Supreme Court

2010-10-14T10:49:00.015-05:00

"The Supreme Court enjoys all but free rein in selecting which cases to review. From the end of one term in the summer until the start of the next, on the first Monday in October, the work of the court is to sift through thousands of petitions from parties…” (New York Times)

Each year in early October the Nation, if not the world, turns its attention to nine men and women meeting in a stately building on East Capitol Street in Washington D.C. The first Monday in October is designated by U.S. Statute as the opening of a new term of the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, and there is often great interest in knowing what cases the Court has chosen to hear and the eventual outcome of the court's decisions.

This year especially interest in the proceedings of the Court has increased in Kansas due to a case involving the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. Local media have focused on the arguments of both parties and Kansans have read and listened to explanations of how cases are presented to the Supreme Court and decided by the Court.

Below are some links with further information on the U.S. Supreme Court, its duties, history, members and actions. Also included are links to some media information on the case called "Albert Snyder, Petitioner v. Fred W. Phelps, Sr. et al."

About the Supreme Court
http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/about.aspx

Court Procedure
http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/procedures.aspx

Supreme Court Firsts and Other Trivia
http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/oath/supremecourtoathfirstsandtrivia2009.aspx

Associate Justice Elena Kagan’s investiture
http://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/press/investiture/investiture_kagan.aspx

“No candid cameras in the Supreme Court”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram October 5, 2010
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/10/05/2523030/no-candid-cameras-in-the-
supreme.html

Has The Supreme Court Limited Americans' Access To Courts?
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS125052
( Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 111th Congress, First Session, December 2, 2009)

A Bill To Permit The Televising Of Supreme Court Proceedings
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS102281
(hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 110th Congress, Second Session, September 8, 2008)

As the court begins its 2010 term, a case with Kansas connections has received national and world notice

Albert Snyder, Petitioner v. Fred W. Phelps, Sr. et al
http://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.aspx?FileName=/docketfiles/09-751.htm

“Snyder v. Phelps a ‘big’ case”
Topeka Capital Journal October 3, 2010
http://cjonline.com/news/local/2010-10-03/snyder_v_phelps_a_big_case

“High court struggles with funeral protest case” Wichita Eagle October 6, 2010
http://www.kansas.com/2010/10/06/1529007/high-court-to-hear-military-funeral.html

“U.S. court considers anti-gay protests at funerals”
Toronto Sun October 6, 2010
http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2010/10/06/15602881.htmls/world/2010/10/06/15602881.html

Article contact: Cindy Roupe (Resources); Bill Sowers (Text)
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Water, water everywhere...

2010-10-05T10:22:00.002-05:00

Living in a plains state makes Kansans unique in their uncanny sense of the weather and of water resources. Kansas has its watersheds, 14 reservoirs, and 12 river basins that help to keep metropolitan areas in drinking water and farm fields irrigated. The Kansas Water Office and Kansas Water Authority are charged with maintaining and preserving and preparing Kansas waterways. The Water Office coordinates the Kansas water planning process in concert with the Kansas Water Authority which advises the Kansas Legislature and the Governor in policy-making. This week, the Legislature meets in interim committee meetings regarding the water planning process. They will be looking at water supply and conservation issues, including the nature of the supply, where and whom it serves, and what it will look like in 10-20 years. Learn more about your Kansas government's plan for our water resources.

Kansas Water Office home page:
http://www.kwo.org/

Kansas Water Authority and its members:
http://www.kwo.org/KWA/Kansas%20Water%20Authority.htm

2009 Kansas Water Plan:
http://www.kwo.org/Kansas%20Water%20Plan/Kansas%20Water%20Plan.htm

2010 Water Plan Status:
http://www.kwo.org/Reports%20%26%20Publications/Rpt_2010_StatusReport_012509_ab_ss.pdf

2010 Annual Report to the Governor and the Legislature:
http://www.kwo.org/KWA/Rpt_2010_KWA_Rpt_Gov_Leg.pdf

More reports and publications by the Kansas Water Office:
http://www.kwo.org/Reports%20%26%20Publications/Reports%20and%20Publications.htm

Kansas Department of Agriculture- Division of Water Resources:
http://www.ksda.gov/dwr/

Kansas Geological Survey- Water Resources:
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hydro/hydroIndex.html

Kansas State Conservation Commission (SCC):
http://www.scc.ks.gov/

Article contact: Kim Harp

Mental Health Awareness Week, October 3-9

2010-09-29T12:32:00.010-05:00

October 3-9 is Mental Health Awareness Week. During this upcoming week mental health agencies and groups as well as supportive individuals will offer programs, web pages and public walks to raise public awareness in state and local communities about mental illness and the need for treatment and recovery.

Below are a few links to resources for Kansans on mental health and mental illness.

Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Mental Health Services
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/mh/Pages/MHServ.aspx
(The Kansas Mental Health System offers an array of services for children and adults in need of mental health treatment)

Community Mental Health Centers and/or Consumer Run Organizations
http://www.srs.ks.gov/services/Pages/MapCMHC.aspx
(Use the clickable map or search box to locate centers and organizations that may be of help)

Directory of Mental Health Resources in Kansas, 2010
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/mh/Documents/MHDirectory.pdf
(A guide to statewide and community mental health services in Kansas. Includes locations, website URLs, email addresses, telephone numbers and names in assisting Kansans find help. this is the 20th edition of this excellent publication by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services)

National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=by_illness

The National Alliance's website's website includes general information on the following forms of mental illness:

National Alliance on Mental Illness - Kansas
http://www.nami.org/MSTemplate.cfm?Site=NAMI_Kansas
(This is NAMI's presence in Kansas)

SOME KANSAS BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas
http://www.acmhck.org/

Mental Health America of the Heartland
http://www.mhah.org/

Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas
http://www.mhasck.org/

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Of algae and other things

2010-09-23T02:21:00.004-05:00

Blue green algae blooms (cyanobacteria) have been in the news recently. Although algae blooms are a natural phenomenon and are caused by certain weather patterns, they can make people, livestock and pets ill. Are you concerned which lakes and ponds you can take your children or pets swimming in? Which waters its safe to fish. Do you wonder what algae blooms are and how they'll affect the public drinking water? The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is charged with monitoring waters in Kansas and informing the public which waters to avoid.

KDHE overview of what algae blooms are:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm

Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) overview of cyanobacteria:
http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/about.htm

CDC's facts about harmful algal blooms:
http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm

Current algae bloom advisories:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/algae_advisories.htm

Examples of the signage you will see at waterways that are closed due to algae:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/download/BGA_Signs.pdf

Explanation of symptoms brought on by ingestion of blue green algae:
http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/algae_policy.htm

* Be sure to respect the warnings, soon the algae will die off naturally and activities can be resumed.

Article contact: Kim Harp

Supporting our Troops

2010-09-01T13:47:00.011-05:00

Last night it was announced that combat will end in Iraq. Many soldiers and their families are encouraged by the thought that they may be returning home. This prompts major changes in a soldier's life and the lives of his or her family. As a citizenry, we need to know how we can continue to support our troops as they readjust to civilian life. Learn more about the Federal and State resources and services which are available to veterans and families in finding job opportunities, counseling, and health services.

"Because part of ending a war responsibly is standing by those who have fought it" -President Barack Obama

President Obama's message regarding the end of combat missions in Iraq:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/president-obamas-address-end-combat-mission-iraq

Welcome home events:
http://www.volunteer.va.gov/Welcome_Home_Events.asp

Benefits to U.S. Veterans and their families from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/

Benefits for returning veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom:
http://www.oefoif.va.gov/

Army and National Guard emergency relief:
http://www.aerhq.org/

Army Career and Alumni Program:
http://www.acap.army.mil/

Education and GI Bill benefits:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

Jobsite for Vets, VetSuccess:
http://vetsuccess.gov/

Kansas Military Bill of Rights:
http://governor.ks.gov/issues-a-initiatives/military-and-veterans/479-kansas-military-bill-of-rights

Kansas Military Service Scholarship Program:
http://www.kansasregents.org/scholarships_and_grants

Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs:
http://roadwaytocollege.com/go/page.pl/000000A/http/www.kcva.org/vb/

Benefits available to families of Kansas Veterans:
http://roadwaytocollege.com/go/page.pl/000000A/http/www.kcva.org/mfs/

Veterans Upward Bound- KU program:
http://roadwaytocollege.com/go/page.pl/000000A/http/www2.ku.edu/~vub/

National Center for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder):
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp

Other organizations with benefits for veterans and families:
American Legion:
http://www.legion.org/

Kansas American Legion:
http://www.ksamlegion.org/

Veterans of Foreign Wars Kansas:
http://www.vfwkansas.org/

Disabled American Veterans:
http://www.dav.org/

If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call toll-free: 1-800-273-8255.

Food Safety

2010-08-26T10:20:00.017-05:00

With over 1,000 cases of salmonella poisoning across the country and the recall of about a half billion eggs from stores, restaurants and homes food production safety and inspection have come to the forefront of the news lately.

As Federal and state health officials continue to investigate it's good to know what resources are available to you on food safety. We've included some links below to state and federal information:

INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT OUTBREAK AND RECALL

Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak in Shell Eggs
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm222684.htm
(From the US Food and Drug Administration's What's New in Food)

Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Associated with Shell Eggs
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/enteritidis/
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web page on salmonella)

How can I tell if my eggs have been recalled?
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm223536.htm
(From the US Food and Drug Administration's What's New in Food)

FoodSafety.gov
http://www.foodsafety.gov/
(Information from the federal government on home food safety, food poisoning, inspections and compliance, etc.)

KANSAS FOOD SAFETY

Kansas Food Safety and Consumer Protection
http://www.ksfoodsafety.org/
(Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Kansas Department of Agriculture
http://www.ksda.gov/food_safety/
(The Department's Food Safety and Lodging web page. Includes information on dairy inspection, meat and poultry inpection, as well as a food safety and lodging inspection results database)

Kansas Department of Health and Envrionment
http://www.kdheks.gov/epi/index.html
(The Department's Bureau of Surveillance & Epidemiology web page. Includes information on disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and education. Among the duties of the the Bureau is the investigation of foodborne ilnesses)

GENERAL FOOD SAFETY INFORMATION

Keep Food Safe! Food Safety Basics
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Keep_Food_Safe_Food_Safety_Basics/index.asp
(US Dept of Agriculture)

K-State Extension Food Safety
http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/DesktopDefault.aspx
(A website from Kansas State University educating consumers on safe food handling with food preparation, food preservation, food service and more)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

League of Kansas Municipalities

2010-08-20T08:35:00.027-05:00

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM). The League is not a state government agency but "a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of over 500 Kansas cities. It operates as a public agency and is defined by state law as an instrumentality of its member cities. The powers and duties of the League are prescribed by state law and in bylaws adopted by the voting delegates of its member cities." [from the League's website]

Besides working as an advocate and resource center for municipalities in Kansas the League of Kansas Municipalities also offers up a treasure trove of information on city-related topics, much of which is available to the general public on the League's website.

Below are links to resources on the LKM's website along with links to some other local government organizations in Kansas:

LEAGUE OF KANSAS MUNICIPALITIES (Main Page)
http://www.lkm.org/

Directory of Kansas Public Officials
http://www.lkm.org/directory/
(The Directory allows searching by city, county, public school district and by personal name. There is also a clickable map. General contact information is supplied not only for local officials but for state and federal legislative representatives in the city sections too.

Sample Ordinances
http://www.lkm.org/resources/ordinances/
(Grouped by topics such as animals, cell phones and motor vehicles, concealed carry and zoning the League provides simple examples of ordinances which can be modified by local government attorneys to meet the needs of municipalities)

Legislative Guide
http://www.lkm.org/legislative/guide/
(The League puts out an annual guide to the Legislature with contact information as well as information on committee membership, legislative leadership, key session dates, and support staff contacts)

Fiscal Year Budget Tips
http://www.lkm.org/resources/budgettips/
(Some basic information on taxes, government funds and budget preparation to assist local officials in preparing their operating budgets for the coming year)

Kansas Cities on the Web
http://www.lkm.org/links/local/cities.php
(The League provides links to over 200 official city websites in Kansas)

LEAGUE PUBLICATIONS

Kansas Government Journal
http://www.lkm.org/journal/
(Includes an online archive of past articles going back to 1914)

League News
http://www.lkm.org/leaguenews/
(Newsletter with back issues available online)

Comprehensive Publications List
http://www.lkm.org/publications/
(Includes League of Kansas Municipalities publications available for sale)

Legislative Alerts
http://www.lkm.org/legislative/alerts/
("Breaking news" bulletins)

Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO)
Uniform Public Offense Code (UPOC)
http://www.lkm.org/publications/stoupoc.php
(Order form link page)

OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

Kansas Association of Chiefs of P0lice
http://www.kacp.cc/

Kansas Association of Code Enforcement
http://kace-ks.org/

Kansas Association of Counties
http://www.kansascounties.org/

Kansas Association of Local Health Departments
http://www.kalhd.org/

Kansas Association of School Boards
http://www.kasb.org/

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Back to School!

2010-08-11T11:19:00.009-05:00

Holidays are enticing only for the first week or so. After that, it is no longer such a novelty to rise late and have little to do.
- Margaret Laurence

Yes, it's that time of year when parents are shuffling through school supply lists and checking to see whether back packs are still intact. Preschoolers are psyching themselves up for their first year at Kindergarten. Big kids are making their last few visits to the pool and getting excited to see old friends. High schoolers are squeezing as much sleep as they can out of their last few days of summer. College students are comparing prices on mini-fridges and asking mom to do their laundry one last time. It's also the time of year when your Kansas and local governments are ramping up to tackle another school year.

See Commissioner of Education Dr. Diane DeBacker's welcome back to school message at:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2601

Can't remember which vaccinations your child needs before heading back? Learn more at:
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/index.html

Need assistance with preschool tuition?
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/ees/Pages/Child_Care/Child%20Care%20and%20Early%20Education.aspx

Learn more about your school or district by reading its "report card":
http://online.ksde.org/rcard/

Read about the Kansas curricular standards at:
http://www.kerc-ks.org/index.aspx

Want to learn online this year? Find a list of Kansas virtual schools at:
http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=r6o84oLXhio%3d&tabid=455&mid=6785&forcedownload=true

Learn more about the charter school option at:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=449

Full list of Kansas education associations and organizations:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1968

Article contact: Kim Harp

The State Library of Kansas

2010-07-28T10:58:00.007-05:00

Of all the state and federal agencies that we've covered on this blog, we've neglected to familiarize you with our own, the State Library of Kansas.

What is the State Library of Kansas (SLK)?
The State Library was founded on the basis of the Kansas Territorial Library first funded in 1855. In 1863 the Kansas Legislature made the first appropriations of $2,000 to establish the Kansas State Library. The initial annual salary of the State Librarian was $500. At this time, the State Library was housed in a room in the East wing of the Capitol. In 1900 the State Library was moved to its current site in the North Wing on the third floor of the Capitol.

The State Library’s services have changed and adapted as Kansans' needs have changed. In 1889, the State Library began a traveling library service to serve rural Kansans. In 1964, a system of grants was developed to assist rural libraries. The needs of individuals with low vision are met through the Kansas Talking Books service, begun in the early 1970s. A service to help Kansans obtain important U.S. and Kansas census information began in 1980. The State Library continues to serve the needs of state agencies, legislators, and the general public and will continue to evolve.

Our Mission
In service to Kansas libraries, residents, and government, the State Library of Kansas:

Collects and shares resources and government information;
Delivers information and solutions;
Educates librarians and trustees:
Promotes literacy and reading for everyone; and
Advocates for open and equitable access, intellectual freedom and excellence in library services and support.

Learn more about us and our programs at www.kslib.info

Briefly: what does SLK have and what do they do?

Search SLK's holdings:
http://topekalibraries.info/search~S4

Services and Programs of the State Library:
-Audiobooks, Music and More- website which allows Kansas residents to download audiobooks, ebooks and music to their computers or mobile devices
-online statewide databases- available to all Kansas residents
-In-house research databases- available to visiting patrons
-Talking books services- audio books and devices available to those with low vision or reading disabilities, braille services
-Reference Services
-Kansas Reads to Preschoolers
-Homework Kansas- free online tutoring for Kansas residents K-college
-Grants and funding to local public libraries
-Continuing education for public librarians and library trustees
-Interlibrary Loan
-Library and Trustee Certification
-Letters about Literature
-Kansas Notable Books
-Marketing assistance for libraries

Who does SLK serve?
Namely: YOU! Our patrons also consist of legislators and state government agencies.

Article contact: Kim Harp

Beat the Heat!

2010-07-22T16:03:00.011-05:00

Cole Porter put it best, "It's too darn hot!"

As this oppressive heat wave continues we are hearing news stories of tragic deaths associated with the weather. The elderly, children, athletes, joggers, pets and agricultural animals... All are affected by extreme heat.

Below are links to some resources on beating the heat, staying hydrated and taking heed of the signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion:

State Officials Urge Precautions Against Heat
http://blogs.kansas.com/weather/2010/07/20/state-officials-urge-precautions-against-the-heat/
(From Kansas.com, The Wichita Eagle)

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Kansas
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/alerts/ks.html
(List of Active Alerts by County provided by the National Weather Service)

National Heat Warnings
http://www.noaawatch.gov/headlines/heat.php
(From the National Weather Service)

Heat: a Major Killer
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
(From the National Weather Service)

Heat Index (Apparent Temperature) Chart
http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/stories/images/heatindexb.jpg
(From the National Weather Service)

Heat Stroke, Children and Cars
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-spotlight/never-leave-your-child-alone/
(From Safe Kids.org)

Hot Weather and Vehicles
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2010/06072010.htm
(Pamphlet from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

The Heat Is On!
http://ppo.tamuk.edu/ehs/Heat_Stress/heatstress.htm
(Ways in which you can beat the heat in order to protect yourself under hot conditions from Texas A&M University)

Cool Tips for Beating the Heat
http://www.kdheks.gov/heat_alert.htm
(From Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Precautions for Heat-Related Illness
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2010/07212010.htm
(From Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/sty/2000/summersafety002.htm
(From K-State Research and Extension)

Hot Weather, Dogs and Outdoor Activities
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun10/hotdogs62110.html
(From Kansas State University News Services)

Heat-Related Animal Calls on the Rise
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/28/heat-related-animal-calls-rise/
(From The Lawrence Journal World)

Extreme Heat and Kansas Cattle
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/07/20/2097286/extreme-heat-takes-toll-on-kansas.html
(From The Kansas City Star)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Have you registered to vote yet?

2010-07-14T09:20:00.014-05:00

It's time to start thinking about the August 3, 2010 primary election. Primary elections decide which candidate will be on the general election ballot for each party. The deadline to register to vote for the August Primary is Monday, July 19, 2010. You still have time to get out there and register.

Where can I register?
Libraries, many banks, some grocery stores, while getting your drivers license, Online
https://www.kdor.org/voterregistration/Default.aspx

Step 1. To find your district for Congressional leaders, State Board of Education, and state officials, go to http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/ . Type in your address and your current elected officials will pop up, as well as your districts.

Step 2. Once you know your districts you can find out who is running foroffice in your districts at the Secretary of State’s candidate list at:
http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_upcoming_candidate.asp

Step 3. To find out where you need to go to vote, contact your county election office. A list of offices and their phone numbers is available from the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_ceo.asp

Another way is to access your personal voter registration information. This will name your polling site. You can find that at: https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/

Step 4. Be sure to mark August 3 on your calendar! If you would like to vote in advance, follow the steps provided at: http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voting.html

*For more information on registering to vote and advanced voting go to http://www.voteks.org/

Article contact: Kim Harp

Kansas Wheat

2010-07-08T09:32:00.032-05:00

"Wheat was and is the crop of first importance. It is the backbone of our economy and has made Kansas famous around the world." --Erich Freuhauf (KSHS Wheat in Kansas Lesson Plan)

The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported today that 84 percent of the wheat acreage in our state had been cut before rains over the July 4th weekend shut down the harvest.

Besides the nickname, "The Sunflower State," Kansas is also known as "The Wheat State" or "The Breadbasket of the World." About 25 percent of the U.S. hard red winter wheat harvest is grown in Kansas.

"Nearly one-fifth of all wheat grown in the United States is grown in Kansas. Kansas ranks first in the nation in flour milling, wheat gluten production and wheat stored. Roughly one-third of Kansas' 63,000 farmers grow wheat. Normally, Kansas farmers produce about 400 million bushels of wheat a year, with a production value that hovers around $1 billion." [from: Kansas Dept. of Agriculture]

Wheat is a vital part of our economy, culture and history. Below are links to information on Kansas wheat provided by various state and federal agencies.

Kansas Wheat Commission
http://www.kswheat.com/
(The Kansas Wheat Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed wheat products advocacy organization)
Their site includes:
--Educational Materials
--Information for Buyers and Processors
--Information for Consumers
--Information for Wheat Producers
--Just For Kids
--Kansas Bakeries Directory
--Kansas Wheat Blog
--News
--Online Videos
--Photo Gallery
--Recipes
--Straw Art
--Wheat Facts
--Wheat Mania: All About Wheat

Wheat Page
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/wheatpage/
(Kansas State University Research and Extension)

Wheat People: Celebrating Kansas Harvest
http://www.kshs.org/exhibits/wheat/wheat.htm
(An online exhibit provided by the Kansas State Historical Society)

Kansas Memory: Wheat
http://www.kansasmemory.org/category/14
(Digitized primary sources provided by the Kansas State Historical Society)

Kansas Wheat History
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Kansas/Publications/Crops/whthist.pdf (2009 publication by Kansas Agricultural Statistics cooperating with the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture)

Winter Wheat in the Golden Belt of Kansas
http://www.skyways.org/orgs/fordco/malin/
(A transcription of a 1944 history of wheat in Kansas agriculture written by James C. Malin)

Kansas Wheat (FaceBook)
http://www.facebook.com/kansaswheat
(A FaceBook page that promotes wheat growing and growers in the Sunflower State)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Kansas Lakes

2010-07-01T10:39:00.007-05:00

Photo by Ian Kluft 2009

Happy Fourth of July to all! Many Kansans will be headed out to various Kansas lakes and reservoirs to enjoy a day on the water and some quality fireworks. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks teamed up with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide beautiful lakes across Kansas for water control, drinking, fishing, camping and pure entertainment. More than 150 lakes, 10,000 stream miles, and 55,000 ponds make the state attractive to boaters of many types. Most of the lakes are well-served by public access facilities and provide excellent opportunities for anglers, swimmers, skiers, sailboaters, powerboaters, canoeists and others. In addition to firework displays at many state parks, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has planned a number of special park events. Fishing tournaments continue as a favorite summer pastime, while other events — including a veterans reunion at El Dorado State Park, a sand castle contest at Lovewell, boat races at Kanopolis, and a trail run at Perry — make state park visits a July treat.

See a calendar of scheduled events at:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/JULY-PEAK-OF-SEASON-AT-KANSAS-STATE-PARKS and
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/This-Week's-Events

Find a map of state parks and contact information at:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations

Find a list of all lakes in Kansas and the US Army Corps of Engineers parks:
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/states.cfm?state=KS

Find a map of where you can put your boat in:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Boating/KS-State-Boating-Access

Going fishing this weekend? Find out the best fishing holes:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas
http://www.takemefishing.org/

Check your catch against the record holders:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/State-Record-Fish

Make sure you're fishing in accordance with state regulations:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations

Don't forget to bring a few dollars to pay park fees and/or permits:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Park-Fees

And don't forget to register your boat!
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat

On Monday, be sure to wash out your boats to prevent zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species from migrating:
http://www.protectyourwaters.net/
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species

Lastly, please have a happy 4th and stay safe this weekend:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Boating/CAUTION-ADVISED-FOR-BOATERS-THIS-HOLIDAY-WEEKEND

Article contact: Kim Harp

Chisholm and Great Western Trails

2010-06-24T15:45:00.010-05:00

The National Park Service hosted a meeting this week in Wichita to discuss the possibility of designating the Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Cattle Trail as national historic trails.

The Chisholm and Great Western Trails were used by cowboys and ranchers in the late 1800s to drive cattle from Texas through Oklahoma to railroad heads in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and North Dakota. The trails passed through Dodge City, Caldwell, Wichita, Newton, Abilene and other Kansas communities and were vital economic bloodlines in developing those parts of our state.

The National Trails System provides for outdoor recreation needs, promote the enjoyment, appreciation, and preservation of open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources, and encourages public access and citizen involvement. Designating the Chisholm and Great Western Trails as part of this System might prove to be a great boost to the Kansas economy.

Below are newspaper articles, information on the public law requiring a study of developing these historic trails and general information on the trails themselves:

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

"Park service to host meeting about Chisholm Trail"
http://www.kansas.com/2010/06/24/1375146/park-service-to-host-meeting-about.html#ixzz0rnAXRhXf
Wichita Eagle, June 24, 2010

"Kansas cattle trails could become historic sites"
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/24/kansas-cattle-trails-could-become-historic-sites/
Lawrence Journal-World, June 24, 2010

"Ceremony celebrates trail's role in shaping Dodge City's history"
http://www.dodgeglobe.com/news/x1057818055/Ceremony-celebrates-trails-role-in-shaping-Dodge-Citys-history
Dodge City Daily Globe, June 14, 2010

U.S. PUBLIC LAW 90-543

The National Trails System Act
(P.L. 90-543, as amended through P.L. 111-11, March 30, 2009)
http://www.nps.gov/nts/legislation.html
This is the public law which includes mention of a study of the inclusion of these two trails in the US Trail System. Check out 16 USC 1244, sec. 5(c)... (44) and (45) respectively for mention of the Chisholm and Great Western trails)

Activation Memo
P.L. 111-11, Title V, Subtitle D, Sec. 5303, Chisholm Trail & Great Western Trail
http://www.nps.gov/legal/ActivationMemos/FINAL/chisolmtrail.PDF
(Provides for studies of the Chisholm Trail and Great Western Trail to determine whether to add the trails to the National Trails System, and for other purposes)

CHISHOLM TRAIL

The Chisholm Trail, by John Rossel
http://www.kancoll.org/khq/1936/36_1_rossel.htm

Along the Chisholm Trail
http://www.thechisholmtrail.com/

GREAT WESTERN TRAIL

Great Western Cattle Trail
http://greatwesterntrail.net/index.html

Great Western Cattle Trail Association
http://greatwesterntrail.net/kansas_trail.html

KANSAS TRAILS

Forts & Trails
http://www.kshs.org/tourists/theme/forts.htm
(Kansas State Historical Society)

Kansas Historic Trails
http://www.vlib.us/old_west/trails.html

Historic trails and roads in Kansas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Historic_trails_and_roads_in_Kansas
(Wikipedia)

NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM

National Trails System
http://www.nps.gov/nts/
(National Parks Service)

Cherokee County Cleanup

2010-06-16T14:04:00.020-05:00

Residents of Cherokee County, Kansas have been living with the aftereffects of over 70 years of hard lead and zinc mining in southeastern Kansas for decades. This has left the area with piles of "chat" and lead contamination. The city of Treece, Kansas has been a part of the Tar Creek Superfund Site that extends south into Oklahoma. In April the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced to Treece, Kansas residents that their homes will be bought out and they can be relocated. Last week, Treece residents listened to a hearing in nearby Picher, Oklahoma as to how that buyout will be carried out.

Read about Treece from The New York Times

Learn about the buyout from the KC Tribune

Read about the EPA's restrictions on where Treece residents may relocate from the Pittsburg Morning Sun

Learn more about the history of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) involvment in Southeast Kansas at:
http://www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/npl_files/ksd980741862.pdf

Read the report about the results of a public health screening event that occurred in Treece, Kansas on September 8th and 9th, 2009:
http://www.kdheks.gov/beh/download/Treece_Kansas.pdf

Read the report on zinc, lead, and cadmium in Tar Creek at:
http://www.kdheks.gov/tmdl/ne/TarCreek_Metals.pdf

Learn about other EPA cleanup sites in Kansas at:
http://www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/npl_files/index.htm#Kansas

You can read more in print by interlibrary loaning state and federal documents from the State Library or the Kansas State Historical Society. Below are links to the online catalog for titles related to Cherokee County and the contamination:

Assessment of contaminated streambed sediment in the Kansas part of the historic Tri-State Lead and Zinc Mining District, Cherokee County, 2004 / by Larry M. Pope ; prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Reston, Va. : U.S. Geological Survey, 2005

Radioactivity surveys in the Kansas part of the tri-state zinc and lead mining district, Cherokee County, Kansas / by Robert M. Dreyer

Assessment of water resources in lead-zinc mined areas in Cherokee County, Kansas, and adjacent areas / by Timothy B. Spruill

A study of stability problems and hazard evaluation of the Kansas portion of the tri-state mining area / [James R. McCauley, Lawrence L. Brady, Frank W. Wilson]
[Washington, D.C.?] : Bureau of Mines, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, [1983]

Abandoned non-fuel mineral pits and quarries in Kansas, 1995 / authors, David A. Grisafe, Jorgina A. Ross, Douglas L. Beene

Contamination of wells completed in the Roubidoux aquifer by abandoned zinc and lead mines, Ottawa County, Oklahoma [electronic resource] / by Scott Christenson ; prepared in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Kansas Laws, etc
Mined Land Conservation and Reclamation Board : governing statutes and regulations
[Topeka, Kan. : Kansas Corporation Commission, 1986]

Article contact: Kim Harp

The Big 12 Conference

2010-06-09T13:30:00.009-05:00

The Big 12 Conference has been in the news much of late regarding conference membership and its future. Officials from Kansas have stepped forward with statements and comments encouraging member schools to stay within the Big 12 Conference. The Kansas Board of Regents has also issued a statement supporting the current alignment of the Conference. The collegiate athletic conference, which includes both the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, was founded in 1994 and has member schools in seven states.

Below are links to information on the Conference, its current status, its history, predecessors, statements of officials from Kansas in relation to its future and some media links.

BIG 12 CONFERENCE WEBSITE
http://www.big12sports.com/
--History
--Conference Handbook
--News releases
--Insider Blog

Big 12 Member Schools Athletic pages
• Baylor
• Colorado
• Iowa State
• Kansas
• Kansas State
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Oklahoma
• Oklahoma State
• Texas
• Texas A&M
• Texas Tech

GENERAL INFORMATION

Big 12 Conference (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_12_Conference
(A well structured overview of the athletic conference)

How the Big 12 teams rank in revenue-sharing funds
http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/2094/how-the-big-12-teams-rank-in-revenue-sharing-funds
(From the ESPN website)

Former Big 8 Conference (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Eight_Conference
(Its eight members joined with four other schools to form the Big 12 Conference)

Former Southwest Conference
http://www.texasalmanac.com/history/highlights/swc/
(History from the Texas Almanac. Four of its member schools left to join the Big 12 Conference)

STATEMENTS BY OFFICIALS

Governor Mark Parkinson
http://governor.ks.gov/media-room/45-press-releases/703-060810--governor-parkinson-lobbies-fellow-governors-to-preserve-big-xii

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback
http://senatorsambrownback.blogspot.com/2010/06/brownback-roberts-call-on-big-xii-to.html

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts
http://roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=22d91289-633c-4897-89f6-2682ae4c09c1

Kansas Board of Regents
http://www.kansasregents.org/statement_regarding_the_big_12_conference

RECENT MEDIA LINKS

Lawmakers Lobby for Big 12
(Topeka Capital-Journal)
http://cjonline.com/sports/football/2010-06-08/lawmakers_lobby_for_big_12

Kansas Politicians up pressure on neighbors, trying to keep Big 12 Conference together
(Lawrence Journal World)
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/08/statehouse-live-regents-commit-big-12/?sports

Board Of Regents Affirms Commitment To Big 12
(KAKE TV News, Wichita)
http://www.kake.com/sports/headlines/95861029.html

KU Chancellor Urges NU to Stay in Big 12
(Manhattan Mercury)
http://www.themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=397fdc521b3a40129bc762bc364c7bf0

Articles about the Big 12 Conference (Kansas City)
(Kansas City Star website)
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/big12/

Articles about the Big 12 Conference (Omaha)
(Omaha World-Herald)
http://www.omaha.com/section/bigred
("Big Red Today" section of the newspaper's website)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)