L-R: Brenda Bandy, Rep. Jim Ward, Director of Legislative Administration Tom Day, Gov.-elect Laura Kelly, Rep. Eileen Horn and son, KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss, House Majority Leader Don Hineman, and President of Advocacy, Kansas Action for Children John Wilson.
KDHE
TOPEKA – At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, the Kansas State Capitol joined a growing number of Kansas workplaces that support breastfeeding mothers by opening a new, separate and private lactation room in the Capitol building (Room 186B-N). In addition to the formal lactation room, updates will be made later this year in the family-use restroom on the first floor, to convert it into a suitable space.
“We are extremely proud to add the Capitol Building to the growing list of over 330 award-winning work sites in Kansas and to join the rest of the nation in recognizing the need to normalize and support breastfeeding,” said Brenda Bandy, Executive Director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC).
“We are pleased to see the Capitol Building leading the way in creating accommodations in public buildings for both breastfeeding employees and the public,” said Gabrielle Hellbusch the State Breastfeeding Coordinator at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The Legislative Coordinating Council consists of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Speaker Pro Tem of the House, and the majority and minority leaders of each chamber. The Council is responsible for coordinating the delivery of legislative services.
“I am very excited to see a lactation room available at the Capitol that can be used by both the public and staff,” said 10th District Representative Eileen Horn. “As a nursing mother frequently in the Capitol in 2017, I immediately saw the need for improvements to the spaces provided. I am grateful to my colleague Representative Jim Ward, KDHE, state and local Breastfeeding Coalitions, the Legislative Coordinating Council and Tom Day Director of Legislative Administration who invested time to help make this a reality.”
Adequate support for breastfeeding employees has been associated with cost savings related to reduced health care expenses, turnover rates and absenteeism, as well as increased employee loyalty. The Business Case for Breastfeeding is a program that assists employers in developing or enhancing support services for their breastfeeding employees, which can be found at https://kansasbusinesscase.com.
New lactation room, Kansas Capitol Room 186B-N
Staff and visitors to the capitol who wish to use the rooms are encouraged to ask volunteers at the Visitor’s Center for help and information in locating the rooms.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Brenda Bandy, Governor-Elect Laura Kelly, House Majority Leader Don Hineman of Dighton, Representative Horn, Representative Ward, KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss, and John Wilson, Vice President of Advocacy for the Kansas Action for Children and Tom Day, Director of Legislative Administration.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Outgoing Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has granted two pardons and commuted the sentence of an Emporia war veteran.
Carter -photo KDOC
Colyer on Friday reduced the sentence of Regina Carter to about 3½ years. She was sentenced in 2016 to eight years in prison for drug possession with intent to deliver. Colyer noted Carter’s original sentence was longer than many others given to first-time offenders. He also noted Carter suffered PTSD after serving in Iraq and received an honorable discharge from the Army.
Colyer also granted pardons to Chris Rickerson and Wandalen Thomas for felony drug possession convictions. Rickerson now runs Elite Staffing Solutions in Wichita. Thomas, who lives in Fountain, Colorado, runs a barbershop for military members and their families.
The governor denied pardon requests of 21 other applicants.
At the close of my term as your Governor, I would like Kansans to know of my sincere gratitude for the time I have had to serve the people of this great state. I have always felt called to service, and the opportunity to do so as your governor has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It has been an honor to meet Kansans across our state and see the good they are doing.
On my first day in office, Caroline from Salina gave me some advice that I used during my time in office and that will continue to shape my mindset moving forward. She told me “There’s a reason they make the rearview mirror in a car small, and the windshield big. We are looking forward not backwards.”
As your Governor it has been my goal to move our state forward. During my first month in office I signed executive orders creating new policies about harassment in the workplace and transparency in government. It is my hope that these policies will continue to set the standard for many years to come. I’m also proud of what we have accomplished with the economy. Unemployment is at record lows, we have more people working than ever before, and job creation is on the rise. Truly Kansas has a brighter future because of the hard work done by so many over the past year, and we can’t go back.
In my inaugural address, I asked the people of Kansas to take up the call to serve; to look outside themselves and find ways to help their neighbors and their communities. In the past year as your Governor and the seven years before that as Lt. Governor, I have seen this happening in every corner of our state. The brightest example of this spirit of service is exhibited in our young people. It’s inspiring to see them excited to make a difference in their communities. They are our future, and they love to serve.
As I leave office, it is my hope that we will all find ways to do a little more good in the world around us. Search out opportunities to serve your fellow man and make the world, our country, and the state of Kansas a better place. I myself plan on continuing to serve my patients, the public, and my fellow Kansans. I’ve often said that Kansas is the true heart of America; you all are the reason that statement rings true. I love this state and the people who call it home. May God continue to bless you, and may God continue to bless the great state of Kansas.
Six inches of snow fell in Hays Friday evening into Saturday morning.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The year’s first snowfall in Hays measured an official 6 inches according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.
The winter storm started with rain Friday morning, followed by a little bit of sleet and then developed into snow mid-afternoon, which continued for more than 12 hours. The rain/snow mix yielded 0.85 of moisture.
Minimal wind resulted in little to no drifting of the snow, still a Winter Storm Warning was in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday.
City of Hays crews were busy plowing streets Friday night, concentrating first on the emergency snow route.
Friday’s high temperature was 33°; the overnight low was 28°.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friends,
As we enter the weekend, the government will be going on its 21st day of being shut down. I want to express what I am finding in D.C. that is continually frustrating.
Too often, when we talk about the immigration issue, we are led to believe that we must choose between a binary option of either border security or compassionate immigration reform.
This is an opportune moment to quit kicking the can down the road and actually work together to couple border security priorities with long term immigration fixes. We have a chance to make historic changes and improvements to the course of our nation.
Kansans know that we can have both and that’s what I’m fighting for in Washington.
Securing our borders
We have tens of thousands of immigrants arriving at our entryways every month, and as a result, thousands of drugs, criminals, and violence spilling into our country. The crisis on our southern border is real, and we must stop refuting the facts and do our most sacred duty, protect our nation. Without secure borders, we cannot ensure our nation’s safety.
In his address to the nation this week the President stressed the urgent humanitarian crisis at our southern border. I challenge those that deny this crisis to go and see the stress on our borders first hand. I did, and it was eye-opening.
Just last year alone, there were a total of 1.7 million pounds of narcotics seized by customs and border patrol. In the same year, 17,000 adults attempted to enter our southern border with existing criminal records, and we are now averaging 60,000 illegal and inadmissible aliens a month on our Southern Border.
According to DHS and numerous border patrol agents, illegal trafficking has dropped more than 90 percent in places that walls and barriers exist. Walls work, and the $5.7 Billion that the President is asking for is an investment that will pay off for decades.
This week Caleb Wiggs from Leoti, Kansas celebrated his fifth birthday.
Caleb is grateful for many things this milestone, but perhaps one thing that many 5-year-olds overlook, he is grateful for his life. At the age of five, this condition has caused him to undergo three life-saving brain surgeries.
Caleb has been selected as one of the 2019 National Ambassador for Hydrocephalus Awareness for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. As an ambassador, he will educate people across the country on this disease that so desperately needs medical advancements and treatment solutions. He will also participate in the 2019 Hydrocephalus Issues & Action Conference in Washington this August where he will meet with my fellow lawmakers.
Hydrocephalus can develop at the time of birth or later. As an obstetrician, I understand the severity of this condition from having to prepare new mothers for the challenges ahead and ensuring the best care for these newborns. Sadly, one to two of every 1,000 babies are born with hydrocephalus but there is hope. Robust medical research partnered with patient advocates like Caleb can bring new advancements to the finish line.
Caleb, your bravery and voice will have an impact on thousands of lives, including the many families fighting this condition.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
This week we celebrated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. In honor of this, we thanked our officers that serve our communities and sacrifice so much.
I also honored my father, who was the Chief of Police and Fire Chief in El Dorado, Kansas for nearly 25 years. As the Chief he loved protecting and serving others, often getting calls on the holidays and weekends. Still, to this very day, my father always aims to help others. He is reliable, trustworthy, and an all-around leader in his community.
As a young boy, I couldn’t quite grasp the risks and dangers that he faced at his job day to day. He always seemed so calm, cool and collected. But his fellow officers would often tell me stories about his leadership and bravery while helping people at some of the most dangerous crime scenes and fires.
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to our officers for everything that they do to keep our communities safe. Thank you!
Welcome, Mike!
Kansas Governor-Elect Laura Kelly announced this week the appointment of Mike Beam to head the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
I have had the pleasure of working with Mike in his role with the Kansas Livestock Association and as the Executive Director of the Ranchland Trust of Kansas.
Mike has been a tireless advocate for Kansas agriculture and the preservation of our state’s native resources and grasslands. As I continue my work in Washington D.C. on behalf of farmers and ranchers, I look forward to working with Mike and his staff at the KDA to ensure our state’s most valuable industry has the support it needs to continue to grow.
POTUS Nominates Kansan to NTSB
This week, President Trump nominated Kansan, Michael Graham to join the National Transportation Safety Board. This is exciting news for Kansas and the Navy veteran who began his career as a Naval Aviator flying A-7’s and F/A-18’s. Graham has been at Textron Aviation, Inc., a company based in Wichita, for more than 20 years, and currently serves as their Director of Flight Operations Safety, Security and Standardization.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Graham would complete a five-year term. Graham has been a tireless advocate for aviation across Kansas. He chairs the Air Charter Safety Foundation heads the National Business Aviation Association Safety Committee Single-Pilot Safety Working Group. Graham is also a member of the General Aviation Information Analysis Team of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis & Sharing (ASIAS) program.
With his leadership and experience, I could not think of anyone better for the role. It will be great to have a Kansans serving the Administration in this capacity!
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.
Timothy Chism -photo Great Bend policeChism photo Barton Co.
Just after 10p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 1120 Morton Street, in reference to a stabbing, according to a media release.
Upon officers’ arrival, a 19-year old female was contacted. The victim and other witnesses stated Timothy Chism, a 34-year old white male, cut her throat and he fled from the residence on foot.
The victim was transported to the hospital in Great Bend and was reported in stable condition.
Police issued an attempt to locate for Chism for Aggravated Battery and he was still at large late Friday morning, according to police. On Friday night, police reported they had arrested Chism. They did not release details of the arrest.
I have a question/comment about something in the article. In the section on Medicaid expansion, the article states, “Although the federal government pays 90 percent of Medicaid expansion, both House members expressed concerns about how the state would pay for the other 10 percent, about $30 million to $80 million annually.”
I’m wondering where you got the $30-80 million cost figures? These are not consistent with the fiscal note from last year’s Medicaid expansion bill SB38 and are an overstatement of the costs when savings and new revenue are included. And it certainly does not include the impact of economic growth generated by adding nearly $700 million per year to the Kansas economy. Opponents of expansion often use exaggerated budget estimates to argue against this policy. It behooves us to check their math and their sources when they do.
— Sheldon Weisgrau, senior policy adviser for Alliance for a Healthy Kansas
Editor’s note: Although the $30 million to $80 million figure was not directly attributed in the story mentioned in this letter. The figures came from Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, who was interviewed for the story.
JOHNSTON, Iowa — Kirk Zerr of Quinter, Kansas, recently won State Third place in the Dryland-No Till West category of the 2018 National Sorghum Producers (NSP) Yield and Management Contest. Zerr won with Pioneer hybrid 86G32, which yielded 147.93 bu/A.
Pioneer won 88 percent of the national awards and 77 percent of the state awards presented in 2018.
First-, second- and third-place national honors were awarded in each of nine categories: dryland-no till east, dryland-no till west, dryland-tillage east, dryland-tillage west, food grade, irrigated-no till east, irrigated-no till west, irrigated-tillage east and irrigated-tillage west.
“We are proud of Kirk Zerr’s accomplishment using Pioneer brand sorghum hybrids in the 2018 NSP Yield Contest,” said Liesel Flansburg, Pioneer sorghum marketing manager, Corteva Agriscience(tm), Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. “We continue to focus on sorghum research to develop products with the best yield potential and strong defensive traits, including sugarcane aphid tolerance, in a variety of growing environments and maturities. Combined with strong management practices, the winners have demonstrated how to maximize the yield potential of the sorghum products.”
