Kansas.gov What's New
Kansas.gov What's New

• Power outages at 73,000; state prepares for new winter storm
  More than 73,000 customers in Kansas remain without power (Westar at 38,000, Kansas Rural Electric Cooperatives at 35,000) as another winter storm is moving into the state bringing potential snow accumulations of six inches or more. This could result in dangerous travel, more power outages, or slower progress in power restoration.
• Power remains out to 74,000; generators only available to critical facilities
  Power remains out to more than 74,000 customers in Kansas. (Westar has 30,000 and Kansas Rural Electric Cooperatives has 41,000 while KCP&L and BPU have restored power to most all customers). The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka is coordinating disaster response needs and continues to get numerous requests for generators, but state officials are emphasizing that the state does not have generators for individuals.
• KDHE Advises Residents to Take Precautions in Response to Power Outages
  In the wake of the recent ice storms, many Kansans will be without power for several days and intermittent power outages are still occurring even as others are fixed. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) are reminding Kansans of the necessary precautions to take to protect their health and safety whenever they are without electricity for any length of time.
• Boil Water Advisory Issued for City of Preston
  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Preston, which is located in northeastern Pratt County. Also, the advisories issued on December 12 and 13 for the following public water supplies remain in effect:
• Statement from Governor Kathleen Sebelius on the resignation of Attorney General Paul Morrison
  

  “I respect Paul Morrison’s decision to step down as Attorney General. Kansans are grateful to Paul for his twenty-seven years in law enforcement, serving the people of Kansas.

  “Now we must turn our attention to selecting a new Attorney General and restoring Kansans’ confidence in our state’s top law enforcement agency. My priorities are to protect the people of Kansas and preserve their faith in our system of justice.”

  Editor’s note for information on appointment of Attorney General:

  The only law governing this matter is the Kansas Constitution.

  Article 1, Section 11 of the Kansas Constitution provides that where there is a vacancy in the office of the Attorney General, the Governor fills the vacancy by appointment for the duration of the term.

  Article 1, Section 1 of the Kansas Constitution states that the Attorney General (as well as the other executive officers) shall have such qualifications as provided by law.

  K.S.A. § 75-702, which sets forth the responsibilities of the Attorney General, states as follows:

  “The attorney general shall appear for the state, and prosecute and defend all actions and proceedings, civil or criminal, in the supreme court, in which the state shall be interested or a party, and shall also, when required by the governor or either branch of the legislature, appear for the state and prosecute or defend, in any other court or before any officer, in any cause or matter, civil or criminal, in which this state may be a party or interested or when the constitutionality of any law of this state is at issue. . .”

• Commissioner Sandy Praeger Offers Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Information
  The 2008 open enrollment for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage runs through Dec. 31. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger urges Medicare beneficiaries to review coverage option suggestions and to be alert to any potential scams surrounding Part D signup activity.
• Sebelius names Patrick Thompson 28th Judicial District Judge
  Governor Kathleen Sebelius has named Patrick H. Thompson judge of the 28th judicial district, encompassing Ottawa and Saline counties.
• Kansas STARBASE receives grant from Department of Defense
  Kansas STARBASE has been appropriated an additional $240,000 in funding from the Department of Defense to help promote math and science skills to youth. As a result of the additional funding, the Kansas STARBASE program now has the most academy locations with a total of four: Kansas City (2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry), Salina (235th Regiment), Topeka (190th Air Refueling Wing) and Wichita (184th Air Refueling Wing). This brings the program’s total annual funding to $720,000 for fiscal year 2008.
• Kansas National Guard providing security and debris clearance, cots and generators to iced-up communities
  Units of the Kansas National Guard have been busy in the wake of the ice storm that struck the state earlier this week. Power remains out to more than 106,000 customers in Kansas (Westar has 64,000; Kansas Rural Electric Cooperatives has 41,000; KCP&L has 370 and BPU has 600) and may not be restored for a few more days in some areas. As a result counties have asked the state for help and the Kansas National Guard has been deployed to provide security in communities, clear debris from roadways, deliver numerous generators to support critical emergency needs for communities, transport cots to shelters and open armories for shelter.
• Summary of federal disaster programs for ice storm; how to request help
  The following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's emergency declaration issued for Kansas.
• Limited supply of Kansas National Guard generators not authorized for individual use
  The Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) and other state offices have received numerous calls from individuals requesting that the Kansas National Guard deliver a generator to their home. KDEM officials want to emphasize that the Kansas National Guard is not authorized to provide generators to individuals.
• Kansas Department of Commerce unveils two new loan programs for agricultural producers
  The Kansas Department of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, which honors a single Kansas company for excellence in international marketing.
• Boil Water Advisory Issued for Ottawa County RWD #2
  

  Advisories Issued on Dec. 12 & 13 Remain in Effect

  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for Ottawa County Rural Water District (RWD) #2. Also, the advisories issued earlier for the following public water supplies remain in effect:

• Boil Water Advisory Issued for City of Muscotah
  

  Advisories Issued on Dec. 12 Remain in Effect

  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Muscotah, located in Atchison County. Residents who have questions or concerns may contact Roy Tacker at 785-872-3208.

• KDHE Cites Facilities for Kansas Food Code Violations
  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued administrative orders assessing civil penalties, notices of intent to suspend facility licenses, and emergency suspension orders for several food service establishments for violations of the Kansas Food Code or for operating without a license. Letters were mailed on the days indicated to the following establishments:
• President reponds to governor's request for assistance; disaster declaration authorized for all Kansas counties
  Governor Kathleen Sebelius was notified late today that her request for a federal emergency disaster declaration for all 105 Kansas counties as a result of the ice storm which began December 6th has been authorized by President George W. Bush.
• Kansans leaving home for shelters should take precautions
  

  GUARD DELIVERING MORE GENERATORS

  Power outages are impacting approximately 124,000 customers throughout the state this afternoon.

• Kansas power outages increase to 130,000 overnight; Kan