Country 101.3 KFDI

Governor Kelly today declared a State of Disaster Emergency due to the wind chill warnings, which is causing stress on utility and natural gas companies. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery efforts in affected counties. Because of the sub-zero temperatures , increased energy and natural gas demand is causing constraints. Utilities are currently experiencing wholesale natural gas prices from 10 to 100 times higher than normal. Those costs will effect consumers, and increase monthly gas and electric bills. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said Wednesday the state has vaccinated 198,350 residents for COVID-19, and that represents almost seven percent of the state’s population. At her weekly news conference at the Statehouse, the governor said the state is expecting to get 18,525 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week, along with 18,525 second doses.  Moderna is planning to provide 25,700 first doses and 17,800 booster doses. She said that adds up to 80,550 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, compared to the 45,000 doses that the state was getting a couple of weeks ago. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Kansas anticipates getting at least $1.1 billion from the latest federal coronavirus relief and expects to spend about half of it on K-12 schools, higher education and grants for child care. State data shows about $168 million is earmarked for testing, tracing and mitigation. Another $26 million is planned for vaccine distribution. How the money is spent is dictated by federal law. The new funding, which follows $1.03 billion in federal aid received last year, arrives as the state is working to speed up vaccinations. Governor Laura Kelly received her second dose Wednesday and used the occasion to urge continued caution, [...]

Wichita city council members will talk about a proposed ethics policy during a workshop meeting Tuesday.  Mayor Brandon Whipple said a policy has been one of his top goals since taking office. Mayor Whipple said the policy would set up an independent board to investigate allegations of unethical behavior against an elected official, and it would set up due process to allow an official to provide a defense. He said a chairman would be appointed by the mayor and vetted by the city council, and this person would be someone from the fields of law or academics. A six-person board would be made [...]

In an effort to stop drugs from making it into the jail, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will no longer allow personal mail to be sent to inmates. The jail contracts with Securus Technologies for a lot of services, and they will handle this too. Starting immediately, mail to an inmate should be addressed as shown below. Letters and photos will be scanned and delivered to inmates electronically. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has outlined a proposed annual budget that includes a tax increase and two other major initiatives likely to be rejected by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. Kelly on Wednesday outlined a $20.9 billion spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. Among other things, it would protect a previously promised increase in spending on public schools. But the governor also proposed expanding Medicaid and cutting the state’s annual contribution to pensions for teachers and government workers, and GOP leaders oppose both ideas. Kelly wants to impose the state sales tax on online music and movies purchases, [...]

A new Lieutenant Governor took the oath of office in Kansas Monday morning, while the previous lieutenant governor took office as the new state treasurer. David Toland was sworn in at the Statehouse in Topeka as the 52nd Lieutenant Governor for the state. Toland has been the state’s Commerce Secretary, and he will continue to serve in that role while acting as Lieutenant Governor. Toland talked about $2.5 billion in increased investment in Kansas during the past year and he said the state will continue to see aggressive growth in the coming year and beyond. He said “We will continue to [...]

Governor Kelly is planning a virtual presentation of the annual State of the State Address to the Kansas Legislature. In a press release, the Governor’s Office said the address would be delivered virtually to ensure the safety and well-being of the Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch and Executive Branch, along with the guests of the attendees. Governor Kelly said the coronavirus pandemic has changes many traditions, and with case numbers continuing to increase, gathering the entire Legislature and Supreme Court Justices into one chamber would be an unnecessary risk to their health and safety. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said a new license plate reading system that was put into use in November has had big results. The Flock readers are installed in areas of the city with high crime activity.   Chief Ramsay told reporters that since the devices were turned on on November 9th, “we’ve been astounded at really the amount of information that we’re getting from them and how it has impacted our ability to fight crime.”   He said with the help of the system, police have recovered 68 stolen cars with a value of over $580,000.  Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Wichita city council members have approved some changes in an agreement for the restoration of an historic theater. The agreement is with the Power Community Development Corporation for the renovation of the Dunbar Theater at 1007 North Cleveland.   Power CDC has been working to raise funds for a three-phase project, but fundraising has been below expectations and the first phase of the project won’t be completed by January 1st.    Source: Country 101.3 KFDI