First Lady visits Johnson County
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Laura Bush visited Rolling Ridge Elementary School in Olathe this morning, to highlight the school’s community service record and to emphasize the importance of reading in building productive lives. Bush left the school shortly after noon. She will end today’s visit to the Kansas City area by attending an Overland Park fundraiser for a fellow Republican, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts.

Bill Cosby talks Abstinence in KCK to teens
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Sex is not all bad, if you wait. At least that’s what Bill Cosby told several hundred parents, educators and school administrators Saturday in Kansas City, Kan., at a conference focusing on teen pregnancy.

Sebelius vetoes coal plant in Western Kansas
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Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Friday blocked a bill to allow a sizable expansion of a coal-burning power plant in western Kansas. “Not allowing clean coal technology to be part of Kansas’ energy future will result in a devastating increase in the average Kansan’s electric bill,” said Morris, a Hugoton Republican.

Little direction given for new courthouse plans
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The catch: The new courthouse could cost between $305 million and $441 million. When the plans for constructing the new courthouse were presented to commissioners in September, the price tag was $192 million. The cost has increased in anticipation of inflation and rising construction costs, Carter said.

Kansas GOP rejects Sebelius’ “Tax and Spend” Agenda
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“We are encouraged by the work here to rein in state spending,” said Alan Cobb, executive director of the Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity. “The House showed great discipline in voting down nearly every amendment to the budget that could have been costly to Kansans.” Republicans said 19 proposed amendments were considered and rejected, holding off $3.8 million in additional spending.

Lawmaker wants vote on obscene material
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A legislator is a playing a long shot to get the House to consider a bill prohibiting teachers from using obscene materials in a classroom without school board approval. Shawnee Republican Owen Donohoe has asked colleagues to pull the bill from the Education Committee and allow it do be debated in the chamber. The committee decided against taking any action on the Senate-passed bill.

Mission to change Johnson Drive to 3-lane road
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The council voted to continue with plans to change Johnson Drive from a four-lane road to a three-lane road by sending out a request for proposals from architecture firms interested in designing the new streetscape.

JCCC President to sign Climate Commitment
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Johnson County Community College President Terry Calaway will sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment in a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Regnier Center on the college campus. The commitment pledges the college to developing a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as a campus and symbolizes JCCC’s commitment to environmental sustainability on campus and in the community.

Officer Down
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A police officer was struck by a gunshot in downtown Wichita today, and police have closed down a two-block radius in the search for the shooter.

Mountain Lion Shot in Barber County
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A mountain lion has been shot in Kansas. A Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks official obtained the pelt Monday. A Barber County landowner shot the adult male mountain lion on his property west of Medicine Lodge in November.