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Q: The telephone prefix for many state government agencies and departments in Topeka is 296. Coincidentally, 296 is also the exact same number of steps it…

Democrats in the Kansas House say they have a plan designed to help the state's struggling middle class.

Top heat index readings on Monday could reach 115 degrees.

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is challenging Kansans to get healthier by losing weight. Citing statistics that show the obesity rate in Kansas has more than doubled since 1995, the governor says the state has to “get on top” of the problem or face a growing number of citizens with obesity related diseases. But as Jim McLean of the KHI News Servicereports, despite the urgency of the problem Brownback doesn’t like new federal guidelines aimed at making school lunches healthier.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7520c0004

Top agriculture officials continue to urge congressional action on a proposed Farm Bill. They’ve touted the legislation’s role in boosting research, food safety and nutrition programs. Now, it’s veterans. Harvest Public Media’s Luke Runyon has more.

Thousands gathered inside of the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston for the NRA convention while swaths of others convened outside in protest, advocating for gun control legislation.

"I really love it," Jolien Boumkwo said as her unusual turn in the 100-meter hurdles created a sensation.

Swamp white oak makes a great street tree. Pagoda dogwood is a good option near power lines. These local sources have more Kansas and Missouri tips.

Hundreds of people filled the first floor of the Statehouse for the ceremony. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Hundreds of Kansans gathered at the Statehouse today (WED) to celebrate the end of the building’s 13-year-long restoration project. The event coincided with Kansas Day, the state’s 153 rd birthday. School children, members of the public and former and current state officials attended the ceremony. Historians learned that the Kansas Statehouse was never formally dedicated after its initial completion, so Governor Sam Brownback took the opportunity to unveil a plaque and officially dedicate the Kansas Capitol.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7c95f0000The restoration work cost more than $300 million and was paid for with state bonds.==========(VERSION TWO)Hundreds of Kansans gathered at the Statehouse to mark the end of a 13-year-long restoration project and formally dedicate the building. As KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports, the celebration coincided with Kansas Day, the state’s 153 rd birthday.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7c95f0001 (SCRIPT)The event included music, historical reenactors and Kansas-themed cakes.Kansas Historical Society Director Jennie Chinn said the Statehouse was an outgrowth from the creation of Kansas.“The people who populated early Kansas had a vision of what we as a people could be. And they built that vision into this Statehouse,” said Chinn.The Senate’s top Democrat, Anthony Hensley, said the crowd should be grateful to the craftsmen who originally built the Statehouse, including the nine workers who died on the project.“Who built this historic and everlasting monument to our democratic form of government,” said Hensley.Republican House Speaker Ray Merrick pointed out that while costly, the final product is impressive.“We did have a lot of grumbling about cost and is it ever going to get done. And we stand here today with the finished product and all I can say is wow,” said Merrick.The top-to-bottom rehab of the building cost more than $300 million, financed through bonds.

Flickr photo by Kent KanouseKansas lawmakers may take money from the state highway fund to help balance the budget.The Senate’s top budget writer says transportation funding is one source that could help fill the gap.Andover Republican Ty Masterson says roads and bridges are a big expense and the state already has a healthy system in place.00000184-7fa8-d6f8-a1cf-7fac243b0002“The answer to the question is can we cut back? Sure, because we’ve been a leader in that area for so long,” says Masterson.Bob Totten, with the Kansas Contractors Association, says he’s concerned that cutting transportation projects will result in lost jobs.He says that could hurt many industries, including agriculture, which rely on well-maintained roads and bridges to bring their goods to market.====================(VERSION TWO)Kansas lawmakers may dip into highway funding to help balance the state’s budget. As KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports, the state Senate’s top budget write say transportation money could help fill the gap.00000184-7fa8-d6f8-a1cf-7fac243b0003(SCRIPT)Andover Republican Senator Ty Masterson chairs the Ways and Means Committee. He says transportation is a big expense to the state and Kansas has already built a healthy system.“Pulling back to a point of preservation, and not this aggressive expansion, wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. And it wouldn’t be prolonged,” says Masterson.Bob Totten, with the Kansas Contractors Association, says he believes there is support in the legislature for the current 10-year, $8 billion transportation plan.He’s concerned cutting transportation funding could cost jobs and hurt industries like agriculture.“Agriculture is #1 in the state of Kansas, and you've got to have a product that can get to the markets outside the state,” says Totten.Lawmakers will work on filling the budget hole when they return to Topeka in January.