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(Photo Credit: Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine)MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansans can use their vehicles to show they support pets. Revenue from a new "I'm Pet Friendly" license plate will be used to reduce the stray animal population. Proceeds from the sale of the plates will support scholarships for Kansas State University veterinary students who will work with local animal shelters, particularly in spay/neuter programs. With a one-time production fee of $45.50 and an annual donation of $50, the new plate can be picked up at county tag offices across the state. The dean of K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, Ralph Richardson, says the program can help improve the quality of animal health throughout the state.

(Image credit: websitedesigncode.blogspot.com)OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Global consumer products maker Unilever is planning a $152 million expansion of its margarine and spreads plant in northeast Kansas. The Kansas City Star reports that the project announced Tuesday will double the size of the plant at the New Century AirCenter industrial park in Olathe. About 170 people now work at the plant, which makes such products as Country Crock, Promise, Imperial spreads. Unilever says it will hire 100 additional employees when the expansion is complete. Unilever makes personal care, home care and food products, including Axe deodorants, Lipton tea and Ben & Jerry's ice cream. The company is headquartered in London and the Netherlands and has more than 173,000 employees worldwide, including 10,000 in the U.S.

(Image credit: Kansas Geological Survey)MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) _ Governor Sam Brownback has ordered five state agencies and a council of economic advisers to begin work on what he's calling a "50-year vision'' for water policy in Kansas. Brownback announced Thursday that he's directed the agencies and his economic advisers to deliver their blueprint for long-term water policy by November 1, 2014. The governor announced his actions at the start of a two-day conference in Manhattan on water issues. Brownback says the persistent drought in the western half of the state shows the importance of water to the Kansas economy. He directed the Kansas Water Office and its planning counterpart, the Water Authority, to work on the 50-year vision, along with the state departments of Agriculture, Health and Environment, and Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Clint Bowyer celebrates his win earlier this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade, AP)NASCAR had its version of road rage yesterday (SUN) after the Sprint Cup race in Phoenix. Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon intentionally caused Clint Bowyer of Emporia to wreck and ended Bowyer's chance to contend for The Chase championship. Bowyer entered the race third in The Chase standings. After the race, Bowyer said Gordon's actions gave the sport a black eye.The crews for both race teams scuffled after the race. Penalties are expected to be announced later this week before NASCAR's final race of the season in Homestead, Florida.

(Image Credit: kslegislature.org)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have adjourned their special session. Lawmakers wrapped up business Wednesday in only two days. They approved a bill repairing a law allowing convicted murderers to be sentenced to at least 50 years in prison. The Senate also approved multiple appointments by Governor Sam Brownback, including the appointment of chief counsel Caleb Stegall to the Kansas Court of Appeals. The House adjourned at 5:21 p.m.; the Senate followed suit six minutes later. It was the Legislature's first special session since 2005, when lawmakers were ordered by the Kansas Supreme Court to increase funding on public schools. This year's special session was the 22nd in state history. The only other two-day special session was held in 1989 to extend a deadline for owners of homes and businesses to pay property taxes.

(Photo credit: KHI.org)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Attorneys and state officials say it's too early to tell if justices of the Kansas Supreme Court will approve changes made this week to the state's Hard 50 prison sentence. Legislators finished work on the measure Wednesday, and Republican Governor Sam Brownback is expected to sign it into law in the coming weeks. The measure was passed in response to a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Virginia case that held that juries, not judges, should determine such extended prison sentences. Attorneys said Thursday that it would be several months before legislators know for certain whether the Kansas Supreme Court will allow the changes in process to apply retroactively to 45 cases either still in the trial stages or being appealed.

Image credit: fastcompany.comTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka officials say United Airlines' plans to offer daily flights between Topeka Regional Airport and Chicago will boost the city's image and economy. The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority announced Monday that the two daily flights will begin January 7. Each flight will hold 50 people and tickets are expected to cost the same as a ticket out of the Kansas City International Airport. WIBW reports that Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast and Governor Sam Brownback both called the announcement big news for the city's economy. Tickets are available to purchase immediately. Johnson said United has said it might add more flights if the initial routes generate enough revenue.

(Photo Credit: hayspost.com)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials say five Kansas lakes have dangerous levels of toxic algae. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said in a release Thursday high levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected at Hiawatha City Lake in Brown County, Lake Shawnee in Shawnee County, Lake Warnock in Atchison County, Logan City Lake in Phillips County and Memorial Park Lake in Barton County. The department says a warning means conditions are unsafe, and swimming, wading, skiing or other direct contact with the water are prohibited. The department has also lifted an algae advisory for Mission Lake in Brown County. When animals are exposed to toxic algae they may experience vomiting, diarrhea or even death. Humans can also experience symptoms including rashes, running noses and eye infections.

Humboldt Penguins (Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org)KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A new $15 million penguin exhibit is opening its doors at the Kansas City Zoo. KCTV reports that visitors can see the black-and-white animals starting Friday. More than 40 penguins are housed in the Helzberg Penguin Plaza, and the zoo hopes to add more to the 2,800-square-foot habit in coming years. The flightless birds eat up to 50 pounds of fish per day. Kansas City Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff says he couldn't be happier with how the exhibit turned out.

Kansas Senate chamber as viewed from the president's rostrum (Photo Credit: kansastravel.org)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Most committees of the Kansas Senate will have new leaders when conservative Republicans take control of the chamber in January. A GOP leadership committee on Tuesday appointed chairmen for the Senate's 13 standing committees. Eleven will be new after conservatives ousted moderate Republican leaders in this year's GOP primaries. All committees are chaired by Republicans, who outnumber Democrats in the chamber 32-8. The chairmen will assume their jobs when the 2013 session convenes in January. The newcomers include Ty Masterson, of Andover, who will lead the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee, and Steve Abrams, of Arkansas City, who will chair the Senate Education Committee. The holdovers are Les Donovan, who chairs the Assessment and Taxation Committee, and Pat Apple, of Louisburg, who heads the Utilities Committee.