Laura Ziegler

Kansas City, Missouri – Those involved in protecting the American food supply have a special interest in what comes after the death of Osama Bin Laden.

That was the message at an international conference on agroterrorism last week in Kansas City. Members of law enforcement - from around the global to the local level - joined food and farm representatives to talk about protecting against an intentional introduction of disease anywhere along the food chain.

Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas Senator Pat Roberts told an international conference on agro terrorism today in Kansas city that Washington has threats to our food supply too low on its list of priorities.

Among the concerns the 750 participants studied over the 3 day conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel: the shrinking global economy (we import from over 50 different countries,) our vast transportation systems that move food quickly from coast to coast, and the easy accessibility of information.

Kansas City, Missouri – A prestigious recognition for The Harvesters Community Food Network - the regional food bank has been named the 2011 Food Bank of the year by America's food bank network. Feeding America is made up of some 200 food banks across the country.

The interim CEO of the troubled Kansas Bioscience Authority says the KBA will cooperate completely with the Governor's office in it's request for an independent audit. The Kan. legislature has been holding hearings in recent weeks.

Kansas City, Missouri – Should a property owner be able to sue a farmer OVER AND OVER for making the neighborhood smell farmy?

What about for making it unpleasant to work outside?

These are some of the questions at issue as Governor Jay Nixon considers weather to sign a bill legislators sent to his desk last night.
The bill is known informally as The CAFO bill because it deals with what are called Confined Animal Feeding Operations - CAFO's.

Johnson County, Kansas – With dozens of elections for council seats, mayors, school boards, and Community College trustees, officials reported a surprising lack of voters. While spring elections are always quiet, election commissioner Brian Newby said a lot of money and attention went toward these races. He said he expected more concern, given the urgency of city and school funding issues.

Kansas City, Missouri – It's a spring election in an off year, and, as expected, turnout has been relatively low so far in Johnson County, Kan.

16 cities have races for mayor and or city council. 8 school districts are electing board members. Voters will elect or return 3 trustees to the board of the Johnson County Community College.

Johnson County Election Commissioner Brian Newby says turnout is always higher in some places.

By Laura Ziegler

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Would you buy popcorn at the movies if you knew it was something other than a healthy snack?

Kansas City – Salary, expenses, and marketing records reveal excessive spending on the part of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. At least that's what some on the Commerce Committee feel.

The Committee has been holding hearings in recent weeks to address perceptions of fiscal irresponsibility, and has a bill on the Senate floor to put the Secretaries of Commerce and Revenue on the Board of the KBA.

February 2010 - December 2010 – TRACKING THE TEA PARTY: Election 2010 Kansas and Missouri

The President's budget, which was made public yesterday, pegs $150 million for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. That's the Level 4 laboratory designed to test highly contagious pathogens and foreign animal diseases operated by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS awarded the $650 million project to K-State a couple of years ago.

Officials told reporters in a teleconference yesterday they were happy with the budget proposal.

Johnson County, Kansas – In Johnson County, both foreclosures and homelessness have increased dramatically in recent years, mirroring national trends.

But it's hard to say what impact foreclosures have on homelessness, which can frustrate service providers.

Laura Ziegler spent some time with officials, advocates, and some residents at the Johnson County Family Lodge of the Salvation Army, exploring the link between the two.

Kansas City, Missouri – A company that manufactures so-called "good bacteria" is expanding in Kansas City, thanks to $1.4 million in incentives from the state of Missouri and Kansas City.

The company, SCD Probiotics, has been granted tax credits, tax abatements, and low interest loans that will enable it to expand at its current facility in the Paseo West district.

Lenexa, Kansas – Former Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore has a special perspective on the recent tragedy in Tucson.

His office was adjacent to that of Representative Gabby Giffords, before his departure last year. Giffords remains in the hospital, recovering from an assassination attempt while meeting constituents outside a local grocery store in Tuscon.

Moore says he and Giffords are good friends.

Kansas City, Missouri – There are more Southern Sudanese living in the Kansas City area than anywhere in the United States except Nebraska.

So many from this area were ready to cast ballots when voting began in Sudan, and among refugees around the world, in last weeks historic election to create an independent Southern Sudan.