The measure on the Senate’s agenda Thursday is a compromise drafted by negotiators who settled differences between the two chambers. If the House also approves it, the plan will go to Gov. Sam Brownback.

The compromise includes a plan to use casino revenues to bolster the long-term financial health of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

The legislation also includes a new retirement plan for public employees hired after 2014. The proposal calls for moving away from traditional plans guaranteeing retirement benefits based on a worker’s salary and years of service. But the new plan also isn’t a 401(k)-style plan.

Brownback scheduled the signing for Thursday, the 58th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.

The 1954 ruling declared separate schools for blacks and whites inherently unequal and struck down the doctrine of  “separate but equal” as a justification for segregated educational facilities.

Among those invited to the signing are Deborah Dandridge, chairwoman of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission, and Mildred Edwards, the commission’s executive director.

The Kansas City Star reports that John Charles Howard, of Branson, was arrested this week by Overland Park police on a report that he wrecked his car and threatened another man with a knife.

Besides DUI, the Johnson County charges include fleeing from a law enforcement officer and driving with a suspended license.

Court records show Howard formerly lived in the Kansas City area and has DUI convictions in both Kansas and Missouri.

There was no phone listing for Howard in Branson, and he had not been assigned a Johnson County public defender by Wednesday.

Significant delays should be expected throughout the construction process. Please drive slowly, obey all posted traffic control signs, and use caution around the work zones. Travelers are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes during construction.

To view a map of this are click here

That announcement came from Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins’ office Wednesday evening.

The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday  included $75 million for construction of the biosecurity lab in its budget for the next fiscal year.

The appropriations bill now goes to the full House for consideration.

The committee also recommended releasing a total of $90 million that had been previously appropriated for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years. The Topeka Capital Journal reports (http://bit.ly/KhQ9vw ) $40 million of that money would be used for construction of a central utility plant, with the other $50 million for general construction of the facility on the Kansas State University campus.

The $1.14 billion National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility would be a center for research of deadly animal diseases.

Congresswoman Jenkins released the following statement after the Appropriations Committee approved their version of the legislation:

 “I’ve said all along that building the NBAF in Manhattan is a national security priority, and I am glad the full Appropriations Committee has agreed and advanced legislation that begins to fund the construction in earnest. I look forward to continuing to work closely with House Leadership and the full House to ensure these funds are included in the final legislation.”

(this report is a combination of Associated Press and from Congreswoman Jenkins’ office)

After weeks of going through the processes to fill the vacant seat, Beth Tatarko was chosen at Wednesday night’s Manhattan Ogden school board meeting.

Board Vice President Dave Colburn explains this process was a difficult one with so many great candidates …adding this is probably one of the least pleasant things the board has had to do.

 Tatarko will be sworn in at a later date.

Tatarko had served on the school board in previous years.

Meanwhile, a reminder Doug Messer left the position as the Manhattan Ogden School Board president recently which left that vacancy, but he hasn’t left the district.

At the board meeting, Messer took the position of Director of Transportation and he explains that this position is like coming home for him…

 Messer will begin his new position on June 4th.

Lavrey was a utilities equipment repairer assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

Lavrey, a West Seneca, N.Y. native, joined the Army in March 2010. He was assigned to Fort Riley in September 2010.

Riley County Treasurer Eileen King indicates the motor vehicle system is down, not only in this county, but statewide. The system went down completely a little after two Wednesday afternoon and King wasn’t sure how long it would be down.

King adds driver’s license and property tax business can still be conducted.

King had talked to Riley county commissioners earlier this week about problems with the new system, which was recently put into place across the state.

Wait times last week varied from half an hour to about two hours.

*Update 3:29 pm.  The system is now up and fully operational.