Kansas Watch Must Reads for 1/15/09

The legislature is in Topeka.  Hide your wallet and your civil liberties.  Now read on.

• What, a Funkyless Kansas City? From Tony’s Kansas City: Mayor Funky: Missing in Action!!!

• Yeah, but it’s caviar and brie! From Nick Sloan’s Official Website:Free Lunch Kids Up In Johnson County

• But still clueless.  From the K.C. Star’s Prime Buzz: In farewell speech, Bush not broken, not bowed

• I’d gladly unfriend you on Facebook on for a hamburger today! From Ramsey Mohsen: I deleted 10 friends on Facebook for a burger.

• I suggest US women throw shoes at their photos in protest.  From Kansas Jackass: KS-Sen: Roberts, Brownback Vote Against Pay Equity Bill

SD Watch Must Reads for 1/15/09

Cold enough for ya?  It was for me.  Read on.

• Norman Maclean and A River Runs Through It.  You don’t need much else to be content. From Take It Outside: A Moment with Norman, Part I

• No left turns allowed is my guess.  From the Hog House Blog: John Thune’s b-day bash

• Perhaps south to Brookings and north to Aberdeen? From Newsmonger: Watertown School Boundary Changes?

• I think they forgot “strategery.” From Red, Blue & Purple: Bushisms

• Aberdeen, Land of Giants. From KELOLAND-TV: People Brave The Cold In The Hub City

• Guess the elves took a day off. From KSFY-TV: Keebler Cracker’s Pulled from Shelves

• And chocolatety as well as vanillaly! From the Huron Daily Plainsman: Rounds speech upbeat, yet frank lawmakers say

Breaking (For Real): Argus to Furlough Employees for One Week

SD Watch just received a memo from a source about Argus Leader Publisher Randell Beck informing Argus staff that they will be made to take a one week unpaid furlough during the first quarter of 2009.

• PDF Alert: Here is the memo and the FAQ prepared by Gannett– argusfurloughs.pdf (108K)

According to Beck:

Considering the continuing economic difficulties our nation is facing, including right here in Sioux Falls, as well as the challenging forecast for the next several months, I believe this is far better than the alternative.  I view this as perhaps the fairest way for all of us, no matter our level or pay, to shoulder the responsibility for reducing expenses.  All employees in the community newspaper division will be required to go on furlough.  That includes me.

What is interesting is that the memo came out the same day that the Argus noted that a number of South Dakota companies were also issuing furloughs.  But no mention of the Argus.  Hmmm. 

Will the last one to leave the Argus please turn out lights on the way out?

Bluto Blutarsky? Meet George W. Bush

Bluto Blutarsky, Delta House alum, Faber College:
“Seven years of college down the drain.”

George W. Bush, soon to be former President, United States of America:
“Eight years of Presidency down the drain.”

Breaking: Aberdeen Hits Absolute Zero, Breaks into Billions of Tiny Shards

Minus 42 Fahrenheit in the Hub City this morning.  Brass Monkeys revolt.  Absolute zero achieved.