Jan. 14, 2003

Contact: J. Schafer, Kansas Public Radio, (785) 864-2246.

Kansas Public Radio to broadcast Gov. Sebelius' first State of the State address

LAWRENCE -- Kansas' new governor, Kathleen Sebelius, has inherited unprecedented state financing problems. Sebelius will present her first budget and outline her vision for the state during her first State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature.

Kansas Public Radio will broadcast her speech at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. KPR will carry the GOP response shortly after Sebelius' speech.

KPR News Director J. Schafer and Statehouse Bureau Chief Peter Hancock will provide insights and analysis after the speech.

"It's been a tradition for our news department to provide coverage of the State of the State address," Schafer said. "As the state faces such a serious budget crisis, KPR listeners will hear what the governor's budget and legislative priorities are."

Sebelius was sworn in Jan. 13 as the 44th governor of Kansas. She is only the second woman to become the state's chief executive. Joan Finney served as governor from 1991 to 1995.

KPR broadcasts on KANU 91.5-FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7-FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3-FM in Olsburg-Manhattan and K210CR 89.9 in Atchison.