Political enemies Paul Morrison and Phill Kline top the Journal-World’s list of Kansas newsmakers for 2007.

Morrison, a Republican turned Democrat, defeated Kline, an anti-abortion Republican, for the attorney general’s job in a bitter campaign in 2006.

But Kline was picked by Republican officials to fill out Morrison’s term as Johnson County district attorney.

During 2007, the two men continued to snipe at one another. Then the political bombshell of the year fell when a newspaper reported that Morrison had a two-year, extra-marital affair with a subordinate when he was Johnson County district attorney.

The woman, Linda Carter, was director of administration in the district attorney’s office and continued working there after Kline became district attorney.

Carter also leveled charges of sexual harassment against Morrison, and she said he tried to use her to obtain information about Kline’s investigation into a Planned Parenthood clinic. Morrison admitted to the affair but denied the other allegations.

But as more details of Morrison’s conduct surfaced, he announced his resignation from office.

With investigations mounting, the political scorecard as 2008 approached showed Morrison’s promising career destroyed; Kline’s base energized; and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who helped recruit Morrison to the Democratic Party, and the state Democratic Party, weakened.

Barbara Atkinson

As executive vice chancellor of the Kansas University Medical Center, Barbara Atkinson was on the hot seat nearly all year from some legislators who said they were concerned that a proposed affiliation between KUMC and St. Luke’s hospital in Kansas City, Mo., would hurt the KU Hospital.

Atkinson testified several times to legislative committees, saying the affiliation would help everyone involved in health care in the region.

By the end of the year, Atkinson and her team negotiated agreements with St. Luke’s and KU Hospital.

Roderick Bremby

Roderick Bremby’s decision in October to reject permits for two coal-fired power plants in western Kansas brought national attention to Kansas.

Bremby cited concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, winning accolades from environmentalists.

But legislative and business leaders from western Kansas, who saw the plants as needed for economic development, vowed to try to get Bremby’s decision reversed.

Sam Brownback

U.S. Sen. Brownback, R-Kan., launched his presidential bid focusing his campaign on religious conservatives, but many of those voters flocked to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

After spending most of the year campaigning in Iowa, Brownback dropped his presidential bid in October, saying he just didn’t have the financial support to continue.

Brownback, who is in his second term, has said he would not serve more than two terms, which means there will be an open U.S. Senate seat in 2010.

Mark Mangino

When the season started, there was some grumbling that Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino’s job was on the line.

No one is saying that now.

Mangino’s blue-collar attitude – keep sawin’ wood – a talented team, and let’s face it, a soft schedule put the Jayhawks in contention for a national title, and in a major bowl.

Mangino was recognized nationwide for his efforts, being named coach of the year by The Associated Press.

The Jayhawks face Virginia Tech in Thursday night’s Orange Bowl.

Melvin Neufeld

In his first session as House speaker, Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, often crossed swords with interests related to Kansas University and Lawrence.

He had a legislative committee hold hearings on the Kansas University Medical Center’s proposed affiliation with St. Luke’s hospital, and he briefly backed an idea that would allow counties that have regents universities to increase the local sales tax for maintenance of those schools. But opponents said the cost of maintaining the schools should be shouldered by the entire state.

Neufeld also is an adamant supporter of the rejected coal-fired plants in western Kansas, which the city commission of Lawrence officially opposed.

Alexa Posny

Alexa Posny, who had been passed over to become state education commissioner when conservatives ruled the State Board of Education, was hired as the education commissioner under the new board.

Her selection marked another reversal from the previous board. Since moderates regained control of the board, it has also reinstated evolution-based science standards and abstinence-plus sex education.

In 2005, the conservative board hired Bob Corkins as education commissioner instead of Posny. At the time, Posny had been deputy education commissioner with 20 years experience in the field and a doctoral degree in education administration. Corkins had no experience in the field of education and had been director of a conservative think tank.

Kathleen Sebelius

The year started well for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius after easily winning re-election in November 2006.

But the demise of Attorney General Paul Morrison in a sex scandal hurt Sebelius’ credibility because she had recruited Morrison to the Democratic Party.

And at a fundraiser in Washington state, Sebelius made a critical comment about Kansas-made wine which upset Kansas vintners.

Sebelius also embraced the decision to reject coal plants in western Kansas, which earned her criticism from legislative leaders.

George Tiller

Another grand jury will be seated to investigate Dr. George Tiller, one of the nation’s few physicians who performs late-term abortions.

The Sedgwick County grand jury was initiated by a petition drive led by anti-abortion advocates. They allege that the Wichita physician has violated state law that restricts late-term abortions.

Tiller has denied any wrongdoing.

In 2006, abortion foes forced the creation of another grand jury to investigate the death of a Texas woman who had an abortion at Tiller’s clinic, but no indictments were issued.

Earlier in the year, Attorney General Paul Morrison filed 19 misdemeanor changes against Tiller that allege the physician failed to get an independent second opinion from a doctor for late-term abortions. Tiller has denied these charges too.