Here are today’s headlines from Kansas government:Campaign crime?From the notebook of LJW reporter Scott Rothschild: State Sen. Jim Barnett, a Republican who lost his bid for the governor’s office in November, said he has requested a criminal investigation into activities “in which he and his campaign were apparent victims.”Barnett, of Emporia, refused to provide any details. “I want to protect the integrity of the investigation. I have to refrain from further comment,” he said.He declined to say whether the allegations occurred during the primary election or the general election.Barnett said he referred his allegations to the Emporia Police Department.The Emporia Police Department said it can’t release any information on the matter. “I can acknowledge there is a criminal investigation going on. It’s in the infant stages, if you will,” said Emporia Deputy Police Chief Mike Williams.Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, easily defeated Barnett in November, 58 percent to 41 percent.Barnett had won a seven-candidate field in the Republican Party primary in August to challenge Sebelius.Other issues(KTKA) Smoking ban in cars considered: Start up the engine, and light up a smoke. It’s a habit Kansans may have to kick if they’ve got little ones in the car. Lawmakers are working on a bill that would ban smoking in most public places across the state, and they’ve just added a private place to that list: your vehicle.(KTKA) Meth offenders would have to register: The offender registry allows you to log on to learn where certain criminals live. Right now only sex offenders are on the list, but some Kansas senators want to add criminals convicted of making methamphetamine or even having the materials to make it.(Wichita Eagle) State on energy conservation path: In the future, your electric company might be sending you notes letting you know what you can do to conserve. Educating consumers about conservation — and the future of energy in America, a focal point of President Bush’s State of the Union on Tuesday — is a goal of the Kansas Energy Council, which has recommended to the Legislature that electric utilities be required to send out such information on a regular basis.(Topeka Capital-Journal) Panel will look at state employee pay: A special House committee was formed Wednesday to examine options for improving the state employee pay plan.(Harris News Service) Senators look down the road in river case: Republic County farmer Thayne Larson said he’s reluctantly accepted over the years that Kansas law limits his water use and that his irrigated farmland won’t reap as large a crop as a result. He’s also witnessed, a few miles away, Nebraska farmers irrigating freely from the Republican River basin, generating an area economy “that we have not been able to achieve in Kansas.” Larson urged Senate Agriculture Committee Wednesday to pass a bill that would create a fund to further water efficiency on the Kansas side of the Republican basin.