Here are today’s headlines from the Kansas congressional delegation:Rep. Jerry Moran (R) !(Kansas City Kansan) Moran says federal earmarks can help local communities: U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) said the $300,000 earmark he secured for the University of Kansas Medical Center is a positive example of what federal funding earmarks can be. While a lot of Americans have read headlines about the $315 million earmark concerning the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska and other examples of pork-barrel spending, Moran maintains earmarks can help communities and public services such as those offered by the Medical Center. “‘Earmark’ is a very nasty word these days,” he said. “We came to the University of Kansas to help make a case for designated funding. I believe earmarks provide a role in public services.” The $300,000 earmark for KU Med would be used for its telemedicine program.Sen. Pat Roberts (R)!(Kansas.com) Bipartisan bills: Given the popularity of family leave with most Americans, the issue is showing bipartisan appeal on Capitol Hill. For example, Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas and Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri might not agree on much, but both senators want to make sure that injured soldiers don’t lose their civilian jobs while they’re recovering. “It is only right to protect their jobs while they provide care or heal from wounds sustained in the defense of freedom,” said Roberts, an ex-Marine who backed the half-year leave plan for relatives of injured soldiers.Rep. Dennis Moore (D) !(KC Star commentary) On Politics: Kansas state Sen.Nick Jordan of Shawnee apparently has all but formally announced his plans to take on five-term Democratic congressman Dennis Moore next year. The good news for Jordan: He managed to impress Stu Rothenberg, the national political handicapper. Rothenberg wrote recently that despite all the problems facing the GOP, the party still has some dandy candidates. One of them, he said, is Jordan. Still, Jordan’s apparent eagerness to take on Moore is perplexing, given Jordan’s penchant for carefully weighing his political options. Allies say Jordan is a rare Republican who appeals to moderates and conservatives. That’s right. But after five terms, Moore has consistently won over moderate Republicans who have grown accustomed to punching his ticket. In 2006, Moore won his first cakewalk – 64 percent to 34 percent over Chuck Ahner. Moore has failed to make any serious miscues. And Jordan would be running into the teeth of pro-Democratic storm.