<a href="https://www.chaputbuoy.com/obituary/sophia-henriksen">Obituary | Sophia Lynn Henriksen of Concordia, Kansas | Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home (chaputbuoy.com)</a>

Sophia Lynn Henriksen, infant daughter of Erich L. Henriksen and Virginia L. Gonzales, left the care of her parents’ loving arms on Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Geary Community Hospital, Junction City, KS at the age of 3 months and 1 day.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 7, 2022 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia with Fr. David Metz officiating.&nbsp; Friends may sign the register book from 1-5 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the family to assist with Sophia’s funeral and medical expenses in care of the funeral home.&nbsp;

 For online condolences, please visit www.chpautbuoy.com.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Sophia Lynn Henriksen, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.chaputbuoy.com/obituary/sophia-henriksen/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Sophia Lynn Henriksen, Concordia</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641404489949.jpeg" alt="Sophia Lynn Henriksen" />
 <figcaption>Sophia Lynn Henriksen</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.chaputbuoy.com/obituary/sophia-henriksen">Obituary | Sophia Lynn Henriksen of Concordia, Kansas | Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home (chaputbuoy.com)</a>September 30, 2021 - December 31, 2021Sophia Lynn Henriksen, infant daughter of Erich L. Henriksen and Virginia L. Gonzales, left the care of her parents’ loving arms on Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Geary Community Hospital, Junction City, KS at the age of 3 months and 1 day.Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 7, 2022 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia with Fr. David Metz officiating.&nbsp; Friends may sign the register book from 1-5 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the funeral home.Memorials are suggested to the family to assist with Sophia’s funeral and medical expenses in care of the funeral home.&nbsp; For online condolences, please visit www.chpautbuoy.com.To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Sophia Lynn Henriksen, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.chaputbuoy.com/obituary/sophia-henriksen/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Sophia Lynn Henriksen

The Federal Trade Commission<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/reports/biennial-report-congress-under-do-not-call-registry-fee-extension-act-2007"> issued its biennial report to Congress</a>
 on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. The new report details the 
number of consumers – now totaling more than 244 million – who have 
placed their telephone numbers on the Registry over the past two years. 
It also states the FTC received more than five million <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/national-do-not-call-registry-data-book-fiscal-year-2021/dnc_data_book_2021.pdf">Do Not Call complaints in fiscal year (FY) 2021</a>, with people overwhelmingly reporting these violations came via robocalls, as opposed to live telemarketing.

Imposter
 scam and warranty protection scam calls led list of commonly reported 
call topics in FY 2021, followed by calls related to reducing debt and 
medical needs and prescriptions. Since the pandemic began, the FTC has 
received more than 18,000 COVID-related Do Not Call complaints, 
according to the report. In response to the consistently high number of 
complaints from the public about impersonator scams, the FTC recently 
launched a rulemaking initiative to combat <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/12/ftc-launches-rulemaking-combat-sharp-spike-impersonation-fraud">business and government impersonation fraud</a>.

The
 report notes that the DNC Registry exists to provide consumers with a 
choice regarding whether or not to receive telemarketing calls. 
Accordingly, it is important that the FTC continue to work alongside the
 Federal Communications Commission to ensure that the Registry is 
effective and accessible for both consumers and telemarketers. As new 
technology provides new challenges, both agencies actively seek to 
address and confront them by, among other things, encouraging private 
industry, other government agencies, academia, and other interested 
parties to create and develop new strategies to help consumers avoid 
unwanted telemarketing calls.

The report also includes the number 
of entities paying fees to access the Registry and the amount of the 
fees; the impact on the Registry of the five-year re-registration 
requirement (which was subsequently rescinded), new telecommunications 
technology, and number portability and abandoned telephone numbers; and 
the impact of the established business relationship exception on 
businesses and consumers. The final section includes updates on recent 
DNC-related enforcement actions, including recent cases against VoIP 
service providers, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/09/globex-telecom-associates-will-pay-21-million-settling-ftcs-first">Globex Telecom, Inc.</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/12/ftc-takes-action-against-second-voip-service-provider">Alcazar Networks, Inc.</a>

The
 DNC Registry currently has 244.3 million active registrations, an 
increase of more than 2.8 million from the previous fiscal year. 
According to the report, during FY 2021, 2,000 businesses and other 
entities paid nearly $13 million to access the Registry. More than 
12,000 entities subscribed to access the Registry, including 9,595 who 
registered for five or fewer area codes free of charge, and 512 entities
 (such as charitable organizations) claimed “exempt organization” status
 and received free access to the Registry. 

In FY 2020, 1,952 
entities paid Registry access fees totaling nearly $12.5 million. That 
year, 10,420 entities subscribed to Registry, including those who 
registered to access five or fewer area codes at no charge, and 556 
entities claimed “exempt organization” status and accessed the Registry 
without paying a fee.

The Commission also publishes an annual <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/11/ftc-releases-2021-do-not-call-registry-data-book-reports">Do Not Call Registry Data Book</a>
 that provides substantial detail on registration numbers and other 
statistical information about the Registry. Similar information is also 
available the FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/federal.trade.commission#!/vizhome/ DoNotCallComplaints/Maps">Tableau public page(link is external)</a>, which is updated regularly and allows users to interact with the data to drill down to state or county data.

The Commission vote approving the report and its submission to Congress was 4-0.

The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe Federal Trade Commission<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/reports/biennial-report-congress-under-do-not-call-registry-fee-extension-act-2007"> issued its biennial report to Congress</a>
 on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. The new report details the 
number of consumers – now totaling more than 244 million – who have 
placed their telephone numbers on the Registry over the past two years. 
It also states the FTC received more than five million <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/national-do-not-call-registry-data-book-fiscal-year-2021/dnc_data_book_2021.pdf">Do Not Call complaints in fiscal year (FY) 2021</a>, with people overwhelmingly reporting these violations came via robocalls, as opposed to live telemarketing. Imposter
 scam and warranty protection scam calls led list of commonly reported 
call topics in FY 2021, followed by calls related to reducing debt and 
medical needs and prescriptions. Since the pandemic began, the FTC has 
received more than 18,000 COVID-related Do Not Call complaints, 
according to the report. In response to the consistently high number of 
complaints from the public about impersonator scams, the FTC recently 
launched a rulemaking initiative to combat <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/12/ftc-launches-rulemaking-combat-sharp-spike-impersonation-fraud">business and government impersonation fraud</a>.The
 report notes that the DNC Registry exists to provide consumers with a 
choice regarding whether or not to receive telemarketing calls. 
Accordingly, it is important that the FTC continue to work alongside the
 Federal Communications Commission to ensure that the Registry is 
effective and accessible for both consumers and telemarketers. As new 
technology provides new challenges, both agencies actively seek to 
address and confront them by, among other things, encouraging private 
industry, other government agencies, academia, and other interested 
parties to create and develop new strategies to help consumers avoid 
unwanted telemarketing calls.The report also includes the number 
of entities paying fees to access the Registry and the amount of the 
fees; the impact on the Registry of the five-year re-registration 
requirement (which was subsequently rescinded), new telecommunications 
technology, and number portability and abandoned telephone numbers; and 
the impact of the established business relationship exception on 
businesses and consumers. The final section includes updates on recent 
DNC-related enforcement actions, including recent cases against VoIP 
service providers, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/09/globex-telecom-associates-will-pay-21-million-settling-ftcs-first">Globex Telecom, Inc.</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/12/ftc-takes-action-against-second-voip-service-provider">Alcazar Networks, Inc.</a>Biennial Report DataThe
 DNC Registry currently has 244.3 million active registrations, an 
increase of more than 2.8 million from the previous fiscal year. 
According to the report, during FY 2021, 2,000 businesses and other 
entities paid nearly $13 million to access the Registry. More than 
12,000 entities subscribed to access the Registry, including 9,595 who 
registered for five or fewer area codes free of charge, and 512 entities
 (such as charitable organizations) claimed “exempt organization” status
 and received free access to the Registry. In FY 2020, 1,952 
entities paid Registry access fees totaling nearly $12.5 million. That 
year, 10,420 entities subscribed to Registry, including those who 
registered to access five or fewer area codes at no charge, and 556 
entities claimed “exempt organization” status and accessed the Registry 
without paying a fee.The Commission also publishes an annual <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/11/ftc-releases-2021-do-not-call-registry-data-book-reports">Do Not Call Registry Data Book</a>
 that provides substantial detail on registration numbers and other 
statistical information about the Registry. Similar information is also 
available the FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/federal.trade.commission#!/vizhome/ DoNotCallComplaints/Maps">Tableau public page(link is external)</a>, which is updated regularly and allows users to interact with the data to drill down to state or county data.The Commission vote approving the report and its submission to Congress was 4-0.The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

FTC issues new report on Do Not Call Registry

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 5, the fifth day of 2022. There are 360 days left in the year. 

On Jan. 5, 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed assistance to countries to help them resist Communist aggression in what became known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. 

In 1896, an Austrian newspaper, Wiener Presse, reported the discovery by German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen of a type of radiation that came to be known as X-rays. 

In 1914, auto industrialist Henry Ford announced he was going to pay workers $5 for an 8-hour day, as opposed to $2.34 for a 9-hour day. (Employees still worked six days a week; the 5-day work week was instituted in 1926.) 

In 1925, Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming took office as America's first female governor, succeeding her late husband, William, following a special election. 

In 1933, construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge. (Work was completed four years later.)

In 1943, educator and scientist George Washington Carver, who was born into slavery, died in Tuskegee, Alabama, at about age 80. 

In 1949, in his State of the Union address, President Harry S. Truman labeled his administration the Fair Deal. 

In 1953, Samuel Beckett's two-act tragicomedy "Waiting for Godot," considered a classic of the Theater of the Absurd, premiered in Paris. 

In 1972, President Richard Nixon announced that he had ordered development of the space shuttle. 

In 1994, Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, former speaker of the House of Representatives, died in Boston at age 81. 

In 1998, Sonny Bono, the 1960s pop star-turned-politician, was killed when he struck a tree while skiing at the Heavenly Ski Resort on the Nevada-California state line; he was 62. 

In 2004, foreigners arriving at U.S. airports were photographed and had their fingerprints scanned in the start of a government effort to keep terrorists out of the country. 

In 2011, John Boehner was elected speaker as Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives on the first day of the new Congress.

Ten years ago: Speaking at the Pentagon, President Barack Obama launched a reshaping and shrinking of the military, vowing to preserve U.S. pre-eminence even as the Army and Marine Corps shed troops and the administration considered reducing its arsenal of nuclear weapons. A U.S. Navy destroyer rescued an Iranian fishing boat that had been commandeered by suspected pirates. Jessica Joy Rees, a Southern California girl who had become a nationally recognized face of child cancer with a blog that chronicled her fight against brain tumors, died at age 12.

Five years ago: President-elect Donald Trump, in a series of tweets, urged Republicans and Democrats to "get together" to design a replacement for President Barack Obama's health care law. Friends and family members gathered at the next-door homes of Debbie Reynolds and daughter Carrie Fisher in the Hollywood Hills for an intimate memorial to mourn the late actors.

One year ago: Voters in Georgia turned out for Senate runoff elections that would result in victories for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and give Democrats control of the Senate; they would hold 50 seats and the tie-breaking vote of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. A prosecutor in Kenosha, Wisconsin, declined to file charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man, Jacob Blake, in the back in August 2020, leaving Blake paralyzed; the prosecutor said he couldn't disprove Officer Rusten Sheskey's contention that he acted in self-defense because he feared Blake would stab him. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and other civil rights leaders were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, hoping to send a message to Black Americans in particular that the shots were safe. DeVonta Smith of Alabama became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in 29 seasons.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Robert Duvall is 91. Juan Carlos, former King of Spain, is 84. Singer-musician Athol Guy (The Seekers) is 82. Former talk show host Charlie Rose is 80. Actor-director Diane Keaton is 76. Actor Ted Lange is 74. R&amp;B musician George "Funky" Brown (Kool and the Gang) is 73. Rock musician Chris Stein (Blondie) is 72. Former CIA Director George Tenet is 69. Actor Pamela Sue Martin is 69. Actor Clancy Brown is 63. Singer Iris Dement is 61. Actor Suzy Amis is 60. Actor Ricky Paull Goldin is 57. Actor Vinnie Jones is 57. Rock musician Kate Schellenbach (Luscious Jackson) is 56. Actor Joe Flanigan is 55. Talk show host/dancer-choreographer Carrie Ann Inaba is 54. Rock musician Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age) is 54. Actor Heather Paige Kent is 53. Rock singer Marilyn Manson is 53. Actor Shea Whigham is 53. Actor Derek Cecil is 49. Actor-comedian Jessica Chaffin is 48. Actor Bradley Cooper is 47. Actor January Jones is 44. Actor Brooklyn Sudano is 41. Actor Franz Drameh is 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Wednesday, Jan. 5, the fifth day of 2022. There are 360 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 5, 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed assistance to countries to help them resist Communist aggression in what became known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. On this date: In 1896, an Austrian newspaper, Wiener Presse, reported the discovery by German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen of a type of radiation that came to be known as X-rays. In 1914, auto industrialist Henry Ford announced he was going to pay workers $5 for an 8-hour day, as opposed to $2.34 for a 9-hour day. (Employees still worked six days a week; the 5-day work week was instituted in 1926.) In 1925, Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming took office as America's first female governor, succeeding her late husband, William, following a special election. In 1933, construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge. (Work was completed four years later.)In 1943, educator and scientist George Washington Carver, who was born into slavery, died in Tuskegee, Alabama, at about age 80. In 1949, in his State of the Union address, President Harry S. Truman labeled his administration the Fair Deal. In 1953, Samuel Beckett's two-act tragicomedy "Waiting for Godot," considered a classic of the Theater of the Absurd, premiered in Paris. In 1972, President Richard Nixon announced that he had ordered development of the space shuttle. In 1994, Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, former speaker of the House of Representatives, died in Boston at age 81. In 1998, Sonny Bono, the 1960s pop star-turned-politician, was killed when he struck a tree while skiing at the Heavenly Ski Resort on the Nevada-California state line; he was 62. In 2004, foreigners arriving at U.S. airports were photographed and had their fingerprints scanned in the start of a government effort to keep terrorists out of the country. In 2011, John Boehner was elected speaker as Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives on the first day of the new Congress.Ten years ago: Speaking at the Pentagon, President Barack Obama launched a reshaping and shrinking of the military, vowing to preserve U.S. pre-eminence even as the Army and Marine Corps shed troops and the administration considered reducing its arsenal of nuclear weapons. A U.S. Navy destroyer rescued an Iranian fishing boat that had been commandeered by suspected pirates. Jessica Joy Rees, a Southern California girl who had become a nationally recognized face of child cancer with a blog that chronicled her fight against brain tumors, died at age 12.Five years ago: President-elect Donald Trump, in a series of tweets, urged Republicans and Democrats to "get together" to design a replacement for President Barack Obama's health care law. Friends and family members gathered at the next-door homes of Debbie Reynolds and daughter Carrie Fisher in the Hollywood Hills for an intimate memorial to mourn the late actors.One year ago: Voters in Georgia turned out for Senate runoff elections that would result in victories for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and give Democrats control of the Senate; they would hold 50 seats and the tie-breaking vote of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. A prosecutor in Kenosha, Wisconsin, declined to file charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man, Jacob Blake, in the back in August 2020, leaving Blake paralyzed; the prosecutor said he couldn't disprove Officer Rusten Sheskey's contention that he acted in self-defense because he feared Blake would stab him. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and other civil rights leaders were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, hoping to send a message to Black Americans in particular that the shots were safe. DeVonta Smith of Alabama became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in 29 seasons.Today's Birthdays: Actor Robert Duvall is 91. Juan Carlos, former King of Spain, is 84. Singer-musician Athol Guy (The Seekers) is 82. Former talk show host Charlie Rose is 80. Actor-director Diane Keaton is 76. Actor Ted Lange is 74. R&amp;B musician George "Funky" Brown (Kool and the Gang) is 73. Rock musician Chris Stein (Blondie) is 72. Former CIA Director George Tenet is 69. Actor Pamela Sue Martin is 69. Actor Clancy Brown is 63. Singer Iris Dement is 61. Actor Suzy Amis is 60. Actor Ricky Paull Goldin is 57. Actor Vinnie Jones is 57. Rock musician Kate Schellenbach (Luscious Jackson) is 56. Actor Joe Flanigan is 55. Talk show host/dancer-choreographer Carrie Ann Inaba is 54. Rock musician Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age) is 54. Actor Heather Paige Kent is 53. Rock singer Marilyn Manson is 53. Actor Shea Whigham is 53. Actor Derek Cecil is 49. Actor-comedian Jessica Chaffin is 48. Actor Bradley Cooper is 47. Actor January Jones is 44. Actor Brooklyn Sudano is 41. Actor Franz Drameh is 29.

Today in History - Jan. 5

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for a series of burglaries.

On Dec. 30, police were dispatched to 2720 NE Grantville reference multiple subjects breaking into storage units, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.

 Officers arrived on scene and saw two subjects getting into a vehicle and driving to the rear of the property

Police set up a perimeter, the business was cleared and the vehicle was found to be stolen. With the assistance of a K9 and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, both subjects were located and taken into custody.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested Donald Buhrle, 50, and Walter Rogers, 58, booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary, Theft, Criminal Damage, Possession of Stolen Property and Felony Interference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641209906774.png" alt="Rogers-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rogers-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for a series of burglaries.On Dec. 30, police were dispatched to 2720 NE Grantville reference multiple subjects breaking into storage units, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson. Officers arrived on scene and saw two subjects getting into a vehicle and driving to the rear of the property<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641209953876.png" alt="Buhrle -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Buhrle -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police set up a perimeter, the business was cleared and the vehicle was found to be stolen. With the assistance of a K9 and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, both subjects were located and taken into custody.As a result of the investigation, police arrested Donald Buhrle, 50, and Walter Rogers, 58, booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary, Theft, Criminal Damage, Possession of Stolen Property and Felony Interference.

Police arrest two Kansas men for series of burglaries

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 4, the fourth day of 2022. There are 361 days left in the year. 

On Jan. 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was elected the first female speaker of the House as Democrats took control of Congress. 

In 1821, the first native-born American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, died in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his State of the Union address, called for legislation to provide assistance for the jobless, elderly, impoverished children and the disabled. 

In 1948, Burma (now called Myanmar) became independent of British rule.

In 1964, Pope Paul VI began a visit to the Holy Land, the first papal pilgrimage of its kind 

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his State of the Union address in which he outlined the goals of his "Great Society." 

In 1974, President Richard Nixon refused to hand over tape recordings and documents subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee.

In 1987, 16 people were killed when an Amtrak train bound from Washington, D.C., to Boston collided with Conrail locomotives that had crossed into its path from a side track in Chase, Maryland. 

In 1990, Charles Stuart, who'd claimed that he'd been wounded and his pregnant wife fatally shot by a robber, leapt to his death off a Boston bridge after he himself became a suspect.

In 1999, Europe's new currency, the euro, got off to a strong start on its first trading day, rising against the dollar on world currency markets. Former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura took the oath of office as Minnesota's governor. 

In 2002, Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman, a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, was killed by small-arms fire during an ambush in eastern Afghanistan; he was the first American military death from enemy fire in the war against terrorism. 

In 2006, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a significant stroke; his official powers were transferred to his deputy, Ehud Olmert (EH'-hood OHL'-murt). (Sharon remained in a coma until his death in January 2014.) 

In 2015, Pope Francis named 156 new cardinals, selecting them from 14 countries, including far-flung corners of the world, to reflect the diversity of the Roman Catholic church and its growth in places like Asia and Africa.

Ten years ago: Defying Republican lawmakers, President Barack Obama barreled past the Senate by using a recess appointment to name Richard Cordray the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama urged congressional Democrats to "look out for the American people" in defending his legacy health care overhaul, while Vice President-elect Mike Pence stood firm in telling Republicans that dismantling "Obamacare" was No. 1 on Donald Trump's list. Macy's said it was eliminating more than 10,000 jobs and planned to move forward with 68 store closures after a disappointing holiday shopping season.

One year ago: At a campaign rally in Georgia for the Republican candidates in the state's U.S. Senate runoff elections the following day, President Donald Trump declared that he would "fight like hell" to hold on to the presidency and appealed to Republican lawmakers to reverse his election loss. Bracing for possible violence, the nation's capital mobilized the National Guard ahead of planned protests by Trump supporters in connection with the congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden's election victory. A British judge rejected the United States' request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be "oppressive" because of his mental health. (An appellate court later overturned that ruling; Assange's lawyers are seeking to appeal.) Death claimed actors Gregory Sierra, 83, known for the 1970s sitcoms "Barney Miller" and "Sanford and Son," and Tanya Roberts, who was in the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill" and the TV sitcom "That '70s Show"; she was 65.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Barbara Rush is 95. Opera singer Grace Bumbry is 85. Actor Dyan Cannon is 83. Author-historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is 79. Country singer Kathy Forester (The Forester Sisters) is 67. Actor Ann Magnuson is 66. Rock musician Bernard Sumner (New Order, Joy Division) is 66. Country singer Patty Loveless is 65. Actor Julian Sands is 64. Rock singer Michael Stipe is 62. Actor Patrick Cassidy is 60. Actor Dave Foley is 59. Actor Dot Jones is 58. Actor Rick Hearst is 57. Singer-musician Cait O'Riordan is 57. Actor Julia Ormond is 57. Former tennis player Guy Forget is 57. Country singer Deana Carter is 56. Rock musician Benjamin Darvill (Crash Test Dummies) is 55. Actor Josh Stamberg is 52. Actor Damon Gupton is 49. Actor-singer Jill Marie Jones is 47. Actor D'Arcy Carden is 42. Christian rock singer Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath) is 39. Actor Lenora Crichlow is 37. Comedian-actor Charlyne Yi is 36. MLB All-Star Kris Bryant is 30. Actor-singer Coco Jones is 24.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Tuesday, Jan. 4, the fourth day of 2022. There are 361 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was elected the first female speaker of the House as Democrats took control of Congress. On this date: In 1821, the first native-born American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, died in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his State of the Union address, called for legislation to provide assistance for the jobless, elderly, impoverished children and the disabled. In 1948, Burma (now called Myanmar) became independent of British rule.In 1964, Pope Paul VI began a visit to the Holy Land, the first papal pilgrimage of its kind In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his State of the Union address in which he outlined the goals of his "Great Society." In 1974, President Richard Nixon refused to hand over tape recordings and documents subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee.In 1987, 16 people were killed when an Amtrak train bound from Washington, D.C., to Boston collided with Conrail locomotives that had crossed into its path from a side track in Chase, Maryland. In 1990, Charles Stuart, who'd claimed that he'd been wounded and his pregnant wife fatally shot by a robber, leapt to his death off a Boston bridge after he himself became a suspect.In 1999, Europe's new currency, the euro, got off to a strong start on its first trading day, rising against the dollar on world currency markets. Former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura took the oath of office as Minnesota's governor. In 2002, Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman, a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, was killed by small-arms fire during an ambush in eastern Afghanistan; he was the first American military death from enemy fire in the war against terrorism. In 2006, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a significant stroke; his official powers were transferred to his deputy, Ehud Olmert (EH'-hood OHL'-murt). (Sharon remained in a coma until his death in January 2014.) In 2015, Pope Francis named 156 new cardinals, selecting them from 14 countries, including far-flung corners of the world, to reflect the diversity of the Roman Catholic church and its growth in places like Asia and Africa.Ten years ago: Defying Republican lawmakers, President Barack Obama barreled past the Senate by using a recess appointment to name Richard Cordray the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.Five years ago: President Barack Obama urged congressional Democrats to "look out for the American people" in defending his legacy health care overhaul, while Vice President-elect Mike Pence stood firm in telling Republicans that dismantling "Obamacare" was No. 1 on Donald Trump's list. Macy's said it was eliminating more than 10,000 jobs and planned to move forward with 68 store closures after a disappointing holiday shopping season.One year ago: At a campaign rally in Georgia for the Republican candidates in the state's U.S. Senate runoff elections the following day, President Donald Trump declared that he would "fight like hell" to hold on to the presidency and appealed to Republican lawmakers to reverse his election loss. Bracing for possible violence, the nation's capital mobilized the National Guard ahead of planned protests by Trump supporters in connection with the congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden's election victory. A British judge rejected the United States' request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be "oppressive" because of his mental health. (An appellate court later overturned that ruling; Assange's lawyers are seeking to appeal.) Death claimed actors Gregory Sierra, 83, known for the 1970s sitcoms "Barney Miller" and "Sanford and Son," and Tanya Roberts, who was in the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill" and the TV sitcom "That '70s Show"; she was 65. Today's Birthdays: Actor Barbara Rush is 95. Opera singer Grace Bumbry is 85. Actor Dyan Cannon is 83. Author-historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is 79. Country singer Kathy Forester (The Forester Sisters) is 67. Actor Ann Magnuson is 66. Rock musician Bernard Sumner (New Order, Joy Division) is 66. Country singer Patty Loveless is 65. Actor Julian Sands is 64. Rock singer Michael Stipe is 62. Actor Patrick Cassidy is 60. Actor Dave Foley is 59. Actor Dot Jones is 58. Actor Rick Hearst is 57. Singer-musician Cait O'Riordan is 57. Actor Julia Ormond is 57. Former tennis player Guy Forget is 57. Country singer Deana Carter is 56. Rock musician Benjamin Darvill (Crash Test Dummies) is 55. Actor Josh Stamberg is 52. Actor Damon Gupton is 49. Actor-singer Jill Marie Jones is 47. Actor D'Arcy Carden is 42. Christian rock singer Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath) is 39. Actor Lenora Crichlow is 37. Comedian-actor Charlyne Yi is 36. MLB All-Star Kris Bryant is 30. Actor-singer Coco Jones is 24.

Today in History - Jan. 4

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend stabbing and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a stabbing in the 2700 block of N Amidon in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

 On arrival, officers located 44-year-old Jayson Stalkup in the parking lot with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

At around the same time officers were dispatched to the stabbing, an injury accident was called in at 25th and Amidon. Officers arrived at that location and contacted 27-year-old Bryce Johnson of Bel Aire, Kansas, who they were able to identify as the suspect in the stabbing.

The investigation revealed that the two were involved in an altercation at an apartment complex when Johnston fatally stabbed Stalkup. It is believed the two men were known to each other.

Johnston was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, then transported to the Sedgwick County Jail, where he was booked for first-degree murder, according to Macy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641221110685.png" alt="Johnston-photo Sedgwick o." />
 <figcaption>Johnston-photo Sedgwick o.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend stabbing and have a suspect in custody.Just after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a stabbing in the 2700 block of N Amidon in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. On arrival, officers located 44-year-old Jayson Stalkup in the parking lot with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641220101073.png" alt="Police on the sene of the stabbing investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the sene of the stabbing investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>At around the same time officers were dispatched to the stabbing, an injury accident was called in at 25th and Amidon. Officers arrived at that location and contacted 27-year-old Bryce Johnson of Bel Aire, Kansas, who they were able to identify as the suspect in the stabbing.The investigation revealed that the two were involved in an altercation at an apartment complex when Johnston fatally stabbed Stalkup. It is believed the two men were known to each other.Johnston was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, then transported to the Sedgwick County Jail, where he was booked for first-degree murder, according to Macy.

Kan. man jailed for apartment parking lot stabbing death

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a reported burglary in the 900 block of SW University Drive in Topeka. Just before 8 a.m. New Year's Eve, the Shawnee County authorities received a 911 call reporting a white 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche with two woman&nbsp; taking items from a business, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies responded and conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle in the 4200 block of SW 75 Highway. Deputies arrested Cristal M. Gadbury, 44, and Frednetta T. Covington-Winston, 26, both of Topeka.

Gadbury was booked on requested charges of driving with a suspended driver’s license, no vehicle liability insurance, license plate not assigned to that vehicle, unsecured load and theft. 

Winston had two misdemeanor warrants through the Topeka Police Department and was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641162776902.png" alt="Covington-Winston-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Covington-Winston-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a reported burglary in the 900 block of SW University Drive in Topeka. Just before 8 a.m. New Year's Eve, the Shawnee County authorities received a 911 call reporting a white 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche with two woman&nbsp; taking items from a business, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Deputies responded and conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle in the 4200 block of SW 75 Highway. Deputies arrested Cristal M. Gadbury, 44, and Frednetta T. Covington-Winston, 26, both of Topeka.Gadbury was booked on requested charges of driving with a suspended driver’s license, no vehicle liability insurance, license plate not assigned to that vehicle, unsecured load and theft. Winston had two misdemeanor warrants through the Topeka Police Department and was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft.

Sheriff: 2 Kansas women accused in New Year's Eve burglary

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — A 23-year-old Fort Scott man has been charged with killing his mother and another man. 

The Bourbon County Prosecutor's office charged Dawson Mitchell last week with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 48-year-old Melissa Mitchell and 53-year-old Leonard Zimmerman. 

Their bodies were found at their home on Dec. 21. Dawson Mitchell was arrested the next day. Authorities have not said what prompted the shootings. Mitchell was also charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon, an aggravated weapons charge and two theft counts.

BOURBON COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Fort Scott Police Department have arrested 23-year-old Dawson J. Mitchell, the person of interest connected to the murders of Melissa Mitchell and Leonard Zimmerman, according to a media release from the KBI.

Mitchell was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of 5th&nbsp;St. and Judson St. in Fort Scott.

He is being held on requested charges of theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful possession of controlled substances. He was then booked into the Bourbon County Jail.

Currently, Mitchell has not been charged related to the murders, according to the KBI.

BOURBON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating after two victims were found shot in their Fort Scott home on Tuesday night, according to a media release from the&nbsp;Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, the Fort Scott Police Department received a 911 call from a subject who came home to find a female family member had been shot. 

When police arrived at 402 Main St. in Fort Scott, they located 48-year-old Melissa L. Mitchell who had died from a gunshot wound. They also discovered 53-year-old Leonard D. Zimmerman deceased inside the residence. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

The victims’ son, Dawson J. Mitchell, 23, of Fort Scott, is a person of interest and is wanted for questioning connected to the case. Investigators are working to locate him at this time.

If you know the whereabouts of 23-year-old Dawson J. Mitchell, you are asked to contact the Fort Scott Police Department at 620-223-1700 or the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Mitchell is expected to be armed and dangerous. Do not approach him, but immediately call police.

Mitchell is a white male, 5-foot- 7 in. tall, 160 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Mitchell was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown Carhartt-style coat and a baseball cap that is light in color in the front and dark in color in the back.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640220648047.png" alt="Mitchell following his arrest Dec. 22-photo Bourbon Co." />
 <figcaption>Mitchell following his arrest Dec. 22-photo Bourbon Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — A 23-year-old Fort Scott man has been charged with killing his mother and another man. The Bourbon County Prosecutor's office charged Dawson Mitchell last week with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 48-year-old Melissa Mitchell and 53-year-old Leonard Zimmerman. Their bodies were found at their home on Dec. 21. Dawson Mitchell was arrested the next day. Authorities have not said what prompted the shootings. Mitchell was also charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon, an aggravated weapons charge and two theft counts.---------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640191022809.png" alt="Mitchell is a white male, 5-foot- 7 in. tall, 160 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Mitchell was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown Carhartt-style coat and a baseball cap that is light in color in the front and dark in color in the back-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Mitchell is a white male, 5-foot- 7 in. tall, 160 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Mitchell was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown Carhartt-style coat and a baseball cap that is light in color in the front and dark in color in the back-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>BOURBON COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Fort Scott Police Department have arrested 23-year-old Dawson J. Mitchell, the person of interest connected to the murders of Melissa Mitchell and Leonard Zimmerman, according to a media release from the KBI.Mitchell was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of 5th&nbsp;St. and Judson St. in Fort Scott.He is being held on requested charges of theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful possession of controlled substances. He was then booked into the Bourbon County Jail.Currently, Mitchell has not been charged related to the murders, according to the KBI.------------BOURBON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating after two victims were found shot in their Fort Scott home on Tuesday night, according to a media release from the&nbsp;Kansas Bureau of Investigation.Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, the Fort Scott Police Department received a 911 call from a subject who came home to find a female family member had been shot. When police arrived at 402 Main St. in Fort Scott, they located 48-year-old Melissa L. Mitchell who had died from a gunshot wound. They also discovered 53-year-old Leonard D. Zimmerman deceased inside the residence. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640190791746.png" alt="Mitchell-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Mitchell-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>The victims’ son, Dawson J. Mitchell, 23, of Fort Scott, is a person of interest and is wanted for questioning connected to the case. Investigators are working to locate him at this time.If you know the whereabouts of 23-year-old Dawson J. Mitchell, you are asked to contact the Fort Scott Police Department at 620-223-1700 or the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Mitchell is expected to be armed and dangerous. Do not approach him, but immediately call police.Mitchell is a white male, 5-foot- 7 in. tall, 160 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Mitchell was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown Carhartt-style coat and a baseball cap that is light in color in the front and dark in color in the back.

Kansas man charged with killing his mother, another man

“It has been tough!” lament many teachers and school administrators. Before 2020, the numbers of college students pursuing K–12 teaching credentials was already falling, and shortages were growing in science, special education—and in some geographic regions—all fields of teaching. Now only the more affluent schools have been able to maintain qualified teachers.

Many teachers faced a double workload, with up to half their students in face-to-face classes while also providing “equivalent” online coursework to other students at home. Many feel overworked and exhausted from having to teach in constrained classroom conditions and with ineffective media.

Although each state uses unique assessments, most measures show student learning loss in language arts of about 40 percent; in math, 60 percent. No recognition is given to the unique traits of different disciplines. Many students advanced their reading while at home because there is a variety of interesting material available—the “Harry Potter” effect. But mathematics requires day-by-day discipline to gradually nibble more difficult math problems. Meanwhile science is meaningless without hands-on labs.

Great emphasis has been placed on social-emotional learning (SEL), ignoring that students (and the public in general) would have far less distress if they had received a far better science education. &nbsp; Education Week, the newspaper of record for K–12 education, has detailed studies showing the loss of education, as well as teacher commentaries indicating their exhaustion with double-teaching and with administrators who are not listening to them. Next to the printed research are advertisements from the Ed-Tech Industrial Complex bragging about how successful distance learning was and how the old-school Luddite teachers have now been forced to use modern technology.&nbsp; Therefore, the U.S. is likely to be one of the few places where extensive use of disastrous media will continue. &nbsp;

The massive shift to online learning has been good for the video-game business. According to the&nbsp;Washington Post, spending on video-games rose 22 percent this last year. In addition, chat platforms dedicated to gamers saw a doubling to 140 million users. Over the prior two decades, roughly 15 percent of male students have dropped out of the academic pipeline due to video-game addiction due to their greater susceptibility (only 3 percent of females are addicted). This was already contributing to the increased proportion of female students in higher education worldwide that already exceeds 60 percent. The significantly higher dropout of males from community colleges over the last two years may be one result of increased video-game addiction and may likely contribute to ongoing declines.&nbsp; As video-games become the dominant form of youth culture, academics is declining further.

Early parent protests centered around babysitting. With younger students staying home, this constrained parents going to work, and especially mothers who gave up far more jobs. The shutdown of school sports and competition likewise revealed the American obsession with sports.

K–12 school boards, normally routine non-partisan management meetings, became highly politicized events requiring police presence with occasional arrests of unruly protesters. Early disputes centered on masking requirements and COVID mitigation, but soon moved to curriculum issues concerning baseless allegations about teaching critical race theory, sex and gender education, and anything that would make their little child “uncomfortable.” Censorship of classroom and library books and media surged. Some citizens also hope the Supreme Court will permit state tax funding to go to religious schools.

Many states have seen an increase in state tax revenues. On average, half of state taxes go toward funding K–12 education. Although extra federal funding has paid for time-limited extra needs during this pandemic, few states have taken any actions to increase teacher salaries and some are looking to cut tax rates. Today, American schools have our highest number of unqualified faculty in the classroom.

The one possible good from this last year of pandemic realities has been the need for some administrators to return to the classroom as the number of teacher absences increased and exceeded&nbsp; available substitute teachers. While classes were often outside of the principal’s teaching field and added to the “babysitting” effect, many teachers reported how it did result in the administrators finally getting realistic when they found themselves in their teachers' shoes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573490075841.jpeg" alt="John Richard Schrock" />
 <figcaption>John Richard Schrock</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN RICHARD SCHROCK“It has been tough!” lament many teachers and school administrators. Before 2020, the numbers of college students pursuing K–12 teaching credentials was already falling, and shortages were growing in science, special education—and in some geographic regions—all fields of teaching. Now only the more affluent schools have been able to maintain qualified teachers. Many teachers faced a double workload, with up to half their students in face-to-face classes while also providing “equivalent” online coursework to other students at home. Many feel overworked and exhausted from having to teach in constrained classroom conditions and with ineffective media. Although each state uses unique assessments, most measures show student learning loss in language arts of about 40 percent; in math, 60 percent. No recognition is given to the unique traits of different disciplines. Many students advanced their reading while at home because there is a variety of interesting material available—the “Harry Potter” effect. But mathematics requires day-by-day discipline to gradually nibble more difficult math problems. Meanwhile science is meaningless without hands-on labs. Great emphasis has been placed on social-emotional learning (SEL), ignoring that students (and the public in general) would have far less distress if they had received a far better science education. &nbsp; Education Week, the newspaper of record for K–12 education, has detailed studies showing the loss of education, as well as teacher commentaries indicating their exhaustion with double-teaching and with administrators who are not listening to them. Next to the printed research are advertisements from the Ed-Tech Industrial Complex bragging about how successful distance learning was and how the old-school Luddite teachers have now been forced to use modern technology.&nbsp; Therefore, the U.S. is likely to be one of the few places where extensive use of disastrous media will continue. &nbsp; The massive shift to online learning has been good for the video-game business. According to the&nbsp;Washington Post, spending on video-games rose 22 percent this last year. In addition, chat platforms dedicated to gamers saw a doubling to 140 million users. Over the prior two decades, roughly 15 percent of male students have dropped out of the academic pipeline due to video-game addiction due to their greater susceptibility (only 3 percent of females are addicted). This was already contributing to the increased proportion of female students in higher education worldwide that already exceeds 60 percent. The significantly higher dropout of males from community colleges over the last two years may be one result of increased video-game addiction and may likely contribute to ongoing declines.&nbsp; As video-games become the dominant form of youth culture, academics is declining further. Early parent protests centered around babysitting. With younger students staying home, this constrained parents going to work, and especially mothers who gave up far more jobs. The shutdown of school sports and competition likewise revealed the American obsession with sports. K–12 school boards, normally routine non-partisan management meetings, became highly politicized events requiring police presence with occasional arrests of unruly protesters. Early disputes centered on masking requirements and COVID mitigation, but soon moved to curriculum issues concerning baseless allegations about teaching critical race theory, sex and gender education, and anything that would make their little child “uncomfortable.” Censorship of classroom and library books and media surged. Some citizens also hope the Supreme Court will permit state tax funding to go to religious schools. Many states have seen an increase in state tax revenues. On average, half of state taxes go toward funding K–12 education. Although extra federal funding has paid for time-limited extra needs during this pandemic, few states have taken any actions to increase teacher salaries and some are looking to cut tax rates. Today, American schools have our highest number of unqualified faculty in the classroom. The one possible good from this last year of pandemic realities has been the need for some administrators to return to the classroom as the number of teacher absences increased and exceeded&nbsp; available substitute teachers. While classes were often outside of the principal’s teaching field and added to the “babysitting” effect, many teachers reported how it did result in the administrators finally getting realistic when they found themselves in their teachers' shoes.&nbsp;&nbsp;John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

EDUCATION FRONTLINES: The year in K–12 education

Today is Monday, Jan. 3, the third day of 2022. There are 362 days left in the year. 

On Jan. 3, 1990, ousted Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega surrendered to U.S. forces, 10 days after taking refuge in the Vatican's diplomatic mission. 

In 1777, Gen. George Washington's army routed the British in the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey. 

In 1861, more than two weeks before Georgia seceded from the Union, the state militia seized Fort Pulaski at the order of Gov. Joseph E. Brown. The Delaware House and Senate voted to oppose secession from the Union.

In 1868, the Meiji Restoration re-established the authority of Japan's emperor and heralded the fall of the military rulers known as shoguns.

In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state as President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation. 

In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced the United States was formally terminating diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba. 

In 1967, Jack Ruby, the man who shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, died in a Dallas hospital. 

In 1977, Apple Computer was incorporated in Cupertino, California, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Mike Markkula, Jr.

In 2002, a judge in Alabama ruled that former Ku Klux Klansman Bobby Frank Cherry was mentally competent to stand trial on murder charges in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing that killed four black girls. (Cherry was later convicted, and served a life sentence until his death in November 2004.)

In 2007, Gerald R. Ford was laid to rest on the grounds of his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during a ceremony watched by thousands of onlookers. 

In 2008, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won Democratic caucuses in Iowa, while Mike Huckabee won the Republican caucuses. 

In 2013, students from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, reconvened at a different building in the town of Monroe about three weeks after the massacre that had claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and six educators. The new 113th Congress opened for business, with House Speaker John Boehner re-elected to his post despite a mini-revolt in Republican ranks. 

In 2020, the United States killed Iran's top general in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport; the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force, had been "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" in Iraq and elsewhere. Iran warned of retaliation.

Ten years ago: The Iowa Republican Party held its caucuses; although Mitt Romney was originally considered the winner by an extremely narrow eight-vote margin, officials later said that Rick Santorum had in fact beaten Romney by 34 votes; in the Democratic caucuses, President Barack Obama ran unopposed.

Five years ago: Ford Motor Co. canceled plans to build a new $1.6 billion factory in Mexico, and said it would invest at least some of the savings in new electric and autonomous vehicles. The national president of the NAACP and five others were arrested after staging a sit-in at the Alabama office of Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. attorney general. It was announced that Fox News star Megyn Kelly would be leaving the network to work at NBC News.

One year ago: An outpouring of current and former Republican officials warned that President Donald Trump's effort to overturn the election result was undermining Americans' faith in democracy. A bipartisan group of 10 senators issued a statement saying that the election was over, and that further efforts to cast doubt on the result were "contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people." All 10 living former secretaries of defense, writing in the Washington Post, warned against any move to involve the military in pursuing claims of election fraud, saying it would take the country into "dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory." Nancy Pelosi was narrowly reelected as speaker, giving her the reins of Democrats' slender House majority. Gerry Marsden, lead singer of the 1960s British group Gerry and the Pacemakers, died at 78.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Dabney Coleman is 90. Journalist-author Betty Rollin is 86. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull is 83. Singer-songwriter-producer Van Dyke Parks is 79. Musician Stephen Stills is 77. Rock musician John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) is 76. Actor Victoria Principal is 72. Actor-director Mel Gibson is 66. Actor Shannon Sturges is 54. Actor John Ales is 53. Jazz musician James Carter is 53. Contemporary Christian singer Nichole Nordeman is 50. Musician Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk) is 47. Actor Jason Marsden is 47. Actor Danica McKellar is 47. Actor Nicholas Gonzalez is 46. Singer Kimberley Locke (TV: "American Idol") is 44. Actor Kate Levering is 43. Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning is 41. Actor Nicole Beharie is 37. Pop musician Mark Pontius is 37. R&amp;B singer Lloyd is 36. Pop-rock musician Nash Overstreet (Hot Chelle Rae) is 36. Actor Alex D. Linz is 33.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Monday, Jan. 3, the third day of 2022. There are 362 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 3, 1990, ousted Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega surrendered to U.S. forces, 10 days after taking refuge in the Vatican's diplomatic mission. On this date: In 1777, Gen. George Washington's army routed the British in the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey. In 1861, more than two weeks before Georgia seceded from the Union, the state militia seized Fort Pulaski at the order of Gov. Joseph E. Brown. The Delaware House and Senate voted to oppose secession from the Union.In 1868, the Meiji Restoration re-established the authority of Japan's emperor and heralded the fall of the military rulers known as shoguns.In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state as President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation. In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced the United States was formally terminating diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba. In 1967, Jack Ruby, the man who shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, died in a Dallas hospital. In 1977, Apple Computer was incorporated in Cupertino, California, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Mike Markkula, Jr.In 2002, a judge in Alabama ruled that former Ku Klux Klansman Bobby Frank Cherry was mentally competent to stand trial on murder charges in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing that killed four black girls. (Cherry was later convicted, and served a life sentence until his death in November 2004.)In 2007, Gerald R. Ford was laid to rest on the grounds of his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during a ceremony watched by thousands of onlookers. In 2008, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won Democratic caucuses in Iowa, while Mike Huckabee won the Republican caucuses. In 2013, students from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, reconvened at a different building in the town of Monroe about three weeks after the massacre that had claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and six educators. The new 113th Congress opened for business, with House Speaker John Boehner re-elected to his post despite a mini-revolt in Republican ranks. In 2020, the United States killed Iran's top general in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport; the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds force, had been "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" in Iraq and elsewhere. Iran warned of retaliation.Ten years ago: The Iowa Republican Party held its caucuses; although Mitt Romney was originally considered the winner by an extremely narrow eight-vote margin, officials later said that Rick Santorum had in fact beaten Romney by 34 votes; in the Democratic caucuses, President Barack Obama ran unopposed. Five years ago: Ford Motor Co. canceled plans to build a new $1.6 billion factory in Mexico, and said it would invest at least some of the savings in new electric and autonomous vehicles. The national president of the NAACP and five others were arrested after staging a sit-in at the Alabama office of Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. attorney general. It was announced that Fox News star Megyn Kelly would be leaving the network to work at NBC News.One year ago: An outpouring of current and former Republican officials warned that President Donald Trump's effort to overturn the election result was undermining Americans' faith in democracy. A bipartisan group of 10 senators issued a statement saying that the election was over, and that further efforts to cast doubt on the result were "contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people." All 10 living former secretaries of defense, writing in the Washington Post, warned against any move to involve the military in pursuing claims of election fraud, saying it would take the country into "dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory." Nancy Pelosi was narrowly reelected as speaker, giving her the reins of Democrats' slender House majority. Gerry Marsden, lead singer of the 1960s British group Gerry and the Pacemakers, died at 78. Today's Birthdays: Actor Dabney Coleman is 90. Journalist-author Betty Rollin is 86. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull is 83. Singer-songwriter-producer Van Dyke Parks is 79. Musician Stephen Stills is 77. Rock musician John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) is 76. Actor Victoria Principal is 72. Actor-director Mel Gibson is 66. Actor Shannon Sturges is 54. Actor John Ales is 53. Jazz musician James Carter is 53. Contemporary Christian singer Nichole Nordeman is 50. Musician Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk) is 47. Actor Jason Marsden is 47. Actor Danica McKellar is 47. Actor Nicholas Gonzalez is 46. Singer Kimberley Locke (TV: "American Idol") is 44. Actor Kate Levering is 43. Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning is 41. Actor Nicole Beharie is 37. Pop musician Mark Pontius is 37. R&amp;B singer Lloyd is 36. Pop-rock musician Nash Overstreet (Hot Chelle Rae) is 36. Actor Alex D. Linz is 33.

Today in History - Jan. 3

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a car theft.

Just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, police initiated a traffic stop of a stolen car in the 700 block of SE 26th Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.

The two occupants fled from the car and entered into a home in the 700 block of SE 26th Street. Officers took an adult female and adult male into custody without incident. 

They later booked Michael Benson, 47, of Topeka, into the Shawnee County Department of on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and&nbsp;&nbsp;Felony Interference with Law Enforcement. Police released no additional details on a second arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640972835911.png" alt="Benson-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Benson-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a car theft.Just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, police initiated a traffic stop of a stolen car in the 700 block of SE 26th Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.The two occupants fled from the car and entered into a home in the 700 block of SE 26th Street. Officers took an adult female and adult male into custody without incident. They later booked Michael Benson, 47, of Topeka, into the Shawnee County Department of on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and&nbsp;&nbsp;Felony Interference with Law Enforcement. Police released no additional details on a second arrest.

Police: Car theft suspects captured after hiding in Kan. home

Pauline Meis, age 76, of Catharine, 
Kansas passed away Friday, December 31, 2021, at Redbud Village in 
Plainville, Kansas. She was born July 31, 1945, in Hays, Kansas, to 
Gerhardt and Agnes (Brown) Rohr. On June 27, 1964, she married Ernest E. 
"Ernie" Meis, in St. Catherine Catholic Church. He preceded her in death
 April 3, 2010.

Pauline attended Yocemento Elementary 
School, Ellis Grade School, Jefferson West (Kennedy) Middle School, 
graduated from Marion High in 1963 and the IBM School in Dallas, Texas.

Pauline was a homemaker and had worked 
in food service at the North McDonalds and St. John’s Nursing Home. She 
was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, St. Catherine Christian 
Mothers and Youth 4-h.

Pauline enjoyed working outdoors and 
outdoors activities. She had been Elk hunting, panned for gold and 
fished with her younger brother, Leroy, helping out at fair time, 
painting things and gardening, baking cakes for all occasions including 
birthdays and weddings, raising farm animals and traveling whenever 
possible. It was known that she loved all of God’s things except snakes.
 Pauline was extremely fond of her grandsons.

She is survived by two sons, Paul Meis 
and wife Theresa of Hays, Eddie Meis of Catharine; a daughter, Rose 
Hammersmith of Hays; a brother, Leroy Rohr and wife Kim of LaCrosse, 
Kansas and two grandsons, Karl and Jacob Meis.

She was preceded in death by her 
parents; her husband; a daughter, Paula; two infant sons; two brothers, 
Gilbert Rohr and wife Jeneice, Julius Rohr; a sister, Evelyne Hatfield 
and husband Donald; and a son-in-law, Dean Hammersmith. &nbsp;

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM 
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine, 
Kansas. Inurnment at a later date in St. Catherine Cemetery. Due to 
Covid concerns masks are encouraged.

Visitation will be Monday 4:00 PM – 
8:00 PM and Tuesday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM all Brock's-Keithley Funeral 
Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A combined parish vigil and St. Catherine Christian Mothers Rosary service will be Monday at 7:00 PM at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Checks may be made payable to Paul Meis.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641146421997.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Pauline Meis, age 76, of Catharine, 
Kansas passed away Friday, December 31, 2021, at Redbud Village in 
Plainville, Kansas. She was born July 31, 1945, in Hays, Kansas, to 
Gerhardt and Agnes (Brown) Rohr. On June 27, 1964, she married Ernest E. 
"Ernie" Meis, in St. Catherine Catholic Church. He preceded her in death
 April 3, 2010.Pauline attended Yocemento Elementary 
School, Ellis Grade School, Jefferson West (Kennedy) Middle School, 
graduated from Marion High in 1963 and the IBM School in Dallas, Texas.Pauline was a homemaker and had worked 
in food service at the North McDonalds and St. John’s Nursing Home. She 
was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, St. Catherine Christian 
Mothers and Youth 4-h.Pauline enjoyed working outdoors and 
outdoors activities. She had been Elk hunting, panned for gold and 
fished with her younger brother, Leroy, helping out at fair time, 
painting things and gardening, baking cakes for all occasions including 
birthdays and weddings, raising farm animals and traveling whenever 
possible. It was known that she loved all of God’s things except snakes.
 Pauline was extremely fond of her grandsons.She is survived by two sons, Paul Meis 
and wife Theresa of Hays, Eddie Meis of Catharine; a daughter, Rose 
Hammersmith of Hays; a brother, Leroy Rohr and wife Kim of LaCrosse, 
Kansas and two grandsons, Karl and Jacob Meis.She was preceded in death by her 
parents; her husband; a daughter, Paula; two infant sons; two brothers, 
Gilbert Rohr and wife Jeneice, Julius Rohr; a sister, Evelyne Hatfield 
and husband Donald; and a son-in-law, Dean Hammersmith. &nbsp;Funeral services will be 11:00 AM 
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine, 
Kansas. Inurnment at a later date in St. Catherine Cemetery. Due to 
Covid concerns masks are encouraged.Visitation will be Monday 4:00 PM – 
8:00 PM and Tuesday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM all Brock's-Keithley Funeral 
Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.A combined parish vigil and St. Catherine Christian Mothers Rosary service will be Monday at 7:00 PM at the funeral chapel.Memorial contributions are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Checks may be made payable to Paul Meis.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Pauline Meis

Today is Sunday, Jan. 2, the second day of 2022. There are 363 days left in the year. 

On Jan. 2, 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts launched his successful bid for the presidency. 

In 1900, U.S. Secretary of State John Hay announced the "Open Door Policy" to facilitate trade with China.

In 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 

In 1811, Sen. Timothy Pickering, a Federalist from Massachusetts, became the first member of the U.S. Senate to be censured after he'd improperly revealed the contents of an executive document. 

In 1929, the United States and Canada reached agreement on joint action to preserve Niagara Falls.

In 1942, the Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II.

In 1967, Republican Ronald Reagan took the oath of office as the new governor of California in a ceremony that took place in Sacramento shortly just after midnight. 

In 1971, 66 people were killed in a pileup of spectators leaving a soccer match at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. 

In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed legislation requiring states to limit highway speeds to 55 miles an hour as a way of conserving gasoline in the face of an OPEC oil embargo. (The 55 mph limit was effectively phased out in 1987; federal speed limits were abolished in 1995.) 

In 2007, the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford began with an elaborate service at Washington National Cathedral, then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

In 2015, California began issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who were in the country illegally. Little Jimmy Dickens, a diminutive singer-songwriter who was the oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry, died at age 94. 

In 2016, a heavily armed group led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, beginning a 41-day standoff to protest the imprisonment of two ranchers convicted of setting fires on public land and to demand the federal government turn over public lands to local control. 

In 2018, Sen. Al Franken formally resigned from the Senate a month after the Minnesota Democrat announced his plan to leave Congress amid a series of sexual misconduct allegations. NBC News announced that Hoda Kotb would be the co-anchor of the first two hours of the "Today" show, replacing Matt Lauer following his firing due to sexual misconduct allegations. 

Ten years ago: Gordon Hirabayashi, a Japanese-American sociologist who spent 90 days in jail for refusing to be interned during World War II, died in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at age 93. (Hirabayashi's conviction was overturned in 1987 by a U.S. court which concluded that the U.S. government's internment policies had been based on political expediency, and not on any risk to national security.)

Five years ago: A suicide bomber driving a pickup loaded with explosives struck a bustling market in Baghdad, killing at least 36 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group hours after French President Francois Hollande arrived in the Iraqi capital.

One year ago: President Donald Trump, in a phone call with Georgia's Republican secretary of state, pressured Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's win in the state, repeatedly citing disproven claims of fraud; in a recording of the conversation, Trump was heard raising the prospect of a "criminal offense" if officials did not change the vote count. Joining Trump's effort to overturn the election, eleven Republican senators and senators-elect said they would vote against certain state electors on Jan. 6 unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the results. International inspectors said Iran planned to enrich uranium up to 20% at an underground nuclear facility; Iran's program would then be a technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Paul Westphal, a Hall of Fame basketball player who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later coached in the league and in college, died in Arizona at the age of 70.

Today's Birthdays: Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is 80. TV host Jack Hanna is 75. Actor Wendy Phillips is 70. Actor Cynthia Sikes is 68. Actor Gabrielle Carteris is 61. Movie director Todd Haynes is 61. Retired MLB All-Star pitcher David Cone is 59. Baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez is 59. Actor Tia Carrere is 55. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. is 54. Model Christy Turlington is 53. Actor Taye Diggs is 51. Actor Renée Elise Goldsberry is 51. Rock singer Doug Robb (Hoobastank) is 47. Actor Dax Shepard is 47. Actor Paz Vega is 46. Ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff (TV: "Dancing with the Stars") is 44. Rock musician Jerry DePizzo Jr. (O.A.R.) is 43. R&amp;B singer Kelton Kessee (IMX) is 41. Pop singer-musician Ryan Merchant (Capital Cities) is 41. Actor Kate Bosworth is 39. Actor Anthony Carrigan is 39. Actor Peter Gadiot is 37. Jazz singer-musician Trombone Shorty is 36. Singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey (TV: "America's Got Talent") is 34. R&amp;B singer-rapper Bryson Tiller is 29. San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr. is 23.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, Jan. 2, the second day of 2022. There are 363 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 2, 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts launched his successful bid for the presidency. On this date: In 1900, U.S. Secretary of State John Hay announced the "Open Door Policy" to facilitate trade with China.In 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1811, Sen. Timothy Pickering, a Federalist from Massachusetts, became the first member of the U.S. Senate to be censured after he'd improperly revealed the contents of an executive document. In 1929, the United States and Canada reached agreement on joint action to preserve Niagara Falls.In 1942, the Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II.In 1967, Republican Ronald Reagan took the oath of office as the new governor of California in a ceremony that took place in Sacramento shortly just after midnight. In 1971, 66 people were killed in a pileup of spectators leaving a soccer match at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed legislation requiring states to limit highway speeds to 55 miles an hour as a way of conserving gasoline in the face of an OPEC oil embargo. (The 55 mph limit was effectively phased out in 1987; federal speed limits were abolished in 1995.) In 2007, the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford began with an elaborate service at Washington National Cathedral, then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2015, California began issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who were in the country illegally. Little Jimmy Dickens, a diminutive singer-songwriter who was the oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry, died at age 94. In 2016, a heavily armed group led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, beginning a 41-day standoff to protest the imprisonment of two ranchers convicted of setting fires on public land and to demand the federal government turn over public lands to local control. In 2018, Sen. Al Franken formally resigned from the Senate a month after the Minnesota Democrat announced his plan to leave Congress amid a series of sexual misconduct allegations. NBC News announced that Hoda Kotb would be the co-anchor of the first two hours of the "Today" show, replacing Matt Lauer following his firing due to sexual misconduct allegations. Ten years ago: Gordon Hirabayashi, a Japanese-American sociologist who spent 90 days in jail for refusing to be interned during World War II, died in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at age 93. (Hirabayashi's conviction was overturned in 1987 by a U.S. court which concluded that the U.S. government's internment policies had been based on political expediency, and not on any risk to national security.) Five years ago: A suicide bomber driving a pickup loaded with explosives struck a bustling market in Baghdad, killing at least 36 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group hours after French President Francois Hollande arrived in the Iraqi capital. One year ago: President Donald Trump, in a phone call with Georgia's Republican secretary of state, pressured Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's win in the state, repeatedly citing disproven claims of fraud; in a recording of the conversation, Trump was heard raising the prospect of a "criminal offense" if officials did not change the vote count. Joining Trump's effort to overturn the election, eleven Republican senators and senators-elect said they would vote against certain state electors on Jan. 6 unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the results. International inspectors said Iran planned to enrich uranium up to 20% at an underground nuclear facility; Iran's program would then be a technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Paul Westphal, a Hall of Fame basketball player who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later coached in the league and in college, died in Arizona at the age of 70. Today's Birthdays: Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is 80. TV host Jack Hanna is 75. Actor Wendy Phillips is 70. Actor Cynthia Sikes is 68. Actor Gabrielle Carteris is 61. Movie director Todd Haynes is 61. Retired MLB All-Star pitcher David Cone is 59. Baseball Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez is 59. Actor Tia Carrere is 55. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. is 54. Model Christy Turlington is 53. Actor Taye Diggs is 51. Actor Renée Elise Goldsberry is 51. Rock singer Doug Robb (Hoobastank) is 47. Actor Dax Shepard is 47. Actor Paz Vega is 46. Ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff (TV: "Dancing with the Stars") is 44. Rock musician Jerry DePizzo Jr. (O.A.R.) is 43. R&amp;B singer Kelton Kessee (IMX) is 41. Pop singer-musician Ryan Merchant (Capital Cities) is 41. Actor Kate Bosworth is 39. Actor Anthony Carrigan is 39. Actor Peter Gadiot is 37. Jazz singer-musician Trombone Shorty is 36. Singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey (TV: "America's Got Talent") is 34. R&amp;B singer-rapper Bryson Tiller is 29. San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr. is 23.

Today in History - Jan. 2

By RON WILSON Kansas State University

A crew from the Guinness Book of World Records is recording a video of a new world record holder. And where do you suppose this world record holder is found? Would you believe, in rural Kansas?&nbsp;

Today we’ll meet a family which is producing longhorn cattle that are setting global records.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joe Sedlacek is the owner of Lazy J Longhorns near Greenleaf, Kan. He was born in the nearby rural community of Frankfort, population 726 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Joe grew up around cattle as his father ran an Angus cowherd. But Joe became interested in another kind of cattle: Texas longhorns.&nbsp;

“I was always fascinated with longhorns,” Joe said. “I’d watch every old western just to catch a glimpse of a longhorn. If we were traveling and happened to see a longhorn, we’d have to stop and take a picture.”&nbsp;

In August, 1996 when Joe was 15, he bought three longhorns as a hobby. “By Christmas of that year, I had 50 head,” Joe said. That is definitely a hobby that grew. After graduation, Joe did accounting work to keep books for several companies while growing his longhorn herd.&nbsp;

“Those book-keeping skills would come in handy (for the longhorn business) because you have to track a lot of data and measurements,” Joe said. In 2005, he married Stephanie who had grown up in nearby Hanover. They bought ground and built a home near Greenleaf.&nbsp;

“I figured this could be a viable business if I could devote myself to it full-time,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2008, he left another job to concentrate on his registered Texas Longhorn cattle breeding business. He called it Lazy J Longhorns.&nbsp;

Today, Lazy J Longhorns has approximately 150 head of longhorns. Lazy J sells longhorn bulls, cows, steers and heifers as well as a specially designed working chute.&nbsp;

The longhorn breed has rich history. After the Civil War, these hardy animals were running free in Texas, yet there was high demand for beef in the eastern markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Entrepreneurial Texans gathered those longhorn cattle and drove them north to railroads in Kansas where they could be shipped to markets in the east. Of necessity, those animals learned to survive and raise calves in harsh wilderness conditions. Those traits of hardiness and mothering ability remain with the breed today.&nbsp;

The greatest fascination is with the huge horns that grow naturally on the heads of both males and females. Breeders are continually seeking to raise cattle with longer horns.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America even conducts an annual Horn Showcase and sale with prizes for the animals with the longest horns.&nbsp;

“Buyers want the big horns. If an animal has distinctive color and good disposition, that adds to the value even more,” Joe said.&nbsp;

One year, Joe’s herd raised a blue roan colored steer that he named Lazy J’s Bluegrass.&nbsp;&nbsp;The steer grew to have horns that were 10 feet 2 inches long, a world record at the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, Lazy J’s Bluegrass won the world record three years in a row.&nbsp;

Not only did the longhorn set the world record in the Guinness Book of World Records, he was chosen to be one of only 10 world record holders for which Guinness sent a video crew to record his story.&nbsp;

Lazy J’s Bluegrass became quite the celebrity. Joe brought him to Fort Worth for the annual longhorn sale and posted a video of Bluegrass walking into his pen on Wednesday evening. By the time of the sale on the following Friday night, the video had reached 4 million hits. On that night, Lazy J’s Bluegrass sold for a record $48,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The horn race is definitely on,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lazyjlonghorns.com/" target="_blank">www.lazyjlonghorns.com</a>.&nbsp;

A video crew came to Kansas and recorded footage of Lazy J’s Bluegrass, the world record-setting longhorn steer. We commend Joe and Stephanie Sedlacek for making a difference with their commitment to this unique breed. The legacy of these cattle is truly long.&nbsp;

And there’s more. Remember the specially designed working chute? We’ll learn about that next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623560862487.jpeg" alt="Ron Wilson. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Ron Wilson. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Kansas State UniversityA crew from the Guinness Book of World Records is recording a video of a new world record holder. And where do you suppose this world record holder is found? Would you believe, in rural Kansas?&nbsp;Today we’ll meet a family which is producing longhorn cattle that are setting global records.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joe Sedlacek is the owner of Lazy J Longhorns near Greenleaf, Kan. He was born in the nearby rural community of Frankfort, population 726 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Joe grew up around cattle as his father ran an Angus cowherd. But Joe became interested in another kind of cattle: Texas longhorns.&nbsp;“I was always fascinated with longhorns,” Joe said. “I’d watch every old western just to catch a glimpse of a longhorn. If we were traveling and happened to see a longhorn, we’d have to stop and take a picture.”&nbsp;In August, 1996 when Joe was 15, he bought three longhorns as a hobby. “By Christmas of that year, I had 50 head,” Joe said. That is definitely a hobby that grew. After graduation, Joe did accounting work to keep books for several companies while growing his longhorn herd.&nbsp;“Those book-keeping skills would come in handy (for the longhorn business) because you have to track a lot of data and measurements,” Joe said. In 2005, he married Stephanie who had grown up in nearby Hanover. They bought ground and built a home near Greenleaf.&nbsp;“I figured this could be a viable business if I could devote myself to it full-time,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2008, he left another job to concentrate on his registered Texas Longhorn cattle breeding business. He called it Lazy J Longhorns.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641093739748.jpeg" alt="One of the Lazy J longhorns. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>One of the Lazy J longhorns. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>Today, Lazy J Longhorns has approximately 150 head of longhorns. Lazy J sells longhorn bulls, cows, steers and heifers as well as a specially designed working chute.&nbsp;The longhorn breed has rich history. After the Civil War, these hardy animals were running free in Texas, yet there was high demand for beef in the eastern markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Entrepreneurial Texans gathered those longhorn cattle and drove them north to railroads in Kansas where they could be shipped to markets in the east. Of necessity, those animals learned to survive and raise calves in harsh wilderness conditions. Those traits of hardiness and mothering ability remain with the breed today.&nbsp;The greatest fascination is with the huge horns that grow naturally on the heads of both males and females. Breeders are continually seeking to raise cattle with longer horns.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America even conducts an annual Horn Showcase and sale with prizes for the animals with the longest horns.&nbsp;“Buyers want the big horns. If an animal has distinctive color and good disposition, that adds to the value even more,” Joe said.&nbsp;One year, Joe’s herd raised a blue roan colored steer that he named Lazy J’s Bluegrass.&nbsp;&nbsp;The steer grew to have horns that were 10 feet 2 inches long, a world record at the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, Lazy J’s Bluegrass won the world record three years in a row.&nbsp;Not only did the longhorn set the world record in the Guinness Book of World Records, he was chosen to be one of only 10 world record holders for which Guinness sent a video crew to record his story.&nbsp;Lazy J’s Bluegrass became quite the celebrity. Joe brought him to Fort Worth for the annual longhorn sale and posted a video of Bluegrass walking into his pen on Wednesday evening. By the time of the sale on the following Friday night, the video had reached 4 million hits. On that night, Lazy J’s Bluegrass sold for a record $48,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The horn race is definitely on,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lazyjlonghorns.com/" target="_blank">www.lazyjlonghorns.com</a>.&nbsp;A video crew came to Kansas and recorded footage of Lazy J’s Bluegrass, the world record-setting longhorn steer. We commend Joe and Stephanie Sedlacek for making a difference with their commitment to this unique breed. The legacy of these cattle is truly long.&nbsp;And there’s more. Remember the specially designed working chute? We’ll learn about that next week.

NOW THAT'S RURAL: Joe Sedlacek, Lazy J Longhorns

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged burglary and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Odell Street in Great Bend reference to a subject breaking into a garage, according to a media release. Officers were advised the suspect, later identified as Trenton Stueder, age 21, was running from the area.&nbsp; Officers were able to locate him and began questioning him in reference to the burglary.&nbsp; After providing officers with a fake name, officers obtained evidence from the burglary on Stueder’s person and&nbsp;in the area.&nbsp; Stueder was placed under arrest&nbsp;and booked into the Barton County Jail.

On Dec. 29, officers obtained information that there was possibly additional stolen property inside a residence Stueder had been staying at in the area. Officers and detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, located in the 2500 block of 12th&nbsp;Street. Inside the residence, officers located previously reported stolen&nbsp;property, which was subsequently returned to the owners. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640897663765.png" alt="Stueder photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Stueder photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged burglary and have a suspect in custody.Just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Odell Street in Great Bend reference to a subject breaking into a garage, according to a media release. Officers were advised the suspect, later identified as Trenton Stueder, age 21, was running from the area.&nbsp; Officers were able to locate him and began questioning him in reference to the burglary.&nbsp; After providing officers with a fake name, officers obtained evidence from the burglary on Stueder’s person and&nbsp;in the area.&nbsp; Stueder was placed under arrest&nbsp;and booked into the Barton County Jail.On Dec. 29, officers obtained information that there was possibly additional stolen property inside a residence Stueder had been staying at in the area. Officers and detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, located in the 2500 block of 12th&nbsp;Street. Inside the residence, officers located previously reported stolen&nbsp;property, which was subsequently returned to the owners. &nbsp;

Kansas man gave officers fake name during burglary arrest

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary.

On Thursday morning, police were dispatched to the 300 block of SE 21st Street in Topeka on the citizen report of an overnight burglary to a business captured on video, according to Lt. Shane Hilton.

Officers, going off of the suspect vehicle description,&nbsp;located the vehicle behind another business on SW Topeka Boulevard. The occupant identified as&nbsp;Curtis Callarman, 43, of Topeka, was questioned and taken into custody without incident.

Callarman, 43, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, according to Hilton.

In October, police arrested Callarman in the 3800 block of SW Topeka Blvd. in connection with Burglary and Theft from businesses in the Topeka area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640894137857.png" alt="Callarman photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Callarman photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary.On Thursday morning, police were dispatched to the 300 block of SE 21st Street in Topeka on the citizen report of an overnight burglary to a business captured on video, according to Lt. Shane Hilton.Officers, going off of the suspect vehicle description,&nbsp;located the vehicle behind another business on SW Topeka Boulevard. The occupant identified as&nbsp;Curtis Callarman, 43, of Topeka, was questioned and taken into custody without incident.Callarman, 43, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, according to Hilton.In October, police arrested Callarman in the 3800 block of SW Topeka Blvd. in connection with Burglary and Theft from businesses in the Topeka area.

Police use video of Kan. business burglary to track down suspect

Today is Saturday, Jan. 1, the first day of 2022. There are 364 days left in the year. 

On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves in rebel states shall be "forever free." 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Jan. 1, the first day of 2022. There are 364 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves in rebel states shall be "forever free." On this date: In 1892, the Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York formally opened. In 1942, the Rose Bowl was played in Durham, North Carolina, because of security concerns in the wake of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor; Oregon State defeated Duke, 20-16.In 1953, country singer Hank Williams Sr., 29, was discovered dead in the back seat of his car during a stop in Oak Hill, West Virginia, while he was being driven to a concert date in Canton, Ohio. In 1954, NBC broadcast the first coast-to-coast color TV program as it presented live coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In 1959, Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries overthrew Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista, who fled to the Dominican Republic. In 1975, a jury in Washington found Nixon administration officials John N. Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman and Robert C. Mardian guilty of charges related to the Watergate cover-up (Mardian's conviction for conspiracy was later overturned on appeal). In 1979, the United States and China held celebrations in Washington and Beijing to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1984, the breakup of AT&amp;T took place as the telecommunications giant was divested of its 22 Bell System companies under terms of an antitrust agreement. In 1985, the music cable channel VH-1 made its debut with a video of Marvin Gaye performing "The Star-Spangled Banner."In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two new countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2006, President George W. Bush strongly defended his domestic spying program, calling it legal as well as vital to thwarting terrorist attacks. The Medicare prescription drug plan went into effect.In 2014, the nation's first legal recreational pot shops opened in Colorado at 8 a.m. Mountain time. Ten years ago: A second NASA probe braked into orbit around the moon, a day after its twin probe executed the same maneuver; it was part of the latest mission to understand how Earth's closest neighbor formed.Five years ago: Antonio Guterres took the reins of the United Nations as its new secretary-general. A gunman killed 39 New Year's revelers at a crowded nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, in an attack claimed by Islamic State. At least 57 inmates were killed in a prison riot in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas. One year ago: The number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases surpassed 20 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. At a rare New Year's Day session, Senate Republicans rejected President Donald Trump's demand for $2,000 COVID-19 aid checks. The Senate overrode Trump's veto of a defense policy bill after an earlier House vote to override; it was the first time Congress had overridden a Trump veto, and it came just weeks before he was to leave the White House. Floyd Little, the versatile running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, died at his Nevada home at 78 after a long bout with cancer. Top-ranked Alabama beat Notre Dame 31-14 in the Rose Bowl, and No. 3 Ohio State beat Clemson 49-28 to reach the national championship game.Today's Birthdays: Documentary maker Frederick Wiseman is 92. Actor Frank Langella is 84. Rock singer-musician Country Joe McDonald is 80. Writer-comedian Don Novello is 79. Actor Rick Hurst is 76. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., is 68. The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, is 66. Rapper Grandmaster Flash is 64. Actor Renn Woods is 64. Actor Dedee Pfeiffer is 58. Country singer Brian Flynn (Flynnville Train) is 56. Actor Morris Chestnut is 53. R&amp;B singer Tank is 46. Model Elin Nordegren is 42. Actor Jonas Armstrong is 41. Actor Eden Riegel is 41. Olympic gold medal ice dancer Meryl Davis is 35. Rock musician Noah Sierota (Echosmith) is 26.