Front Page

Giving kids something to hold: Kansas girls’ blanket project wins national recognition

Sseven girls from Heartland Elementary School in the Blue Valley School District, now mostly middle-schoolers at Harmony or Aubry Bend, for a few years had been competing in an international problem-solving educational program, Odyssey of the Mind. This time around, however, they decided to take on a side challenge — Odyssey Angels — and create a real-world project to help people in their own community.

Ball Star

Royals fan races onto field and (momentarily) eludes capture with fancy footwork

Check out this video of a fan dashing onto the field at Kauffman Stadium during the Royals’ 5-4 loss to the Angels on Thursday night. He eludes a police officer with a slide across the pitcher’s mound and steals the rosin bag. He ran off, but eventually was caught.

Community Faces

Blue Star Awards Ceremony

Nominees for best in high school musical theater from schools around the area walked the red carpet Thursday evening at Starlight Theater. Taylor Louderman, Broadway actress who is scheduled to star in “Footloose” at Starlight in August, was guest award presenter.

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Editor's Picks

Front Page

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys

The Boy Scouts of America threw open its ranks Thursday to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders — a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors. Of the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA's National Council who cast ballots, 61 percent supported the proposal. The policy change takes effect Jan. 1.

Chiefs

Husain Abdullah, who gave up football to take Muslim pilgrimage, is back in NFL with the Chiefs

New Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah, a practicing Muslim, elected not to return to the Minnesota Vikings last season and instead took his wife, parents and two older brothers on a monthlong pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia last October. “To get back out here and to have a second chance, not a lot of people get one,” Abdullah said. “So this is a blessing.”

MOVIE REVIEW

‘Epic’ isn’t epic, but it is gorgeous | 3 stars

The action sequences are frequent and exceptional, from zooming aerial battles to comedic chases involving Bomba’s three-legged pet pug. It’s also one of the year’s most visually distinctive movies. All this is thrilling enough to divert viewers from the formulaic elements.

Business

Sprint suitor addresses cybersecurity concerns

SoftBank Corp. has agreed to appoint a U.S. government-approved “security director” to the wireless phone company’s board to address national security concerns. It made the unusual commitment to several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, as it presses for federal approval of its agreement to buy 70 percent of Sprint for $20.1 billion.

Stargazing

Two Minnesota cities could be rivals for Bob Dylan museum

If the "Blood on the Tracks Express" train ride or the "Hard Rain in Duluth" benefit concert hasn't made you rush to the North Country this week for Bob Dylan's 72nd birthday, at least give Hibbing and Duluth credit for finally getting excited about their most famous native son.

Chow Town

National foodie website picks Oklahoma Joe’s ribs as 'America’s Best'

Oklahoma Joe’s is smoking out its barbecue competition: The local joint’s ribs were just named America’s Best by The Daily Meal. “In a city renowned for its pork ribs, the ones at Oklahoma Joe’s are simply the best,” proclaims the national foodie website, which gushes about the ribs’ “deeply burnished shade of red” and “picture-postcard-perfect” looks. Do you agree? Vote in our poll for your favorite KC ribs.

Campus Corner

With Andrew Wiggins and Tarik Black, what’s up for KU hoops?

In the aftermath of an NCAA Tournament meltdown, and the loss of five starters from a Sweet 16 team, KU basketball coach Bill Self added the final pieces to what could be considered his finest recruiting class in Lawrence. Here’s what Andrew Wiggins, Tarik Black and the rest of the class bring to the Jayhawks and a stab at a starting lineup for next season.