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Top Of The Morning News: Monday, December 19, 2011

Aisha Khan disappeared Friday, December 16 from the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Aisha Khan disappeared Friday, December 16 from the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
  • Family Offers $10,000 Reward In Search For College Student
  • Low Unemployment Ends Extended Unemployment Program In Kansas
  • Students May Find It Difficult To Transfer To Accredited Districts
  • Ag Takes A Back  Seat In Iowa

Family Offers $10,000 Reward In Search For College Student

Relatives of a woman missing since Friday say Aisha Khan told them before she disappeared that she had slapped a drunken stranger who was harassing her.    The 19-year-old Johnson County Community College student phoned and texted relatives shortly before 11 Friday morning to tell them about the intoxicated man. Her book bag and cell phone were later found on a picnic table near the University of Kansas Edwards Campus library, where she had been studying for finals.  She is described as 5-foot-2, 120 pounds with dark hair and brown eyes.  Read morehere.

Low Unemployment To End Extended Unemployment Program In Kansas

Around 1,500 Kansas households will lose federal unemployment benefits next month. The Kansas Department of Labor says the state will no longer qualify for an extended benefits program. It offers 13 weeks of unemployment benefits for people who have exhausted all other state and federal unemployment programs.  Read more from the Kansas City Star.

Students May Find It Difficult To Transfer To Accredited Districts

Kansas City, Missouri students could have a tough time taking advantage of a state law that allows them to transfer from unaccredited to accredited schools.    Three surrounding districts said Kansas City District isn't offering enough money to compensate for transferring students.   That sets up a dispute that may not be resolved by January 1st, when the Kansas City district gives up accreditation and transfers are allowed to begin.   Neighboring districts have heard from dozens of families who want to transfer.    But with the amount the Kansas City district wants to pay, and because it wants to make the payments in monthly installments, the districts say something has to change before they'll accept Kansas City's transfers.  Read more here.

Also,  Sylvia Maria Gross reports on the Kansas City Public Schools policy here.

Ag Takes A Back  Seat In Iowa

Presidential politics are in full flare in Iowa, as evidenced by the wave of dueling TV ads, and Republican candidate appearances at local businesses and churches. But leading up to the state’s Jan. 3 caucuses, the contenders have been fairly silent on farm, food and fuel issues.  And that's even with a looming farm bill yet to be written and federal ethanol supports set to expire in several weeks.  Harvest Public Media has more here.

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