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In Kansas, Moderate Republicans Could Face Tight Statehouse Races

Most of the attention this election season has focused on the big Kansas state races — the governor’s seat and U.S. Senate. The latest polls put…

Governor's Office Declines To Support Early Childhood Grant

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is not ready to support the Kansas Children’s Cabinet’s attempt to win a federal grant aimed at bolstering early childhood…

Solar sponge: The top layer of graphite soaks up the sun's energy in tiny holes. When drops of liquid fill the holes, the water quickly evaporates. (The beaker looks hot, but the water below the sponge is cool as a cucumber.)

Cheap Drinking Water From The Sun, Aided By A Pop Of Pencil Shavings

Engineers have developed a low-cost material that efficiently sterilizes and desalinates water using only solar energy. The secret to the new technology is likely sitting right on your desk.

Farms outside Baghdad as seen from a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter. Much of Iraq's soil has a high salt content because of flooding and poor drainage.

Who Should Pay To Fix The World's Salt-Damaged Soils?

The area of land no longer suitable for farming because of salt degradation is rising quickly. Scientists argue the private sector should help fund efforts to reverse it since it relies on the crops.

NTSB: D.C. Metro Incident Highlights Need To Improve Transit Safety

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a subway train incident in Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon that left one person dead and sent dozens of passengers to local hospitals. On Tuesday, the NTSB also announced its so-called "Most Wanted List" of safety fixes for this year.

Frida Kahlo's passion for food was evident in her many still lifes of fruit, like this painting entitled "The Bride Frightened at Seeing Life Opened." She was also known for her raucous dinner parties in Mexico City.

A Detroit Opera Celebrates Frida Kahlo's Life And Cooking

The Michigan Opera Theater is mounting a production in March of Frida. The city's Mexican restaurants are getting involved by honoring the Mexican artist's recipes and cooking with special menus.

Adam Namm (left) is the U.S. ambassador to Ecuador and a member of Samay Blues Band. He performs regularly with the group and says its a way to breakaway from traditional diplomacy.

Singing The Blues, A U.S. Envoy Hopes To Boost Ties With Ecuador

In South America, left-wing governments hostile to the U.S. are tossing out diplomats or shunning them entirely. In Ecuador, U.S. Ambassador Adam Namm is using music to do something about it.

Lina Ejeilat helped found the Jordanian online magazine <em>7iber </em>(pronounced 'Hebber'). While the government encourages free expression in principle, many strict regulations remain, as noted by the satirical chart next to her.

Jordan's Fuzzy Definition Of Free Speech

The government says free expression can combat radicalization. Yet a military court recently sentenced a man to 18 months in prison for a Facebook post deemed insulting to the United Arab Emirates.

Mae West is said to have worn these super platform shoes both on screen and off.

Gold-Plated Gowns And 8-inch Pumps: The Stuff That Made Starlets Shimmer

Actress Mae West was petite, but on screen — thanks to a pair of platform shoes — she looked larger than life. A show in Boston examines the fashion and jewelry of Hollywood's golden age.

World Cup Sparks More Interest In U.S. Soccer

All through the World Cup, Kansas City has been a terrific place to watch a match. Interest in soccer has exploded there, stoked by the rise of the city's professional soccer team.

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