MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Christmas Day is past but another Yuletide tradition continues: cleaning up the needles that are falling off your Christmas tree.

Scientists are working to help by finding trees that hang on to their needles. Even within a given species, some trees do better than others. That trait is inherited. Researchers are working to find top-performing trees so their seed can be used for future generations.

Beyond that, scientists are looking for genetic markers of good needle retention, which might help breed better trees.

For now, experts say the best thing you can do to hold down that needle shedding is to keep your tree well-watered.

TOPEKA–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will begin surveying farmland owners to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership. Landowners will begin receiving forms for the survey, called Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL), by the end of December.

“The recent Census of Agriculture counted more than 23.5 million acres of land that were rented or leased in Kansas, but it has been more than a decade since we spoke to landowners themselves,” said Dean Groskurth, Northern Plains Regional Director. “I hope all who receive TOTAL surveys will respond to help update landownership information. The data will ensure that
all decisions impacting Kansas farmland is based on accurate information that comes directly from the source.”

TOTAL is a part of the Census of Agriculture program, which means response to this survey is mandatory. The TOTAL survey program will collect data from both farm operators and landlords who are not farm operators to create a complete picture of farm costs, land ownership, demographics about farm operators and landlords, and improvements made to farmland and
buildings, among other characteristics. More than 80,000 farmland owners and producers across the United States will receive TOTAL forms, including 3,900 in Kansas. “This survey is lengthy and we realize some producers and landowners may have questions or need clarification,” explained Groskurth. “In February, our interviewers will begin reaching out
to those producers and landowners who have not yet responded to answer any questions they may have and help them fill out their questionnaires.”

In addition to accurate data, NASS is strongly committed to confidentiality. Information provided by respondents is confidential by law. The agency safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

NASS will publish results of the TOTAL survey in its Quick Stats database in August 2015. NASS will also publish the economic data gathered in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on August 4, 2015.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A recent audit of Kansas’ rural telephone service program has found that it is generally well-run and efficient, but it also suggests that lawmakers consider the types of services taxpayers are now subsidizing.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the audit was conducted of the Kansas Universal Service Fund which was established in 1995. The audit notes that taxpayers currently subsidize broadband data and other unregulated services.

Sen. Marci Francisco, a Lawrence Democrat, says broadband service today can include services similar to cable TV delivered through a phone line.

The Kansas Legislature’s Telecommunications Study Committee hired the private firm QSI Consulting Inc. to conduct the audit, and make recommendations to lawmakers.

NEW YORK (AP) — There aren’t many people who are still waiting for the gifts that were supposed to arrive by Christmas.

FedEx and UPS were able to improve their performance this holiday season, after failing to deliver some presents in time for Christmas last year. According to a shipment tracker, ShipMatrix, FedEx delivered more than 99 percent of express packages as promised on December 22nd and 23rd. UPS also hit the 99 percent mark.

There are no numbers yet for Christmas Eve deliveries.

Last year, some packages didn’t make it on time. The tracking company says the success rate was in the “low 90s” a year ago.

The delays last year were blamed on a mix of bad weather and overloaded systems, with more people shopping online. To avoid similar headaches this year, FedEx and UPS invested in improving their systems. They also increased the number of seasonal workers they hired.

KANSAS CITY (AP) – New data shows teachers in Missouri’s poorest and most rural schools are less experienced and earn lower salaries than elsewhere in the state.

The data is part of a draft report that Missouri is submitting to the U.S. Education Department amid a federal push to ensure that the least experienced people aren’t disproportionately teaching the neediest students.

Assistant commissioner Paul Katnik says the state’s next step is to work with educators and administrators in the field to analyze the data and come up with strategies for addressing the situation.

He says the challenge is recruiting teachers to the places where they are most needed and retaining them.

The Education Department is asking states to develop plans to make sure every student has an effective teacher.

COLUMBIA- A Missouri man died in an accident just after 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Boone County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Gregory A. Anderson, 29, Columbia, walked into the southbound lanes of U.S. 63 at Highway 763.

A 2003 Dodge Caravan driven by Royalin S. Carlson, 33, Moberly, hit him.

Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s office. Carlson was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Charitable groups in Kansas City, Missouri, are being asked not to feed the homeless near parks or schools, over concerns that doing so could violate a state law restricting where sex offenders are allowed to be.

The Kansas City Star reports that police discovered a homeless camp in November on the city’s West Side. City spokesman Chris Hernandez says five registered sex offenders were living in a wooded area within 500 feet of a park and 1,000 feet of two elementary schools. State law aimed at protecting children prohibits sex offenders in those areas.

Police found that food was being delivered within the restricted area. State law that addresses the issue of knowingly aiding a sex offender means that those who provide the meals could be cited.