LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas has a $2.1 million contract to study the lesser prairie chicken.

The university will work with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to track the federally threatened species in hopes of conserving the birds’ habitat.

A conservation plan by the association calls for voluntary cooperation from industries in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Kansas.

Kansas has the largest prairie chicken population of those states.

The Kansas Biological Survey of the university for five years will monitor the location and costs of projects that impact the animal’s habitat.

The plan is to encourage industries to build in clusters rather than spreading over a lot of territory.

Kansas Biological Survey research associate Mike Houts says fewer prairie chickens means changes to shortgrass and shrubland habitats.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A collapse in oil prices won’t derail the railroads’ profit engine even if it does slow the tremendous growth in crude shipments seen in recent years.

Railroads went from hauling 9,500 carloads of crude oil in 2008 to 435,560 last year as production boomed. Investors have naturally become jittery as crude prices have been more than halved since the summer.

But even with that surge, crude oil shipments still make up less than 2 percent of all carloads that major U.S. railroads deliver.

Edward Jones analyst Logan Purk says the importance of oil shipments for railroads is overrated.

What’s more, cheaper oil means lower fuel costs for railroads and it provides a boost to the economy, which means more shipments of other freight.

MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press
DAVID KLEPPER, Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Mario Cuomo, a son of Italian immigrants who became an eloquent spokesman for a generation of liberal Democrats during his three terms as New York governor, has died. He was 82.

The governor’s office said Cuomo died Thursday, the day his son Andrew started his second term as governor of the state.

He died from heart failure at his home with his family by his side, according to a statement.

Cuomo loomed large in New York politics as governor from 1983 through 1994. He became nationally celebrated for his ability to weave the story of his humble upbringing with ringing calls for social justice.

But he was also well known for the presidential races he stayed out of in 1988 and 1992.

Neodesha – A Kansas teen was injured in a accident just before 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Toyota Tacoma driven by Klowie Ware, 18, Chanute, was west bound on U.S. 400 one mile east of Neodesha.

The vehicle slid on ice on a bridge. The vehicle slid across the road, hit a guardrail and rolled.
Ware was transported to Wilson County Hospital.

The KHP reported she was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is recalling 92,221 full-size trucks and SUVs for a defect in ignition lock systems that can cause safety problems in hot conditions.

Thursday’s recall covers certain 2011-2012-models and certain 2007-2014-models that were repaired with defective parts. The recall is for U.S., Canadian, Mexican and exported vehicles.

The affected models re Chevrolet Silverado light-duty and heavy-duty pickups; Avalanche, Tahoe and Suburban; GMC Sierra light duty and heavy-duty pickups; and Yukon and Yukon XL; Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT.

GM says the ignition lock actuators may be too wide, making turning the key difficult when it’s hot inside the cab. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Last year, GM recalled 2.6 million small cars for defective ignition switches, linked to at least 42 deaths and 58 injuries.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man is facing charges for allegedly shooting at vehicles on New Year’s Eve.

Authorities say 51-year-old Cory Huff was in his vehicle, shooting at other vehicles heading north on U.S. 75 near the 94th Street intersection Wednesday afternoon.

The motive wasn’t clear and no injuries have been reported. Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says Huff was arrested later Wednesday. He is being held at the Jackson County jail.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Democratic Party’s chairwoman says she’s not seeking a third, two-year term in the job and is looking for a successor.

Joan Wagnon said Wednesday that she always intended to serve only four years as the state Democratic Party’s top leader. She was elected to the job in 2011.

The party’s leaders faced criticism from some Democratic activists after Republicans swept all statewide and congressional races in November’s election.

Wagnon’s replacement will be chosen by the party’s State Committee during a March 7 meeting in Topeka. It is part of the annual Washington Days convention.

Wagnon was Kansas revenue secretary from 2003 through 2010 and served as Topeka’s mayor from 1997 to 2001. She served in the Kansas House from 1983 through 1994.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison for killing his girlfriend.

The Topeka Capital-Journal  reports that the sentence for 23-year-old Trevor William Adkins was handed down Wednesday. He pleaded guilty in November to intentional second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Lacie Atchison.

Atchison’s body was found at the top of a wheelchair ramp outside their home in September. She had been stabbed 50 times.

Officers were called after neighbors reported seeing a naked man fighting with another man in the neighborhood. The couple’s young daughter was inside the home but was not hurt.

Adkins told police he was on a “bad trip” after consuming methamphetamine and other drugs.

Adkins was originally charged with first-degree murder before reaching a plea deal with prosecutors.