Kansas officials will receive an overview this week of the latest draft of new science standards for public schools being developed by a national consortium.

The 10-member State Board of Education will receive copies of the standards on Tuesday from Matt Krehbiel, the Kansas Department of Education official overseeing the state’s work on the Next Generation Science Standards. A final draft of the standards was released April 9.

Kansas and 25 other states are working with the National Research Council on common standards for possible adoption in their public schools, and Kansas officials involved in writing the guidelines contend the goal is to concentrate on core scientific concepts.

The board agreed to give the standards serious consideration for adoption, a decision that could come later in 2013.

Steve Gotsche gives tips on pitching.

 (AP) — Beef cattle numbers in Kansas are at their lowest level in 14 years because of the ongoing drought, but dairy herds are growing slightly to make up for lost production in other states.

Hot, dry conditions have been the main factor in the reduced numbers because of dried-up pastures and reduced hay, corn and soybean crops.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports there were 2.05 million cattle on Kansas feedlots March 1, which is 7 percent fewer than at the same time a year ago. Kansas Livestock Association spokeswoman Scarlett Hagins says another dry summer could force some producers out of business.

The USDA says dairy cattle numbers in Kansas have risen slightly, but production is down by about 45 pounds per cow.

SEK-CAP, Inc. and the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition will host the 14th Annual Summit on Homelessness and Housing, which will take place at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium starting today. 

The event begins with a Networking Reception on April 15th at 5pm, which provides an opportunity for community members, law enforcement, homeless service providers, educators, faith-based organizations, and mental health agencies to build working relationships in order to better serve the homeless population. Presenters will travel to Pittsburg from Kansas, Colorado, and Texas.

Tuesday, April 16th will provide a full day of breakout sessions, including educational opportunities on the following topics: Homeless Programs 101, Homelessness: What Does Gambling Have to do With It?, Poverty Simulation, McKinney-Vento Overview, Evidence Based Practices, and Beautiful Feet Ministries.

Sunday Update

The Seven year old boy critically injured in Friday night’s shooting has died.

Gavin Brummett had been seriously wounded with a gun shot to the head. He had been flown from Salina to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment and died. Salina Police say they will release additional details on Monday.

Saturday  A 7 year old boy was shot Friday evening around 6:00pm in the northeast part of Saline County.

Exact details of what happened are not being released at this time as the investigation continues.

Investigator Tim Hoesli with the Saline County Sheriffs Office said the boy was shot with a handgun. He was taken to Salina Regional Health Center and then taken by plane to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The boy is in critical condition in the hospital ICU.

Western Kansas Manufacturers Association (WKMA), sponsor of the annual 3i SHOW, is actively planning for the 59th annual 3i SHOW. The show will be held in Dodge City at the Western State Bank Expo Center on July 11, 12, and 13, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Each year, the 3i SHOW is made possible by the support and dedication of countless community volunteers as well as Dodge City and Ford County entities.

WKMA is proud to announce they are working closely with Debbie Allen and Sheila Grayson at the Ford County Volunteer Center (FCVC) / RSVP this year. The FCVC / RSVP will be the contact point to assist in recruiting volunteers and matching them with specific committees and shifts. Debbie and Sheila can be contacted at 620-227-7077. A complete list of committees with brief descriptions of duties can be found online at www.3ishow.com/volunteers.htm.

The Sam’s Club in Salina is open for business as usual Sunday, after a fire Saturday night on the roof of the business.

The fire call came in around 9:00pm, and the fire was on the roof in a area where work was being performed.

Sam’s Club  reported this morning that the business is open for members to shop. No report is available today on estimated cost of damage or exactly what caused the fire.