JAYHAWKS FALL IN OPENER Women trade baskets (and leads) with West Virginia and lose 65-55 in Big 12 play Sports 1B
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KU program to expand research experiences for students By Ben Unglesbee bunglesbee@ljworld.com
This spring Kansas University will test a new program meant to bring graduatestyle research experiences to undergraduate classrooms. Launched by the KU Center for Undergraduate Research, the pilot program will pair graduate students with faculty members teaching undergraduate classes. The graduate students will act as “graduate research consultants” helping students to develop and execute research projects that generate new knowledge, as opposed to the typical college term paper. John Augusto, director of Augusto the Center for Undergraduate Research, said the idea was borrowed from the University of North Carolina. Both the KU and UNC models pay graduate students to coach and advise undergraduates over the course of a semester. At KU, the graduate research consultants will get paid $500 for a total of 30 hours during the semester. Nine graduate students will take part in the pilot program and work with classes that average about 30 undergraduate students, Augusto said.
More likely on the way CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Billy Burford, a Kansas University junior from Olathe, tosses some powder at his 20-weekold puppy, Daisy, as the two play on the tennis courts at Veterans Park on Thursday; Lawrence mother Karen Nicholas steadies her 2-year-old son, Finnegan Nicholas, as the two shovel the sidewalk outside their home. Lawrence resident Jesse Carleton tosses snow from the sidewalk in front of his neighbor’s house, returning a favor after the last snowfall. More snow is in the forecast for Saturday, and temperatures are expected to be bitterly cold the next few days, dropping below zero on Sunday. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photos
Please see RESEARCH, page 2A
Flu cases leveling off; shots still recommended By Giles Bruce gbruce@ljworld.com
The number of people in Lawrence with the flu appears to have leveled off a week after a spike in cases. Lawrence Memorial Hospital had 145 confirmed cases of influenza in December, with 95 of those during a 12-day span beginning in the middle of the month. “While it’s a little bit earlier than normal, it’s not an unusual occurrence this time of year to suddenly see a spike in flu cases,” said Kathy Colson, clinic supervisor for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. Still, she said, it’s not too late
for people to get immunized, even With classes in the Lawrence if they’ve already had the flu this school district set to reconvene season, because the shot protects next week after the winter break, against three strains of the dis- students and their parents will ease. need to remain vigilant to avoid The health department the spread of the flu. has dispensed 1,275 flu “Our teachers do a great shots since Sept. 1 and still job of continually remindhas more available. Vacing students about healthy cines are $25 for children 6 habits, such as proper and months to 3 years old and frequent hand washing and $30 for those 3 years and covering coughs and sneezHEALTH older and are available on a es,” said district spokeswalk-in basis during clinic hours. woman Julie Boyle. “Our schools Area pharmacies and physicians’ also try to frequently remind practices also give the shots. parents that they should keep Colson said the sooner people children home from school when get flu shots the better, as it takes they are ill.” a week or two for the vaccines to In Kansas, the percentage of be fully effective. visits to health care providers
for influenza-like illnesses began to spike in mid-December, from less than 2 percent of total visits on Dec. 14 to nearly 5 percent last Saturday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Late last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention characterized the state as having a “widespread” problem with the flu. At least two Kansans have died from the flu during the 2013-14 influenza season, which began in October and will last until about May.
Tips to avoid the flu 1. Get vaccinated. 2. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. 3. Wash your hands frequently. 4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 5. Avoid contact with sick people.
— Reporter Giles Bruce can be reached at 832-7233. Follow him at Twitter.com/GilesBruce
Arraignment set in case of man accused of shooting ailing wife By Sara Shepherd sshepherd@ljworld.com
A judge on Thursday set an arraignment date for a Lawrence man accused of shooting and killing his ailing wife. Larry L. Hopkins, 67, is scheduled to enter a plea Jan. 31 in Douglas County District Court. He is charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 5 shooting death of his wife, Margaret
Hopkins, 61, at their home in the 1600 block of West Second Terrace. Larry Hopkins appeared in court Thursday and waived his right to a pre- Hopkins liminary hearing that had been scheduled that afternoon.
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Over the past decade or more, the Hopkins’ house had fallen into disrepair and the couple had been dealing with health problems, a relative and neighbors told the JournalWorld. They said Margaret Hopkins used a wheelchair and suffered from arthritis, diabetes, nerve damage and knee problems, while Larry Hopkins — who had heart problems and had been hospital-
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Judge Michael Malone explained to Hopkins that waiving the hearing meant he would not have the opportunity to hear evidence against him that the state could use in a trial. The judge asked Hopkins whether he understood and whether his attorney, Clinton Lee, had thoroughly explained the waiver. Hopkins answered, “I do, your honor,” and, “Yes, your honor.”
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ized for a stroke — struggled to care for her. Larry Hopkins underwent a mental health evaluation in November and was found capable of understanding the charges against him and competent to stand trial. — Enterprise reporter Sara Shepherd can be reached at 832-7187. Follow her at Twitter.com/ saramarieshep.
Court going public Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss will be making a public appeal that legislators cover an $8.25 million budget shortfall in the judicial system. Page 3A
Vol.156/No.3 20 pages