The federal departments of energy and agriculture have awarded 47-million dollars to fund eight research and development projects designed to reduce the need for imported oil. As Kansas Public Radio’s Bryan Thompson reports, one of those grants is coming to the University of Kansas.

The Kansas Holocaust Commission is holding a commeration service today (MON) in Topeka. The event features choir music, a cellist, and a keynote speech by a holocaust survivor. Co-chairman Lana Gordon says she thinks it's important to hear from survivors.

More than six million Jews, gypsies and others were murdered by the Nazi Regime during World War II. The Topeka commemoration begins at 1:00 o'clock this afternoon (MON) at the Kansas History Museum in Topeka. The event is free and open to the public.

Thirty-two years ago, Pope John Paul II visited the United States. It was in October of 1979 that the pontiff embarked on his six-day tour. One of the co-pilots on the pope's airplane was a flight engineer from Lawrence. Nelson Krueger (CREW-gur) will recall his time with the pope during a presentation this (FRI) afternoon at Benedictine College in Atchison. KPR's J. Schafer spoke with Krueger about his experience... and about his lasting impressions of piloting the pope.

You'll find more information about Nelson Krueger's presentation by visiting the website of Benedictine College. Just log on to Benedictine.edu.

The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service is reporting a mixed bag of news about the overall condition of the Kansas wheat crop. Dry weather has taken a toll on wheat, but the dry conditions meant more farmers could get out in their fields to work. Bob White is with the USDA office in Topeka:

Meanwhile, Kansas farmers have planted 29 percent of their projected corn crop. Sorghum growers have just begun to seed their crop, with 1 percent planted statewide.

After two days of competition that included downtown Lawrence venues, the 84th running of the Kansas Relays will continue for the remaining two days in the area of Memorial Stadium at KU. Kansas Public Radio's Greg Echlin has more on the most prestigious track and field event in the state of Kansas.