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(Image credit: wikimedia.org)MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — With the Boston Marathon bombings focusing attention on Chechnya, a Kansas State University professor wants to help the public understand the southern Russian province. Russian military history expert David Stone is speaking at 5:30 pm Thursday in Eisenhower Hall. He'll discuss the origins of the Chechen conflict and the Russian wars in Chechnya. He'll also touch on ongoing violence in Chechnya and surrounding regions of the Caucasus, and the increasing role of radical Islam in the conflict. Bombing suspects Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his brother, Dzhokhar, emigrated to the U.S. about a decade ago from Dagestan. The Russian republic has become an epicenter of the Islamic insurgency that spilled over from the region of Chechnya. Stone wrote "A Military History of Russia: From Ivan the Terrible to the War in Chechnya."

The Southwest Chief headed westbound (Photo credit: wikipedia.org)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Amtrak officials say a rail line is in need of additional funding in order to keep passenger service moving through southwest Kansas at a profitable speed. But the Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Amtrak needs to have the track maintained at a proper level so trains can move quickly and keep passenger service on time. The track is owned by BNSF Railway and is used by Amtrak for about four passenger trains a day, including two runs by the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles. BNSF is willing to maintain the tracks to allow freight trains to travel at 30 mph, but not the 79-mph that Amtrak wants to maintain for passenger trains. Amtrak has approached Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico about funding the $100 million for repairs.

(Photo credit: AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, file)TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An attorney for former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline is asking the Kansas Supreme Court to consider modifying a ruling that indefinitely suspended Kline's law license. The motion for a rehearing was filed this week by Tom Condit, who argued that investigators in Kline's case were biased and facts about the former attorney general's investigations into abortions were misrepresented. The Supreme Court in October agreed with a state disciplinary panel that Kline repeatedly misled or allowed subordinates to mislead others, including a Kansas City-area grand jury, during his investigations. The unanimous decision came after disputes between the Republican and critics of his tactics. Kline is now a professor at Liberty University in Virginia.

(Photo credit: Michael Reynolds/EPA)WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Feelings are mixed in Kansas over the inclusion of former Governor Kathleen Sebelius as one of 10 finalists for Time magazine's Person of the Year award. Democratic Kansas House member Jim Ward told the Wichita Eagle it's an honor for everyone whenever someone from the state is recognized for influencing major world events. But former Republican Representative Brenda Landwehr called the selection ridiculous and said she couldn't think of anyone less deserving of the award. Sebelius serves as U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services. She has been in the spotlight since the October 1 problems with the launch of the national health care website. Other finalists include Pope Francis, Texas tea party Republican Ted Cruz, performer Miley Cyrus and whistleblower Edward Snowden.

(Photo credit: Cessna Aircraft Company)WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The parent company of Cessna Aircraft says it has reached an agreement to buy Beechcraft Corporation for approximately $1.4 billion. The purchase was announced Thursday night by Providence, Rhode Island-based Textron Incorporated and would bring two mainstays of Wichita's general aviation industry under a single corporate leadership. Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said in a statement that the Beechcraft acquisition is a "tremendous opportunity" for the diversified corporation to expand its general aviation business. Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture had said in recent months he expected the company would sell at least its idled business jet assets by the end of 2013. Donnelly said Beechcraft's King Air line of aircraft complements Cessna's Caravan and Citation jet lineup.

(Photo Credit: media.cmgdigital.com)LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence police say they're still trying to figure out how to enforce a ban on texting while driving, three years after the law went into effect. Exceptions allow drivers to use a phone's map application or check emergency alerts, making enforcement even more complicated for police and prosecutors. The Lawrence Journal-World reports drivers' phones typically are examined only after accidents causing death or serious injuries to see if texting led to the crashes. Police Chief Tarik Khatib says it's tough for a single officer to keep an eye out for texting drivers without putting himself or herself in danger of wrecking. The Kansas Department of Transportation says the number of accidents caused by drivers distracted by their cellphones rose from 292 in 2005 to 518 in 2010.

John Dorsey (left) and Clark Hunt appear before the media on Monday, January 13, 2013 (Photo Credit: KCChiefs.com)John Dorsey was introduced today (MON) as the new general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. Dorsey said he didn't need much persuasion from Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt to consider taking the position: Dorsey's wife is originally from Abilene. She attended the University of Kansa and has a degree from the Washburn School of Law. John Dorsey is hoping to turn around the fortunes of the Kansas City Chiefs; the team, coincidentally, last won a playoff game in 1993, with Joe Montana as quarterback.

(Image Credit: thinkprogress.com)HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Some Reno County health officials are concerned that the state's decision to stop providing free HIV testing in most Kansas counties will cause a drop in services for people with the virus. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment notified most county counseling and testing providers last November that it would no longer provide free HIV testing, starting in January. The Kansas Health Institute says the state will continue to provide the service in 10 counties, which are generally the most populous and have more cases of HIV. The Hutchinson News reports that state officials cut the service in counties with low instances of HIV in order to use the funds more efficiently. And the new federal health care law is expected to make more people eligible for the testing.

(Photo Credit: Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine)MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansans can use their vehicles to show they support pets. Revenue from a new "I'm Pet Friendly" license plate will be used to reduce the stray animal population. Proceeds from the sale of the plates will support scholarships for Kansas State University veterinary students who will work with local animal shelters, particularly in spay/neuter programs. With a one-time production fee of $45.50 and an annual donation of $50, the new plate can be picked up at county tag offices across the state. The dean of K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, Ralph Richardson, says the program can help improve the quality of animal health throughout the state.

(Image credit: websitedesigncode.blogspot.com)OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Global consumer products maker Unilever is planning a $152 million expansion of its margarine and spreads plant in northeast Kansas. The Kansas City Star reports that the project announced Tuesday will double the size of the plant at the New Century AirCenter industrial park in Olathe. About 170 people now work at the plant, which makes such products as Country Crock, Promise, Imperial spreads. Unilever says it will hire 100 additional employees when the expansion is complete. Unilever makes personal care, home care and food products, including Axe deodorants, Lipton tea and Ben & Jerry's ice cream. The company is headquartered in London and the Netherlands and has more than 173,000 employees worldwide, including 10,000 in the U.S.