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The Kansas Board of Regents reviewed the sexual assault policies at Kansas universities during a meeting yesterday (WED). The topic has caught headlines this year after criticism from students at the University of Kansas, saying the school has mishandled some reported cases of sexual assault. KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little told the board that KU has appointed a task force to study the issue and temporarily added a staff member who focuses on assisting victims and witnesses during the investigation process.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7d1b00000“Because there was a sense that there was a need for more guidance through the process, what the options are, what to do,” says Gray-Little.The school has also created penalties if students don’t complete sexual assault training. The other Regents institutions in Kansas outlined similar efforts. Regent Shane Bangerter (BANG-a-tur) says student safety is a top priority, and he’ll be looking for ways the Board of Regents can collaborate with universities.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7d1b00001“I’m interested, as we take a deep dive into this subject, what initiatives there might be that this board can undertake to help you,” says Bangerter.KU, Kansas State University and Washburn University are being investigated by the federal government for how they handle sexual assault claims. The investigation includes 85 schools nationally.

(Flickr Photo by Holley St. Germain)A slightly modified version of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s tax plan is now headed to the full state Senate. A Senate committee voted to amend the bill to preserve a deduction for the amount of property tax Kansans pay. The bill would still eliminate the state's popular deduction on mortgage interest, cut income tax rates and keep the sales tax elevated. Today’s (TUE) vote came a week after the committee was originally slated to take up the bill. Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce says the delay gave panel members more time to study the legislation.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7bafe0000State Senator Anthony Hensley, the chamber's top Democrat, called the bill a large tax increase, because its revenue generating components go into effect before its tax cuts. Hensley suspects there will be multiple attempts to amend the bill when it’s on the Senate floor, which could be next week.====================(VERSION 2) A slightly modified version of Governor Sam Brownback's tax plan is now headed for a vote in the Kansas Senate. A committee advanced the bill yesterday (TUE). The debate was short and only one amendment was offered. The committee voted to keep a deduction for the property taxes paid by Kansans. As KPR's Stephen Koranda tells us, that was one of the tax exemptions the bill would have cut.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7bafe0001

Gingrich Campaigns in KC Area, Criticizes Overture to IranOVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is strongly criticizing Secretary of State John Kerry's diplomatic push for an interim nuclear deal with Iran. Gingrich made the remarks yesterday (FRI) in Overland Park while campaigning for Kansas Republican Pat Roberts' re-election to the U.S. Senate.========== Sedgwick County Juvy Restraining Case AdvancesWICHITA, Kan. (AP) A federal appeals court has ruled that a Kansas man is entitled to a trial over his claims that the juvenile detention center in Sedgwick County violated his rights by using a restraining chair. The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals yeseterday (FRI) mostly upheld the decision by federal judge rejecting the request by the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners and its employees to dismiss the lawsuit. The court said the defendants did not have qualified immunity.==========Charges Pending Against School Bus DriverDOUGLASS, Kan. (AP) A Kansas prosecutor is reviewing whether to file charges against the driver of a school bus that toppled into a fast-moving creek. The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated the October 31st accident at a low-water crossing in rural Butler County. The bus toppled on its side, and ten children had to sit on top of the bus until they were rescued.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is in China this week, where he’ll ask Chinese regulators to get on the same page with the U.S. when it comes to evaluating genetically modified crops. Grant Gerlock, of Harvest Public Media, reports. (SCRIPT)It’s a trade visit that happens every year, but this time there is added interest for American farmers. China has rejected 5 loads of corn from the U.S. in recent weeks. The corn contained an insect-resistant trait from the seed company, Syngenta, that’s approved in the U.S. but not China. VILSACK: China’s leadership has embraced biotechnology, and there seems to be disconnect at the regulatory level. That’s ag secretary Tom Vilsack. China was the top market for farm exports from the U.S. last year, but Vilsack says the country’s slow approach to regulating biotech crops is a regular point of friction. VILSACK: China basically does not start its regulatory process on new events until a country like America or Brazil or Argentina has finished their work. Vilsack will ask Chinese regulators to start the process when the U.S. does, even if it takes longer to complete. Syngenta has reportedly resubmitted an application to have its trait approved in China. I’m Grant Gerlock, Harvest Public Media. ####

County election officials will begin evaluating provisional ballots on Monday.

The vice president said in a conference call with Democratic National Committee members that he's considering whether he has the "emotional fuel" to mount a 2016 presidential campaign.

Loretta Lynch condemns the shootings of law enforcement officers in Texas and Illinois, as well as other acts of violence in recent months.

Stuart Delery, acting associate attorney general, is resigning to explore options in the private sector. He leaves as the highest-ranking openly gay leader in the department's history.

Prosecutors have apparently decided not to charge senior White House adviser Karl Rove with any crimes in the CIA-leak investigation. Rove's lawyer says his client was advised of the decision Monday.

Matching long johns. Kick lines in skis. Peeing on Santa's lap. Every family has these cringe-worthy moments, immortalized on film, that embody the particularly joyous brand of awkward that the holidays bring. And thanks to Mike Bender, co-author of Awkward Family Holiday Photos, the rest of us can rubberneck.