TOPEKA — A Kansas man who operates an online tutoring service as “Mr. X, Mentor of Mathematics” is running for the State Board of Education in hopes of making it easier for professionals outside the public school system to become teachers. Steve Roberts argues that state policies still place too much emphasis on ensuring that aspiring second-career teachers go back to college to study teaching methods — instead of quickly tapping their knowledge of subjects such as math and science, particularly in middle and high schools. Roberts, a self-described conservative Republican from the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, is riling educators and renewing a debate that’s simmered for years. By Political Writer John Hanna.

TOTAL IDENTITY THEFT

WICHITA — When Candida L. Gutierrez’s identity was stolen, the thief didn’t limit herself to fraudulent credit and bank accounts. She assumed Gutierrez’s persona completely, using it to get a job, a driver’s license, a mortgage and even medical care for the birth of two children. By Roxana Hegeman.

NAVY LAWYER-SECRETS

TOPEKA — A former Navy attorney who was court martialed in 2007 for sending the names of Guantanamo detainees to a human rights lawyer is asking the Kansas Supreme Court to follow a recommendation that would allow him to resume practicing law in the United States. By John Milburn.

INFANT SODOMIZED-LIFE SENTENCE

HUTCHINSON — A 25-year-old Hutchinson man who reported himself to police for performing a sex act on an infant has been sentenced to life in prison under a Kansas law that the judge called one of the harshest in the nation. Michael Sherman, who had no criminal record before pleading guilty in August to aggravated criminal sodomy of a child, won’t be eligible for parole until he has served 25 years of the sentence he received Friday in Reno County District Court.

GLOWING SKY LANTERNS

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Some municipal officials in Missouri and Kansas want to permanently ground lanterns that float through the night sky, saying they are dangerous balls of fire that could spark blazes when they land. The lanterns have become popular for holidays and family celebrations. Most are made of thin paper wrapped around a wire or bamboo frame. When an attached candle or other heat source warms the air inside, they rise and float away.

TURNING 108

EUDORA — Whenever Henrietta Olson talks, people carefully listen to her quiet and oftentimes pointed responses. The witty Eudora resident mainly tells staff and residents at Medicalodges, 1415 Maple St., about her life and her family. Olson’s memories span more than a century and date back to times of horse-drawn wagons, mud roads and “dreams of the West” that very few can relate to but often retell for her. After all, the petite woman with pale blue eyes turns 108 on Monday. By Angelique McNaughton, Lawrence Journal-World.

ALSO:

— ROAD RAGE-CRASH — Investigators say a multi-vehicle crash that forced an area high school football game to be delayed appears to have started because of road rage.

— NAKED INTRUDER — A Wichita woman gets an unwelcome surprise when she walks into her home and finds a naked stranger waiting in her bedroom.

— OBIT-MCGOVERN-DOLE — Former U.S. senator and Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole says millions of children are able to eat thanks to the work of former U.S. Sen. George McGovern.

— TOPEKA ZOO-ELEPHANTS — Topeka’s city council is considering the fate of two aging elephants at the local zoo after animal rights activists urged officials to transfer the animals to a sanctuary in Tennessee.

SPORTS:

CAR–NASCAR-KANSAS

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Matt Kenseth won for the second time in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in a caution-marred race at repaved Kansas Speedway. The fast new surface and a hard tire contributed to Sunday’s race-record 14 cautions, a season high for the Sprint Cup Series. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer.

AP Photos KSOW111, KSOW120, KSOW118, KSOW112, KSOW117, KSOW113, KSOW110, KSOW115.

CAR–NASCAR-KANSAS NOTEBOOK

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jimmie Johnson knew his car was damaged. He just didn’t know the extent of it. When he pulled into the garage after Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway, the five-time champion finally realized that crew chief Chad Knaus had been lying to him all along. By Sports Writer Dave Skretta.

AP Photos KSOW110, KSOW114, KSOW115.

CAR–NASCAR-EARNHARDT-CONCUSSION

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected back on the track next weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Team owner Rick Hendrick said Sunday that NASCAR’s most popular driver has been headache-free for more than a week, and that tests by a specialist in Pittsburgh showed no lingering issues from two concussions that Earnhardt sustained in a six-week span. By Sports Writer Dave Skretta.

T25-KANSAS ST ROLLS

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A battle for Big 12 supremacy left Kansas State and West Virginia heading in opposite directions. No. 4 Kansas State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) is rolling through a tough conference schedule and turning away all challenges. The latest victim: the Mountaineers. Kansas State went 3-0 over a four-week stretch of road games that included wins at No. 8 Oklahoma and Iowa State. The Wildcats seem to be improving with each game. By Sports Writer John Raby.

AP Photos WVCJ114, WVCJ111, WVCJ113, WVCJ105, WVCJ108.

The AP-Kansas City