Community

A conference in Wichita this weekend aims to give couples the tools to strengthen their marriages.

Statistics show about half of adults in the US are married, a record low. The numbers are even lower for African-Americans, about 31 percent.

Sherdeill Breathett, president of the Kansas African-American Healthy Marriage Initiative, says their mission is to celebrate and provide models of a healthy marriage. She says as a whole, marriage is on the decline.

More than 800 Wichita seniors are fed a hot lunch on weekdays as part of Meals on Wheels. Federal sequestration could reduce funding for the program but not the bond that forms between volunteers and clients.

Nancy Hindle, 90, lives alone in a west Wichita apartment; she has been a widow the past three years. She has family in the area helping her with daily needs, but cooking a meal is a difficult task.

"I got so I couldn't put things together," says Hindle. "I have arthritis real bad. I don't ever use my oven if I'm by myself."

The Roman Catholic cardinal electors begin their conclave Tuesday to decide on a successor to Pope Benedict XVI who resigned last month.

At Holy Savior Catholic Church and Academy in Wichita, students and staff are also weighing in on the process.

Middle school social studies teacher Mike Meyer hands out paper for an assignment.

"If you were a voting cardinal, what qualities, what characteristics are you looking for as the new pope?" he asks.

Thirteen year old, Kyree Straughter says he should be a strong leader, trustworthy and nice.