Ann Cooper reads with her son, Jimmy, in their old sandstone farmhouse in central Lawrence. Ann and her husband, James Cooper, have been renovating the property, which was nearly hidden by juniper trees.

Photo by Richard Gwin

Two-foot walls of sandstone make up the home of James and Ann Cooper, who live on 2 acres of land in the heart of the city.

In an Oct. 1976 photo provided Wednesday by the Walworth family, Marvin Schur is shown with his wife, Marian. Schur froze to death inside his Bay City, Mich., home just days after the municipal power company restricted his use of electricity because of unpaid bills.

AP Photo

A nearly empty hallway is seen Wednesday at the Tampa Convention Center as the city prepares for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla. Even the richest league and the glitziest event in American sports are feeling the effects of a tailspinning economy.

Morry Gash/AP Photo

State Senator Janis Lee, Kinsington, addresses the Kansas Senate on Wednesday in opposition to a proposed $300 million budget cut plan crafted by Senate Republican leaders. Seated on the floor near Lee are Senate Democrats Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Wichita, foreground left, and Marci Francisco, Lawrence, foreground right.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Senate minority leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, upper left, addresses the Kansas Senate on Wednesday, in opposition to a proposed $300 million budget cut plan crafted by Senate Republican leaders. Seated on the floor near Hensley are six of the other nine Senate Democrats. Front row, at right, is Kelly Kultala, D-Kansas City. Middle row, from left: David Haley, Kansas City; Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Wichita; and Marci Francisco, Lawrence. Back row, from left: Hensley; Laura Kelly, Topeka; and Tom Holland, Baldwin City.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Nebraska's Paul Velander pulls guard Cookie Miller from a scuffle during the second half Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Marcus Morris puts in a late bucket over Nebraska guard Ade Dagunduro during the second half Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyrel Reed claps in celebration as the Jayhawks take control of the game late in the second half Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Photo by Nick Krug

KU center Cole Aldrich, who has his nose stuffed to stop a bit of bleeding, talks with Kansas head coach Bill Self during the second half Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor shows his frustration after being called for a charge against Nebraska during the first half Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Photo by Nick Krug