Jayhawks Given Free Nests! This town's been shattered, mayor declares. Rutgers Prof sez: "It'll never work!"

Reader Ari Spanier sends in this story about a shrinking Kansas town offering free lots to people willing to build a house and join the party. You may recall Ron Bailey's suggestion for "reverse homesteading" a while back. Since this plan involves building up a bedroom community rather than a "family farm," I'm not sure whether this is a clever variation on Ron's idea or the exact opposite of it. But after getting worked in my efforts to buy a house in California, I'm about ready to take the deal. Thanks for the tip, Ari!