item permissions losing special access

Don't be intimidated by the number of options, enable only what you need and make some tests:

-- First SLIDER (layout, order, number of items)
set layout to --news--
set number of items ...
Set featured to same as number of items to make you all items to be featured (you can set different parameters for standard and featured)

-- Second SLIDER (SCOPEs = which items to show)
e.g. Use the category SCOPE to select which categories to use for getting the items

-- Third SLIDER (Display parameters for ITEMs (used by some Layouts)
Here you can select what fields to show. This is similar like what you have in easyfleximodule only a little more options (JUST REMEMBER: you set different parameters for standard and for featured items)

Thanks, I think I got it mostly figured out. This is great. The only issues are trying to change the css style and upping the number of columns. I see "Columns for standard items" (found under fetching method within the Module Parameters) with a limit of 2. I don't see how to change the number of columns for featured items. I need 3 columns either standard or featured; doesn't matter. Is that something I have to change in the code?

maybe 3 columns can be added without changes to the template

For starting try this (for featured items): Test and correct

Regards

sorry, which file am I modifying?
I don't see this in mod_flexicontent/tmpl/news/news.css
(edit)-never mind. duh moment. it is the news.css.

That worked. Thanks. I assume then that neither the news.css or the news.php are overwritten during upgrades, correct?

Both are overwritten on upgrades,
-- please place these new rules inside a different css file, e.g. in one of your joomla template css files

also put in front of your rules, 2 more class to increase their priority:
.mod_flexicontent .mod_flexicontent_wrapper

so the rules will be: