TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker in Kansas outlined a measure Wednesday that would overturn Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s policy of withholding doses of COVID-19 vaccines from counties wanting to move to a new phase of inoculations before the rest of the state.

Senate health committee Chair Richard Hilderbrand, of Galena, called the policy “blackmail or extortion.” The state Department of Health and Environment calls withholding vaccine doses an “enforcement mechanism” and Kelly says the goal is to “keep the train running as smoothly as we possibly can.”

Hilderbrand’s bill would allow counties to set their own vaccination schedules. It follows several months of widespread criticism of Kelly from the GOP-controlled Legislature over what they view as a slow administration of shots.

“Counties that are doing it right and doing it the right way should be able to have some leeway,” Hilderbrand told The Associated Press.

Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, said Kansas will be sending 15 National Guard personnel to Wichita, the state’s largest city, starting Thursday to help administer shots at a clinic at the Central Community Church.

“We will have Guard staff on hand along with public health department staff as long as is needed,” he said.

Some counties&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-ed23ec82c271cbab3a3777cd50a8100f">were upset&nbsp;</a>last week when the state wouldn’t let them start vaccinating people under 65 with chronic or serious medical conditions that would put them at risk of serious complications or death if they are infected with COVID-19. Those people are covered in the third phase of the vaccine distribution, and the state is still in the second phase.

As of Wednesday, about 491,431 Kansas residents or 16.9% of the state’s 2.9 million residents had received at least one vaccine shot, and 740,850 doses had been administered, the state health department reported. That’s 67% of the 1.1 million doses the state has received.

Kelly and state health officials say the state’s inoculation numbers have been underreported and are almost certainly higher.

She said the state was holding back doses to make sure healthcare systems in smaller counties are not overwhelmed by residents from larger counties that have yet to complete phase two. But House health committee Chair Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said counties could limit shots to their own residents.

The governor said during a news conference Wednesday that Hilderbrand’s bill is unnecessary because the state should enter phase three within four weeks.

As for the policy of withholding vaccines she said, she would hope counties see it as “part of the greater good.”

“It’s not extortion. It’s not blackmail,” she said. “It’s just being good neighbors.”

Meanwhile, the state’s two Republican U.S. senators have taken different positions on how best to distribute the vaccines.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall argued in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Monday that health officials should deliver a single dose of vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer as widely as possible rather than ensuring that their required second doses are administered on the established timetable.

Marshall’s recommendation runs contrary to the protocol established by the federal government. Asked about the editorial, Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said: “I would defer to science and medicine.”

Republicans have signaled that they’ll make Kelly’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic an issue when she runs for reelection in 2022. They’ve criticized the stay-at-home order she imposed for five weeks last spring, her closing of all K-12 school buildings from mid-March 2020 to the end of that spring semester, and her unsuccessful attempt to limit indoor religious worship services.

But Kelly defended her actions Wednesday, saying officials didn’t know enough about the virus at the time and that it was safest to do what she did.

“It’s really easy to be a backseat driver,” she said.

Another 778 COVID-19 cases were recorded between Monday and Wednesday, raising the state’s total since the pandemic began to 297,229. Thirty-five new deaths were reported, raising the total death toll to 4,851.

The governor’s actions and local COVID-19 rules have prompted a push to set up a $100 million state fund with future federal COVID-19 relief dollars to pay claims from businesses claiming to be hurt by the restrictions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article249803338.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle reports.</a>&nbsp;The attorney general would administer the fund and the governor and legislative leaders would review claims.

A Senate committee plans to have a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb286_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the proposal&nbsp;</a>Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615472969732.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during Wednesday news conference" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during Wednesday news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker in Kansas outlined a measure Wednesday that would overturn Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s policy of withholding doses of COVID-19 vaccines from counties wanting to move to a new phase of inoculations before the rest of the state.Senate health committee Chair Richard Hilderbrand, of Galena, called the policy “blackmail or extortion.” The state Department of Health and Environment calls withholding vaccine doses an “enforcement mechanism” and Kelly says the goal is to “keep the train running as smoothly as we possibly can.”Hilderbrand’s bill would allow counties to set their own vaccination schedules. It follows several months of widespread criticism of Kelly from the GOP-controlled Legislature over what they view as a slow administration of shots.“Counties that are doing it right and doing it the right way should be able to have some leeway,” Hilderbrand told The Associated Press.Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, said Kansas will be sending 15 National Guard personnel to Wichita, the state’s largest city, starting Thursday to help administer shots at a clinic at the Central Community Church.“We will have Guard staff on hand along with public health department staff as long as is needed,” he said.Some counties&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-ed23ec82c271cbab3a3777cd50a8100f">were upset&nbsp;</a>last week when the state wouldn’t let them start vaccinating people under 65 with chronic or serious medical conditions that would put them at risk of serious complications or death if they are infected with COVID-19. Those people are covered in the third phase of the vaccine distribution, and the state is still in the second phase.As of Wednesday, about 491,431 Kansas residents or 16.9% of the state’s 2.9 million residents had received at least one vaccine shot, and 740,850 doses had been administered, the state health department reported. That’s 67% of the 1.1 million doses the state has received.Kelly and state health officials say the state’s inoculation numbers have been underreported and are almost certainly higher.She said the state was holding back doses to make sure healthcare systems in smaller counties are not overwhelmed by residents from larger counties that have yet to complete phase two. But House health committee Chair Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said counties could limit shots to their own residents.The governor said during a news conference Wednesday that Hilderbrand’s bill is unnecessary because the state should enter phase three within four weeks.As for the policy of withholding vaccines she said, she would hope counties see it as “part of the greater good.”“It’s not extortion. It’s not blackmail,” she said. “It’s just being good neighbors.”Meanwhile, the state’s two Republican U.S. senators have taken different positions on how best to distribute the vaccines.U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall argued in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Monday that health officials should deliver a single dose of vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer as widely as possible rather than ensuring that their required second doses are administered on the established timetable.Marshall’s recommendation runs contrary to the protocol established by the federal government. Asked about the editorial, Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said: “I would defer to science and medicine.”Republicans have signaled that they’ll make Kelly’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic an issue when she runs for reelection in 2022. They’ve criticized the stay-at-home order she imposed for five weeks last spring, her closing of all K-12 school buildings from mid-March 2020 to the end of that spring semester, and her unsuccessful attempt to limit indoor religious worship services.But Kelly defended her actions Wednesday, saying officials didn’t know enough about the virus at the time and that it was safest to do what she did.“It’s really easy to be a backseat driver,” she said.Another 778 COVID-19 cases were recorded between Monday and Wednesday, raising the state’s total since the pandemic began to 297,229. Thirty-five new deaths were reported, raising the total death toll to 4,851.The governor’s actions and local COVID-19 rules have prompted a push to set up a $100 million state fund with future federal COVID-19 relief dollars to pay claims from businesses claiming to be hurt by the restrictions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article249803338.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle reports.</a>&nbsp;The attorney general would administer the fund and the governor and legislative leaders would review claims.A Senate committee plans to have a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb286_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the proposal&nbsp;</a>Thursday.___

GOP lawmaker: Kansas policy on vaccines is blackmail or extortion

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused of driving a vehicle in a fatal hit and run accident that killed a 4-year-old boy in Wichita made his first court appearance Tuesday. His family has scheduled a funeral for Saturday.

Fiends established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-fund-for-hazadi-ashimwes-funeral">a GoFundMe</a>&nbsp;account to assist the family with the burial of&nbsp;Hazadi Ashimwe.

Downey was driving a pickup that struck the boy when he and his mother were crossing a street in downtown Wichita Monday morning. 

EMS transported Hazadi to a local hospital where he died, according to officer Charley Davidson&nbsp; The truck fled the scene but was found about 100 yards away. The boy's mother was not injured.

Marcus Downey, 36, of Wichita, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and misdemeanor driving while license is suspended or cancelled, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at CGK Missionary Church in Wichita, according to the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-fund-for-hazadi-ashimwes-funeral">GoFundMe page.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615423499269.png" alt="Hazadi was born in Uganda and had only lived in the United States just over two years, according to GoFundMe page-&nbsp; courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hazadi was born in Uganda and had only lived in the United States just over two years, according to GoFundMe page-&nbsp; courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused of driving a vehicle in a fatal hit and run accident that killed a 4-year-old boy in Wichita made his first court appearance Tuesday. His family has scheduled a funeral for Saturday.Fiends established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-fund-for-hazadi-ashimwes-funeral">a GoFundMe</a>&nbsp;account to assist the family with the burial of&nbsp;Hazadi Ashimwe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615254271840.png" alt="Downey photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Downey photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Downey was driving a pickup that struck the boy when he and his mother were crossing a street in downtown Wichita Monday morning. EMS transported Hazadi to a local hospital where he died, according to officer Charley Davidson&nbsp; The truck fled the scene but was found about 100 yards away. The boy's mother was not injured.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615252494342.png" alt="Police near the accident scene Monday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police near the accident scene Monday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Marcus Downey, 36, of Wichita, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and misdemeanor driving while license is suspended or cancelled, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at CGK Missionary Church in Wichita, according to the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-fund-for-hazadi-ashimwes-funeral">GoFundMe page.</a>

Funeral set for boy who died in hit and run Kansas crash

Overland Park, KDOT exploring addition of two toll lanes on U.S. 69

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/10/house-pumps-brakes-on-tweak-to-kansas-law-allowing-toll-on-new-highway-express-lanes/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Johnson County 
transportation liaison Josh Powers can make public safety, economic 
development and convenience arguments for reliance on tolls to pay for 
construction of express lanes on what might be the busiest four-lane 
highway in Kansas.

He’s talking about U.S. 69
 that slices a north-to-south route through Overland Park. It routinely 
suffers congestion during rush hour. Overland Park officials approached 
the Kansas Department of Transportation about widening the highway to 
six lanes. New northbound and southbound lanes would be referred to as 
“managed” lanes, which would be a first for Kansas. The new lanes would 
be available to any motorist — at a cost — interested in avoiding 
clogged traffic. The older lanes in both directions of the U.S. 69 
corridor would remain toll free.

The debate is more weighty
 than dealing with aggravations of stop-and-go traffic, because 
transportation has served as a key determinant of economic change of 
Johnson County. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_trnsprt_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_trnsprt_1_20210216_09_testimony.html">Eighty-four percent of new jobs in Kansas</a>
 between 2016 and 2019 were created in Johnson County. KDOT says 
commuters on U.S. 69 have become increasingly frustrated by rising 
travel times and the crash-a-day accident rate. As development continues
 in Johnson County, traffic volume on the highway is expected to double 
and travel times to triple by 2040.

“Access to jobs, education
 and health care are critical to our economy and success as a 
community,” Powers said. “Johnson County supports the regional priority 
of an efficient, effective multimodal transportation program that will 
increase employer access to our workforce and attract, retain and 
enhance businesses to our metropolitan area.”

Despite enthusiasm from 
officials in Johnson County and at KDOT for exploration of the tolling 
concept, a bill designed to create greater flexibility in state law on 
creation of toll roads hit a speed hump last week in the Kansas House. 
The legislation would have refined a 2019 statute making it legal to 
incorporate tolls on new highway construction. It would have allowed 
toll revenue to pay for investment in additional lanes, but also be 
earmarked funding for technology, interchange and access-point work 
within the same highway corridor.

Republican and Democratic 
members in the House shared skepticism about toll roads, which appeared 
to foster confusion about intent of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2296_01_0000.pdf">House Bill 2296</a>.
 After an unrelated debate on a Leavenworth County landowner’s feud with
 the Kansas Turnpike Authority, the House voted 50-72 to shelve KDOT’s 
proposed modification to the state tolling law.

Julie Lorenz, the state 
transportation secretary, said discussion about a tolling project for 
U.S. 69 would continue as long as Overland Park officials were drawn to 
the concept for improving travel time reliability, congestion and 
community quality of life. In Overland Park, she said, the idea was that
 toll revenue could be relied upon by Overland Park to pay the city’s 
share of construction costs under a collaborative arrangement with KDOT.

KDOT said one cost study 
indicated the addition of two express lanes from 103rd Street to 151st 
Street on the highway could run about $300 million. A second phase of 
the project from 151st Street to 179th Street might cost $200 million, 
KDOT said.

“We are not pushing this 
on Overland Park,” Lorenz said. “We’re trying to provide communities an 
option or another way to raise local match. With the projected decline 
in federal and state gas tax revenue due to electric vehicles, we really
 need to find new ways to pay for our infrastructure at the state and 
local level.”

Under the proposed 
express-lane tolling system, electronic K-TAG readers or cameras would 
be deployed to collect fees from motorists. Highway signs would display 
the current price of the express lane, because that amount would 
fluctuate depending on density of traffic. Lines would be painted on the
 highway to direct drivers entering or leaving the express lanes.

Integration of tolls on 
U.S. 69 is expected to produce long-range savings to the state and city 
because the typical strategy of continuing to build more and more 
outside lanes will be curtailed, Lorenz said.

On a personal level, she 
said, there were times when vehicles must slow to less than 20 mph on 
U.S. 69. The special lanes might allow participating motorists to travel
 about 50 mph through those areas, she said.

The House Transportation 
Committee amended the bill to allow public transportation vehicles 
access to express toll lanes at a reduced cost.

The <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_trnsprt_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_trnsprt_1_20210216_07_testimony.html">Kansas Motor Carriers Association</a>
 testified against an original provision of the bill that would let 
public transit vehicles on express lanes without paying a toll. The 
association also expressed doubt about diversion of toll revenue to 
support public transportation on the corridor.

“Those that pay tolls 
expect those dollars to be used on the toll project roadway and not used
 to subsidize other forms of transportation,” said Tom Whitaker, 
executive director of the state motor carriers organization.

The only toll highway in Kansas is maintained by KTA and covers 236 miles from the Oklahoma border to the Kansas City area.

Rep. Henry Helgerson, a 
Democrat from Wichita on the House Transportation Committee, said during
 the Kansas House debate on the toll reform bill that he relied on the 
turnpike when driving to Topeka. He also asserted that years ago 
promises were made to eventually make the Kansas Turnpike a toll-free 
highway.

“Every time I drive on the
 turnpike I keep remembering the promise that was made,” he said. “We’re
 going in the wrong direction in this whole thing.”

Rep. Sean Tarwater, 
R-Stilwell, said he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of getting stuck 
behind transit buses in toll lane of a highway. He speculated KDOT would
 attempt to dramatically expand tolling in Kansas. However, state law 
currently forbids tolling on existing highway lanes and KDOT cannot toll
 a roadway without local community support.

“How long before they decide to make all lanes on 69 highway or one of your local highways a toll?” Tarwater said.

In response, Rep. Shannon 
Francis, the Republican from Liberal, said tolling would not become a 
dominant feature of highways in the state because the population in many
 areas was insufficient.

“There’s only a few roads in the state that actually have the volumes necessary for any type of tolling at all,” Francis said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615401660667.png" alt="The Kansas House spiked a bill tweaking state law on placing tolls on new highway lanes after Overland Park and Kansas Department of Transportation officials expressed interest in adding toll lanes to U.S. 69. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas House spiked a bill tweaking state law on placing tolls on new highway lanes after Overland Park and Kansas Department of Transportation officials expressed interest in adding toll lanes to U.S. 69. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1003657696&color=ff5500"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/030921-krpod-midsessionfullteam" title="Kansas Reflector staff legislative session roundtable" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kansas Reflector staff legislative session roundtable</a></div></div><h2>Overland Park, KDOT exploring addition of two toll lanes on U.S. 69</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/10/house-pumps-brakes-on-tweak-to-kansas-law-allowing-toll-on-new-highway-express-lanes/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Johnson County 
transportation liaison Josh Powers can make public safety, economic 
development and convenience arguments for reliance on tolls to pay for 
construction of express lanes on what might be the busiest four-lane 
highway in Kansas.He’s talking about U.S. 69
 that slices a north-to-south route through Overland Park. It routinely 
suffers congestion during rush hour. Overland Park officials approached 
the Kansas Department of Transportation about widening the highway to 
six lanes. New northbound and southbound lanes would be referred to as 
“managed” lanes, which would be a first for Kansas. The new lanes would 
be available to any motorist — at a cost — interested in avoiding 
clogged traffic. The older lanes in both directions of the U.S. 69 
corridor would remain toll free.The debate is more weighty
 than dealing with aggravations of stop-and-go traffic, because 
transportation has served as a key determinant of economic change of 
Johnson County. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_trnsprt_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_trnsprt_1_20210216_09_testimony.html">Eighty-four percent of new jobs in Kansas</a>
 between 2016 and 2019 were created in Johnson County. KDOT says 
commuters on U.S. 69 have become increasingly frustrated by rising 
travel times and the crash-a-day accident rate. As development continues
 in Johnson County, traffic volume on the highway is expected to double 
and travel times to triple by 2040.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615401713911.jpeg" alt="Julie Lorenz, right, secretary at the Kansas Department of Transportation, said Overland Park officials have discussed with KDOT making use of a 2019 state law to rely on tolling to finance a portion of constructing two express lanes on U.S. 69 in Johnson County. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Julie Lorenz, right, secretary at the Kansas Department of Transportation, said Overland Park officials have discussed with KDOT making use of a 2019 state law to rely on tolling to finance a portion of constructing two express lanes on U.S. 69 in Johnson County. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Access to jobs, education
 and health care are critical to our economy and success as a 
community,” Powers said. “Johnson County supports the regional priority 
of an efficient, effective multimodal transportation program that will 
increase employer access to our workforce and attract, retain and 
enhance businesses to our metropolitan area.”Despite enthusiasm from 
officials in Johnson County and at KDOT for exploration of the tolling 
concept, a bill designed to create greater flexibility in state law on 
creation of toll roads hit a speed hump last week in the Kansas House. 
The legislation would have refined a 2019 statute making it legal to 
incorporate tolls on new highway construction. It would have allowed 
toll revenue to pay for investment in additional lanes, but also be 
earmarked funding for technology, interchange and access-point work 
within the same highway corridor.Republican and Democratic 
members in the House shared skepticism about toll roads, which appeared 
to foster confusion about intent of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2296_01_0000.pdf">House Bill 2296</a>.
 After an unrelated debate on a Leavenworth County landowner’s feud with
 the Kansas Turnpike Authority, the House voted 50-72 to shelve KDOT’s 
proposed modification to the state tolling law.Julie Lorenz, the state 
transportation secretary, said discussion about a tolling project for 
U.S. 69 would continue as long as Overland Park officials were drawn to 
the concept for improving travel time reliability, congestion and 
community quality of life. In Overland Park, she said, the idea was that
 toll revenue could be relied upon by Overland Park to pay the city’s 
share of construction costs under a collaborative arrangement with KDOT.KDOT said one cost study 
indicated the addition of two express lanes from 103rd Street to 151st 
Street on the highway could run about $300 million. A second phase of 
the project from 151st Street to 179th Street might cost $200 million, 
KDOT said.“We are not pushing this 
on Overland Park,” Lorenz said. “We’re trying to provide communities an 
option or another way to raise local match. With the projected decline 
in federal and state gas tax revenue due to electric vehicles, we really
 need to find new ways to pay for our infrastructure at the state and 
local level.”Under the proposed 
express-lane tolling system, electronic K-TAG readers or cameras would 
be deployed to collect fees from motorists. Highway signs would display 
the current price of the express lane, because that amount would 
fluctuate depending on density of traffic. Lines would be painted on the
 highway to direct drivers entering or leaving the express lanes.Integration of tolls on 
U.S. 69 is expected to produce long-range savings to the state and city 
because the typical strategy of continuing to build more and more 
outside lanes will be curtailed, Lorenz said.On a personal level, she 
said, there were times when vehicles must slow to less than 20 mph on 
U.S. 69. The special lanes might allow participating motorists to travel
 about 50 mph through those areas, she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615401740040.jpeg" alt="Bipartisan opposition emerged in the Kansas House to block a bill that would modify a 2019 state law permitting the tolling of new highway lanes. It would allow toll revenue to pay for the original expansion and support subsequent projects in the same corridor. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Bipartisan opposition emerged in the Kansas House to block a bill that would modify a 2019 state law permitting the tolling of new highway lanes. It would allow toll revenue to pay for the original expansion and support subsequent projects in the same corridor. (Submitted/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The House Transportation 
Committee amended the bill to allow public transportation vehicles 
access to express toll lanes at a reduced cost.The <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_trnsprt_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_trnsprt_1_20210216_07_testimony.html">Kansas Motor Carriers Association</a>
 testified against an original provision of the bill that would let 
public transit vehicles on express lanes without paying a toll. The 
association also expressed doubt about diversion of toll revenue to 
support public transportation on the corridor.“Those that pay tolls 
expect those dollars to be used on the toll project roadway and not used
 to subsidize other forms of transportation,” said Tom Whitaker, 
executive director of the state motor carriers organization.The only toll highway in Kansas is maintained by KTA and covers 236 miles from the Oklahoma border to the Kansas City area.Rep. Henry Helgerson, a 
Democrat from Wichita on the House Transportation Committee, said during
 the Kansas House debate on the toll reform bill that he relied on the 
turnpike when driving to Topeka. He also asserted that years ago 
promises were made to eventually make the Kansas Turnpike a toll-free 
highway.“Every time I drive on the
 turnpike I keep remembering the promise that was made,” he said. “We’re
 going in the wrong direction in this whole thing.”Rep. Sean Tarwater, 
R-Stilwell, said he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of getting stuck 
behind transit buses in toll lane of a highway. He speculated KDOT would
 attempt to dramatically expand tolling in Kansas. However, state law 
currently forbids tolling on existing highway lanes and KDOT cannot toll
 a roadway without local community support.“How long before they decide to make all lanes on 69 highway or one of your local highways a toll?” Tarwater said.In response, Rep. Shannon 
Francis, the Republican from Liberal, said tolling would not become a 
dominant feature of highways in the state because the population in many
 areas was insufficient.“There’s only a few roads in the state that actually have the volumes necessary for any type of tolling at all,” Francis said.

House pumps brakes on tweak to Kan. law allowing new highway tolls

SUMNER COUNTY—Kansas Department of Transportation workers discovered the carcass of an American Alligator in the Ninnescah River while working on the riverbank in Sumner County, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism game wardens.

Marty Capron, a local Herpetologist identified the alligator carcass as approximately three years old. "This was obviously someone’s pet since alligators are not native to Kansas."

The KDWP&amp;T wrote "This a reminder that even though they might be cute babies, they will grow up to be a dangerous predator. They grow a foot per year for their first ten years of life, after which the rate of growth slows. People never really think about the consequences of having an animal that is meant to live in the wild and trying to raise it as a pet. A captive raised alligator, even if it's for only a year or so, can never be released into the wild."

"Captive raised alligators, and other wild animals, quickly learn to associate food with people unlike wild animals who must hunt and forage for their next meal and tend to shy away from people. Most zoos do not accept unwanted pets, they simply don't have the time or space. When these animals are dumped in the wild it is detrimental to the animal and local wildlife similar to Florida’s problem with Burmese Pythons."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615428108168.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY—Kansas Department of Transportation workers discovered the carcass of an American Alligator in the Ninnescah River while working on the riverbank in Sumner County, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism game wardens.Marty Capron, a local Herpetologist identified the alligator carcass as approximately three years old. "This was obviously someone’s pet since alligators are not native to Kansas."The KDWP&amp;T wrote "This a reminder that even though they might be cute babies, they will grow up to be a dangerous predator. They grow a foot per year for their first ten years of life, after which the rate of growth slows. People never really think about the consequences of having an animal that is meant to live in the wild and trying to raise it as a pet. A captive raised alligator, even if it's for only a year or so, can never be released into the wild.""Captive raised alligators, and other wild animals, quickly learn to associate food with people unlike wild animals who must hunt and forage for their next meal and tend to shy away from people. Most zoos do not accept unwanted pets, they simply don't have the time or space. When these animals are dumped in the wild it is detrimental to the animal and local wildlife similar to Florida’s problem with Burmese Pythons."

KDOT crews find alligator carcass on river in Kansas 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">sweeping pandemic relief package</a>&nbsp;awaiting President Joe Biden's signature aims to help the U.S. defeat the virus and nurse the economy back to health. Highlights of the legislation:

Expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would be extended through Sept. 6 at $300 a week. That’s on top of what beneficiaries are getting through their state unemployment insurance program. The first $10,200 of jobless benefits accrued in 2020 would be non-taxable for households with incomes under $150,000.

Additionally, the measure provides a 100% subsidy of COBRA health insurance premiums to ensure that laid-off workers can remain on their employer health plans at no cost through the end of September.

The legislation provides a direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount, as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000.

The size of the check would shrink for those making slightly more, with a hard cut-off at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples.

Most Americans will be getting the full amount. The median household income was $68,703 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Biden said payments would start going out this month.

The legislation would send $350 billion to state and local governments and tribal governments for costs incurred up until the end of 2024. The bill also requires that small states get at least the amount they received under virus legislation that Congress passed last March.

Many communities have taken hits to their tax base during the pandemic, but the impact varies from state to state and from town to town. Critics say the funding is not appropriately targeted and is far more than necessary with billions of dollars allocated last spring to states and communities still unspent.

The bill calls for about $130 billion in additional help to schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The money would be used to reduce class sizes and modify classrooms to enhance social distancing, install ventilation systems and purchase personal protective equipment. The money could also be used to hire more nurses, counselors and janitors, and to provide summer school.

Spending for colleges and universities would be boosted by about $40 billion, with the money used to defray an institution’s pandemic-related expenses and to provide emergency aid to students to cover expenses such as food and housing and computer equipment.

There's also about $39 billion for child care through an emergency fund to help child care providers pay for staffing, rent and supplies, and through a block grant program that subsidizes the cost of child care for low-income families.

A new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the pandemic would receive $28.6 billion. The grants provide up to $10 million per company with a limit of $5 million per physical location. The grants can be used to cover payroll, rent, utilities and other operational expenses.

The bill also provides $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, a tiny fraction of what was allocated in previous legislation. The bill also allows more nonprofits to apply for loans that are designed to help borrowers meet their payroll and operating costs and can potentially be forgiven.

The bill provides about $50 billion to expand testing for COVID-19 and to enhance contract tracing capabilities with new investments to expand laboratory capacity and set up mobile testing units. It also contains more than $15 billion to speed up the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines across the country. Another $1 billion would go to boost vaccine confidence. And $10 billion would be used to boost the supply of medical devices and equipment to combat the virus under the Defense Production Act.

Parts of the legislation advance longstanding Democratic priorities like increasing coverage under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. Financial assistance for ACA premiums would become considerably more generous and a greater number of solid middle-class households would qualify. Though the sweetened subsidies last only through the end of 2022, they will lower the cost of coverage and are expected to boost the number of people enrolled.

The measure also dangles more money in front of a dozen states, mainly in the South, that have not yet taken up the Medicaid expansion that is available under the ACA to cover more low-income adults. Whether such a sweetener would be enough to start wearing down longstanding Republican opposition to Medicaid expansion is uncertain.

The bill would also provide abut $3 billion for states to help address mental health and substance use disorders, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. More than $14 billion is directed toward increased support for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

BIGGER TAX BREAKS FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH AND WITHOUT KIDS

Under current law, most taxpayers can reduce their federal income tax bill by up to $2,000 per child. In a significant change, the bill would increase the tax break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under the age of 6.

The legislation also calls for the payments to be delivered monthly instead of in a lump sum. If the secretary of the treasury determines that isn’t feasible, then the payments are to be made as frequently as possible.

Families would get the full credit regardless of how little they make in a year, leading to criticism that the changes would serve as a disincentive to work. Add in the $1,400 checks and other items in the proposal, and the legislation would reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.

The bill also significantly expands the Earned Income Tax Credit for 2021 by making it available to people without children. The credit for low and moderate-income adults would be worth $543 to $1,502, depending on income and filing status.

The bill provides more than $30 billion to help low-income households pay their rent and to assist the homeless. States and tribes would receive an additional $10 billion for homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments and other housing costs because of the pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615415105785.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during Wednesday's enrollment ceremony-photo courtesy office of House Speaker" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during Wednesday's enrollment ceremony-photo courtesy office of House Speaker</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">sweeping pandemic relief package</a>&nbsp;awaiting President Joe Biden's signature aims to help the U.S. defeat the virus and nurse the economy back to health. Highlights of the legislation:AID TO THE UNEMPLOYEDExpanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would be extended through Sept. 6 at $300 a week. That’s on top of what beneficiaries are getting through their state unemployment insurance program. The first $10,200 of jobless benefits accrued in 2020 would be non-taxable for households with incomes under $150,000.Additionally, the measure provides a 100% subsidy of COBRA health insurance premiums to ensure that laid-off workers can remain on their employer health plans at no cost through the end of September.MORE CHECKSThe legislation provides a direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount, as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000.The size of the check would shrink for those making slightly more, with a hard cut-off at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples.Most Americans will be getting the full amount. The median household income was $68,703 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Biden said payments would start going out this month.MONEY FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTSThe legislation would send $350 billion to state and local governments and tribal governments for costs incurred up until the end of 2024. The bill also requires that small states get at least the amount they received under virus legislation that Congress passed last March.Many communities have taken hits to their tax base during the pandemic, but the impact varies from state to state and from town to town. Critics say the funding is not appropriately targeted and is far more than necessary with billions of dollars allocated last spring to states and communities still unspent.AID TO SCHOOLSThe bill calls for about $130 billion in additional help to schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The money would be used to reduce class sizes and modify classrooms to enhance social distancing, install ventilation systems and purchase personal protective equipment. The money could also be used to hire more nurses, counselors and janitors, and to provide summer school.Spending for colleges and universities would be boosted by about $40 billion, with the money used to defray an institution’s pandemic-related expenses and to provide emergency aid to students to cover expenses such as food and housing and computer equipment.There's also about $39 billion for child care through an emergency fund to help child care providers pay for staffing, rent and supplies, and through a block grant program that subsidizes the cost of child care for low-income families.AID TO BUSINESSESA new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the pandemic would receive $28.6 billion. The grants provide up to $10 million per company with a limit of $5 million per physical location. The grants can be used to cover payroll, rent, utilities and other operational expenses.The bill also provides $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, a tiny fraction of what was allocated in previous legislation. The bill also allows more nonprofits to apply for loans that are designed to help borrowers meet their payroll and operating costs and can potentially be forgiven.TESTING AND VACCINESThe bill provides about $50 billion to expand testing for COVID-19 and to enhance contract tracing capabilities with new investments to expand laboratory capacity and set up mobile testing units. It also contains more than $15 billion to speed up the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines across the country. Another $1 billion would go to boost vaccine confidence. And $10 billion would be used to boost the supply of medical devices and equipment to combat the virus under the Defense Production Act.HEALTH CAREParts of the legislation advance longstanding Democratic priorities like increasing coverage under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. Financial assistance for ACA premiums would become considerably more generous and a greater number of solid middle-class households would qualify. Though the sweetened subsidies last only through the end of 2022, they will lower the cost of coverage and are expected to boost the number of people enrolled.The measure also dangles more money in front of a dozen states, mainly in the South, that have not yet taken up the Medicaid expansion that is available under the ACA to cover more low-income adults. Whether such a sweetener would be enough to start wearing down longstanding Republican opposition to Medicaid expansion is uncertain.The bill would also provide abut $3 billion for states to help address mental health and substance use disorders, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. More than $14 billion is directed toward increased support for the Department of Veterans Affairs.BIGGER TAX BREAKS FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH AND WITHOUT KIDSUnder current law, most taxpayers can reduce their federal income tax bill by up to $2,000 per child. In a significant change, the bill would increase the tax break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under the age of 6.The legislation also calls for the payments to be delivered monthly instead of in a lump sum. If the secretary of the treasury determines that isn’t feasible, then the payments are to be made as frequently as possible.Families would get the full credit regardless of how little they make in a year, leading to criticism that the changes would serve as a disincentive to work. Add in the $1,400 checks and other items in the proposal, and the legislation would reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.The bill also significantly expands the Earned Income Tax Credit for 2021 by making it available to people without children. The credit for low and moderate-income adults would be worth $543 to $1,502, depending on income and filing status.RENTAL AND HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCEThe bill provides more than $30 billion to help low-income households pay their rent and to assist the homeless. States and tribes would receive an additional $10 billion for homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments and other housing costs because of the pandemic.

What's in the $1.9T relief bill beyond your $1,400 check

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in what was first reported as an industrial accident Wednesday in Topeka.

Just after 6a.m., fire crews responded to the report of an industrial accident involving a fall on an elevated cooler at the Resers Food plant 3215 SE 6th Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

 Upon arrival, it was determined that one of the employees had been working on top of the catwalk surrounding the cooler. The patient somehow injured his back while on the catwalk and needed assistance being lowed to the ground level.

The Technical Rescue Team from fire station #11 was dispatched to the scene to assist with packaging the patient and lowering the patient to the ground, according to Harrison. The patient was then transferred to American Medical Response and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

Resers is one of the country’s largest family-owned and -operated prepared foods businesses, according to the company web site.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615408887527.png" alt="Ambulance at the scene of the rescue photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Ambulance at the scene of the rescue photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in what was first reported as an industrial accident Wednesday in Topeka.Just after 6a.m., fire crews responded to the report of an industrial accident involving a fall on an elevated cooler at the Resers Food plant 3215 SE 6th Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison. Upon arrival, it was determined that one of the employees had been working on top of the catwalk surrounding the cooler. The patient somehow injured his back while on the catwalk and needed assistance being lowed to the ground level.The Technical Rescue Team from fire station #11 was dispatched to the scene to assist with packaging the patient and lowering the patient to the ground, according to Harrison. The patient was then transferred to American Medical Response and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.Resers is one of the country’s largest family-owned and -operated prepared foods businesses, according to the company web site.

Fire crews rescue man from roof of Kansas food plant

SALINA —Less than a year after purchasing El Dorado National in Salina, Forest River Inc.,&nbsp;notified its Salina employees and the State of Kansas that it is closing. The Indiana based firm is a manufacturer of RVs, pontoon boats, busses and cargo trailers.

According to the KansasWorks website, Forest River, Inc. filed a WARN Notice on Monday for its facility at 1655 Wall Street in Salina. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act is a federal law that requires employers to provide advanced notification to workers when faced with a plant closing or mass layoff.

The move will affect 146 employees, according to the WARN notice. The closure is expected to occur in mid-May. Forest River purchased the former El Dorado bus facility from the REV Group in mid-May of 2020.

Attempts to reach Forest River have not been successful.

SALINA —Less than a year after purchasing El Dorado National in Salina, Forest River Inc.,&nbsp;notified its Salina employees and the State of Kansas that it is closing. The Indiana based firm is a manufacturer of RVs, pontoon boats, busses and cargo trailers.According to the KansasWorks website, Forest River, Inc. filed a WARN Notice on Monday for its facility at 1655 Wall Street in Salina. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act is a federal law that requires employers to provide advanced notification to workers when faced with a plant closing or mass layoff.The move will affect 146 employees, according to the WARN notice. The closure is expected to occur in mid-May. Forest River purchased the former El Dorado bus facility from the REV Group in mid-May of 2020.Attempts to reach Forest River have not been successful.

150 jobs gone as Salina bus manufacturer will close

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — The owners of a former Christian reform school for girls in southwest Missouri are charged with more than 100 counts alleging they sexually, emotionally and physically abused girls for years.

Sixteen former residents of the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Cedar County say Boyd and Stephanie Householder frequently restrained them with handcuffs, whipped them with belts, taped their mouths shut and struck or punched them for minor offenses such as drinking from a spring or singing.

Several of the charges allege Boyd Householder, 71, sexually abused the girls.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt said during a news conference Wednesday that the alleged victims also said they were forced to shovel manure for hours on end, stand with their noses against a wall while handcuffed for days at a time, and were locked in rooms without beds or lights.

“There are no words that I can say here today to describe the mixture of great sadness, horror, disgust and sympathy that I feel about these reports of cruel and almost unbelievable abuse and neglect,” Schmitt said. “We intend to do everything in the power of this office to get justice for these victims.”

Schmitt said Boyd Householder also told at least seven girls the “proper way” to commit suicide, and he's accused of forcing a girl to drink at least 220 ounces of water, run a mile until she vomited and then run again.

The Householders were charged Tuesday and are being held in the Vernon County Jail.

Boyd Householder faces 79 felony and one misdemeanor charge, including several counts of statutory rape, statutory sodomy, and abuse and neglect of a child. Stephanie Householder, 55, was charged with 22 counts, most involving abuse or neglect of a child. Her charges do not involve sexual contact.

Stephanie Householder is accused of restraining students and allowing her husband to have continued contact with several girls after he physically assaulted them.

“With 16 victims so far, we believe this to be one of the most widespread cases of sexual, physical and mental abuse practiced against young girls in Missouri history,” Schmitt said.

He declined to say the ages of the victims who have come forward, describing them only as girls and young women. Circle of Hope closed in August after investigators removed about two dozen girls. Many of the girls were sent to the home from out-of-state.

The charges came after an investigation by law enforcement in Cedar County and elsewhere that started when former residents of the home made allegations against the Householders on social media. Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither asked Schmitt's office to help with the investigation in mid-November.

Online court records do not name attorneys for the Householders.

The Householders told The Kansas City Star in September that the allegations were lies prompted by their estranged daughter and girls who lived at the ranch who have not been successful in life.

“They’re angry and they’re bitter, and they want to blame somebody,” said Stephanie Householder. “They feel like they’re victims, and they just want to take their anger out on somebody."

Schmitt said the investigation continues and urged anyone who was a victim or knows of further cases of abuse to contact his office.

Under Missouri law, faith-based boarding schools such as Circle of Hope are not subject to state oversight and are not required to be licensed. Circle of Hope described itself as a school that used the Bible to teach the girls proper behavior.

After The Star published an investigation of faith-based homes last year, Democratic Rep. Keri Ingle, of Lee’s Summit, and Republican Rep. Rudy Veit, of Wardsville, introduced identical bills that would require some regulation of these unlicensed schools.

The Missouri House Committee on Children and Families unanimously passed those measures last month and they are expected to be considered by the full House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615414571281.png" alt="Boyd Householder photo Vernon Co." />
 <figcaption>Boyd Householder photo Vernon Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — The owners of a former Christian reform school for girls in southwest Missouri are charged with more than 100 counts alleging they sexually, emotionally and physically abused girls for years.Sixteen former residents of the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Cedar County say Boyd and Stephanie Householder frequently restrained them with handcuffs, whipped them with belts, taped their mouths shut and struck or punched them for minor offenses such as drinking from a spring or singing.Several of the charges allege Boyd Householder, 71, sexually abused the girls.Attorney General Eric Schmitt said during a news conference Wednesday that the alleged victims also said they were forced to shovel manure for hours on end, stand with their noses against a wall while handcuffed for days at a time, and were locked in rooms without beds or lights.“There are no words that I can say here today to describe the mixture of great sadness, horror, disgust and sympathy that I feel about these reports of cruel and almost unbelievable abuse and neglect,” Schmitt said. “We intend to do everything in the power of this office to get justice for these victims.”Schmitt said Boyd Householder also told at least seven girls the “proper way” to commit suicide, and he's accused of forcing a girl to drink at least 220 ounces of water, run a mile until she vomited and then run again.The Householders were charged Tuesday and are being held in the Vernon County Jail.Boyd Householder faces 79 felony and one misdemeanor charge, including several counts of statutory rape, statutory sodomy, and abuse and neglect of a child. Stephanie Householder, 55, was charged with 22 counts, most involving abuse or neglect of a child. Her charges do not involve sexual contact.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615414551416.png" alt="Stephanie Householder photo Vernon Co." />
 <figcaption>Stephanie Householder photo Vernon Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Stephanie Householder is accused of restraining students and allowing her husband to have continued contact with several girls after he physically assaulted them.“With 16 victims so far, we believe this to be one of the most widespread cases of sexual, physical and mental abuse practiced against young girls in Missouri history,” Schmitt said.He declined to say the ages of the victims who have come forward, describing them only as girls and young women. Circle of Hope closed in August after investigators removed about two dozen girls. Many of the girls were sent to the home from out-of-state.The charges came after an investigation by law enforcement in Cedar County and elsewhere that started when former residents of the home made allegations against the Householders on social media. Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither asked Schmitt's office to help with the investigation in mid-November.Online court records do not name attorneys for the Householders.The Householders told The Kansas City Star in September that the allegations were lies prompted by their estranged daughter and girls who lived at the ranch who have not been successful in life.“They’re angry and they’re bitter, and they want to blame somebody,” said Stephanie Householder. “They feel like they’re victims, and they just want to take their anger out on somebody."Schmitt said the investigation continues and urged anyone who was a victim or knows of further cases of abuse to contact his office.Under Missouri law, faith-based boarding schools such as Circle of Hope are not subject to state oversight and are not required to be licensed. Circle of Hope described itself as a school that used the Bible to teach the girls proper behavior.After The Star published an investigation of faith-based homes last year, Democratic Rep. Keri Ingle, of Lee’s Summit, and Republican Rep. Rudy Veit, of Wardsville, introduced identical bills that would require some regulation of these unlicensed schools.The Missouri House Committee on Children and Families unanimously passed those measures last month and they are expected to be considered by the full House.___

Reform school owners charged with abusing residents

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has released new video showing someone placing two pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees the night before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol</a>.

The explosive devices were placed outside the two buildings between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 and were located by law enforcement the next day.

U.S. Capitol Police and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the Republican National Committee’s office around 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 6. About 30 minutes later, as the agents and bomb technicians were still investigating at the RNC, another call came in for a similar explosive device found at the Democratic National Committee headquarters nearby. The bombs were rendered safe, and no one was hurt.

The video, released Tuesday, shows a person in a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask and gloves appearing to place one of the explosives under a bench outside the DNC and separately shows the person walking in an alley near the RNC before the bomb was placed there. The person also wore black and light grey Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo.

It is unclear whether the bombs were related to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-washington-elections-only-on-ap-8e6ddb336b23d1813b18e8932f321e40">planning for the insurrection</a>&nbsp;— when thousands of then-President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential election win — or whether they were unrelated to the deadly riot. Both buildings are within a few blocks of the Capitol.

The pipe bomb suspect carried the explosives in a backpack, according to Steven D’Antuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington office. The bombs were made of threaded galvanized pipes, kitchen timers and homemade black powder, he said.

Federal agents hope the new video will spark additional tips to help identify the person. A $100,000 reward is being offered in the case.

“We are asking for you to come forward and speak to us about any odd or out-of-character behaviors,” D’Antuono said in a video statement released by the FBI.

The placement of the pipe bombs has been particularly concerning for law enforcement as officials continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lloyd-austin-8bbeaaf7c11c33aaca19a56dbfbc801d">secure the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and the number of threats against lawmakers remains high. For weeks, investigators have been worried about the potential for attacks on soft targets in the nation’s capital.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615407868969.png" alt="Image from the FBI video" />
 <figcaption>Image from the FBI video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has released new video showing someone placing two pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees the night before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol</a>.The explosive devices were placed outside the two buildings between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 and were located by law enforcement the next day.U.S. Capitol Police and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the Republican National Committee’s office around 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 6. About 30 minutes later, as the agents and bomb technicians were still investigating at the RNC, another call came in for a similar explosive device found at the Democratic National Committee headquarters nearby. The bombs were rendered safe, and no one was hurt.The video, released Tuesday, shows a person in a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask and gloves appearing to place one of the explosives under a bench outside the DNC and separately shows the person walking in an alley near the RNC before the bomb was placed there. The person also wore black and light grey Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo.It is unclear whether the bombs were related to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-washington-elections-only-on-ap-8e6ddb336b23d1813b18e8932f321e40">planning for the insurrection</a>&nbsp;— when thousands of then-President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential election win — or whether they were unrelated to the deadly riot. Both buildings are within a few blocks of the Capitol.The pipe bomb suspect carried the explosives in a backpack, according to Steven D’Antuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington office. The bombs were made of threaded galvanized pipes, kitchen timers and homemade black powder, he said.Federal agents hope the new video will spark additional tips to help identify the person. A $100,000 reward is being offered in the case.“We are asking for you to come forward and speak to us about any odd or out-of-character behaviors,” D’Antuono said in a video statement released by the FBI.The placement of the pipe bombs has been particularly concerning for law enforcement as officials continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lloyd-austin-8bbeaaf7c11c33aaca19a56dbfbc801d">secure the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and the number of threats against lawmakers remains high. For weeks, investigators have been worried about the potential for attacks on soft targets in the nation’s capital.

New FBI video shows suspect in Capitol bomb plot 

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged animal cruelty and have made an arrest.

Just after 8p.m. Tuesday, police filed a report for theft, criminal damage to property and cruelty to animals in the 2800 block of W. 61st Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 39-year-old victim reported a 29-year-old male suspect put detergent in a fish tank resulting in the death of all coral and fish contained inside, and stole miscellaneous items. 

Police arrested&nbsp; 29-year-old Taylor Morris on requested charges of criminal damage to property, theft, and cruelty to animals. He is being held in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $6,000.00, according to the RCPD booking report.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged animal cruelty and have made an arrest.Just after 8p.m. Tuesday, police filed a report for theft, criminal damage to property and cruelty to animals in the 2800 block of W. 61st Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 39-year-old victim reported a 29-year-old male suspect put detergent in a fish tank resulting in the death of all coral and fish contained inside, and stole miscellaneous items. Police arrested&nbsp; 29-year-old Taylor Morris on requested charges of criminal damage to property, theft, and cruelty to animals. He is being held in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $6,000.00, according to the RCPD booking report.

Theft suspect put detergent in Kan. man's fish tank

CLARK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred Tuesday night in Minneola, Kansas, according to a media release from the agency.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office contacted the KBI at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, to request assistance investigating the shooting. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) responded to the scene.

At approximately 7 p.m., a family member of 67-year-old Jim Wright of Fowler, reported to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office that they were concerned about his welfare. Sheriff’s deputies began searching for Wright. Wright was located by deputies of the Meade County Sheriff’s Office near the Clark County and Meade County line. He was sitting in his dark green Kia Sorento. When Wright observed the deputy’s vehicle, he fled in his SUV and a pursuit began.

Preliminary information indicates that deputies pursued Wright’s vehicle northeast into Clark County. Law enforcement officers from several area agencies joined the pursuit. Deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office set up and deployed spike strips just inside the Minneola city limits. After crossing the strips, Wright’s SUV slowed and came to a stop near U.S. Highway 283 and Ash St. in Minneola.

After it stopped, Wright exited his vehicle holding a firearm. Deputies and officers gave commands for him to drop the gun. Two deputies from the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, and a game warden from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism fired at Wright, striking him. The Minneola Police Department was also at the scene. The shooting occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m.

Law enforcement officers and EMS rendered medical aid, but Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Clark County Attorney for review.

CLARK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting in Clark County.

Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents responded to Clark County and worked the scene overnight, according to agency spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

No law enforcement officers were hurt, but one subject was killed, according to Underwood. The KBI released no additional details early Wednesday.&nbsp; Schools in district 219-Minneola are also closed Wednesday. District officials did release information on what prompted the closing or if it was related to the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596032210664.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLARK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred Tuesday night in Minneola, Kansas, according to a media release from the agency.The Clark County Sheriff’s Office contacted the KBI at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, to request assistance investigating the shooting. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) responded to the scene.At approximately 7 p.m., a family member of 67-year-old Jim Wright of Fowler, reported to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office that they were concerned about his welfare. Sheriff’s deputies began searching for Wright. Wright was located by deputies of the Meade County Sheriff’s Office near the Clark County and Meade County line. He was sitting in his dark green Kia Sorento. When Wright observed the deputy’s vehicle, he fled in his SUV and a pursuit began.Preliminary information indicates that deputies pursued Wright’s vehicle northeast into Clark County. Law enforcement officers from several area agencies joined the pursuit. Deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office set up and deployed spike strips just inside the Minneola city limits. After crossing the strips, Wright’s SUV slowed and came to a stop near U.S. Highway 283 and Ash St. in Minneola.After it stopped, Wright exited his vehicle holding a firearm. Deputies and officers gave commands for him to drop the gun. Two deputies from the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, and a game warden from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism fired at Wright, striking him. The Minneola Police Department was also at the scene. The shooting occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m.Law enforcement officers and EMS rendered medical aid, but Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Clark County Attorney for review.CLARK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting in Clark County.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">District Alerts: Due to unforeseen circumstances Minneola Schools will be closed on Wednesday March 10th&mdash; Minneola Wildcats (@MinnHScats) <a href="https://twitter.com/MinnHScats/status/1369525557860401153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents responded to Clark County and worked the scene overnight, according to agency spokesperson Melissa Underwood.No law enforcement officers were hurt, but one subject was killed, according to Underwood. The KBI released no additional details early Wednesday.&nbsp; Schools in district 219-Minneola are also closed Wednesday. District officials did release information on what prompted the closing or if it was related to the shooting.

KBI IDs man who died southwest Kan. officer- shooting

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference a Wednesday to give an update regarding COVID-19 information for the state of Kansas.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 778 to a total of 297,229, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,851, an increase of 35.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference a Wednesday to give an update regarding COVID-19 information for the state of Kansas.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F1418002015212746%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 778 to a total of 297,229, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,851, an increase of 35.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615399528241.png" alt="Wednesday March 10, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday March 10, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
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🎥 Gov. provides COVID-19, Kan. Dept. of Labor update

Editor's note: The Associated Press originally reported KU fired Long.

Lawrence (AP) —Kansas athletic director Jeff Long resigned Wednesday, less than two days after the school mutually parted with Les Miles amid sexual misconduct allegations dating to the football coach’s time at LSU and one day after Long vowed he would lead the Jayhawks’ search for a replacement.

Kurt Watson will serve as the interim athletic director as the school searches for both an AD and football coach.

“We will immediately begin our search for a new athletics director. I will lead the process with the assistance of a search firm and four alumni advisors, each of whom have experience in collegiate athletics,” Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod said in a statement. “My hope is to have a new athletics director in place within the next few weeks.”

Girod said the new athletic director will take control of the football coaching search.

“I understand time is of the essence and that our football student-athletes are eager to know who will be guiding them,” he said. “But we are making long-term decisions on an athletics director and a football coach, and we cannot sacrifice the quality of a search simply for expediency. While there will be a lot of speculation regarding potential candidates for both searches, I urge Jayhawks to have faith in the process and in those who are devoting their time to assist.”

Long’s dismissal came a day after he vowed to lead the search for Miles’ successor, a move that drew significant backlash from Kansas alumni. It was Long who had hired Miles, his friend of more than 30 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sexual-misconduct-football-les-miles-kansas-435ec0a7428f17c30e9345585062d222">despite questions that ultimately led to his firing</a>&nbsp;in disgrace Monday night.

The move also comes as the Jayhawks’ storied men’s basketball program, which is awaiting the decision of an independent arbitrator on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4b48a8e63f108bae9fb5b06139b76f2c">what could be severe NCAA sanctions for rules violations</a>, prepares to open the Big 12 Tournament on Thursday with the NCAA Tournament on tap next week.

“I leave KU with a heavy heart and profound confidence that I have always acted in the best interests of Kansas Athletics,” Long said in a statement Wednesday night. “I have done everything in my control to move Kansas Athletics forward in a positive manner; that’s what makes this most difficult.”

Long was hired by Kansas to help rebuild a football program mired firmly in the Big 12 cellar. His charge was to find a coach who could take the Jayhawks back to relevance while also persuading donors to open their checkbooks in support of upgrades to the practice facility and aging Memorial Stadium.

Instead, his roughly three-year tenure was filled with bumbling missteps.

After firing former football coach David Beaty, Long informed him that it would be “for cause” due to a relatively minor NCAA investigation into a non-coaching staff member and that his $3 million buyout would be withheld. A 15 month-long court case followed, embarrassing the university that wound up paying $500,000 in legal fees before ultimately agreeing with Beaty on a $2.55 million settlement.

Long also was criticized in 2019 for bringing Snoop Dogg to Late Night in the Phog, the annual kickoff to basketball practice. The rapper’s performance included four scantily dressed dancers doing routines on stripper poles and the firing of fake $100 bills into the crowd, an apparently flippant reference to the NCAA’s investigation into allegations that Kansas basketball coaches funneled money through an Adidas rep to potential players.

“I take full responsibility for not understanding what acrobatic dancers are in today’s entertainment world,” Long said in response to the backlash, “and offer my personal apology to anyone who was offended.”

But the biggest embarrassment for Long, whose five-year deal paid him $1.5 million annually, came on the football field, where the hiring of Miles resulted in just three wins over two seasons and ended in disaster.

After firing Beaty, Long claimed to have cast a wide net in search of a replacement, even though he later admitted in a deposition that Kansas had hired a documentary film crew to shoot Miles before he had been hired.

Last week, LSU released a pair of reviews conducted by separate law firms into allegations Miles had made sexual advances toward two female members of the program while coaching the Tigers. Miles was placed on administrative leave by Kansas, and the two sides agreed to a $2 million settlement to terminate the remaining years on his contract.

Long said a series of background checks took place before the Jayhawks hired Miles in 2018, and that nobody within the LSU athletic department raised any red flags. Asked why he was unaware of the allegations against a friend of his dating to their days at Michigan in the late 1980s, Long offered little explanation.

“We ran multiple background checks,” he said. “I also asked Coach Miles directly during the interview process whether there was anything in his past that could potentially embarrass the university, himself or the program and he said, ‘No.’”

“I think much is played about our friendship,” Long added. “It’s a friendship that was certainly not the reason why we were hiring him to be the head coach. He was an established head coach, he was an incredible recruiter.”

Kansas already was planning to hire a search firm to assist in finding a football coach, but Girod made it clear that he wants the next athletic director in place before resuming the process. That means offensive coordinator Mike DeBord will continue to serve as the acting coach heading into spring practice.

“I step down knowing that I did my very best for the university,” Long said. “We made strides in academics, fundraising, facilities and diversity and inclusion, among other areas, and I truly believe the best days of Kansas athletics lie ahead.”

LAWRENCE—The University of Kansas announced Wednesday afternoon they had fired Director of Athletics Jeff Long.

University Chancellor Doug Girod wrote about the change to staff:

Earlier today, Director of Athletics Jeff Long announced he is stepping down from his position. Jeff and I spoke at length last night, and while I know he would have loved to stay here many more years, I respect his selfless decision to step down so that we can move Kansas Athletics in a different direction.

I want to wholeheartedly thank Jeff for his service to KU. When we hired Jeff, he was charged with modernizing our athletics department and ensuring our coaches and student-athletes continue to have the resources they need to succeed. This was no easy task, and he far exceeded our expectations. Jeff guided Kansas Athletics to progress in student-athlete healthcare, diversity and inclusion, and student-athlete academic achievement, all while managing significant challenges not of his own making. Most important, Jeff was unwaveringly dedicated to students, coaches and staff, and he represented KU with integrity and compassion. For that, we thank him, and we wish him the very best.

I have asked Kurt Watson, one of KU’s most trusted advisors, to serve as interim director of Kansas Athletics. I have spoken with Kurt about my expectations for the coming days, and I am confident he will provide strong leadership and stability during this transition.

We will immediately begin our search for a new athletics director. I will lead the process with the assistance of a search firm and four alumni advisors, each of whom have experience in collegiate athletics: Linda Ellis Sims, Ray Evans, John Ballard and Wayne Simien. Each of these Jayhawks will bring tremendous expertise and passion to the search, and I know their counsel will benefit the process. We will move quickly but judiciously, and my hope is to have a new athletics director in place within the next few weeks.

Once a new athletics director is in place, that individual will determine next steps related to our football coach position. To assist the new athletics director make that determination once he or she arrives, I am assembling a committee of advisors who will be ready to help when called upon.

I understand time is of the essence and that our football student-athletes are eager to know who will be guiding them. But we are making long-term decisions on an athletics director and a football coach, and we cannot sacrifice the quality of a search simply for expediency. While there will be a lot of speculation regarding potential candidates for both searches, I urge Jayhawks to have faith in the process and in those who are devoting their time to assist.

In additional to the statement from the Chancellor, Long added his comments:

Last night, Chancellor Girod and I met and both agreed that it was in the best interest of our student-athletes and program for me to step down as of today. It is not easy, but I leave KU with a heavy heart and profound confidence that I have always acted in the best interests of Kansas Athletics. I have done everything in my control to move Kansas Athletics forward in a positive manner, that’s what makes this most difficult.

When I first began my career in college athletics almost 40 years ago, I was driven by my desire to impact young lives through a common bond—athletics. That purpose is what has carried me each and every day—through the good times and the challenging ones—along my journey.

As I noted yesterday in my press conference, the student-athletes have always been the priority and this decision today is based on that very premise. Values are not simply beliefs—they are defined by actions. It is clear that my continued service as the Director of Athletics would only serve as a distraction to the nearly 500 incredible young men and women in our athletics department, as well as to the outstanding coaches and staff who support them. Last night, I spoke with Chancellor Girod at length about my thought process, as well as with my wife, Fanny. Even though this is extremely difficult for me, this is what is best for KU, for me and for my family, and I am at peace with this decision.

I step down knowing that I did my very best for the University. I was brought to Lawrence by Chancellor Girod with a mandate to move our athletics department forward, to reorganize and professionalize how we conduct our program and I believe we have made great progress toward that end. Along the way, we made strides in academics, fundraising, facilities and diversity and inclusion, among other areas, and I truly believe the best days of Kansas Athletics lie ahead.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Girod for the opportunity to work with him and his staff of quality professionals as the Director of Athletics at Kansas. I also wish to thank all of our incredible student-athletes throughout my two and a half years, as well as our quality coaches and staff for helping us move the program forward.&nbsp;To my senior staff, thank you for your dedication, hard work and collaboration on our journey at KU.

Finally, to you, the Jayhawk faithful, I encourage you to continue to support this program that positively impacts so many&nbsp;young people at KU.&nbsp; I am confident the foundation is strong and Kansas Athletics will make great strides in the months and years ahead.

"I know the past week has been challenging for those of us who love Kansas Athletics, but I am heartened by the passion of our university community. Since becoming chancellor, I have spent countless hours with Jayhawks to hear their perspectives on KU. A common theme in these conversations is that we must strive for excellence in all areas, including athletics. As I have said many times, a successful athletics department is inextricably linked to our mission as a flagship research university. That perspective will serve us well as we identify our next leader of Kansas Athletics."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615410056663.png" alt="Jeff Long during a zoom visit with media during the 2020 football season" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Long during a zoom visit with media during the 2020 football season</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: The Associated Press originally reported KU fired Long.By DAVE SKRETTALawrence (AP) —Kansas athletic director Jeff Long resigned Wednesday, less than two days after the school mutually parted with Les Miles amid sexual misconduct allegations dating to the football coach’s time at LSU and one day after Long vowed he would lead the Jayhawks’ search for a replacement.Kurt Watson will serve as the interim athletic director as the school searches for both an AD and football coach.“We will immediately begin our search for a new athletics director. I will lead the process with the assistance of a search firm and four alumni advisors, each of whom have experience in collegiate athletics,” Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod said in a statement. “My hope is to have a new athletics director in place within the next few weeks.”Girod said the new athletic director will take control of the football coaching search.“I understand time is of the essence and that our football student-athletes are eager to know who will be guiding them,” he said. “But we are making long-term decisions on an athletics director and a football coach, and we cannot sacrifice the quality of a search simply for expediency. While there will be a lot of speculation regarding potential candidates for both searches, I urge Jayhawks to have faith in the process and in those who are devoting their time to assist.”Long’s dismissal came a day after he vowed to lead the search for Miles’ successor, a move that drew significant backlash from Kansas alumni. It was Long who had hired Miles, his friend of more than 30 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sexual-misconduct-football-les-miles-kansas-435ec0a7428f17c30e9345585062d222">despite questions that ultimately led to his firing</a>&nbsp;in disgrace Monday night.The move also comes as the Jayhawks’ storied men’s basketball program, which is awaiting the decision of an independent arbitrator on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4b48a8e63f108bae9fb5b06139b76f2c">what could be severe NCAA sanctions for rules violations</a>, prepares to open the Big 12 Tournament on Thursday with the NCAA Tournament on tap next week.“I leave KU with a heavy heart and profound confidence that I have always acted in the best interests of Kansas Athletics,” Long said in a statement Wednesday night. “I have done everything in my control to move Kansas Athletics forward in a positive manner; that’s what makes this most difficult.”Long was hired by Kansas to help rebuild a football program mired firmly in the Big 12 cellar. His charge was to find a coach who could take the Jayhawks back to relevance while also persuading donors to open their checkbooks in support of upgrades to the practice facility and aging Memorial Stadium.Instead, his roughly three-year tenure was filled with bumbling missteps.After firing former football coach David Beaty, Long informed him that it would be “for cause” due to a relatively minor NCAA investigation into a non-coaching staff member and that his $3 million buyout would be withheld. A 15 month-long court case followed, embarrassing the university that wound up paying $500,000 in legal fees before ultimately agreeing with Beaty on a $2.55 million settlement.Long also was criticized in 2019 for bringing Snoop Dogg to Late Night in the Phog, the annual kickoff to basketball practice. The rapper’s performance included four scantily dressed dancers doing routines on stripper poles and the firing of fake $100 bills into the crowd, an apparently flippant reference to the NCAA’s investigation into allegations that Kansas basketball coaches funneled money through an Adidas rep to potential players.“I take full responsibility for not understanding what acrobatic dancers are in today’s entertainment world,” Long said in response to the backlash, “and offer my personal apology to anyone who was offended.”But the biggest embarrassment for Long, whose five-year deal paid him $1.5 million annually, came on the football field, where the hiring of Miles resulted in just three wins over two seasons and ended in disaster.After firing Beaty, Long claimed to have cast a wide net in search of a replacement, even though he later admitted in a deposition that Kansas had hired a documentary film crew to shoot Miles before he had been hired.Last week, LSU released a pair of reviews conducted by separate law firms into allegations Miles had made sexual advances toward two female members of the program while coaching the Tigers. Miles was placed on administrative leave by Kansas, and the two sides agreed to a $2 million settlement to terminate the remaining years on his contract.Long said a series of background checks took place before the Jayhawks hired Miles in 2018, and that nobody within the LSU athletic department raised any red flags. Asked why he was unaware of the allegations against a friend of his dating to their days at Michigan in the late 1980s, Long offered little explanation.“We ran multiple background checks,” he said. “I also asked Coach Miles directly during the interview process whether there was anything in his past that could potentially embarrass the university, himself or the program and he said, ‘No.’”“I think much is played about our friendship,” Long added. “It’s a friendship that was certainly not the reason why we were hiring him to be the head coach. He was an established head coach, he was an incredible recruiter.”Kansas already was planning to hire a search firm to assist in finding a football coach, but Girod made it clear that he wants the next athletic director in place before resuming the process. That means offensive coordinator Mike DeBord will continue to serve as the acting coach heading into spring practice.“I step down knowing that I did my very best for the university,” Long said. “We made strides in academics, fundraising, facilities and diversity and inclusion, among other areas, and I truly believe the best days of Kansas athletics lie ahead.”LAWRENCE—The University of Kansas announced Wednesday afternoon they had fired Director of Athletics Jeff Long.University Chancellor Doug Girod wrote about the change to staff:Earlier today, Director of Athletics Jeff Long announced he is stepping down from his position. Jeff and I spoke at length last night, and while I know he would have loved to stay here many more years, I respect his selfless decision to step down so that we can move Kansas Athletics in a different direction.I want to wholeheartedly thank Jeff for his service to KU. When we hired Jeff, he was charged with modernizing our athletics department and ensuring our coaches and student-athletes continue to have the resources they need to succeed. This was no easy task, and he far exceeded our expectations. Jeff guided Kansas Athletics to progress in student-athlete healthcare, diversity and inclusion, and student-athlete academic achievement, all while managing significant challenges not of his own making. Most important, Jeff was unwaveringly dedicated to students, coaches and staff, and he represented KU with integrity and compassion. For that, we thank him, and we wish him the very best.I have asked Kurt Watson, one of KU’s most trusted advisors, to serve as interim director of Kansas Athletics. I have spoken with Kurt about my expectations for the coming days, and I am confident he will provide strong leadership and stability during this transition.We will immediately begin our search for a new athletics director. I will lead the process with the assistance of a search firm and four alumni advisors, each of whom have experience in collegiate athletics: Linda Ellis Sims, Ray Evans, John Ballard and Wayne Simien. Each of these Jayhawks will bring tremendous expertise and passion to the search, and I know their counsel will benefit the process. We will move quickly but judiciously, and my hope is to have a new athletics director in place within the next few weeks.Once a new athletics director is in place, that individual will determine next steps related to our football coach position. To assist the new athletics director make that determination once he or she arrives, I am assembling a committee of advisors who will be ready to help when called upon.I understand time is of the essence and that our football student-athletes are eager to know who will be guiding them. But we are making long-term decisions on an athletics director and a football coach, and we cannot sacrifice the quality of a search simply for expediency. While there will be a lot of speculation regarding potential candidates for both searches, I urge Jayhawks to have faith in the process and in those who are devoting their time to assist.In additional to the statement from the Chancellor, Long added his comments:Last night, Chancellor Girod and I met and both agreed that it was in the best interest of our student-athletes and program for me to step down as of today. It is not easy, but I leave KU with a heavy heart and profound confidence that I have always acted in the best interests of Kansas Athletics. I have done everything in my control to move Kansas Athletics forward in a positive manner, that’s what makes this most difficult.When I first began my career in college athletics almost 40 years ago, I was driven by my desire to impact young lives through a common bond—athletics. That purpose is what has carried me each and every day—through the good times and the challenging ones—along my journey.As I noted yesterday in my press conference, the student-athletes have always been the priority and this decision today is based on that very premise. Values are not simply beliefs—they are defined by actions. It is clear that my continued service as the Director of Athletics would only serve as a distraction to the nearly 500 incredible young men and women in our athletics department, as well as to the outstanding coaches and staff who support them. Last night, I spoke with Chancellor Girod at length about my thought process, as well as with my wife, Fanny. Even though this is extremely difficult for me, this is what is best for KU, for me and for my family, and I am at peace with this decision.I step down knowing that I did my very best for the University. I was brought to Lawrence by Chancellor Girod with a mandate to move our athletics department forward, to reorganize and professionalize how we conduct our program and I believe we have made great progress toward that end. Along the way, we made strides in academics, fundraising, facilities and diversity and inclusion, among other areas, and I truly believe the best days of Kansas Athletics lie ahead.I want to express my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Girod for the opportunity to work with him and his staff of quality professionals as the Director of Athletics at Kansas. I also wish to thank all of our incredible student-athletes throughout my two and a half years, as well as our quality coaches and staff for helping us move the program forward.&nbsp;To my senior staff, thank you for your dedication, hard work and collaboration on our journey at KU.Finally, to you, the Jayhawk faithful, I encourage you to continue to support this program that positively impacts so many&nbsp;young people at KU.&nbsp; I am confident the foundation is strong and Kansas Athletics will make great strides in the months and years ahead.Girod closed by writing"I know the past week has been challenging for those of us who love Kansas Athletics, but I am heartened by the passion of our university community. Since becoming chancellor, I have spent countless hours with Jayhawks to hear their perspectives on KU. A common theme in these conversations is that we must strive for excellence in all areas, including athletics. As I have said many times, a successful athletics department is inextricably linked to our mission as a flagship research university. That perspective will serve us well as we identify our next leader of Kansas Athletics."

Update: KU AD Jeff Long resigns after Les Miles debacle

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash have identified the victim as 65-year-old Carl C. Miller II of Hutchinson.

Just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday, a southbound Chevy van driven by a Miller struck an eastbound Jeep Commander driven by a 29-year-old woman at the&nbsp; intersection of Kansas 15 and Meadowlark Boulevard, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The driver of the Jeep was attempting a left turn when Miller's&nbsp; van entered the intersection against a red light, according to Blick.

Miller was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the driver of the Jeep to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities have not released the driver's names.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615330568976.png" alt="Derby police on the scene of the crash Tuesday afternoon -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Derby police on the scene of the crash Tuesday afternoon -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash have identified the victim as 65-year-old Carl C. Miller II of Hutchinson.Just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday, a southbound Chevy van driven by a Miller struck an eastbound Jeep Commander driven by a 29-year-old woman at the&nbsp; intersection of Kansas 15 and Meadowlark Boulevard, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp;&nbsp;The driver of the Jeep was attempting a left turn when Miller's&nbsp; van entered the intersection against a red light, according to Blick.Miller was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the driver of the Jeep to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities have not released the driver's names.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.A southbound Chevy van driven by a 65-year-old man struck an eastbound Jeep Commander driven by a 29-year-old woman at the&nbsp; intersection of Kansas 15 and Meadowlark Boulevard, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp;&nbsp;The driver of the Jeep was attempting a left turn when the driver of the Chevy van entered the intersection against a red light, according to Blick.&nbsp;The driver of the Chevy van died at the scene. EMS transported the driver of the Jeep to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities have not released the driver's names.