WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive coronavirus relief plan making its way to President Joe Biden’s desk includes a plan to temporarily raise the child tax credit that could end up permanently changing the way the country deals with child poverty.

It also sets up a potential political showdown with Republicans over an issue that Democrats believe could drive significant wins for the party in the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.

The American Rescue Plan, expected to receive final approval this week, temporarily raises the child tax credit, now at a maximum of $2,000, to as much as $3,600 per child annually. The plan also expands the credit so it’s fully available to the poorest families, instead of restricting it based on the parents’ tax liability. And it will be paid out in monthly installments, to offer families struggling during the pandemic a more consistent lifeline.

In the short term, said Democratic strategist Josh Schwerin, the expansion of the tax credit and other immediate aid included in the $1.9 trillion bill provide real evidence of Democratic action to help middle-class families.

“One of the good things politically about this bill is the direct and obvious impact it’s going to have on American families in a way they can see and feel in an immediate way,” he said.

The legislation gives families up to $3,600 annually for each child under age 6 and as much as $3,000 for those up to 17. The credit starts to phase out for individual parents earning more than $75,000 and couples making $150,000. The legislation also expands the credit to millions of families currently making too little to qualify for the full benefits.

The benefit is aimed at providing support to millions of families affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with parents forced to cut down on work or give up their jobs entirely to take care of children after losing access to childcare. Democrats have&nbsp;<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5743308460b5e922a25a6dc7/t/600f2123fdfa730101a4426a/1611604260458/Poverty-Reduction-Analysis-American-Family-Act-CPSP-2020.pdf" target="_blank">embraced</a>&nbsp;an analysis that found the proposal would cut child poverty among Black families by more than 50%, and by 45% overall.

Republicans charge the move amounts to an expansion of the welfare state that will disincentivize parents from seeking work. But Democrats hold out the proposal as a fundamental rethinking of the way the country approaches child poverty and an opportunity to address the income inequality that’s been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat who has been advocating for an expansion of the credit since 2003, said in a statement that “this legislation forever changes the way that our nation supports both middle class families and children in poverty.”

DeLauro and other Democrats on Capitol Hill see the current legislation as laying the groundwork for a permanent expansion of the credit. Indeed, Biden himself told House Democrats during a private call last week that he supports legislation that would permanently increase the child tax credit to $3,000 per child.

While Republicans broadly support the idea of expanding benefits for children, some have opposed the Biden plan for its price tag, and others have criticized it for divorcing the benefit from any work requirement.

Scott Winship, director of poverty studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said his concern is that a permanent child allowance might make parents less likely to work and reduce the number of two-parent households, since there would be a stream of income from the government. He wants to reduce child poverty but is concerned that doing so this way might worsen factors such as unemployment and single-parenthood that contribute to policy.

“The feeling is we win the battle against child poverty but we lose the war in the long run because we’ve created incentives that make it tougher to reduce poverty,” Winship said.

That’s the case made by some Republican lawmakers in offering an alternative to the Biden proposal. Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida have released their own expansion of the credit that ties the benefit to work.

Rubio, in a recent National Review op-ed, called the Biden proposal “corrosive.”

“If pulling families out of poverty were as simple as handing moms and dads a check, we would have solved poverty a long time ago,” he wrote.

But the expanded benefits included in the coronavirus relief plan set up a precedent that could put Republicans on defense on the issue. Because the benefit currently expires after a year, the Biden plan essentially creates a potential fiscal cliff for child poverty. This could set up a political showdown during an election year on whether voters believe it’s acceptable for millions of children to lose the added aid and become impoverished once again.

“When it’s up for renewal, Republicans will be in the awkward position of opposing payments to families delivered through a credit that they pioneered, and championed as recently as 2017,” said Samuel Hammond, director of poverty and welfare policy at the Niskanen Center. “The alternative is to rally behind some Plan B.”

“No Republican wants to run on taking money away from families of any income,” Hammond said.

Hammond helped to develop one such “Plan B” for Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, whose plan is different from Biden’s because it eliminates some other popular tax breaks to make the proposal deficit-neutral, which means it’s unlikely to gain much support from Democrats.

Indeed, Schwerin suggested that, looking toward the midterm elections, the attack ads aimed at Republicans would simply highlight the party’s votes for tax cuts during the Trump administration in contrast with their votes against the Biden plan.

“It’s as simple as, when it was a vote on tax cuts for billionaires, Republicans voted yes, and when it was a check for you, they voted no,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615314451462.png" alt="On Saturday, President Biden praised the Senate’s passage of the American Rescue Plan. The House is expected to vote on the plan this week-photo White House " />
 <figcaption>On Saturday, President Biden praised the Senate’s passage of the American Rescue Plan. The House is expected to vote on the plan this week-photo White House </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive coronavirus relief plan making its way to President Joe Biden’s desk includes a plan to temporarily raise the child tax credit that could end up permanently changing the way the country deals with child poverty.It also sets up a potential political showdown with Republicans over an issue that Democrats believe could drive significant wins for the party in the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.The American Rescue Plan, expected to receive final approval this week, temporarily raises the child tax credit, now at a maximum of $2,000, to as much as $3,600 per child annually. The plan also expands the credit so it’s fully available to the poorest families, instead of restricting it based on the parents’ tax liability. And it will be paid out in monthly installments, to offer families struggling during the pandemic a more consistent lifeline.In the short term, said Democratic strategist Josh Schwerin, the expansion of the tax credit and other immediate aid included in the $1.9 trillion bill provide real evidence of Democratic action to help middle-class families.“One of the good things politically about this bill is the direct and obvious impact it’s going to have on American families in a way they can see and feel in an immediate way,” he said.The legislation gives families up to $3,600 annually for each child under age 6 and as much as $3,000 for those up to 17. The credit starts to phase out for individual parents earning more than $75,000 and couples making $150,000. The legislation also expands the credit to millions of families currently making too little to qualify for the full benefits.The benefit is aimed at providing support to millions of families affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with parents forced to cut down on work or give up their jobs entirely to take care of children after losing access to childcare. Democrats have&nbsp;<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5743308460b5e922a25a6dc7/t/600f2123fdfa730101a4426a/1611604260458/Poverty-Reduction-Analysis-American-Family-Act-CPSP-2020.pdf" target="_blank">embraced</a>&nbsp;an analysis that found the proposal would cut child poverty among Black families by more than 50%, and by 45% overall.Republicans charge the move amounts to an expansion of the welfare state that will disincentivize parents from seeking work. But Democrats hold out the proposal as a fundamental rethinking of the way the country approaches child poverty and an opportunity to address the income inequality that’s been exacerbated by the pandemic.Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat who has been advocating for an expansion of the credit since 2003, said in a statement that “this legislation forever changes the way that our nation supports both middle class families and children in poverty.”DeLauro and other Democrats on Capitol Hill see the current legislation as laying the groundwork for a permanent expansion of the credit. Indeed, Biden himself told House Democrats during a private call last week that he supports legislation that would permanently increase the child tax credit to $3,000 per child.While Republicans broadly support the idea of expanding benefits for children, some have opposed the Biden plan for its price tag, and others have criticized it for divorcing the benefit from any work requirement.Scott Winship, director of poverty studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said his concern is that a permanent child allowance might make parents less likely to work and reduce the number of two-parent households, since there would be a stream of income from the government. He wants to reduce child poverty but is concerned that doing so this way might worsen factors such as unemployment and single-parenthood that contribute to policy.“The feeling is we win the battle against child poverty but we lose the war in the long run because we’ve created incentives that make it tougher to reduce poverty,” Winship said.That’s the case made by some Republican lawmakers in offering an alternative to the Biden proposal. Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida have released their own expansion of the credit that ties the benefit to work.Rubio, in a recent National Review op-ed, called the Biden proposal “corrosive.”“If pulling families out of poverty were as simple as handing moms and dads a check, we would have solved poverty a long time ago,” he wrote.But the expanded benefits included in the coronavirus relief plan set up a precedent that could put Republicans on defense on the issue. Because the benefit currently expires after a year, the Biden plan essentially creates a potential fiscal cliff for child poverty. This could set up a political showdown during an election year on whether voters believe it’s acceptable for millions of children to lose the added aid and become impoverished once again.“When it’s up for renewal, Republicans will be in the awkward position of opposing payments to families delivered through a credit that they pioneered, and championed as recently as 2017,” said Samuel Hammond, director of poverty and welfare policy at the Niskanen Center. “The alternative is to rally behind some Plan B.”“No Republican wants to run on taking money away from families of any income,” Hammond said.Hammond helped to develop one such “Plan B” for Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, whose plan is different from Biden’s because it eliminates some other popular tax breaks to make the proposal deficit-neutral, which means it’s unlikely to gain much support from Democrats.Indeed, Schwerin suggested that, looking toward the midterm elections, the attack ads aimed at Republicans would simply highlight the party’s votes for tax cuts during the Trump administration in contrast with their votes against the Biden plan.“It’s as simple as, when it was a vote on tax cuts for billionaires, Republicans voted yes, and when it was a check for you, they voted no,” he said.

Congress set for showdown over child tax credit expansion

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and have released security camera images of the suspect.

Just after 9:30a.m. Tuesday, the suspect robbed the Bank of the West on Noland Road in Independence, Missouri, according to the FBI.&nbsp;

&nbsp;If you have information on the robbery or the suspect's identity, please contact the FBI office in Kansas City at 816-512-8200.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615311928023.png" alt="FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and have released security camera images of the suspect.Just after 9:30a.m. Tuesday, the suspect robbed the Bank of the West on Noland Road in Independence, Missouri, according to the FBI.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have information on the robbery or the suspect's identity, please contact the FBI office in Kansas City at 816-512-8200.

FBI working to ID suspect in Kansas City-area bank robbery

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state of Kansas continues to see a drop in COVID-19 cases while vaccination efforts expand, health officials said Monday.

More than 16% of the state’s residents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported. More than 698,000 doses have been administered, with 232,986 people receiving second doses.

Another 590 COVID-19 cases were recorded between Friday and Monday, raising the state’s total since the pandemic began to 296,451. Four new deaths were reported, raising the total number of deaths to 4,816.

Despite improving vaccination figures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Kansas still ranks 46th in the number of shots administered per 100,000 residents.

State health officials argue the state is doing better than the CDC reports, and the differences are caused by a data glitch. Gov. Laura Kelly has said progress is being made to correct the issues but Kansas hasn’t improved in the rankings in the two weeks since the steps were announced.

Statewide, only 137 individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Sunday, the lowest figure since the state began reporting that data in July.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612292181344.png" alt="Photo courtesy Walgreens" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Walgreens</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state of Kansas continues to see a drop in COVID-19 cases while vaccination efforts expand, health officials said Monday.More than 16% of the state’s residents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported. More than 698,000 doses have been administered, with 232,986 people receiving second doses.Another 590 COVID-19 cases were recorded between Friday and Monday, raising the state’s total since the pandemic began to 296,451. Four new deaths were reported, raising the total number of deaths to 4,816.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615226577323.png" alt="Monday March 8, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 8, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite improving vaccination figures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Kansas still ranks 46th in the number of shots administered per 100,000 residents.State health officials argue the state is doing better than the CDC reports, and the differences are caused by a data glitch. Gov. Laura Kelly has said progress is being made to correct the issues but Kansas hasn’t improved in the rankings in the two weeks since the steps were announced.Statewide, only 137 individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Sunday, the lowest figure since the state began reporting that data in July.

Kansas vaccine numbers increase while COVID-19 cases drop

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt launched his campaign for governor on Tuesday after weeks of heightened visibility for the three-term Republican amid the GOP-controlled Legislature’s debates over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Schmidt, 53, is the first major Republican to formally enter the race against Kelly in 2022, though former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dwight-eisenhower-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-d7017c6210f48aac003b826d8aeaf639">signaled his plans to run</a>&nbsp;by naming a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower as the treasurer for “our campaign.”

Top Republican lawmakers said they haven’t intentionally been trying to boost Schmidt’s visibility by pushing legislation that would give the attorney general a check on the governor’s power during future emergencies. Schmidt has clashed with Kelly during the pandemic, including by objecting to her unsuccessful attempt last spring to restrict indoor religious services.

Schmidt also has increased his political profile by joining battles over the 2020 election, siding with fellow Republicans who have spread former President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of voter fraud even though he acknowledges the legitimacy Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. He is also involved in legislative debates over gun rights and has backed a proposal that would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate.

“Stability, practicality, less-is-more all ought to be guiding principles,” he said in a pre-announcement interview. “Most Kansans, generally, prefer instinctively conservative leadership.”

Many Republicans are still smarting over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/32816d964acc49e188c9de18b9acb3b9">Kelly’s 2018 defeat</a>&nbsp;of polarizing conservative Kris Kobach after Kobach, who was Kansas’ secretary of state at the time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3fb2cb1264394eb2b0325c872f8c59cf">narrowly defeated</a>&nbsp;Colyer in the GOP primary.

Republicans have criticized Kelly for months over her pandemic response, including a five-week statewide stay-at-home order, the closure of K-12 school buildings last spring and her attempts to impose mask mandates. They also have highlighted ongoing problems with the state’s unemployment system.

“No. 1, Republicans want to beat Laura Kelly,” said former Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican. “And No. 2, they want an authentic, reliable conservative in that seat.”

Kelly has professed indifference to the emerging race. Her campaign issued a statement Friday saying that she’s not focused “on an election that’s two years away.”

Both Schmidt and Colyer are running as limited-government conservatives who oppose abortion, limits on gun rights and an expansion of the state’s Medicaid health coverage for the needy. They’ll also play to Trump’s supporters in a state Trump carried comfortably in two elections. Both also come across as affable and usually low key.

Colyer is running as “an authentic, effective conservative.” He was governor for a little less than a year, starting when GOP Gov. Sam Brownback resigned in January 2018 for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4626e11a24c1415195cc4774b23961de">ambassador’s</a>&nbsp;post,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9291de4d840f4bb88dde5fa699d87abc">elevating Colyer&nbsp;</a>after seven years as lieutenant governor.

Brownback was deeply unpopular with voters when he left the governor’s office because of persistent budget shortfalls that followed his notorious 2012-13 experiment in slashing income taxes. Legislators repealed most of the tax cuts in 2017, and Kelly ran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">largely against Brownback’s legacy</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

Even after Schmidt argued that Kansas needs a low-tax and low-regulation environment that fosters business growth, he said wouldn’t bring back the Brownback era because, “The math has to work.”

“I don’t think there’s any need to experiment with novel ideas,” he said. “I’m not particularly driven by abstract ideas.”

Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, another Wichita Republican, said Republicans will worry about needing to get past the “Brownback-Colyer era” but also about perception on the right that Schmidt has been a “soft” conservative in the past.

“Those two issues are going to clash,” he said.

University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller sees the main difference between Schmidt and seemingly more Trump-like figures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c2a150d5705044aeb44174c1ef359ae5">such as Kobach</a>&nbsp;as their approach — not being “a bomb thrower.”

“Does he have the substance? Sure, in many ways,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, measures approved by the state House and Senate would require a review by the attorney general before a governor could issue executive orders during a state of emergency. House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, also a Wichita Republican, sees those measures as an extension of GOP leaders’ regular consultations with Schmidt, not a push to help him politically. Hawkins supported Colyer in 2018.

“Either one of them wins, I’m OK,” Hawkins said.

Schmidt was a Kansas Senate majority leader in 2010 when he made his first run for attorney general and unseated a Democrat after promising to push back against the Affordable Care Act championed by then-President Barack Obama. Schmidt’s participation in lawsuits with other GOP attorneys general have been a regular feature of his tenure.

Schmidt brought Kansas in December into an unsuccessful effort by Texas’ GOP attorney general to overturn election results in four battleground states won by Biden. Schmidt’s announcement of it came after Colyer called on social media for him to do it.

Schmidt joined other attorneys general Friday in writing to congressional leaders protesting Democratic voting rights legislation approved by the U.S. House, suggesting it would unconstitutionally infringed on states’ right to run elections. He argued that the measure would exacerbate problems arising after “the 2020 general elections generated mass confusion and distrust.”

Pressed about Trump and many Republicans promoting a false narrative of widespread voter fraud, Schmidt said he is leaving “factual disputes” to others and trying to “insist that states all play by the same rules to the extent that they apply to all of us.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1577912879508.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt launched his campaign for governor on Tuesday after weeks of heightened visibility for the three-term Republican amid the GOP-controlled Legislature’s debates over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.<div><iframe title="Bonus Podcast: Kansas AG Derek Schmidt on Governor's Race" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ibcss-fd19eb?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=0&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=1&pfauth=&btn-skin=107"></iframe></div>Schmidt, 53, is the first major Republican to formally enter the race against Kelly in 2022, though former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dwight-eisenhower-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-d7017c6210f48aac003b826d8aeaf639">signaled his plans to run</a>&nbsp;by naming a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower as the treasurer for “our campaign.”Top Republican lawmakers said they haven’t intentionally been trying to boost Schmidt’s visibility by pushing legislation that would give the attorney general a check on the governor’s power during future emergencies. Schmidt has clashed with Kelly during the pandemic, including by objecting to her unsuccessful attempt last spring to restrict indoor religious services.Schmidt also has increased his political profile by joining battles over the 2020 election, siding with fellow Republicans who have spread former President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of voter fraud even though he acknowledges the legitimacy Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. He is also involved in legislative debates over gun rights and has backed a proposal that would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate.“Stability, practicality, less-is-more all ought to be guiding principles,” he said in a pre-announcement interview. “Most Kansans, generally, prefer instinctively conservative leadership.”Many Republicans are still smarting over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/32816d964acc49e188c9de18b9acb3b9">Kelly’s 2018 defeat</a>&nbsp;of polarizing conservative Kris Kobach after Kobach, who was Kansas’ secretary of state at the time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3fb2cb1264394eb2b0325c872f8c59cf">narrowly defeated</a>&nbsp;Colyer in the GOP primary.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I welcome Derek Schmidt to the race. Kansans now have the opportunity to decide between a true conservative leader that always fights for Kansas values, and a reactive moderate. My full statement below: <a href="https://t.co/n9HkkIZj0y">pic.twitter.com/n9HkkIZj0y</a>&mdash; Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. (@DrJeffColyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJeffColyer/status/1369308455761293314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republicans have criticized Kelly for months over her pandemic response, including a five-week statewide stay-at-home order, the closure of K-12 school buildings last spring and her attempts to impose mask mandates. They also have highlighted ongoing problems with the state’s unemployment system.“No. 1, Republicans want to beat Laura Kelly,” said former Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican. “And No. 2, they want an authentic, reliable conservative in that seat.”Kelly has professed indifference to the emerging race. Her campaign issued a statement Friday saying that she’s not focused “on an election that’s two years away.”Both Schmidt and Colyer are running as limited-government conservatives who oppose abortion, limits on gun rights and an expansion of the state’s Medicaid health coverage for the needy. They’ll also play to Trump’s supporters in a state Trump carried comfortably in two elections. Both also come across as affable and usually low key.Colyer is running as “an authentic, effective conservative.” He was governor for a little less than a year, starting when GOP Gov. Sam Brownback resigned in January 2018 for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4626e11a24c1415195cc4774b23961de">ambassador’s</a>&nbsp;post,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9291de4d840f4bb88dde5fa699d87abc">elevating Colyer&nbsp;</a>after seven years as lieutenant governor.Brownback was deeply unpopular with voters when he left the governor’s office because of persistent budget shortfalls that followed his notorious 2012-13 experiment in slashing income taxes. Legislators repealed most of the tax cuts in 2017, and Kelly ran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">largely against Brownback’s legacy</a>&nbsp;in 2018.Even after Schmidt argued that Kansas needs a low-tax and low-regulation environment that fosters business growth, he said wouldn’t bring back the Brownback era because, “The math has to work.”“I don’t think there’s any need to experiment with novel ideas,” he said. “I’m not particularly driven by abstract ideas.”Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, another Wichita Republican, said Republicans will worry about needing to get past the “Brownback-Colyer era” but also about perception on the right that Schmidt has been a “soft” conservative in the past.“Those two issues are going to clash,” he said.University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller sees the main difference between Schmidt and seemingly more Trump-like figures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c2a150d5705044aeb44174c1ef359ae5">such as Kobach</a>&nbsp;as their approach — not being “a bomb thrower.”“Does he have the substance? Sure, in many ways,” Miller said.Meanwhile, measures approved by the state House and Senate would require a review by the attorney general before a governor could issue executive orders during a state of emergency. House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, also a Wichita Republican, sees those measures as an extension of GOP leaders’ regular consultations with Schmidt, not a push to help him politically. Hawkins supported Colyer in 2018.“Either one of them wins, I’m OK,” Hawkins said.Schmidt was a Kansas Senate majority leader in 2010 when he made his first run for attorney general and unseated a Democrat after promising to push back against the Affordable Care Act championed by then-President Barack Obama. Schmidt’s participation in lawsuits with other GOP attorneys general have been a regular feature of his tenure.Schmidt brought Kansas in December into an unsuccessful effort by Texas’ GOP attorney general to overturn election results in four battleground states won by Biden. Schmidt’s announcement of it came after Colyer called on social media for him to do it.Schmidt joined other attorneys general Friday in writing to congressional leaders protesting Democratic voting rights legislation approved by the U.S. House, suggesting it would unconstitutionally infringed on states’ right to run elections. He argued that the measure would exacerbate problems arising after “the 2020 general elections generated mass confusion and distrust.”Pressed about Trump and many Republicans promoting a false narrative of widespread voter fraud, Schmidt said he is leaving “factual disputes” to others and trying to “insist that states all play by the same rules to the extent that they apply to all of us.”

🎥 GOP Kan. attorney general launches campaign for governor

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 11p.m. Monday in Riley County have identified the victim as 37-year-0ld Jason Bly of Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

Bly was driving a 2000 Toyota Celica westbound in the 1800 Block of Anderson Avenue when it crossed over traffic and struck a retaining wall. Bly was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the RCPD..

Authorities released no additional details early Tuesday.&nbsp;

Anderson Ave. in Manhattan was temporarily closed from Sunset Ave. to 17th Street during the early morning hours while emergency crews worked the scene of the accident.

RCPD is asking anyone who witnessed the accident to contact them at 785-537-2112 or 911.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 11p.m. Monday in Riley County have identified the victim as 37-year-0ld Jason Bly of Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.Bly was driving a 2000 Toyota Celica westbound in the 1800 Block of Anderson Avenue when it crossed over traffic and struck a retaining wall. Bly was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the RCPD..Authorities released no additional details early Tuesday.&nbsp;Anderson Ave. in Manhattan was temporarily closed from Sunset Ave. to 17th Street during the early morning hours while emergency crews worked the scene of the accident.RCPD is asking anyone who witnessed the accident to contact them at 785-537-2112 or 911.

Police ID Kansas man who died in single-vehicle crash

MANHATTAN— A problem with an HVAC unit is being blamed as the cause of a fire in a building at Kansas State University.

&nbsp;Just before 6:30 a.m., Tuesday the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1810 Kerr Drive, Edwards Hall on the Kansas State University campus, for a report of a fire, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes.

Crews found a three-story office building with smoke and fire showing from a third-floor window. Fire crews quickly entered the building and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes.&nbsp; The building was occupied at the time of the fire.&nbsp; No injuries were reported. Edwards Hall is a general administration building that holds offices for Human Capital Services and the University Police Department, as well as the Division of Public Safety.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $5,000 to contents and $15,000 to the structure.&nbsp; The fire cause is accidental due to an issue with the HVAC unit in the office, according to Almes.

RILEY COUNTY — Fire crews were on the scene of a fire at Edwards Hall on the K-State campus, according to the Riley County Police Department. No injuries have been reported.

Just before 6:30a.m. Tuesday, the crews responded to the blaze on the northeast corner of the building.&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615300680590.png" alt="The fire caused $15,000 in damage to the building" />
 <figcaption>The fire caused $15,000 in damage to the building</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN— A problem with an HVAC unit is being blamed as the cause of a fire in a building at Kansas State University.&nbsp;Just before 6:30 a.m., Tuesday the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1810 Kerr Drive, Edwards Hall on the Kansas State University campus, for a report of a fire, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes.Crews found a three-story office building with smoke and fire showing from a third-floor window. Fire crews quickly entered the building and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes.&nbsp; The building was occupied at the time of the fire.&nbsp; No injuries were reported. Edwards Hall is a general administration building that holds offices for Human Capital Services and the University Police Department, as well as the Division of Public Safety.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $5,000 to contents and $15,000 to the structure.&nbsp; The fire cause is accidental due to an issue with the HVAC unit in the office, according to Almes.---------------RILEY COUNTY — Fire crews were on the scene of a fire at Edwards Hall on the K-State campus, according to the Riley County Police Department. No injuries have been reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615295135230.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6:30a.m. Tuesday, the crews responded to the blaze on the northeast corner of the building.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Update: Crews respond to fire in office building at K-State 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and the suspect in custody remains in the hospital.

Just after 11:15p.m. March 6, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1000 Block of North Volutstia in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, officers located DeAdrian Johnson, Christopher Terrell and a 16-year-old with gunshot wounds. Though their investigation, police learned Johnson had been using drugs.&nbsp; He shot and killed Terrell, wounded the 16-year-old and then turned the gun on himself, according to Captain Stephens.

Police arrested Johnson and are monitoring him as he remains hospitalized.&nbsp; If he is released, police will book him for 2nd degree murder charges, according to Stephens.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and the suspect in custody remains in the hospital.Just after 11:15p.m. March 6, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1000 Block of North Volutstia in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.At the scene, officers located DeAdrian Johnson, Christopher Terrell and a 16-year-old with gunshot wounds. Though their investigation, police learned Johnson had been using drugs.&nbsp; He shot and killed Terrell, wounded the 16-year-old and then turned the gun on himself, according to Captain Stephens.Police arrested Johnson and are monitoring him as he remains hospitalized.&nbsp; If he is released, police will book him for 2nd degree murder charges, according to Stephens.

Police: Suspect in fatal Kan. shooting remains hospitalized

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling more than 854,000 cars in the U.S. and Canada because the brake lights might not come on when the driver presses on the pedal. 

The recall covers certain Sentra compacts from the 2016 through 2019 model years, including more than 807,000 in the U.S. Nissan says silicon contamination can cause the stop lamp switch near the brake pedal to malfunction. 

If that happens, the stop lamps may not light up and the engine may not start. Owners will be notified in April. Dealers will replace the switch.

In addition, Kia is telling owners of nearly 380,000 vehicles in the U.S. to park them outdoors due to the risk of an engine compartment fire. The Korean automaker is recalling certain 2017 through 2021 Sportage SUVs and 2017 through 2019 Cadenza sedans to fix the problem. The company says a short circuit in the electronic brake control unit can cause excessive current, increasing the risk of a fire. 

Owners should also park them away from structures until repairs are done. The company says the recalled vehicles are not equipped with Kia’s Smart Cruise Control system. Owners could see dashboard warning lights or smell a burning odor before the problem happens. Owners will be notified starting April 30. Dealers will replace fuses in the electrical junction box.

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling more than 854,000 cars in the U.S. and Canada because the brake lights might not come on when the driver presses on the pedal. The recall covers certain Sentra compacts from the 2016 through 2019 model years, including more than 807,000 in the U.S. Nissan says silicon contamination can cause the stop lamp switch near the brake pedal to malfunction. If that happens, the stop lamps may not light up and the engine may not start. Owners will be notified in April. Dealers will replace the switch.In addition, Kia is telling owners of nearly 380,000 vehicles in the U.S. to park them outdoors due to the risk of an engine compartment fire. The Korean automaker is recalling certain 2017 through 2021 Sportage SUVs and 2017 through 2019 Cadenza sedans to fix the problem. The company says a short circuit in the electronic brake control unit can cause excessive current, increasing the risk of a fire. Owners should also park them away from structures until repairs are done. The company says the recalled vehicles are not equipped with Kia’s Smart Cruise Control system. Owners could see dashboard warning lights or smell a burning odor before the problem happens. Owners will be notified starting April 30. Dealers will replace fuses in the electrical junction box.

Nissan recalls Sentra to fix brake lights; Kia recalls vehicles due to fire risk

LAWRENCE (AP) —Les Miles is out as Kansas’ head coach just days after he was placed on administrative leave amid sexual misconduct allegations from his tenure at LSU.

Kansas announced Miles’ departure Monday night, describing it as a mutual agreement to part ways. Miles has three years left on his original five-year contract with the school that pays him $2.775 million annually through December 2023 and includes several bonuses, among them a $675,000 retention bonus paid last November.

“I am extremely disappointed for our university, fans and everyone involved with our football program,” Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement. “We will begin the search for a new head coach immediately with an outside firm to assist in this process. We need to win football games, and that is exactly what we’re going to do.”

The 67-year-old Miles was 3-18 in two seasons with the Jayhawks. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord was named acting head coach.

“This is certainly a difficult day for me and for my family,” Miles said in a statement. “I love this university and the young men in our football program. I have truly enjoyed being the head coach at KU and know that it is in a better place now than when I arrived.”

Last week, LSU released a 148-page review by a law firm about the university’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints campus-wide. One part described how Miles “tried to sexualize the staff of student workers in the football program by, for instance, allegedly demanding that he wanted blondes with big breasts, and ‘pretty girls.’”

The report also revealed then-LSU athletic director Joe Alleva recommended firing Miles in 2013 to university officials.

Kansas placed Miles on leave later that day and said it would conduct a review of allegations against the coach that it had previously been unaware of.

Kansas said terms of the agreement with Miles on his departure will be released in the coming days.

Miles spent 11-plus seasons with LSU, leading the school to a national title in 2007. He was fired four games into the 2016 season.

Miles was investigated at LSU after two female student workers in the football program accused the coach of inappropriate behavior in 2012.

While that 2013 investigation by the Taylor Porter law firm found Miles showed poor judgment, it did not find violations of law or that he had a sexual relationship with any students. Taylor Porter also concluded it could not confirm one student’s allegation that Miles kissed her while they were in the coach’s car with no one else present.

In an email dated June 2013 and sent to the president of LSU, Alleva wrote Miles was guilty of “insubordination, inappropriate behavior, putting the university, athletic (department) and football program at great risk.”

The Taylor Porter review had been kept confidential for about eight years until a redacted version of it was released this week after a lawsuit filed by USA Today.

For Kansas, Miles’ departure is just the latest setback for what has been college football’s worst Power Five program for a decade. The Jayhawks have not won more than three games in a single season since 2009.

Miles had been out of coaching for two years when Long hired him after the 2018 season, hoping a notable name and experienced coach could help break the apathy that has enveloped the Kansas program for a decade.

Long and Miles were friends dating to their time at Michigan in the late 1980s.

While recruiting has improved under Miles, little else has changed. The Jayhawks were winless last season for the third time in program history, losing by an average of more than 30 points per game.

Kansas has not had a winning season since 2008, the year before Mark Mangino was fired amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse. He was followed by Turner Gill, who won five games over two seasons, and Charlie Weis, who was 6-22 before getting fired four games into the 2014 season.

David Beaty was 6-42 in four seasons in charge of the Jayhawks and sued Kansas for withholding his buyout because of NCAA infractions. Beaty reached a $2.55 million settlement with the school last summer.

Now, with spring football practice around the corner, Kansas is starting over again, still stuck in a deep hole.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612401500255.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE (AP) —Les Miles is out as Kansas’ head coach just days after he was placed on administrative leave amid sexual misconduct allegations from his tenure at LSU.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The University of Kansas and Les Miles have mutually agreed to part ways effective immediately. More ➝ <a href="https://t.co/hPHNhZuRQs">https://t.co/hPHNhZuRQs</a> <a href="https://t.co/tIcUMPdGCU">pic.twitter.com/tIcUMPdGCU</a>&mdash; Kansas Jayhawks (@KUAthletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUAthletics/status/1369134303133786112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kansas announced Miles’ departure Monday night, describing it as a mutual agreement to part ways. Miles has three years left on his original five-year contract with the school that pays him $2.775 million annually through December 2023 and includes several bonuses, among them a $675,000 retention bonus paid last November.“I am extremely disappointed for our university, fans and everyone involved with our football program,” Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement. “We will begin the search for a new head coach immediately with an outside firm to assist in this process. We need to win football games, and that is exactly what we’re going to do.”The 67-year-old Miles was 3-18 in two seasons with the Jayhawks. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord was named acting head coach.“This is certainly a difficult day for me and for my family,” Miles said in a statement. “I love this university and the young men in our football program. I have truly enjoyed being the head coach at KU and know that it is in a better place now than when I arrived.”Last week, LSU released a 148-page review by a law firm about the university’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints campus-wide. One part described how Miles “tried to sexualize the staff of student workers in the football program by, for instance, allegedly demanding that he wanted blondes with big breasts, and ‘pretty girls.’”The report also revealed then-LSU athletic director Joe Alleva recommended firing Miles in 2013 to university officials.Kansas placed Miles on leave later that day and said it would conduct a review of allegations against the coach that it had previously been unaware of.Kansas said terms of the agreement with Miles on his departure will be released in the coming days.Miles spent 11-plus seasons with LSU, leading the school to a national title in 2007. He was fired four games into the 2016 season.Miles was investigated at LSU after two female student workers in the football program accused the coach of inappropriate behavior in 2012.While that 2013 investigation by the Taylor Porter law firm found Miles showed poor judgment, it did not find violations of law or that he had a sexual relationship with any students. Taylor Porter also concluded it could not confirm one student’s allegation that Miles kissed her while they were in the coach’s car with no one else present.In an email dated June 2013 and sent to the president of LSU, Alleva wrote Miles was guilty of “insubordination, inappropriate behavior, putting the university, athletic (department) and football program at great risk.”The Taylor Porter review had been kept confidential for about eight years until a redacted version of it was released this week after a lawsuit filed by USA Today.For Kansas, Miles’ departure is just the latest setback for what has been college football’s worst Power Five program for a decade. The Jayhawks have not won more than three games in a single season since 2009.Miles had been out of coaching for two years when Long hired him after the 2018 season, hoping a notable name and experienced coach could help break the apathy that has enveloped the Kansas program for a decade.Long and Miles were friends dating to their time at Michigan in the late 1980s.While recruiting has improved under Miles, little else has changed. The Jayhawks were winless last season for the third time in program history, losing by an average of more than 30 points per game.Kansas has not had a winning season since 2008, the year before Mark Mangino was fired amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse. He was followed by Turner Gill, who won five games over two seasons, and Charlie Weis, who was 6-22 before getting fired four games into the 2014 season.David Beaty was 6-42 in four seasons in charge of the Jayhawks and sued Kansas for withholding his buyout because of NCAA infractions. Beaty reached a $2.55 million settlement with the school last summer.Now, with spring football practice around the corner, Kansas is starting over again, still stuck in a deep hole.___

Miles out at KU over behavior with women while at LSU

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A southwest Missouri man who is charged with threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver will remain in jail, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, was charged last week with threatening Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat who represents a district that includes part of the Kansas City area. He pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Prosecutors said Hubert left a voicemail Jan. 7 at Cleaver's office in Independence in which he used a racial slur and said, “How about a noose ... around his neck?” Cleaver is Black.

“Mr. Hubert, words have meaning,” Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush told Hubert. “And your words rise to the level of posing a danger.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark said Hubert has made similar threats to other politicians, a federal judge and political organizations dating back to 2014.

In a motion filed before the hearing, prosecutors contended Hubert had a history of “complete disregard” for law enforcement, which had tried to stop him from making harassing calls. They contended he was a flight risk who could intimidate witnesses.

David Mercer, Hubert’s public defender, argued Hubert has no criminal record, was not a flight risk and had medical conditions that would put him at high risk of contracting COVID-19 if he was jailed. Mercer said Hubert was willing to serve house arrest.

“It has definitely gotten his attention,” Mercer said of Hubert’s arrest.

Among other incidents, prosecutors said Hubert was investigated for making threatening calls to the Council on American-Islamic Relations in St. Louis; U.S. Rep. Steven Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee; and the Missouri Democratic Party.

Hubert told FBI agents investigating his call to Cleaver that he was also previously investigated by the U.S. Secret Service for saying President Barack Obama “needed to be hanged from a light post,” according to prosecutors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614858198513.png" alt="Hubert photo Greene Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hubert photo Greene Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A southwest Missouri man who is charged with threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver will remain in jail, a federal judge ruled Monday.Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, was charged last week with threatening Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat who represents a district that includes part of the Kansas City area. He pleaded not guilty on Monday.Prosecutors said Hubert left a voicemail Jan. 7 at Cleaver's office in Independence in which he used a racial slur and said, “How about a noose ... around his neck?” Cleaver is Black.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564430219299.png" alt="Rep. Emanuel Cleaver " />
 <figcaption>Rep. Emanuel Cleaver </figcaption>
 </figure>“Mr. Hubert, words have meaning,” Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush told Hubert. “And your words rise to the level of posing a danger.”Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark said Hubert has made similar threats to other politicians, a federal judge and political organizations dating back to 2014.In a motion filed before the hearing, prosecutors contended Hubert had a history of “complete disregard” for law enforcement, which had tried to stop him from making harassing calls. They contended he was a flight risk who could intimidate witnesses.David Mercer, Hubert’s public defender, argued Hubert has no criminal record, was not a flight risk and had medical conditions that would put him at high risk of contracting COVID-19 if he was jailed. Mercer said Hubert was willing to serve house arrest.“It has definitely gotten his attention,” Mercer said of Hubert’s arrest.Among other incidents, prosecutors said Hubert was investigated for making threatening calls to the Council on American-Islamic Relations in St. Louis; U.S. Rep. Steven Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee; and the Missouri Democratic Party.Hubert told FBI agents investigating his call to Cleaver that he was also previously investigated by the U.S. Secret Service for saying President Barack Obama “needed to be hanged from a light post,” according to prosecutors.

Man accused of threatening KC-area Congressman will remain in jail

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Staff with a well-known botanical gardens venue in Wichita say last month's Arctic cold snap proved costly for the gardens. 

Television station KAKE reports that the failure of a heater in Botanica's largest greenhouse during the coldest day of the season killed a slew of plants, some of which had been with the garden for 20 to nearly 30 years. 

Kathy Spillman is director of special events for Botanica. She says most of the plants lost were warm-weather succulents and palms, and the estimated value of the plants lost is between $30,000 and $40,000. Botanica staff have started a<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Botanica-Greenhouse-Fund?sharetype=teams&amp;member=9080274&amp;pc=fb_co_campmgmt_w&amp;rcid=r01-161478403431-f9889e1ed72a4201&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bshare-sheet&amp;fbclid=IwAR0bazo5kPyPCL9uwyz83nMPIibn3GN3jhXRgr_p1_V9rtAA6J3288YXhvw"> crowd-funding </a>effort to replace the plants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615243569675.png" alt="Nearly 200 plants died in the historically low temperatures-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Nearly 200 plants died in the historically low temperatures-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Staff with a well-known botanical gardens venue in Wichita say last month's Arctic cold snap proved costly for the gardens. Television station KAKE reports that the failure of a heater in Botanica's largest greenhouse during the coldest day of the season killed a slew of plants, some of which had been with the garden for 20 to nearly 30 years. Kathy Spillman is director of special events for Botanica. She says most of the plants lost were warm-weather succulents and palms, and the estimated value of the plants lost is between $30,000 and $40,000. Botanica staff have started a<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Botanica-Greenhouse-Fund?sharetype=teams&amp;member=9080274&amp;pc=fb_co_campmgmt_w&amp;rcid=r01-161478403431-f9889e1ed72a4201&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bshare-sheet&amp;fbclid=IwAR0bazo5kPyPCL9uwyz83nMPIibn3GN3jhXRgr_p1_V9rtAA6J3288YXhvw"> crowd-funding </a>effort to replace the plants.

Failed Kan. greenhouse heater leads loss of up to $40K of plants

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old man is in custody after a child died in a hit-and-run in Wichita. Police arrested Marcus Downey Monday on potential charges of felony hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. 

The 4-year-old boy was struck by a pickup truck when he and his mother were crossing a street in downtown Wichita Monday morning. He died at a Wichita hospital. Capt. Wendell Nicholson said 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/2021/3/1615254271840.png" alt="Downey photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Downey photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old man is in custody after a child died in a hit-and-run in Wichita. Police arrested Marcus Downey Monday on potential charges of felony hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. <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>The 4-year-old boy was struck by a pickup truck when he and his mother were crossing a street in downtown Wichita Monday morning. He died at a Wichita hospital. Capt. Wendell Nicholson said the truck fled the scene but was found about 100 yards away. The boy's mother was not injured

Kan. man arrested after 4-year-old killed in hit-and-run

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 8:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to a disturbance at the Royal Lodge motel, 320 East Kellogg Street in Wichita, according to police Lt. Christian Cory.

A 23-year-old woman at the scene told police she left a business downtown when a suspect approached and walked her to the motel where she was sexually assaulted.

Investigators later learned of the involvement of 47-year-old Anthony Douglas of Wichita who is a registered sex offender.

On Sunday afternoon, police located Douglas at the business in the 100 Block of North Mosley and arrested him on requested charges of rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and possession of marijuana, according to Cory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615236375927.png" alt="Douglas photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Douglas photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and have a suspect in custody.Just before 8:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to a disturbance at the Royal Lodge motel, 320 East Kellogg Street in Wichita, according to police Lt. Christian Cory.A 23-year-old woman at the scene told police she left a business downtown when a suspect approached and walked her to the motel where she was sexually assaulted.Investigators later learned of the involvement of 47-year-old Anthony Douglas of Wichita who is a registered sex offender.On Sunday afternoon, police located Douglas at the business in the 100 Block of North Mosley and arrested him on requested charges of rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and possession of marijuana, according to Cory.

Registed Kansas sex offender arrested for alleged rape

By LAURA OLSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/08/cdc-its-ok-for-vaccinated-grandparents-to-visit-family-if-no-risk-for-severe-disease/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON
 — People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely socialize
 inside with other vaccinated individuals without wearing masks or 
maintaining distance, federal health officials advised Monday in their 
first formal guidance for vaccinated Americans.

Perhaps more critically at a time when more than 90% of Americans are still waiting to be fully vaccinated, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines</a>
 also detail one scenario in which public health officials suggest it’s 
safe for those who are fully vaccinated to gather with those who are 
not.

Vaccinated
 individuals can gather with one other household that includes people 
who have not been vaccinated, as long as none of those lacking vaccines 
are at high risk for complications from COVID-19, officials said.

“If
 grandparents have been vaccinated, they can visit their daughter and 
her family, even if they have not been vaccinated, so long as the 
daughter and her family are not at risk for severe disease,” CDC 
director Rochelle Walensky said during a news conference.

Walensky
 added that if any of those unvaccinated are at high risk, everyone — 
including those with vaccines — should still wear a mask, physically 
distance and gather outside or in a well-ventilated space.

The
 new recommendations offer a glimmer of hope just days before March 11, 
which will mark one year since the World Health Organization declared a 
pandemic and the country began to lock down in response to the COVID-19 
outbreak. President Joe Biden is set to give his first primetime address
 Thursday evening to commemorate that anniversary.&nbsp;

Biden
 also will meet with officials from two vaccine manufacturers, Johnson 
&amp; Johnson and Merck, at the White House on Wednesday, according to 
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. He had been scheduled to travel 
to Baltimore to meet with them at Emergent BioSolutions, which produces 
the drug substance for the J&amp;J vaccine.

But
 as health officials detailed scenarios in which vaccinated individuals 
can begin to return to a semblance of normal life, they still urged 
caution, citing insufficient data about whether vaccinated individuals 
can transmit the virus.&nbsp;

Those
 who are vaccinated are urged to continue taking safety precautions — 
including wearing masks, socially distancing, and gathering outside — if
 gathering with people from multiple households.&nbsp;

And
 everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is still urged to refrain 
from large gatherings or non-essential travel. The guidance against 
travel is likely to come into conflict with the new recommendations on 
socializing after receiving a vaccine, with many agitating to travel to 
see family members in other states after a year of separation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“As
 more people get vaccinated, levels of COVID-19 infection decline in 
communities, and as our understanding of COVID immunity improves, we 
look forward to updating these recommendations,” Walensky said.

The
 guidelines come against a backdrop in which U.S. infections and 
hospitalizations are dropping, but not yet far enough to diminish the 
high rates of transmission in most communities. New variants of the 
virus also continue to circulate, yet some states have begun to lift 
restrictions on mask-wearing and business capacity.

The
 pace of COVID-19 vaccinations through the three federally authorized 
shots has picked up to more than 2 million doses per day, with 59 
million individuals having received at least one dose and 31 million now
 fully vaccinated.

Being
 “fully vaccinated” under the CDC’s definition means those who are at 
least two weeks past receiving the one-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson 
vaccine or the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna shots.

People
 who are fully vaccinated are now advised that they do not need to 
quarantine or seek a COVID-19 test if they are exposed to the virus, as 
long as they do not have symptoms of infection.

Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Kansas Reflector. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections, and campaign finance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615235292299.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURA OLSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/08/cdc-its-ok-for-vaccinated-grandparents-to-visit-family-if-no-risk-for-severe-disease/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON
 — People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely socialize
 inside with other vaccinated individuals without wearing masks or 
maintaining distance, federal health officials advised Monday in their 
first formal guidance for vaccinated Americans.Perhaps more critically at a time when more than 90% of Americans are still waiting to be fully vaccinated, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines</a>
 also detail one scenario in which public health officials suggest it’s 
safe for those who are fully vaccinated to gather with those who are 
not.Vaccinated
 individuals can gather with one other household that includes people 
who have not been vaccinated, as long as none of those lacking vaccines 
are at high risk for complications from COVID-19, officials said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615235345027.jpeg" alt="Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided guidance Monday for interactions with family who have been vaccinated. (Lauren Bishop/CDC)" />
 <figcaption>Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided guidance Monday for interactions with family who have been vaccinated. (Lauren Bishop/CDC)</figcaption>
 </figure>“If
 grandparents have been vaccinated, they can visit their daughter and 
her family, even if they have not been vaccinated, so long as the 
daughter and her family are not at risk for severe disease,” CDC 
director Rochelle Walensky said during a news conference.Walensky
 added that if any of those unvaccinated are at high risk, everyone — 
including those with vaccines — should still wear a mask, physically 
distance and gather outside or in a well-ventilated space.The
 new recommendations offer a glimmer of hope just days before March 11, 
which will mark one year since the World Health Organization declared a 
pandemic and the country began to lock down in response to the COVID-19 
outbreak. President Joe Biden is set to give his first primetime address
 Thursday evening to commemorate that anniversary.&nbsp;Biden
 also will meet with officials from two vaccine manufacturers, Johnson 
&amp; Johnson and Merck, at the White House on Wednesday, according to 
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. He had been scheduled to travel 
to Baltimore to meet with them at Emergent BioSolutions, which produces 
the drug substance for the J&amp;J vaccine.But
 as health officials detailed scenarios in which vaccinated individuals 
can begin to return to a semblance of normal life, they still urged 
caution, citing insufficient data about whether vaccinated individuals 
can transmit the virus.&nbsp;Those
 who are vaccinated are urged to continue taking safety precautions — 
including wearing masks, socially distancing, and gathering outside — if
 gathering with people from multiple households.&nbsp;And
 everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is still urged to refrain 
from large gatherings or non-essential travel. The guidance against 
travel is likely to come into conflict with the new recommendations on 
socializing after receiving a vaccine, with many agitating to travel to 
see family members in other states after a year of separation.&nbsp;&nbsp;“As
 more people get vaccinated, levels of COVID-19 infection decline in 
communities, and as our understanding of COVID immunity improves, we 
look forward to updating these recommendations,” Walensky said.The
 guidelines come against a backdrop in which U.S. infections and 
hospitalizations are dropping, but not yet far enough to diminish the 
high rates of transmission in most communities. New variants of the 
virus also continue to circulate, yet some states have begun to lift 
restrictions on mask-wearing and business capacity.The
 pace of COVID-19 vaccinations through the three federally authorized 
shots has picked up to more than 2 million doses per day, with 59 
million individuals having received at least one dose and 31 million now
 fully vaccinated.Being
 “fully vaccinated” under the CDC’s definition means those who are at 
least two weeks past receiving the one-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson 
vaccine or the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna shots.People
 who are fully vaccinated are now advised that they do not need to 
quarantine or seek a COVID-19 test if they are exposed to the virus, as 
long as they do not have symptoms of infection.Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Kansas Reflector. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections, and campaign finance.

CDC OKs vaccinated grandparents to visit family if no risk for severe disease

By NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com/">Hutch Post</a>


HUTCHINSON — 
Once the Kansas House returns from the turnaround break this week, 
discussions will begin on an education bill that has rolled together 
most of the major issues for K-12 into one piece of business.

"The
 bill now includes the budget or the funding for the Department of 
Education, which is all the aid to local school districts, so it's the 
funding," said Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School 
Boards. "It also extends the state mill levy, which is part of the way 
schools are funded. That has to be done every two years. Then, it 
contains two new provisions dealing with private school aid, which has 
been a big topic this session. Finally, there's provisions dealing with 
remote learning. Of course, the whole issue of how schools have dealt 
with the pandemic has been a big topic."

The question that still needs to be resolved is whether putting so much legislation together gains overall votes or loses them.

"It's
 always an issue in legislative strategy, do you put a lot of things 
together in hope that parts of it are popular enough to get enough votes
 to maybe get some things not as popular, or, if you put too much in 
one, does it just sink the whole thing?," asked Tallman.

There is 
still the floor amendment process to go through in the House, plus any 
adjustments the Kansas Senate might choose to make.

"When you 
throw in the hurdle of getting what the Governor would agree to, what 
she would sign and the fact that there could be a majority of 
legislators that say, we've got to pass a budget," Tallman said. "The 
deadline may be, will a majority of legislators kind of want these other
 pieces to pass a budget, even though there might not be two-thirds 
support to do that. We could be a long way from resolving this."

The specifics on when the education budget bill might be on the floor have not been released as of Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582221969260.jpeg" alt="Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com/">Hutch Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — 
Once the Kansas House returns from the turnaround break this week, 
discussions will begin on an education bill that has rolled together 
most of the major issues for K-12 into one piece of business."The
 bill now includes the budget or the funding for the Department of 
Education, which is all the aid to local school districts, so it's the 
funding," said Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School 
Boards. "It also extends the state mill levy, which is part of the way 
schools are funded. That has to be done every two years. Then, it 
contains two new provisions dealing with private school aid, which has 
been a big topic this session. Finally, there's provisions dealing with 
remote learning. Of course, the whole issue of how schools have dealt 
with the pandemic has been a big topic."The question that still needs to be resolved is whether putting so much legislation together gains overall votes or loses them."It's
 always an issue in legislative strategy, do you put a lot of things 
together in hope that parts of it are popular enough to get enough votes
 to maybe get some things not as popular, or, if you put too much in 
one, does it just sink the whole thing?," asked Tallman.There is 
still the floor amendment process to go through in the House, plus any 
adjustments the Kansas Senate might choose to make."When you 
throw in the hurdle of getting what the Governor would agree to, what 
she would sign and the fact that there could be a majority of 
legislators that say, we've got to pass a budget," Tallman said. "The 
deadline may be, will a majority of legislators kind of want these other
 pieces to pass a budget, even though there might not be two-thirds 
support to do that. We could be a long way from resolving this."The specifics on when the education budget bill might be on the floor have not been released as of Monday.

Tallman: Many education issues rolled into one Kan. House bill

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a sexual assault have made an arrest.

Just after 10:00 a.m. March 4, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help. The suspect was described as a black, male, 5-foot-10 inches tall, approximately 200 pounds and bald.

On Sunday police located and arrested 38-year-old Antonio Riley from Oklahoma, according to police Lt. Christian Cory. He is being held on requested charges of rape, aggravated burglary, criminal sodomy, kidnapping, drug charges and an active warrant.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault case and asking the public for help to find a suspect.

Just after 10:00 a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer&nbsp; Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614980294892.png" alt="Home video surveillance of the suspect&nbsp; -Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Home video surveillance of the suspect&nbsp; -Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a sexual assault have made an arrest.Just after 10:00 a.m. March 4, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615214618758.png" alt="Riley photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Riley photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help. The suspect was described as a black, male, 5-foot-10 inches tall, approximately 200 pounds and bald.On Sunday police located and arrested 38-year-old Antonio Riley from Oklahoma, according to police Lt. Christian Cory. He is being held on requested charges of rape, aggravated burglary, criminal sodomy, kidnapping, drug charges and an active warrant.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault case and asking the public for help to find a suspect.Just after 10:00 a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to report of a sexual assault&nbsp; that occurred at 1500 block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer&nbsp; Paul Cruz.Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21-year-old female victim who reported an unknown suspect knocking on her front door. When the victim opened the door, the suspect produced a knife and forced his way into the residence, and sexually assaulted her. The victims left the residence and called 911 for help.

Police arrest Kansas rape suspect seen on doorbell camera

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp; Victor Cabrera, 32, of Garden City. 

Just before 7:00 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 1404 W. Fulton Street Apt. 4, in Garden City after report of a man shot in the head, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.

At the scene, police located the Cabrera and Finney County EMS transported him&nbsp; St. Catherine Hospital. He was later flown to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita where he died.

The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident, or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp; Victor Cabrera, 32, of Garden City. Just before 7:00 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 1404 W. Fulton Street Apt. 4, in Garden City after report of a man shot in the head, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.At the scene, police located the Cabrera and Finney County EMS transported him&nbsp; St. Catherine Hospital. He was later flown to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita where he died.The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident, or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

SW Kan. shooting victim air-lifted to hospital has died

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Michael Brown, 65, of Wichita.

Just before 8p.m. Sunday a&nbsp;2010 Ford Focus driven by Brown was southbound in the 4100 Block of South Hydraulic in Wichita. The car crossed the center line and struck a&nbsp; 2018 Kia Soul driven by a 28-year-old woman head-on, according to officer Paul Cruz.

EMS transported Brown to a local hospital where he died. The 28-year-old woman was not transported for treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This is the ninth fatal accident in Wichita in 2021, according to Cruz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615233677422.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal head-on crash /photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal head-on crash /photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Michael Brown, 65, of Wichita.Just before 8p.m. Sunday a&nbsp;2010 Ford Focus driven by Brown was southbound in the 4100 Block of South Hydraulic in Wichita. The car crossed the center line and struck a&nbsp; 2018 Kia Soul driven by a 28-year-old woman head-on, according to officer Paul Cruz.EMS transported Brown to a local hospital where he died. The 28-year-old woman was not transported for treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This is the ninth fatal accident in Wichita in 2021, according to Cruz.

Police ID Kansas man who died in head-on crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is rethinking Trump administration policies that weakened how colleges and universities that get federal dollars handle sexual assault accusations on campus, according to administration officials.

Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.

The new president focused on gender equity during his campaign and promised to strengthen Title IX if he won the White House. He also will sign a second executive order formally establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, according to two administration officials who briefed reporters on the plan. Biden’s transition team announced his plans to create the council before he took office.

The order directing the review of Title IX could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.

Trump’s education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-betsy-devos-coronavirus-pandemic-education-9bac8880e7c7164473674c0bc02365d5">Betsy DeVos</a>, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era administration standard in cases of reported sexual assault from requiring a “preponderance of evidence” — meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment or violence occurred — to “clear and convincing evidence.”

The DeVos changes reduced the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f489490cb06c0ac02e6c586be9abc5f1">bolstered the due process rights of the accused</a>, including the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.

Biden, as vice president, along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan in 2011&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/vice-president-biden-announces-new-administration-effort-help-nations-schools-ad" target="_blank">laid out the legal guidance</a>&nbsp;of what was expected of college campuses in response to allegations of sexual violence on behalf of President Barack Obama’s administration.

With the Education Department review, Biden’s intent is to set policies that help ensure students have an environment that’s free from sexual harassment and without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to one White House official who briefed reporters on the orders.

The order establishing the Gender Policy Council comes after Trump disbanded an office specifically focused on women’s issues created during the Obama administration that was called the White House Council on Women and Girls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615204180481.png" alt="President Biden during comments on Sunday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during comments on Sunday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is rethinking Trump administration policies that weakened how colleges and universities that get federal dollars handle sexual assault accusations on campus, according to administration officials.Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.The new president focused on gender equity during his campaign and promised to strengthen Title IX if he won the White House. He also will sign a second executive order formally establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, according to two administration officials who briefed reporters on the plan. Biden’s transition team announced his plans to create the council before he took office.The order directing the review of Title IX could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.Trump’s education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-betsy-devos-coronavirus-pandemic-education-9bac8880e7c7164473674c0bc02365d5">Betsy DeVos</a>, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era administration standard in cases of reported sexual assault from requiring a “preponderance of evidence” — meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment or violence occurred — to “clear and convincing evidence.”The DeVos changes reduced the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f489490cb06c0ac02e6c586be9abc5f1">bolstered the due process rights of the accused</a>, including the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.Biden, as vice president, along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan in 2011&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/vice-president-biden-announces-new-administration-effort-help-nations-schools-ad" target="_blank">laid out the legal guidance</a>&nbsp;of what was expected of college campuses in response to allegations of sexual violence on behalf of President Barack Obama’s administration.With the Education Department review, Biden’s intent is to set policies that help ensure students have an environment that’s free from sexual harassment and without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to one White House official who briefed reporters on the orders.The order establishing the Gender Policy Council comes after Trump disbanded an office specifically focused on women’s issues created during the Obama administration that was called the White House Council on Women and Girls.