OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of federal securities fraud and sentenced to four years' supervised probation. 

The office of U.S. Attorney General for Kansas Derek Schmidt says in a news release that 64-year-old Michael Davin, of Olathe, also was ordered Monday to pay more than $81,000 in restitution to a former client. 

Davin pleaded no contest to a single count back in December. Prosecutors say Davin failed to disclose to the investor that he had prior felony convictions, including two for theft. The securities case was initially filed in October 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610658041549.png" alt="Davin photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Davin photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of federal securities fraud and sentenced to four years' supervised probation. The office of U.S. Attorney General for Kansas Derek Schmidt says in a news release that 64-year-old Michael Davin, of Olathe, also was ordered Monday to pay more than $81,000 in restitution to a former client. Davin pleaded no contest to a single count back in December. Prosecutors say Davin failed to disclose to the investor that he had prior felony convictions, including two for theft. The securities case was initially filed in October 2018.

Kan. man ordered to repay investor in securities fraud case

DOUGLAS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Thursday in Douglas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner straight truck driven by Eric J. Burge, 54, Kansas City, MO., was&nbsp; eastbound on Kansas 10 Highway just east of 1900 Road.

&nbsp;The truck crossed the center median into westbound lanes and stuck a 2006 Acura TSX driven by Robert Stanley Walston, Jr. 23, Olathe, head-on&nbsp; Both vehicles came to rest in the north ditch.

Walston was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Foresics. EMS transported Burge to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610654026458.png" alt="The westbound lanes of K-10 were closed from the Church Street exit to E 1900 Road until just before noon Thursday, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/ott/news/one-person-killed-in-crash-near-eudora-ks/video_073a84d1-4119-50b4-a964-cad1fabab3d6.html?block_id=991162">photo courtesy KCTV</a>" />
 <figcaption>The westbound lanes of K-10 were closed from the Church Street exit to E 1900 Road until just before noon Thursday, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/ott/news/one-person-killed-in-crash-near-eudora-ks/video_073a84d1-4119-50b4-a964-cad1fabab3d6.html?block_id=991162">photo courtesy KCTV</a></figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Thursday in Douglas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner straight truck driven by Eric J. Burge, 54, Kansas City, MO., was&nbsp; eastbound on Kansas 10 Highway just east of 1900 Road.&nbsp;The truck crossed the center median into westbound lanes and stuck a 2006 Acura TSX driven by Robert Stanley Walston, Jr. 23, Olathe, head-on&nbsp; Both vehicles came to rest in the north ditch.Walston was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Foresics. EMS transported Burge to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

23-year-old Kan. man dies after head-on truck crash

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly outlined a proposed annual budget Wednesday that includes a tax increase and two other major initiatives likely to be rejected by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature.

Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://budget.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY2022_GBR_Vol1-1-13-2021.pdf" target="_blank">$20.9 billion spending plan</a>&nbsp;for the budget year that begins July 1 would protect a previously promised increase in funding for public schools, pay for upgrades in state computer systems and provide a 2.5% pay increase for state workers. It also would make reductions in some agencies’ spending so that the state would end June 2022 with a projected financial cushion of more than $680 million.

But the governor proposed reducing the state’s annual contribution to its pension system for teachers and government workers to free up funds for programs — an idea that Republican majorities rejected in 2019 and 2020. She is renewing her push to expand the state’s Medical health coverage for the needy, which GOP leaders oppose.

Kelly also proposed imposing the state’s sales tax on online music and movie purchases and on sales through websites such as Etsy and eBay to raise $86 million a year. Republican leaders last year derided that idea as a “Netflix tax” and have made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-e909c91aea0d882258377cd9305f5bc2">cutting income taxes</a>&nbsp;a top priority this year.

“It just seems like we just keep going back to the same methods,” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Troy Waymaster, a Bunker Hill Republican. “Why are we trying to resurrect components of a budget that for the most part is not going pass the Legislature?”

Kelly later dismissed the GOP’s criticism as an expected negotiating tactic.

“Even as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, my budget is fiscally sound,” she said during a Statehouse news conference. “It maintains investments in core services, like education, infrastructure and economic development.”

A fiscal forecast issued by state officials and legislative researchers in November was sunnier than the previous one, and tax collections through December still were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/SGF/FY2021/FY2021-SGF06-July-December.pdf" target="_blank">1.7% higher&nbsp;</a>than expected. That for now has all but eliminated a projected shortfall for the next budget year, but the state’s employment picture also worsened in December, nine months after the pandemic reached Kansas.

“There are signs of improvement in the economy across a couple of different sectors, but the economic outlook does remain uncertain across the nation,” Adam Proffitt, Kelly’s budget director, told lawmakers during a presentation on her proposals.

The spending covered by the state’s general tax revenues would rise by 1.2%, to nearly $8 billion, reflecting Kelly’s commitment to higher funding for public schools in line with a law enacted in 2019 to settle a lawsuit over education spending. Total spending from all sources, including federal funds, would remain just shy of $21 billion.

Kelly’s plan would leave $601 million in cash reserves, plus another $82 million in an emergency budget stabilization fund.

But Kansas could have such a financial cushion and finance Kelly’s spending proposals because her plan would give the state another 10 years — until 2046 — to close a long-term, $9 billion gap in funding for the state pension system. Kelly’s move would free up $159 million during the next budget year by dropping the next annual pension contribution by 24%.

The state in 2012 committed itself to an aggressive plan of rising annual contributions to the pension system to close its long-term funding gap, something squeezing annual state budgets.

But Kelly’s plan comes with a long-term cost of $4.6 billion in extra interest payments over 25 years. The state pension system is 70% funded, and some Republican lawmakers want to wait at least a few more years before considering a new, less aggressive schedule of pension contributions.

Meanwhile, Kelly and her aides pitched the proposed “Netflix tax” as a matter of fairness, arguing that Kansas businesses with physical stores are at a competitive disadvantage because they have to collect the state’s 6.5% sales tax.

“These provisions are merely updates to the tax code, which was written before the days of online shopping and streaming,” Kelly spokesperson Lauren Fitzgerald said.

Republican lawmakers immediately were skeptical that the tax proposal would raise as much as Kelly estimates and said the state’s taxes already are too high.

Legislators expected Kelly to push again for Medicaid expansion, and her plan is designed to provide coverage for an additional 165,000 people, starting in 2022.

Her budget says the state would spend $19 million over the first six months but that the rest would come from $541 million in federal funds. Kansas is among only 12 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid in line with the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act championed by former Democratic President Barack Obama.

Republicans question whether the state’s costs will be so low and their leaders have said they have different priorities, including helping small businesses hurt by the pandemic.

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said Kelly proposed “a trifecta of things that aren’t going to go anywhere.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610501495272.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during her virtual State of the State address Tuesday" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during her virtual State of the State address Tuesday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly outlined a proposed annual budget Wednesday that includes a tax increase and two other major initiatives likely to be rejected by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature.Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://budget.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY2022_GBR_Vol1-1-13-2021.pdf" target="_blank">$20.9 billion spending plan</a>&nbsp;for the budget year that begins July 1 would protect a previously promised increase in funding for public schools, pay for upgrades in state computer systems and provide a 2.5% pay increase for state workers. It also would make reductions in some agencies’ spending so that the state would end June 2022 with a projected financial cushion of more than $680 million.But the governor proposed reducing the state’s annual contribution to its pension system for teachers and government workers to free up funds for programs — an idea that Republican majorities rejected in 2019 and 2020. She is renewing her push to expand the state’s Medical health coverage for the needy, which GOP leaders oppose.Kelly also proposed imposing the state’s sales tax on online music and movie purchases and on sales through websites such as Etsy and eBay to raise $86 million a year. Republican leaders last year derided that idea as a “Netflix tax” and have made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-e909c91aea0d882258377cd9305f5bc2">cutting income taxes</a>&nbsp;a top priority this year.“It just seems like we just keep going back to the same methods,” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Troy Waymaster, a Bunker Hill Republican. “Why are we trying to resurrect components of a budget that for the most part is not going pass the Legislature?”Kelly later dismissed the GOP’s criticism as an expected negotiating tactic.“Even as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, my budget is fiscally sound,” she said during a Statehouse news conference. “It maintains investments in core services, like education, infrastructure and economic development.”A fiscal forecast issued by state officials and legislative researchers in November was sunnier than the previous one, and tax collections through December still were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/SGF/FY2021/FY2021-SGF06-July-December.pdf" target="_blank">1.7% higher&nbsp;</a>than expected. That for now has all but eliminated a projected shortfall for the next budget year, but the state’s employment picture also worsened in December, nine months after the pandemic reached Kansas.“There are signs of improvement in the economy across a couple of different sectors, but the economic outlook does remain uncertain across the nation,” Adam Proffitt, Kelly’s budget director, told lawmakers during a presentation on her proposals.The spending covered by the state’s general tax revenues would rise by 1.2%, to nearly $8 billion, reflecting Kelly’s commitment to higher funding for public schools in line with a law enacted in 2019 to settle a lawsuit over education spending. Total spending from all sources, including federal funds, would remain just shy of $21 billion.Kelly’s plan would leave $601 million in cash reserves, plus another $82 million in an emergency budget stabilization fund.But Kansas could have such a financial cushion and finance Kelly’s spending proposals because her plan would give the state another 10 years — until 2046 — to close a long-term, $9 billion gap in funding for the state pension system. Kelly’s move would free up $159 million during the next budget year by dropping the next annual pension contribution by 24%.The state in 2012 committed itself to an aggressive plan of rising annual contributions to the pension system to close its long-term funding gap, something squeezing annual state budgets.But Kelly’s plan comes with a long-term cost of $4.6 billion in extra interest payments over 25 years. The state pension system is 70% funded, and some Republican lawmakers want to wait at least a few more years before considering a new, less aggressive schedule of pension contributions.Meanwhile, Kelly and her aides pitched the proposed “Netflix tax” as a matter of fairness, arguing that Kansas businesses with physical stores are at a competitive disadvantage because they have to collect the state’s 6.5% sales tax.“These provisions are merely updates to the tax code, which was written before the days of online shopping and streaming,” Kelly spokesperson Lauren Fitzgerald said.Republican lawmakers immediately were skeptical that the tax proposal would raise as much as Kelly estimates and said the state’s taxes already are too high.Legislators expected Kelly to push again for Medicaid expansion, and her plan is designed to provide coverage for an additional 165,000 people, starting in 2022.Her budget says the state would spend $19 million over the first six months but that the rest would come from $541 million in federal funds. Kansas is among only 12 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid in line with the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act championed by former Democratic President Barack Obama.Republicans question whether the state’s costs will be so low and their leaders have said they have different priorities, including helping small businesses hurt by the pandemic.House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said Kelly proposed “a trifecta of things that aren’t going to go anywhere.”

Kan. governor's budget includes variety of new taxes

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have made an arrest.

Just after 5:30a.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to a welfare call at 13th&nbsp;and Oliver in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; A citizen reported&nbsp; 39-year-old Jason Payne lying face down in the middle of the street at the intersection.&nbsp; 

Upon arrival, officers contacted Payne who needed medical assistance.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital, treated, and released.

Through the investigation of this incident, information was learned of a man possibly being injured at a home in the 900 block of North Oliver.&nbsp; Officers went to the home and found a male unresponsive.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene and is believed to be a family member of Payne.

The investigation revealed a physical disturbance occurred at the home, and investigators are still working to learn additional details of what occurred, according to Davidson.

Police arrested Payne on a requested charge of first-degree murder, according to Davidson.

This was not a random incident, and the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610628823403.png" alt="Payne photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Payne photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have made an arrest.Just after 5:30a.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to a welfare call at 13th&nbsp;and Oliver in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; A citizen reported&nbsp; 39-year-old Jason Payne lying face down in the middle of the street at the intersection.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers contacted Payne who needed medical assistance.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital, treated, and released.Through the investigation of this incident, information was learned of a man possibly being injured at a home in the 900 block of North Oliver.&nbsp; Officers went to the home and found a male unresponsive.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene and is believed to be a family member of Payne.The investigation revealed a physical disturbance occurred at the home, and investigators are still working to learn additional details of what occurred, according to Davidson.Police arrested Payne on a requested charge of first-degree murder, according to Davidson.This was not a random incident, and the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police find Kan. murder suspect lying in the street

TOPEKA —Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard announced Thursday that benefits through the food assistance program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will increase temporarily, according to a media release from DCF.

The maximum allotments for food assistance will increase 15 percent for each household in January and will continue through June 2021. For the six-month period, the maximum allowable allotment for a family of four has been temporarily increased to $782.

“The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021&nbsp;allows states to provide this additional assistance,” Howard said. “These added funds are imperative to ensure Kansas families have access to food in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Those that already receive food assistance don’t have to take any action to receive the increased benefit.

In January, funds will come in three issuances: The regular benefit was issued between Jan. 1 – 10 ; the 15 percent temporary increase will be available to each household as a supplement on Jan. 21; and the emergency food assistance allotment will be issued Jan. 22 – 30.

The February through June temporary maximum benefit will be issued on the regular issuance dates of the 1st&nbsp;through 10th&nbsp;of the month. In July, benefits will return to the regular benefit amount.

The temporary increase in maximum allotments are:

The temporary minimum allotment for household size 1 to 2 is $19.

All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.

Those interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF <a href="http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx">website</a>&nbsp;or contact a local service center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584741220594.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard announced Thursday that benefits through the food assistance program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will increase temporarily, according to a media release from DCF.The maximum allotments for food assistance will increase 15 percent for each household in January and will continue through June 2021. For the six-month period, the maximum allowable allotment for a family of four has been temporarily increased to $782.“The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021&nbsp;allows states to provide this additional assistance,” Howard said. “These added funds are imperative to ensure Kansas families have access to food in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”Those that already receive food assistance don’t have to take any action to receive the increased benefit.In January, funds will come in three issuances: The regular benefit was issued between Jan. 1 – 10 ; the 15 percent temporary increase will be available to each household as a supplement on Jan. 21; and the emergency food assistance allotment will be issued Jan. 22 – 30.The February through June temporary maximum benefit will be issued on the regular issuance dates of the 1st&nbsp;through 10th&nbsp;of the month. In July, benefits will return to the regular benefit amount.The temporary increase in maximum allotments are:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610643467656.png" alt="Kansas DCF image" />
 <figcaption>Kansas DCF image</figcaption>
 </figure>The temporary minimum allotment for household size 1 to 2 is $19.All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.Those interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF <a href="http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx">website</a>&nbsp;or contact a local service center.

Added benefit for Kansans receiving food assistance 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident in Lawrence.

Just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday., Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call that an individual had been struck by a train in the area of 2nd and Indiana St. in Lawrence, according to Jenn Hethcoat Public Information Officer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

When deputies arrived they searched the area for the individual with assistance from Lawrence Police Department and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.&nbsp; They located a woman with critical injuries and started life-saving measures. She died on scene.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the woman's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610640896864.png" alt="The fatal incident occurred near Burcham Park, on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. -Google image" />
 <figcaption>The fatal incident occurred near Burcham Park, on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident in Lawrence.Just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday., Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call that an individual had been struck by a train in the area of 2nd and Indiana St. in Lawrence, according to Jenn Hethcoat Public Information Officer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.When deputies arrived they searched the area for the individual with assistance from Lawrence Police Department and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.&nbsp; They located a woman with critical injuries and started life-saving measures. She died on scene.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the woman's name.

Sheriff: Kan. woman dies after being hit by train 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Coronavirus hospitalizations have fallen in Kansas from their high last month and staffing is under less strain as the shaky vaccine rollout gains momentum, although overall case numbers remain stubbornly high.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows that 889 adults were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases as of Tuesday, down 30% from a high of 1,282 on Dec. 2. It was the lowest COVID-19 patient count since early November, when the numbers began creeping steadily upward.

Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, said a call he had this week with officials at small, rural hospital was “really encouraging.”

“There’s ICU beds available. The majority of ventilators are available, and — very encouraging — the staff are coming back off isolation because of illness or quarantine,” Norman said during a Statehouse news conference. “It’s really gratifying to see our health care workers get a little bit of a reprieve right now.”

Staffing also is less of a problem, with 11% of the state’s hospitals reporting anticipated staffing shortages this week, down from as many as 45% predicting problems in November and December, according to data from the Kansas Hospital Association.

“I don’t feel — and this is hopefully not premature — that we have seen as much of an increase post-Christmas and New Year’s like some parts of the country have,” Cindy Samuelson, a spokeswoman for the association, told The Associated Press. But she added: “There are some that think we are just early in the month of January.”

Last year, the situation grew so dire that staff at small hospitals were spending hours on the phone looking for places to transfer their sickest patients. Some hospitals were doubling up patients and holding them in emergency room hallways while they waited for rooms to open up.

Kenny Wilk, of the University of Kansas Health System, said during a teleconference sponsored by the state’s Hospital Association and the KDHE that things have started to improve in recent weeks,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article248450785.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle reported.</a>

“We have had a number of deaths, and that’s really hard on the staff,” Wilk said. “We’re sure hoping that peaks out. That’s been extremely difficult on the staff. But I think the combination of a little fewer patients in the hospitals, the vaccine’s coming across, and having more of our workforce available, you put all those things together and I think it (staff morale) is up.”

Dee Dee Dewell, an outreach representative for Ascension Via Christi, said Wichita hospitals have seen a small decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, though there is still high demand for intensive care unit beds.

“We do have to still remain very vigilant in our practices,” she said.

The state added 4,539 cases from Monday to Wednesday, making its tally 252,041 since the start of the pandemic. It reported 100 more deaths since Monday, making the total 3,355.

Meanwhile, the Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to extend the state’s coronavirus law to March 31. The law, enacted last year and due to expire Jan. 26, limits Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to close businesses and provides some protections from lawsuits to businesses, nursing homes and medical providers.

The committee’s decision came a day after it heard about a dozen lobbyists for groups representing restaurants, businesses, physicians and others express support for extending the law.

But Tucker Poling, acting executive director for the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, proposed no longer allowing health care workers licensed in other states to work in Kansas without authorization in the state. He said Tuesday that the law prevents Kansas professional licensing agencies from regulating them.

Even so, the committee passed the bill without including any amendments.

Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, a Wichita Republican, announced that the Senate will debate the bill on Thursday.

The state reported vaccinating 84,555 residents as of Tuesday. That’s just under 3% of the population and an improvement from Dec. 31, when Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that Kansas had the lowest vaccination rate among states.

With vaccinations for teachers and school staff tentatively on the horizon, Education commissioner Randy Watson said schools can start looking at how they will “transition out of the pandemic.” He offered the assessment Tuesday while also warning the Kansas State Board of Education that students showed slight declines on free, but optional, interim fall assessments,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/education/2021/01/12/kansas-students-falling-slightly-behind-assessment-data-shows/6632593002/" target="_blank">The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Coronavirus hospitalizations have fallen in Kansas from their high last month and staffing is under less strain as the shaky vaccine rollout gains momentum, although overall case numbers remain stubbornly high.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F428831938311562%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>Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows that 889 adults were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases as of Tuesday, down 30% from a high of 1,282 on Dec. 2. It was the lowest COVID-19 patient count since early November, when the numbers began creeping steadily upward.Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, said a call he had this week with officials at small, rural hospital was “really encouraging.”“There’s ICU beds available. The majority of ventilators are available, and — very encouraging — the staff are coming back off isolation because of illness or quarantine,” Norman said during a Statehouse news conference. “It’s really gratifying to see our health care workers get a little bit of a reprieve right now.”Staffing also is less of a problem, with 11% of the state’s hospitals reporting anticipated staffing shortages this week, down from as many as 45% predicting problems in November and December, according to data from the Kansas Hospital Association.“I don’t feel — and this is hopefully not premature — that we have seen as much of an increase post-Christmas and New Year’s like some parts of the country have,” Cindy Samuelson, a spokeswoman for the association, told The Associated Press. But she added: “There are some that think we are just early in the month of January.”Last year, the situation grew so dire that staff at small hospitals were spending hours on the phone looking for places to transfer their sickest patients. Some hospitals were doubling up patients and holding them in emergency room hallways while they waited for rooms to open up.Kenny Wilk, of the University of Kansas Health System, said during a teleconference sponsored by the state’s Hospital Association and the KDHE that things have started to improve in recent weeks,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article248450785.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle reported.</a>“We have had a number of deaths, and that’s really hard on the staff,” Wilk said. “We’re sure hoping that peaks out. That’s been extremely difficult on the staff. But I think the combination of a little fewer patients in the hospitals, the vaccine’s coming across, and having more of our workforce available, you put all those things together and I think it (staff morale) is up.”Dee Dee Dewell, an outreach representative for Ascension Via Christi, said Wichita hospitals have seen a small decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, though there is still high demand for intensive care unit beds.“We do have to still remain very vigilant in our practices,” she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610561531152.png" alt="Wednesday Jan. 13, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Jan. 13, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The state added 4,539 cases from Monday to Wednesday, making its tally 252,041 since the start of the pandemic. It reported 100 more deaths since Monday, making the total 3,355.Meanwhile, the Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to extend the state’s coronavirus law to March 31. The law, enacted last year and due to expire Jan. 26, limits Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to close businesses and provides some protections from lawsuits to businesses, nursing homes and medical providers.The committee’s decision came a day after it heard about a dozen lobbyists for groups representing restaurants, businesses, physicians and others express support for extending the law.But Tucker Poling, acting executive director for the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, proposed no longer allowing health care workers licensed in other states to work in Kansas without authorization in the state. He said Tuesday that the law prevents Kansas professional licensing agencies from regulating them.Even so, the committee passed the bill without including any amendments.Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, a Wichita Republican, announced that the Senate will debate the bill on Thursday.The state reported vaccinating 84,555 residents as of Tuesday. That’s just under 3% of the population and an improvement from Dec. 31, when Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that Kansas had the lowest vaccination rate among states.With vaccinations for teachers and school staff tentatively on the horizon, Education commissioner Randy Watson said schools can start looking at how they will “transition out of the pandemic.” He offered the assessment Tuesday while also warning the Kansas State Board of Education that students showed slight declines on free, but optional, interim fall assessments,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/education/2021/01/12/kansas-students-falling-slightly-behind-assessment-data-shows/6632593002/" target="_blank">The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.</a>___

🎥  Kan. COVID-19 hospitalizations fall from last month’s peak

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has been impeached by the House days before leaving office, becoming the first American president to be impeached twice.

The previous three impeachments — those of Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Trump — took months before a final vote, including investigations in the House and hearings. This time it only took a week after Trump encouraged a crowd of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol.

Democrats and 10 Republicans voted to impeach Trump on one charge: incitement of insurrection.

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will not begin a trial until next Tuesday, at the very earliest, which is the day before Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in as president. It’s unclear, for now, exactly how that trial will proceed and if any Senate Republicans will vote to convict Trump.

Even though the trial won’t happen until Trump is already out of office, it could still have the effect of preventing him from running for president again.

Once the House votes to impeach, the speaker of the House can send the article or articles over to the Senate immediately — or she can wait a while. Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t yet said when she will send them, but many Democrats in her caucus have urged her to do so immediately.

Pelosi has already appointed nine impeachment managers to argue the case against Trump in a Senate trial, a sign that she will send them sooner rather than later.

Once the articles are sent over — that is usually done with an official walk from the House to the Senate — then the majority leader of the Senate must start the process of having a trial.

The Senate is not scheduled to be in session until Jan. 19, which could be McConnell’s last day as Senate leader. Once Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in, making her the president of the Senate, and Georgia’s two Democratic senators are also sworn in, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer will take charge and determine how the trial will proceed.

McConnell said he will not bring the Senate back on an emergency basis to start the trial, so the earliest it could begin would be Tuesday. That means the trial is certain to take place after Trump has already left office.

McConnell noted that the three previous Senate trials lasted “83 days, 37 days, and 21 days respectively.”

McConnell believes that Trump committed impeachable offenses and considers the Democrats’ impeachment drive an opportunity to reduce the divisive, chaotic president’s hold on the GOP, a Republican strategist told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

And McConnell told major donors over the weekend that he was through with Trump, said the strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe McConnell’s conversations. His wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, resigned from Trump’s Cabinet soon after the riots.

But despite sending signals, McConnell has been characteristically quiet in public. In a note to colleagues Wednesday released by his office, McConnell said he had “not made a final decision on how I will vote.”

If McConnell voted to convict, other Republicans would surely follow. But no GOP senators have said how they will vote, and two-thirds of the Senate is needed.

Still, some Republicans have told Trump to resign, including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and few are defending him.

Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has said he would take a look at what the House approves, but stopped short of committing to support it.

Other Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, long a key ally of the president, has been critical of his behavior in inciting the riots but said impeachment “will do far more harm than good.”

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump in last year’s impeachment trial, after the House impeached Trump over his dealings with the president of Ukraine.

In the House, 10 Republicans joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump, including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican. Every single House Republican voted against Trump’s first impeachment in 2019.

If the Senate were to convict, lawmakers could then take a separate vote on whether to disqualify Trump from holding future office.

Schumer said Wednesday: “Make no mistake, there will be an impeachment trial in the United States Senate; there will be a vote on convicting the president for high crimes and misdemeanors; and if the president is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again.”

In the case of federal judges who were impeached and removed from office, the Senate has taken a second vote after conviction to determine whether to bar the person from ever holding federal office again.

Only a majority of senators would be needed to ban him from future office, unlike the two-thirds needed to convict.

This impeachment trial is likely to differ from the last one in many ways.

The House charges in 2019 on Trump’s dealings with the president of Ukraine, whom he urged to investigate Biden, came after a lengthy investigation and testimony from multiple government officials. While Democrats unanimously criticized the conduct and charged Trump with abuse of power, the charges wove together a complicated web of evidence.

This time, Democrats felt there was little need for an investigation — the invasion of the Capitol played out on live television, and most members of Congress were in the building as it happened.

Trump’s speech beforehand, in which he told his supporters to “fight like hell” against the election results, was also televised as Congress prepared to officially count the votes.

House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, who led the last House impeachment team, said the insurrection at the Capitol was an “impeachable offense committed in broad daylight, in which the whole country was a witness.”

He said the lightning-fast impeachment “was required by the exigency of the circumstances, and also made possible by the very nature of the crime.”

The four-page article of impeachment says that Trump “gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government.”

It was introduced by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California and Jamie Raskin of Maryland, all of whom have been tapped to serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial.

The article says Trump’s behavior is consistent with his prior efforts to “subvert and obstruct” the results of the election and references his recent call with the Georgia secretary of state, in which he said he wanted him to find him more votes after losing the state to Biden.

Trump has falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in the election, and the baseless claims have been repeatedly echoed by congressional Republicans and the insurgents who descended on the Capitol.

As the protesters broke in, both chambers were debating GOP challenges to the electoral vote count in Arizona as part of the process for certifying Biden’s election win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610629510453.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after signing the Articles of Impeachment Wednesday evening -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after signing the Articles of Impeachment Wednesday evening -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has been impeached by the House days before leaving office, becoming the first American president to be impeached twice.The previous three impeachments — those of Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Trump — took months before a final vote, including investigations in the House and hearings. This time it only took a week after Trump encouraged a crowd of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol.Democrats and 10 Republicans voted to impeach Trump on one charge: incitement of insurrection.Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will not begin a trial until next Tuesday, at the very earliest, which is the day before Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in as president. It’s unclear, for now, exactly how that trial will proceed and if any Senate Republicans will vote to convict Trump.Even though the trial won’t happen until Trump is already out of office, it could still have the effect of preventing him from running for president again.A look at next steps:SENDING TO THE SENATEOnce the House votes to impeach, the speaker of the House can send the article or articles over to the Senate immediately — or she can wait a while. Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t yet said when she will send them, but many Democrats in her caucus have urged her to do so immediately.Pelosi has already appointed nine impeachment managers to argue the case against Trump in a Senate trial, a sign that she will send them sooner rather than later.Once the articles are sent over — that is usually done with an official walk from the House to the Senate — then the majority leader of the Senate must start the process of having a trial.THE SENATE SCHEDULEThe Senate is not scheduled to be in session until Jan. 19, which could be McConnell’s last day as Senate leader. Once Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in, making her the president of the Senate, and Georgia’s two Democratic senators are also sworn in, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer will take charge and determine how the trial will proceed.McConnell said he will not bring the Senate back on an emergency basis to start the trial, so the earliest it could begin would be Tuesday. That means the trial is certain to take place after Trump has already left office.McConnell noted that the three previous Senate trials lasted “83 days, 37 days, and 21 days respectively.”ALL EYES ON MCCONNELLMcConnell believes that Trump committed impeachable offenses and considers the Democrats’ impeachment drive an opportunity to reduce the divisive, chaotic president’s hold on the GOP, a Republican strategist told The Associated Press on Wednesday.And McConnell told major donors over the weekend that he was through with Trump, said the strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe McConnell’s conversations. His wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, resigned from Trump’s Cabinet soon after the riots.But despite sending signals, McConnell has been characteristically quiet in public. In a note to colleagues Wednesday released by his office, McConnell said he had “not made a final decision on how I will vote.”SENATE POLITICSIf McConnell voted to convict, other Republicans would surely follow. But no GOP senators have said how they will vote, and two-thirds of the Senate is needed.Still, some Republicans have told Trump to resign, including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and few are defending him.Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has said he would take a look at what the House approves, but stopped short of committing to support it.Other Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, long a key ally of the president, has been critical of his behavior in inciting the riots but said impeachment “will do far more harm than good.”Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump in last year’s impeachment trial, after the House impeached Trump over his dealings with the president of Ukraine.In the House, 10 Republicans joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump, including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican. Every single House Republican voted against Trump’s first impeachment in 2019.TRUMP’S FUTUREIf the Senate were to convict, lawmakers could then take a separate vote on whether to disqualify Trump from holding future office.Schumer said Wednesday: “Make no mistake, there will be an impeachment trial in the United States Senate; there will be a vote on convicting the president for high crimes and misdemeanors; and if the president is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again.”In the case of federal judges who were impeached and removed from office, the Senate has taken a second vote after conviction to determine whether to bar the person from ever holding federal office again.Only a majority of senators would be needed to ban him from future office, unlike the two-thirds needed to convict.DIFFERENT CHARGES, DIFFERENT IMPEACHMENTThis impeachment trial is likely to differ from the last one in many ways.The House charges in 2019 on Trump’s dealings with the president of Ukraine, whom he urged to investigate Biden, came after a lengthy investigation and testimony from multiple government officials. While Democrats unanimously criticized the conduct and charged Trump with abuse of power, the charges wove together a complicated web of evidence.This time, Democrats felt there was little need for an investigation — the invasion of the Capitol played out on live television, and most members of Congress were in the building as it happened.Trump’s speech beforehand, in which he told his supporters to “fight like hell” against the election results, was also televised as Congress prepared to officially count the votes.House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, who led the last House impeachment team, said the insurrection at the Capitol was an “impeachable offense committed in broad daylight, in which the whole country was a witness.”He said the lightning-fast impeachment “was required by the exigency of the circumstances, and also made possible by the very nature of the crime.”THE ARTICLEThe four-page article of impeachment says that Trump “gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government.”It was introduced by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California and Jamie Raskin of Maryland, all of whom have been tapped to serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial.The article says Trump’s behavior is consistent with his prior efforts to “subvert and obstruct” the results of the election and references his recent call with the Georgia secretary of state, in which he said he wanted him to find him more votes after losing the state to Biden.Trump has falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in the election, and the baseless claims have been repeatedly echoed by congressional Republicans and the insurgents who descended on the Capitol.As the protesters broke in, both chambers were debating GOP challenges to the electoral vote count in Arizona as part of the process for certifying Biden’s election win.___

Pres. Trump's fate with the Senate after House impeachment 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating an exchange of gunfire in in Shawnee County have made an arrest.

Just before 8:30p.m. January 8, deputies responded to the area of NW Beecher Road and NW Netherland Drive on a report of gunfire exchanged between two individuals, according to deputy Abigail Christian.

When deputies arrived, it was reported that 27-year-old&nbsp; Zachery R. Nelson arrived at a private residence and after a brief argument, fired multiple rounds at another individual.&nbsp;The victim also returned gunfire. There were no injuries. The Shawnee County Sheriff's Department asked the public for help to locate Nelson.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, Deputies arrested Nelson at a residence in the 8000 block of SW 23rd Terrace without incident. Nelson was transported to the Law Enforcement Center for further questioning and then booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of first degree murder, aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, criminal discharge of a firearm at an unoccupied dwelling, criminal damage and criminal threat.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an exchange of gunfire and continue to ask the community’s assistance locating a suspect..

On Friday, January 8, 2021, shortly before 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to the area of NW Beecher Road and NW Netherland Drive on a report of gunfire exchanged between two individuals, according to deputy Abigail Christian.

When deputies arrived, it was reported that 27-year-old&nbsp; Zachery R. Nelson arrived at a private residence and after a brief argument, fired multiple rounds at another individual. 

The victim also returned gunfire. At this time, no injuries have been reported.

Information was received that Nelson was possibly located at a residence in the 3700 block of SW 12th Street, in Topeka. Deputies attempted to locate Nelson at the residence but didn't find him.

Nelson is described as a white male, 5-feet-11 inches tall, 165 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. He was last seen driving a dark blue 2011 GMC Canyon pickup truck.

Authorities asked citizens to not approach Nelson, but call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610621887234.png" alt="Nelson photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Nelson photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating an exchange of gunfire in in Shawnee County have made an arrest.Just before 8:30p.m. January 8, deputies responded to the area of NW Beecher Road and NW Netherland Drive on a report of gunfire exchanged between two individuals, according to deputy Abigail Christian.When deputies arrived, it was reported that 27-year-old&nbsp; Zachery R. Nelson arrived at a private residence and after a brief argument, fired multiple rounds at another individual.&nbsp;The victim also returned gunfire. There were no injuries. The Shawnee County Sheriff's Department asked the public for help to locate Nelson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610223630844.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation WIBW" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation WIBW</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, Deputies arrested Nelson at a residence in the 8000 block of SW 23rd Terrace without incident. Nelson was transported to the Law Enforcement Center for further questioning and then booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of first degree murder, aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, criminal discharge of a firearm at an unoccupied dwelling, criminal damage and criminal threat.----------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an exchange of gunfire and continue to ask the community’s assistance locating a suspect..On Friday, January 8, 2021, shortly before 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to the area of NW Beecher Road and NW Netherland Drive on a report of gunfire exchanged between two individuals, according to deputy Abigail Christian.When deputies arrived, it was reported that 27-year-old&nbsp; Zachery R. Nelson arrived at a private residence and after a brief argument, fired multiple rounds at another individual. The victim also returned gunfire. At this time, no injuries have been reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610223695886.png" alt="Nelson has a previous burglary conviction. This photo from 2013, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Nelson has a previous burglary conviction. This photo from 2013, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Information was received that Nelson was possibly located at a residence in the 3700 block of SW 12th Street, in Topeka. Deputies attempted to locate Nelson at the residence but didn't find him.Nelson is described as a white male, 5-feet-11 inches tall, 165 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. He was last seen driving a dark blue 2011 GMC Canyon pickup truck.Authorities asked citizens to not approach Nelson, but call 911.

Kansas man wanted for role in gunfight captured

TOPEKA (AP) —State capitols across the nation stepped up security this week, deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers while several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol.

The protections came as the FBI issued a bulletin warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol. At least two people were arrested, including a man who tried to walk past authorities as lawmakers were to begin their session and shouted: “I have every right to witness this.”

At the Georgia Capitol, a state patrol SWAT team walked the perimeter wearing fatigues and carrying rifles while lawmakers gathered inside for the start of a two-year term. State troopers were stationed throughout the Iowa Capitol for opening day as more than 200 people opposing coronavirus mask mandates chanted “freedom” during a peaceful rally.

Legislatures convened in more than a half dozen states. By week’s end, three-fourths of all state legislatures will have opened their sessions. Because of concerns about the coronavirus, many state capitols had already adopted procedures to curb the potential for large crowds, including arranging for lawmakers to meet remotely. Those steps greatly reduced the number of people who are actually working in capitol buildings.

After insurrectionists backing President Donald Trump overran the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, some governors and lawmakers began ramping up security because of online threats suggesting that more mobs could target state capitols.

In Michigan, a state commission voted Monday to ban the open carrying of weapons in the Capitol building.

In Idaho, doors to the House and Senate chambers were locked Monday morning, and two state troopers were stationed at each entrance. In past years, the doors were propped open while an unarmed statehouse staff member controlled access.

During a special session last August, a group that included anti-government activist Ammon Bundy forced its way past overwhelmed troopers and filled the Idaho House gallery despite COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of people allowed in. The group called People’s Rights was founded by Bundy and opposes the restrictions. Its leaders were urging members to show up Monday at the Capitol.

Glen Thorne wore a handgun in a holster on his right hip Monday at the Capitol. Openly carrying weapons in the building is legal. Thorne said he wanted to make sure Republican Gov. Brad Little “knows that we’re here.”

“We want to end the state of emergency for Idaho. It’s ridiculous. We all want to go back to a normal state of living,” Thorne said. He did not think the group would cause trouble.

“This is Idaho. We’re all gun-carrying, respectful Republicans,” said Thorne, who lives in Buhl, Idaho, about a two-hour drive to the southeast of Boise.

Republican Idaho Rep. Chad Christensen said he brought a bulletproof vest.

“If I feel things are going to get heightened up, I may put it on,” said Christensen, who also carried a .45-caliber handgun on his belt, which is standard procedure for him.

In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and other officials approved construction of a fence around the Capitol last year after racial injustice protests. Kemp has kept a group of National Guard soldiers on active duty to protect state properties since last summer, when protesters smashed windows and set a fire at state public safety headquarters in Atlanta.

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, another Republican, said he had “full confidence” that authorities would be “ready to do whatever needs to be done to to protect the members, staff, the public, the media, and all the people that have to be here.”

A memo issued late last month by the FBI office in Minneapolis and confirmed by The Associated Press warned of credible threats for this Sunday at the state capitols in Minnesota and Michigan. The memo said followers of the right-wing Boogaloo movement had done reconnaissance at the Capitol in St. Paul, including scouting police sniper locations that would need to be destroyed if a gunbattle broke out.

Inslee, a Democrat, activated 750 members of the National Guard. On the same day as the deadly riot in Washington, D.C., a group of armed people broke down a gate outside the governor’s mansion in Olympia, Washington, and made it to the porch and front yard before being convinced to leave by police.

On Monday, lawmakers had to drive through an area gated off and guarded by the National Guard to park outside the Capitol. A small group of protesters gathered in the morning, shouting that they should be let inside the building to observe lawmakers.

“It’s a sad day for our country, isn’t it, where you have to have that kind of security around the people who were elected to represent you,” Democratic Sen. Patty Kuderer said. “Unfortunately, we live in troubling times, and I do believe we’re going to get through it, but it’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of effort.”

In Missouri, Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s inauguration proceeded Monday without incident. Concrete barriers and extra police — both typical inaugural precautions — surrounded the Capitol grounds where fewer than 2,000 people gathered. Parson told reporters later that security precautions also will be taken at potential upcoming demonstrations, though he was not specific.

Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Republican, said he was worried about protests at state capitols planned for this coming weekend and asked for extra security from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

“We’re hopeful that things, people, remain calm and the democratic process can continue,” Ryckman said.

Oregon state police will conduct building security training for those who work at the state Capitol, including journalists, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Michigan, where armed demonstrators against coronavirus restrictions entered the Capitol last year, there was little discussion as the open-weapons ban was approved. Michigan lawmakers are to return to session Wednesday.

Some of the anti-government extremists accused in a plot to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had attended the earlier lockdown protests. Prosecutors say the accused ringleader initially talked of recruiting 200 men to storm the building, take hostages and “execute tyrants.”

Authorities are aware of recent online posts promoting statehouses marches and would make “both seen and unseen” security enhancements at the Capitol for the next couple weeks, Michigan state police spokeswoman Shanon Banner said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610553562200.png" alt="National Guard soldiers at the U.S. Capitol early Wednesday- photo courtesy Rep. Peter Welch" />
 <figcaption>National Guard soldiers at the U.S. Capitol early Wednesday- photo courtesy Rep. Peter Welch</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) —State capitols across the nation stepped up security this week, deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers while several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol.The protections came as the FBI issued a bulletin warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609967102759.png" alt="Dozens of Trump’s supporters entered the Kansas Statehouse peacefully on Jan. 6, 2021- photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>Dozens of Trump’s supporters entered the Kansas Statehouse peacefully on Jan. 6, 2021- photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol. At least two people were arrested, including a man who tried to walk past authorities as lawmakers were to begin their session and shouted: “I have every right to witness this.”At the Georgia Capitol, a state patrol SWAT team walked the perimeter wearing fatigues and carrying rifles while lawmakers gathered inside for the start of a two-year term. State troopers were stationed throughout the Iowa Capitol for opening day as more than 200 people opposing coronavirus mask mandates chanted “freedom” during a peaceful rally.Legislatures convened in more than a half dozen states. By week’s end, three-fourths of all state legislatures will have opened their sessions. Because of concerns about the coronavirus, many state capitols had already adopted procedures to curb the potential for large crowds, including arranging for lawmakers to meet remotely. Those steps greatly reduced the number of people who are actually working in capitol buildings.After insurrectionists backing President Donald Trump overran the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, some governors and lawmakers began ramping up security because of online threats suggesting that more mobs could target state capitols.In Michigan, a state commission voted Monday to ban the open carrying of weapons in the Capitol building.In Idaho, doors to the House and Senate chambers were locked Monday morning, and two state troopers were stationed at each entrance. In past years, the doors were propped open while an unarmed statehouse staff member controlled access.During a special session last August, a group that included anti-government activist Ammon Bundy forced its way past overwhelmed troopers and filled the Idaho House gallery despite COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of people allowed in. The group called People’s Rights was founded by Bundy and opposes the restrictions. Its leaders were urging members to show up Monday at the Capitol.Glen Thorne wore a handgun in a holster on his right hip Monday at the Capitol. Openly carrying weapons in the building is legal. Thorne said he wanted to make sure Republican Gov. Brad Little “knows that we’re here.”“We want to end the state of emergency for Idaho. It’s ridiculous. We all want to go back to a normal state of living,” Thorne said. He did not think the group would cause trouble.“This is Idaho. We’re all gun-carrying, respectful Republicans,” said Thorne, who lives in Buhl, Idaho, about a two-hour drive to the southeast of Boise.Republican Idaho Rep. Chad Christensen said he brought a bulletproof vest.“If I feel things are going to get heightened up, I may put it on,” said Christensen, who also carried a .45-caliber handgun on his belt, which is standard procedure for him.In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and other officials approved construction of a fence around the Capitol last year after racial injustice protests. Kemp has kept a group of National Guard soldiers on active duty to protect state properties since last summer, when protesters smashed windows and set a fire at state public safety headquarters in Atlanta.Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, another Republican, said he had “full confidence” that authorities would be “ready to do whatever needs to be done to to protect the members, staff, the public, the media, and all the people that have to be here.”A memo issued late last month by the FBI office in Minneapolis and confirmed by The Associated Press warned of credible threats for this Sunday at the state capitols in Minnesota and Michigan. The memo said followers of the right-wing Boogaloo movement had done reconnaissance at the Capitol in St. Paul, including scouting police sniper locations that would need to be destroyed if a gunbattle broke out.Inslee, a Democrat, activated 750 members of the National Guard. On the same day as the deadly riot in Washington, D.C., a group of armed people broke down a gate outside the governor’s mansion in Olympia, Washington, and made it to the porch and front yard before being convinced to leave by police.On Monday, lawmakers had to drive through an area gated off and guarded by the National Guard to park outside the Capitol. A small group of protesters gathered in the morning, shouting that they should be let inside the building to observe lawmakers.“It’s a sad day for our country, isn’t it, where you have to have that kind of security around the people who were elected to represent you,” Democratic Sen. Patty Kuderer said. “Unfortunately, we live in troubling times, and I do believe we’re going to get through it, but it’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of effort.”In Missouri, Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s inauguration proceeded Monday without incident. Concrete barriers and extra police — both typical inaugural precautions — surrounded the Capitol grounds where fewer than 2,000 people gathered. Parson told reporters later that security precautions also will be taken at potential upcoming demonstrations, though he was not specific.Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Republican, said he was worried about protests at state capitols planned for this coming weekend and asked for extra security from the Kansas Highway Patrol.“We’re hopeful that things, people, remain calm and the democratic process can continue,” Ryckman said.Oregon state police will conduct building security training for those who work at the state Capitol, including journalists, on Tuesday and Wednesday.In Michigan, where armed demonstrators against coronavirus restrictions entered the Capitol last year, there was little discussion as the open-weapons ban was approved. Michigan lawmakers are to return to session Wednesday.Some of the anti-government extremists accused in a plot to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had attended the earlier lockdown protests. Prosecutors say the accused ringleader initially talked of recruiting 200 men to storm the building, take hostages and “execute tyrants.”Authorities are aware of recent online posts promoting statehouses marches and would make “both seen and unseen” security enhancements at the Capitol for the next couple weeks, Michigan state police spokeswoman Shanon Banner said.___

State capitols step up security following FBI warning

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Preliminary hearings are set for Thursday afternoon for a Hutchinson Correctional Facility employee and three women accused of smuggling contraband into Hutchinson Correctional Facility.&nbsp;

Zachary Wood, 22, Newton faces eight different counts in an effort to smuggle K2 into the facility. Wood faces three counts of conspiracy, three counts of using a communication device to distribute drugs, one count of drug distribution and one count of trafficking contraband into a correctional facility. The three women arrested in the case are Ester Davis, Denisha Starns and Stephanie Thindiu.

According to the complaint, Wood used the three women to bring the synthetic marijuana into the facility over a period of two months. Thursday's hearings are set for 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600357864536.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Preliminary hearings are set for Thursday afternoon for a Hutchinson Correctional Facility employee and three women accused of smuggling contraband into Hutchinson Correctional Facility.&nbsp;Zachary Wood, 22, Newton faces eight different counts in an effort to smuggle K2 into the facility. Wood faces three counts of conspiracy, three counts of using a communication device to distribute drugs, one count of drug distribution and one count of trafficking contraband into a correctional facility. The three women arrested in the case are Ester Davis, Denisha Starns and Stephanie Thindiu.According to the complaint, Wood used the three women to bring the synthetic marijuana into the facility over a period of two months. Thursday's hearings are set for 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;

Employee faces charges for smuggling K2 into Kan. prison

A Missouri Farm Bureau spokesman says agricultural interests hope former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will have quite a bit of influence when he resumes his old job under President-elect Joe Biden.

Eric Bohl says it has been interesting to see Biden call on members of the former Obama Administration to join his team, saying Vilsack is a key appointment for agriculture.

“Secretary Vilsack had a little better understanding of rural America than I think a lot of the other people in that (Obama) administration did,” Bohl tells KFEQ Agriculture Director Dione Bertling.

 “He is the former governor of Iowa. He has worked in the ag industry for many years and seems to have a little bit better understanding about what is important for us, especially on the trade front.”

Bohl says trade is vital to agriculture and he hopes the Biden Administration will seek expanded trade opportunities.

Vilsack, the former Iowa governor, served all eight years under President Obama. Biden persuaded Vilsack, who is 70 years old, to leave a lucrative job in the private sector to return as the head of the USDA.

Bohl says it eases the concerns agriculture has about the incoming administration that Biden spent years as a senator before becoming Vice President and then winning the presidency.

“He will have a different approach than someone who is fresh out of governorship or someone who was like President Trump who had never served in government before,” according to Bohl. “Of course, his past experience is going to influence him. Now, exactly what that means, I don’t know if we can predict that. I think we’ll have to wait and see.”

Biden says he hopes the reports are true that Vilsack has a close relationship with Biden.

“He’s someone President-elect Biden really respects and listens to as a voice of rural states and rural reason,” Bohl says. “Unfortunately, there doesn’t look like there’s going to be a lot of other voices, rural state voices, that are in the cabinet.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA Missouri Farm Bureau spokesman says agricultural interests hope former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will have quite a bit of influence when he resumes his old job under President-elect Joe Biden.Eric Bohl says it has been interesting to see Biden call on members of the former Obama Administration to join his team, saying Vilsack is a key appointment for agriculture.“Secretary Vilsack had a little better understanding of rural America than I think a lot of the other people in that (Obama) administration did,” Bohl tells KFEQ Agriculture Director Dione Bertling. “He is the former governor of Iowa. He has worked in the ag industry for many years and seems to have a little bit better understanding about what is important for us, especially on the trade front.”Bohl says trade is vital to agriculture and he hopes the Biden Administration will seek expanded trade opportunities.Vilsack, the former Iowa governor, served all eight years under President Obama. Biden persuaded Vilsack, who is 70 years old, to leave a lucrative job in the private sector to return as the head of the USDA.Bohl says it eases the concerns agriculture has about the incoming administration that Biden spent years as a senator before becoming Vice President and then winning the presidency.“He will have a different approach than someone who is fresh out of governorship or someone who was like President Trump who had never served in government before,” according to Bohl. “Of course, his past experience is going to influence him. Now, exactly what that means, I don’t know if we can predict that. I think we’ll have to wait and see.”Biden says he hopes the reports are true that Vilsack has a close relationship with Biden.“He’s someone President-elect Biden really respects and listens to as a voice of rural states and rural reason,” Bohl says. “Unfortunately, there doesn’t look like there’s going to be a lot of other voices, rural state voices, that are in the cabinet.”

Choice of Vilsack eases concerns some farmers have about Biden administration

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has been impeached by the U.S. House over the violent siege of the Capitol. The vote was 232-197. Five did not vote.&nbsp; 10 republicans voted to impeach.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507879-101/house-session-part-2&amp;live">CLICK Here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the debate and vote

He is the only president to be twice impeached. He faced a single charge “incitement of insurrection” in Wednesday's vote after he encouraged a mob of loyalists to, as he put it, “fight like hell” against election results. The subsequent attack on the U.S. Capitol turned deadly and delayed finalizing Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. 

Security was exceptionally tight at the Capitol for Wednesday's vote, beefed up by armed National Guard troops, with secure perimeters set up and metal-detector screenings required for lawmakers entering the House chamber. A handful of Republicans supported impeachment along with the Democrats.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was on the verge of being impeached for a second time Wednesday as the House sped to a vote just a week after he encouraged loyalists to “fight like hell” against election results and then a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507879-101/house-session-part-2&amp;live">CLICK Here to watch</a>&nbsp;the impeachment vote

During debate on the articles of impeachment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked Republicans and Democrats to “search their souls” ahead of the historic afternoon vote. Trump would be the first American president to be impeached twice.

Trump “must go,” Pelosi said. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”

Actual removal seems unlikely before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Republican leader would not agree to bring the chamber back immediately, all be ensuring a Senate trial could not begin at least until Jan. 19.

But momentum for action in the House was unstoppable.

The impeachment proceedings came one week after a violent, pro-Trump mob breached the U.S. Capitol, sending lawmakers into hiding and revealing the fragility of the nation’s history of peaceful transfers of power. The riot has also forced a reckoning among some Republicans, who have stood by Trump throughout his presidency and largely allowed him to spread false attacks against the integrity of the 2020 election.

While Trump’s first impeachment in 2019 brought no Republican votes in the House, at least six House Republicans were breaking with the party to join Democrats this time, saying Trump violated his oath to protect and defend U.S. democracy. Among them was Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in the House and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

As two Republican lawmakers — Washington Reps. Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler — announced on the floor they would vote to impeach, Trump issued a new statement urging “NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind.” But he has repeatedly declined to take any responsibility for last week’s riots.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said for the first time that Trump does bear responsibility, acknowledging on the House floor before the vote that Biden is the next president and that radical liberal groups were not responsible for the riots, as some conservatives have falsely claimed.

But McCarthy said he opposed impeachment, instead favoring a “fact finding commission” and censure.

As for threats of more trouble from intruders, security was exceptionally tight at the Capitol with shocking images of massed National Guard troops, secure perimeters around the complex and metal-detector screenings required for lawmakers entering the House chamber.

“We are debating this historic measure at a crime scene,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Though McConnell is declining to hasten an impeachment trial, a Republican strategist told The Associated Press the GOP leader believes Trump committed impeachable offenses and considers the Democrats’ impeachment drive an opportunity to reduce the divisive, chaotic president’s hold on the GOP.

McConnell called major Republican donors last weekend to gauge their thinking about Trump and was told that Trump had clearly crossed a line. McConnell told them he was through with Trump, said the strategist, who demanded anonymity to describe McConnell’s conversations.

The New York Times first reported McConnell’s views on impeachment on Tuesday.

The stunning collapse of Trump’s final days in office, along with warnings of more violence ahead, leaves the nation at an uneasy and unfamiliar juncture before Biden takes office.

Trump faces a single charge of “incitement of insurrection.”

The four-page impeachment resolution relies on Trump’s own incendiary rhetoric and the falsehoods he spread about Biden’s election victory, including at a White House rally on the day of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, in making its case for “high crimes and misdemeanors” as demanded in the Constitution.

Trump took no responsibility for the riot, suggesting it was the drive to oust him rather than his actions around the bloody riot that was dividing the country.