By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/kansas-coyote-killing-competition-so-serious-youll-have-pass-lie-detector-test-win">Kansas News Service</a>

The art of calling and killing coyotes is competitive stuff.&nbsp;

Sometimes people cheat — bagging kills before a contest and then trying to pass them off as fresh at the final check-in.&nbsp;

So
 this year for the first time, when contestants gather in Kismet, 
Kansas, the three teams with the most coyote kills will each send one of
 their members to sit down for a lie detector test.&nbsp; “We’ve
 never done that in the past,” said Bryan Garrison, who founded the 
Southwest Kansas Coyote Calling Contest five years ago. “I want 
everybody to be on the same page and it to be as fair as you can get 
it.”

The polygraph examiner will drive five-plus hours
 to give the tests on Sunday evening when all contestants present their 
coyotes at the Kismet Community Pavilion to be counted, weighed and 
inspected.

But Garrison says he understands that lie detector tests aren’t foolproof.&nbsp; “It’s
 a little bit nerve-wracking,” Garrison said. “If you sat me down and 
started drilling me with questions, I think I’d fail.”

So
 any team that believes the polygraph misread its member’s honesty can 
pay $200 to have a second member tested and get a shot at redemption.

Coyote
 calling contests stem from the common practice of ranchers hiring local
 hunters to kill coyotes to protect their livestock.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A
 2015 report from the USDA says coyotes accounted for 40.5% of cattle 
deaths due to predators nationwide. There are conflicting opinions among
 wildlife experts, however, as to whether killing coyotes actually 
protects livestock or just leads to larger coyote populations in the 
long run.

But Garrison said coyotes are largely viewed
 as pests by the farmers and ranchers he knows. When his neighbors in 
southwestern Kansas have coyote problems on their property, they call 
Garrison.

“I’ve been out three times this week,” he 
said. “The other night, a guy said, ‘I’ve got 50 coyotes in my yard at 3
 a.m., and we can’t even sleep.’ And I said, ‘I’ll be out tomorrow.’”

The
 groups at Garrison’s contest have two days to find and shoot as many 
coyotes as they can. They use calls that mimic the sound of distressed 
rabbits, squeaking rodents and other coyotes to draw the animals within 
firing range. The team that brings the most coyotes back to Kismet wins,
 with total weight serving as a tie-breaker.

But 
keeping a coyote calling contest fair is a challenge. Even before he 
called the polygraph examiner, Garrison already added a number of rules 
over the years to crack down on the cheaters.&nbsp;

First,
 each contestant needs to write the time of a kill on a wooden block and
 zip-tie the dead coyote’s mouth shut around it. This gives Garrison a 
better idea of when rigor mortis set in, so he can work out the actual 
time of death.

“That’s how you know that somebody 
didn’t go shoot coyotes last week,” Garrison said. “If it’s new, you got
 to really want to get it out of there. It’s that tight.” Rigor mortis 
eventually passes, and the jaws loosen up after a few days.

Temperature
 core readings offer another safeguard against cheating. Garrison 
determines the temperature of each coyote brought to check-in and 
compares it to the kill time written on the block in its mouth.

“If
 I shoot a coyote at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday,” Garrison said, “that coyote
 should be way cooler than the coyote I shot on Sunday at 2.”

As
 long as they follow the rules, the contestants are free to chart their 
own path. They can use whichever type of coyote call they want. Garrison
 says electronic calls have gained popularity in recent years, but he 
still prefers a hand or mouth call because it requires a finer touch and
 allows him more flexibility to tweak the sounds he creates.

Callers
 can also hunt wherever they choose, as long as they have permission. 
Garrison says some contestants travel in from out of state for 
registration Friday night and then drive back home to hunt before 
returning on Sunday.

The winning team gets a cash 
prize that grows as more groups join and pay the $200 entry fee. But 
it’s not easy money, based on the serious hunters Garrison has seen in 
past years.

“If you couldn’t put up 10, 15, 20 coyotes
 in a weekend, you wouldn’t even think about winning,” Garrison said, 
“or even being in the top three.”

Even though coyote calling takes place outdoors, COVID-19 
has still had an impact on this year’s season. One of the region’s 
largest coyote contests, presented by outdoors retailer Cabela’s in 
Oklahoma City, hasn’t announced a date for this year.&nbsp; &nbsp;At
 the Kansas contest, which has drawn hunters from as far as Wyoming and 
New Mexico,&nbsp; Garrison will encourage face coverings and sanitize shared 
areas where the group gathers for registration and a shared meal Friday 
night.

Garrison said the contest’s registration 
numbers trail the previous year’s. That may be partly because of the 
pandemic. But he also said the lie detector may have kept away some 
serious hunters who don’t want to risk the stain of a false-negative 
test result on their reputation.

“I have some pros that I don’t have this year,” Garrison said. “And I think the lie detector kind of scared them off.”

But
 Garrison said the group that shows up this weekend will not only be 
part of the fairest contest he’s hosted yet, but also have the chance to
 connect with a growing community of coyote callers.

“The
 first year, nobody knew anybody. But now they come in, and we’ve all 
known each other for five years,” Garrison said. “My true goal with this
 contest was getting people out together to teach them something new.”

David
 Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the 
Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter @davidcondos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610144486227.png" alt="U.S. Fish &amp; Wildlife Service" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Fish &amp; Wildlife Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/kansas-coyote-killing-competition-so-serious-youll-have-pass-lie-detector-test-win">Kansas News Service</a>The art of calling and killing coyotes is competitive stuff.&nbsp;Sometimes people cheat — bagging kills before a contest and then trying to pass them off as fresh at the final check-in.&nbsp;So
 this year for the first time, when contestants gather in Kismet, 
Kansas, the three teams with the most coyote kills will each send one of
 their members to sit down for a lie detector test.&nbsp; “We’ve
 never done that in the past,” said Bryan Garrison, who founded the 
Southwest Kansas Coyote Calling Contest five years ago. “I want 
everybody to be on the same page and it to be as fair as you can get 
it.”The polygraph examiner will drive five-plus hours
 to give the tests on Sunday evening when all contestants present their 
coyotes at the Kismet Community Pavilion to be counted, weighed and 
inspected.But Garrison says he understands that lie detector tests aren’t foolproof.&nbsp; “It’s
 a little bit nerve-wracking,” Garrison said. “If you sat me down and 
started drilling me with questions, I think I’d fail.”So
 any team that believes the polygraph misread its member’s honesty can 
pay $200 to have a second member tested and get a shot at redemption.Coyote
 calling contests stem from the common practice of ranchers hiring local
 hunters to kill coyotes to protect their livestock.&nbsp; &nbsp;A
 2015 report from the USDA says coyotes accounted for 40.5% of cattle 
deaths due to predators nationwide. There are conflicting opinions among
 wildlife experts, however, as to whether killing coyotes actually 
protects livestock or just leads to larger coyote populations in the 
long run.But Garrison said coyotes are largely viewed
 as pests by the farmers and ranchers he knows. When his neighbors in 
southwestern Kansas have coyote problems on their property, they call 
Garrison.“I’ve been out three times this week,” he 
said. “The other night, a guy said, ‘I’ve got 50 coyotes in my yard at 3
 a.m., and we can’t even sleep.’ And I said, ‘I’ll be out tomorrow.’”The
 groups at Garrison’s contest have two days to find and shoot as many 
coyotes as they can. They use calls that mimic the sound of distressed 
rabbits, squeaking rodents and other coyotes to draw the animals within 
firing range. The team that brings the most coyotes back to Kismet wins,
 with total weight serving as a tie-breaker.But 
keeping a coyote calling contest fair is a challenge. Even before he 
called the polygraph examiner, Garrison already added a number of rules 
over the years to crack down on the cheaters.&nbsp; First,
 each contestant needs to write the time of a kill on a wooden block and
 zip-tie the dead coyote’s mouth shut around it. This gives Garrison a 
better idea of when rigor mortis set in, so he can work out the actual 
time of death.“That’s how you know that somebody 
didn’t go shoot coyotes last week,” Garrison said. “If it’s new, you got
 to really want to get it out of there. It’s that tight.” Rigor mortis 
eventually passes, and the jaws loosen up after a few days.Temperature
 core readings offer another safeguard against cheating. Garrison 
determines the temperature of each coyote brought to check-in and 
compares it to the kill time written on the block in its mouth.“If
 I shoot a coyote at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday,” Garrison said, “that coyote
 should be way cooler than the coyote I shot on Sunday at 2.”As
 long as they follow the rules, the contestants are free to chart their 
own path. They can use whichever type of coyote call they want. Garrison
 says electronic calls have gained popularity in recent years, but he 
still prefers a hand or mouth call because it requires a finer touch and
 allows him more flexibility to tweak the sounds he creates.Callers
 can also hunt wherever they choose, as long as they have permission. 
Garrison says some contestants travel in from out of state for 
registration Friday night and then drive back home to hunt before 
returning on Sunday.The winning team gets a cash 
prize that grows as more groups join and pay the $200 entry fee. But 
it’s not easy money, based on the serious hunters Garrison has seen in 
past years.“If you couldn’t put up 10, 15, 20 coyotes
 in a weekend, you wouldn’t even think about winning,” Garrison said, 
“or even being in the top three.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610144556887.jpeg" alt=" Hunters surround 103 coyotes at the 2019 contest. Credit Bryan Garrison" />
 <figcaption> Hunters surround 103 coyotes at the 2019 contest. Credit Bryan Garrison</figcaption>
 </figure>Even though coyote calling takes place outdoors, COVID-19 
has still had an impact on this year’s season. One of the region’s 
largest coyote contests, presented by outdoors retailer Cabela’s in 
Oklahoma City, hasn’t announced a date for this year.&nbsp; &nbsp;At
 the Kansas contest, which has drawn hunters from as far as Wyoming and 
New Mexico,&nbsp; Garrison will encourage face coverings and sanitize shared 
areas where the group gathers for registration and a shared meal Friday 
night.Garrison said the contest’s registration 
numbers trail the previous year’s. That may be partly because of the 
pandemic. But he also said the lie detector may have kept away some 
serious hunters who don’t want to risk the stain of a false-negative 
test result on their reputation.“I have some pros that I don’t have this year,” Garrison said. “And I think the lie detector kind of scared them off.”But
 Garrison said the group that shows up this weekend will not only be 
part of the fairest contest he’s hosted yet, but also have the chance to
 connect with a growing community of coyote callers.“The
 first year, nobody knew anybody. But now they come in, and we’ve all 
known each other for five years,” Garrison said. “My true goal with this
 contest was getting people out together to teach them something new.”David
 Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the 
Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter @davidcondos.

Kan. coyote-killing competition: You have to pass lie detector to win

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The insurrection by supporters of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol this week has prompted governors and lawmakers in several states to heighten security at their own capitol buildings as they gather amid a pandemic for legislative sessions and inaugural ceremonies.

Like the U.S. Capitol, statehouses are regular targets for demonstrations. Many already have armed security personnel and metal detectors that screen visitors.

But if the U.S. Capitol — a shining symbol of democracy with a dedicated police force— can be overrun by a violent mob, could state capitols be next?

This week's events were “a wakeup call for everybody, both in D.C. and in state capitals all across the country,” said Washington state Rep. J.T. Wilcox, the chamber's Republican leader.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-coronavirus-pandemic-oregon-elections-idaho-688fc8894f44992487bb6ee45e9abd77">series of smaller-scale flare-ups&nbsp;</a>occurred last year at state capitols. Last spring, armed protesters entered the Michigan Capitol to object to pandemic-related lockdowns. Some were blocked by police while demanding entry onto the House floor, while others shouted down from the Senate gallery.

In Ohio, people upset about the death of George Floyd in Minnesota smashed 28 windows at the statehouse.

Protesters in Idaho temporarily derailed a special legislative session last August. And just a few weeks ago, crowds in Oregon forced their way into the Capitol to protest its closure to the public during a special legislative session on coronavirus measures.

On Friday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced he was activating up to 750 National Guard troops to join state police in patrolling the capitol in Olympia on Monday, when lawmakers return to session. He said an area will be set aside for demonstrators to hold rallies.

“But in light of the most recent insurrection activity, the state cannot tolerate any actions that could result in harm, mayhem or interruption of function of democratic institutions,” he said in a statement. “Any illegal intrusion of the Capitol, state buildings or restricted areas will not be tolerated and strictly enforced.”

A right-wing militia had encouraged its members to occupy the Capitol when lawmakers meet, and that intention was echoed by several people who broke down a gate outside the governor’s mansion on Wednesday, the day Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

An organizer of the planned occupation said in a later Facebook post that the event was canceled, although it's not clear whether others who share right-wing views plan to show up, anyway.

In neighboring Idaho, where lawmakers also are scheduled to meet Monday, State Police Col. Kedrick Wills said there will be an increased presence of uniformed state troopers at the statehouse. Anxieties are high for some lawmakers.

“We are being forced into one of the most dangerous workplaces in the state,” said Democratic House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, noting a lack of COVID-19 protection efforts. “Now, layered onto that, we’re at a point where emotions are at their absolute peak and armed conspiracy theorists are ready to burn it all down.”

The vast majority of state legislatures are convening this month. Though some are allowing remote participation because of coronavirus precautions, others are proceeding with regular in-person committee hearings and floor debates.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said security has been increased around the statehouse in advance of the legislative session that begins next Wednesday. In Massachusetts, which started its legislative session this week, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic legislative leaders issued a joint statement saying they were assessing the Capitol's security in light of events in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.

In Oregon, where Trump supporters burned a life-size puppet of Democratic Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday, lawmakers have pledged to review Capitol safety rules and potentially increase security for the session that begins Jan. 19.

State police that oversee the New Mexico statehouse have taken steps to coordinate security with local law enforcement agencies in case "gatherings become other than peaceful,” said state police spokesman Lt. Mark Soriano.

Some state officials are rethinking their Capitol gun policies. In Michigan, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said Thursday that he would support a ban on the open carrying of firearms in the Capitol. Minority party Democratic lawmakers want to prohibit all guns in the building.

By contrast, some Texas lawmakers are talking of bringing more guns into the Capitol to protect themselves. Licensed handgun owners already can carry firearms into the Capitol, and some lawmakers have been known to wear guns in the chamber.

“Pretty sure more #txlege members are going to start carrying inside the Capitol,” Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain tweeted Thursday, a day after the Capitol grounds were abruptly shuttered as hundreds of Trump supporters demonstrated outside without any reported incidents.

The Republican Party of Texas was to hold another long-planned rally at the Capitol on Saturday to draw attention to legislative priorities.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is planning for more than a thousand guests to gather Monday on the lawn of the state Capitol for his inaugural ceremony. Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike O'Connell said plans have been in the works for months to provide “extensive security and crowd-control."

As a mob stormed the nation's capitol Wednesday, supporters and opponents of Trump also clashed outside the Ohio statehouse. Video footage showed multiple people in a street fight. Another violent altercation involving several people broke out later on the statehouse grounds, until law enforcement officers moved to separate the groups.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said he could not promise that the statehouse wouldn't be breached like the U.S. Capitol.

“No one can say they’re confident,” DeWine said, adding: “We’re certainly aware that something could happen.”

Some states already had stepped up security before the violence in the nation's capital.

A fence remains at the Minnesota Capitol after being erected last summer amid the unrest over Floyd's killing. It was in place Wednesday when around 500 Trump supporters held what was billed as a “Storm the Capitol” rally — a noisy but peaceful gathering with no arrests. State Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said increased security staffing will continue for the immediate future.

Colorado's Capitol also remains encircled by fencing, with concrete barriers to block vehicles and its ground floor windows boarded up after vandals damaged it following Floyd's death. Officials already planned to install stronger fencing, more security cameras and bullet-resistant glass for windows. Legislative leaders are focusing on any needed additional measures after the events in Washington, said Bella Combest, spokeswoman for the Senate Democratic leadership.

Police at the Mississippi Capitol are moving forward with a previously planned purchase of more security cameras and new machines to scan bags. The New Jersey statehouse is in the midst of a multi-year, $300 million renovation, with security listed as a top reason.

After the U.S. Capitol siege, New Jersey state Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, leader of the chamber's minority Republicans, raised concerns about security in public buildings.

“It is very difficult to understand how protestors were able to gain access to the Chamber in the Capitol," Bramnick said in a tweet. “This is a very dangerous scenario that may encourage others to violate the law.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609967102759.png" alt="Dozens of Trump’s supporters entered the Kansas Statehouse peacefully on Wednesday- photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>Dozens of Trump’s supporters entered the Kansas Statehouse peacefully on Wednesday- photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The insurrection by supporters of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol this week has prompted governors and lawmakers in several states to heighten security at their own capitol buildings as they gather amid a pandemic for legislative sessions and inaugural ceremonies.Like the U.S. Capitol, statehouses are regular targets for demonstrations. Many already have armed security personnel and metal detectors that screen visitors.But if the U.S. Capitol — a shining symbol of democracy with a dedicated police force— can be overrun by a violent mob, could state capitols be next?This week's events were “a wakeup call for everybody, both in D.C. and in state capitals all across the country,” said Washington state Rep. J.T. Wilcox, the chamber's Republican leader.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-coronavirus-pandemic-oregon-elections-idaho-688fc8894f44992487bb6ee45e9abd77">series of smaller-scale flare-ups&nbsp;</a>occurred last year at state capitols. Last spring, armed protesters entered the Michigan Capitol to object to pandemic-related lockdowns. Some were blocked by police while demanding entry onto the House floor, while others shouted down from the Senate gallery.In Ohio, people upset about the death of George Floyd in Minnesota smashed 28 windows at the statehouse.Protesters in Idaho temporarily derailed a special legislative session last August. And just a few weeks ago, crowds in Oregon forced their way into the Capitol to protest its closure to the public during a special legislative session on coronavirus measures.On Friday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced he was activating up to 750 National Guard troops to join state police in patrolling the capitol in Olympia on Monday, when lawmakers return to session. He said an area will be set aside for demonstrators to hold rallies.“But in light of the most recent insurrection activity, the state cannot tolerate any actions that could result in harm, mayhem or interruption of function of democratic institutions,” he said in a statement. “Any illegal intrusion of the Capitol, state buildings or restricted areas will not be tolerated and strictly enforced.”A right-wing militia had encouraged its members to occupy the Capitol when lawmakers meet, and that intention was echoed by several people who broke down a gate outside the governor’s mansion on Wednesday, the day Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.An organizer of the planned occupation said in a later Facebook post that the event was canceled, although it's not clear whether others who share right-wing views plan to show up, anyway.In neighboring Idaho, where lawmakers also are scheduled to meet Monday, State Police Col. Kedrick Wills said there will be an increased presence of uniformed state troopers at the statehouse. Anxieties are high for some lawmakers.“We are being forced into one of the most dangerous workplaces in the state,” said Democratic House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, noting a lack of COVID-19 protection efforts. “Now, layered onto that, we’re at a point where emotions are at their absolute peak and armed conspiracy theorists are ready to burn it all down.”The vast majority of state legislatures are convening this month. Though some are allowing remote participation because of coronavirus precautions, others are proceeding with regular in-person committee hearings and floor debates.Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said security has been increased around the statehouse in advance of the legislative session that begins next Wednesday. In Massachusetts, which started its legislative session this week, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic legislative leaders issued a joint statement saying they were assessing the Capitol's security in light of events in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.In Oregon, where Trump supporters burned a life-size puppet of Democratic Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday, lawmakers have pledged to review Capitol safety rules and potentially increase security for the session that begins Jan. 19.State police that oversee the New Mexico statehouse have taken steps to coordinate security with local law enforcement agencies in case "gatherings become other than peaceful,” said state police spokesman Lt. Mark Soriano.Some state officials are rethinking their Capitol gun policies. In Michigan, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said Thursday that he would support a ban on the open carrying of firearms in the Capitol. Minority party Democratic lawmakers want to prohibit all guns in the building.By contrast, some Texas lawmakers are talking of bringing more guns into the Capitol to protect themselves. Licensed handgun owners already can carry firearms into the Capitol, and some lawmakers have been known to wear guns in the chamber.“Pretty sure more #txlege members are going to start carrying inside the Capitol,” Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain tweeted Thursday, a day after the Capitol grounds were abruptly shuttered as hundreds of Trump supporters demonstrated outside without any reported incidents.The Republican Party of Texas was to hold another long-planned rally at the Capitol on Saturday to draw attention to legislative priorities.Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is planning for more than a thousand guests to gather Monday on the lawn of the state Capitol for his inaugural ceremony. Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike O'Connell said plans have been in the works for months to provide “extensive security and crowd-control."As a mob stormed the nation's capitol Wednesday, supporters and opponents of Trump also clashed outside the Ohio statehouse. Video footage showed multiple people in a street fight. Another violent altercation involving several people broke out later on the statehouse grounds, until law enforcement officers moved to separate the groups.Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, said he could not promise that the statehouse wouldn't be breached like the U.S. Capitol.“No one can say they’re confident,” DeWine said, adding: “We’re certainly aware that something could happen.”Some states already had stepped up security before the violence in the nation's capital.A fence remains at the Minnesota Capitol after being erected last summer amid the unrest over Floyd's killing. It was in place Wednesday when around 500 Trump supporters held what was billed as a “Storm the Capitol” rally — a noisy but peaceful gathering with no arrests. State Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said increased security staffing will continue for the immediate future.Colorado's Capitol also remains encircled by fencing, with concrete barriers to block vehicles and its ground floor windows boarded up after vandals damaged it following Floyd's death. Officials already planned to install stronger fencing, more security cameras and bullet-resistant glass for windows. Legislative leaders are focusing on any needed additional measures after the events in Washington, said Bella Combest, spokeswoman for the Senate Democratic leadership.Police at the Mississippi Capitol are moving forward with a previously planned purchase of more security cameras and new machines to scan bags. The New Jersey statehouse is in the midst of a multi-year, $300 million renovation, with security listed as a top reason.After the U.S. Capitol siege, New Jersey state Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, leader of the chamber's minority Republicans, raised concerns about security in public buildings.“It is very difficult to understand how protestors were able to gain access to the Chamber in the Capitol," Bramnick said in a tweet. “This is a very dangerous scenario that may encourage others to violate the law.”

State capitols reassess safety after violence at US Capitol

NEW YORK (AP) — For Nancy Sinoway, a second coronavirus relief loan would increase the chances that her dressmaking business will survive.

“I could use it for marketing, for new samples. I could use it as a lifeline,” says Sinoway, who designs and makes dresses for occasions like weddings and proms. She was flooded with order cancellations starting in early March as the virus spread and large gatherings and events were abandoned.

Sinoway got a Paycheck Protection Program loan last May and used it to pay her three employees. But the loan money fell far short of what she needed to maintain her Port Washington, New York, shop. She was forced to close it and move the business into her home.

Millions of business owners like Sinoway are about to get help. The Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department are preparing to revive the PPP five months after its first two rounds of funding ended.

In the latest round, businesses that received loans last year will be able to borrow up to $2 million as long as they have no more than 300 employees and suffered at least a 25% drop in quarterly revenue. First-time borrowers with no more than 500 workers will be able to borrow up to $10 million.

The loans, which can be forgiven, will have five-year terms and carry an interest rate of 1%.

The SBA is expected to announce soon the date when it will begin accepting loan applications. As with the first two rounds of the PPP, applications must be submitted online at banks and other SBA-approved lenders. All applications must be submitted and approved by March 31. Loan amounts are calculated using a company’s payroll expenses; businesses can use either their 2019 or 2020 payroll to compute how much they can ask for.

Companies will have 24 weeks from the date they receive a loan to use the money. While 60% of the proceeds must be used for payroll in order for loans to be forgiven, companies can use the rest for employee health benefits, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and expenses that are essential to business operations.

The PPP is being restarted under the coronavirus relief bill Congress approved in late December, providing for $284 billion in new loans. The first two rounds, which began April 3 and ended Aug. 8, gave out more than 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion.

But for many businesses, including restaurants, gyms and retailers that depend on people gathering in large numbers or in close quarters, the money was nowhere near enough as the pandemic continued longer than anyone expected. It’s estimated that well over 100,000 small U.S. businesses have failed since the outbreak began.

Moreover, many companies weren’t able to get loans, including newly formed businesses and those whose financial records didn’t meet bank requirements. Many businesses applied to multiple banks, often because they couldn’t get a response to their applications and subsequent inquiries — and many of these business owners gave up in frustration or ran out of time.

Jason Tyler expects business at his limousine service to be down by as much as half this month. The corporate trips that provided as much as 80% of his revenue remain on hold, and without weddings and concerts, individual customers have little need for a limo. Tyler needs a second PPP loan to keep the business going.

“We’re going to use it pay our staff and honestly, I’ve got to use it in marketing dollars,” says Tyler, owner of Prestige Transportation, which serves the Kansas City metropolitan area. With his usual customers staying home, he needs to find new accounts to keep his revenue stable.

He used his first loan to pay the people who drive his seven cars, but there was one worker he couldn’t afford to rehire. Tyler also sold one of his cars to bring in badly needed capital. Tyler is hoping business will start returning to normal in the spring, when more people hopefully will have been vaccinated.

Some owners, while struggling, aren’t rushing to apply for a second loan. Jim Sheets, who owns a framing store and art gallery in Rochester, New York, wants to see how much of his first loan will be forgiven before deciding on a second round.

Sheets’ store, Frame Shop of Henrietta, was closed for three months in the spring and has lost the business it usually gets from schools including Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. But business from homeowners is keeping Sheets afloat — people spending more time at home are getting pictures framed to spiff up their surroundings.

The PPP loan Sheets got in the spring helped tide him over. He would consider another loan, but whether he applies will depend not only on whether he has to pay back any money from the first one, but also whether the sales momentum at his store continues.

“At this point, I hope that I don’t need it,” he says.

NEW YORK (AP) — For Nancy Sinoway, a second coronavirus relief loan would increase the chances that her dressmaking business will survive.“I could use it for marketing, for new samples. I could use it as a lifeline,” says Sinoway, who designs and makes dresses for occasions like weddings and proms. She was flooded with order cancellations starting in early March as the virus spread and large gatherings and events were abandoned.Sinoway got a Paycheck Protection Program loan last May and used it to pay her three employees. But the loan money fell far short of what she needed to maintain her Port Washington, New York, shop. She was forced to close it and move the business into her home.Millions of business owners like Sinoway are about to get help. The Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department are preparing to revive the PPP five months after its first two rounds of funding ended.In the latest round, businesses that received loans last year will be able to borrow up to $2 million as long as they have no more than 300 employees and suffered at least a 25% drop in quarterly revenue. First-time borrowers with no more than 500 workers will be able to borrow up to $10 million.The loans, which can be forgiven, will have five-year terms and carry an interest rate of 1%.The SBA is expected to announce soon the date when it will begin accepting loan applications. As with the first two rounds of the PPP, applications must be submitted online at banks and other SBA-approved lenders. All applications must be submitted and approved by March 31. Loan amounts are calculated using a company’s payroll expenses; businesses can use either their 2019 or 2020 payroll to compute how much they can ask for.Companies will have 24 weeks from the date they receive a loan to use the money. While 60% of the proceeds must be used for payroll in order for loans to be forgiven, companies can use the rest for employee health benefits, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and expenses that are essential to business operations.The PPP is being restarted under the coronavirus relief bill Congress approved in late December, providing for $284 billion in new loans. The first two rounds, which began April 3 and ended Aug. 8, gave out more than 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion.But for many businesses, including restaurants, gyms and retailers that depend on people gathering in large numbers or in close quarters, the money was nowhere near enough as the pandemic continued longer than anyone expected. It’s estimated that well over 100,000 small U.S. businesses have failed since the outbreak began.Moreover, many companies weren’t able to get loans, including newly formed businesses and those whose financial records didn’t meet bank requirements. Many businesses applied to multiple banks, often because they couldn’t get a response to their applications and subsequent inquiries — and many of these business owners gave up in frustration or ran out of time.Jason Tyler expects business at his limousine service to be down by as much as half this month. The corporate trips that provided as much as 80% of his revenue remain on hold, and without weddings and concerts, individual customers have little need for a limo. Tyler needs a second PPP loan to keep the business going.“We’re going to use it pay our staff and honestly, I’ve got to use it in marketing dollars,” says Tyler, owner of Prestige Transportation, which serves the Kansas City metropolitan area. With his usual customers staying home, he needs to find new accounts to keep his revenue stable.He used his first loan to pay the people who drive his seven cars, but there was one worker he couldn’t afford to rehire. Tyler also sold one of his cars to bring in badly needed capital. Tyler is hoping business will start returning to normal in the spring, when more people hopefully will have been vaccinated.Some owners, while struggling, aren’t rushing to apply for a second loan. Jim Sheets, who owns a framing store and art gallery in Rochester, New York, wants to see how much of his first loan will be forgiven before deciding on a second round.Sheets’ store, Frame Shop of Henrietta, was closed for three months in the spring and has lost the business it usually gets from schools including Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. But business from homeowners is keeping Sheets afloat — people spending more time at home are getting pictures framed to spiff up their surroundings.The PPP loan Sheets got in the spring helped tide him over. He would consider another loan, but whether he applies will depend not only on whether he has to pay back any money from the first one, but also whether the sales momentum at his store continues.“At this point, I hope that I don’t need it,” he says.

More coronavirus relief on the way for small businesses

JEFFERSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Friday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Chevy S-10 driven by Morgan M. Kabler, 21, Lawrence, was southbound on K237&nbsp; a mile south of SW 46th Street.

The passenger side tires dropped off the roadway. The driver overcorrected back onto roadway and the vehicle rolled into the west ditch.

A passenger Robert W. Ellis, 66, Topeka, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Barnett Family Funeral Home.&nbsp; EMS transported Kabler to Stormont Vail in Topeka. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Friday in Jefferson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Chevy S-10 driven by Morgan M. Kabler, 21, Lawrence, was southbound on K237&nbsp; a mile south of SW 46th Street.The passenger side tires dropped off the roadway. The driver overcorrected back onto roadway and the vehicle rolled into the west ditch.A passenger Robert W. Ellis, 66, Topeka, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Barnett Family Funeral Home.&nbsp; EMS transported Kabler to Stormont Vail in Topeka. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies, woman injured after rollover crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — @realDonaldTrump, the Twitter feed that grew from the random musings of a reality TV star into the cudgel of an American president, has died. It was not quite 12 years old.

The provocative handle was given birth by a New York real estate tycoon who used it to help him become the 45th U.S. president. It began with a May 4, 2009, tweet promoting Donald Trump’s upcoming appearance on David Letterman’s show.

It died more than 57,000 tweets later, with Trump using some of his final postings on the powerful platform to commiserate with a pro-Trump mob that besieged the halls of Congress in a deadly assault as lawmakers were set to certify his defeat.

The account met its demise when Twitter announced Friday it was pulling the plug permanently on @realDonaldTrump, citing concern that Trump would use it for “further incitement of violence.” Trump retorted that he’d be “building out our own platform in the near future. We will not be SILENCED!”

Trump, a novice politician but seasoned salesman, realized the power of social media in ways that few other politicians did. And he wielded it with never-before-seen power to diminish his opponents, shape elections and mold reality — at least in the eyes of his supporters.

Early on, @realDonaldTrump seemed innocent enough. Its owner, who had prolific experience in marketing casinos, real estate and even Oreos, used the platform mostly to promote his books, media appearances and give friendly plugs to friends.

But as Trump began seriously toying with a White House run, it became a tool to scorch opponents and give shape to his nationalist, “America First” philosophy.

He deployed its venom equally, whether insulting celebrity enemies (Rosie O’Donnell was “crude, rude, obnoxious and dumb”) or or using xenophobia to malign a country (Britain is “trying hard to disguise their massive Muslim problem”).

Peter Costanzo, then an online marketing director for the publishing company putting out Trump’s book, “Think Like a Champion,” helped bring Trump to the platform.

Twitter was still in its infancy at the time. But Costanzo, who later came to work for The Associated Press, saw the then-140-character-per-message platform as a new tool that the real estate mogul could use to boost sales and reach a broader audience.

Costanzo was given seven minutes to make his pitch to Trump — “Not five minutes, not 10,” he recalled in a 2016 interview.

“I said, ‘Let’s call you @realDonaldTrump — you’re the real Donald Trump,’” recalled Costanzo. “He thought about it for a minute and said: ‘I like it. Let’s do it.’”

Other than Trump’s family, no one seemed off limits from his Twitter wrath. Trump attacked Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, 2016 political rivals, current administration staffers, former administration staffers, the Republican Party and cable networks.

@realDonaldTrump was prolific: On days when its owner was particularly agitated, such as in the midst of impeachment proceedings, it pushed out more than 100 tweets.

In its most popular tweet, on Oct. 2, 2020, @realDonaldTrump announced that Trump and first lady Melania Trump had contracted the coronavirus. The post got 1.8 million likes and nearly 400,000 retweets, according to Factba.se., which tracks the president’s social media habits and commentary.

The account was used to announce firings. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson learned of his ouster in a tweet.

The account threatened adversaries in the most colorful terms. Before Trump “fell in love” with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un through secretly exchanged letters, Trump used Twitter to dub him “rocket man” and vowed to respond with “fire and fury” if the authoritarian dared attack the United States.

@realDonaldTrump frequently spread misleading, false and malicious assertions, such as the baseless ideas that protesters at Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings were paid by the liberal philanthropist George Soros and that November’s election was beset by voter fraud.

Trump often tweeted well past midnight and before dawn, a cathartic outlet for grievances (Witch hunt! Crooked Hillary, Russia, Russia, Russia, FAKE NEWS, and so on.) For the most part, @realDonaldTrump and its 280-character posts effectively allowed Trump to work around the Washington media establishment and amplify the message of allies.

Sometimes @realDonaldTrump stumbled. Trump deleted 1,166 tweets and, in his final months on the platform, had 471 tweets flagged by Twitter for misinformation, according to Factba.se.

In one of his most memorable Twitter stumbles, Trump in May 2017 sent (and later deleted) a cryptic post-midnight tweet that read “Despite the constant negative press covfefe.”

The gibberish set the Twitterverse afire with speculation. Theories included that the tweeter-in-chief had fallen asleep mid-message and that the man who once bragged of having “the best words” was adding a new word to the lexicon to properly describe collusion between Democrats and the press.

Sam Nunberg, a longtime — and now former — Trump adviser, said that in the summer of 2011, after Trump announced he wasn’t running in 2012 but wanted to remain relevant, his team decided to start using social media to boost his profile.

They chose to focus on Twitter, where he already had an account and several hundred thousand followers. Nunberg remembers sending Trump daily reports on his follower growth. Trump would sometimes hand it back with hand-written notes — “Why not more?” “Why so slow?”

They celebrated when they hit the million mark.

“Twitter definitely played a pivotal role in building Donald Trump as a political figure within Republican politics and he also greatly enjoyed it,” said Nunberg. “Remember he used to say: ‘I wanted to own a newspaper. This is great, it’s like a newspaper without the losses.’”

Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., took to Twitter shortly after the platform banned @realDonaldTrump to note that it continues to allow Iran’s supreme leader “and numerous other dictatorial regimes” to use the platform, but cannot abide his father.

“Mao would be proud,” Trump Jr. scoffed.

In the end, @realDonaldTrump offered an in-the-moment peek into Trump’s state of mind over more than a decade, a period in which the “Apprentice” TV star transformed into the 45th American president.

Down the road, when historians look for a glimpse into Trump thoughts on the issues of his time -- anything from actress Kristen Stewart’s treatment of co-star Robert Pattinson to the president’s views on Russian meddling in the 2016 election — the first stop may inevitably be one of the many digital archives that have preserved the tweets of @realDonaldTrump.

With Trump, whatever the topic, there’s always a tweet for that.

WASHINGTON (AP) — @realDonaldTrump, the Twitter feed that grew from the random musings of a reality TV star into the cudgel of an American president, has died. It was not quite 12 years old.The provocative handle was given birth by a New York real estate tycoon who used it to help him become the 45th U.S. president. It began with a May 4, 2009, tweet promoting Donald Trump’s upcoming appearance on David Letterman’s show.It died more than 57,000 tweets later, with Trump using some of his final postings on the powerful platform to commiserate with a pro-Trump mob that besieged the halls of Congress in a deadly assault as lawmakers were set to certify his defeat.The account met its demise when Twitter announced Friday it was pulling the plug permanently on @realDonaldTrump, citing concern that Trump would use it for “further incitement of violence.” Trump retorted that he’d be “building out our own platform in the near future. We will not be SILENCED!”Trump, a novice politician but seasoned salesman, realized the power of social media in ways that few other politicians did. And he wielded it with never-before-seen power to diminish his opponents, shape elections and mold reality — at least in the eyes of his supporters.Early on, @realDonaldTrump seemed innocent enough. Its owner, who had prolific experience in marketing casinos, real estate and even Oreos, used the platform mostly to promote his books, media appearances and give friendly plugs to friends.But as Trump began seriously toying with a White House run, it became a tool to scorch opponents and give shape to his nationalist, “America First” philosophy.He deployed its venom equally, whether insulting celebrity enemies (Rosie O’Donnell was “crude, rude, obnoxious and dumb”) or or using xenophobia to malign a country (Britain is “trying hard to disguise their massive Muslim problem”).Peter Costanzo, then an online marketing director for the publishing company putting out Trump’s book, “Think Like a Champion,” helped bring Trump to the platform.Twitter was still in its infancy at the time. But Costanzo, who later came to work for The Associated Press, saw the then-140-character-per-message platform as a new tool that the real estate mogul could use to boost sales and reach a broader audience.Costanzo was given seven minutes to make his pitch to Trump — “Not five minutes, not 10,” he recalled in a 2016 interview.Trump liked what he heard.“I said, ‘Let’s call you @realDonaldTrump — you’re the real Donald Trump,’” recalled Costanzo. “He thought about it for a minute and said: ‘I like it. Let’s do it.’”Other than Trump’s family, no one seemed off limits from his Twitter wrath. Trump attacked Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, 2016 political rivals, current administration staffers, former administration staffers, the Republican Party and cable networks.@realDonaldTrump was prolific: On days when its owner was particularly agitated, such as in the midst of impeachment proceedings, it pushed out more than 100 tweets.In its most popular tweet, on Oct. 2, 2020, @realDonaldTrump announced that Trump and first lady Melania Trump had contracted the coronavirus. The post got 1.8 million likes and nearly 400,000 retweets, according to Factba.se., which tracks the president’s social media habits and commentary.The account was used to announce firings. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson learned of his ouster in a tweet.The account threatened adversaries in the most colorful terms. Before Trump “fell in love” with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un through secretly exchanged letters, Trump used Twitter to dub him “rocket man” and vowed to respond with “fire and fury” if the authoritarian dared attack the United States.@realDonaldTrump frequently spread misleading, false and malicious assertions, such as the baseless ideas that protesters at Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings were paid by the liberal philanthropist George Soros and that November’s election was beset by voter fraud.Trump often tweeted well past midnight and before dawn, a cathartic outlet for grievances (Witch hunt! Crooked Hillary, Russia, Russia, Russia, FAKE NEWS, and so on.) For the most part, @realDonaldTrump and its 280-character posts effectively allowed Trump to work around the Washington media establishment and amplify the message of allies.Sometimes @realDonaldTrump stumbled. Trump deleted 1,166 tweets and, in his final months on the platform, had 471 tweets flagged by Twitter for misinformation, according to Factba.se.In one of his most memorable Twitter stumbles, Trump in May 2017 sent (and later deleted) a cryptic post-midnight tweet that read “Despite the constant negative press covfefe.”The gibberish set the Twitterverse afire with speculation. Theories included that the tweeter-in-chief had fallen asleep mid-message and that the man who once bragged of having “the best words” was adding a new word to the lexicon to properly describe collusion between Democrats and the press.The mystery was never solved.Sam Nunberg, a longtime — and now former — Trump adviser, said that in the summer of 2011, after Trump announced he wasn’t running in 2012 but wanted to remain relevant, his team decided to start using social media to boost his profile.They chose to focus on Twitter, where he already had an account and several hundred thousand followers. Nunberg remembers sending Trump daily reports on his follower growth. Trump would sometimes hand it back with hand-written notes — “Why not more?” “Why so slow?”They celebrated when they hit the million mark.“Twitter definitely played a pivotal role in building Donald Trump as a political figure within Republican politics and he also greatly enjoyed it,” said Nunberg. “Remember he used to say: ‘I wanted to own a newspaper. This is great, it’s like a newspaper without the losses.’”Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., took to Twitter shortly after the platform banned @realDonaldTrump to note that it continues to allow Iran’s supreme leader “and numerous other dictatorial regimes” to use the platform, but cannot abide his father.“Mao would be proud,” Trump Jr. scoffed.In the end, @realDonaldTrump offered an in-the-moment peek into Trump’s state of mind over more than a decade, a period in which the “Apprentice” TV star transformed into the 45th American president.Down the road, when historians look for a glimpse into Trump thoughts on the issues of his time -- anything from actress Kristen Stewart’s treatment of co-star Robert Pattinson to the president’s views on Russian meddling in the 2016 election — the first stop may inevitably be one of the many digital archives that have preserved the tweets of @realDonaldTrump.With Trump, whatever the topic, there’s always a tweet for that.

A farewell to @realDonaldTrump, gone after 57,000 tweets

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a high speed chase in Saline County.

On Dec. 4, an off-duty Saline County deputy observed Joanna Deniston, who was on the Saline County Most Wanted list, in a vehicle that pulled into the Pilot Travel Center, 1944 North Ninth Street, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 A Salina Police Department (SPD) officer responded to the location and was advised that the vehicle described as a silver Honda with Texas license plates had left Pilot and was southbound on North Ninth Street.

The officer observed the car that had quickly turned west onto Inez Avenue. The officer attempted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of North 10th Street and the vehicle accelerated rapidly.

The driver continued south on North 10th Street crossing North Broadway Boulevard at speeds of approximately 50 mph, according to Forrester. The vehicle traveled west on West North Street and continued onto Old Highway 40 at speeds reaching&nbsp; 100 mph.

According to Forrester, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office then took over the pursuit in the county as SPD officers followed.

The suspect vehicle then attempted to turn north on Brookville Road, entered the ditch on the northwest side of the intersection, and struck a pole. The two occupants ran from the vehicle and were located, with the assistance of a witness, hiding underneath the front and back porch of a residence in Brookville.

Deputies located Deniston under the front porch and the driver of the vehicle, David Moreno, 38, of Salina, was located under the back porch.

Deniston complained of injuries from the crash and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for a broken back, according to Forrester.

Deniston had three felony warrants out of Saline County District Court for felony parole violation, felony failure to appear, and aggravated failure to appear. Additionally, the following charges were requested for Deniston including Felony obstruction, No seat belt

Moreno was booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Felony flee and elude, Driving while suspended, No proof of insurance, Reckless driving, Felony obstruction, Duty upon striking unattended property and an Accident involving person injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578925570400.jpeg" alt="Deniston photo Salina Co." />
 <figcaption>Deniston photo Salina Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a high speed chase in Saline County.On Dec. 4, an off-duty Saline County deputy observed Joanna Deniston, who was on the Saline County Most Wanted list, in a vehicle that pulled into the Pilot Travel Center, 1944 North Ninth Street, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. A Salina Police Department (SPD) officer responded to the location and was advised that the vehicle described as a silver Honda with Texas license plates had left Pilot and was southbound on North Ninth Street.The officer observed the car that had quickly turned west onto Inez Avenue. The officer attempted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of North 10th Street and the vehicle accelerated rapidly.The driver continued south on North 10th Street crossing North Broadway Boulevard at speeds of approximately 50 mph, according to Forrester. The vehicle traveled west on West North Street and continued onto Old Highway 40 at speeds reaching&nbsp; 100 mph.According to Forrester, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office then took over the pursuit in the county as SPD officers followed.The suspect vehicle then attempted to turn north on Brookville Road, entered the ditch on the northwest side of the intersection, and struck a pole. The two occupants ran from the vehicle and were located, with the assistance of a witness, hiding underneath the front and back porch of a residence in Brookville.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610030067201.jpeg" alt="Moreno photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Moreno photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies located Deniston under the front porch and the driver of the vehicle, David Moreno, 38, of Salina, was located under the back porch.Deniston complained of injuries from the crash and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for a broken back, according to Forrester.Deniston had three felony warrants out of Saline County District Court for felony parole violation, felony failure to appear, and aggravated failure to appear. Additionally, the following charges were requested for Deniston including Felony obstruction, No seat beltMoreno was booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Felony flee and elude, Driving while suspended, No proof of insurance, Reckless driving, Felony obstruction, Duty upon striking unattended property and an Accident involving person injuries.

Kan. deputies arrest suspects after 100mph chase

SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a series of burglaries after finding them hiding in rural Shawnee County.

Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call about unwanted subjects trespassing on a property in the 6400 block of NE Shaffer Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 The caller noticed a gray Chevrolet Avalanche that did not belong and believed there may be multiple subjects as well. Deputies arrived and noticed multiple fresh footprints in the snow. A deputy deployed his K9 partner and began to track the suspects. With the assistance of the Kansas Highway Patrol, two suspects were located hiding in the nearby tree line.

Deputies arrested Todd A. Gorman, 42, and Nickolas L. Trester, 29, both of Topeka, and transported them to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. 

Gorman and Trester are being held on requested charges of multiple counts of burglary, theft and criminal damage to property, according Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610025005539.png" alt="Gorman-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Gorman-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a series of burglaries after finding them hiding in rural Shawnee County.Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call about unwanted subjects trespassing on a property in the 6400 block of NE Shaffer Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The caller noticed a gray Chevrolet Avalanche that did not belong and believed there may be multiple subjects as well. Deputies arrived and noticed multiple fresh footprints in the snow. A deputy deployed his K9 partner and began to track the suspects. With the assistance of the Kansas Highway Patrol, two suspects were located hiding in the nearby tree line.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610025064036.png" alt="Trester-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Trester-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested Todd A. Gorman, 42, and Nickolas L. Trester, 29, both of Topeka, and transported them to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Gorman and Trester are being held on requested charges of multiple counts of burglary, theft and criminal damage to property, according Christian.

Deputies find Kan. burglary suspects hiding in tree line

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday upheld a state law which governs how much money workers who are injured on the job can collect.

The court ruled that an amendment to the Kansas Workers Compensation Act was constitutional because it did not alter the requirement that a worker’s impairment be “established by competent medical evidence.”

The court last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-archive-courts-injuries-ba3ec2fc049b2d4122612a7d19c573a1">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;over which edition of the American Medical Association guide should be used for evaluating injuries in determining compensation to injured workers in Kansas.

Critics argued that the Sixth Edition of the AMA guide adopted by the Legislature unfairly limits compensation to injured workers, reducing compensation by as much as 40 to 70 percent. Supporters contended it better reflects technical advancements by replacing the outdated guidelines.

The court said the reference to the guidelines in the statute does not make it unconstitutional because they are merely a guide and only serve as a starting point for any medical opinion.

It reversed a 2018 ruling by the Court of Appeals that had found the updated law unconstitutional.

“Our position has been that the Legislature had authority to update the law as it did,” Kansas Attorney General Dereck said in a statement. “Today the Supreme Court agreed.”

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday upheld a state law which governs how much money workers who are injured on the job can collect.The court ruled that an amendment to the Kansas Workers Compensation Act was constitutional because it did not alter the requirement that a worker’s impairment be “established by competent medical evidence.”The court last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-archive-courts-injuries-ba3ec2fc049b2d4122612a7d19c573a1">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;over which edition of the American Medical Association guide should be used for evaluating injuries in determining compensation to injured workers in Kansas.Critics argued that the Sixth Edition of the AMA guide adopted by the Legislature unfairly limits compensation to injured workers, reducing compensation by as much as 40 to 70 percent. Supporters contended it better reflects technical advancements by replacing the outdated guidelines.The court said the reference to the guidelines in the statute does not make it unconstitutional because they are merely a guide and only serve as a starting point for any medical opinion.It reversed a 2018 ruling by the Court of Appeals that had found the updated law unconstitutional.“Our position has been that the Legislature had authority to update the law as it did,” Kansas Attorney General Dereck said in a statement. “Today the Supreme Court agreed.”

Kansas Supreme Court upholds workers' compensation law

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Jackson County Court deputies shot and wounded a man Friday while they were trying to serve an eviction notice in suburban Kansas City, officials said.

The process servers went to a home in Blue Springs to serve the eviction notice. The man who lived in the home pointed a weapon at the two deputies, who then shot him, Jackson County Court spokeswoman Valerie Hartman said in a news release.

The man was hospitalized with serious injuries. The deputies were not injured.

Blue Springs police spokesman Capt. Jeff Sargent said process servers are officers of the court and are usually armed because “it is common for violence to occur during an eviction process.”

The deputies were placed on paid administrative leave.

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Jackson County Court deputies shot and wounded a man Friday while they were trying to serve an eviction notice in suburban Kansas City, officials said.The process servers went to a home in Blue Springs to serve the eviction notice. The man who lived in the home pointed a weapon at the two deputies, who then shot him, Jackson County Court spokeswoman Valerie Hartman said in a news release.The man was hospitalized with serious injuries. The deputies were not injured.Blue Springs police spokesman Capt. Jeff Sargent said process servers are officers of the court and are usually armed because “it is common for violence to occur during an eviction process.”The deputies were placed on paid administrative leave.

Man shot by deputies serving eviction notice in KC

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she has spoken to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about preventing an “unhinged” President Donald Trump from ordering military actions including a possible nuclear strike in his final days and hours at the White House.

Pelosi said in a statement to colleagues that she spoke with Gen. Mark Milley “to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes” for nuclear war. She said Milley assured her steps are in place.

The president has sole authority in the U.S. government to order the launch of a nuclear weapon. But a military commander could refuse the order if it were determined to be illegal.

Pelosi said the situation of “this unhinged president could not be more dangerous.”

Pelosi was meeting with the House Democratic caucus Friday to consider impeachment proceedings against the president as soon as next week after the deadly siege of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob that shocked the nation and the world.

Pelosi told Democrats that the top military official assured her steps are in place to prevent a Trump nuclear launch.

Top lawmakers are sounding alarms that even though Trump is to leave office Jan. 20 when Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in, he could do great damage on his way out. And if Trump were to be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, he would be prevented from running again for the presidency in 2024 or ever holding public office again. Trump would be only the president twice impeached.

Conviction in the Republican Senate at this late date would seem unlikely. But it’s a measure of his uncomfortable position that there has been a noteworthy lack of GOP statements attacking Democrats’ calls for his removal.

The final days of Trump’s presidency are spinning toward a chaotic end as he holes up at the White House, abandoned by many aides, leading Republicans and Cabinet members. He was tweeting again after his Twitter account was reinstated, reverting to an aggressive statement that his supporters must not be “disrespected” after he sent out a calmer Thursday video decrying the violence.

Calls are mounting for legal action following the Capitol attack, in which one protester was shot to death by Capitol police and Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick died. Three other people died from “medical emergencies” during the demonstration.

Strong criticism of Trump, who urged the protesters to march to the Capitol, continued unabated.

“Every day that he remains in office, he is a danger to the Republic,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

Schiff, who led Trump’s impeachment in 2019, said in a statement that Trump “lit the fuse which exploded on Wednesday at the Capitol.”

Articles of impeachment are expected to be introduced on Monday, with a House vote as soon as Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to discuss it.

Pelosi and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer have called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to to force Trump from office. It’s a process for removing the president and installing the vice president to take over.

But action by Pence or the Cabinet now appears unlikely, especially after two top officials, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao suddenly resigned in the aftermath of the violence at the Capitol and would no longer be in the Cabinet to make such a case.

Trump had encouraged loyalists at a rally Wednesday at the White House to march on the Capitol where Congress was certifying the Electoral College tally of Biden’s election.

Pelosi discussed the prospect of impeachment with her leadership team Thursday night, hours after announcing the House was willing to act if Pence and other administration officials did not invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment — the forceful removal of Trump from power by his own Cabinet.

Rep. James Clyburn, the No. 3 House Democrat told CNN: “Everyone knows that this president is deranged.” One leading Republican critic of Trump, Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, said he will “definitely consider” impeachment.

Schumer said he and Pelosi tried to call Pence early Thursday to discuss the 25th Amendment option but were unable to connect with him.

Most Democrats, and many Republicans, put the blame squarely on Trump after swarms of protesters bearing Trump flags and clothing broke into the Capitol and caused destruction and evacuations.

Three Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee began Thursday to circulate articles of impeachment. Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Ted Lieu of California wrote in the articles that Trump “willfully made statements that encouraged — and foreseeably resulted in — imminent lawless action at the Capitol.”

The House impeached Trump in 2019, but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him in early 2020.

Pelosi said “a threshold was crossed of such magnitude” that Trump should not be allowed to make any decisions.

During a new conference Thursday, she challenged several Cabinet members by name, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

“Do they stand by these actions?” Pelosi asked. “Are they ready to say that for the next 13 days this dangerous man can do further harm to our country?”

Pence has not publicly addressed the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she has spoken to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about preventing President Donald Trump from initiating military actions or a nuclear strike.

Pelosi said in a statement to colleagues that she spoke with Gen. Mark Milley “to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike.”

She said, the situation of “this unhinged President could not be more dangerous.”

Pelosi is meeting with the House Democratic caucus Friday to consider impeachment proceedings against the president.

She and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer have called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to to force Trump from office. It’s a process for removing the president and installing the vice president to take over.

Trump is set to leave Jan. 20 when Democrat Joe Biden is to be inaugurated.

Democrats are discussing whether to act quickly to impeach Trump as soon as next week if his Cabinet doesn’t first try to remove him after he encouraged loyalists who ransacked the Capitol in a siege that has left five people dead.

The articles are expected to be introduced on Monday, with a vote as soon as Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to discuss it.

If Trump, whose term ends Jan. 20, were to be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, he could be prevented from running again in 2024 or ever holding the presidency again. Trump would be only the president to be twice impeached.

House Democrats planned a caucus meeting at noon Friday, the first since Wednesday’s harrowing events at the Capitol, and could take up articles of impeachment against Trump as early as the week ahead. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., discussed the prospect of impeachment with her leadership team Thursday night, hours after announcing the House was willing to act if Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials did not invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment — the forceful removal of Trump from power by his own Cabinet.

The final days of Trump’s presidency are spinning toward a chaotic end as he holes up at the White House, abandoned by aides, leading Republicans and Cabinet members. He is set to leave office when Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in, but top officials are gravely warning of the damage that he still could cause on his way out.

Rep. Adam Schiff, who led Trump’s impeachment in 2019, said in a statement Friday that Trump “lit the fuse which exploded on Wednesday at the Capitol.”

Schiff, D-Calif., said that “every day that he remains in office, he is a danger to the Republic.”

Five people are now dead from the violent melee, including a Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick. Pelosi said in a statement Friday that Sicknick’s death “reminds us of our obligation to those we serve: to protect our country from all threats foreign and domestic.”

She said those responsible for the officer’s death “must be brought to justice.”

Though Trump has less than two weeks in his term, lawmakers and even some in his administration began discussing options for his removal Wednesday afternoon as Trump first encouraged rally-goers near the White House to march on the Capitol, then refused to forcefully condemn the assault and appeared to excuse it.

Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, a member of House Democratic leadership, said procedural steps could allow lawmakers to move far more quickly than they did on Trump’s impeachment last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610129740726.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi&nbsp;&nbsp;said, the situation of “this unhinged President could not be more dangerous.”- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi&nbsp;&nbsp;said, the situation of “this unhinged President could not be more dangerous.”- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she has spoken to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about preventing an “unhinged” President Donald Trump from ordering military actions including a possible nuclear strike in his final days and hours at the White House.Pelosi said in a statement to colleagues that she spoke with Gen. Mark Milley “to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes” for nuclear war. She said Milley assured her steps are in place.The president has sole authority in the U.S. government to order the launch of a nuclear weapon. But a military commander could refuse the order if it were determined to be illegal.Pelosi said the situation of “this unhinged president could not be more dangerous.”Pelosi was meeting with the House Democratic caucus Friday to consider impeachment proceedings against the president as soon as next week after the deadly siege of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob that shocked the nation and the world.Pelosi told Democrats that the top military official assured her steps are in place to prevent a Trump nuclear launch.Top lawmakers are sounding alarms that even though Trump is to leave office Jan. 20 when Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in, he could do great damage on his way out. And if Trump were to be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, he would be prevented from running again for the presidency in 2024 or ever holding public office again. Trump would be only the president twice impeached.Conviction in the Republican Senate at this late date would seem unlikely. But it’s a measure of his uncomfortable position that there has been a noteworthy lack of GOP statements attacking Democrats’ calls for his removal.The final days of Trump’s presidency are spinning toward a chaotic end as he holes up at the White House, abandoned by many aides, leading Republicans and Cabinet members. He was tweeting again after his Twitter account was reinstated, reverting to an aggressive statement that his supporters must not be “disrespected” after he sent out a calmer Thursday video decrying the violence.Calls are mounting for legal action following the Capitol attack, in which one protester was shot to death by Capitol police and Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick died. Three other people died from “medical emergencies” during the demonstration.Strong criticism of Trump, who urged the protesters to march to the Capitol, continued unabated.“Every day that he remains in office, he is a danger to the Republic,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.Schiff, who led Trump’s impeachment in 2019, said in a statement that Trump “lit the fuse which exploded on Wednesday at the Capitol.”Articles of impeachment are expected to be introduced on Monday, with a House vote as soon as Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to discuss it.Pelosi and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer have called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to to force Trump from office. It’s a process for removing the president and installing the vice president to take over.But action by Pence or the Cabinet now appears unlikely, especially after two top officials, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao suddenly resigned in the aftermath of the violence at the Capitol and would no longer be in the Cabinet to make such a case.Trump had encouraged loyalists at a rally Wednesday at the White House to march on the Capitol where Congress was certifying the Electoral College tally of Biden’s election.Pelosi discussed the prospect of impeachment with her leadership team Thursday night, hours after announcing the House was willing to act if Pence and other administration officials did not invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment — the forceful removal of Trump from power by his own Cabinet.Rep. James Clyburn, the No. 3 House Democrat told CNN: “Everyone knows that this president is deranged.” One leading Republican critic of Trump, Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, said he will “definitely consider” impeachment.Schumer said he and Pelosi tried to call Pence early Thursday to discuss the 25th Amendment option but were unable to connect with him.Most Democrats, and many Republicans, put the blame squarely on Trump after swarms of protesters bearing Trump flags and clothing broke into the Capitol and caused destruction and evacuations.Three Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee began Thursday to circulate articles of impeachment. Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Ted Lieu of California wrote in the articles that Trump “willfully made statements that encouraged — and foreseeably resulted in — imminent lawless action at the Capitol.”The House impeached Trump in 2019, but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him in early 2020.Pelosi said “a threshold was crossed of such magnitude” that Trump should not be allowed to make any decisions.During a new conference Thursday, she challenged several Cabinet members by name, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.“Do they stand by these actions?” Pelosi asked. “Are they ready to say that for the next 13 days this dangerous man can do further harm to our country?”Pence has not publicly addressed the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment.___WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she has spoken to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about preventing President Donald Trump from initiating military actions or a nuclear strike.Pelosi said in a statement to colleagues that she spoke with Gen. Mark Milley “to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike.”She said, the situation of “this unhinged President could not be more dangerous.”Pelosi is meeting with the House Democratic caucus Friday to consider impeachment proceedings against the president.She and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer have called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to to force Trump from office. It’s a process for removing the president and installing the vice president to take over.Trump is set to leave Jan. 20 when Democrat Joe Biden is to be inaugurated.Democrats are discussing whether to act quickly to impeach Trump as soon as next week if his Cabinet doesn’t first try to remove him after he encouraged loyalists who ransacked the Capitol in a siege that has left five people dead.The articles are expected to be introduced on Monday, with a vote as soon as Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to discuss it.If Trump, whose term ends Jan. 20, were to be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, he could be prevented from running again in 2024 or ever holding the presidency again. Trump would be only the president to be twice impeached.House Democrats planned a caucus meeting at noon Friday, the first since Wednesday’s harrowing events at the Capitol, and could take up articles of impeachment against Trump as early as the week ahead. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., discussed the prospect of impeachment with her leadership team Thursday night, hours after announcing the House was willing to act if Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials did not invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment — the forceful removal of Trump from power by his own Cabinet.The final days of Trump’s presidency are spinning toward a chaotic end as he holes up at the White House, abandoned by aides, leading Republicans and Cabinet members. He is set to leave office when Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in, but top officials are gravely warning of the damage that he still could cause on his way out.Rep. Adam Schiff, who led Trump’s impeachment in 2019, said in a statement Friday that Trump “lit the fuse which exploded on Wednesday at the Capitol.”Schiff, D-Calif., said that “every day that he remains in office, he is a danger to the Republic.”Five people are now dead from the violent melee, including a Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick. Pelosi said in a statement Friday that Sicknick’s death “reminds us of our obligation to those we serve: to protect our country from all threats foreign and domestic.”She said those responsible for the officer’s death “must be brought to justice.”Though Trump has less than two weeks in his term, lawmakers and even some in his administration began discussing options for his removal Wednesday afternoon as Trump first encouraged rally-goers near the White House to march on the Capitol, then refused to forcefully condemn the assault and appeared to excuse it.Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, a member of House Democratic leadership, said procedural steps could allow lawmakers to move far more quickly than they did on Trump’s impeachment last year.Rep. James Clyburn, the No. 3 House Democrat, said he could confirm that “we have had discussions about it and I would hope that the speaker would move forward if the vice president refuses to do what he is required to do under the Constitution.” Clyburn, D-S.C., told CNN: “Everyone knows that this president is deranged.”One leading Republican critic of Trump, Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, said he will “definitely consider” impeachment.“The president has disregarded his oath of office,” Sasse told CBS’ “This Morning.” He said what Trump did was “wicked” in inciting the mob. If the House impeaches, “I will definitely consider whatever articles they might move,” Sasse said.Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer have called for Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to force Trump from office before Biden is inaugurated. Schumer said he and Pelosi tried to call Pence early Thursday to discuss that option but were unable to connect with him.Pelosi, during a new conference Thursday, challenged several Cabinet members by name, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.“Do they stand by these actions?” Pelosi asked. “Are they ready to say that for the next 13 days this dangerous man can do further harm to our country?”Most Democrats, and many Republicans, put the blame squarely on Trump after hundreds of protesters bearing Trump flags and clothing broke into the Capitol and caused destruction and mass evacuations. The president had urged his supporters to protest as Congress was counting the electoral votes that confirmed Biden’s win.