SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities say their investigation into a shooting that injured two on Tuesday is complete.

Just after&nbsp;7:00 p.m. January 26, police were dispatched to a Sonic Restaurant, 636 NW US 24 Highway in regards to two individuals suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds, according to Topeka Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

One victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries and the other was treated and released at the scene.

It was discovered that the shooting occurred at a separate location, and then the victims drove to the Sonic restaurant and reported the incident, according to Stanley.

On Thursday, police reported that had identified all parties involved in the case. The shooting is believed to have been accidental, according to police department spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The case will be forwarded to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for criminal charging considering for weapons violations. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611749052208.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities say their investigation into a shooting that injured two on Tuesday is complete.Just after&nbsp;7:00 p.m. January 26, police were dispatched to a Sonic Restaurant, 636 NW US 24 Highway in regards to two individuals suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds, according to Topeka Police Lt. Edward Stanley.One victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries and the other was treated and released at the scene.It was discovered that the shooting occurred at a separate location, and then the victims drove to the Sonic restaurant and reported the incident, according to Stanley.On Thursday, police reported that had identified all parties involved in the case. The shooting is believed to have been accidental, according to police department spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The case will be forwarded to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for criminal charging considering for weapons violations. ------------

Police report Kansas shooting was accidental 

WASHINGTON—&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. introduced his first piece of legislation as a U.S. Senator&nbsp; Thursday–&nbsp;The Protecting Life in Crisis Act, according to a media release from his office.

The legislation prohibits any funds that are authorized or appropriated for the purposes of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, domestically and internationally, from going toward abortions or abortion coverage.&nbsp;

“Being pro-life is just part of who I am and there is no other alternative. As an obstetrician, it’s been a thrill of my life to get to bring thousands of babies into the world and now it’s a thrill of my life to be in the U.S. Senate and continue the fight for pro-life policies,”&nbsp;said Marshall. “While those on the far left including in the new Administration continue to advocate against human life, I will keep doing what Kansans sent me to Washington to do: continue my lifelong fight for the wellbeing of mothers and their babies and working to end the practice of abortion.”

The&nbsp;Protecting Life in Crisis Act, which extends existing Hyde Amendment protections to any COVID-19-related healthcare provisions. Specifically, this bill prohibits any funds that are authorized or appropriated for the purposes of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, domestically and internationally, from going toward abortions or abortion coverage. Kansas Senior Senator Jerry Moran is a cosponsor along with seven others.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611861852028.png" alt="Photo courtesy Senator Roger Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Senator Roger Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON—&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. introduced his first piece of legislation as a U.S. Senator&nbsp; Thursday–&nbsp;The Protecting Life in Crisis Act, according to a media release from his office.The legislation prohibits any funds that are authorized or appropriated for the purposes of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, domestically and internationally, from going toward abortions or abortion coverage.&nbsp;“Being pro-life is just part of who I am and there is no other alternative. As an obstetrician, it’s been a thrill of my life to get to bring thousands of babies into the world and now it’s a thrill of my life to be in the U.S. Senate and continue the fight for pro-life policies,”&nbsp;said Marshall. “While those on the far left including in the new Administration continue to advocate against human life, I will keep doing what Kansans sent me to Washington to do: continue my lifelong fight for the wellbeing of mothers and their babies and working to end the practice of abortion.”The&nbsp;Protecting Life in Crisis Act, which extends existing Hyde Amendment protections to any COVID-19-related healthcare provisions. Specifically, this bill prohibits any funds that are authorized or appropriated for the purposes of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, domestically and internationally, from going toward abortions or abortion coverage. Kansas Senior Senator Jerry Moran is a cosponsor along with seven others.

Marshall's first Senate bill blocks COVID funds for abortion

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas on Thursday put a proposed pro-life amendment to the state constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2022 primary election.

The Senate approved the measure 28-11, giving abortion opponents one more vote than the two-thirds majority they needed. The House approved the same measure last week. Approval by a simple majority of voters would change the Kansas Constitution.

The measure would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state’s bill of rights. New language would declare that the state constitution doesn’t grant the right to abortion and that the Legislature can regulate it in line with U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

The measure would not be an abortion ban, but it would allow lawmakers to enact one if the nation’s highest court were to overturn its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion rights.

Abortion rights opponents have argued that the amendment would allow the Legislature to regulate abortion as it had before the 2019 decision. They warn that future state court decisions could end almost all restrictions on abortion.

Abortion rights supporters contend that the measure is a big step toward banning abortion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611873284716.png" alt="Members of Kansas Senate during Thursday's debate-image courtesy Senate YouTube" />
 <figcaption>Members of Kansas Senate during Thursday's debate-image courtesy Senate YouTube</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas on Thursday put a proposed pro-life amendment to the state constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2022 primary election.The Senate approved the measure 28-11, giving abortion opponents one more vote than the two-thirds majority they needed. The House approved the same measure last week. Approval by a simple majority of voters would change the Kansas Constitution.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As I said previously: <a href="https://t.co/ZzeOQUbvZM">pic.twitter.com/ZzeOQUbvZM</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1354933140574371852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The measure would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state’s bill of rights. New language would declare that the state constitution doesn’t grant the right to abortion and that the Legislature can regulate it in line with U.S. Supreme Court decisions.The measure would not be an abortion ban, but it would allow lawmakers to enact one if the nation’s highest court were to overturn its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion rights.Abortion rights opponents have argued that the amendment would allow the Legislature to regulate abortion as it had before the 2019 decision. They warn that future state court decisions could end almost all restrictions on abortion.Abortion rights supporters contend that the measure is a big step toward banning abortion.

Kan. lawmakers put pro-life measure on 2022 ballot

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered government health insurance markets to reopen for a special sign-up window, offering uninsured Americans a haven as the spread of COVID-19 remains dangerously high and vaccines aren't yet widely available.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/28/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-executive-orders-strengthening-americans-access-to-quality-affordable-health-care/">Click here to read</a> the executive order

Biden signed an executive order directing the HealthCare.gov insurance markets to take new applications for subsidized benefits, something Donald Trump's administration had refused to do. He also instructed his administration to consider reversing other Trump health care policies, including curbs on abortion counseling and the imposition of work requirements for low-income people getting Medicaid.

“There’s nothing new that we’re doing here other than restoring the Affordable Care Act and restoring Medicaid to the way it was before Trump became president,” Biden said as he signed the directives in the Oval Office. He declared he was reversing “my predecessor’s attack on women’s health."

The actions were only the first steps by Biden, who has promised to build out former President Barack Obama’s health care law to achieve a goal of coverage for all. While Biden rejects the idea of a government-run system that Sen. Bernie Sanders has pushed for in his “Medicare for All” proposal, his more centrist approach will require congressional buy-in. But opposition to “Obamacare” runs deep among Republicans.

The most concrete short-term impact of Biden's orders will come from reopening HealthCare.gov insurance markets as coverage has shrunk in the economic turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic. That's an executive action and no legislation is required.

The new “special enrollment period” will begin Feb. 15 and run through May 15, the White House said. It will be coupled with a promotional campaign and a call for states that run their own insurance markets to match the federal sign-up opportunity.

The Biden administration has ample resources for marketing, said Karen Pollitz, a health insurance expert with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. The foundation estimates that the Trump administration left unspent about $1.2 billion in user fees collected from insurers to help pay for running the marketplaces.

“The reason it wasn’t spent is the Trump administration spent its time in office cutting services that support consumer enrollment,” Pollitz said. “All the while the user fee revenue was coming in, (but) they were not allowed to spend it on anything other than marketplace operations.”

Created under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, the marketplaces offer taxpayer-subsidized coverage regardless of a person’s medical history or preexisting conditions, including COVID-19.

Biden also ordered the immediate reversal of a federal policy that bars taxpayer funding for international health care nonprofits that promote or provide abortions. Known as the Mexico City Policy, it can be switched on or off depending on whether Democrats or Republicans control the White House. Abortion rights supporters call it the “global gag rule.”

Other directives Biden issued could take months to carry out.

He instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to consider rescinding Trump regulations that bar federally funded family planning clinics from referring women for abortions.

HHS will also reexamine a Trump administration policy that allows states to impose work requirements as a condition for low-income people to get Medicaid health insurance. Work requirements have been blocked by federal courts, which found that they led to thousands of people losing coverage and violated Medicaid's legal charge to provide medical services. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the issue.

And Biden directed HHS to review Trump policies that could undermine protections for people with health problems, such as a rule that facilitated the sale of short-term health insurance plans that don't have to cover preexisting medical conditions.

Such changes cannot happen overnight. Rescinding a federal regulation requires a new regulation, which has to follow an established legal process that involves considering different sides of an issue.

Former Trump health policy adviser Brian Blase said the Biden administration has to take care it doesn't throw out some policies intended to help solidly middle-class people who don't qualify for financial assistance under Obama's law.

“Obamacare plans are generally only attractive to people who receive large subsidies to buy them,” said Blase. He cited a Trump policy that allows employers to provide tax-free money for workers to buy individual plans.

The abortion-related actions brought Biden immediate praise from women's rights groups, as well as condemnation from social and religious conservatives. Under President Trump, abortion opponents had free rein to try to rewrite federal policy, but now the political pendulum has swung back. Trump's abortion counseling restrictions led Planned Parenthood affiliates to leave the federal family planning program.

Biden campaigned on repealing longstanding federal prohibitions against taxpayer funding for most abortions, but that was not part of Thursday's orders. A change of that magnitude to a group of laws known as the Hyde Amendment would require congressional approval.

Biden's nominee for health secretary, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate, but the White House said that will not stop health agencies from immediately going to work on the president's directives.

The idea of reopening Obamacare's health insurance markets in the pandemic has had broad support from consumer, medical, and business organizations. The main insurer trade group, America's Health Insurance Plans, applauded Biden's move.

As the number of uninsured Americans grew because of job losses in the pandemic, the Trump administration resisted calls to reopen HealthCare.gov. Failure to repeal and replace Obamacare was one of the former president's most bitter disappointments. His administration continued trying to find ways to limit the program or unravel it entirely. A Supreme Court decision on Trump’s final legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act is expected this year.

Experts agree that number of uninsured people has risen because of layoffs in the coronavirus economy, but authoritative estimates await government studies due later this year. While some estimates cite 5 million to 10 million newly uninsured people, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says its analysis suggests a smaller number.

Nonetheless, the CBO projects that nearly 32 million Americans are uninsured and of those, about 2 in 3 are eligible for some kind of subsidized coverage.

The Obama-era health care law covers more than 23 million people through a mix of subsidized private insurance sold in all states, and expanded Medicaid adopted by 38 states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611863114554.png" alt="President Joe Biden after signing the executive order on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden after signing the executive order on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered government health insurance markets to reopen for a special sign-up window, offering uninsured Americans a haven as the spread of COVID-19 remains dangerously high and vaccines aren't yet widely available.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/28/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-executive-orders-strengthening-americans-access-to-quality-affordable-health-care/">Click here to read</a> the executive orderBiden signed an executive order directing the HealthCare.gov insurance markets to take new applications for subsidized benefits, something Donald Trump's administration had refused to do. He also instructed his administration to consider reversing other Trump health care policies, including curbs on abortion counseling and the imposition of work requirements for low-income people getting Medicaid.“There’s nothing new that we’re doing here other than restoring the Affordable Care Act and restoring Medicaid to the way it was before Trump became president,” Biden said as he signed the directives in the Oval Office. He declared he was reversing “my predecessor’s attack on women’s health."The actions were only the first steps by Biden, who has promised to build out former President Barack Obama’s health care law to achieve a goal of coverage for all. While Biden rejects the idea of a government-run system that Sen. Bernie Sanders has pushed for in his “Medicare for All” proposal, his more centrist approach will require congressional buy-in. But opposition to “Obamacare” runs deep among Republicans.The most concrete short-term impact of Biden's orders will come from reopening HealthCare.gov insurance markets as coverage has shrunk in the economic turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic. That's an executive action and no legislation is required.The new “special enrollment period” will begin Feb. 15 and run through May 15, the White House said. It will be coupled with a promotional campaign and a call for states that run their own insurance markets to match the federal sign-up opportunity.The Biden administration has ample resources for marketing, said Karen Pollitz, a health insurance expert with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. The foundation estimates that the Trump administration left unspent about $1.2 billion in user fees collected from insurers to help pay for running the marketplaces.“The reason it wasn’t spent is the Trump administration spent its time in office cutting services that support consumer enrollment,” Pollitz said. “All the while the user fee revenue was coming in, (but) they were not allowed to spend it on anything other than marketplace operations.”Created under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, the marketplaces offer taxpayer-subsidized coverage regardless of a person’s medical history or preexisting conditions, including COVID-19.Biden also ordered the immediate reversal of a federal policy that bars taxpayer funding for international health care nonprofits that promote or provide abortions. Known as the Mexico City Policy, it can be switched on or off depending on whether Democrats or Republicans control the White House. Abortion rights supporters call it the “global gag rule.”Other directives Biden issued could take months to carry out.He instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to consider rescinding Trump regulations that bar federally funded family planning clinics from referring women for abortions.HHS will also reexamine a Trump administration policy that allows states to impose work requirements as a condition for low-income people to get Medicaid health insurance. Work requirements have been blocked by federal courts, which found that they led to thousands of people losing coverage and violated Medicaid's legal charge to provide medical services. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the issue.And Biden directed HHS to review Trump policies that could undermine protections for people with health problems, such as a rule that facilitated the sale of short-term health insurance plans that don't have to cover preexisting medical conditions.Such changes cannot happen overnight. Rescinding a federal regulation requires a new regulation, which has to follow an established legal process that involves considering different sides of an issue.Former Trump health policy adviser Brian Blase said the Biden administration has to take care it doesn't throw out some policies intended to help solidly middle-class people who don't qualify for financial assistance under Obama's law.“Obamacare plans are generally only attractive to people who receive large subsidies to buy them,” said Blase. He cited a Trump policy that allows employers to provide tax-free money for workers to buy individual plans.The abortion-related actions brought Biden immediate praise from women's rights groups, as well as condemnation from social and religious conservatives. Under President Trump, abortion opponents had free rein to try to rewrite federal policy, but now the political pendulum has swung back. Trump's abortion counseling restrictions led Planned Parenthood affiliates to leave the federal family planning program.Biden campaigned on repealing longstanding federal prohibitions against taxpayer funding for most abortions, but that was not part of Thursday's orders. A change of that magnitude to a group of laws known as the Hyde Amendment would require congressional approval.Biden's nominee for health secretary, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate, but the White House said that will not stop health agencies from immediately going to work on the president's directives.The idea of reopening Obamacare's health insurance markets in the pandemic has had broad support from consumer, medical, and business organizations. The main insurer trade group, America's Health Insurance Plans, applauded Biden's move.As the number of uninsured Americans grew because of job losses in the pandemic, the Trump administration resisted calls to reopen HealthCare.gov. Failure to repeal and replace Obamacare was one of the former president's most bitter disappointments. His administration continued trying to find ways to limit the program or unravel it entirely. A Supreme Court decision on Trump’s final legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act is expected this year.Experts agree that number of uninsured people has risen because of layoffs in the coronavirus economy, but authoritative estimates await government studies due later this year. While some estimates cite 5 million to 10 million newly uninsured people, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says its analysis suggests a smaller number.Nonetheless, the CBO projects that nearly 32 million Americans are uninsured and of those, about 2 in 3 are eligible for some kind of subsidized coverage.The Obama-era health care law covers more than 23 million people through a mix of subsidized private insurance sold in all states, and expanded Medicaid adopted by 38 states.

Biden reopens Obamacare sign-up window for uninsured 

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-27/members-of-a-topeka-hospital-board-and-its-fundraising-foundation-got-early-covid-shots">Kansas News Service</a>

Members of a Topeka hospital’s board — and a separate board focused 
on its fundraising — got COVID-19 vaccinations during the first phase of
 the immunization rollout when the coveted shots were meant for people 
at greatest risk from infection.

While thousands of Kansans who 
live in assisted living centers, work in schools or grocery stores, or 
respond to fires and other 911 emergencies wait in line for the second 
phase of the rollout, board members and fundraising leaders at Stormont 
Vail Health got offered the shots earlier.

But Phase 1 focused on nursing homes and health care workers. State health officials say fundraising boards were not part of it.

A
 spokeswoman for the state health department said “we would direct you 
to the specific hospital for how they made the determination” to 
vaccinate board members.

As for hospital boards, neither state nor federal guidelines say someone should get the shot simply for being a member.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/hcp.html" target="_blank">guidelines for early access</a>
 recommend vaccinating unpaid health care workers if they “have the 
potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious 
materials.”

The <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121/Vaccine-Prioritization-Slides-PDF" target="_blank">Kansas plan</a>
 similarly lists unpaid people “in healthcare or healthcare-associated 
jobs, who are unable to work from home and may be directly or indirectly
 exposed to patients or infectious materials as a result of their job.”

A
 spokesman for Stormont Vail Health defended giving early access to the 
fundraising and hospital boards. Their decisions help govern the 
hospital and “make sure that everything’s running day to day,” Matt Lara
 told the Kansas News Service.

He said state health officials agreed the hospital could give vaccines to its team.

“For us, our team members include … our boards,” Lara said. “So, yes, the foundation board did receive the vaccine.”

Stormont Vail workers who see patients got the shots first, though, he said.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121/Vaccine-Prioritization-Slides-PDF" target="_blank">Phase 1</a>
 of the vaccine rollout in Kansas focused on nursing homes, health care 
workers and other workers critical to the pandemic response.

Both the state and federal guidance offer lots of examples, but don’t name boards and fundraising leaders.

Kansas moved to Phase 2 of vaccine distribution last week.

That
 phase includes group living situations (such as assisted living and 
prisons), teachers, police, and other critical workers whose jobs put 
them in close contact with a lot of people and potential coronavirus 
germs.

Boards typically give long-term direction to staff. They 
include unpaid community members who are separate from the paid hospital
 and foundation staff. They’re often recruited based on their ability to give or raise money or to represent a segment of the community.

Stormont
 Vail's tax forms indicate that hospital board members spend an average 
of three hours a week on their duties, and that members of the Stormont 
Vail Foundation invest one hour a week.

The foundation is the 
not-for-profit hospital’s fundraising entity. It reported about $2.8 
million in gifts and grants for 2018, according to tax forms filed to 
the IRS.

Facilities in other states have also allowed their 
hospital and fundraising boards to jump ahead in the vaccination line. 
That’s sparked criticism.

This month, the New York State 
Department of Health said it would investigate one facility over that 
decision. Boards aren’t the same as volunteers who work at the hospital 
daily, the department told the <a href="https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/local/2021/01/13/state-investigates-garnet-health-vaccinating-ineligible-board-members/6653240002/" target="_blank">Times Herald-Record</a>. The agency said frontline workers should be “insulted” by the argument that board members qualified for the shots.

A <a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/some-mary-washington-hospital-foundation-trustees-get-early-vaccinations/article_71e630b6-c095-5fcd-ac39-26f38b4430be.html" target="_blank">Virginia hospital</a> also gave its board members early access, arguing that they are volunteers.

In <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/special-access-to-covid-19-vaccine-for-overlake-medical-center-donors-draws-inslee-rebuke/" target="_blank">Washington state</a>,
 a hospital invited board members, top donors and others to get their 
shots over the weekend, even though the facility’s public waitlist was 
booked through March. It backtracked when the governor’s office 
complained.

At least four other hospitals in California and 
Florida have drawn public scrutiny over board members or donors 
receiving shots early in the rollout.

Counties set priorities 
locally for how to handle the bottleneck of eager vaccine seekers in 
those groups. When Douglas County opened its first 500 slots for Phase 
2, people grabbed up all the slots in less than half an hour, The <a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2021/jan/20/douglas-county-announces-it-will-start-vaccinating-people-65-and-older-appointments-for-first-clinic-fill-up-in-minutes/" target="_blank">Lawrence Journal-World</a> reported.

In
 a public update this week, Stormont Vail CEO Robert Kenagy said his 
hospital is working with the county health department to help with the 
rollout, and is “primarily charged with reaching out to patients 65 and 
older.”

The hospital has more than 60,000 patients in that age 
group, so it kicked off Phase 2 on Monday by giving priority to those 
over the age of 74, Kenagy said.

“We are in a situation currently 
where demand for the vaccine is greater than supply,” he wrote. “We are 
working diligently to get the vaccine supply we receive into the arms of
 our community members as safely and quickly as possible.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611844088979.png" alt="Members of a fundraising board got early access to COVID-19 shots at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Members of a fundraising board got early access to COVID-19 shots at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-27/members-of-a-topeka-hospital-board-and-its-fundraising-foundation-got-early-covid-shots">Kansas News Service</a>Members of a Topeka hospital’s board — and a separate board focused 
on its fundraising — got COVID-19 vaccinations during the first phase of
 the immunization rollout when the coveted shots were meant for people 
at greatest risk from infection.While thousands of Kansans who 
live in assisted living centers, work in schools or grocery stores, or 
respond to fires and other 911 emergencies wait in line for the second 
phase of the rollout, board members and fundraising leaders at Stormont 
Vail Health got offered the shots earlier.But Phase 1 focused on nursing homes and health care workers. State health officials say fundraising boards were not part of it.A
 spokeswoman for the state health department said “we would direct you 
to the specific hospital for how they made the determination” to 
vaccinate board members.As for hospital boards, neither state nor federal guidelines say someone should get the shot simply for being a member.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/hcp.html" target="_blank">guidelines for early access</a>
 recommend vaccinating unpaid health care workers if they “have the 
potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious 
materials.”The <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121/Vaccine-Prioritization-Slides-PDF" target="_blank">Kansas plan</a>
 similarly lists unpaid people “in healthcare or healthcare-associated 
jobs, who are unable to work from home and may be directly or indirectly
 exposed to patients or infectious materials as a result of their job.”A
 spokesman for Stormont Vail Health defended giving early access to the 
fundraising and hospital boards. Their decisions help govern the 
hospital and “make sure that everything’s running day to day,” Matt Lara
 told the Kansas News Service.He said state health officials agreed the hospital could give vaccines to its team.“For us, our team members include … our boards,” Lara said. “So, yes, the foundation board did receive the vaccine.”Stormont Vail workers who see patients got the shots first, though, he said.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121/Vaccine-Prioritization-Slides-PDF" target="_blank">Phase 1</a>
 of the vaccine rollout in Kansas focused on nursing homes, health care 
workers and other workers critical to the pandemic response.Both the state and federal guidance offer lots of examples, but don’t name boards and fundraising leaders.Kansas moved to Phase 2 of vaccine distribution last week.That
 phase includes group living situations (such as assisted living and 
prisons), teachers, police, and other critical workers whose jobs put 
them in close contact with a lot of people and potential coronavirus 
germs.Boards typically give long-term direction to staff. They 
include unpaid community members who are separate from the paid hospital
 and foundation staff. They’re often recruited based on their ability to give or raise money or to represent a segment of the community.Stormont
 Vail's tax forms indicate that hospital board members spend an average 
of three hours a week on their duties, and that members of the Stormont 
Vail Foundation invest one hour a week.The foundation is the 
not-for-profit hospital’s fundraising entity. It reported about $2.8 
million in gifts and grants for 2018, according to tax forms filed to 
the IRS.Facilities in other states have also allowed their 
hospital and fundraising boards to jump ahead in the vaccination line. 
That’s sparked criticism.This month, the New York State 
Department of Health said it would investigate one facility over that 
decision. Boards aren’t the same as volunteers who work at the hospital 
daily, the department told the <a href="https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/local/2021/01/13/state-investigates-garnet-health-vaccinating-ineligible-board-members/6653240002/" target="_blank">Times Herald-Record</a>. The agency said frontline workers should be “insulted” by the argument that board members qualified for the shots.A <a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/some-mary-washington-hospital-foundation-trustees-get-early-vaccinations/article_71e630b6-c095-5fcd-ac39-26f38b4430be.html" target="_blank">Virginia hospital</a> also gave its board members early access, arguing that they are volunteers.In <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/special-access-to-covid-19-vaccine-for-overlake-medical-center-donors-draws-inslee-rebuke/" target="_blank">Washington state</a>,
 a hospital invited board members, top donors and others to get their 
shots over the weekend, even though the facility’s public waitlist was 
booked through March. It backtracked when the governor’s office 
complained.At least four other hospitals in California and 
Florida have drawn public scrutiny over board members or donors 
receiving shots early in the rollout.Counties set priorities 
locally for how to handle the bottleneck of eager vaccine seekers in 
those groups. When Douglas County opened its first 500 slots for Phase 
2, people grabbed up all the slots in less than half an hour, The <a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2021/jan/20/douglas-county-announces-it-will-start-vaccinating-people-65-and-older-appointments-for-first-clinic-fill-up-in-minutes/" target="_blank">Lawrence Journal-World</a> reported.In
 a public update this week, Stormont Vail CEO Robert Kenagy said his 
hospital is working with the county health department to help with the 
rollout, and is “primarily charged with reaching out to patients 65 and 
older.”The hospital has more than 60,000 patients in that age 
group, so it kicked off Phase 2 on Monday by giving priority to those 
over the age of 74, Kenagy said.“We are in a situation currently 
where demand for the vaccine is greater than supply,” he wrote. “We are 
working diligently to get the vaccine supply we receive into the arms of
 our community members as safely and quickly as possible.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Topeka hospital board, fundraisers got early COVID shots

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/27/kansas-bill-proposes-crackdown-on-cellphone-use-by-drivers-in-school-and-work-zones/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A 
disproportionate amount of motor vehicle accidents in Kansas come as a 
result of distracted driving, but a proposed bill aims to limit mobile 
phone disturbances while operating a motor vehicle.

The
 Kansas Department of Transportation cites 15,000 crashes per year — one
 in every four — in Kansas are the result of inattentive driving. From 
2014 to 2019, 75 people lost their lives to distracted driving on Kansas
 roads, including 34 who died while drivers used cellphones.

These
 statistics have led to a bill that would prohibit cellphone use in a 
school zone or construction zone, except in specific emergency 
circumstances. It would also totally prohibit the use of cellphones 
while driving for those under 18 years of age.

“Distracted
 driving is a pretty large encompassing term, but I think we all might 
agree that using your phone, being distracted with your phone, is 
certainly a large contributor to that effect,” said Travis Lowe, a 
lobbyist representing AAA Kansas. “We believe this legislation will 
improve road safety as well as innocent bystanders near the road.”

Proponents
 of the legislation say this bill would help reduce distracted driving 
and educate the public on proper driving habits in work zones. The bill,
 which supporters say has strong support from the public, did not have 
any opponent testimony Wednesday in a hearing before the Senate 
Transportation Committee.

According
 to the Kansas Department of Revenue, Kansas drivers under the graduated
 driver’s license program have a wireless restriction except in an 
emergency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.org/dovgdl.html" target="_blank">until the age of 17</a>. The bill would extend the age restriction to anyone under 18, even if in possession of a non-restricted driver’s license.

Emergency
 exceptions include calling to prevent injury to yourself or others, 
reporting wrongdoing to law enforcement or calling for repair on a 
vehicle.

If
 found guilty of violating the law, the distracted driver would face a 
minimum $60 fine in addition to any court costs or additional charges.

The
 bill would not impact the current statewide ban on texting while 
driving or any stricter regulations imposed by local government.

Sen.
 J.R. Claeys, R-Salina, supported the initiative to impose stricter 
regulations on those under 18 but questioned the need for a law directed
 at adults.

“It
 seems to me that adults could be educated on the need to not use their 
phone in a school or construction zone and that it doesn’t require a 
legal remedy here,” Claeys said.

Jennifer
 Smith, president of Stop Distractions, a nonprofit dedicated to 
eliminating distracted driving accidents through work with families of 
victims and advocacy, said Claeys’ approach may be wishful thinking.

“I
 don’t want to be negative, but the part about educating adults to not 
use our phones in the school zones and work zones — sadly, we’ve been 
doing this for over and decade. … If education were simply enough, I 
would love that,” Smith said.

Smith
 said amid the COVID-19 pandemic and with the rise of the social media 
app TikTok, the number of people using their phones while driving is 
increasing.

“Our
 school zones and work zones, those are our most vulnerable loved ones,”
 Smith said. “Our family members are working in those work zones, and 
our children are walking through the school zones.”

She
 noted both states with similar laws and those without show a majority 
of the public support this type of legislation. Earlier testimony placed
 the figure at 87.2% support in states with a hands-free law.

For Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, the proposed legislation struck a personal note.

“My
 wife’s dad, my father-in-law, was killed by a teenage driver who was 
driving and talking on the phone,” Kloos said. “I will support this 
bill.”

Senators
 asked that the legislation be clarified to indicate a driver using a 
phone in a parked vehicle would not violate these laws.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611770218405.png" alt="Travis Lowe, a lobbyist representing AAA Kansas, says a proposed bill is another effort to limit distracted driving across the state. State data shows about one in four motor vehicle deaths are the result of inattentive driving. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Travis Lowe, a lobbyist representing AAA Kansas, says a proposed bill is another effort to limit distracted driving across the state. State data shows about one in four motor vehicle deaths are the result of inattentive driving. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/27/kansas-bill-proposes-crackdown-on-cellphone-use-by-drivers-in-school-and-work-zones/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A 
disproportionate amount of motor vehicle accidents in Kansas come as a 
result of distracted driving, but a proposed bill aims to limit mobile 
phone disturbances while operating a motor vehicle.The
 Kansas Department of Transportation cites 15,000 crashes per year — one
 in every four — in Kansas are the result of inattentive driving. From 
2014 to 2019, 75 people lost their lives to distracted driving on Kansas
 roads, including 34 who died while drivers used cellphones.These
 statistics have led to a bill that would prohibit cellphone use in a 
school zone or construction zone, except in specific emergency 
circumstances. It would also totally prohibit the use of cellphones 
while driving for those under 18 years of age.“Distracted
 driving is a pretty large encompassing term, but I think we all might 
agree that using your phone, being distracted with your phone, is 
certainly a large contributor to that effect,” said Travis Lowe, a 
lobbyist representing AAA Kansas. “We believe this legislation will 
improve road safety as well as innocent bystanders near the road.”Proponents
 of the legislation say this bill would help reduce distracted driving 
and educate the public on proper driving habits in work zones. The bill,
 which supporters say has strong support from the public, did not have 
any opponent testimony Wednesday in a hearing before the Senate 
Transportation Committee.According
 to the Kansas Department of Revenue, Kansas drivers under the graduated
 driver’s license program have a wireless restriction except in an 
emergency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.org/dovgdl.html" target="_blank">until the age of 17</a>. The bill would extend the age restriction to anyone under 18, even if in possession of a non-restricted driver’s license.Emergency
 exceptions include calling to prevent injury to yourself or others, 
reporting wrongdoing to law enforcement or calling for repair on a 
vehicle.If
 found guilty of violating the law, the distracted driver would face a 
minimum $60 fine in addition to any court costs or additional charges.The
 bill would not impact the current statewide ban on texting while 
driving or any stricter regulations imposed by local government.Sen.
 J.R. Claeys, R-Salina, supported the initiative to impose stricter 
regulations on those under 18 but questioned the need for a law directed
 at adults.“It
 seems to me that adults could be educated on the need to not use their 
phone in a school or construction zone and that it doesn’t require a 
legal remedy here,” Claeys said.Jennifer
 Smith, president of Stop Distractions, a nonprofit dedicated to 
eliminating distracted driving accidents through work with families of 
victims and advocacy, said Claeys’ approach may be wishful thinking.“I
 don’t want to be negative, but the part about educating adults to not 
use our phones in the school zones and work zones — sadly, we’ve been 
doing this for over and decade. … If education were simply enough, I 
would love that,” Smith said.Smith
 said amid the COVID-19 pandemic and with the rise of the social media 
app TikTok, the number of people using their phones while driving is 
increasing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611770274980.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, shared a personal impetus Wednesday for supporting the legislation restricting mobile phone use while driving. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, shared a personal impetus Wednesday for supporting the legislation restricting mobile phone use while driving. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Our
 school zones and work zones, those are our most vulnerable loved ones,”
 Smith said. “Our family members are working in those work zones, and 
our children are walking through the school zones.”She
 noted both states with similar laws and those without show a majority 
of the public support this type of legislation. Earlier testimony placed
 the figure at 87.2% support in states with a hands-free law.For Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, the proposed legislation struck a personal note.“My
 wife’s dad, my father-in-law, was killed by a teenage driver who was 
driving and talking on the phone,” Kloos said. “I will support this 
bill.”Senators
 asked that the legislation be clarified to indicate a driver using a 
phone in a parked vehicle would not violate these laws.

Kan. bill would crack down on phone use by drivers in school, work zones

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas sheriff's deputy recruit for allegedly destroying evidence.

On January 23, police arrested Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Recruit Deputy identified as 23-year-old Brand Johnson following a response to an active disturbance in east Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Johnson was booked on a requested charge of interference with law enforcement. The specific allegation is KSA 21-5904(a)(2): concealing, destroying or materially altering evidence with the intent to prevent or hinder the apprehension or prosecution of any person.

In addition to the criminal case, an investigation is also being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Johnson has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for approximately four months and has been placed on administrative leave, according to Blick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611769742433.png" alt="Johnson-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas sheriff's deputy recruit for allegedly destroying evidence.On January 23, police arrested Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Recruit Deputy identified as 23-year-old Brand Johnson following a response to an active disturbance in east Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Johnson was booked on a requested charge of interference with law enforcement. The specific allegation is KSA 21-5904(a)(2): concealing, destroying or materially altering evidence with the intent to prevent or hinder the apprehension or prosecution of any person.In addition to the criminal case, an investigation is also being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Johnson has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for approximately four months and has been placed on administrative leave, according to Blick.

Kan. recruit deputy allegedly destroyed evidence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The top executive of Kansas City-based beer maker Boulevard Brewing Company has become the third high-ranking employee to leave since a viral Reddit post accused the company of being a harmful place to work for women.

Jeff Krum, who has led Boulevard since 2016 and worked there for more than 25 years, confirmed his resignation after informing employees in an email Wednesday afternoon.

“As president, one of my oversight responsibilities was to ensure that all our workplaces were free of any form of real or perceived harassment or demonstrations of unwanted attention,” Krum told employees. “Disclosures of recent days make it clear that this was not always achieved.”

The iconic Kansas City brewery first came under fire on Saturday because of the Reddit post, which accused members of the company of pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment. The post said women who went to the company’s human resources department were ignored or even targeted.

Amid backlash on social media, the company on Tuesday released a longer statement where it acknowledged the widespread issue and apologized. It said it would enable anonymous reporting, reexamine its policies and mandate that company staff undergo harassment, bias and discrimination training.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611853200194.png" alt="From the brewing company's Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>From the brewing company's Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The top executive of Kansas City-based beer maker Boulevard Brewing Company has become the third high-ranking employee to leave since a viral Reddit post accused the company of being a harmful place to work for women.Jeff Krum, who has led Boulevard since 2016 and worked there for more than 25 years, confirmed his resignation after informing employees in an email Wednesday afternoon.“As president, one of my oversight responsibilities was to ensure that all our workplaces were free of any form of real or perceived harassment or demonstrations of unwanted attention,” Krum told employees. “Disclosures of recent days make it clear that this was not always achieved.”The iconic Kansas City brewery first came under fire on Saturday because of the Reddit post, which accused members of the company of pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment. The post said women who went to the company’s human resources department were ignored or even targeted.Amid backlash on social media, the company on Tuesday released a longer statement where it acknowledged the widespread issue and apologized. It said it would enable anonymous reporting, reexamine its policies and mandate that company staff undergo harassment, bias and discrimination training.

Boulevard’s top executive resigns after allegations

TOPEKA —Approximately 230 Kansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have returned home from Washington, D.C., this week. The Guardsmen came home on KC-135s flown by the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, according to a media release from the Kansas Adjutant General's Department. The Kansas Guardsmen deployed following a request from the District of Columbia National Guard to support the presidential inauguration. Gov. Laura Kelly authorized the deployment. "I am so proud of the fine Soldiers and Airmen Kansas sent to Washington to assist with security during the recent inaugural," Kelly said. "Their service is just one great example of the dedication and professionalism our Kansas National Guardsmen display, no matter what mission they are assigned." Col. Michael Venerdi, director of the Kansas National Guard Joint Staff, was Kansas lead. "I am honored to have led the men and women of the Kansas National Guard on this mission to Washington," said Venerdi. "These individuals left their families, employers, educational responsibilities and Kansas to support a mission that we initially had few details on. These Soldiers and Airmen worked long hours with little sleep and I couldn't be more proud of the work that they did while we were there." After arriving in D.C., the Kansas Soldiers and Airmen were assigned to Task Force Response as a quick reaction force for multiple locations in D.C. The Kansas team reacted to the rapidly evolving missions that they were assigned. After the completion of the inauguration, the team was assigned to Task Force SCOTUS, which was tasked with securing the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. The remaining Soldiers and Airmen supported a quick-reaction force that responded to issues at the White House. Approximately 50 Kansas Soldiers and Airmen will remain on duty at least through the middle of March in continued support of District and federal civil authorities. "I give my full support for those Guardsmen who remain on duty in our nation's capital," said Kelly. "Protecting the health and safety of the public is one of their primary missions, whether at home in Kansas, in another state, and even abroad as they serve the cause of peace." "I am also proud of the Soldiers and Airmen that stayed behind and worked tirelessly in order to ensure our readiness, training, logistics, and mobilization processes were rapidly available and extremely efficient," said Venerdi. "Without these individuals, we couldn't have accomplished either mission." The Soldiers and Airmen represent the following: the Kansas Army National Guard's 130th Field Artillery Battalion (Manhattan); 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery (Hutchinson); 997th Brigade Support Battalion (Hays); 330th Signal Company (Wichita); 1161st Forward Support Company (Wichita); 250th Forward Support Company (Ottawa); 170th Maintenance Company (Wichita); 995th Maintenance Company (Smith Center); 635th Regional Support Group (Wichita); 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation (Topeka); 891st Engineer Battalion (Iola); 226th Engineer Company (Augusta); 242nd Engineer Company (Coffeyville); 772nd Engineer Company (Pittsburg); 1st Battalion, 635th Armor (Kansas City); 235th Regiment (Salina); 169th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (Olathe); and 731st Transportation Company (Great Bend); and the Kansas Air National Guard's 184th Wing (Wichita) and the 190th Air Refueling Wing (Topeka)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611848655634.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kansas National Guard" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kansas National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Approximately 230 Kansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have returned home from Washington, D.C., this week. The Guardsmen came home on KC-135s flown by the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, according to a media release from the Kansas Adjutant General's Department. The Kansas Guardsmen deployed following a request from the District of Columbia National Guard to support the presidential inauguration. Gov. Laura Kelly authorized the deployment. "I am so proud of the fine Soldiers and Airmen Kansas sent to Washington to assist with security during the recent inaugural," Kelly said. "Their service is just one great example of the dedication and professionalism our Kansas National Guardsmen display, no matter what mission they are assigned." Col. Michael Venerdi, director of the Kansas National Guard Joint Staff, was Kansas lead. "I am honored to have led the men and women of the Kansas National Guard on this mission to Washington," said Venerdi. "These individuals left their families, employers, educational responsibilities and Kansas to support a mission that we initially had few details on. These Soldiers and Airmen worked long hours with little sleep and I couldn't be more proud of the work that they did while we were there." After arriving in D.C., the Kansas Soldiers and Airmen were assigned to Task Force Response as a quick reaction force for multiple locations in D.C. The Kansas team reacted to the rapidly evolving missions that they were assigned. After the completion of the inauguration, the team was assigned to Task Force SCOTUS, which was tasked with securing the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. The remaining Soldiers and Airmen supported a quick-reaction force that responded to issues at the White House. Approximately 50 Kansas Soldiers and Airmen will remain on duty at least through the middle of March in continued support of District and federal civil authorities. "I give my full support for those Guardsmen who remain on duty in our nation's capital," said Kelly. "Protecting the health and safety of the public is one of their primary missions, whether at home in Kansas, in another state, and even abroad as they serve the cause of peace." "I am also proud of the Soldiers and Airmen that stayed behind and worked tirelessly in order to ensure our readiness, training, logistics, and mobilization processes were rapidly available and extremely efficient," said Venerdi. "Without these individuals, we couldn't have accomplished either mission." The Soldiers and Airmen represent the following: the Kansas Army National Guard's 130th Field Artillery Battalion (Manhattan); 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery (Hutchinson); 997th Brigade Support Battalion (Hays); 330th Signal Company (Wichita); 1161st Forward Support Company (Wichita); 250th Forward Support Company (Ottawa); 170th Maintenance Company (Wichita); 995th Maintenance Company (Smith Center); 635th Regional Support Group (Wichita); 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation (Topeka); 891st Engineer Battalion (Iola); 226th Engineer Company (Augusta); 242nd Engineer Company (Coffeyville); 772nd Engineer Company (Pittsburg); 1st Battalion, 635th Armor (Kansas City); 235th Regiment (Salina); 169th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (Olathe); and 731st Transportation Company (Great Bend); and the Kansas Air National Guard's 184th Wing (Wichita) and the 190th Air Refueling Wing (Topeka)

Kan. National Guard return from supporting Biden inauguration

KANSAS CITY —The FBI has identified and located Jane Doe 43, a girl who may have critical information on the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation.

She was not located within the FBI Kansas City Division territory.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details due to the ongoing investigation.

KANSAS CITY —The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance across the nation with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown girl who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation, according to a release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City.

Operation Rescue Me represents a strategic partnership between the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Violent Crime Section, Child Exploitation Operational Unit and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Operation Rescue Me began in 2008, and is an aggressive program which focuses on utilizing image analysis to determine the identities of child victims depicted in child exploitation material.

Image analysis methods used by Operation Rescue Me concentrate on items seen in the backgrounds of child pornography videos or images. Analysts attempt to answer four basic questions that will hopefully lead to the identification and rescue of child victims:

1) What useful clues are there in the background? (What’s visible on the walls, are there distinct clothes or commercial labels visible?)

2) Can a time frame for when the pictures were taken be determined?

3) What is the physical location of the children in the photos? (Country, state, hotel room, etc.)

The FBI utilizes many clues to identify where a child may be held. The identification of items sold exclusively in certain areas, or at certain stores which can be seen in the background of various images has led to the successful rescue of numerous child victims. Additional techniques, such as isolating audio clips from videos to identify any names which can be heard, or even the dialect of language which is being spoken, have also led to the eventual rescue of abused children. Through the careful scrutiny of child pornography images, the FBI has been able to use clues as small as a glimpse of a vehicle’s color seen in a reflection of one of its mirrors to rescue children from dangerous child predators.

Since inception, Operation Rescue Me has led to the identification of over 800 child victims. The program continues to attempt to rescue those still in need

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611766448647.png" alt="Image courtesy FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The FBI has identified and located Jane Doe 43, a girl who may have critical information on the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation.She was not located within the FBI Kansas City Division territory.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details due to the ongoing investigation.------------KANSAS CITY —The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance across the nation with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown girl who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation, according to a release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611766324614.png" alt="Jane Doe 43 Image FBI" />
 <figcaption>Jane Doe 43 Image FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Operation Rescue Me represents a strategic partnership between the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Violent Crime Section, Child Exploitation Operational Unit and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Operation Rescue Me began in 2008, and is an aggressive program which focuses on utilizing image analysis to determine the identities of child victims depicted in child exploitation material.Image analysis methods used by Operation Rescue Me concentrate on items seen in the backgrounds of child pornography videos or images. Analysts attempt to answer four basic questions that will hopefully lead to the identification and rescue of child victims:1) What useful clues are there in the background? (What’s visible on the walls, are there distinct clothes or commercial labels visible?)2) Can a time frame for when the pictures were taken be determined?3) What is the physical location of the children in the photos? (Country, state, hotel room, etc.)4) Who are the children in the photos?No clue is too small.The FBI utilizes many clues to identify where a child may be held. The identification of items sold exclusively in certain areas, or at certain stores which can be seen in the background of various images has led to the successful rescue of numerous child victims. Additional techniques, such as isolating audio clips from videos to identify any names which can be heard, or even the dialect of language which is being spoken, have also led to the eventual rescue of abused children. Through the careful scrutiny of child pornography images, the FBI has been able to use clues as small as a glimpse of a vehicle’s color seen in a reflection of one of its mirrors to rescue children from dangerous child predators.Since inception, Operation Rescue Me has led to the identification of over 800 child victims. The program continues to attempt to rescue those still in need

UPDATE: FBI IDs, locates girl in sex exploitation investigation 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are prompting Kansas to shut down its processing system this weekend, meaning some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.

Kelly acknowledged that fraudulent claims may have helped fuel a recent surge of filings for benefits, agreeing with Republican legislators.

The Democratic governor’s announcement came shortly after GOP lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being forced to cover the cost of fraudulent claims in ex-employees’ names. They said the state Department of Labor doesn’t have a handle on the problem and that they’ve not gotten enough data or answers.

Kelly said the unemployment system will go down at 2 p.m. Saturday and go back up at 7 a.m. Tuesday. She said the state won’t pay benefits during that period but will work to catch up on claims when the system is back up.

“The fix really is going to be an enhanced verification process,” Kelly told reporters during a Statehouse news conference.

Kelly said state official believe Kansas is seeing a wave of fraudulent claims because it asks for limited information to verify a person’s identity — “name, rank and serial number — Social Security number, in this case.”

“We’ll make sure that everybody who is filing for claims or has filed for claims is putting in additional verification stuff,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference. “You know, how they ask you for the middle name of your grandfather or what was your first car.”

State Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican who leads the House Commerce Committee, said the shutdown for anti-fraud fixes is welcome, but it should have happened months ago. He said U.S. government officials were warning about the potential for fraud nearly a year ago.

Tarwater and other Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have been critical of Kelly and the Department of Labor over multiple issues at the agency, including its handling of fraudulent claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-22c2a4128196c0e629936ea778ef3563">problems in getting regular and extra unemployment benefits</a>&nbsp;to workers who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need to fix this Labor Department,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Rob Olson, another Kansas City-area Republican. “It’s the most critical thing in this state right now.”

Republicans worry that a flood of fraudulent claims is keeping the state from processing legitimate ones quickly enough.

But they said Wednesday that they’re also worried that employers will get stuck with the cost. Businesses pay a tax after-the-fact to replenish the state fund that provides benefits, and nonprofit groups, school districts, universities and other public employers reimburse the state quarterly for half of the costs of benefits associated with their former workers. The federal government picks up the other half.

Republican lawmakers said school districts already are starting to receive big quarterly bills. Businesses get a statement about claims paid for their ex-workers in November, followed by a notice of their coming taxes in December.

“We see a storm brewing,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., also a Kansas City-area Republican.

Kansas saw a surge in initial unemployment claims in late March and April 2020, after the pandemic arrived in the state and Kelly began issuing orders to contain it, including a statewide-stay-at-home order. But claims dropped after that before they started increasing again in late November.

<a href="https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf" target="_blank">The U.S. Department of Labor reported</a>&nbsp;that for the week ending Jan. 16, Kansas received about 63,500 initial claims for unemployment benefits, the third highest number of any state, behind California and Illinois and ahead of more populous states, including Florida, New York and Texas.

GOP lawmakers said the numbers are a signal that Kansas is potentially seeing thousands more fraudulent claims a week than the roughly 2,300 a day that the state Department of Labor says it is stopping.

And Kelly told reporters: “They may absolutely be right.”

A House budget committee agreed Wednesday to sponsor a bill proposed by Tarwater to have the state reimburse employers if they get stuck covering the cost of fraudulent claims. But he acknowledged the state’s tab could be several hundred million dollars if it doesn’t stop fraudulent claims quickly enough.

“Now we need to figure out what the damage that was done,” he said. “I don’t think we will for quite some time until we get an audit, a good audit.” ___

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611798236929.png" alt="“The fix really is going to be an enhanced verification process,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference." />
 <figcaption>“The fix really is going to be an enhanced verification process,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are prompting Kansas to shut down its processing system this weekend, meaning some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.Kelly acknowledged that fraudulent claims may have helped fuel a recent surge of filings for benefits, agreeing with Republican legislators.The Democratic governor’s announcement came shortly after GOP lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being forced to cover the cost of fraudulent claims in ex-employees’ names. They said the state Department of Labor doesn’t have a handle on the problem and that they’ve not gotten enough data or answers.Kelly said the unemployment system will go down at 2 p.m. Saturday and go back up at 7 a.m. Tuesday. She said the state won’t pay benefits during that period but will work to catch up on claims when the system is back up.“The fix really is going to be an enhanced verification process,” Kelly told reporters during a Statehouse news conference.Kelly said state official believe Kansas is seeing a wave of fraudulent claims because it asks for limited information to verify a person’s identity — “name, rank and serial number — Social Security number, in this case.”“We’ll make sure that everybody who is filing for claims or has filed for claims is putting in additional verification stuff,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference. “You know, how they ask you for the middle name of your grandfather or what was your first car.”State Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican who leads the House Commerce Committee, said the shutdown for anti-fraud fixes is welcome, but it should have happened months ago. He said U.S. government officials were warning about the potential for fraud nearly a year ago.Tarwater and other Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have been critical of Kelly and the Department of Labor over multiple issues at the agency, including its handling of fraudulent claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-22c2a4128196c0e629936ea778ef3563">problems in getting regular and extra unemployment benefits</a>&nbsp;to workers who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.“We need to fix this Labor Department,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Rob Olson, another Kansas City-area Republican. “It’s the most critical thing in this state right now.”Republicans worry that a flood of fraudulent claims is keeping the state from processing legitimate ones quickly enough.But they said Wednesday that they’re also worried that employers will get stuck with the cost. Businesses pay a tax after-the-fact to replenish the state fund that provides benefits, and nonprofit groups, school districts, universities and other public employers reimburse the state quarterly for half of the costs of benefits associated with their former workers. The federal government picks up the other half.Republican lawmakers said school districts already are starting to receive big quarterly bills. Businesses get a statement about claims paid for their ex-workers in November, followed by a notice of their coming taxes in December.“We see a storm brewing,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., also a Kansas City-area Republican.Kansas saw a surge in initial unemployment claims in late March and April 2020, after the pandemic arrived in the state and Kelly began issuing orders to contain it, including a statewide-stay-at-home order. But claims dropped after that before they started increasing again in late November.<a href="https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf" target="_blank">The U.S. Department of Labor reported</a>&nbsp;that for the week ending Jan. 16, Kansas received about 63,500 initial claims for unemployment benefits, the third highest number of any state, behind California and Illinois and ahead of more populous states, including Florida, New York and Texas.GOP lawmakers said the numbers are a signal that Kansas is potentially seeing thousands more fraudulent claims a week than the roughly 2,300 a day that the state Department of Labor says it is stopping.And Kelly told reporters: “They may absolutely be right.”A House budget committee agreed Wednesday to sponsor a bill proposed by Tarwater to have the state reimburse employers if they get stuck covering the cost of fraudulent claims. But he acknowledged the state’s tab could be several hundred million dollars if it doesn’t stop fraudulent claims quickly enough.“Now we need to figure out what the damage that was done,” he said. “I don’t think we will for quite some time until we get an audit, a good audit.” ___

Kan. to shut down unemployment system to deal with fraud

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration launched its new level-with-America health briefings Wednesday with a projection that as many as 90,000 more in the U.S. will die from the coronavirus in the next four weeks — a sobering warning as the government strains to improve delivery and injection of vaccines.

The tone of the hourlong briefing was in line with President Joe Biden’s promise to be straight with the nation about the state of the outbreak that has already claimed more than 425,000 U.S. lives. It marked a sharp contrast to what had become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/969eafc8f5cb01e9b3e8fe941b3264eb">the Trump show&nbsp;</a>in the past administration, when public health officials were repeatedly undermined by a president who shared his unproven ideas without hesitation.

The deaths projection wasn’t much different from what Biden himself has said, but nonetheless served as a stark reminder of the brutal road ahead.

“I know this is not news we all want to hear, but this is something we must say so we are all aware,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If we are united in action we can turn things around.”

The new briefings, set for three times a week, are part of Biden’s attempt to rebuild trust and mobilize Americans to follow health guidance on the coronavirus and to break down public resistance to the vaccine.

Wednesday’s briefing was conducted virtually, with no shortage of technical glitches and audio gaps. Administration officials appeared on Zoom from separate locations, in keeping with the Biden administration’s efforts to model best practices for safe work habits in the pandemic.

One by one, the officials laid out administration efforts to contain the virus, speed vaccinations and bring Americans along with the effort..

“The White House respects and will follow the science, and the scientists will speak independently,” promised Andy Slavitt, a senior administration adviser on the pandemic.

Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator, said the Biden administration was examining additional ways of speeding vaccine production, a day after the president announced the U.S. plans to provide states with enough doses for 300 million Americans by the end of summer.

But actually injecting those shots is another matter.

“Most states are getting better at putting needles in arms,” Zients said. He called on Congress to swiftly pass Biden’s “American Rescue Plan.” The $1.9 trillion bill, which has given lawmakers in both parties sticker shock, includes $400 billion for measures aimed at controlling the virus, including dramatically increasing the pace of vaccination and ensuring more widespread testing.

Zients noted that the federal Department of Health and Human Services acted Wednesday to make more people available to administer vaccinations. The government will authorize retired nurses and doctors, and professionals licensed in one state will be able to give shots in other states.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said there was reason to be concerned about the impact of some coronavirus mutations on vaccines, but he also said scientists have plenty of options for adjustments to maintain effectiveness.

Fauci said there was particular concern about the so-called South African variant, because lab tests have shown it can diminish the protective power of the vaccines approved to date. He stressed that the level of protection provided was still well within what he called the “cushion” of vaccine effectiveness, but added that the government was working with pharmaceutical companies on potential “booster” shots for the new variants.

Walensky said her agency’s latest forecast indicates the U.S. will reach between 479,000 and 514,000 deaths by Feb. 20.

The new briefings, beginning just a week into Biden’s tenure, are meant as an explicit rejection of President Donald Trump’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’re bringing back the pros to talk about COVID in an unvarnished way,” Biden said Tuesday.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/836cfeed03037afbf4abf4a1d2d9da4f">had claimed center stage</a>&nbsp;and muddled the message of the nation’s top public health experts in the critical early days of the virus and eventually largely muzzled them as the pandemic’s toll grew steeper.

As a presidential candidate Biden warned that the nation faced a surge of coronavirus cases in what would be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-pandemics-public-health-coronavirus-pandemic-ad3bf9890e0c44fd0ccf377d76fb6668">“dark winter”</a>; Trump, by contrast, falsely claimed the worst of the virus was over.

Dr. David Hamer, a professor of global health and medicine at Boston University’s School of Public Health, said having briefings from health officials that are “based on serious science” would go a long way toward improving public perceptions of the vaccine.

“There’s a certain amount of vaccine hesitancy, and so educating people about the vaccine, how it works, how safe it is and how it can protect against the disease but also slow transmission is really important,” he said.

The stakes for Biden, whose presidency hinges at the start on his handling of the pandemic and the largest vaccination campaign in global history, could hardly be higher. He is pushing a weary populace to recommit to social distancing measures and mask wearing, pointing to scientific models that suggest the practices could save 50,000 lives over coming months.

Those messages found few champions in the former administration, as Trump openly flouted science-based guidance from his own administration. Face coverings were sparse at his reelection rallies and social distancing nearly nonexistent.

Asked by CNN last week if the lack of candor from the Trump administration about the virus had cost lives, Fauci replied, “You know, it very likely did.”

The Trump administration ended the practice of regular scientific briefings early in the pandemic, after Trump expressed anger over dire warnings about the virus by Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the CDC’s immunization and respiratory director who is leading the agency’s COVID-19 efforts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611778790899.png" alt="A view of the new Coronavirus Task Force&nbsp; or 'Level with America Health briefing' -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>A view of the new Coronavirus Task Force&nbsp; or 'Level with America Health briefing' -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration launched its new level-with-America health briefings Wednesday with a projection that as many as 90,000 more in the U.S. will die from the coronavirus in the next four weeks — a sobering warning as the government strains to improve delivery and injection of vaccines.The tone of the hourlong briefing was in line with President Joe Biden’s promise to be straight with the nation about the state of the outbreak that has already claimed more than 425,000 U.S. lives. It marked a sharp contrast to what had become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/969eafc8f5cb01e9b3e8fe941b3264eb">the Trump show&nbsp;</a>in the past administration, when public health officials were repeatedly undermined by a president who shared his unproven ideas without hesitation.The deaths projection wasn’t much different from what Biden himself has said, but nonetheless served as a stark reminder of the brutal road ahead.“I know this is not news we all want to hear, but this is something we must say so we are all aware,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If we are united in action we can turn things around.”The new briefings, set for three times a week, are part of Biden’s attempt to rebuild trust and mobilize Americans to follow health guidance on the coronavirus and to break down public resistance to the vaccine.Wednesday’s briefing was conducted virtually, with no shortage of technical glitches and audio gaps. Administration officials appeared on Zoom from separate locations, in keeping with the Biden administration’s efforts to model best practices for safe work habits in the pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611765132239.png" alt="Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Biden's COVID-19 Equity Task Force Chair&nbsp; said, "the task force would take an equity lens to every aspect of this virus.”" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Biden's COVID-19 Equity Task Force Chair&nbsp; said, "the task force would take an equity lens to every aspect of this virus.”</figcaption>
 </figure>One by one, the officials laid out administration efforts to contain the virus, speed vaccinations and bring Americans along with the effort..“The White House respects and will follow the science, and the scientists will speak independently,” promised Andy Slavitt, a senior administration adviser on the pandemic.Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator, said the Biden administration was examining additional ways of speeding vaccine production, a day after the president announced the U.S. plans to provide states with enough doses for 300 million Americans by the end of summer.But actually injecting those shots is another matter.“Most states are getting better at putting needles in arms,” Zients said. He called on Congress to swiftly pass Biden’s “American Rescue Plan.” The $1.9 trillion bill, which has given lawmakers in both parties sticker shock, includes $400 billion for measures aimed at controlling the virus, including dramatically increasing the pace of vaccination and ensuring more widespread testing.Zients noted that the federal Department of Health and Human Services acted Wednesday to make more people available to administer vaccinations. The government will authorize retired nurses and doctors, and professionals licensed in one state will be able to give shots in other states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611767368293.png" alt="Dr. Fauci had to give a portion of his presentation twice due to technical difficulties in the virtual format." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Fauci had to give a portion of his presentation twice due to technical difficulties in the virtual format.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said there was reason to be concerned about the impact of some coronavirus mutations on vaccines, but he also said scientists have plenty of options for adjustments to maintain effectiveness.Fauci said there was particular concern about the so-called South African variant, because lab tests have shown it can diminish the protective power of the vaccines approved to date. He stressed that the level of protection provided was still well within what he called the “cushion” of vaccine effectiveness, but added that the government was working with pharmaceutical companies on potential “booster” shots for the new variants.Walensky said her agency’s latest forecast indicates the U.S. will reach between 479,000 and 514,000 deaths by Feb. 20.The new briefings, beginning just a week into Biden’s tenure, are meant as an explicit rejection of President Donald Trump’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak.“We’re bringing back the pros to talk about COVID in an unvarnished way,” Biden said Tuesday.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/836cfeed03037afbf4abf4a1d2d9da4f">had claimed center stage</a>&nbsp;and muddled the message of the nation’s top public health experts in the critical early days of the virus and eventually largely muzzled them as the pandemic’s toll grew steeper.As a presidential candidate Biden warned that the nation faced a surge of coronavirus cases in what would be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-pandemics-public-health-coronavirus-pandemic-ad3bf9890e0c44fd0ccf377d76fb6668">“dark winter”</a>; Trump, by contrast, falsely claimed the worst of the virus was over.Dr. David Hamer, a professor of global health and medicine at Boston University’s School of Public Health, said having briefings from health officials that are “based on serious science” would go a long way toward improving public perceptions of the vaccine.“There’s a certain amount of vaccine hesitancy, and so educating people about the vaccine, how it works, how safe it is and how it can protect against the disease but also slow transmission is really important,” he said.The stakes for Biden, whose presidency hinges at the start on his handling of the pandemic and the largest vaccination campaign in global history, could hardly be higher. He is pushing a weary populace to recommit to social distancing measures and mask wearing, pointing to scientific models that suggest the practices could save 50,000 lives over coming months.Those messages found few champions in the former administration, as Trump openly flouted science-based guidance from his own administration. Face coverings were sparse at his reelection rallies and social distancing nearly nonexistent.Asked by CNN last week if the lack of candor from the Trump administration about the virus had cost lives, Fauci replied, “You know, it very likely did.”The Trump administration ended the practice of regular scientific briefings early in the pandemic, after Trump expressed anger over dire warnings about the virus by Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the CDC’s immunization and respiratory director who is leading the agency’s COVID-19 efforts.

President Biden's COVID -19 team issues warning 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell was fined $25,000 on Wednesday after admitting to nine campaign finance violations.

The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission fined O’Donnell for violations that included using campaign money for personal use and fraudulent reporting. He was accused of funneling money to four friends, who he falsely claimed were campaign workers, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article248803405.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

O’Donnell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-elections-e7a87d0ebe139cef775deddb53817731">resigned</a>&nbsp;from the Sedgwick County Commission in November rather than face o&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campaigns-wichita-0fe70e4768b8d9923f366d07aa0a1b4f">uster procedures&nbsp;</a>for his role in a false attack ad against Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and a subsequent cover-up during the 2019 mayoral race.

On Wednesday, O’Donnell asked that the fine be set below $10,000 because he said he is “broke” since resigning from the commission.

The ethics commission said half of the $25,000 would be forgiven if O’Donnell pays $12,500 within 90 days.

In March of 2019, jurors in federal court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a064dd2813ff4650b9302dd01f7474a3">acquitted</a>&nbsp;O’Donnell on 21 counts of wire fraud. After they deadlocked on two counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, federal prosecutors asked the court to drop the charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901453104.png" alt="Michael O'Donnell wiping away tears following the October censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission. At that time, he refused to apologize." />
 <figcaption>Michael O'Donnell wiping away tears following the October censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission. At that time, he refused to apologize.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell was fined $25,000 on Wednesday after admitting to nine campaign finance violations.The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission fined O’Donnell for violations that included using campaign money for personal use and fraudulent reporting. He was accused of funneling money to four friends, who he falsely claimed were campaign workers, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article248803405.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.O’Donnell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-elections-e7a87d0ebe139cef775deddb53817731">resigned</a>&nbsp;from the Sedgwick County Commission in November rather than face o&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campaigns-wichita-0fe70e4768b8d9923f366d07aa0a1b4f">uster procedures&nbsp;</a>for his role in a false attack ad against Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and a subsequent cover-up during the 2019 mayoral race.On Wednesday, O’Donnell asked that the fine be set below $10,000 because he said he is “broke” since resigning from the commission.The ethics commission said half of the $25,000 would be forgiven if O’Donnell pays $12,500 within 90 days.In March of 2019, jurors in federal court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a064dd2813ff4650b9302dd01f7474a3">acquitted</a>&nbsp;O’Donnell on 21 counts of wire fraud. After they deadlocked on two counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, federal prosecutors asked the court to drop the charges.

Former Kan. county commissioner fined $25K for ethics violations

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities canceled an Amber Alert issued early Thursday after two girls reported abducted from a Kansas City gas station were located and safe.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued the Amber Alert for 8-year-old London Johnson and 4-year-old Lauren Smith. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also issued an alert in an effort to find the children.

They were reported in a 2012 Ford Fusion with Kansas license plate 232MFP.

Just before 11:30p.m., the girl's babysitter went inside a gas station at 3801 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. and left the vehicle running.

A suspect identified as black male, 5-foot-8 and approximately 250 pounds took the vehicle with the girls.

Authorities have not released detail on where the girls were found and have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611832961112.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities canceled an Amber Alert issued early Thursday after two girls reported abducted from a Kansas City gas station were located and safe.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued the Amber Alert for 8-year-old London Johnson and 4-year-old Lauren Smith. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also issued an alert in an effort to find the children.They were reported in a 2012 Ford Fusion with Kansas license plate 232MFP.Just before 11:30p.m., the girl's babysitter went inside a gas station at 3801 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. and left the vehicle running.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">AMBER Alert in Kansas City Kansas! On 01-28-2021, at 1:14am, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department provided the following information to the KBI:&mdash; Kansas AMBER Alert (@ksamberalert) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksamberalert/status/1354697725502246915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A suspect identified as black male, 5-foot-8 and approximately 250 pounds took the vehicle with the girls.Authorities have not released detail on where the girls were found and have not reported an arrest.

Amber Alert canceled; Girls taken from Kan. gas station found safe 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in his wife's death made his first court appearance Tuesday.

Shawn Nimmo, 47, Wichita was charged with second-degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Jan. 21, police responded to a medical welfare check at a residence in the 300 Block of South Dodge in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stevens.

At the scene, officers found a victim identified as&nbsp; 43-year-old Rebecca Nimmo with stab wounds and unresponsive . She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Stevens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611342428231.png" alt="Nimmo photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Nimmo photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in his wife's death made his first court appearance Tuesday.Shawn Nimmo, 47, Wichita was charged with second-degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Jan. 21, police responded to a medical welfare check at a residence in the 300 Block of South Dodge in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stevens.At the scene, officers found a victim identified as&nbsp; 43-year-old Rebecca Nimmo with stab wounds and unresponsive . She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Stevens.Also at the scene was her 47-year-old husband Shawn Nimmo who had called police. Investigators determined probable cause existed to arrest him for her murder, according to Stevens.Nimmo remains jailed on a $150,000 bond and is due back in court February 11, according to the district attorney.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman's death and have made an arrest.On Thursday morning, police responded to a medical welfare check at a residence in the 300 Block of South Dodge in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stevens.At the scene, officers found a victim identified as&nbsp; 43-year-old Rebecca Nimmo with stab wounds and unresponsive . She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Stevens.Also at the scene was her 47-year-old husband Shawn Nimmo who had called police. Investigators determined probable cause existed to arrest him for her murder, according to Stevens.He is being held on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder. Stevens ask that anyone with information on this domestic violence case should contact police.