By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Mathew Heinz of Dodge City joined the Marines on the day he graduated high school.

Years after coming home, things that happened during his time overseas started to surface and haunt him.

"I went through a divorce in 2016 after a 10-year marriage, and I was in a dark place," he said.

Matt's best friend that he grew up with suggested they go hunting with a veterans group — The Fallen Outdoors.

The national nonprofit group organizes outdoor activities for veterans of all ages, branches of service and skill levels. The group is all-volunteer run by fellow veterans.

Matt said the first hunt he went on was a dove hunt, and he was able to get his first dove on that hunt.

"I have become good friends with all of these guys, and we are all linked through TFO. We talk almost every day with each other about pretty much anything," he said in a testimonial for Fallen Outdoors.

&nbsp;He has been on over a dozen hunts, but said it's not about the kill or getting the most birds or the biggest buck. 

"It's the experience of the hunt. When you're in the military, you form a brotherhood with the guys you serve with that is stronger than most family bonds," he said. "When you leave the service, it is very hard to find that since of brotherhood again.

"But you get a group of veterans together, no matter what era they are from, we all act the same, we all talk the same and we all feel that brotherhood. For just a second, you feel completely at peace and relaxed."

Austin Wheeler, Hays resident and Fallen Outdoors volunteer, is trying to make more veterans in Northwest Kansas aware of the organization.

The organization offers fishing, hunting, kayaking, camping, golfing, disc golfing and hiking.

This year, Team Kansas has taken 800 veterans on 180 outdoor trips. Not all of the trips are formally organized. Veterans can use the group's social network to find other vets in their area for informal or last-minute activities like camping or a round of disc golf.

All of the trips are free. However, veterans do have to provide their own hunting or fishing licenses and tags.

The organization can provide hunting, fishing and camping equipment, as well as instruction for those who are new to outdoor sports.

Kansas offers an apprenticeship license that will allow those who have not had hunter's safety yet to hunt with a licensed hunter, Wheeler said.

Wheeler said Fallen Outdoors creates a social network for veterans to lean on in times of need.

Wheeler is an eight-year veteran of the Army and served three deployments to Afghanistan.&nbsp; He said the group helped him build a group of friends.

"I moved to Hays and that is when I found the Fallen Outdoors,while trying to find like-minded individuals that I could relate to and feel open about talking about my military experience," he said. "It's helped me a lot."

Wheeler and his brother hunted and fished with his dad when he was younger, but he stopped when he entered the military. Fallen Outdoors has helped him rediscover the hobby.

"It gives me something to look forward to doing," he said. "It is something I can put my time into that I feel like it helps me socially. It helps me physically. It helps me have that brotherhood I missed — that camaraderie I missed in the military."

Veterans are using the Fallen Outdoors as a vehicle to help other veterans who are struggling. Its mission is to reduce the 22 veterans per day who die by suicide.

Sometimes a simple fishing trip might be that one thing that gives a veteran hope. Wheeler said the group has seen this reflected in the feedback from its participants.

Wheeler related an instance a staff person saw a post on one of the group's Facebook pages from a veteran who was having a rough night. That staff person drove six hours across the state to sit and talk with that veteran for several hours.

"We are here to help. We are here to talk to you. We are here to get you a hobby that you can do on your own," Wheeler said. "We want to try to build that self-confidence back up. We just want to do whatever we can to help one another. That is what it's all about is being there for each other."

Matt said the program has saved his life more than one time. 

"In the darkest hour when evil is knocking [at] the door, I know I can lean on all of these guys and they will carry me to the light," he said. "I would in turn do the same for any of them. 

"This program allows us veterans to be around other veterans that truly understand where you are coming from. Most civilians will never and can never understand what veterans have truly gone through. The war may have ended for most of us but we are still fighting and most of us won't stop fighting 'till the day we die."

If you are veteran interested in participating in a Fallen Outdoor event, you can join their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829232140644438">The Fallen Outdoor Community page</a>.&nbsp;

Through the month of December, Fallen Outdoors is conducting a 25 Days of Christmas event. Sporting equipment, Fallen Outdoors merchandise and even trips will be given away. Veterans just need to join a Fallen Outdoors Facebook page and comment on giveaway posts to enter.

The Fallen Outdoors accepts donations through its <a href="https://thefallenoutdoors.com/">website</a>. In addition the group is always looking for land owners, guides and sporting goods businesses to partner with the program. You can connect with the program through their regional Facebook pages.

You can also contact Wheeler at&nbsp;913-370-3703 or at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ks.media@thefallenoutdoors.com" target="_blank">ks.media@thefallenoutdoors.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607715812715.jpeg" alt="Fallen Outdoors is a nonprofit run by veterans that allows other veterans to experience outdoor sports. Courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>Fallen Outdoors is a nonprofit run by veterans that allows other veterans to experience outdoor sports. Courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostMathew Heinz of Dodge City joined the Marines on the day he graduated high school.He was deployed to Iraq.Years after coming home, things that happened during his time overseas started to surface and haunt him."I went through a divorce in 2016 after a 10-year marriage, and I was in a dark place," he said.Matt's best friend that he grew up with suggested they go hunting with a veterans group — The Fallen Outdoors.The national nonprofit group organizes outdoor activities for veterans of all ages, branches of service and skill levels. The group is all-volunteer run by fellow veterans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607715882617.jpeg" alt="Fallen Outdoors arranges hunting trips for veterans. The trips are free with the exception of hunting licenses and tags." />
 <figcaption>Fallen Outdoors arranges hunting trips for veterans. The trips are free with the exception of hunting licenses and tags.</figcaption>
 </figure>Matt said the first hunt he went on was a dove hunt, and he was able to get his first dove on that hunt."I have become good friends with all of these guys, and we are all linked through TFO. We talk almost every day with each other about pretty much anything," he said in a testimonial for Fallen Outdoors.&nbsp;He has been on over a dozen hunts, but said it's not about the kill or getting the most birds or the biggest buck. "It's the experience of the hunt. When you're in the military, you form a brotherhood with the guys you serve with that is stronger than most family bonds," he said. "When you leave the service, it is very hard to find that since of brotherhood again."But you get a group of veterans together, no matter what era they are from, we all act the same, we all talk the same and we all feel that brotherhood. For just a second, you feel completely at peace and relaxed."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607715935765.jpeg" alt="Fallen Outdoors offers sporting activities, such as fishing, for veterans of all ages and skill levels. Gear is also available for those who need it." />
 <figcaption>Fallen Outdoors offers sporting activities, such as fishing, for veterans of all ages and skill levels. Gear is also available for those who need it.</figcaption>
 </figure>Austin Wheeler, Hays resident and Fallen Outdoors volunteer, is trying to make more veterans in Northwest Kansas aware of the organization.The organization offers fishing, hunting, kayaking, camping, golfing, disc golfing and hiking.This year, Team Kansas has taken 800 veterans on 180 outdoor trips. Not all of the trips are formally organized. Veterans can use the group's social network to find other vets in their area for informal or last-minute activities like camping or a round of disc golf.All of the trips are free. However, veterans do have to provide their own hunting or fishing licenses and tags.The organization can provide hunting, fishing and camping equipment, as well as instruction for those who are new to outdoor sports.Kansas offers an apprenticeship license that will allow those who have not had hunter's safety yet to hunt with a licensed hunter, Wheeler said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607716080376.jpeg" alt="Fallen Outdoors Team Kansas has taken 800 veterans on 180 trips this year." />
 <figcaption>Fallen Outdoors Team Kansas has taken 800 veterans on 180 trips this year.</figcaption>
 </figure>Wheeler said Fallen Outdoors creates a social network for veterans to lean on in times of need.Wheeler is an eight-year veteran of the Army and served three deployments to Afghanistan.&nbsp; He said the group helped him build a group of friends."I moved to Hays and that is when I found the Fallen Outdoors,while trying to find like-minded individuals that I could relate to and feel open about talking about my military experience," he said. "It's helped me a lot."Wheeler and his brother hunted and fished with his dad when he was younger, but he stopped when he entered the military. Fallen Outdoors has helped him rediscover the hobby."It gives me something to look forward to doing," he said. "It is something I can put my time into that I feel like it helps me socially. It helps me physically. It helps me have that brotherhood I missed — that camaraderie I missed in the military."Veterans are using the Fallen Outdoors as a vehicle to help other veterans who are struggling. Its mission is to reduce the 22 veterans per day who die by suicide.Sometimes a simple fishing trip might be that one thing that gives a veteran hope. Wheeler said the group has seen this reflected in the feedback from its participants.Wheeler related an instance a staff person saw a post on one of the group's Facebook pages from a veteran who was having a rough night. That staff person drove six hours across the state to sit and talk with that veteran for several hours."We are here to help. We are here to talk to you. We are here to get you a hobby that you can do on your own," Wheeler said. "We want to try to build that self-confidence back up. We just want to do whatever we can to help one another. That is what it's all about is being there for each other."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607716296592.jpeg" alt="Hunters on a Fallen Outdoors trip. Fallen Outdoors helps service personnel to connect and seeks to battle the suicide epidemic among current service personnel and veterans." />
 <figcaption>Hunters on a Fallen Outdoors trip. Fallen Outdoors helps service personnel to connect and seeks to battle the suicide epidemic among current service personnel and veterans.</figcaption>
 </figure>Matt said the program has saved his life more than one time. "In the darkest hour when evil is knocking [at] the door, I know I can lean on all of these guys and they will carry me to the light," he said. "I would in turn do the same for any of them. "This program allows us veterans to be around other veterans that truly understand where you are coming from. Most civilians will never and can never understand what veterans have truly gone through. The war may have ended for most of us but we are still fighting and most of us won't stop fighting 'till the day we die."If you are veteran interested in participating in a Fallen Outdoor event, you can join their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829232140644438">The Fallen Outdoor Community page</a>.&nbsp;Through the month of December, Fallen Outdoors is conducting a 25 Days of Christmas event. Sporting equipment, Fallen Outdoors merchandise and even trips will be given away. Veterans just need to join a Fallen Outdoors Facebook page and comment on giveaway posts to enter.The Fallen Outdoors accepts donations through its <a href="https://thefallenoutdoors.com/">website</a>. In addition the group is always looking for land owners, guides and sporting goods businesses to partner with the program. You can connect with the program through their regional Facebook pages.You can also contact Wheeler at&nbsp;913-370-3703 or at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ks.media@thefallenoutdoors.com" target="_blank">ks.media@thefallenoutdoors.com</a>.

Veterans find peace, camaraderie through Fallen Outdoors

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

Just after 4p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the&nbsp;9300 Block of East Funston in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, police located the body of a man later identified as Cooper Kelly of Wichita with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died.

During the investigation, police learned the suspect was a 17-year-old boy, according to Stephens.&nbsp; The shooting occurred during a drug transaction between the teen and victim. They arranged to meet over a social media site and the shooting took place in front of the home.&nbsp; Witnesses in the area, including a delivery driver who called 911, assisted police in identifying the suspect's vehicle.

Police arrested the teen early Tuesday and booked him on requested charges of felony murder and juvenile possession of a firearm, according to Stephens. Police are working to learn how the teen obtained the gun. This is the 57th homicide in Wichita this year, according to Stephens and the 11th as part of a drug transaction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608043801433.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting Monday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting Monday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.Just after 4p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the&nbsp;9300 Block of East Funston in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.At the scene, police located the body of a man later identified as Cooper Kelly of Wichita with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died.During the investigation, police learned the suspect was a 17-year-old boy, according to Stephens.&nbsp; The shooting occurred during a drug transaction between the teen and victim. They arranged to meet over a social media site and the shooting took place in front of the home.&nbsp; Witnesses in the area, including a delivery driver who called 911, assisted police in identifying the suspect's vehicle.Police arrested the teen early Tuesday and booked him on requested charges of felony murder and juvenile possession of a firearm, according to Stephens. Police are working to learn how the teen obtained the gun. This is the 57th homicide in Wichita this year, according to Stephens and the 11th as part of a drug transaction.

Witness helps police arrest Kan. teen for fatal shooting

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix drive shafts that can break, window switches that can overheat and a software flaw. The software recall includes 734,000 Accords from 2018 to 2020 and Insights from 2019 and 2020. 

A computer programming error can cause the rear camera, turn signals and windshield wipers to malfunction. Two drive shaft recalls cover 430,000 Civics, Fits and Accords and the Acura ILX. 

They’re in 22 states where salt is used to clear roads. About 268,000 CR-Vs from 2002 through 2006 are included in the power window switch recall. Owners will be notified when to take vehicles to dealers.

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix drive shafts that can break, window switches that can overheat and a software flaw. The software recall includes 734,000 Accords from 2018 to 2020 and Insights from 2019 and 2020. A computer programming error can cause the rear camera, turn signals and windshield wipers to malfunction. Two drive shaft recalls cover 430,000 Civics, Fits and Accords and the Acura ILX. They’re in 22 states where salt is used to clear roads. About 268,000 CR-Vs from 2002 through 2006 are included in the power window switch recall. Owners will be notified when to take vehicles to dealers.

Honda recalls 1.4M vehicles for software, other problems

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first home test for COVID-19 that doesn’t require a prescription will soon be on U.S. store shelves.

U.S. regulators Tuesday authorized the rapid coronavirus test, which can be done entirely at home. The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents another important — though incremental — step in efforts to expand testing options.

Regulators granted emergency use for a similar home test last month, but that one needs a doctor’s prescription.

The agency’s action Tuesday allows sales in places like drugstores “where a patient can buy it, swab their nose, run the test and find out their results in as little as 20 minutes,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, in a statement.

Initial supplies of the over-the-counter test will be limited. Australian manufacturer Ellume said it expects to produce 3 million tests next month before ramping up production over the first half of 2021.

A company spokesperson said the test will be priced around $30 and be available at pharmacies and for purchase online.

The kit includes a nasal swab, a chemical solution and a testing strip. The test connects digitally to a smart phone app that displays the results and then helps interpret the results. Users can also connect with a health professional via the app.

For months, health experts have stressed the need for fast, widespread home testing so that people can screen themselves and avoid contact with others if they have an infection. But the vast majority of tests still require a nasal swab performed by a health processional that must be processed at high-tech laboratories. That typically means waiting days for the results. About 25 tests allow people to collect their own sample at home— a nasal swab or saliva — but then that’s shipped to a lab.

Ellume’s test looks for viral proteins shed by COVID-19, which is different from the gold standard tests that look for the genetic material of the virus.

Like other tests that scan for proteins, FDA officials noted that Ellume’s test can deliver a small percentage of false positive and false negative results. People who get a negative result but have coronavirus symptoms should follow up with a health professional, the agency said.

Currently the U.S. is testing nearly 2 million people daily. Most health experts agree the country needs to be testing many times more and researchers at Harvard have pushed for cheap, paper home tests.

Still, Dr. Michael Mina of Harvard called the new test “a great addition,” to existing options, though he cautioned that its price could limit access.

“This is a milestone, with reservations,” Mina said in an email. “I just hope it doesn’t drive more of a wedge between haves and have nots.”

For people with insurance, federal law requires that plans cover the cost of COVID-19 testing.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first home test for COVID-19 that doesn’t require a prescription will soon be on U.S. store shelves.U.S. regulators Tuesday authorized the rapid coronavirus test, which can be done entirely at home. The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents another important — though incremental — step in efforts to expand testing options.Regulators granted emergency use for a similar home test last month, but that one needs a doctor’s prescription.The agency’s action Tuesday allows sales in places like drugstores “where a patient can buy it, swab their nose, run the test and find out their results in as little as 20 minutes,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, in a statement.Initial supplies of the over-the-counter test will be limited. Australian manufacturer Ellume said it expects to produce 3 million tests next month before ramping up production over the first half of 2021.A company spokesperson said the test will be priced around $30 and be available at pharmacies and for purchase online.The kit includes a nasal swab, a chemical solution and a testing strip. The test connects digitally to a smart phone app that displays the results and then helps interpret the results. Users can also connect with a health professional via the app.For months, health experts have stressed the need for fast, widespread home testing so that people can screen themselves and avoid contact with others if they have an infection. But the vast majority of tests still require a nasal swab performed by a health processional that must be processed at high-tech laboratories. That typically means waiting days for the results. About 25 tests allow people to collect their own sample at home— a nasal swab or saliva — but then that’s shipped to a lab.Ellume’s test looks for viral proteins shed by COVID-19, which is different from the gold standard tests that look for the genetic material of the virus.Like other tests that scan for proteins, FDA officials noted that Ellume’s test can deliver a small percentage of false positive and false negative results. People who get a negative result but have coronavirus symptoms should follow up with a health professional, the agency said.Currently the U.S. is testing nearly 2 million people daily. Most health experts agree the country needs to be testing many times more and researchers at Harvard have pushed for cheap, paper home tests.Still, Dr. Michael Mina of Harvard called the new test “a great addition,” to existing options, though he cautioned that its price could limit access.“This is a milestone, with reservations,” Mina said in an email. “I just hope it doesn’t drive more of a wedge between haves and have nots.”For people with insurance, federal law requires that plans cover the cost of COVID-19 testing.___

FDA approves first over-the-counter home test for COVID-19

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Federal officials say it will likely be October 2021 before a national biosecurity lab in Manhattan is substantially completed.

National officials announced in April that The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility would not be completed as expected by December because of disruptions in supply chains and construction employee availability caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The federal Department of Agriculture and Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday the new “substantial completion” date is now October.

That is when the USDA will have full access to the plant and be responsible for its operation. The new date will also allow time to address necessary technology upgrades and installation of USDA-funded equipment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608067016668.png" alt="NBAF photo courtesy K-State" />
 <figcaption>NBAF photo courtesy K-State</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Federal officials say it will likely be October 2021 before a national biosecurity lab in Manhattan is substantially completed.National officials announced in April that The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility would not be completed as expected by December because of disruptions in supply chains and construction employee availability caused by the coronavirus pandemic.The federal Department of Agriculture and Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday the new “substantial completion” date is now October.That is when the USDA will have full access to the plant and be responsible for its operation. The new date will also allow time to address necessary technology upgrades and installation of USDA-funded equipment.

National bio-defense lab completion delayed

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to report of an armed robbery at a Dollar General in the 1500 Block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Employees told police a suspect identified as 5-foot-10, medium build, wearing a hoody, blue jeans, blue facemask and a red Santa hat, pulled a knife and demanded cash. They gave him cash and he fled on foot.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police are asking for anyone with information on the suspect to contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608067337597.png" alt="Security camera image courtesy Wichita police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image courtesy Wichita police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to report of an armed robbery at a Dollar General in the 1500 Block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Employees told police a suspect identified as 5-foot-10, medium build, wearing a hoody, blue jeans, blue facemask and a red Santa hat, pulled a knife and demanded cash. They gave him cash and he fled on foot.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police are asking for anyone with information on the suspect to contact police.

Suspect in Santa hat pulled knife during Kan. robbery

By AMY RICKER Great Bend Post

With students all over the nation attending school remotely at some point this year, USD 428 is exploring the potential for continuing a remote option beyond the 2020-2021 school year.

Director of Teaching and Learning Tricia Reiser said during Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting while the state process can be complicated, there is a definite need to make remote learning a continued option.

"What we are finding out is that there are parents that are still not going to feel comfortable sending their kids onsite next year," said Reiser. "We have kids that are having health issues. I think this would be beneficial and progressive."

Reiser says that there are 10 school districts in Kansas that the Virtual Learning Committee is reaching out to that began offering remote options for their students before the pandemic began.

"We would like to start looking into a virtual program for grades 6-12," said Reiser. "The beauty of creating a virtual program is that we can make it look exactly like what we want it to look like."

Reiser says with the input from the other school districts that already completed the process, USD 428 hopes they can take the best programs and form a remote school option that is beneficial to students and parents.

The application deadline to create a remote option is the second week of February.&nbsp;

Reiser says the Virtual Learning Committee will have a formalized presentation at next month's school board meeting. Reiser believes that a remote option for USD 428 students is a good idea and prefers it to stay small by only allowing in-district students to opt into the program.

By AMY RICKER Great Bend PostWith students all over the nation attending school remotely at some point this year, USD 428 is exploring the potential for continuing a remote option beyond the 2020-2021 school year.Director of Teaching and Learning Tricia Reiser said during Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting while the state process can be complicated, there is a definite need to make remote learning a continued option."What we are finding out is that there are parents that are still not going to feel comfortable sending their kids onsite next year," said Reiser. "We have kids that are having health issues. I think this would be beneficial and progressive."Reiser says that there are 10 school districts in Kansas that the Virtual Learning Committee is reaching out to that began offering remote options for their students before the pandemic began."We would like to start looking into a virtual program for grades 6-12," said Reiser. "The beauty of creating a virtual program is that we can make it look exactly like what we want it to look like."Reiser says with the input from the other school districts that already completed the process, USD 428 hopes they can take the best programs and form a remote school option that is beneficial to students and parents.The application deadline to create a remote option is the second week of February.&nbsp;Reiser says the Virtual Learning Committee will have a formalized presentation at next month's school board meeting. Reiser believes that a remote option for USD 428 students is a good idea and prefers it to stay small by only allowing in-district students to opt into the program.

Great Bend schools explore remote learning option beyond this year

RENO COUNTY— Investigators say the cause of the apartment house fire in Hutchinson on Monday night was a space heater too close to combustibles, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.

The heater caught a blanket on fire. The fire spread to the rest of the structure.&nbsp;

The Hutchinson Fire Department reminds the public that space heaters should be a minimum of three feet away from anything combustible. Space heaters should also be plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into an extension cord. Space heaters should never be left on when residents are sleeping. Also, be sure to test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working properly.&nbsp;

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment building fire in Hutchinson.

Just after 7 p.m. Monday, crews responded to 628 North Monroe in Hutchinson, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.&nbsp; Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the from the basement extending to the attic of the building that is divided into four apartments.

Fire rapidly extended in the walls and forced fire crews into a defensive mode. Six fire engines and and two truck companies finally brought the fire under control.&nbsp;

Five individuals and two dogs are displaced due to the extensive fire, heat and smoke damage. There were no injuries reported, according to Beer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608030465786.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— Investigators say the cause of the apartment house fire in Hutchinson on Monday night was a space heater too close to combustibles, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.The heater caught a blanket on fire. The fire spread to the rest of the structure.&nbsp;The Hutchinson Fire Department reminds the public that space heaters should be a minimum of three feet away from anything combustible. Space heaters should also be plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into an extension cord. Space heaters should never be left on when residents are sleeping. Also, be sure to test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working properly.&nbsp;------------RENO COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment building fire in Hutchinson.Just after 7 p.m. Monday, crews responded to 628 North Monroe in Hutchinson, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.&nbsp; Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the from the basement extending to the attic of the building that is divided into four apartments.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608031081738.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fire rapidly extended in the walls and forced fire crews into a defensive mode. Six fire engines and and two truck companies finally brought the fire under control.&nbsp;Five individuals and two dogs are displaced due to the extensive fire, heat and smoke damage. There were no injuries reported, according to Beer.

Update: 5 displaced after Kan. apartment building fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly gave Kansas’ top economic development official a second job as the state’s next lieutenant governor, and the state Republican Party immediately previewed possible attacks against their ticket in the 2022 elections.

Kelly named state Commerce Secretary David Toland to replace Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-elections-house-elections-b35b2831ab4b21c1f517c91f904a3e71">stepping down Jan. 2&nbsp;</a>to fill a vacancy in the state treasurer’s office. Toland has been commerce secretary since Kelly took office in January 2019 and last year won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a8eb3d1bdfd54c839ba1c71c6061b1fc">a contentious battle</a>&nbsp;over his confirmation by the Republican-dominated state Senate that included opposition from the state’s most politically influential anti-abortion group.

Toland, 43, ran a nonprofit economic development group in Allen County in southeast Kansas for 11 years before becoming state commerce secretary. He also served as the treasurer for Kelly’s successful 2018 campaign for governor.

In addition to having political fundraising chops, Toland is highly regarded by some business leaders and local economic development officials, something that could help Kelly with the moderate Republican and independent voters in seeking a second term. Appointing Toland as lieutenant governor also could help set him up for a future run for governor — or in 2022, if Kelly decides not to run again.

Kelly brushed aside questions about her political plans, saying during a Statehouse news conference that she isn’t focused on such questions during the coronavirus pandemic and with the GOP-controlled Legislature set to reconvene in January.

“You all — and others — are going to speculate all you want, and there’s nothing I can say that will stop that speculation,” she said. “It is always who is absolutely the most qualified for the position, and that’s what David Toland is.”

It’s not been unusual in recent decades for the lieutenant governor to have a position in the governor’s Cabinet. Gary Sherrer, lieutenant governor with GOP Gov. Bill Graves from 1996 through 2002, also was commerce secretary.

The governor’s choice for lieutenant governor is not subject to legislative oversight. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run for election on a single ticket.

Kelly’s office released testimonials for Toland from 18 people, including business executives, local chamber of commerce leaders and former Democratic Gov. John Carlin. Toland credited the Kelly administration with attracting $2.4 billion in new business investment this year alone.

“We have a new way of doing business in Kansas, and it’s working,” he told reporters.

But Republicans are painting a different picture of the state’s economy, arguing restrictions Kelly imposed this spring to check the spread of the coronavirus across the state were too harsh and hurt the economy too much.

State GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman also revived&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8c3144ecd8964941a3058ad571e636f6">criticism of Toland from last year</a>&nbsp;over grants received by Thrive Allen County in 2015 and 2018, totaling less than $20,000, to promote women’s health. The grants were from a fund named for the late Dr. George Tiller, who performed late-term abortions in Wichita and who was murdered by an anti-abortion zealot in 2009.

The anti-abortion group Kansans for Life pushed unsuccessfully for the Senate to reject Toland’s appointment as commerce secretary and force to step down. The state GOP sent out a fundraising email Monday calling Toland a “radical liberal.”

Kuckelman also noted that Republicans retained supermajorities in both legislative chambers in this year’s elections, adding, “Governor Kelly’s liberal agenda is dead on arrival for the remainder of her term.”

Kelly announced last week that Rogers, the current lieutenant governor, would become state treasurer. He will replace Republican Jake LaTurner, who won the eastern Kansas seat in the U.S. House in November.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607997776908.png" alt="Toland during Monday's Statehouse news conference" />
 <figcaption>Toland during Monday's Statehouse news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly gave Kansas’ top economic development official a second job as the state’s next lieutenant governor, and the state Republican Party immediately previewed possible attacks against their ticket in the 2022 elections.Kelly named state Commerce Secretary David Toland to replace Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-elections-house-elections-b35b2831ab4b21c1f517c91f904a3e71">stepping down Jan. 2&nbsp;</a>to fill a vacancy in the state treasurer’s office. Toland has been commerce secretary since Kelly took office in January 2019 and last year won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a8eb3d1bdfd54c839ba1c71c6061b1fc">a contentious battle</a>&nbsp;over his confirmation by the Republican-dominated state Senate that included opposition from the state’s most politically influential anti-abortion group.Toland, 43, ran a nonprofit economic development group in Allen County in southeast Kansas for 11 years before becoming state commerce secretary. He also served as the treasurer for Kelly’s successful 2018 campaign for governor.In addition to having political fundraising chops, Toland is highly regarded by some business leaders and local economic development officials, something that could help Kelly with the moderate Republican and independent voters in seeking a second term. Appointing Toland as lieutenant governor also could help set him up for a future run for governor — or in 2022, if Kelly decides not to run again.Kelly brushed aside questions about her political plans, saying during a Statehouse news conference that she isn’t focused on such questions during the coronavirus pandemic and with the GOP-controlled Legislature set to reconvene in January.“You all — and others — are going to speculate all you want, and there’s nothing I can say that will stop that speculation,” she said. “It is always who is absolutely the most qualified for the position, and that’s what David Toland is.”It’s not been unusual in recent decades for the lieutenant governor to have a position in the governor’s Cabinet. Gary Sherrer, lieutenant governor with GOP Gov. Bill Graves from 1996 through 2002, also was commerce secretary.The governor’s choice for lieutenant governor is not subject to legislative oversight. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run for election on a single ticket.Kelly’s office released testimonials for Toland from 18 people, including business executives, local chamber of commerce leaders and former Democratic Gov. John Carlin. Toland credited the Kelly administration with attracting $2.4 billion in new business investment this year alone.“We have a new way of doing business in Kansas, and it’s working,” he told reporters.But Republicans are painting a different picture of the state’s economy, arguing restrictions Kelly imposed this spring to check the spread of the coronavirus across the state were too harsh and hurt the economy too much.State GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman also revived&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8c3144ecd8964941a3058ad571e636f6">criticism of Toland from last year</a>&nbsp;over grants received by Thrive Allen County in 2015 and 2018, totaling less than $20,000, to promote women’s health. The grants were from a fund named for the late Dr. George Tiller, who performed late-term abortions in Wichita and who was murdered by an anti-abortion zealot in 2009.The anti-abortion group Kansans for Life pushed unsuccessfully for the Senate to reject Toland’s appointment as commerce secretary and force to step down. The state GOP sent out a fundraising email Monday calling Toland a “radical liberal.”Kuckelman also noted that Republicans retained supermajorities in both legislative chambers in this year’s elections, adding, “Governor Kelly’s liberal agenda is dead on arrival for the remainder of her term.”Kelly announced last week that Rogers, the current lieutenant governor, would become state treasurer. He will replace Republican Jake LaTurner, who won the eastern Kansas seat in the U.S. House in November.___

GOP attack on new Kan. lieutenant governor previews 2022

BUTLER COUNTY —An El Dorado Correctional Facility inmate, Brett Phillips, 31, died Sunday, December 13, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 The cause of death is pending an autopsy. Preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Phillips was serving an 82-month sentence for multiple convictions for burglary, distribution and possession with intent to distribute.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608053890366.png" alt="Phillips had over a dozens convictions for burglary, theft, forgery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Phillips had over a dozens convictions for burglary, theft, forgery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —An El Dorado Correctional Facility inmate, Brett Phillips, 31, died Sunday, December 13, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. The cause of death is pending an autopsy. Preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.Phillips was serving an 82-month sentence for multiple convictions for burglary, distribution and possession with intent to distribute.

Cause of 31-year-old Kan. inmate's death under investigation  

HUTCHINSON — Hospital staff, Emergency Management and the Health Department were all
under fire from Reno County Commissioners and the public regarding action being
taken to curb the pandemic.

It came
during Tuesday's County Commission meeting. The comments from the Board and
during public comment were in direct conflict with the Governor’s mask mandate and
the health order that is currently in place. County Commissioner Dr. Mark Steffen continuously
stated that the numbers and figures being brought before them were not accurate
and not factual. It is the same argument he has been giving before the board
since he took office in the interim.

Steffen and
County Commissioner Ron Hirst questioned the accuracy of COVID tests and wanted
to know why the Health Department didn’t have information on how tests were
being conducted in labs. The Board members stated that about 20% of the tests
given turn out to be false positives, which is hurting the community and the economy.

Then it was
the public's turn to respond with accusations that what the health department,
the state and even hospitals are doing isn’t working. The requested that the
health order from the state and county be lifted and let the public make their
own decisions on how to treat the pandemic.

Commissioner
Hirst asked for consensus to draw up a agenda item for next week's meeting that
would lift the mask mandate from the Governor’s orders. Another added agenda
item from Steffen to do away with the health order altogether was dropped
from the agenda.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608053430837.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON — Hospital staff, Emergency Management and the Health Department were all
under fire from Reno County Commissioners and the public regarding action being
taken to curb the pandemic.It came
during Tuesday's County Commission meeting. The comments from the Board and
during public comment were in direct conflict with the Governor’s mask mandate and
the health order that is currently in place. County Commissioner Dr. Mark Steffen continuously
stated that the numbers and figures being brought before them were not accurate
and not factual. It is the same argument he has been giving before the board
since he took office in the interim.Steffen and
County Commissioner Ron Hirst questioned the accuracy of COVID tests and wanted
to know why the Health Department didn’t have information on how tests were
being conducted in labs. The Board members stated that about 20% of the tests
given turn out to be false positives, which is hurting the community and the economy.Then it was
the public's turn to respond with accusations that what the health department,
the state and even hospitals are doing isn’t working. The requested that the
health order from the state and county be lifted and let the public make their
own decisions on how to treat the pandemic.Commissioner
Hirst asked for consensus to draw up a agenda item for next week's meeting that
would lift the mask mandate from the Governor’s orders. Another added agenda
item from Steffen to do away with the health order altogether was dropped
from the agenda.

Reno Co. officials question COVID-19 numbers, policies

WICHITA —Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines announces nonstop flights from Wichita to Las Vegas beginning March 12, 2021, according to Eisenhower Wichita Airport marketing manager Valerie Wise.

“We’re delighted to announce new, nonstop flights from Wichita to Las Vegas,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines. "These new flights will adhere to our industry-leading health practices, including required temperature screenings, mask wearing and enhanced cleaning of each aircraft.”

The service will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, two days when Wichita currently has no nonstop service to Las Vegas. Service is year-round and frequency and times are subject to change, so please check&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flyfrontier.com/" target="_blank">FlyFrontier.com</a>&nbsp;for the most updated schedule.

“New air service is certainly welcome news. Las Vegas is our top destination. Frontier’s schedule and low fares will undoubtedly be popular with our travelers. Many thanks to Frontier for being great partners and sticking with us during this difficult year,” said Victor White, Director of Airports.

Las Vegas will make Frontier’s second nonstop destination from Wichita. Frontier also serves Denver and although that service is temporarily suspended, it will return in March.

Frontier is focused on more than low fares. The carrier offers customers the ability to customize travel to their needs and budget. For example, customers can purchase options a la carte or in one low-priced bundle called the WORKS. This bundle includes refundability, a carry-on bag, a checked bag, the best available seat, waived change fees, and priority boarding.

The health and safety of customers and team members is Frontier’s number one priority. With that in mind, Frontier introduced sweeping health and safety enhancements in 2020 that touch every step of a customer’s travel journey with the airline.

Frontier requires all customers and crew members wear a face covering throughout their travel journey. Plus, anyone flying with Frontier must complete a health acknowledgement prior to flying confirming that:

During flight,&nbsp;main cabin air&nbsp;is a mix of fresh air drawn from outside and air that has been passed through an air filtration system that features&nbsp;HEPA filters&nbsp;capable of capturing respiratory virus particles at more than 99.9% efficiency – similar to those used in hospital environments. Frontier’s modern all-Airbus fleet is among the youngest in the world – all aircraft currently in operation are less than four years old.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608050594352.png" alt="Photo courtesy Eisenhower Wichita National Airport" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Eisenhower Wichita National Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines announces nonstop flights from Wichita to Las Vegas beginning March 12, 2021, according to Eisenhower Wichita Airport marketing manager Valerie Wise.“We’re delighted to announce new, nonstop flights from Wichita to Las Vegas,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines. "These new flights will adhere to our industry-leading health practices, including required temperature screenings, mask wearing and enhanced cleaning of each aircraft.”The service will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, two days when Wichita currently has no nonstop service to Las Vegas. Service is year-round and frequency and times are subject to change, so please check&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flyfrontier.com/" target="_blank">FlyFrontier.com</a>&nbsp;for the most updated schedule.“New air service is certainly welcome news. Las Vegas is our top destination. Frontier’s schedule and low fares will undoubtedly be popular with our travelers. Many thanks to Frontier for being great partners and sticking with us during this difficult year,” said Victor White, Director of Airports.Las Vegas will make Frontier’s second nonstop destination from Wichita. Frontier also serves Denver and although that service is temporarily suspended, it will return in March.Frontier is focused on more than low fares. The carrier offers customers the ability to customize travel to their needs and budget. For example, customers can purchase options a la carte or in one low-priced bundle called the WORKS. This bundle includes refundability, a carry-on bag, a checked bag, the best available seat, waived change fees, and priority boarding.The health and safety of customers and team members is Frontier’s number one priority. With that in mind, Frontier introduced sweeping health and safety enhancements in 2020 that touch every step of a customer’s travel journey with the airline.Frontier requires all customers and crew members wear a face covering throughout their travel journey. Plus, anyone flying with Frontier must complete a health acknowledgement prior to flying confirming that:<ul>
 <li>Neither they nor anyone in their household has exhibited Covid-19 related symptoms in the last 14 days</li><li>They will wash their hands/sanitize before boarding the flight</li><li>They understand and acknowledge the airline’s face covering policy and pre-boarding temperature screening policies</li>
 </ul>During flight,&nbsp;main cabin air&nbsp;is a mix of fresh air drawn from outside and air that has been passed through an air filtration system that features&nbsp;HEPA filters&nbsp;capable of capturing respiratory virus particles at more than 99.9% efficiency – similar to those used in hospital environments. Frontier’s modern all-Airbus fleet is among the youngest in the world – all aircraft currently in operation are less than four years old.

Airline adds nonstop flight from Wichita to Las Vegas

WILBER, Neb. (AP) - A hearing to determine whether a Kansas felon should be sentenced to death for killing a Nebraska woman who arranged a Tinder date with him has been delayed until March after one of his attorneys tested positive for COVID-19.

Aubrey Trail&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7242eab656f64cd99b8780881e67deab" target="_blank">was convicted</a>&nbsp;last year of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the November 2017 death and dismemberment of 24-year-old Lincoln store clerk Sydney Loofe, who disappeared after arranging a date with him.

The hearing was scheduled to begin this week in Wilber.

In a court motion seeking a delay, attorney Ben Murray said the coronavirus pandemic has prevented out-of-state witnesses, including Trail's relatives in Tennessee, from traveling to Nebraska.

He also said Trail's attorneys have been able to meet with him in person just once in six months, and argued that the notoriety of the case could draw large crowds and "become a significant community spreading event."

And he said Trail is at high risk for death or serious illness should he contract COVID-19.

Trail's girlfriend, Bailey Boswell, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-lexington-crime-d16bca8562c0af3f96f701659586f699" target="_blank">convicted</a>&nbsp;in October of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and improper disposal of human remains for her role in Loofe's deat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607567081963.png" alt="Aubrey Trail has previous convictions in Kansas for theft and giving a worthless check, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was scheduled for sentencing in December for Loofe's murder." />
 <figcaption>Aubrey Trail has previous convictions in Kansas for theft and giving a worthless check, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was scheduled for sentencing in December for Loofe's murder.</figcaption>
 </figure>WILBER, Neb. (AP) - A hearing to determine whether a Kansas felon should be sentenced to death for killing a Nebraska woman who arranged a Tinder date with him has been delayed until March after one of his attorneys tested positive for COVID-19.Aubrey Trail&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7242eab656f64cd99b8780881e67deab" target="_blank">was convicted</a>&nbsp;last year of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the November 2017 death and dismemberment of 24-year-old Lincoln store clerk Sydney Loofe, who disappeared after arranging a date with him.The hearing was scheduled to begin this week in Wilber.In a court motion seeking a delay, attorney Ben Murray said the coronavirus pandemic has prevented out-of-state witnesses, including Trail's relatives in Tennessee, from traveling to Nebraska.He also said Trail's attorneys have been able to meet with him in person just once in six months, and argued that the notoriety of the case could draw large crowds and "become a significant community spreading event."And he said Trail is at high risk for death or serious illness should he contract COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560911898785.png" alt="Bailey Boswell" />
 <figcaption>Bailey Boswell</figcaption>
 </figure>Trail's girlfriend, Bailey Boswell, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-lexington-crime-d16bca8562c0af3f96f701659586f699" target="_blank">convicted</a>&nbsp;in October of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and improper disposal of human remains for her role in Loofe's deat

Virus forces delay of Kan. felon's death penalty hearing

By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/coronavirus-could-end-history-math-and-chemistry-majors-some-universities-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — Consider the mounting money problems facing public universities in Kansas.

Decades
 of ballooning tuition have made students and their families 
increasingly worried about college debt. Tech schools offer cheaper 
faster paths to a solid job. Help from taxpayers has waned.

Then 
came the pandemic. Campuses had to spend heavily to retool for safety 
during the outbreak. Still, large numbers of students and the money they
 would have spent on dorms, tuition and the like stayed away.

The University of Kansas predicted over the summer that it would only come up short — <a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/ku/2020/may/21/university-of-kansas-estimating-120-million-shortfall-in-coming-fiscal-year-as-a-result-of-covid-19-pandemic/" target="_blank">by a full 25%</a> — on the money needed to cover its costs.

The
 Kansas Board of Regents had eyed cutting entire programs before the 
economic crisis that came with the pandemic. Now that cost-cutting takes
 on new urgency.

Departments with the majors that draw the 
smallest numbers of students find themselves in existential peril — 
forced to justify themselves either as money makers or as the reasons to
 take a college degree seriously.

The discussion puts a bullseye 
on 60 programs scattered across public universities in the state. While 
they typically offer classes that nearly all students need to graduate, 
they also draw the fewest students to pursue their majors — in history, 
in mathematics and other staple subjects.

That’s partly why 
making those cuts isn’t so simple. Schools have to weigh the needs of 
their students against the schools’ increasingly dire finances. And just
 because few students major in a program, doesn’t mean it isn’t 
essential for a university.

The
 majors getting a hard look aren’t obscure or outdated programs, like 
Secretarial Science (Fort Hays State University is already phasing that 
one out).

While they might not be popular as majors, just about 
everyone at the university takes classes in subjects such as math, 
history and biology to earn a diploma.

Of the 60 majors the Regents are reviewing, 34 are listed as supporting general education.

Universities
 would need to find a way to still offer things like U.S. History 101. 
That may mean dumping the tenured professor who’s written the textbook 
for an adjunct at a fraction of the cost.

Many of those adjuncts are already <a href="https://www.wbur.org/edify/2017/06/30/students-dont-deserve-underpaid-overworked-professors" target="_blank">overworked, underpaid</a>.

If
 the programs go away, students could have some jury-rigged options, 
like taking online classes from another school in Kansas. If Emporia 
State University’s chemistry major disappears, and its general education
 courses go with it, those students could be allowed to take an online 
version from Kansas State University.

Rich Sleezer, the chair of 
Emporia State’s Department of Physical Sciences, opposes the idea. Not 
only would his programs get cut, he argues it would hurt Emporia State 
students interested in med school or other scientific fields. Online 
chem classes might do in a pandemic, but Sleezer said those classes need
 to happen in-person.

“Medical schools do not want somebody who 
had an online chemistry lab,” Sleezer said. “They want us to do those 
face-to-face in the laboratory.”

Even
 those programs that don’t support general education won’t be so easy to
 cut. That’s because the same professors who would be tossed out with 
the major are teaching other, more popular majors too.

A 
professor teaching a senior level course in chemistry might also be 
teaching a needed upper level class for biochemistry and forensic 
science graduate students. Oftentimes one major can’t be cut, along with
 the professors teaching it, without neutering another.

Sleezer 
said about five years ago he had to cut a physical sciences major. But 
because there weren’t any professors that only taught for that specific 
program, no one was let go.

“It didn’t save a dime,” Sleezer said. “There were no resources whatsoever devoted to that and that alone.”

Not every program is so interconnected that there wouldn’t be any savings from losing it. And faculty make up the <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=75#:~:text=Instruction%2C%20including%20faculty%20salaries%20and,postsecondary%20institutions%20in%202017%E2%80%9318." target="_blank">biggest expense for colleges</a>. That makes it hard to save money without talking about axing professors.

But getting rid of that faculty also has some of the biggest impacts on how strong classes are.

“You
 can’t have these conversations about cost and not have similar 
conversations about what does this do to quality,” said. Justin Ortagus,
 director of the Institute of Higher Education at the University of 
Florida.

The Regents began looking at the low enrollment programs
 before the coronavirus arrived in Kansas. But eight months after the 
virus shutdown campuses, the Regents have extra incentive to find places
 to cut.

“The economic realities are pretty harsh,” said Shelly 
Kiblinger, a member of the Kansas Board of Regents. “We (need) to make 
some of those very hard decisions.”

Those
 low enrollment programs aren’t just getting scrutinized for savings. 
Kiblinger said they’re getting evaluated to see if they still meet 
student needs — college kids might be staying away because they don’t 
see a future with a history degree. That might mean needing to retool 
the program or that the university should reconsider why they offer it 
at all.

“If we identify programs that really aren’t meeting any 
need,” Kiblinger said, “it would be wrong for us to continue to offer 
such programs without really asking ourselves what purpose are those 
serving.”

And losing those programs to save money and keep 
tuition low — or at least keep it from raising any higher — could 
benefit all students.

Unless you’re planning on being a political
 science major like Emporia State junior Brayden Soper. His program 
graduates about seven students a year. Soper would be OK if Emporia 
State cut political science. Programs usually phase out rather than end 
suddenly. But a high schooler interested in that major would no longer 
have Emporia State as an option. Picking KU instead would mean paying 
$2,000 more a semester.

“For a lot of students, that would just completely be a dealbreaker,” Soper said.

Plus
 that small program size isn’t a problem for Soper — it’s a selling 
point. He prefers being in a major where he knows all the other students
 and professors.

“We get to get really comfortable with each 
other and have deep discussions,” Soper said. “I may not necessarily get
 that as much at one of the larger universities.”

Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/stevebisaha" target="_blank">@SteveBisaha</a> or email him at bisaha@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607982730862.png" alt="Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/coronavirus-could-end-history-math-and-chemistry-majors-some-universities-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — Consider the mounting money problems facing public universities in Kansas.Decades
 of ballooning tuition have made students and their families 
increasingly worried about college debt. Tech schools offer cheaper 
faster paths to a solid job. Help from taxpayers has waned.Then 
came the pandemic. Campuses had to spend heavily to retool for safety 
during the outbreak. Still, large numbers of students and the money they
 would have spent on dorms, tuition and the like stayed away.The University of Kansas predicted over the summer that it would only come up short — <a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/ku/2020/may/21/university-of-kansas-estimating-120-million-shortfall-in-coming-fiscal-year-as-a-result-of-covid-19-pandemic/" target="_blank">by a full 25%</a> — on the money needed to cover its costs.The
 Kansas Board of Regents had eyed cutting entire programs before the 
economic crisis that came with the pandemic. Now that cost-cutting takes
 on new urgency.Departments with the majors that draw the 
smallest numbers of students find themselves in existential peril — 
forced to justify themselves either as money makers or as the reasons to
 take a college degree seriously.The discussion puts a bullseye 
on 60 programs scattered across public universities in the state. While 
they typically offer classes that nearly all students need to graduate, 
they also draw the fewest students to pursue their majors — in history, 
in mathematics and other staple subjects.That’s partly why 
making those cuts isn’t so simple. Schools have to weigh the needs of 
their students against the schools’ increasingly dire finances. And just
 because few students major in a program, doesn’t mean it isn’t 
essential for a university.<h2>Must-have classes</h2>The
 majors getting a hard look aren’t obscure or outdated programs, like 
Secretarial Science (Fort Hays State University is already phasing that 
one out).While they might not be popular as majors, just about 
everyone at the university takes classes in subjects such as math, 
history and biology to earn a diploma.Of the 60 majors the Regents are reviewing, 34 are listed as supporting general education.Universities
 would need to find a way to still offer things like U.S. History 101. 
That may mean dumping the tenured professor who’s written the textbook 
for an adjunct at a fraction of the cost.Many of those adjuncts are already <a href="https://www.wbur.org/edify/2017/06/30/students-dont-deserve-underpaid-overworked-professors" target="_blank">overworked, underpaid</a>.If
 the programs go away, students could have some jury-rigged options, 
like taking online classes from another school in Kansas. If Emporia 
State University’s chemistry major disappears, and its general education
 courses go with it, those students could be allowed to take an online 
version from Kansas State University.Rich Sleezer, the chair of 
Emporia State’s Department of Physical Sciences, opposes the idea. Not 
only would his programs get cut, he argues it would hurt Emporia State 
students interested in med school or other scientific fields. Online 
chem classes might do in a pandemic, but Sleezer said those classes need
 to happen in-person.“Medical schools do not want somebody who 
had an online chemistry lab,” Sleezer said. “They want us to do those 
face-to-face in the laboratory.”<h2>Not guaranteed savings</h2>Even
 those programs that don’t support general education won’t be so easy to
 cut. That’s because the same professors who would be tossed out with 
the major are teaching other, more popular majors too.A 
professor teaching a senior level course in chemistry might also be 
teaching a needed upper level class for biochemistry and forensic 
science graduate students. Oftentimes one major can’t be cut, along with
 the professors teaching it, without neutering another.Sleezer 
said about five years ago he had to cut a physical sciences major. But 
because there weren’t any professors that only taught for that specific 
program, no one was let go.“It didn’t save a dime,” Sleezer said. “There were no resources whatsoever devoted to that and that alone.”Not every program is so interconnected that there wouldn’t be any savings from losing it. And faculty make up the <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=75#:~:text=Instruction%2C%20including%20faculty%20salaries%20and,postsecondary%20institutions%20in%202017%E2%80%9318." target="_blank">biggest expense for colleges</a>. That makes it hard to save money without talking about axing professors.But getting rid of that faculty also has some of the biggest impacts on how strong classes are.“You
 can’t have these conversations about cost and not have similar 
conversations about what does this do to quality,” said. Justin Ortagus,
 director of the Institute of Higher Education at the University of 
Florida.The Regents began looking at the low enrollment programs
 before the coronavirus arrived in Kansas. But eight months after the 
virus shutdown campuses, the Regents have extra incentive to find places
 to cut.“The economic realities are pretty harsh,” said Shelly 
Kiblinger, a member of the Kansas Board of Regents. “We (need) to make 
some of those very hard decisions.”<h2>What’s best for students</h2>Those
 low enrollment programs aren’t just getting scrutinized for savings. 
Kiblinger said they’re getting evaluated to see if they still meet 
student needs — college kids might be staying away because they don’t 
see a future with a history degree. That might mean needing to retool 
the program or that the university should reconsider why they offer it 
at all.“If we identify programs that really aren’t meeting any 
need,” Kiblinger said, “it would be wrong for us to continue to offer 
such programs without really asking ourselves what purpose are those 
serving.”And losing those programs to save money and keep 
tuition low — or at least keep it from raising any higher — could 
benefit all students.Unless you’re planning on being a political
 science major like Emporia State junior Brayden Soper. His program 
graduates about seven students a year. Soper would be OK if Emporia 
State cut political science. Programs usually phase out rather than end 
suddenly. But a high schooler interested in that major would no longer 
have Emporia State as an option. Picking KU instead would mean paying 
$2,000 more a semester.“For a lot of students, that would just completely be a dealbreaker,” Soper said.Plus
 that small program size isn’t a problem for Soper — it’s a selling 
point. He prefers being in a major where he knows all the other students
 and professors.“We get to get really comfortable with each 
other and have deep discussions,” Soper said. “I may not necessarily get
 that as much at one of the larger universities.”Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/stevebisaha" target="_blank">@SteveBisaha</a> or email him at bisaha@kmuw.org.

Virus could end history, math, chemistry majors at some Kan. universities

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden pointedly criticized President Donald Trump on Monday for threatening core principles of democracy even as he told Americans that their form of self-government ultimately “prevailed.”

Speaking from his longtime home of Wilmington, Delaware, on the day that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-district-of-columbia-elections-d429ef97af2bf574d16463384dc7cc1e">electors nationwide cast&nbsp;</a>votes affirming his victory, Biden was blunt in critiquing the damage done by Trump’s baseless allegations that the contest was stolen. Such arguments have been roundly rejected by judges across the political spectrum, including the justices at the Supreme Court.

Democracy, Biden said, has been “pushed, tested, threatened.” But he said it proved to be “resilient, true, and strong.”

“The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago,” Biden said. “And we now know that nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power, can extinguish that flame.”

Biden and his team hope that the formal victory in the Electoral College combined with his record-setting 81 million-vote count will help the country unify and accept his presidency. But the challenge facing Biden was evident as many congressional Republicans, including some of the party’s top leaders, refused to officially accept Biden’s win. Trump, meanwhile, shows no sign of conceding.

The president-elect acknowledged an irony in the circumstances, noting that he won with the same number of electoral votes — 306 — as Trump did four years ago. Trump hailed that win as a “landslide.”

“By his own standards, these numbers represent a clear victory then, and I respectfully suggest they do so now,” Biden said.

A candidate needs to win 270 electoral votes to clinch the presidency.

The fact that Biden had to even give such a speech shortly after electors voted to make him the president — a usually routine and even mundane step — shows how extraordinary the post-election period has been, with Trump trying to thwart Biden at every turn.

Despite that, Biden struck a familiar theme of his presidential campaign, pledging to be “a president for all Americans” who will “work just as hard for those of you who didn’t vote for me as I will for those who did.”

“Now it is time to turn the page as we’ve done throughout our history,” he said. “To unite. To heal.”

He said that was the only way the country could overcome the worst health crisis in more than a century, saying that in the face of the pandemic, “we need to work together, give each other a chance and lower the temperature.”

Whether his message will have any effect remains to be seen. Top Republicans have mostly continued to back Trump and his unsubstantiated claims of a rigged election and, even once Biden takes power, are unlikely to give him any of the traditional honeymoon period.

Biden recalled that one of his jobs as vice president four years ago was to formally recognize Trump’s electoral victory in the Senate after 2016, and he said he expected the same process to occur this time — saluting the small number of GOP senators who have acknowledged his victory. But there are many other leading Republicans who have continued to side with Trump.

And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-losing-election-lawsuits-36d113484ac0946fa5f0614deb7de15e">after losing dozens of legal challenges</a>&nbsp;on the state and federal level, Trump is expected to push forward with new litigation this week. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani says he expects five more lawsuits at the state level.

Even after he takes the White House, Biden faces a narrowly divided Senate. Next month’s runoff elections in Georgia will decide which party controls the chamber. There’s also a thinned Democratic majority in the House as the GOP picked up seats even as Trump lost.

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is set to hold a hearing Wednesday on election “irregularities.” Johnson has questioned why Congress wasn’t informed that the taxes of Biden’s son Hunter were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-ap-top-news-ukraine-subpoenas-109c4684a72045aac7ad8c196ab57812">under federal investigation</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9b96e6d47cfc7c8fa0288bf040307ede">Trump’s impeachment</a>&nbsp;trial last year.

The president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/93c85dcfb0e6b2185391965e77ebea51">acquitted in a Senate trial</a>&nbsp;that centered on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/273e46e2fa324eb9ba5d69ab2a2c69cb">Trump’s dealings with Ukraine’s president</a>&nbsp;and on whether he abused his office by seeking an investigation into the Bidens. Hunter Biden served on the board of directors of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d4595ba4f3140c6bb6a3473a91f4a4c">a Ukrainian energy company</a>.

The younger Biden said in a statement last week that he just recently learned that he was under investigation. He also said he committed no wrongdoing.

Biden’s deputy chief of staff, Jen O’Malley Dillon, downplayed the notion that the investigation could hamper Biden’s ability to pursue his agenda.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden pointedly criticized President Donald Trump on Monday for threatening core principles of democracy even as he told Americans that their form of self-government ultimately “prevailed.”<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjoebiden%2Fvideos%2F395255948357218%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Speaking from his longtime home of Wilmington, Delaware, on the day that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-district-of-columbia-elections-d429ef97af2bf574d16463384dc7cc1e">electors nationwide cast&nbsp;</a>votes affirming his victory, Biden was blunt in critiquing the damage done by Trump’s baseless allegations that the contest was stolen. Such arguments have been roundly rejected by judges across the political spectrum, including the justices at the Supreme Court.Democracy, Biden said, has been “pushed, tested, threatened.” But he said it proved to be “resilient, true, and strong.”“The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago,” Biden said. “And we now know that nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power, can extinguish that flame.”Biden and his team hope that the formal victory in the Electoral College combined with his record-setting 81 million-vote count will help the country unify and accept his presidency. But the challenge facing Biden was evident as many congressional Republicans, including some of the party’s top leaders, refused to officially accept Biden’s win. Trump, meanwhile, shows no sign of conceding.The president-elect acknowledged an irony in the circumstances, noting that he won with the same number of electoral votes — 306 — as Trump did four years ago. Trump hailed that win as a “landslide.”“By his own standards, these numbers represent a clear victory then, and I respectfully suggest they do so now,” Biden said.A candidate needs to win 270 electoral votes to clinch the presidency.The fact that Biden had to even give such a speech shortly after electors voted to make him the president — a usually routine and even mundane step — shows how extraordinary the post-election period has been, with Trump trying to thwart Biden at every turn.Despite that, Biden struck a familiar theme of his presidential campaign, pledging to be “a president for all Americans” who will “work just as hard for those of you who didn’t vote for me as I will for those who did.”“Now it is time to turn the page as we’ve done throughout our history,” he said. “To unite. To heal.”He said that was the only way the country could overcome the worst health crisis in more than a century, saying that in the face of the pandemic, “we need to work together, give each other a chance and lower the temperature.”Whether his message will have any effect remains to be seen. Top Republicans have mostly continued to back Trump and his unsubstantiated claims of a rigged election and, even once Biden takes power, are unlikely to give him any of the traditional honeymoon period.Biden recalled that one of his jobs as vice president four years ago was to formally recognize Trump’s electoral victory in the Senate after 2016, and he said he expected the same process to occur this time — saluting the small number of GOP senators who have acknowledged his victory. But there are many other leading Republicans who have continued to side with Trump.And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-losing-election-lawsuits-36d113484ac0946fa5f0614deb7de15e">after losing dozens of legal challenges</a>&nbsp;on the state and federal level, Trump is expected to push forward with new litigation this week. Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani says he expects five more lawsuits at the state level.Even after he takes the White House, Biden faces a narrowly divided Senate. Next month’s runoff elections in Georgia will decide which party controls the chamber. There’s also a thinned Democratic majority in the House as the GOP picked up seats even as Trump lost.Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is set to hold a hearing Wednesday on election “irregularities.” Johnson has questioned why Congress wasn’t informed that the taxes of Biden’s son Hunter were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-ap-top-news-ukraine-subpoenas-109c4684a72045aac7ad8c196ab57812">under federal investigation</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9b96e6d47cfc7c8fa0288bf040307ede">Trump’s impeachment</a>&nbsp;trial last year.The president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/93c85dcfb0e6b2185391965e77ebea51">acquitted in a Senate trial</a>&nbsp;that centered on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/273e46e2fa324eb9ba5d69ab2a2c69cb">Trump’s dealings with Ukraine’s president</a>&nbsp;and on whether he abused his office by seeking an investigation into the Bidens. Hunter Biden served on the board of directors of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d4595ba4f3140c6bb6a3473a91f4a4c">a Ukrainian energy company</a>.The younger Biden said in a statement last week that he just recently learned that he was under investigation. He also said he committed no wrongdoing.Biden’s deputy chief of staff, Jen O’Malley Dillon, downplayed the notion that the investigation could hamper Biden’s ability to pursue his agenda.“The president-elect himself has said this is not about his family or Donald Trump’s family,” O’Malley Dillon said. “It is about the American people’s families. And I think we’re going to continue to stay focused on the issues that are impacting their daily lives.”