BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas teacher who was caught on camera kicking a kindergarten student in the school library has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and a year of probation. Online court records show that 55-year-old Crystal Smith as also ordered to attend anger management classes. 

She pleaded guilty Thursday in Johnson County District Court to battery. A security camera at the Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School in Shawnee captured footage of the February 2019 incident, which unfolded after the rest of the class had left the library. 

The girl had crawled into a bookshelf opening. Smith yanked her out, then kicked the girl as she lay huddled on the floor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582734209741.png" alt="Image from the security camera video courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Image from the security camera video courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas teacher who was caught on camera kicking a kindergarten student in the school library has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and a year of probation. Online court records show that 55-year-old Crystal Smith as also ordered to attend anger management classes. She pleaded guilty Thursday in Johnson County District Court to battery. A security camera at the Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School in Shawnee captured footage of the February 2019 incident, which unfolded after the rest of the class had left the library. The girl had crawled into a bookshelf opening. Smith yanked her out, then kicked the girl as she lay huddled on the floor.

Ex-teacher sentenced for kicking Kansas kindergarten student

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges following a weekend arrest.

Just after 6:3 a.m. Sunday a police officer&nbsp; investigated a suspicious vehicle parked in the 200 block of East 2nd Street in Ellinwood, according to a media release.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he found two occupants hiding inside. While the officer questioned the occupants, he observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

The occupants were detained and the vehicle searched. Investigators found over $3,000 in cash, three handguns, marijuana, methamphetamine and various prescription medications and paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Officers arrested Sonia Alejandra Candia, 20 of Pratt and Brandon Lee Gross, 24 of Great Bend, were and transported them to the Barton County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607370315149.png" alt="Sonia Alejandra Candia photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Sonia Alejandra Candia photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges following a weekend arrest.Just after 6:3 a.m. Sunday a police officer&nbsp; investigated a suspicious vehicle parked in the 200 block of East 2nd Street in Ellinwood, according to a media release.As the officer approached the vehicle, he found two occupants hiding inside. While the officer questioned the occupants, he observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.The occupants were detained and the vehicle searched. Investigators found over $3,000 in cash, three handguns, marijuana, methamphetamine and various prescription medications and paraphernalia in the vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607370339203.png" alt="Gross photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Gross photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers arrested Sonia Alejandra Candia, 20 of Pratt and Brandon Lee Gross, 24 of Great Bend, were and transported them to the Barton County Jail.

Police find 2 Kan. drug suspects hiding in vehicle

Senate turns page to new crew, House sticks with status quo

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/07/republican-democratic-legislators-select-new-partisan-leadership-for-2021-session/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — House Speaker Ron
 Ryckman and House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer faced no opposition from 
colleagues to retain their legislative leadership positions Monday, 
while partisan caucuses in the Senate led to selection of Republican Ty 
Masterson to serve as president and Dinah Sykes to be the chamber’s 
Democratic leader.

The choices are 
significant because Republicans holding positions of House speaker and 
Senate president control committee appointments, assignment of bills to 
committees, the calender of legislation debated on the floor and have a 
larger platform to advance a legislative agenda. Major issues during the
 upcoming session are likely to include abortion, taxes, judicial 
selection, Medicaid expansion, response to the pandemic and redrawing 
legislative district boundaries.

The approach by Democrats 
and Republicans in the House was to affirm the status quo. Several 
retirements, the departure of GOP moderates and a top Democrat’s 
election loss in November forced the Senate to simultaneously fill the 
four most prominent posts for the first time in decades.

Democratic Gov. Laura 
Kelly congratulated the newly selected leaders of the Legislature, which
 has two-thirds GOP majorities capable of overriding her vetoes.

“I look forward to working
 together on the issues that matter to Kansans: funding schools, keeping
 Kansans healthy and increasing access to affordable health care, 
building a stronger infrastructure and continuing down the path to 
economic recovery,” Kelly said.

Ryckman, an 
Olathe Republican who grew up in rural Kansas, was granted a third term 
of two years as House speaker. Typically, House speakers in Kansas serve
 a maximum of two terms in that role.

Wichita GOP Rep.
 Brenda Landwehr endorsed Ryckman for another term as speaker, citing 
his ability to bring together members of their party. She also took an 
opportunity to reprimand Kelly, a former state senator from Topeka.

“He knows how to
 work with each one of us and he does bring us together,” Landwehr said.
 “He knows how to pull votes together and get things done even with our 
governor who for some reason continues to act as a minority member of 
the Senate rather than the leader.”

Masterson, an Andover 
Republican who has led the conservative Truth Caucus at the Capitol, 
describes himself as an anti-abortion, limited-government, low-tax 
legislator who believes the Legislature must be a check on the executive
 branch. He’s been a member of the Senate and House since 2005. He will 
replace retiring Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican who 
didn’t seek re-election.

“I was honored to get 
unanimous support. So, I hope it brings unity to our caucus,” Masterson 
said in an interview. “I think fundamentally that’s the purpose of this 
body, is to be a check on on the executive branch of government.”

Sen. John Doll, a Garden City Republican, nominated Masterson to serve as president of the Senate.

“We need a strong leader 
probably more than any time in our lifetime anyway,” Doll said. “We need
 a Senate president we can come to and perhaps disagree with and not 
feel like we’re going to be punished by getting our committees taken 
away or our chairmanships taken away if we happen to disagree 
respectfully.”

GOP senators, including 
some voting by proxy due to COVID-19, elected Sen. Rick Wilborn to be 
the Senate’s vice president. He’s a McPherson Republican and has led the
 Senate Judiciary Committee. He replaced Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia 
Republican who didn’t seek re-election to that post. In addition, 
Republicans in the Senate selected Sen. Gene Suellentrop, of Wichita, to
 be the chamber’s majority leader. retiring Sen. Jim Denning, a Johnson 
County lawmaker who didn’t seek re-election after angering GOP 
colleagues for working on Medicaid expansion with Kelly.

On the Democratic side of 
the ledger, Sykes of Lenexa was chosen by her peers to be the Senate’s 
Democratic leader. She has served in the Senate since 2017 and was 
originally elected as a Republican, but quit the GOP due to policy 
differences. Sykes moves into the slot held by Senate Minority Leader 
Anthony Hensley, who is the longest-serving legislator in Kansas 
history.

“While the Republican 
Party enjoys the majority of the seats, I’m confident that the majority 
of Kansans share our values: affordable health care, exceptional 
education and good jobs for hard-working people,” she said.

Over in the House, Ryckman
 retained his role as House speaker and two legislators who came to the 
House with him in 2013 kept their leadership jobs. House Majority Leader
 Dan Hawkins, of Wichita, and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch, of Ottawa, 
will return to those slots when the 2021 session begins in January. None
 faced opposition in the Republican caucus.

Hawkins was nominated by Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican, who kept his nomination speech brief.

“Hawkins has the
 qualities which we should all look for in a leader,” Carpenter said. “A
 man that we can trust that has integrity and works hard. He upholds our
 conservative values.”

Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat who currently serving as House minority leader, was re-elected to that post without opposition.

The final voting for these
 top Kansas legislative leadership positions won’t be conducted until 
the session officials starts next month. Republicans hold large 
majorities in the House and Senate, but generally these final votes are 
unanimous in both chambers.

Returning and new members 
of the Legislature traditionally convene in December to decide which 
members of their political parties hold jobs of House speaker, majority 
leader, speaker pro tem and who leads Democrats in the House. GOP 
senators pick a president, majority leader and vice president as well as
 a minority leader.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607368575494.png" alt="House Speaker Ron Ryckman, left, and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins will retain their leadership positions in the House for the 2021 session, while Senate Republicans elected Sen. Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, to be Senate president. (Nick Krug/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Ron Ryckman, left, and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins will retain their leadership positions in the House for the 2021 session, while Senate Republicans elected Sen. Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, to be Senate president. (Nick Krug/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Senate turns page to new crew, House sticks with status quo</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/07/republican-democratic-legislators-select-new-partisan-leadership-for-2021-session/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — House Speaker Ron
 Ryckman and House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer faced no opposition from 
colleagues to retain their legislative leadership positions Monday, 
while partisan caucuses in the Senate led to selection of Republican Ty 
Masterson to serve as president and Dinah Sykes to be the chamber’s 
Democratic leader.The choices are 
significant because Republicans holding positions of House speaker and 
Senate president control committee appointments, assignment of bills to 
committees, the calender of legislation debated on the floor and have a 
larger platform to advance a legislative agenda. Major issues during the
 upcoming session are likely to include abortion, taxes, judicial 
selection, Medicaid expansion, response to the pandemic and redrawing 
legislative district boundaries.The approach by Democrats 
and Republicans in the House was to affirm the status quo. Several 
retirements, the departure of GOP moderates and a top Democrat’s 
election loss in November forced the Senate to simultaneously fill the 
four most prominent posts for the first time in decades.Democratic Gov. Laura 
Kelly congratulated the newly selected leaders of the Legislature, which
 has two-thirds GOP majorities capable of overriding her vetoes.“I look forward to working
 together on the issues that matter to Kansans: funding schools, keeping
 Kansans healthy and increasing access to affordable health care, 
building a stronger infrastructure and continuing down the path to 
economic recovery,” Kelly said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607368689953.jpeg" alt="Sen. Ty Masterson, a conservative Republican from Andover and member of the Legislature since 2005, will be the new president of the Kansas Senate. He will replace retiring President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, when the 2021 session starts in January. Sen. Dinah Sykes, of Lenexa, will be the Senate’s Democratic leader. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Ty Masterson, a conservative Republican from Andover and member of the Legislature since 2005, will be the new president of the Kansas Senate. He will replace retiring President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, when the 2021 session starts in January. Sen. Dinah Sykes, of Lenexa, will be the Senate’s Democratic leader. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Ryckman, an 
Olathe Republican who grew up in rural Kansas, was granted a third term 
of two years as House speaker. Typically, House speakers in Kansas serve
 a maximum of two terms in that role.Wichita GOP Rep.
 Brenda Landwehr endorsed Ryckman for another term as speaker, citing 
his ability to bring together members of their party. She also took an 
opportunity to reprimand Kelly, a former state senator from Topeka.“He knows how to
 work with each one of us and he does bring us together,” Landwehr said.
 “He knows how to pull votes together and get things done even with our 
governor who for some reason continues to act as a minority member of 
the Senate rather than the leader.”Masterson, an Andover 
Republican who has led the conservative Truth Caucus at the Capitol, 
describes himself as an anti-abortion, limited-government, low-tax 
legislator who believes the Legislature must be a check on the executive
 branch. He’s been a member of the Senate and House since 2005. He will 
replace retiring Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican who 
didn’t seek re-election.“I was honored to get 
unanimous support. So, I hope it brings unity to our caucus,” Masterson 
said in an interview. “I think fundamentally that’s the purpose of this 
body, is to be a check on on the executive branch of government.”Sen. John Doll, a Garden City Republican, nominated Masterson to serve as president of the Senate.“We need a strong leader 
probably more than any time in our lifetime anyway,” Doll said. “We need
 a Senate president we can come to and perhaps disagree with and not 
feel like we’re going to be punished by getting our committees taken 
away or our chairmanships taken away if we happen to disagree 
respectfully.”GOP senators, including 
some voting by proxy due to COVID-19, elected Sen. Rick Wilborn to be 
the Senate’s vice president. He’s a McPherson Republican and has led the
 Senate Judiciary Committee. He replaced Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia 
Republican who didn’t seek re-election to that post. In addition, 
Republicans in the Senate selected Sen. Gene Suellentrop, of Wichita, to
 be the chamber’s majority leader. retiring Sen. Jim Denning, a Johnson 
County lawmaker who didn’t seek re-election after angering GOP 
colleagues for working on Medicaid expansion with Kelly.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607368717057.jpeg" alt="Kansas House Republicans voted to retain their key legislative leaders, from left, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, House Speaker Ron Ryckman and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch. Democrats will retain House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer as their partisan leader. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas House Republicans voted to retain their key legislative leaders, from left, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, House Speaker Ron Ryckman and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch. Democrats will retain House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer as their partisan leader. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>On the Democratic side of 
the ledger, Sykes of Lenexa was chosen by her peers to be the Senate’s 
Democratic leader. She has served in the Senate since 2017 and was 
originally elected as a Republican, but quit the GOP due to policy 
differences. Sykes moves into the slot held by Senate Minority Leader 
Anthony Hensley, who is the longest-serving legislator in Kansas 
history.“While the Republican 
Party enjoys the majority of the seats, I’m confident that the majority 
of Kansans share our values: affordable health care, exceptional 
education and good jobs for hard-working people,” she said.Over in the House, Ryckman
 retained his role as House speaker and two legislators who came to the 
House with him in 2013 kept their leadership jobs. House Majority Leader
 Dan Hawkins, of Wichita, and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch, of Ottawa, 
will return to those slots when the 2021 session begins in January. None
 faced opposition in the Republican caucus.Hawkins was nominated by Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican, who kept his nomination speech brief.“Hawkins has the
 qualities which we should all look for in a leader,” Carpenter said. “A
 man that we can trust that has integrity and works hard. He upholds our
 conservative values.”Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat who currently serving as House minority leader, was re-elected to that post without opposition.The final voting for these
 top Kansas legislative leadership positions won’t be conducted until 
the session officials starts next month. Republicans hold large 
majorities in the House and Senate, but generally these final votes are 
unanimous in both chambers.Returning and new members 
of the Legislature traditionally convene in December to decide which 
members of their political parties hold jobs of House speaker, majority 
leader, speaker pro tem and who leads Democrats in the House. GOP 
senators pick a president, majority leader and vice president as well as
 a minority leader.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Kansas GOP, Democratic legislators select new leadership for '21 session

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have made two arrests.

Just before 9p.m. Dec. 3, police responded to an armed robbery call at the Jumpstart, 3805 W. 21st&nbsp;Street North in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A store employee told police two suspects entering the store and demanding cash while one suspect was armed with a rifle.

Cash was taken by the suspects, who then fled the store on foot.&nbsp; No one was injured.

Through the investigation of the Jumpstart robbery, investigators learned of the involvement of two suspects.&nbsp; Police arrested 26-year-old Antonio D. Martin and 28-year-old Carmen Burns both of Wichita on Friday evening.&nbsp;

Investigators learned Martin was involved in four additional armed robberies that began in July and that Burns was involved in a second armed robbery as well.&nbsp; The two long guns were recovered and determined to be bb guns, according to Davidson.

Martin is being held on requested charges of five counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and outstanding warrants and Burns on requested charges of two counts of aggravated robbery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607177814900.png" alt="Burns-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Burns-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have made two arrests.Just before 9p.m. Dec. 3, police responded to an armed robbery call at the Jumpstart, 3805 W. 21st&nbsp;Street North in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.A store employee told police two suspects entering the store and demanding cash while one suspect was armed with a rifle.Cash was taken by the suspects, who then fled the store on foot.&nbsp; No one was injured.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607177871108.png" alt="Martin photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Through the investigation of the Jumpstart robbery, investigators learned of the involvement of two suspects.&nbsp; Police arrested 26-year-old Antonio D. Martin and 28-year-old Carmen Burns both of Wichita on Friday evening.&nbsp;Investigators learned Martin was involved in four additional armed robberies that began in July and that Burns was involved in a second armed robbery as well.&nbsp; The two long guns were recovered and determined to be bb guns, according to Davidson.Martin is being held on requested charges of five counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and outstanding warrants and Burns on requested charges of two counts of aggravated robbery.

Police arrest 2 Kan. men for series of armed robberies 

Experts recommend taking the time to comparison shop, even if you like the health insurance you bought last year

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-06/kansans-will-have-more-obamacare-options-than-ever-this-year-but-time-is-running-out">Kansas News Service</a>

If you’re <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">buying health insurance</a>
 on the Affordable Care Act exchange in Kansas, for 2021 you’ll have 
more options than ever — including a big player that sat out the 
Obamacare market the past few years.

The 2020 market 
already brought a dramatic increase in options. That trend will 
continue. A half dozen insurers are now vying for customers.

Availability
 varies depending on where you live, but now even most rural areas — 
where choices have been more limited — will get to choose from at least 
three insurance companies. One glaring exception: southwest Kansas.

Check out the maps at the bottom of this story to see how the market has developed.

“Insurers
 are really feeling confident that they're going to be able to succeed 
in the marketplace,” said Katherine Hempstead, a senior policy adviser 
at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in New Jersey. “It’s becoming 
increasingly desirable. … That's a really good sign.”

Some premiums will go up this year and some will go down. She recommends that you check <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">your options</a>, even if you already bought a plan last year that you liked.

You can enroll through Dec. 15 for <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/what-marketplace-plans-cover/" target="_blank">policies</a> that start Jan. 1. It’s only possible to buy a plan at other times of the year if you run into <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/special-enrollment-period/" target="_blank">significant life changes</a>.

Many people qualify for financial help. For 2020, the <a href="https://www.khi.org/assets/uploads/news/15032/marketplace_rev_072220_2_2.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas Health Institute</a>* estimates<a href="https://www.khi.org/policy/article/19-32" target="_blank">, </a>the average monthly premium was $101 a month after tax credits.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City is jumping back into the market after <a href="https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/interactives/aca-marketplace-participation-tracker.html" target="_blank">pulling out</a> at the end of 2017.

Like
 last year, all of the plans on offer in Kansas limit coverage to their 
networks. If you pick a doctor or hospital outside their networks, don’t
 expect any help unless it’s a <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/using-marketplace-coverage/getting-emergency-care/" target="_blank">medical emergency</a>.

If
 you need coverage for specific medications or doctors, you should check
 which plans include them in their networks before you sign up. It can 
help to call insurers and confirm they cover what you need, because 
networks change yearly and sometimes online information is out-of-date.

You can find someone to help you compare plans and fill out your application on <a href="https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/#/" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>. That tool will show you experts trained to sort through the options near you.

People
 or groups labeled as “assisters” don’t get paid by insurance companies 
to sell you their plans. And they are required to give impartial 
information.

People labeled as <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/agent/" target="_blank">“agents” or “brokers”</a> generally earn commissions on sales. Some of them only offer plans from specific insurance companies that they work with.

You can also call the Healthcare.gov hotline (1-800-318-2596) for help.

*The Kansas Health Institute receives funding from the Kansas Health 
Foundation, which also provides funding to the Kansas News Service.

Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607354282237.png" alt="Six insurers are offering 100 plans for 2021. Chris Neil / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Six insurers are offering 100 plans for 2021. Chris Neil / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Experts recommend taking the time to comparison shop, even if you like the health insurance you bought last year</h2>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-06/kansans-will-have-more-obamacare-options-than-ever-this-year-but-time-is-running-out">Kansas News Service</a>If you’re <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">buying health insurance</a>
 on the Affordable Care Act exchange in Kansas, for 2021 you’ll have 
more options than ever — including a big player that sat out the 
Obamacare market the past few years.The 2020 market 
already brought a dramatic increase in options. That trend will 
continue. A half dozen insurers are now vying for customers.Availability
 varies depending on where you live, but now even most rural areas — 
where choices have been more limited — will get to choose from at least 
three insurance companies. One glaring exception: southwest Kansas.Check out the maps at the bottom of this story to see how the market has developed.The trend in Kansas:<ul>
 <li>2019: Three insurers offered 23 plans.</li><li>2020: Five insurers offered 82 plans.</li><li>2021: Six insurers are offering 100 plans.</li>
 </ul>“Insurers
 are really feeling confident that they're going to be able to succeed 
in the marketplace,” said Katherine Hempstead, a senior policy adviser 
at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in New Jersey. “It’s becoming 
increasingly desirable. … That's a really good sign.”Some premiums will go up this year and some will go down. She recommends that you check <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">your options</a>, even if you already bought a plan last year that you liked.You can enroll through Dec. 15 for <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/what-marketplace-plans-cover/" target="_blank">policies</a> that start Jan. 1. It’s only possible to buy a plan at other times of the year if you run into <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/special-enrollment-period/" target="_blank">significant life changes</a>.Many people qualify for financial help. For 2020, the <a href="https://www.khi.org/assets/uploads/news/15032/marketplace_rev_072220_2_2.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas Health Institute</a>* estimates<a href="https://www.khi.org/policy/article/19-32" target="_blank">, </a>the average monthly premium was $101 a month after tax credits.What else to know about 2021Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City is jumping back into the market after <a href="https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/interactives/aca-marketplace-participation-tracker.html" target="_blank">pulling out</a> at the end of 2017.Like
 last year, all of the plans on offer in Kansas limit coverage to their 
networks. If you pick a doctor or hospital outside their networks, don’t
 expect any help unless it’s a <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/using-marketplace-coverage/getting-emergency-care/" target="_blank">medical emergency</a>.If
 you need coverage for specific medications or doctors, you should check
 which plans include them in their networks before you sign up. It can 
help to call insurers and confirm they cover what you need, because 
networks change yearly and sometimes online information is out-of-date.You can find someone to help you compare plans and fill out your application on <a href="https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/#/" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>. That tool will show you experts trained to sort through the options near you.People
 or groups labeled as “assisters” don’t get paid by insurance companies 
to sell you their plans. And they are required to give impartial 
information.People labeled as <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/agent/" target="_blank">“agents” or “brokers”</a> generally earn commissions on sales. Some of them only offer plans from specific insurance companies that they work with.You can also call the Healthcare.gov hotline (1-800-318-2596) for help.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607354390560.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607354407507.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>*The Kansas Health Institute receives funding from the Kansas Health 
Foundation, which also provides funding to the Kansas News Service.Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

Kansans have more Obamacare options than ever this year

SALINE COUNTY —Interstate traffic is back open in all directions following an accident involving a semi that rolled on eastbound Interstate 70 Monday morning, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol

The accident just after 10a.m. at the junction of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135 forced eastbound traffic on I-70 to travel south.

All southbound traffic on I-135 attempting to exit for eastbound I-70 was forced to continue south past the interchange.

The KHP has not reported additional details including any injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607375539902.png" alt="Semi rollover crash photo courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Semi rollover crash photo courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Interstate traffic is back open in all directions following an accident involving a semi that rolled on eastbound Interstate 70 Monday morning, according to the Kansas Highway PatrolThe accident just after 10a.m. at the junction of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135 forced eastbound traffic on I-70 to travel south.All southbound traffic on I-135 attempting to exit for eastbound I-70 was forced to continue south past the interchange.The KHP has not reported additional details including any injuries.

Semi removed after rollover crash west of Salina

By SAM ZEFF <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-12-06/lawsuit-filed-in-death-of-kansas-college-football-player">Kansas News Service</a>

The family of a New Jersey teenager who died from exertional heat 
stroke after a grueling football workout at Garden City Community 
Community College (GCCC) in 2018 has sued the medical personnel who 
responded to the emergency call for help. 

The lawsuit was filed 
in late October in Finney County District Court and accuses the 
ambulance crew, the hospital and the emergency department doctor of 
medical negligence. All of the defendants, the suit alleges, departed 
"from prevailing professional standard(s) of care" when treating 
Bradforth.

According to the lawsuit, the EMS crew, who worked for 
Finney County, failed to "measure Braeden's core body temperature" and 
did not "timely and properly cool Braeden" by failing to use ice packs, 
cold water or provide him with air conditioning on the ride to the 
hospital. 

Using ice packs or cold water is recognized by experts as the best way to lower the core body temperature. 

"The
 fastest way to decrease body temperature is to remove clothes and 
equipment and immerse the body (trunk and extremities) into a pool or 
tub of cold water," the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164365/" target="_blank">National Athletic Trainers' Association says in the Journal of Athletic Training.</a>

The
 lawsuit also accused the emergency department doctor at St. Catherine 
Hospital in Garden City of failing to timely treat Bradforth or get him 
to a specialist.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2020-08-02/despite-settlement-family-of-kansas-football-player-who-died-after-practice-is-sad-every-morning" target="_blank">The family settled with GCCC for $500,000 in August without filing a lawsuit. </a>
 This is the first time the family has gone to court. "We are exploring 
all events leading up to Braeden’s death, including what happened with 
EMS and the hospital,” Bradforth's mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram told 
KCUR.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-02-17/monday-in-jersey-tuesday-in-garden-city-wednesday-dead-after-a-football-practice-in-kansas" target="_blank">Bradforth had been at GCCC just one day when former head coach Jeff Sims</a>
 forced him to run 36, 50-yard sprints. “That’s a do-or-die drill,” 
former University of Oklahoma football team doctor Randy Eichner told 
KCUR at the time. “That is reckless endangerment.”

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-12-03/coach-at-the-center-of-the-death-of-a-kansas-college-football-player-fired-from-missouri-southern" target="_blank">Sims was fired from his new job at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Wednesday after just two years in Joplin.</a>
 The university has refused to say if Sims was fired for cause or 
without cause. If MSSU simply parted ways with Sims, he would 
contractually be owed $90,000.

 St. Catherine is owned by Centura 
Health in Colorado. "Centura Health is not able to offer a comment at 
this time," spokesman Kevin Massey said in an email to KCUR.

The 
ambulance crew worked for the county. "Finney County has no comment on 
that matter at this time," spokeswoman Sara McClure said in an email.

You can contact Sam Zeff on Twitter @samzeff or email at sam@kcur.org.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607354101143.png" alt="The family of Braeden Bradforth, pictured here with his mother, alleges medical personnel did not adhere to "professional standards" during the crucial final minutes of his life. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The family of Braeden Bradforth, pictured here with his mother, alleges medical personnel did not adhere to "professional standards" during the crucial final minutes of his life. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By SAM ZEFF <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-12-06/lawsuit-filed-in-death-of-kansas-college-football-player">Kansas News Service</a>The family of a New Jersey teenager who died from exertional heat 
stroke after a grueling football workout at Garden City Community 
Community College (GCCC) in 2018 has sued the medical personnel who 
responded to the emergency call for help. The lawsuit was filed 
in late October in Finney County District Court and accuses the 
ambulance crew, the hospital and the emergency department doctor of 
medical negligence. All of the defendants, the suit alleges, departed 
"from prevailing professional standard(s) of care" when treating 
Bradforth.According to the lawsuit, the EMS crew, who worked for 
Finney County, failed to "measure Braeden's core body temperature" and 
did not "timely and properly cool Braeden" by failing to use ice packs, 
cold water or provide him with air conditioning on the ride to the 
hospital. Using ice packs or cold water is recognized by experts as the best way to lower the core body temperature. "The
 fastest way to decrease body temperature is to remove clothes and 
equipment and immerse the body (trunk and extremities) into a pool or 
tub of cold water," the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164365/" target="_blank">National Athletic Trainers' Association says in the Journal of Athletic Training.</a>The
 lawsuit also accused the emergency department doctor at St. Catherine 
Hospital in Garden City of failing to timely treat Bradforth or get him 
to a specialist.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2020-08-02/despite-settlement-family-of-kansas-football-player-who-died-after-practice-is-sad-every-morning" target="_blank">The family settled with GCCC for $500,000 in August without filing a lawsuit. </a>
 This is the first time the family has gone to court. "We are exploring 
all events leading up to Braeden’s death, including what happened with 
EMS and the hospital,” Bradforth's mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram told 
KCUR.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-02-17/monday-in-jersey-tuesday-in-garden-city-wednesday-dead-after-a-football-practice-in-kansas" target="_blank">Bradforth had been at GCCC just one day when former head coach Jeff Sims</a>
 forced him to run 36, 50-yard sprints. “That’s a do-or-die drill,” 
former University of Oklahoma football team doctor Randy Eichner told 
KCUR at the time. “That is reckless endangerment.”<a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-12-03/coach-at-the-center-of-the-death-of-a-kansas-college-football-player-fired-from-missouri-southern" target="_blank">Sims was fired from his new job at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Wednesday after just two years in Joplin.</a>
 The university has refused to say if Sims was fired for cause or 
without cause. If MSSU simply parted ways with Sims, he would 
contractually be owed $90,000. St. Catherine is owned by Centura 
Health in Colorado. "Centura Health is not able to offer a comment at 
this time," spokesman Kevin Massey said in an email to KCUR.The 
ambulance crew worked for the county. "Finney County has no comment on 
that matter at this time," spokeswoman Sara McClure said in an email.You can contact Sam Zeff on Twitter @samzeff or email at sam@kcur.org.&nbsp;

Lawsuit filed in death of Kansas college football player 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A judge rejected a request for lower bond from a 31-year-old Hutchinson woman who was driving when her car rolled, killing one of seven passengers. Viola Rhodes was arrested after the vehicle crashed Saturday night near Hutchinson. 

One of the passengers, 44-year-old Brian Bookout, was thrown from the vehicle and died of his injuries. During a bond hearing Monday, Rhodes asked for a lower bond, but Reno County Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan rejected that request and set bond at $200,000. 

Rhodes was arrested on several possible charges, including involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving. She will be formally charged during a hearing next Monday.

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident in Reno County and have made an arrest.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies were sent to 3419 South Yoder Road for a rollover accident, according to a social media report from the Reno County Sheriff.

At the scene, deputies found a silver SUV on its top in the pasture. Eight people were inside. A 44-year-old man was ejected, a 31-year-old woman had injuries to her face, a 45-year-old man reported injuries to his face and hands, a 25-year-old man reported injuries to his shoulders and legs, a 23-year-old woman reported an injury to her left leg, a 39-year-old man reported an abrasion of his right upper arm and a 42-year-old man reported a head injury. All eight people were from Hutchinson. Two passengers were taken to Hutchinson Regional. One of them succumbed to their injuries.

Deputies arrested the driver Viola Rhodes, 31, of Hutchinson on requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of alcoholic beverage, aggravated battery; DUI, and involuntary homicide.

The sheriff did not release names of the victims.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A judge rejected a request for lower bond from a 31-year-old Hutchinson woman who was driving when her car rolled, killing one of seven passengers. Viola Rhodes was arrested after the vehicle crashed Saturday night near Hutchinson. One of the passengers, 44-year-old Brian Bookout, was thrown from the vehicle and died of his injuries. During a bond hearing Monday, Rhodes asked for a lower bond, but Reno County Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan rejected that request and set bond at $200,000. Rhodes was arrested on several possible charges, including involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving. She will be formally charged during a hearing next Monday.--------RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident in Reno County and have made an arrest.Just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies were sent to 3419 South Yoder Road for a rollover accident, according to a social media report from the Reno County Sheriff.At the scene, deputies found a silver SUV on its top in the pasture. Eight people were inside. A 44-year-old man was ejected, a 31-year-old woman had injuries to her face, a 45-year-old man reported injuries to his face and hands, a 25-year-old man reported injuries to his shoulders and legs, a 23-year-old woman reported an injury to her left leg, a 39-year-old man reported an abrasion of his right upper arm and a 42-year-old man reported a head injury. All eight people were from Hutchinson. Two passengers were taken to Hutchinson Regional. One of them succumbed to their injuries.Deputies arrested the driver Viola Rhodes, 31, of Hutchinson on requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of alcoholic beverage, aggravated battery; DUI, and involuntary homicide.The sheriff did not release names of the victims.

Update: 1 dead,  Kan. woman arrested after SUV crash

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-08/coronavirus-kept-this-kansas-man-from-holding-his-dying-dads-hand-strangers-share-in-his-grief">Kansas News Service</a>

EUDORA — In 1979, a young boy fell asleep on his father’s chest in their Scott City, Kansas, home. His mother snapped a photo.

A week ago, that father died of COVID-19 in the local nursing home. Marvin Farr’s son, Courtney Farr, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0a0a04c4-7eb5-4d50-af3a-1f738f03947c">penned an obituary.</a>

It
 spread swiftly on social media. Within days, a stunned and grieving man
 saw the words he had meant for a community of 3,800 people in sparsely 
populated west Kansas get picked up by The Washington Post, Newsweek, 
USA Today.

Courtney Farr was swamped with comments and messages, 
some from people who never knew his father but saw their own grief 
reflected in the tribute to him. They shared those frustrations over the
 pandemic and the sense that some people don’t take it seriously enough.

On
 Friday, Courtney sat on the porch of his countryside home, off a gravel
 road near Eudora, to talk about the obituary that struck a nerve for so
 many people with its opening paragraph:

Courtney saw his father hours before he died. A worker at the nursing
 home held up an electronic tablet for a video call. The dying man’s 
eyes were open, but Courtney doesn’t know how well his father could hear
 and understand him.

When his mother, Nancy Farr, died nearly two years ago at the same nursing home, Courtney was there in person.

“It
 was really good and meaningful to sit with her,” he said. “Doing this 
video call with Dad was so much harder. … You want to reach out and you 
want to touch him. You want to hold his hand.”

The coronavirus pandemic has isolated nursing home residents, locking
 their loved ones out for much of its duration. When the virus slowed 
over the summer, Marvin’s home opened briefly and Courtney spent time at
 his side.

But this fall, COVID-19 surged across Kansas. More than 200 Kansas nursing homes and similar facilities are experiencing outbreaks. The number of homes that haven’t dealt with it yet are a dwindling minority.

It distresses Courtney that many Americans won’t heed the advice of 
public health experts to slow the disease’s march. For some, 
mask-wearing and social distancing became entwined with partisan 
politics instead.

To him, it flies in the face of common sense. Rural and urban America alike can’t thrive without medicine and other science.

Courtney got a phone call on Thanksgiving Day, his late mother’s birthday, that Marvin had tested positive.

For
 more than a day, Marvin was asymptomatic. Then the disease progressed 
fast. Fluid in the lungs. Low oxygen levels. Six days after the 
diagnosis, he died.

He was a devout Episcopalian who believed he would see lost loved ones again after death.

The
 family won’t hold a memorial until it’s safe, even if that means 
waiting till vaccines bring herd immunity. Then they will celebrate his 
life.

“I don’t want to do anything,” Courtney said, “that could possibly add to the burden that the health care workers in Scott City are already dealing with.”

Marvin was on hospice when COVID-19 struck. He had advanced dementia.
 Even absent the pandemic, Courtney thinks his father likely would have 
died in a matter of months.

“One of the things I see brought up 
from people who won’t take this seriously is, ‘It’s only the really 
elderly mostly who are dying,’” he said. “‘It’s only people who were 
probably going to die anyways.’”

That is, Marvin lay 
isolated in the quarantine wing of a nursing home trying to control a 
dangerous outbreak, without family nearby to comfort him.

“The 
tragedy there and the trauma there is not just his or mine or my 
family’s. It’s also the health care workers taking care of him,” his son
 said. “It’s traumatic for them because they’re dealing with the 
quarantine ward and the isolation ... It’s awful for everyone.”

Courtney’s mother and father both had the same hospice nurse.

“Her
 primary focus is making sure that people can pass in comfort and with 
dignity,” he said. “Right now, we as a society are failing that in so 
many ways. For hundreds of thousands of people.”

Celia 
Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453285450.png" alt="Courtney Farr sleeps on his father's chest when he was a young boy, in 1979. Submitted by Courtney Farr" />
 <figcaption>Courtney Farr sleeps on his father's chest when he was a young boy, in 1979. Submitted by Courtney Farr</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-08/coronavirus-kept-this-kansas-man-from-holding-his-dying-dads-hand-strangers-share-in-his-grief">Kansas News Service</a>EUDORA — In 1979, a young boy fell asleep on his father’s chest in their Scott City, Kansas, home. His mother snapped a photo.A week ago, that father died of COVID-19 in the local nursing home. Marvin Farr’s son, Courtney Farr, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0a0a04c4-7eb5-4d50-af3a-1f738f03947c">penned an obituary.</a>It
 spread swiftly on social media. Within days, a stunned and grieving man
 saw the words he had meant for a community of 3,800 people in sparsely 
populated west Kansas get picked up by The Washington Post, Newsweek, 
USA Today.Courtney Farr was swamped with comments and messages, 
some from people who never knew his father but saw their own grief 
reflected in the tribute to him. They shared those frustrations over the
 pandemic and the sense that some people don’t take it seriously enough.On
 Friday, Courtney sat on the porch of his countryside home, off a gravel
 road near Eudora, to talk about the obituary that struck a nerve for so
 many people with its opening paragraph:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453344521.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtney saw his father hours before he died. A worker at the nursing
 home held up an electronic tablet for a video call. The dying man’s 
eyes were open, but Courtney doesn’t know how well his father could hear
 and understand him.When his mother, Nancy Farr, died nearly two years ago at the same nursing home, Courtney was there in person.“It
 was really good and meaningful to sit with her,” he said. “Doing this 
video call with Dad was so much harder. … You want to reach out and you 
want to touch him. You want to hold his hand.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453368552.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The coronavirus pandemic has isolated nursing home residents, locking
 their loved ones out for much of its duration. When the virus slowed 
over the summer, Marvin’s home opened briefly and Courtney spent time at
 his side.But this fall, COVID-19 surged across Kansas. More than 200 Kansas nursing homes and similar facilities are experiencing outbreaks. The number of homes that haven’t dealt with it yet are a dwindling minority.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453403742.png" alt="Courtney Farr / Photo by Celia Llopis-Jepsen" />
 <figcaption>Courtney Farr / Photo by Celia Llopis-Jepsen</figcaption>
 </figure>It distresses Courtney that many Americans won’t heed the advice of 
public health experts to slow the disease’s march. For some, 
mask-wearing and social distancing became entwined with partisan 
politics instead.To him, it flies in the face of common sense. Rural and urban America alike can’t thrive without medicine and other science.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453433521.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtney got a phone call on Thanksgiving Day, his late mother’s birthday, that Marvin had tested positive.For
 more than a day, Marvin was asymptomatic. Then the disease progressed 
fast. Fluid in the lungs. Low oxygen levels. Six days after the 
diagnosis, he died.He was a devout Episcopalian who believed he would see lost loved ones again after death.The
 family won’t hold a memorial until it’s safe, even if that means 
waiting till vaccines bring herd immunity. Then they will celebrate his 
life.“I don’t want to do anything,” Courtney said, “that could possibly add to the burden that the health care workers in Scott City are already dealing with.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453461422.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marvin was on hospice when COVID-19 struck. He had advanced dementia.
 Even absent the pandemic, Courtney thinks his father likely would have 
died in a matter of months.“One of the things I see brought up 
from people who won’t take this seriously is, ‘It’s only the really 
elderly mostly who are dying,’” he said. “‘It’s only people who were 
probably going to die anyways.’”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607453495072.png" alt="Marvin Farr was a farmer and veterinarian. Submitted by Courtney Farr" />
 <figcaption>Marvin Farr was a farmer and veterinarian. Submitted by Courtney Farr</figcaption>
 </figure>“It mattered how he died,” he said.That is, Marvin lay 
isolated in the quarantine wing of a nursing home trying to control a 
dangerous outbreak, without family nearby to comfort him.“The 
tragedy there and the trauma there is not just his or mine or my 
family’s. It’s also the health care workers taking care of him,” his son
 said. “It’s traumatic for them because they’re dealing with the 
quarantine ward and the isolation ... It’s awful for everyone.”Courtney’s mother and father both had the same hospice nurse.“Her
 primary focus is making sure that people can pass in comfort and with 
dignity,” he said. “Right now, we as a society are failing that in so 
many ways. For hundreds of thousands of people.”Celia 
Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

Poignant obit: Coronavirus kept Kan. man from holding dying dad's hand

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 5,730 to a total of 174,025the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1,856 an increase of 70

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 5,730 to a total of 174,025the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1,856 an increase of 70<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607364225453.png" alt="Monday Dec. 7, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Dec. 7, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged domestic battery in Manhattan.

Just after 12:30a.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for domestic battery and criminal damage to property in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 Officers listed a 23-year-old man as the victim and a 22-year-old woman known to him as the suspect. She allegedly used an $800 Hisense television to batter him.&nbsp;

Police have not reported an arrest or released additional details.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged domestic battery in Manhattan.Just after 12:30a.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for domestic battery and criminal damage to property in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. Officers listed a 23-year-old man as the victim and a 22-year-old woman known to him as the suspect. She allegedly used an $800 Hisense television to batter him.&nbsp;Police have not reported an arrest or released additional details.

Police: Kan. woman allegedly battered man with $800 TV

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a rollover accident and asking the public for help locating a driver who fled the scene.

Just before 10p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to report of a rollover accident in the 100 block of NE. 10th Road in rural Barton County, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

They discovered a 1998 Buick Park Avenue was not occupied and later located victims of the accident at the hospital in Great Bend. 

Five juveniles were involved in the collision. Three were 14 years of age, one 15 years old and one 17-year-old. At least one sustained serious spinal injuries. Another juvenile sustained injuries requiring medical attention.

Investigators learned the vehicle was operated by Adan Hernandez Jr., 22 of Great Bend. Hernandez lost control of the vehicle. It slid into the east ditch and rolled.

 Hernandez fled the scene is being sought by the Sheriff’s office for questioning. If warranted, charges will be filed. If you have information as to the whereabouts of Adan Hernandez Junior, contact Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 1-888-305-1300

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607358983188.png" alt="Hernandez&nbsp; photo from an earlier arrest in Barton Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hernandez&nbsp; photo from an earlier arrest in Barton Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a rollover accident and asking the public for help locating a driver who fled the scene.Just before 10p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to report of a rollover accident in the 100 block of NE. 10th Road in rural Barton County, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.They discovered a 1998 Buick Park Avenue was not occupied and later located victims of the accident at the hospital in Great Bend. Five juveniles were involved in the collision. Three were 14 years of age, one 15 years old and one 17-year-old. At least one sustained serious spinal injuries. Another juvenile sustained injuries requiring medical attention.Investigators learned the vehicle was operated by Adan Hernandez Jr., 22 of Great Bend. Hernandez lost control of the vehicle. It slid into the east ditch and rolled. Hernandez fled the scene is being sought by the Sheriff’s office for questioning. If warranted, charges will be filed. If you have information as to the whereabouts of Adan Hernandez Junior, contact Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 1-888-305-1300

Sheriff asks for help to locate driver who fled Kan. rollover crash

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor who had two criminal convictions overturned is facing a disciplinary hearing for allegedly violating professional standards.

The Kansas Board of Attorney Discipline will hold a hearing this week to review the conduct of Jacque Spradling. She is a former Shawnee County prosecutor who now serves as the Bourbon County attorney and an assistant Allen county attorney in southeast Kansas. The hearing is the result of complaints filed against Spradling in 2016 and 2018.

Spradling and her attorney didn’t respond to messages from media.

Appeals courts criticized Spradling in rulings overturning a murder conviction and a sexual assault conviction. Both those cases are now set to be retried.

In the murder case, Spradling is accused of misleading a jury about the defendant violating a protection order, which didn’t exist. And she was accused of saying things during her opening and closing arguments that weren’t supported by evidence.

In the sexual assault case, Spradling is also accused of making unsupported statements during her closing arguments.

Stan Hazlett, disciplinary administrator for the state, said his office waited for the Kansas Supreme Court to rule in the murder case, which it did in 2018, before taking action. Earlier this year, a March hearing was delayed until this month because of the coronavirus pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607294326646.png" alt="Former Shawnee County prosecutor Jacque Spradling -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Former Shawnee County prosecutor Jacque Spradling -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor who had two criminal convictions overturned is facing a disciplinary hearing for allegedly violating professional standards.The Kansas Board of Attorney Discipline will hold a hearing this week to review the conduct of Jacque Spradling. She is a former Shawnee County prosecutor who now serves as the Bourbon County attorney and an assistant Allen county attorney in southeast Kansas. The hearing is the result of complaints filed against Spradling in 2016 and 2018.Spradling and her attorney didn’t respond to messages from media.Appeals courts criticized Spradling in rulings overturning a murder conviction and a sexual assault conviction. Both those cases are now set to be retried.In the murder case, Spradling is accused of misleading a jury about the defendant violating a protection order, which didn’t exist. And she was accused of saying things during her opening and closing arguments that weren’t supported by evidence.In the sexual assault case, Spradling is also accused of making unsupported statements during her closing arguments.Stan Hazlett, disciplinary administrator for the state, said his office waited for the Kansas Supreme Court to rule in the murder case, which it did in 2018, before taking action. Earlier this year, a March hearing was delayed until this month because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kansas prosecutor faces disciplinary hearing this week

RENO COUNTY —Authorities say an electrical device is responsible for a fire at a Kansas home early Monday.

Just before 3 a.m., crews responded to a fire at a home at 413 Crescent Blvd in Hutchinson, according to Battalion Chief Rex Albright.

The fire was located in the front living area of the home and extinguished quickly by fire crews.  The homeowner was alerted by audible devices within the home and made an attempt to extinguish the fire with a home fire extinguisher. 

 The homeowner escaped through an adjoining bedroom window to safety.  One animal did perish during the fire out of five total pets in the structure, according to Albright.

 Fire damage was contained to the area of origin however smoke damage was present on the 1st level of the home.  Crews remained on scene for two hours conducting overhaul and investigation. The investigation determined the fire started in an electrical device in the living room. The homeowner was checked by RCEMS for smoke inhalation and was released on scene.&nbsp; Authorities have not released a damage estimate.

RENO COUNTY —Authorities say an electrical device is responsible for a fire at a Kansas home early Monday.Just before 3 a.m., crews responded to a fire at a home at 413 Crescent Blvd in Hutchinson, according to Battalion Chief Rex Albright.The fire was located in the front living area of the home and extinguished quickly by fire crews. The homeowner was alerted by audible devices within the home and made an attempt to extinguish the fire with a home fire extinguisher. The homeowner escaped through an adjoining bedroom window to safety. One animal did perish during the fire out of five total pets in the structure, according to Albright. Fire damage was contained to the area of origin however smoke damage was present on the 1st level of the home. Crews remained on scene for two hours conducting overhaul and investigation. The investigation determined the fire started in an electrical device in the living room. The homeowner was checked by RCEMS for smoke inhalation and was released on scene.&nbsp; Authorities have not released a damage estimate.

Homeowner escapes Kan. house fire through bedroom window

LONDON (AP) — Shipments of the coronavirus vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech were delivered Sunday in the U.K. in super-cold containers, two days before it goes public in an immunization program that is being closely watched around the world.

Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine were expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, a day that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly dubbed as “V-Day,” a nod to triumphs in World War II.

“To know that they are here, and we are amongst the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, just south of London.

“I’m so proud,” she said after the trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, took delivery of the vaccine.

Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-authorizes-vaccine-emergency-use-ea0170c978eb281a905866e5bd78bbdf">U.K. became the first country to authorize the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine</a>&nbsp;for emergency use. In trials, the vaccine was shown to have around 95% efficacy. Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday at around 50 hospital hubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also begin their vaccination rollouts the same day.

Governments and health agencies around the world will be monitoring the British vaccination program, which will take months, to note its successes and failures and adjust their own plans accordingly. The U.S. hopes to start vaccinations later this month. British regulatory authorities are also examining data on the vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

Russia on Saturday began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved over the summer after being tested in only a few dozen people.

The excitement in Britain, which has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 61,000, was palpable.

“Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director.

Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospitals as outpatients and those being discharged after a stay in the hospital will be among the first to receive the jab. Hospitals will also start inviting over 80s in for a vaccine shot and will work with nursing homes to book staff into vaccination clinics. Any appointments not taken up will be offered to those health workers deemed to be at the highest risk of COVID-19. Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on speculation that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, will soon be vaccinated and then make it public, a move that could reassure anyone nervous about getting a vaccination.

“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which authorized the vaccine, told the BBC.

The U.K. has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which can cover 20 million people. Since the British government will only immunize people over 16, around 55 million people in the U.K. will be eligible. In total, Britain has procured 357 million doses of seven vaccine candidates, including 100 million of the much cheaper Oxford vaccine, which has a lower efficacy rate than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Now that the first tranche of the vaccine has arrived from Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Belgium, checks are being conducted by a specialist medical logistics company to ensure there was no damage in transit. This could take up to a day.

Each box containing the vaccines, which includes five packs of 975 doses, will need to be opened and unpacked manually at specially licensed sites. After that, the vaccines will then be made available to hospitals.

Delivering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is complicated because it needs to be stored at super-chilled temperatures: about minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, the vaccine is stable at normal refrigerator temperatures, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.4 F), for a few days, meaning it can be stored locally. After defrosting the vaccine, which takes a few hours, additional time is required to prepare it to be given in a shot.

Public Health England has secured 58 special Twin Guard ultra-low temperature freezers that provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses. The fridges, which are not portable, each hold around 86,000 doses.

The vaccine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-3ac7e19981b7937f0f08a29667ddf09e">won’t just be provided by hospitals</a>. Local doctors’ offices and other local health care centers are being put on standby to start delivering the vaccine, with a small number expected to do so the week of Dec. 14. More medical practices in more parts of the country will be phased in during December and in the coming months.

There are plans for vaccination centers treating large numbers of patients in sports areas and conference centers and for local pharmacies to be able to offer the jabs as they do with annual influenza shots.

Although nursing home residents top the prioritization list given to the British government by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, they won’t be getting the vaccinations straight away, as the vaccine packs of 975 doses cannot yet be divided, making it very difficult to deliver vaccines to individual care homes.

The NHS hopes authorities will soon approve a safe way of splitting up the dose packs so the shots can get to nursing homes during December.

During the first phase of the immunization program, Britain has created nine separate groups in its prioritization list down to those aged 50 and above. Overall, it hopes that up to 99% of people most at risk of dying from COVID 19 will have been immunized during the first phase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600861747887.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Shipments of the coronavirus vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech were delivered Sunday in the U.K. in super-cold containers, two days before it goes public in an immunization program that is being closely watched around the world.Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine were expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, a day that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly dubbed as “V-Day,” a nod to triumphs in World War II.“To know that they are here, and we are amongst the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, just south of London.“I’m so proud,” she said after the trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, took delivery of the vaccine.Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-authorizes-vaccine-emergency-use-ea0170c978eb281a905866e5bd78bbdf">U.K. became the first country to authorize the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine</a>&nbsp;for emergency use. In trials, the vaccine was shown to have around 95% efficacy. Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday at around 50 hospital hubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also begin their vaccination rollouts the same day.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605532171471.png" alt="Photo courtesy Moderna" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Moderna</figcaption>
 </figure>Governments and health agencies around the world will be monitoring the British vaccination program, which will take months, to note its successes and failures and adjust their own plans accordingly. The U.S. hopes to start vaccinations later this month. British regulatory authorities are also examining data on the vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.Russia on Saturday began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved over the summer after being tested in only a few dozen people.The excitement in Britain, which has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 61,000, was palpable.“Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director.Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospitals as outpatients and those being discharged after a stay in the hospital will be among the first to receive the jab. Hospitals will also start inviting over 80s in for a vaccine shot and will work with nursing homes to book staff into vaccination clinics. Any appointments not taken up will be offered to those health workers deemed to be at the highest risk of COVID-19. Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.Buckingham Palace refused to comment on speculation that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, will soon be vaccinated and then make it public, a move that could reassure anyone nervous about getting a vaccination.“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which authorized the vaccine, told the BBC.The U.K. has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which can cover 20 million people. Since the British government will only immunize people over 16, around 55 million people in the U.K. will be eligible. In total, Britain has procured 357 million doses of seven vaccine candidates, including 100 million of the much cheaper Oxford vaccine, which has a lower efficacy rate than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.Now that the first tranche of the vaccine has arrived from Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Belgium, checks are being conducted by a specialist medical logistics company to ensure there was no damage in transit. This could take up to a day.Each box containing the vaccines, which includes five packs of 975 doses, will need to be opened and unpacked manually at specially licensed sites. After that, the vaccines will then be made available to hospitals.Delivering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is complicated because it needs to be stored at super-chilled temperatures: about minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, the vaccine is stable at normal refrigerator temperatures, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.4 F), for a few days, meaning it can be stored locally. After defrosting the vaccine, which takes a few hours, additional time is required to prepare it to be given in a shot.Public Health England has secured 58 special Twin Guard ultra-low temperature freezers that provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses. The fridges, which are not portable, each hold around 86,000 doses.The vaccine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-3ac7e19981b7937f0f08a29667ddf09e">won’t just be provided by hospitals</a>. Local doctors’ offices and other local health care centers are being put on standby to start delivering the vaccine, with a small number expected to do so the week of Dec. 14. More medical practices in more parts of the country will be phased in during December and in the coming months.There are plans for vaccination centers treating large numbers of patients in sports areas and conference centers and for local pharmacies to be able to offer the jabs as they do with annual influenza shots.Although nursing home residents top the prioritization list given to the British government by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, they won’t be getting the vaccinations straight away, as the vaccine packs of 975 doses cannot yet be divided, making it very difficult to deliver vaccines to individual care homes.The NHS hopes authorities will soon approve a safe way of splitting up the dose packs so the shots can get to nursing homes during December.During the first phase of the immunization program, Britain has created nine separate groups in its prioritization list down to those aged 50 and above. Overall, it hopes that up to 99% of people most at risk of dying from COVID 19 will have been immunized during the first phase.

Huge coronavirus vaccine rollout set to begin

WASHINGTON (AP) — With time running out, lawmakers on Sunday closed in on a proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;relief bill that would provide roughly $300 in extra federal weekly unemployment benefits but not another round of $1,200 in direct payments to most Americans, leaving that issue for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President-elect Joe Biden&nbsp;</a>to wrestle over with a new Congress next year.

The $908 billion aid package to be released Monday would be attached to a larger year-end spending bill needed to avert a government shutdown this coming weekend.

The cash payments were popular when they were first distributed after the pandemic hit, and Biden on Friday had expressed hope that a second wave might come after weekend negotiations.

But senators involved in the talks said the checks won’t be included as part of the compromise, even as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and others said that could cause them to oppose the measure.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, indicated that excluding the checks while assuring small-business aid and renters’ assistance was the only way to reach agreement with Republicans who are putting firm limits on the bill’s final price tag.

“The $1,200 check, it cost we believe nationally $300 billion to give you an idea,” he said. “The Democrats have always wanted a larger number, but we were told we couldn’t get anything through the Republicans, except this $900 billion level.”

The plan being worked on by a group of Republican and Democratic senators is less than half of the Democrats’ push of $2.2 trillion and nearly double the $500 billion “targeted” package proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., agreed that a new round of direct checks “may be a go” at some point. “This is not a stimulus bill, it’s a relief bill,” he said. “And it’s something for the next three to four months to help those in greatest need.”

Both he and Durbin said that McConnell has shown interest in the bipartisan effort, and Cassidy said he was hopeful that President Donald Trump would embrace it as well.

The proposal is expected to include about $300 per week in bonus federal unemployment payments, providing relief just as emergency aid payments at regular benefit levels are set to expire at year’s end. It would extend a freeze on evictions for people who cannot pay their rent and reauthorize the Paycheck Protection Program to give a second round of subsidies to businesses struggling through the pandemic.

Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said last week they wouldn’t support the $908 billion proposal if it did not include checks for families, and were joined by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are also against shielding businesses from lawsuits claiming negligence for COVID-19 outbreaks, a provision pushed by Republicans.

While favoring the $1,200 checks, Biden said the emerging compromise was “immediately needed” and that additional assistance could follow later.

On Sunday, lawmakers involved in the negotiations said the direct payments would have to wait until after Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20. At that time, Biden will face a new Congress as vaccines are being distributed, with a narrowed Democratic majority in the House and a closely divided Senate potentially split 50-50 if Democrats are able to prevail in two runoff elections in Georgia on Jan. 5.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said Sanders was not involved in the negotiations and “his characterization is just not accurate” about the potential liability protections for businesses. The direct payments, he said, will be a task for Biden.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said the bipartisan group was focused on extending the most urgent aid for the next four months.

“Every indication says more money is needed; we see that,” he said. “This gets us through basically the lifelines that people need and the small businesses that can survive and not go under.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607307035654.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a weekend news conference-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a weekend news conference-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With time running out, lawmakers on Sunday closed in on a proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;relief bill that would provide roughly $300 in extra federal weekly unemployment benefits but not another round of $1,200 in direct payments to most Americans, leaving that issue for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President-elect Joe Biden&nbsp;</a>to wrestle over with a new Congress next year.The $908 billion aid package to be released Monday would be attached to a larger year-end spending bill needed to avert a government shutdown this coming weekend.The cash payments were popular when they were first distributed after the pandemic hit, and Biden on Friday had expressed hope that a second wave might come after weekend negotiations.But senators involved in the talks said the checks won’t be included as part of the compromise, even as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and others said that could cause them to oppose the measure.Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, indicated that excluding the checks while assuring small-business aid and renters’ assistance was the only way to reach agreement with Republicans who are putting firm limits on the bill’s final price tag.“The $1,200 check, it cost we believe nationally $300 billion to give you an idea,” he said. “The Democrats have always wanted a larger number, but we were told we couldn’t get anything through the Republicans, except this $900 billion level.”The plan being worked on by a group of Republican and Democratic senators is less than half of the Democrats’ push of $2.2 trillion and nearly double the $500 billion “targeted” package proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., agreed that a new round of direct checks “may be a go” at some point. “This is not a stimulus bill, it’s a relief bill,” he said. “And it’s something for the next three to four months to help those in greatest need.”Both he and Durbin said that McConnell has shown interest in the bipartisan effort, and Cassidy said he was hopeful that President Donald Trump would embrace it as well.The proposal is expected to include about $300 per week in bonus federal unemployment payments, providing relief just as emergency aid payments at regular benefit levels are set to expire at year’s end. It would extend a freeze on evictions for people who cannot pay their rent and reauthorize the Paycheck Protection Program to give a second round of subsidies to businesses struggling through the pandemic.Still, potential sticking points remain.Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said last week they wouldn’t support the $908 billion proposal if it did not include checks for families, and were joined by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are also against shielding businesses from lawsuits claiming negligence for COVID-19 outbreaks, a provision pushed by Republicans.While favoring the $1,200 checks, Biden said the emerging compromise was “immediately needed” and that additional assistance could follow later.On Sunday, lawmakers involved in the negotiations said the direct payments would have to wait until after Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20. At that time, Biden will face a new Congress as vaccines are being distributed, with a narrowed Democratic majority in the House and a closely divided Senate potentially split 50-50 if Democrats are able to prevail in two runoff elections in Georgia on Jan. 5.Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said Sanders was not involved in the negotiations and “his characterization is just not accurate” about the potential liability protections for businesses. The direct payments, he said, will be a task for Biden.Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said the bipartisan group was focused on extending the most urgent aid for the next four months.“Every indication says more money is needed; we see that,” he said. “This gets us through basically the lifelines that people need and the small businesses that can survive and not go under.”Manchin said Biden’s team, when in power, “can put together a different proposal that takes us further down the road for more recovery.”Durbin spoke on ABC’s “This Week,” Cassidy appeared on “Fox News Sunday,” Warner was on CNN’s “State of the Union” and Manchin was interviewed on NBC’s “Meet the Press.