WASHINGTON (AP) —Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as president, stopping just short of the nationwide mandate he’s pushed before to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The move marks a notable shift from President Donald Trump, whose own skepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicization of the issue. That’s made many people reticent to embrace a practice that public health experts say is one of the easiest ways to manage the pandemic, which has killed more than 275,000 Americans.

The president-elect has frequently emphasized mask-wearing as a “patriotic duty” and during the campaign floated the idea of instituting a nationwide mask mandate, which he later acknowledged would be beyond the ability of the president to enforce.

Speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Biden said he would make the request of Americans on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

“On the first day I’m inaugurated, I’m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask. Just 100 days to mask — not forever, just 100 days. And I think we’ll see a significant reduction” in the virus, Biden said.

The president-elect reiterated his call for lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass a coronavirus aid bill and expressed support for a $900 billion compromise bill that a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced this week.

“That would be a good start. It’s not enough,” he said, adding, “I’m going to need to ask for more help.”

Biden has said his transition team is working on its own coronavirus relief package, and his aides have signaled they plan for that to be their first legislative push.

The president-elect also said he asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to stay on in his administration, “in the exact same role he’s had for the past several presidents,” as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert.

He said he’s asked Fauci to be a “chief medical adviser” as well as part of his COVID-19 advisory team.

Regarding a coronavirus vaccine, Biden offered begrudging credit for the work Trump’s administration has done in expediting the development of a vaccine but said that planning the distribution properly will be “critically important.”

“It’s a really difficult but doable project, but it has to be well planned, ” he said.

Part of the challenge the Biden administration will face in distributing the vaccine will be instilling public confidence in it. Biden said he’d be “happy” to get inoculated in public to assuage any concerns about its efficacy and safety. Three former presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — have said they’d also get vaccinated publicly to show that it’s safe.

“People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work,” Biden said, adding that “it matters what a president and the vice president do.”

In the same interview, Biden also weighed in on reports that Trump is considering pardons of himself and his allies.

“It concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden said.

Biden committed that his Justice Department will “operate independently” and that whoever he chooses to lead the department will have the “independent capacity to decide who gets investigated.”

“You’re not going to see in our administration that kind of approach to pardons, nor are you going to see in our administration the approach to making policy by tweets,” he said.

In addition to considering preemptive pardons, Trump has spent much of his time post-election trying to raise questions about an election he lost by millions of votes while his lawyers pursue baseless lawsuits alleging voter fraud in multiple states.

Republicans on Capitol Hill, meanwhile, have largely given the president cover, with many defending the lawsuits and few publicly congratulating Biden on his win.

But Biden said Thursday that he’s received private calls of congratulations from “more than several sitting Republican senators” and that he has confidence in his ability to cut bipartisan deals with Republicans despite the rancor that’s characterized the last four years on Capitol Hill.

Trump aides have expressed skepticism that the president, who continues to falsely claim victory and spread baseless claims of fraud, would attend Biden’s inauguration. Biden said Thursday night that he believes it’s “important” that Trump attend, largely to demonstrate the nation’s commitment to peaceful transfer of power between political rivals.

“It is totally his decision,” Biden said of Trump, adding, “It is of no personal consequence to me, but I think it is to the country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607037343523.png" alt="President-elect Joe Biden-&nbsp; courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>President-elect Joe Biden-&nbsp; courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as president, stopping just short of the nationwide mandate he’s pushed before to stop the spread of the coronavirus.The move marks a notable shift from President Donald Trump, whose own skepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicization of the issue. That’s made many people reticent to embrace a practice that public health experts say is one of the easiest ways to manage the pandemic, which has killed more than 275,000 Americans.The president-elect has frequently emphasized mask-wearing as a “patriotic duty” and during the campaign floated the idea of instituting a nationwide mask mandate, which he later acknowledged would be beyond the ability of the president to enforce.Speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Biden said he would make the request of Americans on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.“On the first day I’m inaugurated, I’m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask. Just 100 days to mask — not forever, just 100 days. And I think we’ll see a significant reduction” in the virus, Biden said.The president-elect reiterated his call for lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass a coronavirus aid bill and expressed support for a $900 billion compromise bill that a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced this week.“That would be a good start. It’s not enough,” he said, adding, “I’m going to need to ask for more help.”Biden has said his transition team is working on its own coronavirus relief package, and his aides have signaled they plan for that to be their first legislative push.The president-elect also said he asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to stay on in his administration, “in the exact same role he’s had for the past several presidents,” as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert.He said he’s asked Fauci to be a “chief medical adviser” as well as part of his COVID-19 advisory team.Regarding a coronavirus vaccine, Biden offered begrudging credit for the work Trump’s administration has done in expediting the development of a vaccine but said that planning the distribution properly will be “critically important.”“It’s a really difficult but doable project, but it has to be well planned, ” he said.Part of the challenge the Biden administration will face in distributing the vaccine will be instilling public confidence in it. Biden said he’d be “happy” to get inoculated in public to assuage any concerns about its efficacy and safety. Three former presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — have said they’d also get vaccinated publicly to show that it’s safe.“People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work,” Biden said, adding that “it matters what a president and the vice president do.”In the same interview, Biden also weighed in on reports that Trump is considering pardons of himself and his allies.“It concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden said.Biden committed that his Justice Department will “operate independently” and that whoever he chooses to lead the department will have the “independent capacity to decide who gets investigated.”“You’re not going to see in our administration that kind of approach to pardons, nor are you going to see in our administration the approach to making policy by tweets,” he said.In addition to considering preemptive pardons, Trump has spent much of his time post-election trying to raise questions about an election he lost by millions of votes while his lawyers pursue baseless lawsuits alleging voter fraud in multiple states.Republicans on Capitol Hill, meanwhile, have largely given the president cover, with many defending the lawsuits and few publicly congratulating Biden on his win.But Biden said Thursday that he’s received private calls of congratulations from “more than several sitting Republican senators” and that he has confidence in his ability to cut bipartisan deals with Republicans despite the rancor that’s characterized the last four years on Capitol Hill.Trump aides have expressed skepticism that the president, who continues to falsely claim victory and spread baseless claims of fraud, would attend Biden’s inauguration. Biden said Thursday night that he believes it’s “important” that Trump attend, largely to demonstrate the nation’s commitment to peaceful transfer of power between political rivals.“It is totally his decision,” Biden said of Trump, adding, “It is of no personal consequence to me, but I think it is to the country.”

Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects following&nbsp;an aggravated robbery.

Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the 2000 block of North Kansas Avenue on a report of an armed robbery, according to&nbsp;LT Shane Hilton.

The suspect reportedly entered the store, brandished a firearm and left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Based on descriptions from witnesses and the assistance of security camera footage, officers were able to develop a description of the suspect. The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Mason B. Mendoza was located by a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy in the area.

Officers arrested Mendoza and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Conspiracy

As a result of the investigation, officers arrested Tina L. Shotwell, 48, and booked her on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Conspiracy, Interference with LEO- Falsely reporting a felony intending to obstruct, Interference with LEO- Conceal/alter/destroy evidence in a felony case and a Misdemeanor Arrest Warrant, according to Lt. Hiton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607015729965.png" alt="Mendoza-Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Mendoza-Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects following&nbsp;an aggravated robbery.Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the 2000 block of North Kansas Avenue on a report of an armed robbery, according to&nbsp;LT Shane Hilton.The suspect reportedly entered the store, brandished a firearm and left with an undisclosed amount of money.Based on descriptions from witnesses and the assistance of security camera footage, officers were able to develop a description of the suspect. The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Mason B. Mendoza was located by a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy in the area.Officers arrested Mendoza and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Conspiracy<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607015660210.png" alt="Shotwell-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Shotwell-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a result of the investigation, officers arrested Tina L. Shotwell, 48, and booked her on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Conspiracy, Interference with LEO- Falsely reporting a felony intending to obstruct, Interference with LEO- Conceal/alter/destroy evidence in a felony case and a Misdemeanor Arrest Warrant, according to Lt. Hiton.

Security camera footage leads to Kan. armed robbery arrest

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man who was sentenced to death after videotaping the sexual torture of two women before killing them has died in prison, the Missouri Department of Corrections said.

Richard Davis, 56, formerly of Independence, died Tuesday of natural causes. He had been imprisoned at the Potosi Correctional Center and was hospitalized for more than two weeks before his death, a department spokeswoman said.

Davis was sentenced to death following his August 2008 convictions in the death of 41-year-old Marsha Spice. Davis and his then-girlfriend, Dena Riley later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-archive-independence-michael-brown-b255254b804248be92345fcffc7ee9c3">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to murder and other charges linked to the killing of 36-year-old Michelle Huff-Ricci.

Prosecutors said the two videotaped themselves assaulting the two women to fulfill Davis' sexual fantasies.

Spicer's nude body was found in a shallow grave in Lafayette County. Authorities said Davis and Riley tortured and raped Huff-Ricci and then set her body on fire in a Clay County field.

In 2016, the Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6607250bd40445b1b4b583b2395d49ad">rejected Davis' appeal</a>&nbsp;of his conviction and death sentence.

Riley is serving multiple life sentences. She is also serving a federal life sentence in Kansas for kidnapping a 5-year-old girl during the eight days she and Davis were on the run before their capture in southwestern Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607031351146.png" alt="Davis-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Davis-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man who was sentenced to death after videotaping the sexual torture of two women before killing them has died in prison, the Missouri Department of Corrections said.Richard Davis, 56, formerly of Independence, died Tuesday of natural causes. He had been imprisoned at the Potosi Correctional Center and was hospitalized for more than two weeks before his death, a department spokeswoman said.Davis was sentenced to death following his August 2008 convictions in the death of 41-year-old Marsha Spice. Davis and his then-girlfriend, Dena Riley later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-archive-independence-michael-brown-b255254b804248be92345fcffc7ee9c3">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to murder and other charges linked to the killing of 36-year-old Michelle Huff-Ricci.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607033075743.png" alt="Riley is also serving a federal life sentence in Kansas for kidnapping a 5-year-old girl -photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Riley is also serving a federal life sentence in Kansas for kidnapping a 5-year-old girl -photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors said the two videotaped themselves assaulting the two women to fulfill Davis' sexual fantasies.Spicer's nude body was found in a shallow grave in Lafayette County. Authorities said Davis and Riley tortured and raped Huff-Ricci and then set her body on fire in a Clay County field.In 2016, the Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6607250bd40445b1b4b583b2395d49ad">rejected Davis' appeal</a>&nbsp;of his conviction and death sentence.Riley is serving multiple life sentences. She is also serving a federal life sentence in Kansas for kidnapping a 5-year-old girl during the eight days she and Davis were on the run before their capture in southwestern Missouri.

Inmate who videotaped sexual torture-murders dies

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two women in drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 4p.m. Monday, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a northbound 2007 Dodge Charge for a traffic violation near 262nd and U.S. Highway 75 north of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp;During the investigation of the traffic stop, the deputy located illegal drugs and paraphernalia.  The driver and passenger of the vehicle were subsequently arrested.  A quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and U.S. currency was seized from the vehicle. 

 The driver, Shakeita Tocara Young, 31, of Topeka was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and transporting an open container. 

The passenger, Melissa Reser Young, 49, of Topeka was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and transporting an open container.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607000440621.png" alt="Young photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Young photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two women in drug charges after a traffic stop.Just after 4p.m. Monday, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a northbound 2007 Dodge Charge for a traffic violation near 262nd and U.S. Highway 75 north of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;During the investigation of the traffic stop, the deputy located illegal drugs and paraphernalia. The driver and passenger of the vehicle were subsequently arrested. A quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and U.S. currency was seized from the vehicle. The driver, Shakeita Tocara Young, 31, of Topeka was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and transporting an open container. The passenger, Melissa Reser Young, 49, of Topeka was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and transporting an open container.

Sheriff: 2 Kan. women accused of drug distribution

By TOM SHINE <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/pizza-hut-co-founder-frank-carney-remembered-entrepreneurial-spirit">Kansas News Service</a>

When Wichita University students Frank and Dan Carney opened their first Pizza Hut, they had simple ambitions.

"In
 1958, we started it to pay our way through college," Frank Carney said 
in an interview from the 1970s, after the company had grown into the 
largest pizza restaurant chain in the world.

Frank Carney, a legendary Wichita entrepreneur, died Wednesday. He was 82.

Kansas
 Gov. Laura Kelly said Carney was "one of Kansas' most notable 
entrepreneurs," and Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner 
called him "a fantastic person" whose company "created incredible value 
for our community and worldwide."

Pizza Hut was a source of local
 pride for Wichitans for decades, even after it was acquired by PepsiCo 
in 1977. It was mentioned along with other venerable Wichita business 
brands as Beech, Cessna, Coleman, Learjet and Koch.

The Carney brothers borrowed $600 from their mother to open their 
first restaurant in 1958 at Kellogg and Bluff. They named it "Pizza Hut"
 because the sign on the building only had room for eight letters. The 
original restaurant is now a museum on the Wichita State University 
campus, filled with personal memorabilia from the Carneys.

Bill 
Kentling, then a college student, worked alongside Carney in the 
original Pizza Hut in 1959. He later worked with him in the company’s 
towering corporate headquarters in east Wichita.

When Carney and a group of investors bought the Wichita Wings indoor soccer team, Kentling became the team’s general manager.

He said part of Pizza Hut’s success was that the Carney brothers were always looking ahead.

"Frank
 and Dan Carney always knew the next logical step," Kentling said. 
"Whether that was a new product, a decision to put in a salad bar or to 
have different kinds of crusts, they always knew the next logical step.

"I've never known Frank Carney to not do the right thing."

The Carney brothers began franchising the restaurant a year after it 
opened, initially to friends and acquaintances. By 1971, it was the 
largest pizza chain in the world and dominated the industry for decades.

Today, Pizza Hut has more than 19,000 restaurants in 100 countries, though Domino’s has surpassed it in terms of revenue.

Carney later became an owner in some Papa John’s pizza franchises.

Kentling
 said Carney’s legacy will include "helping make Wichita famous, whether
 that was with Pizza Hut or the Wichita Wings or his devotion to Wichita
 State University."

"This is a guy who never moved to Boston or LA or Chicago. He lived out his life in Wichita, Kansas."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607029886365.png" alt="Frank Carney, right, and his brother, Dan, stand outside the first Pizza Hut restaurant. Frank died Dec. 2 at the age of 82. Courtesy" />
 <figcaption>Frank Carney, right, and his brother, Dan, stand outside the first Pizza Hut restaurant. Frank died Dec. 2 at the age of 82. Courtesy</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOM SHINE <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/pizza-hut-co-founder-frank-carney-remembered-entrepreneurial-spirit">Kansas News Service</a>When Wichita University students Frank and Dan Carney opened their first Pizza Hut, they had simple ambitions."In
 1958, we started it to pay our way through college," Frank Carney said 
in an interview from the 1970s, after the company had grown into the 
largest pizza restaurant chain in the world.Frank Carney, a legendary Wichita entrepreneur, died Wednesday. He was 82.Kansas
 Gov. Laura Kelly said Carney was "one of Kansas' most notable 
entrepreneurs," and Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner 
called him "a fantastic person" whose company "created incredible value 
for our community and worldwide."Pizza Hut was a source of local
 pride for Wichitans for decades, even after it was acquired by PepsiCo 
in 1977. It was mentioned along with other venerable Wichita business 
brands as Beech, Cessna, Coleman, Learjet and Koch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607029944125.png" alt=" Frank Carney, right, and his brother, Dan, founded Pizza Hut in 1958 when they were students at what was then the University of Wichita. Credit Courtesy Dan Carney" />
 <figcaption> Frank Carney, right, and his brother, Dan, founded Pizza Hut in 1958 when they were students at what was then the University of Wichita. Credit Courtesy Dan Carney</figcaption>
 </figure>The Carney brothers borrowed $600 from their mother to open their 
first restaurant in 1958 at Kellogg and Bluff. They named it "Pizza Hut"
 because the sign on the building only had room for eight letters. The 
original restaurant is now a museum on the Wichita State University 
campus, filled with personal memorabilia from the Carneys.Bill 
Kentling, then a college student, worked alongside Carney in the 
original Pizza Hut in 1959. He later worked with him in the company’s 
towering corporate headquarters in east Wichita.When Carney and a group of investors bought the Wichita Wings indoor soccer team, Kentling became the team’s general manager.He said part of Pizza Hut’s success was that the Carney brothers were always looking ahead."Frank
 and Dan Carney always knew the next logical step," Kentling said. 
"Whether that was a new product, a decision to put in a salad bar or to 
have different kinds of crusts, they always knew the next logical step."I've never known Frank Carney to not do the right thing."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607029970068.png" alt="Frank, left, and Dan Carney / courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Frank, left, and Dan Carney / courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The Carney brothers began franchising the restaurant a year after it 
opened, initially to friends and acquaintances. By 1971, it was the 
largest pizza chain in the world and dominated the industry for decades.Today, Pizza Hut has more than 19,000 restaurants in 100 countries, though Domino’s has surpassed it in terms of revenue.Carney later became an owner in some Papa John’s pizza franchises.Kentling
 said Carney’s legacy will include "helping make Wichita famous, whether
 that was with Pizza Hut or the Wichita Wings or his devotion to Wichita
 State University.""This is a guy who never moved to Boston or LA or Chicago. He lived out his life in Wichita, Kansas."

Pizza Hut co-founder remembered for entrepreneurial spirit 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas county on Thursday rejected part of the new federal and state guidelines for shortening the time people are quarantined after they’re possibly exposed to COVID-19.

New guidance Wednesday from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people who’ve been exposed to coronavirus and show no systems but don’t get tested can end their quarantines after 10 days, instead of 14. The new guidance also says a person without symptoms who tests negative can end a quarantine after seven days. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment adopted that guidance, though its top administrator, Dr. Lee Norman, said it is still urging people to remain quarantined for 14 days.

Shawnee County will allow people without COVID-19 symptoms who’ve not been tested to shorten their quarantines to 10 days, Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, the county’s health officer, said Thursday. But he said it will not allow people who’ve tested negative to leave quarantine after seven days.

Pezzino said the testing system is stressed in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, and the the county does not want to overload it.

Also, he said, the spread of COVID-19 remains “uncontrolled” locally. The state health department said Shawnee County had nearly 4,100 new confirmed or probable coronavirus cases in November, more than during previous eight months of the pandemic. As of Wednesday, the county had almost 8,200 cases total and 139 deaths, according to the state health department.

“We are still at a very high level,” Pezzino said. “It is still an enormous amount of cases.”

Two of Shawnee County’s three county commissioners went into quarantine within the past week, something that will force the commission to meet virtually. Commissioner Kevin Cook, a Democrat, is in quarantine because his wife tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20201203/commissioner-cook-enters-quarantine-two-of-three-shawnee-county-commissioners-are-now-quarantining-at-home" target="_blank">The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.</a>&nbsp;The wife of Commissioner Aaron Mays, also tested positive; he tested negative but will remain quarantined.

The state health department has reported more than 162,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases and 1,679 deaths in Kansas since the pandemic began.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this month will consider authorizing emergency use of two-dose vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, though the first doses will be rationed and it will likely be months before vaccines are available to everybody.

The state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1533/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan-for-Kansas-Version12-1142020?bidId=" target="_blank">coronavirus vaccine plan</a>&nbsp;calls for providing the vaccine first to health care workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.

In south-central Kansas, Reno County commissioners said the state should consider public and private school employees high-risk workers and give them priority for vaccinations right after health care workers. The three commissioners agreed to send a letter to the state health department,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchnews.com/news/20201203/county-commission-asks-that-school-staff-receive-vaccine-priority" target="_blank">The Hutchinson News reported.</a>

Meanwhile, a majority of the inmates Kansas is housing in a privately run Arizona prison have coronavirus.

The Kansas Department of Corrections said Thursday there were 77 active coronavirus cases among the inmates housed out-of-state as of Monday. The department said it is housing 118 offenders at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. It has moved inmates there to prevent crowding in Kansas state prisons.

The Saguaro prison is operated by CoreCivic, a large private corrections company based in the Nashville area. The company also designed and built a new prison for the state in Lansing to replace an aging facility there that had first opened in the 1860s.

Department spokeswoman Carol Pitts said the numbers of cases among Kansas inmates at the Arizona prison appears consistent with numbers for outbreaks in Kansas prisons. Since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March, the department has reported more than 4,800 cases and 11 deaths among inmates and nearly 800 cases and three deaths among staff at its prisons for adult offenders.

CoreCivic spokesman Steve Owen said in an email that the company “rigorously followed” local, state and federal health guidelines before its the first case in one of its facilities was confirmed.

“We’re continuing to work closely our government partners to enhance procedures as needed,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607034633410.png" alt="Central Arizona Detention Center - Google image" />
 <figcaption>Central Arizona Detention Center - Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas county on Thursday rejected part of the new federal and state guidelines for shortening the time people are quarantined after they’re possibly exposed to COVID-19.New guidance Wednesday from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people who’ve been exposed to coronavirus and show no systems but don’t get tested can end their quarantines after 10 days, instead of 14. The new guidance also says a person without symptoms who tests negative can end a quarantine after seven days. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment adopted that guidance, though its top administrator, Dr. Lee Norman, said it is still urging people to remain quarantined for 14 days.Shawnee County will allow people without COVID-19 symptoms who’ve not been tested to shorten their quarantines to 10 days, Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, the county’s health officer, said Thursday. But he said it will not allow people who’ve tested negative to leave quarantine after seven days.Pezzino said the testing system is stressed in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, and the the county does not want to overload it.Also, he said, the spread of COVID-19 remains “uncontrolled” locally. The state health department said Shawnee County had nearly 4,100 new confirmed or probable coronavirus cases in November, more than during previous eight months of the pandemic. As of Wednesday, the county had almost 8,200 cases total and 139 deaths, according to the state health department.“We are still at a very high level,” Pezzino said. “It is still an enormous amount of cases.”Two of Shawnee County’s three county commissioners went into quarantine within the past week, something that will force the commission to meet virtually. Commissioner Kevin Cook, a Democrat, is in quarantine because his wife tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20201203/commissioner-cook-enters-quarantine-two-of-three-shawnee-county-commissioners-are-now-quarantining-at-home" target="_blank">The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.</a>&nbsp;The wife of Commissioner Aaron Mays, also tested positive; he tested negative but will remain quarantined.The state health department has reported more than 162,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases and 1,679 deaths in Kansas since the pandemic began.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this month will consider authorizing emergency use of two-dose vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, though the first doses will be rationed and it will likely be months before vaccines are available to everybody.The state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1533/COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan-for-Kansas-Version12-1142020?bidId=" target="_blank">coronavirus vaccine plan</a>&nbsp;calls for providing the vaccine first to health care workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.In south-central Kansas, Reno County commissioners said the state should consider public and private school employees high-risk workers and give them priority for vaccinations right after health care workers. The three commissioners agreed to send a letter to the state health department,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchnews.com/news/20201203/county-commission-asks-that-school-staff-receive-vaccine-priority" target="_blank">The Hutchinson News reported.</a>Meanwhile, a majority of the inmates Kansas is housing in a privately run Arizona prison have coronavirus.The Kansas Department of Corrections said Thursday there were 77 active coronavirus cases among the inmates housed out-of-state as of Monday. The department said it is housing 118 offenders at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. It has moved inmates there to prevent crowding in Kansas state prisons.The Saguaro prison is operated by CoreCivic, a large private corrections company based in the Nashville area. The company also designed and built a new prison for the state in Lansing to replace an aging facility there that had first opened in the 1860s.Department spokeswoman Carol Pitts said the numbers of cases among Kansas inmates at the Arizona prison appears consistent with numbers for outbreaks in Kansas prisons. Since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March, the department has reported more than 4,800 cases and 11 deaths among inmates and nearly 800 cases and three deaths among staff at its prisons for adult offenders.CoreCivic spokesman Steve Owen said in an email that the company “rigorously followed” local, state and federal health guidelines before its the first case in one of its facilities was confirmed.“We’re continuing to work closely our government partners to enhance procedures as needed,” he said.

Majority of Kan. inmates housed in Arizona have COVID-19

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed neglect and misconduct charges against three employees of a tourist boat that sank on a Table Rock Lake in 2018, killing 17 people.

U.S. District Judge Doug Harpool filed an order Wednesday upholding a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1d63520a5bd42de33be53338a2ad893c">recommendation made in September</a>.

Kenneth Scott McKee, of Verona, the captain of the duck boat; Curtis Lanham, of Galena, the general manager of the boat’s operator, Ride the Ducks Branson; and Charles Baltzell, of Kirbyville, the manager on duty that day, were charged with neglect and misconduct after the amphibious vehicle sank during a storm on Table Rock Lake near Branson. McKee also was charged with failure to properly assess the weather before launching the boat and not telling passengers to use flotation devices.

The boat had entered the lake on July, 19, 2018, despite severe weather warnings. Riders from Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Arkansas were killed; 14 people survived.

U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush ruled in September that the federal government does not have jurisdiction because Table Rock Lake is not considered a navigable waterway, which means it doesn’t support commerce.

“While the events of July 19, 2018 remain an unfortunate accident and tragedy we’re pleased that both Judge Harpool and Magistrate Judge Rush have sustained the admiralty dismissal motion,” McKee's attorneys, J.R. Hobbs and Marilyn Keller, said in a statement.

Federal prosecutors could appeal the dismissal. Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Kansas City, said the office would not comment on the judge's decision.

Ripley Entertainment, which owned the former World War II vehicle,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/420785b69c8f264a7f0048e580bee3bf">settled 31 lawsuits related to the sinking</a>. The boats, once a popular draw in the southwest Missouri tourist town, have not returned to the lake since the sinking.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573695624494.png" alt="Photo courtesy National Transportation Safety Board" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy National Transportation Safety Board</figcaption>
 </figure>LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed neglect and misconduct charges against three employees of a tourist boat that sank on a Table Rock Lake in 2018, killing 17 people.U.S. District Judge Doug Harpool filed an order Wednesday upholding a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1d63520a5bd42de33be53338a2ad893c">recommendation made in September</a>.Kenneth Scott McKee, of Verona, the captain of the duck boat; Curtis Lanham, of Galena, the general manager of the boat’s operator, Ride the Ducks Branson; and Charles Baltzell, of Kirbyville, the manager on duty that day, were charged with neglect and misconduct after the amphibious vehicle sank during a storm on Table Rock Lake near Branson. McKee also was charged with failure to properly assess the weather before launching the boat and not telling passengers to use flotation devices.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563393605763.png" alt="First responders on the scene the night of the tragedy-photo courtesy KYTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene the night of the tragedy-photo courtesy KYTV</figcaption>
 </figure>The boat had entered the lake on July, 19, 2018, despite severe weather warnings. Riders from Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Arkansas were killed; 14 people survived.U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush ruled in September that the federal government does not have jurisdiction because Table Rock Lake is not considered a navigable waterway, which means it doesn’t support commerce.“While the events of July 19, 2018 remain an unfortunate accident and tragedy we’re pleased that both Judge Harpool and Magistrate Judge Rush have sustained the admiralty dismissal motion,” McKee's attorneys, J.R. Hobbs and Marilyn Keller, said in a statement.Federal prosecutors could appeal the dismissal. Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Kansas City, said the office would not comment on the judge's decision.Ripley Entertainment, which owned the former World War II vehicle,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/420785b69c8f264a7f0048e580bee3bf">settled 31 lawsuits related to the sinking</a>. The boats, once a popular draw in the southwest Missouri tourist town, have not returned to the lake since the sinking.

Judge dismisses criminal case in Missouri duck boat tragedy

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Waddell &amp; Reed Financial, a Kansas investment and wealth management company, will be sold to an Australian firm for $1.7 billion.

Macquarie Asset Management, an arm of Australia’s Macquarie Group, announced late Wednesday that it will buy all outstanding shares of Waddell and Reed for $25 apiece.

Macquarie plans to sell Waddell &amp; Reed’s wealth management platform to Boston’s LPL Financial Holdings for $300 million when the deal closes, the companies said.

The sale has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close by mid-2021, pending regulatory approval.

Waddell &amp; Reed, based in Overland Park, Kansas, has provided investment and wealth management services throughout the U.S. since 1937.

Philip Sanders, CEO of Waddell &amp; Reed Financial, Inc., said in a prepared statement that the partnership with Macquarie and LPL will help the company accelerate its goal of transitioning to a more diversified and growth-oriented financial services company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607016123211.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Waddell &amp; Reed Financial, a Kansas investment and wealth management company, will be sold to an Australian firm for $1.7 billion.Macquarie Asset Management, an arm of Australia’s Macquarie Group, announced late Wednesday that it will buy all outstanding shares of Waddell and Reed for $25 apiece.Macquarie plans to sell Waddell &amp; Reed’s wealth management platform to Boston’s LPL Financial Holdings for $300 million when the deal closes, the companies said.The sale has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close by mid-2021, pending regulatory approval.Waddell &amp; Reed, based in Overland Park, Kansas, has provided investment and wealth management services throughout the U.S. since 1937.Philip Sanders, CEO of Waddell &amp; Reed Financial, Inc., said in a prepared statement that the partnership with Macquarie and LPL will help the company accelerate its goal of transitioning to a more diversified and growth-oriented financial services company.

Australian firm to buy Kansas-based Waddell & Reed

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-02/its-becoming-increasingly-hard-to-find-a-nursing-home-in-kansas-where-coronavirus-hasnt-shown-up">Kansas News Service</a>

Dozens of Kansas nursing homes still wait three days to a week for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-16/testing-bottlenecks-again-gripping-u-s-with-coronavirus-surging" target="_blank">overwhelmed labs</a> to tell them if their residents have COVID-19.

As of mid-November, 30 facilities had less than a week’s worth of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/news/n-95-shortage-covid/?no_nav=true&amp;p9w22b2p=b2p22p9w00098&amp;tid=a_classic-iphone" target="_blank">N95 masks</a> on hand. Another 100-plus didn’t have enough nurses.

Nine months into a pandemic that has proven most deadly to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html" target="_blank">older people</a>, Kansas nursing homes tell federal regulators they’re still struggling to get the basic tools of defense.

Perhaps
 most disturbing of all — as the virus rages in cities, suburbs and 
rural towns — nursing homes simply can’t keep coronavirus out. Two-thirds of them have had confirmed cases among their residents.

Things
 were bad enough in August and September, when Kansas long-term care 
facilities were fighting around 40 to 60 active coronavirus outbreaks 
(meaning two or more cases) at any given time.

October and November brought <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-11-16/kansas-hospitals-seek-help-from-nearby-states-but-the-whole-midwest-is-struggling-with-a-covid-surge" target="_blank">a vicious surge</a> of the disease. Now, in early December, facilities are dealing with more than 200 ongoing outbreaks.

That
 escalation brought the virus to the Centennial Homestead in rural 
Washington County along the border with Nebraska. Centennial had managed
 to keep the disease out. Until late October.

“Once it’s in your 
building, you beat yourself up,” said Haely Ordoyne, who co-owns and 
runs the 30-bed home. “How could this happen? How did it get in? Where 
did we go wrong?”

And that followed months of isolation and constant fear of a potential outbreak.

“You
 have PTSD in residents and in their families,” she said. “And I 
guarantee that my staff has some form of PTSD after this is all said and
 done.”

Centennial gets five out of five stars on the federal 
government’s nursing home rating, with two low-level citations on its 
last annual inspection, compared to a national average of eight.

In July, a federal inspection found Centennial was following best practices to control infections amid the ongoing pandemic.

During
 the summer months, about one in five Kansas nursing homes didn’t have 
enough nurses. Now, a third of them are in that boat.

Even outbreaks that don’t infect residents sideline employees who need to go into quarantine.

Meanwhile, nursing homes experiencing outbreaks need more staff — not less — to maintain strict separation of their “COVID” and “non-COVID” wings.

“Every
 day is tooth-and-nail” trying to bring in enough workers, Ordoyne said.
 That means finding temporary workers willing to drive in, usually from 
other counties.

Like many nursing homes, Centennial turned to 
temporary staffing agencies for help. But they can charge four times the
 normal going rate.

“We’re not just bleeding,” Ordoyne said. “We are hemorrhaging.”

Nursing homes received federal stimulus funds to help, but part of the problem is they don’t know when that money will run out.

The holidays risk spurring even wider community spread. That could fuel yet more outbreaks and sideline more workers.

Meanwhile, problems that nursing homes hoped would be resolved months ago haven’t gone away.

High-quality coronavirus testing can run upward of $100 a pop. <a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Gloves and other protective gear</a> continue to sell for several times what they cost before the pandemic.

“The
 last couple of months, the shortage has been on gloves,” said Debra 
Harmon Zehr, who heads the nonprofit nursing home association, 
LeadingAge Kansas. “Three months ago it was hospital gowns.”

“It’s
 sporadic,” she said. Just when it seems the pipeline is fixed, a 
different item becomes scarce. “And you think, ‘Well, that wasn't a 
problem a week ago.’”

<a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>
 reports the problem remains especially acute for small health care 
providers, who struggle to compete with major health systems stockpiling
 supplies.

To Zehr, it drives home the nation’s poor preparation for a pandemic, for which older people are paying the dearest price.

“When
 it actually happened, any (government) plans that had been made and any
 systems that were supposedly put in place failed miserably,” she said.

Coronavirus
 is now so widespread in Kansas that almost every nursing home in the 
state has to test its workers twice weekly for the virus. Federal 
regulations require it.

Workers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03141-3" target="_blank">without any symptoms</a> can unwittingly carry the coronavirus into nursing homes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent out <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-18/kansas-nursing-homes-still-waiting-on-coronavirus-testing-gear-from-the-feds-and-cant-afford-labs" target="_blank">small machines</a>
 for on-site testing. But as of mid-November, two dozen Kansas nursing 
homes told regulators they still don’t have any such device or enough 
supplies to use it.

Regardless, those machines — and, more recently, federal shipments of <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-are-racing-to-develop-paper-based-tests-for-covid-19-180975640/" target="_blank">paperstrip COVID tests</a> that don’t require electronic hardware — are only used until a coronavirus case has been confirmed in a building.

At that point, nursing homes turn to outside labs for <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics" target="_blank">PCR tests</a>, a far more sensitive tool that long-term care facilities can’t afford on a daily basis.

But
 from the start of the pandemic, high demand backlogged the labs that 
conduct PCR tests. That led to long waits for results. Forty-one nursing
 homes in Kansas say they still wait three to seven days for results 
when they test residents.

Centennial is one of them. It’s had to wait between three and five days for results.

It
 sent samples hours away to a major lab in the Kansas City area after 
its on-site rapid tests uncovered a single asymptomatic case. The PCR 
tests revealed several more cases among people who had tested negative 
with rapid tests.

Soon people started showing symptoms. Ultimately, 18 residents and 18 workers tested positive. Four residents have died.

The
 state recently began helping more nursing homes with PCR testing, but 
it’s unclear how far that program funded with federal stimulus dollars 
will stretch.

Statewide, the more than 200 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Kansas long-term care facilities have taken 360 lives so far.

Combined
 with other outbreaks that have already ended, the virus’ toll in 
nursing homes and similar facilities makes up more than 750 of the 
nearly <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">1,700 pandemic deaths</a> in Kansas.

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/2020/12/1606943297876.png" alt="Samples undergo coronavirus testing at a lab that usually turns results within 24 hours. Nine months into the pandemic, dozens of Kansas nursing homes are still struggling with access to fast testing. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Samples undergo coronavirus testing at a lab that usually turns results within 24 hours. Nine months into the pandemic, dozens of Kansas nursing homes are still struggling with access to fast testing. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-02/its-becoming-increasingly-hard-to-find-a-nursing-home-in-kansas-where-coronavirus-hasnt-shown-up">Kansas News Service</a>Dozens of Kansas nursing homes still wait three days to a week for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-16/testing-bottlenecks-again-gripping-u-s-with-coronavirus-surging" target="_blank">overwhelmed labs</a> to tell them if their residents have COVID-19.As of mid-November, 30 facilities had less than a week’s worth of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/news/n-95-shortage-covid/?no_nav=true&amp;p9w22b2p=b2p22p9w00098&amp;tid=a_classic-iphone" target="_blank">N95 masks</a> on hand. Another 100-plus didn’t have enough nurses.Nine months into a pandemic that has proven most deadly to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html" target="_blank">older people</a>, Kansas nursing homes tell federal regulators they’re still struggling to get the basic tools of defense.Perhaps
 most disturbing of all — as the virus rages in cities, suburbs and 
rural towns — nursing homes simply can’t keep coronavirus out. Two-thirds of them have had confirmed cases among their residents.Things
 were bad enough in August and September, when Kansas long-term care 
facilities were fighting around 40 to 60 active coronavirus outbreaks 
(meaning two or more cases) at any given time.October and November brought <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-11-16/kansas-hospitals-seek-help-from-nearby-states-but-the-whole-midwest-is-struggling-with-a-covid-surge" target="_blank">a vicious surge</a> of the disease. Now, in early December, facilities are dealing with more than 200 ongoing outbreaks.That
 escalation brought the virus to the Centennial Homestead in rural 
Washington County along the border with Nebraska. Centennial had managed
 to keep the disease out. Until late October.“Once it’s in your 
building, you beat yourself up,” said Haely Ordoyne, who co-owns and 
runs the 30-bed home. “How could this happen? How did it get in? Where 
did we go wrong?”And that followed months of isolation and constant fear of a potential outbreak.“You
 have PTSD in residents and in their families,” she said. “And I 
guarantee that my staff has some form of PTSD after this is all said and
 done.”Centennial gets five out of five stars on the federal 
government’s nursing home rating, with two low-level citations on its 
last annual inspection, compared to a national average of eight.In July, a federal inspection found Centennial was following best practices to control infections amid the ongoing pandemic.<h2>Sidelined by the virus</h2>During
 the summer months, about one in five Kansas nursing homes didn’t have 
enough nurses. Now, a third of them are in that boat.Even outbreaks that don’t infect residents sideline employees who need to go into quarantine.Meanwhile, nursing homes experiencing outbreaks need more staff — not less — to maintain strict separation of their “COVID” and “non-COVID” wings.“Every
 day is tooth-and-nail” trying to bring in enough workers, Ordoyne said.
 That means finding temporary workers willing to drive in, usually from 
other counties.Like many nursing homes, Centennial turned to 
temporary staffing agencies for help. But they can charge four times the
 normal going rate.“We’re not just bleeding,” Ordoyne said. “We are hemorrhaging.”Nursing homes received federal stimulus funds to help, but part of the problem is they don’t know when that money will run out.The holidays risk spurring even wider community spread. That could fuel yet more outbreaks and sideline more workers.Meanwhile, problems that nursing homes hoped would be resolved months ago haven’t gone away.High-quality coronavirus testing can run upward of $100 a pop. <a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Gloves and other protective gear</a> continue to sell for several times what they cost before the pandemic.“The
 last couple of months, the shortage has been on gloves,” said Debra 
Harmon Zehr, who heads the nonprofit nursing home association, 
LeadingAge Kansas. “Three months ago it was hospital gowns.”“It’s
 sporadic,” she said. Just when it seems the pipeline is fixed, a 
different item becomes scarce. “And you think, ‘Well, that wasn't a 
problem a week ago.’”<a href="https://khn.org/news/n95-mask-stockpile-orders-hurt-nursing-homes-small-providers/" target="_blank">Kaiser Health News</a>
 reports the problem remains especially acute for small health care 
providers, who struggle to compete with major health systems stockpiling
 supplies.To Zehr, it drives home the nation’s poor preparation for a pandemic, for which older people are paying the dearest price.“When
 it actually happened, any (government) plans that had been made and any
 systems that were supposedly put in place failed miserably,” she said.<h2>Testing conundrum</h2>Coronavirus
 is now so widespread in Kansas that almost every nursing home in the 
state has to test its workers twice weekly for the virus. Federal 
regulations require it.Workers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03141-3" target="_blank">without any symptoms</a> can unwittingly carry the coronavirus into nursing homes.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent out <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-18/kansas-nursing-homes-still-waiting-on-coronavirus-testing-gear-from-the-feds-and-cant-afford-labs" target="_blank">small machines</a>
 for on-site testing. But as of mid-November, two dozen Kansas nursing 
homes told regulators they still don’t have any such device or enough 
supplies to use it.Regardless, those machines — and, more recently, federal shipments of <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-are-racing-to-develop-paper-based-tests-for-covid-19-180975640/" target="_blank">paperstrip COVID tests</a> that don’t require electronic hardware — are only used until a coronavirus case has been confirmed in a building.At that point, nursing homes turn to outside labs for <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics" target="_blank">PCR tests</a>, a far more sensitive tool that long-term care facilities can’t afford on a daily basis.But
 from the start of the pandemic, high demand backlogged the labs that 
conduct PCR tests. That led to long waits for results. Forty-one nursing
 homes in Kansas say they still wait three to seven days for results 
when they test residents.Centennial is one of them. It’s had to wait between three and five days for results.It
 sent samples hours away to a major lab in the Kansas City area after 
its on-site rapid tests uncovered a single asymptomatic case. The PCR 
tests revealed several more cases among people who had tested negative 
with rapid tests.Soon people started showing symptoms. Ultimately, 18 residents and 18 workers tested positive. Four residents have died.The
 state recently began helping more nursing homes with PCR testing, but 
it’s unclear how far that program funded with federal stimulus dollars 
will stretch.Statewide, the more than 200 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Kansas long-term care facilities have taken 360 lives so far.Combined
 with other outbreaks that have already ended, the virus’ toll in 
nursing homes and similar facilities makes up more than 750 of the 
nearly <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">1,700 pandemic deaths</a> in Kansas.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.

Kan. nursing homes struggle to keep coronavirus out

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin will not be allowed to meet in person with his lawyers until health officials testify on the issue, a judge ruled on This week.

Garland Nelson, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d979d903133f475f941d1be6a8ce5fe3">charged</a>&nbsp;with two counts of first-degree murder and abandoning a corpse in the deaths of 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel and Justin Diemel, 24, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers disappeared in July 2019 after visiting Nelson's farm north of Kansas City to discuss a cattle deal.

Nelson has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9ec813dce6b49739ce4cefe408145fd3">seeking the death penalty&nbsp;</a>in the case. No trial date has been set.

Nelson has not been able to meet with his attorneys in person in the Caldwell County Jail because of coronavirus-related restrictions. They argued in a motion that they need to have personal meetings because Nelson faces such serious charges.

“I understand why you’d want to meet in person,” Johnson County Judge Michael Wagner said during a hearing Tuesday. ”(However) I’m not a medical professional... we’re missing someone here and I’d like to hear from the Caldwell County health department.”

Wagner set a Dec. 22 hearing that will include testimony from public health official.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565280147807.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin will not be allowed to meet in person with his lawyers until health officials testify on the issue, a judge ruled on This week.Garland Nelson, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d979d903133f475f941d1be6a8ce5fe3">charged</a>&nbsp;with two counts of first-degree murder and abandoning a corpse in the deaths of 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel and Justin Diemel, 24, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers disappeared in July 2019 after visiting Nelson's farm north of Kansas City to discuss a cattle deal.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564610122687.png" alt="Nelson-photo Caldwell Co." />
 <figcaption>Nelson-photo Caldwell Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9ec813dce6b49739ce4cefe408145fd3">seeking the death penalty&nbsp;</a>in the case. No trial date has been set.Nelson has not been able to meet with his attorneys in person in the Caldwell County Jail because of coronavirus-related restrictions. They argued in a motion that they need to have personal meetings because Nelson faces such serious charges.“I understand why you’d want to meet in person,” Johnson County Judge Michael Wagner said during a hearing Tuesday. ”(However) I’m not a medical professional... we’re missing someone here and I’d like to hear from the Caldwell County health department.”Wagner set a Dec. 22 hearing that will include testimony from public health official.

Judge: No contact meetings for suspect in brothers' deaths

WICHITA&nbsp;– The Kansas 
Leadership Center has launched <a href="https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/kansas-leadership-center-aims-to-mobilize-and-inspire-kansans-to-beat-the-virus-with-public-health-intervention/">“Kansas Beats the Virus”</a> 
(#KSBeatsTheVirus), a statewide, bi-partisan public health intervention 
to activate and connect local leadership to combat COVID-19. A 
partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the 
effort was announced on November 18 at Governor Laura Kelly’s press 
conference as part of her administration’s “all-of-the-above” strategy 
to keep Kansans healthy, keep schools and businesses open and protect 
Kansas’ economy.

“We’re honored that KDHE and Governor 
Kelly, with the support of the Kansas Legislature, have called on KLC to
 help mobilize Kansans for the purpose and challenge of a century. We’re
 charging our statewide network of partners and 12,000 leadership 
program graduates to lead virtual, non-partisan meetings that generate 
local support and stimulate concrete action to slow the spread of the 
virus. In less than a week since the Governor announced this initiative,
 partners and alums have stepped up and agreed to host more than 650 
meetings in local communities. There will be hundreds more over the 
weeks to come,” said Ed O’Malley, president and CEO of the Kansas 
Leadership Center.

“This new partnership with the Kansas 
Leadership Center is going to make a huge difference,” said&nbsp;Governor 
Kelly. “We are going to have thousands of community leaders organizing 
local discussions, working with us to move the conversation away from 
divisive politics and towards public health.”

“We welcome this collaboration between 
the State of Kansas and the Kansas Leadership Center,” said Kansas 
Speaker of the House, Ron Ryckman (Republican-Olathe). “By mobilizing 
local leadership networks around the state, KLC is empowering everyday 
Kansans to combat the virus for themselves. Our communities have 
differing strengths, challenges and needs, and those closest to the 
problem will find the right solutions to keep their families safe and 
communities healthy.”&nbsp;

Between now and the campaign conclusion 
in late December, leaders across Kansas – pastors, coaches, neighborhood
 leaders, business owners, community officials, PTO members, volunteers 
and everyday Kansans – will host more than 1,000 virtual meetings with 
neighbors and community members. Those gathered will identify, discuss 
and agree on specific collective action to combat COVID-19 in their 
local community. Led by facilitators trained by and using guidelines 
from the Kansas Leadership Center, meetings are designed to commit each 
gathering to implement at least one #KSBeatsTheVirus action plan that 
will slow the spread of the virus in their locality. 

In addition to its powerful alumni base 
of more than 12,000 Kansans, KLC is leveraging relationships with 
organizations and communities nurtured since 2007, when it was 
established by the Kansas Health Foundation to foster civic leadership 
for healthier Kansas communities. KLC has tapped nearly 40 community 
leadership programs connected to counties and chambers of commerce 
around the state to convene and facilitate multiple meetings. In 
addition, nearly 150 organizations from the faith, business, education, 
nonprofit and local government sectors – all recipients of current or 
recent Leadership Transformation Grants from KLC – have been asked to 
organize meetings. “If there was ever a time to mobilize our network for
 the sake of the greater good of Kansas, we believe that moment is now,”
 said O’Malley.

“The reality is that we all have 
competing values when it comes to wearing a mask, keeping our distance 
and washing our hands as often as we need to limit the spread of the 
virus. There is no single solution that will stop the virus. But if 
these action plan experiments get more people to follow these basic 
steps, we’ll have fewer cases, our schools and businesses can stay open 
and we will help alleviate the strain on our health care system,” said 
O’Malley.

Some ideas that communities are trying 
include creating heated outdoor spaces for teens to safely socialize in 
the winter. Another idea is for local PTOs to commit to virtual meetings
 only. And whether it’s for the holidays or weekly groceries, creating a
 network of people at church to handle shopping for at-risk individuals 
in the community. 

The Beat the Virus campaign is a 
multi-faceted approach that includes recruiting leaders and 
facilitators, providing facilitation materials for the community 
meetings, tracking and sharing the local experiments, providing 
financial support for local activities, and sharing best practices and 
outcomes with the public.

“As we work on this campaign over the 
next month, our hope is to not only energize and support our network of 
KLC alums who are committed to our purpose, but to inspire all Kansans 
to come up with their own version of what they can do to be architects 
for the common good,” said O’Malley.

For activities and updates on the Beat the Virus campaign <a href="https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/">click here</a>.

The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a 
singular educational organization founded to foster civic leadership for
 healthier Kansas communities. Its programs and teachings present 
leadership as an activity available to anyone at any time. KLC offers 
training for organizations, teams and individuals as well as advanced 
programs for leadership development practitioners. It provides 
development grants for civically oriented organizations in Kansas, 
partners with community leadership programs and offers customized 
trainings for businesses and non-profits alike. KLC hosts civic 
leadership forums and encourages Kansans to take active part in public 
life for the common good. KLC Press publishes books on leadership and 
The Journal, a nationally recognized, award-winning civic issues 
magazine. Based in Wichita, KLC receives core funding from the Kansas 
Health Foundation. <a href="http://www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/">Learn more</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607014579720.png" alt="KLC" />
 <figcaption>KLC</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Leadership CenterWICHITA&nbsp;– The Kansas 
Leadership Center has launched <a href="https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/kansas-leadership-center-aims-to-mobilize-and-inspire-kansans-to-beat-the-virus-with-public-health-intervention/">“Kansas Beats the Virus”</a> 
(#KSBeatsTheVirus), a statewide, bi-partisan public health intervention 
to activate and connect local leadership to combat COVID-19. A 
partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the 
effort was announced on November 18 at Governor Laura Kelly’s press 
conference as part of her administration’s “all-of-the-above” strategy 
to keep Kansans healthy, keep schools and businesses open and protect 
Kansas’ economy.“We’re honored that KDHE and Governor 
Kelly, with the support of the Kansas Legislature, have called on KLC to
 help mobilize Kansans for the purpose and challenge of a century. We’re
 charging our statewide network of partners and 12,000 leadership 
program graduates to lead virtual, non-partisan meetings that generate 
local support and stimulate concrete action to slow the spread of the 
virus. In less than a week since the Governor announced this initiative,
 partners and alums have stepped up and agreed to host more than 650 
meetings in local communities. There will be hundreds more over the 
weeks to come,” said Ed O’Malley, president and CEO of the Kansas 
Leadership Center.“This new partnership with the Kansas 
Leadership Center is going to make a huge difference,” said&nbsp;Governor 
Kelly. “We are going to have thousands of community leaders organizing 
local discussions, working with us to move the conversation away from 
divisive politics and towards public health.”“We welcome this collaboration between 
the State of Kansas and the Kansas Leadership Center,” said Kansas 
Speaker of the House, Ron Ryckman (Republican-Olathe). “By mobilizing 
local leadership networks around the state, KLC is empowering everyday 
Kansans to combat the virus for themselves. Our communities have 
differing strengths, challenges and needs, and those closest to the 
problem will find the right solutions to keep their families safe and 
communities healthy.”&nbsp;Between now and the campaign conclusion 
in late December, leaders across Kansas – pastors, coaches, neighborhood
 leaders, business owners, community officials, PTO members, volunteers 
and everyday Kansans – will host more than 1,000 virtual meetings with 
neighbors and community members. Those gathered will identify, discuss 
and agree on specific collective action to combat COVID-19 in their 
local community. Led by facilitators trained by and using guidelines 
from the Kansas Leadership Center, meetings are designed to commit each 
gathering to implement at least one #KSBeatsTheVirus action plan that 
will slow the spread of the virus in their locality. In addition to its powerful alumni base 
of more than 12,000 Kansans, KLC is leveraging relationships with 
organizations and communities nurtured since 2007, when it was 
established by the Kansas Health Foundation to foster civic leadership 
for healthier Kansas communities. KLC has tapped nearly 40 community 
leadership programs connected to counties and chambers of commerce 
around the state to convene and facilitate multiple meetings. In 
addition, nearly 150 organizations from the faith, business, education, 
nonprofit and local government sectors – all recipients of current or 
recent Leadership Transformation Grants from KLC – have been asked to 
organize meetings. “If there was ever a time to mobilize our network for
 the sake of the greater good of Kansas, we believe that moment is now,”
 said O’Malley.“The reality is that we all have 
competing values when it comes to wearing a mask, keeping our distance 
and washing our hands as often as we need to limit the spread of the 
virus. There is no single solution that will stop the virus. But if 
these action plan experiments get more people to follow these basic 
steps, we’ll have fewer cases, our schools and businesses can stay open 
and we will help alleviate the strain on our health care system,” said 
O’Malley.Some ideas that communities are trying 
include creating heated outdoor spaces for teens to safely socialize in 
the winter. Another idea is for local PTOs to commit to virtual meetings
 only. And whether it’s for the holidays or weekly groceries, creating a
 network of people at church to handle shopping for at-risk individuals 
in the community. The Beat the Virus campaign is a 
multi-faceted approach that includes recruiting leaders and 
facilitators, providing facilitation materials for the community 
meetings, tracking and sharing the local experiments, providing 
financial support for local activities, and sharing best practices and 
outcomes with the public.“As we work on this campaign over the 
next month, our hope is to not only energize and support our network of 
KLC alums who are committed to our purpose, but to inspire all Kansans 
to come up with their own version of what they can do to be architects 
for the common good,” said O’Malley.For activities and updates on the Beat the Virus campaign <a href="https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/">click here</a>. <h2>About the Kansas Leadership Center</h2>The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a 
singular educational organization founded to foster civic leadership for
 healthier Kansas communities. Its programs and teachings present 
leadership as an activity available to anyone at any time. KLC offers 
training for organizations, teams and individuals as well as advanced 
programs for leadership development practitioners. It provides 
development grants for civically oriented organizations in Kansas, 
partners with community leadership programs and offers customized 
trainings for businesses and non-profits alike. KLC hosts civic 
leadership forums and encourages Kansans to take active part in public 
life for the common good. KLC Press publishes books on leadership and 
The Journal, a nationally recognized, award-winning civic issues 
magazine. Based in Wichita, KLC receives core funding from the Kansas 
Health Foundation. <a href="http://www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/">Learn more</a>.

Kansas Leadership Center launches ‘Beat the Virus’ effort

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/03/facing-financial-strain-saint-francis-ministries-shuts-down-services-for-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Saint Francis 
Ministries is eliminating its support network for refugees in Kansas, 
citing financial strains within the organization and a desire to focus 
resources on foster care services.

Employees learned of the decision on Nov. 20, a day after the organization <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/19/foster-care-provider-removes-top-leaders-after-investigation-into-mismanagement/">fired top leadership</a> at the conclusion of an investigation into undisclosed mismanagement problems.

Morgan Rothenberger, a 
spokeswoman for Saint Francis, said the organization was eliminating 
seven positions within its International Ministries division, and 
another 19 related positions in administrative areas. The division 
served refugees in the Wichita area.

“Recent changes placed a 
financial strain on our efforts with this work,” Rothenberger said. 
“Even though we were able to shift employees to other work supporting 
the refugee and immigrant community, the program’s sustainability became
 challenging.”

Saint Francis was one of <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/25/kansas-refugee-programs-struggle-as-funding-resettlements-dwindle/">a handful of organizations in Kansas providing integration services</a>
 for legal immigrants fleeing violence and other hardships. Those 
services include helping refugees find a place to live, employment, 
training, and language assistance.

Forrest Ehmke, a volunteer
 for Saint Francis’s migration program in Wichita, says he worries that 
schools and other organizations will be left to serve refugees, 
including their children, without any additional funding. He said the 
community also stands to lose about $410,000 in federal grants because 
of the decision by Saint Francis.

Ehmke said he has provided
 furniture for families, and helped with transportation, job 
applications, school enrollment and general problem solving.

“This is an unspeakable 
tragedy to families who are fleeing violence, have been vetted many 
times over prior to authorization to come as a refugee and are learning 
how to be Americans,” Ehmke said. “This means that there will be limited
 or no support from an agency to support them with all the 
school-related issues of the year. There will be limited support 
regarding employment should they lose employment secondary to COVID-19. 
There will be limited support to assist in becoming good citizens, which
 they all wish to be.”

Federal funding for the 
refugee program has been undercut in recent years by President Donald 
Trump’s orders to reduce the number of refugees who are allowed into the
 country each year.

The cap was set at 85,000 
during President Barack Obama’s final year in office, and dropped to 
18,000 this year. In October, Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-determination-refugee-admissions-fiscal-year-2021/">lowered the number</a>
 of refugees who could resettle in the United States in 2021 to just 
15,000. The actual number of refugees falls below the cap each year 
because of bureaucratic restrictions.

Saint Francis informed 
staff last month that the Rev. Robert Smith and CEO Tom Blythe wouldn’t 
return to the organization following an investigation into a 
whistleblower’s report on mismanagement. William Clark, who had been 
chief of staff, is serving as interim president and CEO.

As the organization faced 
“a variety of challenges” in recent weeks, Rothenberger said, the 
leadership team began realigning work to meet its core mission of 
providing foster care and prevention services for children and families.
 Saint Francis is the largest private contractor for the state foster 
care system.

“This has been a very 
difficult decision because of the impact on the immigrant and refugee 
community and our employees,” Clark said. “All of these employees have 
been committed to serving children and families and have done excellent 
work for Saint Francis. We are working closely with stakeholders so they
 understand our commitment to keeping Saint Francis strong.”

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607009943891.png" alt="Yeni Telles, director of International Ministries for Saint Francis Ministries, speaks about her immigration story at World Refugee Day in June. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Yeni Telles, director of International Ministries for Saint Francis Ministries, speaks about her immigration story at World Refugee Day in June. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/03/facing-financial-strain-saint-francis-ministries-shuts-down-services-for-refugees/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Saint Francis 
Ministries is eliminating its support network for refugees in Kansas, 
citing financial strains within the organization and a desire to focus 
resources on foster care services.Employees learned of the decision on Nov. 20, a day after the organization <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/19/foster-care-provider-removes-top-leaders-after-investigation-into-mismanagement/">fired top leadership</a> at the conclusion of an investigation into undisclosed mismanagement problems.Morgan Rothenberger, a 
spokeswoman for Saint Francis, said the organization was eliminating 
seven positions within its International Ministries division, and 
another 19 related positions in administrative areas. The division 
served refugees in the Wichita area.“Recent changes placed a 
financial strain on our efforts with this work,” Rothenberger said. 
“Even though we were able to shift employees to other work supporting 
the refugee and immigrant community, the program’s sustainability became
 challenging.”Saint Francis was one of <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/25/kansas-refugee-programs-struggle-as-funding-resettlements-dwindle/">a handful of organizations in Kansas providing integration services</a>
 for legal immigrants fleeing violence and other hardships. Those 
services include helping refugees find a place to live, employment, 
training, and language assistance.Forrest Ehmke, a volunteer
 for Saint Francis’s migration program in Wichita, says he worries that 
schools and other organizations will be left to serve refugees, 
including their children, without any additional funding. He said the 
community also stands to lose about $410,000 in federal grants because 
of the decision by Saint Francis.Ehmke said he has provided
 furniture for families, and helped with transportation, job 
applications, school enrollment and general problem solving.“This is an unspeakable 
tragedy to families who are fleeing violence, have been vetted many 
times over prior to authorization to come as a refugee and are learning 
how to be Americans,” Ehmke said. “This means that there will be limited
 or no support from an agency to support them with all the 
school-related issues of the year. There will be limited support 
regarding employment should they lose employment secondary to COVID-19. 
There will be limited support to assist in becoming good citizens, which
 they all wish to be.”Federal funding for the 
refugee program has been undercut in recent years by President Donald 
Trump’s orders to reduce the number of refugees who are allowed into the
 country each year.The cap was set at 85,000 
during President Barack Obama’s final year in office, and dropped to 
18,000 this year. In October, Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-determination-refugee-admissions-fiscal-year-2021/">lowered the number</a>
 of refugees who could resettle in the United States in 2021 to just 
15,000. The actual number of refugees falls below the cap each year 
because of bureaucratic restrictions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607009996678.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Saint Francis informed 
staff last month that the Rev. Robert Smith and CEO Tom Blythe wouldn’t 
return to the organization following an investigation into a 
whistleblower’s report on mismanagement. William Clark, who had been 
chief of staff, is serving as interim president and CEO.As the organization faced 
“a variety of challenges” in recent weeks, Rothenberger said, the 
leadership team began realigning work to meet its core mission of 
providing foster care and prevention services for children and families.
 Saint Francis is the largest private contractor for the state foster 
care system.“This has been a very 
difficult decision because of the impact on the immigrant and refugee 
community and our employees,” Clark said. “All of these employees have 
been committed to serving children and families and have done excellent 
work for Saint Francis. We are working closely with stakeholders so they
 understand our commitment to keeping Saint Francis strong.”Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

Saint Francis Ministries shuts down services for refugees

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after an arrest Wednesday in Salina.

On Wednesday afternoon, police responded to Walmart, 2900 South Ninth Street in Salina for report of suspicious activity involving a FedEx truck driving in the parking lot, according to&nbsp; Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp; The truck was a 2008 Utility Truck valued at $22,000.

The driver later identified as&nbsp;Raymond Lawrence, 33, of Lincoln, was reported to be wearing a leather jacket, hat and jeans and not a FedEx uniform. 

&nbsp;An officer observed the truck and a Lawrence in the northwest corner of the parking lot.&nbsp; Lawrence was pouring a liquid into the engine compartment of the truck and the liquid was running onto the ground.

Officers contacted FedEx and learned that the truck had been taken from Randy’s Auto Repair, 1015 West North Street in Salina, a short time prior to the officers being called to Walmart.

Police arrested Lawrence on requested charges of felony theft and driving while suspended, according to Forrester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607005961959.jpeg" alt="Lawrence has previous convictions for aggravated battery and abuse of toxic vapors, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections- photo Saline County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence has previous convictions for aggravated battery and abuse of toxic vapors, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections- photo Saline County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after an arrest Wednesday in Salina.On Wednesday afternoon, police responded to Walmart, 2900 South Ninth Street in Salina for report of suspicious activity involving a FedEx truck driving in the parking lot, according to&nbsp; Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp; The truck was a 2008 Utility Truck valued at $22,000.The driver later identified as&nbsp;Raymond Lawrence, 33, of Lincoln, was reported to be wearing a leather jacket, hat and jeans and not a FedEx uniform. &nbsp;An officer observed the truck and a Lawrence in the northwest corner of the parking lot.&nbsp; Lawrence was pouring a liquid into the engine compartment of the truck and the liquid was running onto the ground.Officers contacted FedEx and learned that the truck had been taken from Randy’s Auto Repair, 1015 West North Street in Salina, a short time prior to the officers being called to Walmart.Police arrested Lawrence on requested charges of felony theft and driving while suspended, according to Forrester.

Police find Kansas felon with missing FedEx truck

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden swung behind a bipartisan COVID-19 relief effort Wednesday and his top Capitol Hill allies cut their demands for a $2 trillion-plus measure by more than half in hopes of breaking a monthslong logjam and delivering much-sought aid as the tempestuous congressional session speeds to a close.

Biden said the developing aid package “wouldn’t be the answer, but it would be the immediate help for a lot of things.” He wants a relief bill to pass Congress now, with more aid to come next year.

Biden’s remarks followed an announcement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer of New York in support of an almost $1 trillion approach as the “basis” for discussions. The announcement appeared aimed at budging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who so far has been unwilling to abandon a $550 billion Senate GOP plan that has failed twice this fall.

The Democrats embraced a $908 billion approach from moderate Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, among others. It would establish a $300 per week jobless benefit, send $160 billion to help state and local governments, boost schools and universities, revive popular “paycheck protection” subsidies for businesses, and bail out transit systems and airlines.

“In the spirit of compromise we believe the bipartisan framework introduced by Senators yesterday should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral negotiations,” Pelosi and Schumer said. They said they would try to build upon the approach, which has support in the House from a bipartisan “problem solvers” coalition.

The statement was a significant concession by Pelosi and Schumer, who played hardball this fall during failed preelection discussions with the administration on a costlier bill. They wanted a more generous unemployment benefit and far more for state and local government. Their embrace of the $908 billion measure was a retreat from a secret $1.3 trillion offer the two Democrats gave McConnell just on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606837391482.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struggled over a relief bill for weeks before the November election. On Tuesday, Mnuchin called on Congress to take additional action to pass coronavirus pandemic economic relief." />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struggled over a relief bill for weeks before the November election. On Tuesday, Mnuchin called on Congress to take additional action to pass coronavirus pandemic economic relief.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden swung behind a bipartisan COVID-19 relief effort Wednesday and his top Capitol Hill allies cut their demands for a $2 trillion-plus measure by more than half in hopes of breaking a monthslong logjam and delivering much-sought aid as the tempestuous congressional session speeds to a close.Biden said the developing aid package “wouldn’t be the answer, but it would be the immediate help for a lot of things.” He wants a relief bill to pass Congress now, with more aid to come next year.Biden’s remarks followed an announcement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer of New York in support of an almost $1 trillion approach as the “basis” for discussions. The announcement appeared aimed at budging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who so far has been unwilling to abandon a $550 billion Senate GOP plan that has failed twice this fall.The Democrats embraced a $908 billion approach from moderate Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, among others. It would establish a $300 per week jobless benefit, send $160 billion to help state and local governments, boost schools and universities, revive popular “paycheck protection” subsidies for businesses, and bail out transit systems and airlines.“In the spirit of compromise we believe the bipartisan framework introduced by Senators yesterday should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral negotiations,” Pelosi and Schumer said. They said they would try to build upon the approach, which has support in the House from a bipartisan “problem solvers” coalition.The statement was a significant concession by Pelosi and Schumer, who played hardball this fall during failed preelection discussions with the administration on a costlier bill. They wanted a more generous unemployment benefit and far more for state and local government. Their embrace of the $908 billion measure was a retreat from a secret $1.3 trillion offer the two Democrats gave McConnell just on Monday.It’s another sign of urgency for additional COVID aid and economic stimulus as the economy struggles to recover from being slammed by the novel coronavirus. While the jobless rate isn’t as high as was feared, the restaurant and airline industries are desperate for aid, as are other businesses, state and local officials, transit systems and the Postal Service, among others.The new plan includes a liability shield for businesses and other organizations that have reopened their doors during the pandemic. It’s the first time Pelosi and Schumer have shown a willingness to consider the idea, a top priority of McConnell, though there’s been no discussion on the details, which are sure to be tricky.McConnell had dismissed the bipartisan offer on Tuesday, instead aiming to rally Republicans around the $550 billion GOP proposal. But McConnell himself endorsed a $1 trillion-or so plan this summer, only to encounter resistance from conservatives that prompted him to retrench. He has acknowledged that another infusion of aid to states and local governments, a key Pelosi demand, probably will pass eventually.McConnell wouldn’t respond when asked about the Democratic statement. His top deputy, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said GOP leaders might agree to merging the bipartisan proposal with McConnell’s bill.“I think there’s still time, although it’s short, to put a bill together,” Thune said.Any relief package would be attached to a $1.4 trillion year-end spending bill required to avert a government shutdown next weekend. Talks on that measure are proceeding but if lawmakers should stumble, a temporary spending bill would be needed as a bridge into next year.The bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed a split-the-difference solution to the protracted impasse, hoping to speed overdue help to a hurting nation before Congress adjourns for the holidays. It was a sign that some lawmakers reluctant to adjourn for the year without approving some pandemic aid.Their proposal includes $228 billion to extend and upgrade “paycheck protection” subsidies for businesses for a second round of relief to hard-hit businesses such as restaurants. It would revive a special jobless benefit, but at a reduced level of $300 per week rather than the $600 benefit enacted in March. State and local governments would receive $160 billion.There’s also $45 billion for transportation, including aid to transit systems and Amtrak; $82 billion to reopen schools and universities; and money for vaccines and health care providers, as well as for food stamps, rental assistance and the Postal Service.The new effort follows a split-decision election that delivered the White House to Democrats and gave Republicans down-ballot success.Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin struggled over a relief bill for weeks before the November election, discussing legislation of up to $2 trillion. Senate GOP conservatives opposed their efforts and Pelosi refused to yield on key points.