SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Three hunters in southwestern Missouri accidentally shot themselves during last weekend’s opening of firearms deer season, conservation officials said.

None of the shootings were life-threatening. The Missouri Department of Conservation said it will not release details of the shootings until its investigations into them are complete.

Many such accidental shootings happen while hunters are handling or transporting guns, said Justin McGuire, the department’s hunter education and shooting range coordinator.

“Many times, people are injured by firearms that were assumed to have been unloaded," McGuire said. "Keeping the actions open and the muzzles pointed in a safe direction removes all doubt.”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Three hunters in southwestern Missouri accidentally shot themselves during last weekend’s opening of firearms deer season, conservation officials said.None of the shootings were life-threatening. The Missouri Department of Conservation said it will not release details of the shootings until its investigations into them are complete.Many such accidental shootings happen while hunters are handling or transporting guns, said Justin McGuire, the department’s hunter education and shooting range coordinator.“Many times, people are injured by firearms that were assumed to have been unloaded," McGuire said. "Keeping the actions open and the muzzles pointed in a safe direction removes all doubt.”

Officials investigate after hunters injured in 3 accidents

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be <a href="https://www.lucirahealth.com/">performed entirely at home</a> and delivers results in 30 minutes.

The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites. However, the test will require a prescription, likely limiting its initial use.

The FDA granted emergency authorization to the single-use <a href="https://www.lucirahealth.com/">test kit from Lucira Health</a>, a California manufacturer.

The company’s test allows users to swab themselves to collect a nasal sample. The sample is then swirled in a vial of laboratory solution that plugs into a portable device. Results are displayed as lights labeled positive or negative.

To date, the FDA has authorized nearly 300 tests for coronavirus. The vast majority require a nasal swab performed by a health professional and must be processed at laboratories using high-tech equipment. A handful of tests allow people to collect their own sample at home — a nasal swab or saliva — that’s then shipped to a lab, which usually means waiting days for results.

Health experts have called for options to allow people to test themselves at home, reducing turnaround times and the potential spread of the virus to others, including health care workers. Rapid test results are critical to quickly quarantining those who are infected and tracing their contacts. But for months, U.S. testing has been plagued by slow results due to bottlenecks as testing laboratories. There are other rapid tests but most require a small, special machine operated by a health professional to develop results

“Now, more Americans who may have COVID-19 will be able to take immediate action, based on their results, to protect themselves and those around them,” Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s devices center, said in a statement.

Lucira did not immediately respond to a request for additional details after business hours Tuesday.

The Lucira COVID-19 test grew out of research the company was doing to develop an at-home flu test, according to the company’s website. Lucira adapted its technology to detect COVID-19 after the outbreak.

The test uses technology similar to genetic laboratory-based tests that are the standard tool for COVID-19 screening. That’s different than most rapid tests currently used in the U.S., which look for viral proteins called antigens — not the virus itself.

Anyone that tests positive should isolate and seek care from a health professional, the FDA said in its release. Those who test negative but still have coronavirus symptoms should consult a doctor; a negative result does not rule out COVID-19 infection.

The FDA said Lucira’s test was also authorized for use in doctor’s offices and testing sites. Currently all U.S. testing sites must report results to state and federal health authorities tracking the pandemic. Doctors will be required to report the home test results.

“If the results are not reported back, it may be difficult to figure out what is happening in the community at large,” said Dr. Alberto Gutierrez, former head of the FDA’s testing office, in an interview before the announcement.

More than two dozen companies have been racing for months to develop the first, rapid home-based test for COVID-19. However, the FDA outlined a number of study requirements for manufacturers.

These hurdles have less to do with COVID-19 specifically, and more to do with decades-long concerns about whether people without any medical training can accurately screen themselves and interpret the results.

The FDA has only ever approved one home test for an infectious disease — an HIV test. And even commonplace over-the-counter tests— such as home pregnancy kits — were subject to years of scrutiny before FDA allowed their use in the 1970s.

Experts say that careful approach is warranted for coronavirus.

“I think increased testing closer to patients, including in the home, is the way of the future,” said Dr. Robin Patel of the Mayo Clinic, in an interview before the announcement was made. “But there are considerations that have to be addressed to make sure that this is done in a safe and effective way.”

FDA regulators authorized the new test using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental products during public health crises. In normal times, the FDA requires evidence of safety and effectiveness before clearing a new test. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards.

The FDA release did not disclose the test’s accuracy or the study results that regulators used to make the decision.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605699600232.png" alt="photo courtesy Lucira Health" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Lucira Health</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be <a href="https://www.lucirahealth.com/">performed entirely at home</a> and delivers results in 30 minutes.The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites. However, the test will require a prescription, likely limiting its initial use.The FDA granted emergency authorization to the single-use <a href="https://www.lucirahealth.com/">test kit from Lucira Health</a>, a California manufacturer.The company’s test allows users to swab themselves to collect a nasal sample. The sample is then swirled in a vial of laboratory solution that plugs into a portable device. Results are displayed as lights labeled positive or negative.To date, the FDA has authorized nearly 300 tests for coronavirus. The vast majority require a nasal swab performed by a health professional and must be processed at laboratories using high-tech equipment. A handful of tests allow people to collect their own sample at home — a nasal swab or saliva — that’s then shipped to a lab, which usually means waiting days for results.Health experts have called for options to allow people to test themselves at home, reducing turnaround times and the potential spread of the virus to others, including health care workers. Rapid test results are critical to quickly quarantining those who are infected and tracing their contacts. But for months, U.S. testing has been plagued by slow results due to bottlenecks as testing laboratories. There are other rapid tests but most require a small, special machine operated by a health professional to develop results“Now, more Americans who may have COVID-19 will be able to take immediate action, based on their results, to protect themselves and those around them,” Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s devices center, said in a statement.Lucira did not immediately respond to a request for additional details after business hours Tuesday.The Lucira COVID-19 test grew out of research the company was doing to develop an at-home flu test, according to the company’s website. Lucira adapted its technology to detect COVID-19 after the outbreak.The test uses technology similar to genetic laboratory-based tests that are the standard tool for COVID-19 screening. That’s different than most rapid tests currently used in the U.S., which look for viral proteins called antigens — not the virus itself.Anyone that tests positive should isolate and seek care from a health professional, the FDA said in its release. Those who test negative but still have coronavirus symptoms should consult a doctor; a negative result does not rule out COVID-19 infection.The FDA said Lucira’s test was also authorized for use in doctor’s offices and testing sites. Currently all U.S. testing sites must report results to state and federal health authorities tracking the pandemic. Doctors will be required to report the home test results.“If the results are not reported back, it may be difficult to figure out what is happening in the community at large,” said Dr. Alberto Gutierrez, former head of the FDA’s testing office, in an interview before the announcement.More than two dozen companies have been racing for months to develop the first, rapid home-based test for COVID-19. However, the FDA outlined a number of study requirements for manufacturers.These hurdles have less to do with COVID-19 specifically, and more to do with decades-long concerns about whether people without any medical training can accurately screen themselves and interpret the results.The FDA has only ever approved one home test for an infectious disease — an HIV test. And even commonplace over-the-counter tests— such as home pregnancy kits — were subject to years of scrutiny before FDA allowed their use in the 1970s.Experts say that careful approach is warranted for coronavirus.“I think increased testing closer to patients, including in the home, is the way of the future,” said Dr. Robin Patel of the Mayo Clinic, in an interview before the announcement was made. “But there are considerations that have to be addressed to make sure that this is done in a safe and effective way.”FDA regulators authorized the new test using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental products during public health crises. In normal times, the FDA requires evidence of safety and effectiveness before clearing a new test. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards.The FDA release did not disclose the test’s accuracy or the study results that regulators used to make the decision.___

FDA allows 1st rapid virus test that gives results at home

WICHITA, KAN.&nbsp;– A Kansas woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge of taking a minor across state lines to engage in commercial sex acts, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Taylor Kinsey, 22, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation for prostitution. In her plea, she admitted she recruited a 17-year-old victim to engage in prostitution. Kinsey transported the minor from Wichita to Oklahoma City to engage in commercial sex acts. Sentencing is set for Feb. 5.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605649334655.png" alt="Kinsey is being held in Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Kinsey is being held in Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN.&nbsp;– A Kansas woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge of taking a minor across state lines to engage in commercial sex acts, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Taylor Kinsey, 22, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation for prostitution. In her plea, she admitted she recruited a 17-year-old victim to engage in prostitution. Kinsey transported the minor from Wichita to Oklahoma City to engage in commercial sex acts. Sentencing is set for Feb. 5.&nbsp;

Kan. woman admits taking girl across state line for prostitution

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials on Tuesday urged communities to take stronger action as more hospital rooms are devoted to the care of coronavirus patients and hundreds of doctors, nurses and other workers arequarantined, leading some surgical procedures to be delayed.

State health department head and Dr. Lee Norman said a system that he likened to air traffic control for coronavirus patients is being put in place so nurses from rural hospitals can make a single call to find a larger hospital that can take their sickest patients. In some cases, nursing and doctors have been spending up to eight hours looking for a large hospital with an opening. But Norman said these rural communities can’t leave it entirely to the state to help.

“Number one, they need to help themselves,” he said during a call with officials from the University of Kansas Hospital. “They have been, I think, very slow to come on board with the anticontagion measures that we know work.”

State law allowed Kansas’ 105 counties to opt out of a mandate for people to wear masks in public issued in July by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, and most did. But the tides are shifting: Dodge City commissioners passed a mask mandate Monday as cases swelled in Ford County, rising by 97 to 4,225 from Friday to Monday.

“That is the first they have had anything like that,” Norman said. “It is not surprising that the numbers are quite high there.”

About a dozen other counties have tightened pandemic-related rules within the past two weeks. In northeast Kansas, Brown, Jackson and Nemaha counties have imposed mask mandates. Together, the three counties saw 770 new coronavirus cases during the two weeks ending Monday, according to the state health department, a 76% increase.

In northeast Kansas, the Stormont Vail Health system has seen its number of hospitalized coronavirus patients steadily climb in the past few weeks, to 81 as of Monday. Spokesman Matt Lara said Tuesday that the hospital has converted two waiting rooms for patients’ families into space for coronavirus patients.

“If we get to a point where we need to expand more, we have some conference room areas that we can turn into care environments,” Lara said. “We have other waiting rooms.”

Stormont Vail reported that as of Monday, it had more than 150 employees and physicians who had active coronavirus cases or were isolated and on leave because of contact with someone who had coronavirus. The system’s president and CEO, Dr. Robert Kenagy, called it a “public health crisis.”

Cindy Samuelson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Hospital Association, said it has heard of hospitals converting other spaces that are not getting use because of the pandemic, such as chapels and cafeterias, into space for COVID-19 patients.

The University of Kansas Hospital, meanwhile, has 187 workers, including physicians, nurses and support staff, out as of Tuesday after testing positive. Another 200 aren’t at work while they await test results. Hospital spokeswoman Jill Chadwick said most are being infected in the community, not at work.

She said the hospital also is identifying and delaying up to 20 surgeries per day to free up bed space as its number of coronavirus swells, hitting 124 on Tuesday.

In the Wichita area, Wesley Medical Center is treating an all-time high of 100 coronavirus patients and Ascension Via Christi St. Francis is caring for 130 COVID-19 patients. Wesley doubled its COVID-19 capacity in the past week and a half, and the entire fifth floor at St. Francis is now designated for coronavirus patients.

Jennifer Rogers, who manages two of the fifth floor coronavirus units at St. Francis, begged the community to step up and help in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.viachristi.org/blog/reflection-covid-19-unit-nurse-manager#sthash.rZKxrPrc.dpbs" target="_blank">blog&nbsp;</a>that was posted Tuesday on the hospital’s website.

“My eyes see a hospital that I don’t even recognize; staff who are tired, feeling defeated, and want to do more, but physically and mentally cannot,” she wrote, adding: “Please help us fight before we see you in the hospital.”

Meanwhile, the state has contracted with hotels in seven communities to house people who must quarantine but can’t do it effectively at home. The hotels are in Dodge City; Emporia; Gardner; Kansas City, Kansas; Lansing, and Salina, and people can get access through their local health departments.

“The most effective way to slow the spread of the virus is to isolate or quarantine yourself away from others in your household,” said Devan Tucking, human services branch director, Kansas Division of Emergency Management. “We know it is not always possible to isolate or quarantine someone in a single-family residence where people must share a kitchen, a bathroom, laundry room and other spaces.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602273958955.png" alt="KDHE Sec. Dr. Lee Norman" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Sec. Dr. Lee Norman</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials on Tuesday urged communities to take stronger action as more hospital rooms are devoted to the care of coronavirus patients and hundreds of doctors, nurses and other workers arequarantined, leading some surgical procedures to be delayed.State health department head and Dr. Lee Norman said a system that he likened to air traffic control for coronavirus patients is being put in place so nurses from rural hospitals can make a single call to find a larger hospital that can take their sickest patients. In some cases, nursing and doctors have been spending up to eight hours looking for a large hospital with an opening. But Norman said these rural communities can’t leave it entirely to the state to help.“Number one, they need to help themselves,” he said during a call with officials from the University of Kansas Hospital. “They have been, I think, very slow to come on board with the anticontagion measures that we know work.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605549933416.png" alt="Monday Nov. 16, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Nov. 16, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>State law allowed Kansas’ 105 counties to opt out of a mandate for people to wear masks in public issued in July by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, and most did. But the tides are shifting: Dodge City commissioners passed a mask mandate Monday as cases swelled in Ford County, rising by 97 to 4,225 from Friday to Monday.“That is the first they have had anything like that,” Norman said. “It is not surprising that the numbers are quite high there.”About a dozen other counties have tightened pandemic-related rules within the past two weeks. In northeast Kansas, Brown, Jackson and Nemaha counties have imposed mask mandates. Together, the three counties saw 770 new coronavirus cases during the two weeks ending Monday, according to the state health department, a 76% increase.In northeast Kansas, the Stormont Vail Health system has seen its number of hospitalized coronavirus patients steadily climb in the past few weeks, to 81 as of Monday. Spokesman Matt Lara said Tuesday that the hospital has converted two waiting rooms for patients’ families into space for coronavirus patients.“If we get to a point where we need to expand more, we have some conference room areas that we can turn into care environments,” Lara said. “We have other waiting rooms.”Stormont Vail reported that as of Monday, it had more than 150 employees and physicians who had active coronavirus cases or were isolated and on leave because of contact with someone who had coronavirus. The system’s president and CEO, Dr. Robert Kenagy, called it a “public health crisis.”Cindy Samuelson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Hospital Association, said it has heard of hospitals converting other spaces that are not getting use because of the pandemic, such as chapels and cafeterias, into space for COVID-19 patients.The University of Kansas Hospital, meanwhile, has 187 workers, including physicians, nurses and support staff, out as of Tuesday after testing positive. Another 200 aren’t at work while they await test results. Hospital spokeswoman Jill Chadwick said most are being infected in the community, not at work.She said the hospital also is identifying and delaying up to 20 surgeries per day to free up bed space as its number of coronavirus swells, hitting 124 on Tuesday.In the Wichita area, Wesley Medical Center is treating an all-time high of 100 coronavirus patients and Ascension Via Christi St. Francis is caring for 130 COVID-19 patients. Wesley doubled its COVID-19 capacity in the past week and a half, and the entire fifth floor at St. Francis is now designated for coronavirus patients.Jennifer Rogers, who manages two of the fifth floor coronavirus units at St. Francis, begged the community to step up and help in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.viachristi.org/blog/reflection-covid-19-unit-nurse-manager#sthash.rZKxrPrc.dpbs" target="_blank">blog&nbsp;</a>that was posted Tuesday on the hospital’s website.“My eyes see a hospital that I don’t even recognize; staff who are tired, feeling defeated, and want to do more, but physically and mentally cannot,” she wrote, adding: “Please help us fight before we see you in the hospital.”Meanwhile, the state has contracted with hotels in seven communities to house people who must quarantine but can’t do it effectively at home. The hotels are in Dodge City; Emporia; Gardner; Kansas City, Kansas; Lansing, and Salina, and people can get access through their local health departments.“The most effective way to slow the spread of the virus is to isolate or quarantine yourself away from others in your household,” said Devan Tucking, human services branch director, Kansas Division of Emergency Management. “We know it is not always possible to isolate or quarantine someone in a single-family residence where people must share a kitchen, a bathroom, laundry room and other spaces.”____

Kan. health officials urge communities to do more amid surge

DIGHTON&nbsp; – A former Lane County man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Geoffrey David Birney, 35, formerly of Healy, was sentenced to 122 months in state prison on two counts of aggravated internet trading of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of child. The sentence was given by Chief Judge Bruce T. Gatterman in Lane County District Court. Birney entered his guilty plea to the charges in October. Investigators determined the crimes occurred between November 7, 2018 and March 9, 2019.

The case was investigated by the Wichita Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit, Grandview Plaza Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Topeka office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605699173134.png" alt="Birney-photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Birney-photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>DIGHTON&nbsp; – A former Lane County man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Geoffrey David Birney, 35, formerly of Healy, was sentenced to 122 months in state prison on two counts of aggravated internet trading of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of child. The sentence was given by Chief Judge Bruce T. Gatterman in Lane County District Court. Birney entered his guilty plea to the charges in October. Investigators determined the crimes occurred between November 7, 2018 and March 9, 2019. The case was investigated by the Wichita Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit, Grandview Plaza Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Topeka office.&nbsp;

Kansas man sentenced for child sex crimes

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 11a.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received information that a residence  in the 7400 block of SW Indian Hills Road was broken into and at least one individual was still inside, according to deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies arrived on scene and discovered an unsecure door. They also found Eric D. Kearns, 58, of Harveyville inside the residence. They took him into custody and transported him to the Law Enforcement Center for additional questioning. 

He was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605643213100.png" alt="Kearns-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kearns-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.Just after 11a.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received information that a residence in the 7400 block of SW Indian Hills Road was broken into and at least one individual was still inside, according to deputy Abigail Christian.Deputies arrived on scene and discovered an unsecure door. They also found Eric D. Kearns, 58, of Harveyville inside the residence. They took him into custody and transported him to the Law Enforcement Center for additional questioning. He was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.-

Sheriff: Deputies catch burglary suspect inside Kan. home

The Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees extended an offer to Amber&nbsp;Knoettgen&nbsp;to become the institution’s ninth president. 

The board voted Tuesday night to hire&nbsp;Knoettgen, who has been serving as the college’s interim president since May. She will begin serving in the permanent role on Dec. 1.

“I am honored that the Board has chosen me to lead the college as its next president,”&nbsp;Knoettgen&nbsp;said. “Over these past six months, I’ve been continually inspired by the Cloud team and their resiliency. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to continue moving Cloud in a positive direction.”

Knoettgen&nbsp;replaces Adrian Douglas, who served as president from May 2018 until May 2020.

Knoettgen&nbsp;received her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from Baker University. She is also a 2000 graduate of Cloud County with an Associate of Science Degree.

“I think I bring a unique perspective as President of having been not only a student at Cloud, but also an athlete,” she said. “I am a first generation student and the family atmosphere at Cloud gave me the support I needed to be successful. I want that for all of our students.”

Knoettgen&nbsp;came to Cloud in July 2016 as the Director of Advisement and Retention. In November 2017, she was named the Vice President for Administrative Services, a position she currently holds in addition to the interim President role. During that time, she has managed the college’s budget, and was responsible for the Business Office, Auxiliary Services, Information Technology, Facilities, the Children’s Center, Athletics, Human Resources, and Community Relations.

Knoettgen&nbsp;started working in higher education at Baker University as their Marketing Coordinator. She later held the positions of Student Advisor Specialist, Topeka Campus Director, and Enrollment Specialist, all at Baker.

“Amber has done an outstanding job serving as the Interim President in addition to continuing her duties as the Vice President for Administrative Services,” said Jesse Pounds, CCCC Board of Trustees chair. “She has shown strong leadership in managing the college during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as preparing for the Higher Learning Commission accreditation visit.

“She comes to us with an impressive skill set in both student services and administrative services. The Board is excited to work with her to lead the college as our next president.”

Knoettgen&nbsp;said she plans to continue to foster a culture of trust, respect, open communication and collaboration with all Cloud faculty and staff, as well as the Board of Trustees.

“I believe in this institution and the rural communities we serve; those two cannot be separated if we all want to be successful,” she said. “This area is exactly where I wanted to raise my family.

“Cloud has many opportunities for growth, along with the faculty and staff to make that happen. We will continue to make Cloud the college of choice in North Central Kansas.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605660316691.png" alt="Cloud County President Amber Knoettgen. Photo courtesy CCCC" />
 <figcaption>Cloud County President Amber Knoettgen. Photo courtesy CCCC</figcaption>
 </figure>The Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees extended an offer to Amber&nbsp;Knoettgen&nbsp;to become the institution’s ninth president. The board voted Tuesday night to hire&nbsp;Knoettgen, who has been serving as the college’s interim president since May. She will begin serving in the permanent role on Dec. 1.“I am honored that the Board has chosen me to lead the college as its next president,”&nbsp;Knoettgen&nbsp;said. “Over these past six months, I’ve been continually inspired by the Cloud team and their resiliency. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to continue moving Cloud in a positive direction.”Knoettgen&nbsp;replaces Adrian Douglas, who served as president from May 2018 until May 2020.Knoettgen&nbsp;received her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from Baker University. She is also a 2000 graduate of Cloud County with an Associate of Science Degree.“I think I bring a unique perspective as President of having been not only a student at Cloud, but also an athlete,” she said. “I am a first generation student and the family atmosphere at Cloud gave me the support I needed to be successful. I want that for all of our students.”Knoettgen&nbsp;came to Cloud in July 2016 as the Director of Advisement and Retention. In November 2017, she was named the Vice President for Administrative Services, a position she currently holds in addition to the interim President role. During that time, she has managed the college’s budget, and was responsible for the Business Office, Auxiliary Services, Information Technology, Facilities, the Children’s Center, Athletics, Human Resources, and Community Relations.Knoettgen&nbsp;started working in higher education at Baker University as their Marketing Coordinator. She later held the positions of Student Advisor Specialist, Topeka Campus Director, and Enrollment Specialist, all at Baker.“Amber has done an outstanding job serving as the Interim President in addition to continuing her duties as the Vice President for Administrative Services,” said Jesse Pounds, CCCC Board of Trustees chair. “She has shown strong leadership in managing the college during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as preparing for the Higher Learning Commission accreditation visit.“She comes to us with an impressive skill set in both student services and administrative services. The Board is excited to work with her to lead the college as our next president.”Knoettgen&nbsp;said she plans to continue to foster a culture of trust, respect, open communication and collaboration with all Cloud faculty and staff, as well as the Board of Trustees.“I believe in this institution and the rural communities we serve; those two cannot be separated if we all want to be successful,” she said. “This area is exactly where I wanted to raise my family.“Cloud has many opportunities for growth, along with the faculty and staff to make that happen. We will continue to make Cloud the college of choice in North Central Kansas.”

Cloud Co. Community College names new president

WASHINGTON (AP) — The two attorneys representing the first woman scheduled to be put to death by the U.S. government in more than six decades are seeking to delay her execution because they’ve contracted coronavirus visiting their client.

The lawyers for Lisa Montgomery — who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kidnapping-executions-terre-haute-indiana-3f0528a596ac9ff5572af20799231d94">scheduled to be executed</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection on Dec. 8 at a federal prison in Indiana — asked a federal judge in Washington to extend the amount of time to file a clemency petition with the Justice Department.

At a hearing on Monday, Sandra Babcock, a human rights professor and director of the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide, argued that Montgomery is indigent, severely mentally ill and can’t aid in filing her own clemency petition because she only has a “sheet of paper and a single crayon” in her cell at a federal prison in Texas, where she’s being held.

Babcock, who represented Montgomery’s interests at the hearing, argued repeatedly for U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss to issue an injunction that would give Montgomery’s attorney more time to prepare a clemency petition.

Montgomery’s attorneys, Kelley Henry and Amy Harwell, tested positive for COVID-19 after they flew to visit her at the prison last month from Nashville. In court papers, they said each roundtrip visit involved two flights, stays in hotels and interaction with airline and hotel staff, as well as prison employees.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Simpson argued that the request was for a “reprieve,” a power only instilled to the president. He also argued it was not reasonable to ask to pause the process so Montgomery could be represented by specific lawyers and said she has other attorneys working on her case. At one point, Simpson also argued that Montgomery does not need to be represented by an attorney at all, though Babcock argued that is inconsistent with the law.

Moss did not issue an immediate ruling but said he would encourage the Justice Department and President Donald Trump to consider whether there could be a short extension issued by the government in light of the “extraordinary” factors in the case.

The argument comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons still struggles with an exploding number of coronavirus cases behind bars. As of Monday, 3,121 federal inmates and 1,049 staff members have confirmed COVID-19 cases at federal prisons around the U.S., including two inmates and three staff members at the prison where Montgomery is being held. Six inmates have died there and more than 500 other inmates at the prison were previously diagnosed with the virus but have since recovered, according to federal statistics.

Both of the attorneys have serious symptoms — including neurological symptoms — and are “functionally incapacitated” and thus unable to help file a clemency petition, Babcock argued in court. Another attorney couldn’t just be assigned to file one because Montgomery’s mental status has deteriorated since the Justice Department scheduled her execution last month and she doesn’t trust many lawyers, but Henry and Harwell have worked with her for years and have gained her trust, Babcock said.

If Montgomery is executed in December, she would be the ninth federal inmate to put to death since the Justice Department resumed executions in July after a nearly 20-year hiatus. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-kidnapping-racial-injustice-executions-archive-02967c8e6382edd106bd4dcb045b67ae">separate execution</a>&nbsp;is scheduled for this week.

Montgomery drove from her Kansas home to Stinnett’s house in Skidmore, Missouri, under the guise of adopting a rat terrier puppy, prosecutors said. When she arrived at the home, Montgomery used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, but Stinnett was conscious and trying to defend herself as Montgomery used a kitchen knife to cut the baby girl from the womb, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Montgomery removed the baby from Stinnett’s body, took the child with her, and attempted to pass the girl off as her own.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602895377835.png" alt="Montgomery is being held at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Montgomery is being held at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The two attorneys representing the first woman scheduled to be put to death by the U.S. government in more than six decades are seeking to delay her execution because they’ve contracted coronavirus visiting their client.The lawyers for Lisa Montgomery — who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kidnapping-executions-terre-haute-indiana-3f0528a596ac9ff5572af20799231d94">scheduled to be executed</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection on Dec. 8 at a federal prison in Indiana — asked a federal judge in Washington to extend the amount of time to file a clemency petition with the Justice Department.At a hearing on Monday, Sandra Babcock, a human rights professor and director of the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide, argued that Montgomery is indigent, severely mentally ill and can’t aid in filing her own clemency petition because she only has a “sheet of paper and a single crayon” in her cell at a federal prison in Texas, where she’s being held.Babcock, who represented Montgomery’s interests at the hearing, argued repeatedly for U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss to issue an injunction that would give Montgomery’s attorney more time to prepare a clemency petition.Montgomery’s attorneys, Kelley Henry and Amy Harwell, tested positive for COVID-19 after they flew to visit her at the prison last month from Nashville. In court papers, they said each roundtrip visit involved two flights, stays in hotels and interaction with airline and hotel staff, as well as prison employees.Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Simpson argued that the request was for a “reprieve,” a power only instilled to the president. He also argued it was not reasonable to ask to pause the process so Montgomery could be represented by specific lawyers and said she has other attorneys working on her case. At one point, Simpson also argued that Montgomery does not need to be represented by an attorney at all, though Babcock argued that is inconsistent with the law.Moss did not issue an immediate ruling but said he would encourage the Justice Department and President Donald Trump to consider whether there could be a short extension issued by the government in light of the “extraordinary” factors in the case.The argument comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons still struggles with an exploding number of coronavirus cases behind bars. As of Monday, 3,121 federal inmates and 1,049 staff members have confirmed COVID-19 cases at federal prisons around the U.S., including two inmates and three staff members at the prison where Montgomery is being held. Six inmates have died there and more than 500 other inmates at the prison were previously diagnosed with the virus but have since recovered, according to federal statistics.Both of the attorneys have serious symptoms — including neurological symptoms — and are “functionally incapacitated” and thus unable to help file a clemency petition, Babcock argued in court. Another attorney couldn’t just be assigned to file one because Montgomery’s mental status has deteriorated since the Justice Department scheduled her execution last month and she doesn’t trust many lawyers, but Henry and Harwell have worked with her for years and have gained her trust, Babcock said.If Montgomery is executed in December, she would be the ninth federal inmate to put to death since the Justice Department resumed executions in July after a nearly 20-year hiatus. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-kidnapping-racial-injustice-executions-archive-02967c8e6382edd106bd4dcb045b67ae">separate execution</a>&nbsp;is scheduled for this week.Montgomery drove from her Kansas home to Stinnett’s house in Skidmore, Missouri, under the guise of adopting a rat terrier puppy, prosecutors said. When she arrived at the home, Montgomery used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, but Stinnett was conscious and trying to defend herself as Montgomery used a kitchen knife to cut the baby girl from the womb, authorities said.Prosecutors said Montgomery removed the baby from Stinnett’s body, took the child with her, and attempted to pass the girl off as her own.

Execution delay sought: Lawyers for Kan. woman get virus

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug distribution charges following a traffic stop.

Just after 6:30p.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputies stopped a green 1997 Chevrolet Suburban on Santa Fe Street in Ellinwood for speeding, according to Sheriff Brian Belendir.

During the course the traffic stop the Barton County Sheriff’s office K9 was called to the scene. The canine indicated the presence of controlled substances. Further investigation revealed approximately 3/10 of a pound of suspected methamphetamine. Deputies also located Marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

The driver was identified as Wayne H Hunter Jr., 57 of Geneseo, Kansas. During the arrest, deputies found a 9 mm handgun&nbsp; on his person. Further investigation indicates the methamphetamine was to be delivered in Barton County.

Hunter is being held on a requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, criminal use of firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s being held in lieu of a $300,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605627111501.png" alt="Photo Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug distribution charges following a traffic stop.Just after 6:30p.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputies stopped a green 1997 Chevrolet Suburban on Santa Fe Street in Ellinwood for speeding, according to Sheriff Brian Belendir.During the course the traffic stop the Barton County Sheriff’s office K9 was called to the scene. The canine indicated the presence of controlled substances. Further investigation revealed approximately 3/10 of a pound of suspected methamphetamine. Deputies also located Marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605627200232.jpeg" alt="Hunter-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Hunter-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver was identified as Wayne H Hunter Jr., 57 of Geneseo, Kansas. During the arrest, deputies found a 9 mm handgun&nbsp; on his person. Further investigation indicates the methamphetamine was to be delivered in Barton County.Hunter is being held on a requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, criminal use of firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s being held in lieu of a $300,000 bond.

Sheriff: Kan. man caught speeding to meth delivery

STANTON COUNTY—One person as injured in an accident justbefore 3p.m. Tuesday in Stanton County.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 120 single-engine aircraft piloted by Blake Allen Gerard, 36,&nbsp; Collinsville, OK., was 200 yards northeast of the intersection of U.S. 160 and D Road seven miles east of the Stanton County Airport near Johnson City, Kansas.

The pilot attempted a flyby of people on the ground and caught the left wing on the dirt and spun into the ground.

EMS transported a passenger Matthew Allen Gerard, 13, Collinsville, OK., to the&nbsp;Stanton County Hospital.&nbsp; The pilot was not injured.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605663173126.png" alt="The airport is located approximately 70 miles southwest of Garden City-google image" />
 <figcaption>The airport is located approximately 70 miles southwest of Garden City-google image</figcaption>
 </figure>STANTON COUNTY—One person as injured in an accident justbefore 3p.m. Tuesday in Stanton County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 120 single-engine aircraft piloted by Blake Allen Gerard, 36,&nbsp; Collinsville, OK., was 200 yards northeast of the intersection of U.S. 160 and D Road seven miles east of the Stanton County Airport near Johnson City, Kansas.The pilot attempted a flyby of people on the ground and caught the left wing on the dirt and spun into the ground.EMS transported a passenger Matthew Allen Gerard, 13, Collinsville, OK., to the&nbsp;Stanton County Hospital.&nbsp; The pilot was not injured.&nbsp;

13-year-old hospitalized after SW Kan. plane crash 

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the CEOs of Twitter and Facebook gave assurances of vigorous action against election disinformation, Republicans at a Senate hearing Tuesday pounded the social media companies over political bias, business practices and market dominance, laying the ground for curbs on their long-held legal protections.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?478048-1/facebook-twitter-ceos-testify-senate-judiciary-committee&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the hearing

Twitter’s Jack Dorsey and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg defended at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing the safeguards against the use of their platforms to spread falsehoods and incite violence in the contest between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Responding to concern from Democrats on the panel, they pledged continued vigorous action for two special elections in Georgia that could determine in January which party controls the U.S. Senate.

Republican senators, including Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, revived complaints of censorship and anti-conservative bias against the social media platforms. They were reticent to address head-on the issue of election disinformation, an awkward topic for Republicans given that many of them have refused to knock down Trump’s unfounded claims of voting irregularities and fraud, even as misinformation disputing Biden’s victory has flourished online.

The actions that Twitter and Facebook took to quell the spread of disinformation angered Trump and his supporters.

Different grievances but a common adversary. Democrats, including President-elect Biden, also call for stripping away some of the protections that have shielded tech companies from legal responsibility for what people post.

They have focused their concern on hate speech and incitement on social media platforms that can spawn violence.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, asked Zuckerberg: “At what point will you stop giving in to baseless claims of anti-conservative bias and start exercising your control over Facebook to stop driving division?”

Graham pushed the case for Congress to curb the tech companies’ legal shield. “I think there’s Republican and Democrat concern about the power that’s being used by social media outlets to tell us what we can see and what we can’t, what’s true and what’s not,” Graham said.

Republicans and Democrats also are making common cause on Big Tech’s market dominance, endorsing stronger enforcement of antitrust laws and for some, the breakup of giants like Facebook and Google.

“Your companies are the most powerful in the world,” Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, told Dorsey and Zuckerberg.

“It is time we took action against these modern-day robber barons,” Hawley said, referring to the 19th century industrial moguls whose ruthless practices built fortunes.

Hawley exulted in a tweet: “Under oath, Zuckerberg admits Facebook DOES have ‘tools’ to track its users across the internet, across platforms, across accounts — all without user knowledge. I ask how many times this tool has been used domestically against Americans. Zuck won’t say.”

Zuckerberg, fending off Hawley’s accusations that Facebook coordinates its content moderation policies with rivals such as Google, said “We do coordinate and share on security-related topics” such as terrorism and foreign government influence — but not on policing content.

Despite fears over security in the runup to Election Day and social media companies bracing for the worst, the election turned out to be the most secure in U.S. history, federal and state officials from both parties say — repudiating Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of fraud.

Twitter and Facebook have both slapped a misinformation label on some content from Trump, most notably his assertions linking voting by mail to fraud. On Monday, Twitter flagged Trump’s tweet proclaiming “I won the Election!” with this note: “Official sources called this election differently.”

Twitter has in many cases prevented users from retweeting Trump’s tweets, while Facebook allows its users to continue sharing Trump’s false claims.

Dorsey and Zuckerberg testified to the hearing via video. Dorsey said that Twitter flagged some 300,000 tweets between Oct. 27 and Nov. 11 for content that was disputed and potentially misleading, representing 0.2% of all U.S. election-related tweets sent during the period.

Zuckerberg said Facebook joined with election officials to remove false claims about polling conditions and displayed warnings on more than 150 million pieces of content after review by independent fact-checkers. Facebook also prohibited misrepresentations about how or when to vote as well as attempts to use threats on the coronavirus to scare people into not voting, he said.

Zuckerberg acknowledged that “election interference remains an ongoing threat.”

Facebook moved two days after the election to ban a large group called “Stop the Steal” that Trump supporters were using to organize protests against the vote count. The 350,000-member group echoed Trump’s baseless allegations of a rigged election rendering the results invalid.

For days after the election as the vote counting went on, copycat “Stop the Steal” groups were easily found on Facebook. As of Monday, Facebook appeared to have made them harder to find, though it was still possible to locate them, including some groups with thousands of members.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605640650291.png" alt="Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during Tuesday's hearing-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during Tuesday's hearing-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As the CEOs of Twitter and Facebook gave assurances of vigorous action against election disinformation, Republicans at a Senate hearing Tuesday pounded the social media companies over political bias, business practices and market dominance, laying the ground for curbs on their long-held legal protections.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?478048-1/facebook-twitter-ceos-testify-senate-judiciary-committee&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the hearingTwitter’s Jack Dorsey and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg defended at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing the safeguards against the use of their platforms to spread falsehoods and incite violence in the contest between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Responding to concern from Democrats on the panel, they pledged continued vigorous action for two special elections in Georgia that could determine in January which party controls the U.S. Senate.Republican senators, including Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, revived complaints of censorship and anti-conservative bias against the social media platforms. They were reticent to address head-on the issue of election disinformation, an awkward topic for Republicans given that many of them have refused to knock down Trump’s unfounded claims of voting irregularities and fraud, even as misinformation disputing Biden’s victory has flourished online.The actions that Twitter and Facebook took to quell the spread of disinformation angered Trump and his supporters.Different grievances but a common adversary. Democrats, including President-elect Biden, also call for stripping away some of the protections that have shielded tech companies from legal responsibility for what people post.They have focused their concern on hate speech and incitement on social media platforms that can spawn violence.Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, asked Zuckerberg: “At what point will you stop giving in to baseless claims of anti-conservative bias and start exercising your control over Facebook to stop driving division?”Graham pushed the case for Congress to curb the tech companies’ legal shield. “I think there’s Republican and Democrat concern about the power that’s being used by social media outlets to tell us what we can see and what we can’t, what’s true and what’s not,” Graham said.Republicans and Democrats also are making common cause on Big Tech’s market dominance, endorsing stronger enforcement of antitrust laws and for some, the breakup of giants like Facebook and Google.“Your companies are the most powerful in the world,” Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, told Dorsey and Zuckerberg.“It is time we took action against these modern-day robber barons,” Hawley said, referring to the 19th century industrial moguls whose ruthless practices built fortunes.Hawley exulted in a tweet: “Under oath, Zuckerberg admits Facebook DOES have ‘tools’ to track its users across the internet, across platforms, across accounts — all without user knowledge. I ask how many times this tool has been used domestically against Americans. Zuck won’t say.”Zuckerberg, fending off Hawley’s accusations that Facebook coordinates its content moderation policies with rivals such as Google, said “We do coordinate and share on security-related topics” such as terrorism and foreign government influence — but not on policing content.Despite fears over security in the runup to Election Day and social media companies bracing for the worst, the election turned out to be the most secure in U.S. history, federal and state officials from both parties say — repudiating Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of fraud.Twitter and Facebook have both slapped a misinformation label on some content from Trump, most notably his assertions linking voting by mail to fraud. On Monday, Twitter flagged Trump’s tweet proclaiming “I won the Election!” with this note: “Official sources called this election differently.”Twitter has in many cases prevented users from retweeting Trump’s tweets, while Facebook allows its users to continue sharing Trump’s false claims.Dorsey and Zuckerberg testified to the hearing via video. Dorsey said that Twitter flagged some 300,000 tweets between Oct. 27 and Nov. 11 for content that was disputed and potentially misleading, representing 0.2% of all U.S. election-related tweets sent during the period.Zuckerberg said Facebook joined with election officials to remove false claims about polling conditions and displayed warnings on more than 150 million pieces of content after review by independent fact-checkers. Facebook also prohibited misrepresentations about how or when to vote as well as attempts to use threats on the coronavirus to scare people into not voting, he said.Zuckerberg acknowledged that “election interference remains an ongoing threat.”Facebook moved two days after the election to ban a large group called “Stop the Steal” that Trump supporters were using to organize protests against the vote count. The 350,000-member group echoed Trump’s baseless allegations of a rigged election rendering the results invalid.For days after the election as the vote counting went on, copycat “Stop the Steal” groups were easily found on Facebook. As of Monday, Facebook appeared to have made them harder to find, though it was still possible to locate them, including some groups with thousands of members.___

🎥  Twitter, Facebook defend election actions to Senate committee

By TOM BELL Kansas Hospital Association (retired)

We just finished (for the 
most part) an election that was not only held in the middle of a 
once-in-a-generation pandemic, but one in which that pandemic was a 
major political issue. Unlike the political commercials, however, the 
pandemic didn’t go away after the election.

Nevertheless, the 
conclusion of the election does provide us the opportunity to refocus, 
remove the politics and actually move forward to manage, and ultimately 
defeat, this virus.

To push ahead, though, we have to change our focus and acknowledge that strong federal leadership is needed.

For the most part 
throughout this struggle, President Donald Trump has indicated he wanted
 the governors to be “running things.” Granted, there was a time when he
 claimed “total authority” regarding restrictions governors may have put
 in place, but generally the federal government has wanted the buck to 
stop at the state level.

To the extent any federal 
leadership has existed, it’s been at best disengaged, voicing support 
for protective measures out of one side of its mouth while through 
actions demonstrating little interest in such measures. At its worst, 
federal “leadership” has been destructive. For example, instead of 
supporting frontline health workers, the leader of the federal 
government has, on numerous occasions, falsely accused them of <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/02/kansas-academy-rejects-trump-claim-physicians-profiting-from-covid-19-deaths/">inflating COVID death numbers</a>.

Due at least in part to this lack of federal leadership, we are now at a place where parts of our health care system are <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/06/hospitals-near-breaking-point-as-covid-19-patients-multiply/">in danger of being overwhelmed</a>; where personal protective equipment is once again in short supply and where states are back to competing with each other for <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/10/kdhe-kansas-hospitals-prefer-to-surge-covid-19-capacity-without-erecting-tent-cities/">scarce resources</a>.

My general belief is that 
because state government is closer to the problem and how it impacts 
individuals, the state is often better equipped to deal with a given 
problem. While there is some truth to that here, the crisis that is this
 pandemic literally cries out for federal leadership.

This virus doesn’t 
acknowledge state boundaries. It doesn’t really care whether a state is 
mostly rural or urban or somewhere in between. And it certainly pays no 
mind to what party comprises the state Legislature or sits in the 
governor’s office.

The reality is that states
 don’t have agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 with both the knowledge and the resources to recognize and respond to 
health security threats in an organized way. Neither do states have an 
organization like FEMA, whose literal mission is to prepare the nation
 for disasters. Moreover, states don’t have anything like the U.S. Food 
and Drug Administration, which we all depend on to ensure the quality 
and safety of therapeutics and vaccines. Finally, when you look at the 
amount of resources states like Kansas have compared to New York or 
California, leaving the states to fend for themselves is not only 
impractical, it is unfair.

I’m not arguing for a 
top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. Differences from state to state 
must be recognized and embraced. I’m also not suggesting that a stronger
 federal leadership role is a panacea — it is not.

I am arguing, however, 
that in this instance the federal government is uniquely suited for a 
strong leadership role and that the abandonment of that role has not 
served us well.

We have lots of work to do
 before we are through with the pandemic. The sooner the federal 
government reclaims its proper role in this effort the better.

Tom Bell of Topeka recently retired from the Kansas Hospital Association, where he worked for more than 30 years, serving roughly half that time as president and CEO. Prior to his work with KHA, Bell was a practicing health care attorney. He is a native Kansan from Holton, and graduated from Kansas State University and Washburn University School of Law. After graduation from law school, Bell clerked for Kansas Supreme Court Justice Harold Herd. Earlier this year, Bell was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly to the Executive Committee of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce, which is responsible for oversight of the statewide distribution of CARES Act funding related to COVID relief. He is also a board member of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/17/to-defeat-covid-19-kansas-needs-strong-federal-leadership/">Republished courtesy the Kansas Reflector</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605631487449.jpeg" alt="Tom Bell,&nbsp;Kansas Hospital Association" />
 <figcaption>Tom Bell,&nbsp;Kansas Hospital Association</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOM BELL Kansas Hospital Association (retired)We just finished (for the 
most part) an election that was not only held in the middle of a 
once-in-a-generation pandemic, but one in which that pandemic was a 
major political issue. Unlike the political commercials, however, the 
pandemic didn’t go away after the election.Nevertheless, the 
conclusion of the election does provide us the opportunity to refocus, 
remove the politics and actually move forward to manage, and ultimately 
defeat, this virus.To push ahead, though, we have to change our focus and acknowledge that strong federal leadership is needed.For the most part 
throughout this struggle, President Donald Trump has indicated he wanted
 the governors to be “running things.” Granted, there was a time when he
 claimed “total authority” regarding restrictions governors may have put
 in place, but generally the federal government has wanted the buck to 
stop at the state level.To the extent any federal 
leadership has existed, it’s been at best disengaged, voicing support 
for protective measures out of one side of its mouth while through 
actions demonstrating little interest in such measures. At its worst, 
federal “leadership” has been destructive. For example, instead of 
supporting frontline health workers, the leader of the federal 
government has, on numerous occasions, falsely accused them of <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/02/kansas-academy-rejects-trump-claim-physicians-profiting-from-covid-19-deaths/">inflating COVID death numbers</a>.Due at least in part to this lack of federal leadership, we are now at a place where parts of our health care system are <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/06/hospitals-near-breaking-point-as-covid-19-patients-multiply/">in danger of being overwhelmed</a>; where personal protective equipment is once again in short supply and where states are back to competing with each other for <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/10/kdhe-kansas-hospitals-prefer-to-surge-covid-19-capacity-without-erecting-tent-cities/">scarce resources</a>.My general belief is that 
because state government is closer to the problem and how it impacts 
individuals, the state is often better equipped to deal with a given 
problem. While there is some truth to that here, the crisis that is this
 pandemic literally cries out for federal leadership.This virus doesn’t 
acknowledge state boundaries. It doesn’t really care whether a state is 
mostly rural or urban or somewhere in between. And it certainly pays no 
mind to what party comprises the state Legislature or sits in the 
governor’s office.The reality is that states
 don’t have agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 with both the knowledge and the resources to recognize and respond to 
health security threats in an organized way. Neither do states have an 
organization like FEMA, whose literal mission is to prepare the nation
 for disasters. Moreover, states don’t have anything like the U.S. Food 
and Drug Administration, which we all depend on to ensure the quality 
and safety of therapeutics and vaccines. Finally, when you look at the 
amount of resources states like Kansas have compared to New York or 
California, leaving the states to fend for themselves is not only 
impractical, it is unfair.I’m not arguing for a 
top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. Differences from state to state 
must be recognized and embraced. I’m also not suggesting that a stronger
 federal leadership role is a panacea — it is not.I am arguing, however, 
that in this instance the federal government is uniquely suited for a 
strong leadership role and that the abandonment of that role has not 
served us well.We have lots of work to do
 before we are through with the pandemic. The sooner the federal 
government reclaims its proper role in this effort the better.Tom Bell of Topeka recently retired from the Kansas Hospital Association, where he worked for more than 30 years, serving roughly half that time as president and CEO. Prior to his work with KHA, Bell was a practicing health care attorney. He is a native Kansan from Holton, and graduated from Kansas State University and Washburn University School of Law. After graduation from law school, Bell clerked for Kansas Supreme Court Justice Harold Herd. Earlier this year, Bell was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly to the Executive Committee of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce, which is responsible for oversight of the statewide distribution of CARES Act funding related to COVID relief. He is also a board member of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/17/to-defeat-covid-19-kansas-needs-strong-federal-leadership/">Republished courtesy the Kansas Reflector</a>

OPINION: To defeat COVID-19, Kansas needs strong federal leadership

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall has resigned following an investigation into allegations of verbal and physical abuse. 

Marshall, who has long been known for his combustible sideline persona, came under scrutiny when former player Shaq Morris claimed he’d been struck twice by his coach during an October 2015 practice. Morris also claimed that he’d seen Marshall choke assistant coach Kyle Lindsted, who soon departed to become an assistant at Minnesota.

Wichita State Director of Athletics Darron Boatright has accepted the resignation of Head Men’s Basketball Coach Gregg Marshall, effective immediately, according to a media release from the university.

“This was a difficult decision, but one I feel was necessary for my family, the university and, most importantly, the student-athletes,” Marshall said. “I remain grateful for my years spent at Wichita State. I wish to thank the coaches, student-athletes, the university, the community, and all of Shocker Nation for their unending dedication, support and loyalty. I am incredibly proud of this men’s basketball program and all it has achieved over the past 14 years and am confident of its continued success.”&nbsp;

As part of Marshall’s resignation, the University has agreed to a contract settlement for $7.75 million to be paid over a period of six years. The university’s Intercollegiate Athletic Association will cover the settlement.

“Our student-athletes are our primary concern,” said Director of Athletics Darron Boatright. “While the university acknowledges the success of the basketball program under Coach Marshall, this decision is in the best interest of the university, its student athletes and the WSU community. WSU will continue its pursuit of excellence with the help of its student-athletes, staff and loyal supporters of the basketball program.” &nbsp; “I’m incredibly proud of this basketball program. Our family – Lynn, Kellen, and Maggie – love Wichita,” said Gregg Marshall. &nbsp; Assistant Coach Isaac Brown will serve as the team’s interim head coach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602261953575.png" alt="Coach Greg Marshall-photo courtesy Wichita State" />
 <figcaption>Coach Greg Marshall-photo courtesy Wichita State</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall has resigned following an investigation into allegations of verbal and physical abuse. Marshall, who has long been known for his combustible sideline persona, came under scrutiny when former player Shaq Morris claimed he’d been struck twice by his coach during an October 2015 practice. Morris also claimed that he’d seen Marshall choke assistant coach Kyle Lindsted, who soon departed to become an assistant at Minnesota.----------Wichita State Director of Athletics Darron Boatright has accepted the resignation of Head Men’s Basketball Coach Gregg Marshall, effective immediately, according to a media release from the university.“This was a difficult decision, but one I feel was necessary for my family, the university and, most importantly, the student-athletes,” Marshall said. “I remain grateful for my years spent at Wichita State. I wish to thank the coaches, student-athletes, the university, the community, and all of Shocker Nation for their unending dedication, support and loyalty. I am incredibly proud of this men’s basketball program and all it has achieved over the past 14 years and am confident of its continued success.”&nbsp;As part of Marshall’s resignation, the University has agreed to a contract settlement for $7.75 million to be paid over a period of six years. The university’s Intercollegiate Athletic Association will cover the settlement.“Our student-athletes are our primary concern,” said Director of Athletics Darron Boatright. “While the university acknowledges the success of the basketball program under Coach Marshall, this decision is in the best interest of the university, its student athletes and the WSU community. WSU will continue its pursuit of excellence with the help of its student-athletes, staff and loyal supporters of the basketball program.” &nbsp; “I’m incredibly proud of this basketball program. Our family – Lynn, Kellen, and Maggie – love Wichita,” said Gregg Marshall. &nbsp; Assistant Coach Isaac Brown will serve as the team’s interim head coach.

Gregg Marshall resigns as basketball coach at Wichita State 

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/16/lobbyist-urges-lawmakers-to-question-accuracy-of-covid-19-deaths-infections-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A frequent 
skeptic of COVID-19’s impact in Kansas pressed a mostly maskless GOP-led
 panel Monday to verify reported death totals and refuse heavy 
restrictions that would cripple a floundering economy.

As lobbyist Dave Trabert 
presented data undermining the increasing severity of the pandemic, the 
Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported another surge in 
infections and 10 more deaths.

So far, COVID-19 has killed 1,266 Kansans and infected 122,741.

Hospitals for several 
weeks now have set new records of COVID-19 admissions on a near-daily 
basis, and warn that staff shortages may prevent them from caring for 
any more patients. Local officials have responded by embracing mask 
mandates, ramping up restrictions on the number of people who can gather
 in public, limiting operations of bars and restaurants, and moving 
public school instruction online.

Thirty-two counties now 
have accepted Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposed mask mandate from early July 
or adopted their own, according to the state’s <a href="https://kdem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/24011ba92bdf400d975228148aea547b">new online tracking dashboard</a>. Cities in 10 other counties also have imposed a mandate.

Trabert, who lobbies for 
the Kansas Policy Institute’s “free market solutions,” told the Special 
Committee on Economic Recovery that lawmakers should review the death 
certificates that KDHE relies upon to report COVID-19 deaths in Kansas.

“I’m not saying that 
there’s anything wrong in the numbers, but we’re having to take the 
department of health’s word for all this,” Trabert said. “And as you may
 be aware of, we’ve caught them fudging data a few times on the number 
of deaths, cases and how they’re growing and so forth.”

KDHE hasn’t been caught 
“fudging data,” but Trabert and his colleagues have attacked the data 
presented by health officials, scientists and academics throughout the 
pandemic. He has objected to the merits of mask mandates and opposed the
 statewide lockdown in April.

Trained physicians, 
coroners and medical examiners are responsible for determining whether 
COVID-19 is the underlying cause of death. KDHE then reviews death 
certificates as part of its reporting process.

COVID-19 deaths stand out 
from other causes because there are so many of them. By comparison, the 
flu killed 389 people in Kansas in the past three years combined.

Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, 
responding on Twitter to Trabert’s call for a review of death 
certificates: “The dumb thing about this is that even if you’re 
skeptical about all the deaths being attributed to COVID-19, you have to
 have an alternate explanation for the (difference) in total deaths over
 previous years.”

Trabert also questioned 
the validity of positive tests in Kansas and provided a chart showing 
the “mortality rate” is declining. In reality, deaths have become more 
frequent since July.

Eight of the nine 
Republicans in attendance declined to wear a mask during the committee 
hearing, including Sen. Julia Lynn, the committee’s chairwoman from 
Olathe. The three Democrats — Rep. Tom Burroughs, of Kansas City, Rep. 
Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, and Rep. Jim Gartner, of Topeka — 
and Republican Rep. Richard Proehl, of Parsons, all wore masks.

Trabert told lawmakers 
that labs in Kansas are too sensitive in their testing for COVID-19, 
picking up traces of genetic material after the virus has been defeated.

“We don’t know how many, 
but we probably are getting an unknown number of positive results that 
really aren’t contagious,” Trabert said. “And yet those numbers are 
partly responsible for keeping kids out of school, for having mandates 
or having, honestly, fear put out there perhaps unnecessarily.”

Testing procedures in Kansas are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Trabert calculated a 1.1% 
“mortality rate” as the number of infected Kansans who now die from the 
disease. That rate has improved as the state expanded testing capacity, 
but the rate of deaths for the Kansas population continues to worsen. 
Trabert’s argument doesn’t consider the vast health problems for 
survivors or how many of the state’s 2.9 million people would die if 
community transmission remains uncontrolled.

“Our Kansas cases and 
deaths are climbing to the highest rates we have seen to date in the 
pandemic, and our hospitals are filling up,” said Ashely Jones-Wisner, 
senior director of public affairs for KDHE. “To state the virus is 
getting better is a complete mischaracterization, and a dangerous one at
 this critical juncture.”

<a href="https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=daily-deaths&amp;tab=trend">Projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation</a>
 at the University of Washington show daily deaths in the United States 
rising from 1,157 per day now to 2,000 per day by the end of the year. 
The IHME model shows daily deaths would decline slightly under a 
universal mask mandate, or surge to more than 3,100 per day if mandates 
were eased.

The governor has asked for
 GOP support in convincing local leaders to adopt mask mandates but 
repeatedly has said she won’t propose another statewide lockdown.

Seven states without a 
lockdown — Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Utah and 
Wyoming — reported job losses since March 1 in a range from 3.7% to 
8.9%, according to numbers presented by Trabert. He proposed that 
Kansas, which falls in the middle of that range with a job loss of 5.2%,
 would have fared better without Kelly’s statewide lockdown in April.

The same seven states 
posted year-to-year second-quarter private-sector losses in GDP ranging 
from 4.4% to 20.7%, Trabert said, while Kansas has lost 9% of its GDP.

Trabert’s numbers lacked 
context about the variations between state economies. Kansas has 
suffered severe losses in aerospace manufacturing, for instance.

Lauren 
Fitzgerald, the governor’s spokeswoman, said the administration is 
building upon progress that includes new capital investments and a lower
 unemployment rate.

“But we 
can’t have a healthy economy without healthy Kansans,” Fitzgerald said. 
“Slowing the spread of COVID-19 is directly tied to our state’s 
recovery.”

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. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605625550931.png" alt="Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute, testifies Monday before a panel on economic recovery about the high survival rate of COVID-19 and the pandemic's economic damage. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute, testifies Monday before a panel on economic recovery about the high survival rate of COVID-19 and the pandemic's economic damage. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/16/lobbyist-urges-lawmakers-to-question-accuracy-of-covid-19-deaths-infections-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A frequent 
skeptic of COVID-19’s impact in Kansas pressed a mostly maskless GOP-led
 panel Monday to verify reported death totals and refuse heavy 
restrictions that would cripple a floundering economy.As lobbyist Dave Trabert 
presented data undermining the increasing severity of the pandemic, the 
Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported another surge in 
infections and 10 more deaths.So far, COVID-19 has killed 1,266 Kansans and infected 122,741.Hospitals for several 
weeks now have set new records of COVID-19 admissions on a near-daily 
basis, and warn that staff shortages may prevent them from caring for 
any more patients. Local officials have responded by embracing mask 
mandates, ramping up restrictions on the number of people who can gather
 in public, limiting operations of bars and restaurants, and moving 
public school instruction online.Thirty-two counties now 
have accepted Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposed mask mandate from early July 
or adopted their own, according to the state’s <a href="https://kdem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/24011ba92bdf400d975228148aea547b">new online tracking dashboard</a>. Cities in 10 other counties also have imposed a mandate.Trabert, who lobbies for 
the Kansas Policy Institute’s “free market solutions,” told the Special 
Committee on Economic Recovery that lawmakers should review the death 
certificates that KDHE relies upon to report COVID-19 deaths in Kansas.“I’m not saying that 
there’s anything wrong in the numbers, but we’re having to take the 
department of health’s word for all this,” Trabert said. “And as you may
 be aware of, we’ve caught them fudging data a few times on the number 
of deaths, cases and how they’re growing and so forth.”KDHE hasn’t been caught 
“fudging data,” but Trabert and his colleagues have attacked the data 
presented by health officials, scientists and academics throughout the 
pandemic. He has objected to the merits of mask mandates and opposed the
 statewide lockdown in April.Trained physicians, 
coroners and medical examiners are responsible for determining whether 
COVID-19 is the underlying cause of death. KDHE then reviews death 
certificates as part of its reporting process.COVID-19 deaths stand out 
from other causes because there are so many of them. By comparison, the 
flu killed 389 people in Kansas in the past three years combined.Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, 
responding on Twitter to Trabert’s call for a review of death 
certificates: “The dumb thing about this is that even if you’re 
skeptical about all the deaths being attributed to COVID-19, you have to
 have an alternate explanation for the (difference) in total deaths over
 previous years.”Trabert also questioned 
the validity of positive tests in Kansas and provided a chart showing 
the “mortality rate” is declining. In reality, deaths have become more 
frequent since July.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605625603594.png" alt="Rep. Richard Proehl, of Parsons, was the only Republican to wear a mask during Monday’s meeting of the Special Committee on Economic Recovery. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Richard Proehl, of Parsons, was the only Republican to wear a mask during Monday’s meeting of the Special Committee on Economic Recovery. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Eight of the nine 
Republicans in attendance declined to wear a mask during the committee 
hearing, including Sen. Julia Lynn, the committee’s chairwoman from 
Olathe. The three Democrats — Rep. Tom Burroughs, of Kansas City, Rep. 
Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, and Rep. Jim Gartner, of Topeka — 
and Republican Rep. Richard Proehl, of Parsons, all wore masks.Trabert told lawmakers 
that labs in Kansas are too sensitive in their testing for COVID-19, 
picking up traces of genetic material after the virus has been defeated.“We don’t know how many, 
but we probably are getting an unknown number of positive results that 
really aren’t contagious,” Trabert said. “And yet those numbers are 
partly responsible for keeping kids out of school, for having mandates 
or having, honestly, fear put out there perhaps unnecessarily.”Testing procedures in Kansas are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Trabert calculated a 1.1% 
“mortality rate” as the number of infected Kansans who now die from the 
disease. That rate has improved as the state expanded testing capacity, 
but the rate of deaths for the Kansas population continues to worsen. 
Trabert’s argument doesn’t consider the vast health problems for 
survivors or how many of the state’s 2.9 million people would die if 
community transmission remains uncontrolled.“Our Kansas cases and 
deaths are climbing to the highest rates we have seen to date in the 
pandemic, and our hospitals are filling up,” said Ashely Jones-Wisner, 
senior director of public affairs for KDHE. “To state the virus is 
getting better is a complete mischaracterization, and a dangerous one at
 this critical juncture.”<a href="https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=daily-deaths&amp;tab=trend">Projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation</a>
 at the University of Washington show daily deaths in the United States 
rising from 1,157 per day now to 2,000 per day by the end of the year. 
The IHME model shows daily deaths would decline slightly under a 
universal mask mandate, or surge to more than 3,100 per day if mandates 
were eased.The governor has asked for
 GOP support in convincing local leaders to adopt mask mandates but 
repeatedly has said she won’t propose another statewide lockdown.Seven states without a 
lockdown — Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Utah and 
Wyoming — reported job losses since March 1 in a range from 3.7% to 
8.9%, according to numbers presented by Trabert. He proposed that 
Kansas, which falls in the middle of that range with a job loss of 5.2%,
 would have fared better without Kelly’s statewide lockdown in April.The same seven states 
posted year-to-year second-quarter private-sector losses in GDP ranging 
from 4.4% to 20.7%, Trabert said, while Kansas has lost 9% of its GDP.Trabert’s numbers lacked 
context about the variations between state economies. Kansas has 
suffered severe losses in aerospace manufacturing, for instance.Lauren 
Fitzgerald, the governor’s spokeswoman, said the administration is 
building upon progress that includes new capital investments and a lower
 unemployment rate.“But we 
can’t have a healthy economy without healthy Kansans,” Fitzgerald said. 
“Slowing the spread of COVID-19 is directly tied to our state’s 
recovery.”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. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Lobbyist urges Kan. lawmakers to question COVID-19 numbers

MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — More than 10,000 striking Deere &amp; Co. workers were voting Wednesday on a new contract offer from the tractor maker, but this third deal is strikingly similar to a contract that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">55% of workers rejected</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago.

The latest proposed contract maintains the 10% immediate raises that the last deal offered, and it makes what the United Auto Workers union called modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay program for workers.

After the last vote on Nov. 2, Deere officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-united-auto-workers-4cb8e7fca37836ee7eb4482392615c35">told the union</a>&nbsp;not to expect the company to offer any more money, and Deere largely stuck to that promise in this latest offer.

In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-illinois-moline-united-auto-workers-7e85b3d6aa34955f7c0be633e201c87f">keeps the 5% raises</a>&nbsp;that were in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal and 3% lump sum payments in the second, fourth and sixth years of the deal. The offer would also provide an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserve a pension option for new employees, make workers eligible for health insurance sooner and maintain their no-premium health insurance coverage.

The contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas where the company’s iconic green John Deere agricultural and construction equipment is made.

What Moline, Illinois-based Deere did in this latest offer, which it is calling its final one, was tweak the complicated formula it uses to determine which workers receive bonuses based on whether their team hits certain productivity goals. The changes in the formula could make it easier for workers to qualify for the incentive pay, but there are some Deere workers who aren’t eligible for the bonuses based on the job they do in the company’s factories and warehouses.

The workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">went on strike&nbsp;</a>on Oct. 14 have been holding out for more from Deere, which has predicted it will report record annual profits between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion when it releases its earnings report later this month. Initially, more than 90% of the workers rejected Deere’s initial offer, but the second vote was much closer after the company essentially doubled the raises it was offering.

Deere workers have had to endure increasingly colder temperatures along the picket lines while trying to get by on the union’s $275 in weekly strike pay or by finding another job.

Company officials have said they are using salaried employees and other workers to try and keep their factories operating during the strike. Other Deere plants globally are also working to pick up work.

Still, Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.

Another group of UAW-represented workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-17c318d1250ebfca9f597c5601af820b">went on strike earlier this year</a>&nbsp;at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and secured better pay and lower-cost health benefits after rejecting three tentative contract offers. Currently, about 1,400 Kellogg’s workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelloggs-cereal-plants-strike-d9185eb8fa9054d34a078063c3db6c33">have been on strike since early last month</a>&nbsp;at the company’s four U.S. cereal plants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634596496067.png" alt="The strike began Oct. 14 -Photo courtesy WQAD TV" />
 <figcaption>The strike began Oct. 14 -Photo courtesy WQAD TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — More than 10,000 striking Deere &amp; Co. workers were voting Wednesday on a new contract offer from the tractor maker, but this third deal is strikingly similar to a contract that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">55% of workers rejected</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago.The latest proposed contract maintains the 10% immediate raises that the last deal offered, and it makes what the United Auto Workers union called modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay program for workers.After the last vote on Nov. 2, Deere officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-united-auto-workers-4cb8e7fca37836ee7eb4482392615c35">told the union</a>&nbsp;not to expect the company to offer any more money, and Deere largely stuck to that promise in this latest offer.In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-illinois-moline-united-auto-workers-7e85b3d6aa34955f7c0be633e201c87f">keeps the 5% raises</a>&nbsp;that were in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal and 3% lump sum payments in the second, fourth and sixth years of the deal. The offer would also provide an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserve a pension option for new employees, make workers eligible for health insurance sooner and maintain their no-premium health insurance coverage.The contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas where the company’s iconic green John Deere agricultural and construction equipment is made.What Moline, Illinois-based Deere did in this latest offer, which it is calling its final one, was tweak the complicated formula it uses to determine which workers receive bonuses based on whether their team hits certain productivity goals. The changes in the formula could make it easier for workers to qualify for the incentive pay, but there are some Deere workers who aren’t eligible for the bonuses based on the job they do in the company’s factories and warehouses.The workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">went on strike&nbsp;</a>on Oct. 14 have been holding out for more from Deere, which has predicted it will report record annual profits between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion when it releases its earnings report later this month. Initially, more than 90% of the workers rejected Deere’s initial offer, but the second vote was much closer after the company essentially doubled the raises it was offering.Deere workers have had to endure increasingly colder temperatures along the picket lines while trying to get by on the union’s $275 in weekly strike pay or by finding another job.Company officials have said they are using salaried employees and other workers to try and keep their factories operating during the strike. Other Deere plants globally are also working to pick up work.Still, Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.Another group of UAW-represented workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-17c318d1250ebfca9f597c5601af820b">went on strike earlier this year</a>&nbsp;at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and secured better pay and lower-cost health benefits after rejecting three tentative contract offers. Currently, about 1,400 Kellogg’s workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelloggs-cereal-plants-strike-d9185eb8fa9054d34a078063c3db6c33">have been on strike since early last month</a>&nbsp;at the company’s four U.S. cereal plants.

Striking John Deere workers vote on 3rd contract offer

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a criminal homicide that fatally injured a man and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a stabbing at a home in the 2800 block of South Washington in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, officer’s located the victim identified as 59-year-old Bryan Turner with multiple cut and stab wounds to his body.&nbsp; Officers quickly began life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

The investigation revealed that multiple people were at the home, and Turner and a suspect identified as 34-year-old Kenneth Junious, Jr. were both visiting.  While at the home, a disturbance ensued between Junious and the Turner. 

 During the disturbance, Junious pulled out a knife and caused multiple injuries to the Turner. Junious then fled the scene in a vehicle.&nbsp; Police reported his arrest on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605617102715.png" alt="&nbsp;Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a criminal homicide that fatally injured a man and have a suspect in custody.Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a stabbing at a home in the 2800 block of South Washington in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;Upon arrival, officer’s located the victim identified as 59-year-old Bryan Turner with multiple cut and stab wounds to his body.&nbsp; Officers quickly began life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries on the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605480651864.png" alt="Police tape at the home early Sunday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police tape at the home early Sunday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed that multiple people were at the home, and Turner and a suspect identified as 34-year-old Kenneth Junious, Jr. were both visiting. While at the home, a disturbance ensued between Junious and the Turner. During the disturbance, Junious pulled out a knife and caused multiple injuries to the Turner. Junious then fled the scene in a vehicle.&nbsp; Police reported his arrest on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections.He was booked<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=23938"> into the Sedgwick Jail </a>just before 1p.m. Monday and is being held on a requested charge of 1st-degree murder and a warrant through the Kansas Department of Correction.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.