By ANNE CHRISTIANSEN-BULLERS KUMC News

KANSAS CITY - The struggle to breathe is well-documented symptom for those battling COVID-19, so how is the disease best treated for those with existing respiratory problems, such as asthma?

A study to address that question, along with other research related to lung issues, is being supported by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/" target="_blank">American Lung Association</a>&nbsp;and its research arm, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/research/airways-clinical-research-centers" target="_blank">Airways Clinical Research Centers Network&nbsp;</a>(ACRC).

The University of Kansas Medical Center&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/acrc-expands">recently expanded its position&nbsp;</a>in the ACRC from member to consortium hub, which gives KU Medical Center the responsibility to mentor and lead other universities in its group.

<a href="http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/internal-medicine/clinical-divisions/pulmonary-critical-care-and-sleep-medicine/faculty/mario-castro-md.html" target="_blank">Mario Castro</a>, MD, MPH, division chief for pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, will act as principal investigator. He brings this role with him from a previous position at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

The ACRC is the nation's largest not-for-profit network of clinical research centers focused on lung disease. Its member centers have advanced research in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"The ACRC Network is an incredibly valuable resource in pulmonology research," Castro said. "The network has answered some of the most important clinical questions we need to manage our patients with asthma, COPD and chronic cough. Now we are leveraging this expertise to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic."

KU Medical Center will be one of nine hub leaders for the ACRC's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/research/about-our-research/covid19-action-initiative" target="_blank">COVID-19 Action Initiative</a>, a $25 million project from the American Lung Association. The initiative's goals are to:

American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer said the COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies the importance of ongoing lung disease research championed by the ACRC. "Clinical research allows us to advance scientific knowledge from the lab to the patient's bedside swiftly, directly impacting patient care," he said.

A second major ACRC initiative, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/lung-health-study" target="_blank">Lung Health Cohort Study</a>&nbsp;of millennials (ages 25-35 years old), will examine the effect of environmental exposures on respiratory health in young people. These environmental exposures will include urgent, timely and relevant factors, such as COVID-19 and vaping.

Castro said KU Medical Center is honored to play a role in the initiative, which is funded by a $24.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

"Often, when we think of breathing problems, we focus on the very young or the very old," Castro said. "The Lung Health Cohort Study provides an opportunity to research exposure risk within a young person's environment, so that all generations can benefit moving forward."

"We hypothesize that the telehealth visits will reduce asthma attacks and lead to better medication adherence."

Locally, KU Medical Center is teaming up with Children's Mercy Kansas City for a clinical trial to be conducted by the ACRC. The trial, called "Improving&nbsp;Medication&nbsp;Adherence with&nbsp;Telehealthcare Medication Therapy Management to&nbsp;Change&nbsp;Health Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults with Asthma," goes by the acronym MATCH and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Participants will include 300 adolescents and young adults (ages 14-30) who have a difficult time controlling their asthma.

All participants in the clinical trial will receive sensors that attach to their corticosteroid inhalers and a software application for their smartphone or computer.

When the medication is taken, the sensors relay information to the software so the clinical trial participant and the trial administrator can review it. With that data, both can see how well the participant is sticking to the medication plan.

Some participants will get extra support to adhere to their medication plan. In addition to the sensors and software, these participants will have video consultations with a pharmacist trained in medication therapy management. These telehealth visits will offer the participant periodic feedback and encouragement.

The clinical trial will measure which group has fewer asthma flare-ups. It also will figure out the cost-benefit analysis of the telehealth consultations.

"We hypothesize that the telehealth visits will reduce asthma attacks and lead to better medication adherence," Castro said. "Being able to test that hypothesis as well as measure its costs - especially against the costs associated with an emergency-room visit or hospitalization - could provide insight into a new approach to this common chronic disease, especially in these days of the pandemic where telehealth provides definite advantages to patient care."

In April 2020, the number of member institutions within ACRC nearly doubled, from 22 sites to 39. Universities within the current KU Medical Center consortium hub include the university itself as well as:

"As our nation faces the COVID-19 public health crisis, this framework of the ACRC is needed today more than ever," ALA's Wimmer said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603750350464.jpeg" alt="The University of Kansas Medical Center will take a leadership role in the Airways Clinical Research Centers Network (ACRC), the research arm of the American Lung Association." />
 <figcaption>The University of Kansas Medical Center will take a leadership role in the Airways Clinical Research Centers Network (ACRC), the research arm of the American Lung Association.</figcaption>
 </figure>By ANNE CHRISTIANSEN-BULLERS KUMC NewsKANSAS CITY - The struggle to breathe is well-documented symptom for those battling COVID-19, so how is the disease best treated for those with existing respiratory problems, such as asthma?A study to address that question, along with other research related to lung issues, is being supported by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/" target="_blank">American Lung Association</a>&nbsp;and its research arm, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/research/airways-clinical-research-centers" target="_blank">Airways Clinical Research Centers Network&nbsp;</a>(ACRC).The University of Kansas Medical Center&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/acrc-expands">recently expanded its position&nbsp;</a>in the ACRC from member to consortium hub, which gives KU Medical Center the responsibility to mentor and lead other universities in its group.<h2>Importance of ACRC Network</h2><a href="http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/internal-medicine/clinical-divisions/pulmonary-critical-care-and-sleep-medicine/faculty/mario-castro-md.html" target="_blank">Mario Castro</a>, MD, MPH, division chief for pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, will act as principal investigator. He brings this role with him from a previous position at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.The ACRC is the nation's largest not-for-profit network of clinical research centers focused on lung disease. Its member centers have advanced research in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)."The ACRC Network is an incredibly valuable resource in pulmonology research," Castro said. "The network has answered some of the most important clinical questions we need to manage our patients with asthma, COPD and chronic cough. Now we are leveraging this expertise to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic."<h2>COVID-19 Action Initiative</h2>KU Medical Center will be one of nine hub leaders for the ACRC's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/research/about-our-research/covid19-action-initiative" target="_blank">COVID-19 Action Initiative</a>, a $25 million project from the American Lung Association. The initiative's goals are to:<ul>
 <li>Expand respiratory research</li><li>Fund grants for coronavirus vaccines and other prevention measures</li><li>Provide additional grants for research evaluating the effects of COVID-19 on patients with chronic lung disease</li><li>Enhance key public health measures through education and advocacy</li>
 </ul>American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer said the COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies the importance of ongoing lung disease research championed by the ACRC. "Clinical research allows us to advance scientific knowledge from the lab to the patient's bedside swiftly, directly impacting patient care," he said.<h2>Millennial Lung Health Cohort Study</h2>A second major ACRC initiative, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/lung-health-study" target="_blank">Lung Health Cohort Study</a>&nbsp;of millennials (ages 25-35 years old), will examine the effect of environmental exposures on respiratory health in young people. These environmental exposures will include urgent, timely and relevant factors, such as COVID-19 and vaping.Castro said KU Medical Center is honored to play a role in the initiative, which is funded by a $24.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health."Often, when we think of breathing problems, we focus on the very young or the very old," Castro said. "The Lung Health Cohort Study provides an opportunity to research exposure risk within a young person's environment, so that all generations can benefit moving forward."<h2>Clinical trial for those with asthma</h2><figure>
 <img src="http://www.kumc.edu/Images/news/Castro,%20M%20Pulmonary%20Disease.jpg" alt="Mario Castro" />
 <figcaption>Mario Castro</figcaption>
 </figure>"We hypothesize that the telehealth visits will reduce asthma attacks and lead to better medication adherence."Locally, KU Medical Center is teaming up with Children's Mercy Kansas City for a clinical trial to be conducted by the ACRC. The trial, called "Improving&nbsp;Medication&nbsp;Adherence with&nbsp;Telehealthcare Medication Therapy Management to&nbsp;Change&nbsp;Health Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults with Asthma," goes by the acronym MATCH and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.Participants will include 300 adolescents and young adults (ages 14-30) who have a difficult time controlling their asthma.All participants in the clinical trial will receive sensors that attach to their corticosteroid inhalers and a software application for their smartphone or computer.When the medication is taken, the sensors relay information to the software so the clinical trial participant and the trial administrator can review it. With that data, both can see how well the participant is sticking to the medication plan.Some participants will get extra support to adhere to their medication plan. In addition to the sensors and software, these participants will have video consultations with a pharmacist trained in medication therapy management. These telehealth visits will offer the participant periodic feedback and encouragement.The clinical trial will measure which group has fewer asthma flare-ups. It also will figure out the cost-benefit analysis of the telehealth consultations."We hypothesize that the telehealth visits will reduce asthma attacks and lead to better medication adherence," Castro said. "Being able to test that hypothesis as well as measure its costs - especially against the costs associated with an emergency-room visit or hospitalization - could provide insight into a new approach to this common chronic disease, especially in these days of the pandemic where telehealth provides definite advantages to patient care."<h2>About the ACRC expansion</h2>In April 2020, the number of member institutions within ACRC nearly doubled, from 22 sites to 39. Universities within the current KU Medical Center consortium hub include the university itself as well as:<ul>
 <li>Vanderbilt University</li><li>University of Wisconsin-Madison</li><li>Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina</li>
 </ul>"As our nation faces the COVID-19 public health crisis, this framework of the ACRC is needed today more than ever," ALA's Wimmer said.

KUMC selected for COVID-19, lung health research

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting on Halloween evening.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 2600 block of SE Pennsylvania in Topeka after report of a woman suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.

An ambulance transported the woman to a local hospital. Officers were on-scene trying to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. Name of the victim has not been released and police have not reported an arrest.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting on Halloween evening.Just after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 2600 block of SE Pennsylvania in Topeka after report of a woman suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.An ambulance transported the woman to a local hospital. Officers were on-scene trying to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. Name of the victim has not been released and police have not reported an arrest.

Kan. woman with life-threatening injury after Halloween shooting

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Canadian man who was stopped on a Kansas Highway with 99 pounds of cocaine pleaded guilty this week to federal charges, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

&nbsp;Vincent Muller, 36, Saint Jerome, Canada, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In his plea, Muller admitted the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped his car on I-70 in Wabaunsee County, Kan. 

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found 99 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were in a suitcase in the trunk of the car.

&nbsp;Sentencing is set for Feb. 16, 2021. Muller could face a sentence of not less than 10 years in federal prison, as well as a fine up to $10 million.&nbsp;

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Canadian man who was stopped on a Kansas Highway with 99 pounds of cocaine pleaded guilty this week to federal charges, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.&nbsp;Vincent Muller, 36, Saint Jerome, Canada, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In his plea, Muller admitted the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped his car on I-70 in Wabaunsee County, Kan. During a search of the vehicle, troopers found 99 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were in a suitcase in the trunk of the car.&nbsp;Sentencing is set for Feb. 16, 2021. Muller could face a sentence of not less than 10 years in federal prison, as well as a fine up to $10 million.&nbsp;

KHP found 99 pounds of cocaine hidden in car

WICHITA—Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell II announced Saturday he would step down if re-elected.

&nbsp;A growing number of GOP leaders in Kansas called for the resignation of O'Donnell and two other elected officials who were recorded planning a cover-up of their role in a plot to smear the Democratic mayor of Wichita.

The controversy stems from an ad that falsely suggested Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple was accused of sexual harassment when he served in the Kansas Legislature. The ad was published on YouTube during the mayoral election last year.

On Saturday afternoon, O'Donnell wrote, "After much prayer and consideration I’ve realized my candidacy is too much of a distraction and have arrived at the difficult decision to announce that I will not accept a 2nd term as county commissioner, if elected. This would allow the Republican precinct members to select a replacement. This seat is much more important than any one person. Our community deserves a commissioner committed to conservative values and policies that reflect our district.

It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Sedgwick County. I look forward to see the next steps the Lord has for me."

The Wichita City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday saying Councilman James Clendenin had violated the city’s code of ethics. The council also condemned O’Donnell and state Rep. Michael Capps.

“What I heard on the recording represents the very worst of politics and shows they have abused the positions entrusted to them by Kansas voters,” Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes said in a Facebook post on Monday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901453104.png" alt="O'Donnell wiping away tears following Wednesdays censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission. At that time, he refused to apologize." />
 <figcaption>O'Donnell wiping away tears following Wednesdays censure vote by the Sedgwick County Commission. At that time, he refused to apologize.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA—Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell II announced Saturday he would step down if re-elected.&nbsp;A growing number of GOP leaders in Kansas called for the resignation of O'Donnell and two other elected officials who were recorded planning a cover-up of their role in a plot to smear the Democratic mayor of Wichita.The controversy stems from an ad that falsely suggested Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple was accused of sexual harassment when he served in the Kansas Legislature. The ad was published on YouTube during the mayoral election last year.On Saturday afternoon, O'Donnell wrote, "After much prayer and consideration I’ve realized my candidacy is too much of a distraction and have arrived at the difficult decision to announce that I will not accept a 2nd term as county commissioner, if elected. This would allow the Republican precinct members to select a replacement. This seat is much more important than any one person. Our community deserves a commissioner committed to conservative values and policies that reflect our district.It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Sedgwick County. I look forward to see the next steps the Lord has for me."The Wichita City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday saying Councilman James Clendenin had violated the city’s code of ethics. The council also condemned O’Donnell and state Rep. Michael Capps.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603722521631.png" alt="Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell, Kansas House Rep. Michael Capps and Wichita City Councilman James Clendenin. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell, Kansas House Rep. Michael Capps and Wichita City Councilman James Clendenin. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“What I heard on the recording represents the very worst of politics and shows they have abused the positions entrusted to them by Kansas voters,” Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes said in a Facebook post on Monday night.

County commissioner will step down over mayor smear

By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/wichita-public-schools-hold-course-reopen-middle-high-schools-despite-covid-19-increases">Kansas News Service</a>

The Wichita School board decided to move forward with its plan to 
transition middle and high school students to in-person learning.

The
 board held a special meeting on Friday to discuss the worsening 
coronavirus pandemic in Sedgwick County. The positive rate for COVID-19 
testing has risen from 5.4% on Oct. 1 to 14.5% on Thursday, the last day
 data was available on Sedgwick County’s coronavirus <a href="https://sedgwickcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/7b2b4364a5fa4ba3a015d52450acfe0d" target="_blank">dashboard</a>.

The
 district and county tally coronavirus cases using a different percent 
positive rate methodology for tracking whether schools should be open. 
That tally shows Sedgwick County’s percent positive rate at 10.9 
percent.

The board voted 4-3 to stick with allowing in-person 
middle and high school classes, though it did shift the start date from 
Nov. 9 to Nov. 12. The board will take another look at the reopening 
plan on Nov. 9.

“Where I always land is what’s right for kids,” said board president Sheril Logan. “Kids need to be in school.”

Despite
 the rise in cases in Sedgwick County correlating with the reopening of 
schools, the county’s health director Adrienne Byrne told the board 
during the emergency meeting that the county can’t prove in-person 
elementary school classes caused the increase.

“We just don’t have enough data to say this is why this is happening,” Bryne said.

A
 divided board approved a hybrid learning model on Oct. 20 for middle 
and high school students. Under the plan, which was set to begin Nov. 9,
 half the class would meet with the teacher in-person while the other 
half learned remotely. The two halves would switch later in the week.

Students who opted to attend the online Education Imagine Academy or MySchool Remote would continue to learn virtually.

Board
 members who voted for the plan said in-person classes are a better 
alternative than the stress that remote learning is creating for 
students and parents.

Several district teachers and their union 
are distressed at the idea of having to teach students virtually and 
in-person at the same time.

“Our teachers are tired,” Kimberly 
Howard, president of the United Teachers of Wichita, said at Friday's 
meeting. “They’re tired of unrealistic expectations.”

Currently, 
all middle and high school students in the district are learning 
remotely. In August, the school board cited the county’s high positive 
test rate – which was 10.2% at the time – as a reason not to allow sixth
 through 12th grade students back into physical classrooms.

Parents
 of students in kindergarten through fifth grade had the option for 
their child to attend in-person classes or learn remotely.

School
 officials say if COVID-19 test rates continue to rise, learning for all
 of its roughly 47,000 students will be held remotely. Officials say 
that will happen if the positive testing rate exceeds 15 percent.

“We
 understand the impact of decisions on your work, our families, our 
business community - and most important, our students,” Wichita 
superintendent Alicia Thompson said in an email this week. “We will 
continue to be transparent in the data we share, and make the 
best-possible decisions with the information we have at the time 
decisions must be made.“

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604115566433.png" alt=" Stephan A Bisaha / KMUW " />
 <figcaption> Stephan A Bisaha / KMUW </figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/wichita-public-schools-hold-course-reopen-middle-high-schools-despite-covid-19-increases">Kansas News Service</a>The Wichita School board decided to move forward with its plan to 
transition middle and high school students to in-person learning.The
 board held a special meeting on Friday to discuss the worsening 
coronavirus pandemic in Sedgwick County. The positive rate for COVID-19 
testing has risen from 5.4% on Oct. 1 to 14.5% on Thursday, the last day
 data was available on Sedgwick County’s coronavirus <a href="https://sedgwickcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/7b2b4364a5fa4ba3a015d52450acfe0d" target="_blank">dashboard</a>.The
 district and county tally coronavirus cases using a different percent 
positive rate methodology for tracking whether schools should be open. 
That tally shows Sedgwick County’s percent positive rate at 10.9 
percent.The board voted 4-3 to stick with allowing in-person 
middle and high school classes, though it did shift the start date from 
Nov. 9 to Nov. 12. The board will take another look at the reopening 
plan on Nov. 9.“Where I always land is what’s right for kids,” said board president Sheril Logan. “Kids need to be in school.”Despite
 the rise in cases in Sedgwick County correlating with the reopening of 
schools, the county’s health director Adrienne Byrne told the board 
during the emergency meeting that the county can’t prove in-person 
elementary school classes caused the increase.“We just don’t have enough data to say this is why this is happening,” Bryne said.A
 divided board approved a hybrid learning model on Oct. 20 for middle 
and high school students. Under the plan, which was set to begin Nov. 9,
 half the class would meet with the teacher in-person while the other 
half learned remotely. The two halves would switch later in the week.Students who opted to attend the online Education Imagine Academy or MySchool Remote would continue to learn virtually.Board
 members who voted for the plan said in-person classes are a better 
alternative than the stress that remote learning is creating for 
students and parents.Several district teachers and their union 
are distressed at the idea of having to teach students virtually and 
in-person at the same time.“Our teachers are tired,” Kimberly 
Howard, president of the United Teachers of Wichita, said at Friday's 
meeting. “They’re tired of unrealistic expectations.”Currently, 
all middle and high school students in the district are learning 
remotely. In August, the school board cited the county’s high positive 
test rate – which was 10.2% at the time – as a reason not to allow sixth
 through 12th grade students back into physical classrooms.Parents
 of students in kindergarten through fifth grade had the option for 
their child to attend in-person classes or learn remotely.School
 officials say if COVID-19 test rates continue to rise, learning for all
 of its roughly 47,000 students will be held remotely. Officials say 
that will happen if the positive testing rate exceeds 15 percent.“We
 understand the impact of decisions on your work, our families, our 
business community - and most important, our students,” Wichita 
superintendent Alicia Thompson said in an email this week. “We will 
continue to be transparent in the data we share, and make the 
best-possible decisions with the information we have at the time 
decisions must be made.“Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/stevebisaha">@SteveBisaha</a>&nbsp;or email him at bisaha@kmuw.org.

Kan. largest school district to reopen despite COVID-19 increases 

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A man is hospitalized after being shot by a motorcyclist on Interstate 35 in Johnson County, and police believe road rage was behind the shooting. 

KCTV-TV reports that the incident happened Friday night, causing the shutdown of the interstate near the busy intersection with I-435. 

Lenexa police say the victim was driving northbound on I-35 when a motorcyclist driving the same direction shot him. Police say they’re investigating it as a road rage incident, but provided no additional information. 

The victim drove home and called 911. He was taken to a hospital but details about his condition have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604149589182.png" alt="Traffic backed up Friday night -image courtesy KC Scout camera" />
 <figcaption>Traffic backed up Friday night -image courtesy KC Scout camera</figcaption>
 </figure>LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A man is hospitalized after being shot by a motorcyclist on Interstate 35 in Johnson County, and police believe road rage was behind the shooting. KCTV-TV reports that the incident happened Friday night, causing the shutdown of the interstate near the busy intersection with I-435. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604149568426.png" alt="Police searching the area following the reported shooting -image courtesy KC Scout camera" />
 <figcaption>Police searching the area following the reported shooting -image courtesy KC Scout camera</figcaption>
 </figure>Lenexa police say the victim was driving northbound on I-35 when a motorcyclist driving the same direction shot him. Police say they’re investigating it as a road rage incident, but provided no additional information. The victim drove home and called 911. He was taken to a hospital but details about his condition have not been released.

Man injured in suspected road rage shooting near KC

WASHINGTON (AP) — An American citizen kidnapped in the West African nation of Niger this past week has been rescued in a U.S. military operation in neighboring Nigeria, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Philipe Nathan Walton was taken from his farm in Massalata in southern Niger early Tuesday morning by armed kidnappers who demanded a ransom from the man’s father.

The Defense Department confirmed the operation Saturday, saying it took place in northern Nigeria.

“This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation,” the department said in a statement.

Niger has faced a growing number of attacks by extremists linked to both the Islamic State group and to al-Qaida. The kidnapping comes two months after IS-linked militants killed six French aid workers and their Niger guide while they were visiting a wildlife park east of the capital.

The U.S. official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the rescue and spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no solid indications that Walton’s kidnapping was terrorism-related and that it was instead “trending toward a kidnapping for ransom.”

But the official said the U.S. government said it was concerned that the hostage could be passed to another terrorist group, or that the kidnapping could become a prolonged hostage-taking.

Walton is now back in Niger, according to the official, who said no ransom was paid.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly promoted his administration’s focus on securing the release of American hostages held by militant groups abroad as well as others being detained. Earlier this month, two Americans held captive by Iranian-backed militants in Yemen were released, along with a third person, in exchange for the return of about 250 of the Houthi rebels from Oman.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An American citizen kidnapped in the West African nation of Niger this past week has been rescued in a U.S. military operation in neighboring Nigeria, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Saturday.Philipe Nathan Walton was taken from his farm in Massalata in southern Niger early Tuesday morning by armed kidnappers who demanded a ransom from the man’s father.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last night, our Country’s brave warriors rescued an American hostage in Nigeria. Our Nation salutes the courageous soldiers behind the daring nighttime rescue operation and celebrates the safe return of yet another American citizen!&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1322568272483475457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Defense Department confirmed the operation Saturday, saying it took place in northern Nigeria.“This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation,” the department said in a statement.Niger has faced a growing number of attacks by extremists linked to both the Islamic State group and to al-Qaida. The kidnapping comes two months after IS-linked militants killed six French aid workers and their Niger guide while they were visiting a wildlife park east of the capital.The U.S. official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the rescue and spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no solid indications that Walton’s kidnapping was terrorism-related and that it was instead “trending toward a kidnapping for ransom.”But the official said the U.S. government said it was concerned that the hostage could be passed to another terrorist group, or that the kidnapping could become a prolonged hostage-taking.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Outstanding work by the U.S. military today in freeing a U.S. citizen taken hostage in Niger and reuniting him with his family.&mdash; Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1322537249062461440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Walton is now back in Niger, according to the official, who said no ransom was paid.President Donald Trump has repeatedly promoted his administration’s focus on securing the release of American hostages held by militant groups abroad as well as others being detained. Earlier this month, two Americans held captive by Iranian-backed militants in Yemen were released, along with a third person, in exchange for the return of about 250 of the Houthi rebels from Oman.

American hostage in Africa rescued by U.S. Navy Seals

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Family members located Charles Mata and he is safe, according to Kansas City Police. The Silver Alert has been cancelled. Authorities released no additional details.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Kansas man.

Charles Wesley Mata who is currently missing from his home in the 4900 block of Silver Ave. in Kansas City. Mata was last known driving a dark blue, 4-door 2008 Mazda 3 with KS tag 748-AQD with an unknown direction of travel.

Mata is an 81-year-old Hispanic male, 5 -oot-7 in. tall, who weighs 165 pounds. He has brown eyes, grey hair and glasses. He was last wearing blue jeans, a gray shirt with green trim and glasses.

Mata has early onset dementia. He was last seen in Lenexa at 5:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30. He may have traveled near I-35 and Johnson Drive. in Merriam, Kan. If you see Mata or his vehicle, please call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604093676080.png" alt="Mata -photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Mata -photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Family members located Charles Mata and he is safe, according to Kansas City Police. The Silver Alert has been cancelled. Authorities released no additional details.---------WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Kansas man.Charles Wesley Mata who is currently missing from his home in the 4900 block of Silver Ave. in Kansas City. Mata was last known driving a dark blue, 4-door 2008 Mazda 3 with KS tag 748-AQD with an unknown direction of travel.Mata is an 81-year-old Hispanic male, 5 -oot-7 in. tall, who weighs 165 pounds. He has brown eyes, grey hair and glasses. He was last wearing blue jeans, a gray shirt with green trim and glasses.Mata has early onset dementia. He was last seen in Lenexa at 5:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30. He may have traveled near I-35 and Johnson Drive. in Merriam, Kan. If you see Mata or his vehicle, please call 911.

Silver Alert canceled, missing Kan. man found safe

LONDON (AP) — Sean Connery, the charismatic Scottish actor who rose to international superstardom as suave, fearless secret agent James Bond and then abandoned the role to carve out an equally successful, Oscar-winning career playing a variety of leading and character roles, has died. He was 90.

Bond producers EON Productions confirmed his death. Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they were “devastated” by the news.

“He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words — ‘The name’s Bond... James Bond,’” they said in a statement Saturday.

The producers said Connery’s “gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent” was largely responsible for the success of the series.

Connery’s son Jason said his father died peacefully in his sleep overnight in the Bahamas where he lived, having been “unwell for some time.”

“A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor,” Jason Connery told the BBC.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “heartbroken” at the news.

“Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons,” she said.

A commanding screen presence for some 40 years, Connery was in his early 30s and little known when he starred in the first Bond thriller, 1962’s “Dr. No,” based on the Ian Fleming novel.

Condemned as immoral by the Vatican and the Kremlin, but screened at the White House for Bond fan John F. Kennedy, “Dr. No” was a box office hit and helped Bond become a franchise that long outlasted its Cold War origins.

For decades, with actors from Connery to Daniel Craig in the leading role, filmgoers have loved the outrageous stunts, vicious villains and likable, roguish hero who enjoyed a life of carousing, fast cars, gadgety weapons, elegant clothes and vodka martinis (always shaken, not stirred).

For many, Connery was the definitive James Bonds, his character’s introduction among the most famous in movie history. He is seated at the blackjack table of an upscale casino, seen first from the side and the back. After he wins a couple of hands against a glamorous young woman, she asks for more money to gamble. “I admire your courage, Miss, uh ...” we hear him tell her as the camera shows his hands removing a cigarette from a slender case. She introduces herself as “Trench, Sylvia Trench,” tells him she admires his luck and asks his name. His reply remains a catchphrase decades later. “Bond,” he says, his face finally revealed as he lights a cigarette. “James Bond.”

United Artists couldn’t wait to make more Bond movies, with ever more elaborate stunts and gadgets, along with more exotic locales and more prominent co-stars, among them Lotte Lenya and Jill St. John.

Connery continued as Bond in “From Russia With Love,” “Goldfinger,” “Thunderball,” “You Only Live Twice” and “Diamonds Are Forever,” often performing his own stunts.

“Diamonds Are Forever” came out in 1971 and by then Connery had grown weary of playing 007 and feared he wasn’t being taken seriously despite his dramatic performances in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie” and Sidney Lumet’s “The Hill.”

“I’d been an actor since I was 25, but the image the press put out was that I just fell into this tuxedo and started mixing vodka martinis,” he once complained.

When he walked away at age 41, Hollywood insiders predicted Connery would soon be washed up. Who would hire a balding, middle-aged actor with a funny accent?

Connery fooled them all, playing a wide range of characters and proving equally adept at comedy, adventure or drama. And age only heightened the appeal of his dark stare and rugged brogue; he set a celebrity record of sorts when at age 59 he was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive.”

He won the affection of fans of the “Indiana Jones” franchise when he played Indy’s father opposite Harrison Ford in the third picture, 1989′s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” He turned in a poignant portrayal of an aging Robin Hood opposite Audrey Hepburn in “Robin and Marian” in 1976 and, 15 years later, was King Richard to Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood in “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”

He was the lovable English con man who joined Michael Caine in swindling tribal people everywhere in “The Man Who Would Be King” and the bold Russian submarine commander in “The Hunt for Red October.”

He delivered a charming performance as a reclusive writer who mentors a teenage prodigy in 2000′s “Finding Forrester.”

He won his Oscar for supporting actor in 1987 for his portrayal of a tough Chicago cop who joins Elliot Ness’ crime-fighters in “The Untouchables.

By then he was at peace with James Bond, and when he arrived onstage at the Oscar ceremony he declared, “The name’s Connery. Sean Connery.”

He kept his promise not to play Bond again until 1983, when he was lured back by an offbeat script about a middle-aged 007. Based on the only Fleming story that hadn’t been nailed down by the film empire Broccoli and Saltzman created, Connery took the role and helped produce the film. The result was “Never Say Never Again,” a title suggested by his wife, Micheline Roquebrune.

Even as the 007 films made him a millionaire, Connery tried often to separate his own personality from that of Bond. “I’m obviously not Bond,” he once said. “And Bond is obviously not a human being. Fleming invented him after the war, when people were hungry for luxury, gourmet touches, exotic settings. Those were the things the English loved to read about following the privations of the war.”

The “real” Sean Connery had a troubled first marriage and a history of comments justifying domestic violence. In 1962, he married Diane Cilento, an actress best known for her role as Molly in “Tom Jones.” They had a son, Jason, who also became an actor, but the union proved tempestuous and ended in 1974.

Its impact lasted long after. Cilento would allege that he had physically abused her and Connery defended his behavior in interviews. In 1965, he told Playboy magazine that he did not find “anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman — although I don’t recommend doing it in the same way that you’d hit a man. An openhanded slap is justified — if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning.”

When Barbara Walter brought up those remarks in a 1987 interview, he said his opinion hadn’t changed because “sometimes women just won’t leave things alone.”

Connery was widely criticized, but still received numerous honors, including being chosen as commander (the same rank as Bond) of France’s Order of Arts and Literature and a Kennedy Center honoree in 1999. The following year Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed him a British knight.

In 2005 he was chosen for a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute. Thomas Sean Connery was born Aug. 25, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland, the first of two sons of a long-distance truck driver and a domestic worker.

He left school at age 13 during World War II to help support his family.

“I was a milkman, laborer, steel bender, cement mixer— virtually anything,” he once said.

Weary of day labor, he joined the British navy and was medically discharged after three years. The ailment: stomach ulcers.

Back in Edinburgh, he lifted weights to build his body and compete in the Mr. Universe contest. He came in third, and briefly considered becoming a professional soccer player, but chose acting because he reasoned his career would last longer.

He got his first big break singing and dancing to “There is Nothing Like a Dame” in “South Pacific” on the London stage and in a road production before going on to act in repertory, television and B movies. He went to Hollywood for two early films, Disney’s “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” and “Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure.”

When he decided to become an actor, he was told that Thomas Sean Connery wouldn’t fit on a theater marquee so he dropped his first name.

Then came the audition that changed his life. American producers Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had bought the film rights to a string of post-World War II spy adventure novels by Fleming. Connery was not their first choice for “Dr. No.”

The producers had looked to Cary Grant, but decided they wanted an actor would commit to a series. The producers also realized they couldn’t afford a big-name star because United Artists had limited their film budget to $1 million a picture, so they started interviewing more obscure British performers.

Among them was the 6-foot-2 Connery. Without a screen test, Broccoli and Saltzman chose the actor, citing his “dark, cruel good looks,” a perfect match for the way Fleming described Bond. When Connery started earning big money, he established his base at a villa in Marbella on the Spanish coast.

He described it as “my sanitarium, where I recover from the madness of the film world.” It also helped him avoid the overwhelming income tax he would have paid had he remained a resident of Britain.

As his acting roles diminished when he reached his 70s, Connery spent much of his time at his tax-free home at Lynford Cay in the Bahamas. He played golf almost every morning, often with his wife. He announced in 2007 that he had retired when he turned down the chance to appear in another “Indiana Jones” movie.

“I thought long and hard about it, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an `Indiana Jones’ film,” he said.

“But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun.”

LONDON (AP) — Sean Connery, the charismatic Scottish actor who rose to international superstardom as suave, fearless secret agent James Bond and then abandoned the role to carve out an equally successful, Oscar-winning career playing a variety of leading and character roles, has died. He was 90.Bond producers EON Productions confirmed his death. Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they were “devastated” by the news.“He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words — ‘The name’s Bond... James Bond,’” they said in a statement Saturday.The producers said Connery’s “gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent” was largely responsible for the success of the series.Connery’s son Jason said his father died peacefully in his sleep overnight in the Bahamas where he lived, having been “unwell for some time.”“A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor,” Jason Connery told the BBC.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “heartbroken” at the news.“Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons,” she said.A commanding screen presence for some 40 years, Connery was in his early 30s and little known when he starred in the first Bond thriller, 1962’s “Dr. No,” based on the Ian Fleming novel.Condemned as immoral by the Vatican and the Kremlin, but screened at the White House for Bond fan John F. Kennedy, “Dr. No” was a box office hit and helped Bond become a franchise that long outlasted its Cold War origins.For decades, with actors from Connery to Daniel Craig in the leading role, filmgoers have loved the outrageous stunts, vicious villains and likable, roguish hero who enjoyed a life of carousing, fast cars, gadgety weapons, elegant clothes and vodka martinis (always shaken, not stirred).For many, Connery was the definitive James Bonds, his character’s introduction among the most famous in movie history. He is seated at the blackjack table of an upscale casino, seen first from the side and the back. After he wins a couple of hands against a glamorous young woman, she asks for more money to gamble. “I admire your courage, Miss, uh ...” we hear him tell her as the camera shows his hands removing a cigarette from a slender case. She introduces herself as “Trench, Sylvia Trench,” tells him she admires his luck and asks his name. His reply remains a catchphrase decades later. “Bond,” he says, his face finally revealed as he lights a cigarette. “James Bond.”United Artists couldn’t wait to make more Bond movies, with ever more elaborate stunts and gadgets, along with more exotic locales and more prominent co-stars, among them Lotte Lenya and Jill St. John.Connery continued as Bond in “From Russia With Love,” “Goldfinger,” “Thunderball,” “You Only Live Twice” and “Diamonds Are Forever,” often performing his own stunts.“Diamonds Are Forever” came out in 1971 and by then Connery had grown weary of playing 007 and feared he wasn’t being taken seriously despite his dramatic performances in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie” and Sidney Lumet’s “The Hill.”“I’d been an actor since I was 25, but the image the press put out was that I just fell into this tuxedo and started mixing vodka martinis,” he once complained.When he walked away at age 41, Hollywood insiders predicted Connery would soon be washed up. Who would hire a balding, middle-aged actor with a funny accent?Connery fooled them all, playing a wide range of characters and proving equally adept at comedy, adventure or drama. And age only heightened the appeal of his dark stare and rugged brogue; he set a celebrity record of sorts when at age 59 he was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive.”He won the affection of fans of the “Indiana Jones” franchise when he played Indy’s father opposite Harrison Ford in the third picture, 1989′s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” He turned in a poignant portrayal of an aging Robin Hood opposite Audrey Hepburn in “Robin and Marian” in 1976 and, 15 years later, was King Richard to Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood in “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”He was the lovable English con man who joined Michael Caine in swindling tribal people everywhere in “The Man Who Would Be King” and the bold Russian submarine commander in “The Hunt for Red October.”He delivered a charming performance as a reclusive writer who mentors a teenage prodigy in 2000′s “Finding Forrester.”He won his Oscar for supporting actor in 1987 for his portrayal of a tough Chicago cop who joins Elliot Ness’ crime-fighters in “The Untouchables.By then he was at peace with James Bond, and when he arrived onstage at the Oscar ceremony he declared, “The name’s Connery. Sean Connery.”He kept his promise not to play Bond again until 1983, when he was lured back by an offbeat script about a middle-aged 007. Based on the only Fleming story that hadn’t been nailed down by the film empire Broccoli and Saltzman created, Connery took the role and helped produce the film. The result was “Never Say Never Again,” a title suggested by his wife, Micheline Roquebrune.Even as the 007 films made him a millionaire, Connery tried often to separate his own personality from that of Bond. “I’m obviously not Bond,” he once said. “And Bond is obviously not a human being. Fleming invented him after the war, when people were hungry for luxury, gourmet touches, exotic settings. Those were the things the English loved to read about following the privations of the war.”The “real” Sean Connery had a troubled first marriage and a history of comments justifying domestic violence. In 1962, he married Diane Cilento, an actress best known for her role as Molly in “Tom Jones.” They had a son, Jason, who also became an actor, but the union proved tempestuous and ended in 1974.Its impact lasted long after. Cilento would allege that he had physically abused her and Connery defended his behavior in interviews. In 1965, he told Playboy magazine that he did not find “anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman — although I don’t recommend doing it in the same way that you’d hit a man. An openhanded slap is justified — if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning.”When Barbara Walter brought up those remarks in a 1987 interview, he said his opinion hadn’t changed because “sometimes women just won’t leave things alone.”Connery was widely criticized, but still received numerous honors, including being chosen as commander (the same rank as Bond) of France’s Order of Arts and Literature and a Kennedy Center honoree in 1999. The following year Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed him a British knight.In 2005 he was chosen for a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute. Thomas Sean Connery was born Aug. 25, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland, the first of two sons of a long-distance truck driver and a domestic worker.He left school at age 13 during World War II to help support his family.“I was a milkman, laborer, steel bender, cement mixer— virtually anything,” he once said.Weary of day labor, he joined the British navy and was medically discharged after three years. The ailment: stomach ulcers.Back in Edinburgh, he lifted weights to build his body and compete in the Mr. Universe contest. He came in third, and briefly considered becoming a professional soccer player, but chose acting because he reasoned his career would last longer.He got his first big break singing and dancing to “There is Nothing Like a Dame” in “South Pacific” on the London stage and in a road production before going on to act in repertory, television and B movies. He went to Hollywood for two early films, Disney’s “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” and “Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure.”When he decided to become an actor, he was told that Thomas Sean Connery wouldn’t fit on a theater marquee so he dropped his first name.Then came the audition that changed his life. American producers Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had bought the film rights to a string of post-World War II spy adventure novels by Fleming. Connery was not their first choice for “Dr. No.”The producers had looked to Cary Grant, but decided they wanted an actor would commit to a series. The producers also realized they couldn’t afford a big-name star because United Artists had limited their film budget to $1 million a picture, so they started interviewing more obscure British performers.Among them was the 6-foot-2 Connery. Without a screen test, Broccoli and Saltzman chose the actor, citing his “dark, cruel good looks,” a perfect match for the way Fleming described Bond. When Connery started earning big money, he established his base at a villa in Marbella on the Spanish coast.He described it as “my sanitarium, where I recover from the madness of the film world.” It also helped him avoid the overwhelming income tax he would have paid had he remained a resident of Britain.As his acting roles diminished when he reached his 70s, Connery spent much of his time at his tax-free home at Lynford Cay in the Bahamas. He played golf almost every morning, often with his wife. He announced in 2007 that he had retired when he turned down the chance to appear in another “Indiana Jones” movie.“I thought long and hard about it, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an `Indiana Jones’ film,” he said.“But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun.”___

Actor Sean Connery, the 'original' James Bond, dies at 90

By AVIVA OKESON-HABERMAN &amp; PEGGY LOWE <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-10-30/why-these-kansans-votes-didnt-count-two-years-ago-and-why-that-could-be-a-problem-this-year">Kansas News Service</a>

More than a quarter of the 29,000 provisional ballots in Kansas were 
rejected in the 2018 general election because of various errors, leaving
 7,692 voters out of the democratic process.

Provisional ballots 
are supposed to be a fail-safe, protecting voters from 
disenfranchisement due to an administrative error or other problems.

About
 one in four of the 29,000 provisional ballots cast in Kansas in 2018, 
out of more than a million total cast, were not counted because election
 officials found errors with the ballots ranging from a lack of voter 
registration to not signing an envelope, which are required by state 
law.

Yet election experts anticipate higher numbers of provisional
 voting in the Nov. 3 election, partly due to voters requesting an 
advance ballot by mail but then reconsidering and deciding to vote 
in-person. While provisional ballots made up a small slice, about 2.7% 
of all votes cast in Kansas in 2018, they can make a difference in tight
 races. Kansas voters are deciding on a high-stakes U.S. Senate seat, as
 well as all four congressional seats.

Basehor resident Sheila 
May-Turner’s ballot was rejected in 2018 because two ballots were put in
 one envelope, according to election records. She doesn’t recall doing 
that, and is confused about why her ballot was rejected.

“I think 
that's totally unfair that my vote didn't count,” May-Turner said. “I 
mean, it makes me kind of angry actually. It's a crock.”

May-Turner is voting in person this election because she said she distrusts the U.S. Postal Service.

Leavenworth
 resident Louis Givens said he was angry when he heard his 2018 
provisional ballot wasn’t counted. Voting records indicate it was 
rejected because Givens wasn’t registered to vote, although he thought 
he was.

“I look at it like I didn't get the chance to participate, you know?” Givens said.

Provisional
 ballots might be rejected because a voter didn’t provide ID, didn’t 
sign the ballot envelope or the signature didn’t match what’s on record.
 About 80% of ballot rejections in the Kansas 2018 general election were
 the result of a person missing the voter registration deadline, 
according to the federal Election Administration and Voting Survey data.

Kansas Leads U.S. In Use Of Provisional Ballots

Kansas had one of the highest provisional ballot rates in the country
 in the November 2018 election, according to an analysis by KCUR. About 
2.7% of all ballots cast were provisional in Kansas, according to 
Election Administration and Voting Survey data.

But even that 
small number of votes matters when races come down to very tight 
margins. For instance, in a Kansas Legislature primary in August, 
Democrat Aaron Coleman <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article245023545.html" target="_blank">eked out a win</a>
 by 14 votes after provisionals were counted. (Coleman has admitted to 
bullying and blackmailing girls while in middle school, according to the
 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-ap-top-news-health-media-kansas-ac948dae17c3dbc36ffe62246925c4f3" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.)

In Johnson County, more than 3,300 voters had cast provisional 
ballots, as of Oct. 23. About 84% of those voters were mailed a ballot, 
according to Connie Schmidt, Johnson County Election Commissioner.

“If
 there's a close race on election night here in Johnson County, and we 
have, let's say 10,000 to 15,000 provisional ballots then the 
provisional ballots easily could change the outcome of races,” Schmidt 
said.

A federal law <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/stand-up-and-be-counted-maybe" target="_blank">spurred by</a>
 voting issues in the 2000 election requires states to provide 
provisional ballots to any voter whose eligibility is uncertain. This 
protects voters from disenfranchisement due to an administrative error, 
like when Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was incorrectly told he wasn’t
 on the voter roll <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-03-10/kansas-city-mayor-says-being-mistaken-for-lucas-quinton-points-to-larger-issues-with-voting" target="_blank">earlier this year </a>after a worker accidentally mixed up his first and last name.

Top
 county election officials in Leavenworth, Miami and Johnson counties 
said the biggest misconception about provisions is that they won’t 
count.

“A lot of people are afraid of the term provisional,” 
Schmidt said. “They hear that word and they immediately don't want to 
cast that ballot …There's a perception in the media nationwide that 
provisional ballots are only counted if there's a close race.”

While
 provisional ballots aren’t included in unofficial election night 
results, ballots are counted during the county canvass. The extra time 
allows election officials to verify if a voter is eligible to have their
 ballot counted. It also gives the voter time to bring in their ID if 
they forgot to on Election Day.

“It's just a way to make 100% sure
 that we're doing everything we need to do to make sure everything's 
still safe, secure and lawful,” Miami County Clerk Janet White said.

A
 sharply contested GOP primary for governor in 2018 that included a 
flurry of attention around provisional votes sparked Davis Hammet’s 
interest in the topic. Hammet is the founder of Loud Light, a Topeka, 
Kansas, group focused on voter engagement and increasing the number of 
young people who turn out to the polls.

Hammet wants Kansas 
lawmakers to change state law and allow ballots to count even though a 
voter missed the registration deadline. Hammet wasn’t able to rally 
enough support for this idea during the 2020 legislative session.

Kansans
 fill out a voter registration card if they vote provisionally, Hammet 
reasons, so if a provisional ballot isn’t counted because the voter 
wasn’t registered, the voter is put in the system for the next election.

“I kind of joke that Kansas does have same-day voter registration, but your vote doesn't get to count,” Hammet said.

Eisenhower Middle School teacher Annastasia (Logan) Glover’s 
experience is a good example of Hammett’s concern. Their 2018 ballot 
wasn’t counted after they moved back to Leavenworth County after 
college, but missed the registration deadline.

“It was very disappointing to see that despite so much effort on my part, my voice wasn't heard,” Glover said.

If
 you move to another county, even if it’s a couple of miles away, and 
don’t update your registration then your vote won’t count. Almost 4,000 
ballots were tossed out for that reason in the 2018 general election. 
There’s an exception if you changed counties within 30 days of the 
election.

But if you move within a county and forget to update 
your registration, your provisional ballot will count for the races 
you’re eligible to vote in.

Kansans have to be registered 21 days 
before an election. Twenty-one states offer same-day voter registration,
 but not Kansas, according to the <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-registration.aspx" target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures.</a>

Johnson
 County’s Schmidt said same-day registration requires a “different model
 of election administration” because of processing work. It can also be a
 challenge for election officials trying to figure out turnout and 
staffing plans with voter registrations numbers in flex.

“If 
anybody can come and they don't have to be a registered voter, we don't 
have a good way of knowing how many people are coming to each voting 
location,” Schmidt said.

The
 surge in mail ballot requests because of the pandemic might end up 
translating to more provisional votes if voters change their mind and 
decide to vote in-person, according to Eliza Sweren-Becker, a lawyer 
focused on voting rights at the Brennan Center for Justice.

“Jurisdictions
 should prepare for a surge in provisional voting due to delays in 
processing of voter registration applications, voter confusion resulting
 from polling site closures and consolidation, and unfamiliarity with 
absentee voting,” according to a <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/how-protect-2020-vote-coronavirus" target="_blank">March report</a> from the Brennan Center.

Kansas’
 August primary saw a 66% increase in provisional voting compared to the
 August 2018 election, according to data from the Secretary of State’s 
office. That’s because the recent election saw higher turnout numbers, 
and the overall share of votes cast provisionally, however, only ticked 
up slightly.

On a chilly Saturday morning a week before the election, a steady 
flow of voters cast provisional ballots at the Johnson County Election 
Office. This included first-time voter Marvelin Umeh. After getting a 
mail ballot she decided to vote in-person instead because she was 
worried her ballot might get lost in the mail.

“I've been a 
citizen since 2015, but I've never voted,” Umeh said. “So I decided it's
 something I need to do to change the country.”

A little less than
 half of registered voters weren’t confident in the United States Postal
 Services delivering election mail in a timely manner, according to a <a href="http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NPR_PBS-NewsHour_Marist-Poll_USA-NOS-and-Tables_202009171415.pdf#page=3" target="_blank">September</a> NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll.

Not
 every county is reporting increases in provisional voting. The Kansas 
Secretary of State’s office won’t have statewide numbers on provisionals
 until after the canvass, according to a spokeswoman. Leavenworth County
 Clerk Janet Klasinski said while she’s gotten calls from people about 
switching from a mail ballot to voting in-person, the county hasn’t seen
 a surge in provisional voting.

“Our voters have been fine with 
waiting until they received their ballot, voting their ballot that they 
received in the mail and possibly bringing it directly to the county 
clerk's office,” Klasinski said.

In Johnson County, voter Yuri Regondola has been “checking the mail 
every day” for his advance ballot but said it hasn’t arrived. With a 
little more than a week left before the election, Regondola decided to 
vote in person provisionally at the Johnson County Election Office.

“I
 was determined to vote — like no matter what,” Regondola said. “And I 
know voting in-person would increase the risk [of contracting 
coronavirus], but I said that I have to.”

· Return your mail ballot in a county election drop box if you’re worried about mail delays. · Check your voter registration status and polling locations at the <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview/" target="_blank">Kansas Secretary of State’s website</a>. · Bring a valid ID when voting, like a driver’s license, passport, student ID card or public assistance card (a full list is <a href="https://sos.ks.gov/elections/photo-id.html" target="_blank">available here</a>). · If you cast a provisional ballot, make sure to sign the envelope and follow instructions from an election worker.

Source: Kansas Secretary of State

Aviva Okeson-Haberman is the Missouri government and politics reporter at KCUR 89.3. Email her at aviva@kcur.org.&nbsp;Peggy Lowe is a veteran investigative reporter based at KCUR, NPR’s member station in Kansas City. She also serves as a correspondent for Marketplace, public media’s national business show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604077280974.png" alt="Connie Schmidt, Johnson County Election Commissioner, leads a training on July 11 in Olathe for poll workers who will be dealing with provisional ballots. Peggy Lowe" />
 <figcaption>Connie Schmidt, Johnson County Election Commissioner, leads a training on July 11 in Olathe for poll workers who will be dealing with provisional ballots. Peggy Lowe</figcaption>
 </figure>By AVIVA OKESON-HABERMAN &amp; PEGGY LOWE <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-10-30/why-these-kansans-votes-didnt-count-two-years-ago-and-why-that-could-be-a-problem-this-year">Kansas News Service</a>More than a quarter of the 29,000 provisional ballots in Kansas were 
rejected in the 2018 general election because of various errors, leaving
 7,692 voters out of the democratic process.Provisional ballots 
are supposed to be a fail-safe, protecting voters from 
disenfranchisement due to an administrative error or other problems.About
 one in four of the 29,000 provisional ballots cast in Kansas in 2018, 
out of more than a million total cast, were not counted because election
 officials found errors with the ballots ranging from a lack of voter 
registration to not signing an envelope, which are required by state 
law.Yet election experts anticipate higher numbers of provisional
 voting in the Nov. 3 election, partly due to voters requesting an 
advance ballot by mail but then reconsidering and deciding to vote 
in-person. While provisional ballots made up a small slice, about 2.7% 
of all votes cast in Kansas in 2018, they can make a difference in tight
 races. Kansas voters are deciding on a high-stakes U.S. Senate seat, as
 well as all four congressional seats.Basehor resident Sheila 
May-Turner’s ballot was rejected in 2018 because two ballots were put in
 one envelope, according to election records. She doesn’t recall doing 
that, and is confused about why her ballot was rejected.“I think 
that's totally unfair that my vote didn't count,” May-Turner said. “I 
mean, it makes me kind of angry actually. It's a crock.”May-Turner is voting in person this election because she said she distrusts the U.S. Postal Service.Leavenworth
 resident Louis Givens said he was angry when he heard his 2018 
provisional ballot wasn’t counted. Voting records indicate it was 
rejected because Givens wasn’t registered to vote, although he thought 
he was.“I look at it like I didn't get the chance to participate, you know?” Givens said.Provisional
 ballots might be rejected because a voter didn’t provide ID, didn’t 
sign the ballot envelope or the signature didn’t match what’s on record.
 About 80% of ballot rejections in the Kansas 2018 general election were
 the result of a person missing the voter registration deadline, 
according to the federal Election Administration and Voting Survey data.<h2>Kansas Leads U.S. In Use Of Provisional Ballots</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604077410493.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas had one of the highest provisional ballot rates in the country
 in the November 2018 election, according to an analysis by KCUR. About 
2.7% of all ballots cast were provisional in Kansas, according to 
Election Administration and Voting Survey data.But even that 
small number of votes matters when races come down to very tight 
margins. For instance, in a Kansas Legislature primary in August, 
Democrat Aaron Coleman <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article245023545.html" target="_blank">eked out a win</a>
 by 14 votes after provisionals were counted. (Coleman has admitted to 
bullying and blackmailing girls while in middle school, according to the
 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-ap-top-news-health-media-kansas-ac948dae17c3dbc36ffe62246925c4f3" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604077464930.png" alt="Johnson County election worker Larry Wagner hands a provisional ballot to a voter Oct. 24. Aviva Okeson-Haberman" />
 <figcaption>Johnson County election worker Larry Wagner hands a provisional ballot to a voter Oct. 24. Aviva Okeson-Haberman</figcaption>
 </figure>In Johnson County, more than 3,300 voters had cast provisional 
ballots, as of Oct. 23. About 84% of those voters were mailed a ballot, 
according to Connie Schmidt, Johnson County Election Commissioner.“If
 there's a close race on election night here in Johnson County, and we 
have, let's say 10,000 to 15,000 provisional ballots then the 
provisional ballots easily could change the outcome of races,” Schmidt 
said.A federal law <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/stand-up-and-be-counted-maybe" target="_blank">spurred by</a>
 voting issues in the 2000 election requires states to provide 
provisional ballots to any voter whose eligibility is uncertain. This 
protects voters from disenfranchisement due to an administrative error, 
like when Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was incorrectly told he wasn’t
 on the voter roll <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-03-10/kansas-city-mayor-says-being-mistaken-for-lucas-quinton-points-to-larger-issues-with-voting" target="_blank">earlier this year </a>after a worker accidentally mixed up his first and last name.Top
 county election officials in Leavenworth, Miami and Johnson counties 
said the biggest misconception about provisions is that they won’t 
count.“A lot of people are afraid of the term provisional,” 
Schmidt said. “They hear that word and they immediately don't want to 
cast that ballot …There's a perception in the media nationwide that 
provisional ballots are only counted if there's a close race.”While
 provisional ballots aren’t included in unofficial election night 
results, ballots are counted during the county canvass. The extra time 
allows election officials to verify if a voter is eligible to have their
 ballot counted. It also gives the voter time to bring in their ID if 
they forgot to on Election Day.“It's just a way to make 100% sure
 that we're doing everything we need to do to make sure everything's 
still safe, secure and lawful,” Miami County Clerk Janet White said.<h2>Worries Of Voter Disenfranchisement</h2>A
 sharply contested GOP primary for governor in 2018 that included a 
flurry of attention around provisional votes sparked Davis Hammet’s 
interest in the topic. Hammet is the founder of Loud Light, a Topeka, 
Kansas, group focused on voter engagement and increasing the number of 
young people who turn out to the polls.Hammet wants Kansas 
lawmakers to change state law and allow ballots to count even though a 
voter missed the registration deadline. Hammet wasn’t able to rally 
enough support for this idea during the 2020 legislative session.Kansans
 fill out a voter registration card if they vote provisionally, Hammet 
reasons, so if a provisional ballot isn’t counted because the voter 
wasn’t registered, the voter is put in the system for the next election.“I kind of joke that Kansas does have same-day voter registration, but your vote doesn't get to count,” Hammet said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604077511269.png" alt="Annastasia (Logan) Glover cast a provisional ballot in the Nov. 2018 election that wasn't counted because they weren't registered to vote in Leavenworth County. Aviva Okeson-Haberman" />
 <figcaption>Annastasia (Logan) Glover cast a provisional ballot in the Nov. 2018 election that wasn't counted because they weren't registered to vote in Leavenworth County. Aviva Okeson-Haberman</figcaption>
 </figure>Eisenhower Middle School teacher Annastasia (Logan) Glover’s 
experience is a good example of Hammett’s concern. Their 2018 ballot 
wasn’t counted after they moved back to Leavenworth County after 
college, but missed the registration deadline.“It was very disappointing to see that despite so much effort on my part, my voice wasn't heard,” Glover said.If
 you move to another county, even if it’s a couple of miles away, and 
don’t update your registration then your vote won’t count. Almost 4,000 
ballots were tossed out for that reason in the 2018 general election. 
There’s an exception if you changed counties within 30 days of the 
election.But if you move within a county and forget to update 
your registration, your provisional ballot will count for the races 
you’re eligible to vote in.Kansans have to be registered 21 days 
before an election. Twenty-one states offer same-day voter registration,
 but not Kansas, according to the <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-registration.aspx" target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures.</a>Johnson
 County’s Schmidt said same-day registration requires a “different model
 of election administration” because of processing work. It can also be a
 challenge for election officials trying to figure out turnout and 
staffing plans with voter registrations numbers in flex.“If 
anybody can come and they don't have to be a registered voter, we don't 
have a good way of knowing how many people are coming to each voting 
location,” Schmidt said.<h2>‘I Was Determined To Vote’</h2>The
 surge in mail ballot requests because of the pandemic might end up 
translating to more provisional votes if voters change their mind and 
decide to vote in-person, according to Eliza Sweren-Becker, a lawyer 
focused on voting rights at the Brennan Center for Justice.“Jurisdictions
 should prepare for a surge in provisional voting due to delays in 
processing of voter registration applications, voter confusion resulting
 from polling site closures and consolidation, and unfamiliarity with 
absentee voting,” according to a <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/how-protect-2020-vote-coronavirus" target="_blank">March report</a> from the Brennan Center.Kansas’
 August primary saw a 66% increase in provisional voting compared to the
 August 2018 election, according to data from the Secretary of State’s 
office. That’s because the recent election saw higher turnout numbers, 
and the overall share of votes cast provisionally, however, only ticked 
up slightly.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604077554783.png" alt="Marvelin Umeh requested an advance ballot by mail but decided to vote provisionally in-person instead because of concerns about the United States Postal Service. Aviva Okeson-Haberman" />
 <figcaption>Marvelin Umeh requested an advance ballot by mail but decided to vote provisionally in-person instead because of concerns about the United States Postal Service. Aviva Okeson-Haberman</figcaption>
 </figure>On a chilly Saturday morning a week before the election, a steady 
flow of voters cast provisional ballots at the Johnson County Election 
Office. This included first-time voter Marvelin Umeh. After getting a 
mail ballot she decided to vote in-person instead because she was 
worried her ballot might get lost in the mail.“I've been a 
citizen since 2015, but I've never voted,” Umeh said. “So I decided it's
 something I need to do to change the country.”A little less than
 half of registered voters weren’t confident in the United States Postal
 Services delivering election mail in a timely manner, according to a <a href="http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NPR_PBS-NewsHour_Marist-Poll_USA-NOS-and-Tables_202009171415.pdf#page=3" target="_blank">September</a> NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll.Not
 every county is reporting increases in provisional voting. The Kansas 
Secretary of State’s office won’t have statewide numbers on provisionals
 until after the canvass, according to a spokeswoman. Leavenworth County
 Clerk Janet Klasinski said while she’s gotten calls from people about 
switching from a mail ballot to voting in-person, the county hasn’t seen
 a surge in provisional voting.“Our voters have been fine with 
waiting until they received their ballot, voting their ballot that they 
received in the mail and possibly bringing it directly to the county 
clerk's office,” Klasinski said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604077591796.png" alt="Voter Yuri Regondola cast a provisional ballot Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 at the Johnson County Election Office. Aviva Okeson-Haberman" />
 <figcaption>Voter Yuri Regondola cast a provisional ballot Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 at the Johnson County Election Office. Aviva Okeson-Haberman</figcaption>
 </figure>In Johnson County, voter Yuri Regondola has been “checking the mail 
every day” for his advance ballot but said it hasn’t arrived. With a 
little more than a week left before the election, Regondola decided to 
vote in person provisionally at the Johnson County Election Office.“I
 was determined to vote — like no matter what,” Regondola said. “And I 
know voting in-person would increase the risk [of contracting 
coronavirus], but I said that I have to.”<h2>How To Make Sure Your Vote Counts</h2>· Return your mail ballot in a county election drop box if you’re worried about mail delays. · Check your voter registration status and polling locations at the <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview/" target="_blank">Kansas Secretary of State’s website</a>. · Bring a valid ID when voting, like a driver’s license, passport, student ID card or public assistance card (a full list is <a href="https://sos.ks.gov/elections/photo-id.html" target="_blank">available here</a>). · If you cast a provisional ballot, make sure to sign the envelope and follow instructions from an election worker.Source: Kansas Secretary of StateAviva Okeson-Haberman is the Missouri government and politics reporter at KCUR 89.3. Email her at aviva@kcur.org.&nbsp;Peggy Lowe is a veteran investigative reporter based at KCUR, NPR’s member station in Kansas City. She also serves as a correspondent for Marketplace, public media’s national business show.

Why Kansans' votes didn't count — and why that could be a problem this year 

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas sheriff's deputy died in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Bluebird school bus with USD 464 Tonganoxie and driven by Cherie L. Williams, 62, Tonganoxie, was northbound on 211th Street at McIntyre Road. The driver failed to yield while continuing to drive north. 

A westbound unmarked 2014 Leavenworth County Sheriff's Department Ford Explorer driven by Cpl. Daniel R. Abramovitz, 59, Leavenworth, struck the passenger's side of the bus.

The bus traveled off the roadway to the northwest overturned and struck a stop sign and a fence line. The SUV rotated and came to rest to the north of the intersection.

&nbsp;Abramovitz was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Williams to Providence Medical Center. One passenger on the bus Kaleb D. Seifkas, 8, Leavenworth, was not injured.

Abramovitz had worked at the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office for 26 years and was looking forward to retirement on March 1, 2021, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.&nbsp; He was most recently assigned to the Investigations Division, where his focus was sex crimes and child sexual abuse cases.

“Abramovitz was well-respected and much loved. He leaves to mourn his loss Carol and three adult children, Chrissy, Randi and Raymond as well as two siblings," according to Sheriff Andrew Dedeke.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604144148154.png" alt="Cpl. Daniel Abramovitz-courtesy Leavenworth Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Cpl. Daniel Abramovitz-courtesy Leavenworth Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas sheriff's deputy died in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Bluebird school bus with USD 464 Tonganoxie and driven by Cherie L. Williams, 62, Tonganoxie, was northbound on 211th Street at McIntyre Road. The driver failed to yield while continuing to drive north. A westbound unmarked 2014 Leavenworth County Sheriff's Department Ford Explorer driven by Cpl. Daniel R. Abramovitz, 59, Leavenworth, struck the passenger's side of the bus.The bus traveled off the roadway to the northwest overturned and struck a stop sign and a fence line. The SUV rotated and came to rest to the north of the intersection.&nbsp;Abramovitz was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Williams to Providence Medical Center. One passenger on the bus Kaleb D. Seifkas, 8, Leavenworth, was not injured.Abramovitz had worked at the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office for 26 years and was looking forward to retirement on March 1, 2021, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.&nbsp; He was most recently assigned to the Investigations Division, where his focus was sex crimes and child sexual abuse cases.“Abramovitz was well-respected and much loved. He leaves to mourn his loss Carol and three adult children, Chrissy, Randi and Raymond as well as two siblings," according to Sheriff Andrew Dedeke.

 Kansas sheriff's deputy dies in crash with school bus 

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart has reversed course, announcing it is returning ammunition and firearms to their displays in its U.S. stores.

On Thursday the nation’s largest retailer said it had removed the items from displays due to “civil unrest” in some areas of the country. Guns and ammunition, however, had remained for sale at the stores, just not visible to shoppers.

But on Friday Walmart said the items had been restored to displays because the unrest has remained isolated.

The moves come after several days of protests, vandalism, and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia after police fatally shot a Black man with a history of mental health problems.

“After civil unrest earlier this week resulted in damage to several of our stores, consistent with actions we took over the summer, we asked stores to move firearms and ammunition from the sales floor to a secure location in the back of the store in an abundance of caution, “ Walmart said in a statement. “As the current incidents have remained geographically isolated, we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today.”

The retailer based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores.

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing “civil unrest” in some areas.

The nation’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores.

“We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers,” Walmart said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Thursday.

The discounter said the items remain available for purchase by customers.

The move comes after several days of protests, widespread vandalism and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia before Election Day after police fatally shot a Black man with a history of mental health problems.

Walmart made a a similar move in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd that set off sometimes violent demonstrations against police brutality and injustice against African Americans.

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart has reversed course, announcing it is returning ammunition and firearms to their displays in its U.S. stores.On Thursday the nation’s largest retailer said it had removed the items from displays due to “civil unrest” in some areas of the country. Guns and ammunition, however, had remained for sale at the stores, just not visible to shoppers.But on Friday Walmart said the items had been restored to displays because the unrest has remained isolated.The moves come after several days of protests, vandalism, and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia after police fatally shot a Black man with a history of mental health problems.“After civil unrest earlier this week resulted in damage to several of our stores, consistent with actions we took over the summer, we asked stores to move firearms and ammunition from the sales floor to a secure location in the back of the store in an abundance of caution, “ Walmart said in a statement. “As the current incidents have remained geographically isolated, we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today.”The retailer based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores._____NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing “civil unrest” in some areas.The nation’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores.“We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers,” Walmart said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Thursday.The discounter said the items remain available for purchase by customers.The move comes after several days of protests, widespread vandalism and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia before Election Day after police fatally shot a Black man with a history of mental health problems.Walmart made a a similar move in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd that set off sometimes violent demonstrations against police brutality and injustice against African Americans.Last year, Walmart stopped selling handgun and short-barrel rifle ammunition while requesting that customers not openly carry firearms in its stores, even where state laws allow it. The company also ended the sale of handguns in Alaska, the only state where the discounter sold them.