WICHITA, KAN.&nbsp;– A man was sentenced Thursday to 108 months in federal prison for concealing 40 pounds of methamphetamine in his fuel tank, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Miguel Angel Ramirez, 30, from New Mexico pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking.

In his plea, Ramirez admitted he was stopped by the Kansas Highway Patrol on Highway 54 in Liberal, Kan. Troopers found 40 pounds of methamphetamine in the fuel tank of the Dodge Challenger he was driving. Ramirez had driven from New Mexico with orders to deliver the drugs to Wichita. He kept other conspirators advised of his progress by telephone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602788220386.png" alt="Ramirez is being held in Butler County" />
 <figcaption>Ramirez is being held in Butler County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN.&nbsp;– A man was sentenced Thursday to 108 months in federal prison for concealing 40 pounds of methamphetamine in his fuel tank, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Miguel Angel Ramirez, 30, from New Mexico pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking.In his plea, Ramirez admitted he was stopped by the Kansas Highway Patrol on Highway 54 in Liberal, Kan. Troopers found 40 pounds of methamphetamine in the fuel tank of the Dodge Challenger he was driving. Ramirez had driven from New Mexico with orders to deliver the drugs to Wichita. He kept other conspirators advised of his progress by telephone.

Driver admits hiding 40 pounds of meth in fuel tank

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A hospital in southeast Kansas is putting the brakes on some procedures as coronavirus cases continue to climb steadily statewide and the positivity rate tops 17%.

Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/via.christi.health.in.pittsburg/photos/a.705472402981236/1486598948201907" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that the plan to pause elective and non-emergent procedures will allows leaders to reallocate staff to help care for an influx of patients.

“Our first priority is always the safety of our patients and associates,” said Cason. “We are fortunate to have close relationships with our sister hospitals in Wichita and Manhattan who may be called upon to help provide additional clinical support and resources.

Statewide, 3,370 patients are hospitalized with the coronavirus, with 35% of ICU beds still available, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday.

The agency also said the state had 1,700 new confirmed or probable cases since Wednesday, a 2.5% increase that brought the total for the pandemic to 70,855. Over the past week, the state has averaged 721 new cases a day. The state also said the number of deaths increased by 27 to 859.

According to data from The COVID Tracking Project, the 7-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Kansas has risen over the past two weeks from 15.51% on Oct. 1 to 17.1% on Thursday. Only six states are reporting a higher percentage.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A hospital in southeast Kansas is putting the brakes on some procedures as coronavirus cases continue to climb steadily statewide and the positivity rate tops 17%.Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/via.christi.health.in.pittsburg/photos/a.705472402981236/1486598948201907" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that the plan to pause elective and non-emergent procedures will allows leaders to reallocate staff to help care for an influx of patients.“Our first priority is always the safety of our patients and associates,” said Cason. “We are fortunate to have close relationships with our sister hospitals in Wichita and Manhattan who may be called upon to help provide additional clinical support and resources.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602868240669.png" alt="Friday Oct. 16, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Oct. 16, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Statewide, 3,370 patients are hospitalized with the coronavirus, with 35% of ICU beds still available, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday.The agency also said the state had 1,700 new confirmed or probable cases since Wednesday, a 2.5% increase that brought the total for the pandemic to 70,855. Over the past week, the state has averaged 721 new cases a day. The state also said the number of deaths increased by 27 to 859.According to data from The COVID Tracking Project, the 7-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Kansas has risen over the past two weeks from 15.51% on Oct. 1 to 17.1% on Thursday. Only six states are reporting a higher percentage.

Kan. hospital puts brakes on some procedures as virus cases climb

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The attorney for a Black Missouri woman whose arrest when she was nine-months pregnant sparked outrage says she's given birth to a girl. Deja Stallings of Kansas City, Missouri, had an emergency  cesarean section late Wednesday. 

Attorney Stacy Shaw said that the newborn is in the neonatal intensive care unit. 

The infant was born two weeks early and had an elevated heart rate. Stallings ended up on the ground with a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer’s knee in her back during the Sept. 30 arrest that was captured on video.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601602944860.png" alt="Image from cell phone video of the arrest courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Image from cell phone video of the arrest courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The attorney for a Black Missouri woman whose arrest when she was nine-months pregnant sparked outrage says she's given birth to a girl. Deja Stallings of Kansas City, Missouri, had an emergency cesarean section late Wednesday. Attorney Stacy Shaw said that the newborn is in the neonatal intensive care unit. The infant was born two weeks early and had an elevated heart rate. Stallings ended up on the ground with a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer’s knee in her back during the Sept. 30 arrest that was captured on video.

Woman whose KC arrest sparked outrage gives birth

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/report-kansas-obesity-rate-at-10-6-for-youth-ages-10-to-17/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas 
obesity rate for youth 10 to 17 years of age tied for third lowest in 
the nation at 10.6%, a national report said last week.

The Robert Wood Johnson 
Foundation’s analysis shows the rate in Kansas ranked 47th among the 
states and District of Columbia. The national average stood at 15.5% for
 this age group. On a national scale, based on a 2018-2019 health 
survey, one in seven youth were obese.

Comparable rates in states
 surrounding Kansas: Colorado, 10.9%; Nebraska, 11.5%; Missouri, 16.3% 
and Oklahoma, 18.8%. The nation’s highest rate was in Kentucky at 23.8%,
 while the lowest was in Utah at 9.6%.

The foundation said the 
latest assessment of obesity affirmed racial, ethnic and economic 
disparities persist. Black, Hispanic and Native American children have 
significantly higher obesity rates than white or Asian children. Young 
people in households making less than the federal poverty level are more
 than twice as likely to have obesity as those at the top of the income 
ladder.

“This year, we’ve also 
seen people of color and people with low incomes hit hardest by the 
COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jamie Bussel, who leads the foundation’s effort
 to prevent childhood obesity. “The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing 
economic recession have worsened many of the broader factors we know 
contribute to obesity, including poverty and health disparities.”

The foundation said levels
 of obesity in Kansas ranged from 12.5% among 2-4 year olds; 10.6% for 
10-17 year olds; 13.1% among high school students; and 34.4% with 
adults.

Congress should provide 
additional funding to account for an enrollment surge in the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the foundation said. The 
organization recommended lawmakers sustain broadened access to school 
meal programs through the 2020-2021 year and extend reach of the Special
 Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or 
WIC.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602874138923.png" alt="The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports Kansas residents ages 10 to 17 have an obesity rate of 10.6%, which is statistically lower than the national average and ranks 47th among the states and District of Columbia. This image is of the floor map in the Kansas Capitol. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports Kansas residents ages 10 to 17 have an obesity rate of 10.6%, which is statistically lower than the national average and ranks 47th among the states and District of Columbia. This image is of the floor map in the Kansas Capitol. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/report-kansas-obesity-rate-at-10-6-for-youth-ages-10-to-17/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas 
obesity rate for youth 10 to 17 years of age tied for third lowest in 
the nation at 10.6%, a national report said last week.The Robert Wood Johnson 
Foundation’s analysis shows the rate in Kansas ranked 47th among the 
states and District of Columbia. The national average stood at 15.5% for
 this age group. On a national scale, based on a 2018-2019 health 
survey, one in seven youth were obese.Comparable rates in states
 surrounding Kansas: Colorado, 10.9%; Nebraska, 11.5%; Missouri, 16.3% 
and Oklahoma, 18.8%. The nation’s highest rate was in Kentucky at 23.8%,
 while the lowest was in Utah at 9.6%.The foundation said the 
latest assessment of obesity affirmed racial, ethnic and economic 
disparities persist. Black, Hispanic and Native American children have 
significantly higher obesity rates than white or Asian children. Young 
people in households making less than the federal poverty level are more
 than twice as likely to have obesity as those at the top of the income 
ladder.“This year, we’ve also 
seen people of color and people with low incomes hit hardest by the 
COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jamie Bussel, who leads the foundation’s effort
 to prevent childhood obesity. “The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing 
economic recession have worsened many of the broader factors we know 
contribute to obesity, including poverty and health disparities.”The foundation said levels
 of obesity in Kansas ranged from 12.5% among 2-4 year olds; 10.6% for 
10-17 year olds; 13.1% among high school students; and 34.4% with 
adults.Congress should provide 
additional funding to account for an enrollment surge in the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the foundation said. The 
organization recommended lawmakers sustain broadened access to school 
meal programs through the 2020-2021 year and extend reach of the Special
 Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or 
WIC.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Report: Kansas obesity rate at 10.6% for youth ages 10 to 17

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man accused in the fatal shooting of his brother made a first court appearance Thursday.

Thomas Harris, 61, Wichita, was charged with 2nd&nbsp;degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney. He’s being held on a bond of $200,000.

Just after 1p.m. Oct. 12, police responded to a shooting call at apartments in the 2700 block of South St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

The victim identified as 68-year-old Troy Harris reportedly walked down the stairs of the apartment complex and called 911 to report he had been shot.

EMS found him in the complex parking lot and transported him to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries and he later died, according to Davidson.&nbsp;

Investigators learned that Thomas Harris was inside his apartment and his brother Troy was there.&nbsp; There was a dispute between them, according to Davidson. During the argument, Thomas fired multiple shots at his brother and then fled the apartment complex.

Police located and arrested him Monday night, according to Davidson. He recently moved to Wichita and has a previous felony conviction.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Just after 1p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting call at apartments in the 2700 block of South St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

The victim, a man in his late 60s reportedly walked down the stairs of the apartment complex and called 911 to report he had been shot.

EMS transported him to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries where he later died, according to Davidson.&nbsp;It is not believed to be a random incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602602777451.png" alt="Harris-photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>Harris-photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man accused in the fatal shooting of his brother made a first court appearance Thursday.Thomas Harris, 61, Wichita, was charged with 2nd&nbsp;degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney. He’s being held on a bond of $200,000.Just after 1p.m. Oct. 12, police responded to a shooting call at apartments in the 2700 block of South St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.The victim identified as 68-year-old Troy Harris reportedly walked down the stairs of the apartment complex and called 911 to report he had been shot.EMS found him in the complex parking lot and transported him to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries and he later died, according to Davidson.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602543491190.png" alt="Police a the scene of the fatal shooting investigation Monday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police a the scene of the fatal shooting investigation Monday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned that Thomas Harris was inside his apartment and his brother Troy was there.&nbsp; There was a dispute between them, according to Davidson. During the argument, Thomas fired multiple shots at his brother and then fled the apartment complex.Police located and arrested him Monday night, according to Davidson. He recently moved to Wichita and has a previous felony conviction.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.Just after 1p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting call at apartments in the 2700 block of South St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.The victim, a man in his late 60s reportedly walked down the stairs of the apartment complex and called 911 to report he had been shot.EMS transported him to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries where he later died, according to Davidson.&nbsp;It is not believed to be a random incident.&nbsp;

Kansas man charged with murder of his brother 

WICHITA, KAN.&nbsp;– A Kansas woman was sentenced Thursday to serve three years on federal probation for making false statements when she purchased guns from a pawnshop, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Kristi S. Praseuth, 25, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of providing false information in order to purchase firearms. In her plea, she admitted she bought two 9 mm pistols and a .357 caliber revolver from Loan at Last, a pawnshop at 3375 E. 47th&nbsp;South in Wichita. She was required to fill out an ATF form 4473, in which she falsely stated that she was buying the guns for herself. In fact, she turned the guns over to other people who were the real buyers.

WICHITA, KAN.&nbsp;– A Kansas woman was sentenced Thursday to serve three years on federal probation for making false statements when she purchased guns from a pawnshop, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Kristi S. Praseuth, 25, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of providing false information in order to purchase firearms. In her plea, she admitted she bought two 9 mm pistols and a .357 caliber revolver from Loan at Last, a pawnshop at 3375 E. 47th&nbsp;South in Wichita. She was required to fill out an ATF form 4473, in which she falsely stated that she was buying the guns for herself. In fact, she turned the guns over to other people who were the real buyers.

Kan. woman admits she lied when she purchased 2 guns

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity agency have issued a <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-voters-about-election-crimes-ahead-of-the-november-2020-election">series of advisories</a> in recent weeks aimed at warning voters about problems that could surface in the election — as well as steps Americans can take to counter the foreign interference threat.

The issues identified in the public service announcements run the gamut from the spread of online disinformation about the electoral process to cyberattacks targeting election infrastructure. Taken together, the advisories make clear that American agencies are tracking a broad range of potential threats that they believe voters should know about — not just for transparency’s sake but also so voters can be prepared.

The warnings come even though U.S. officials expressed&nbsp;confidence in the integrity of the vote despite repeated efforts by President Donald Trump to denigrate it.

Some of the announcements from the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency:

DISINFORMATION THROUGH BOGUS INTERNET DOMAINS AND EMAIL ACCOUNTS

It’s not hard to set up a fake, or spoofed, email account or website to closely resemble a legitimate one. That’s precisely what the FBI and CISA are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/201002.aspx" target="_blank">warning may take place to trick Americans</a>&nbsp;during the election.

Cyber criminals routinely forge websites with slight misspellings or other barely perceptively alterations to dupe internet users.

In the context of an election, for instance, a bogus website ending in “.com” versus “.gov” that purports to have legitimate voting information or results could trick people who visit the page into thinking that what they’re reading is an authentic, trustworthy government source.

Besides spreading false information, officials say, such spoofed websites and email accounts can gather personally identifiable information and spread malicious software.

One precaution voters can take is to verify the spelling of websites and email addresses that may look legitimate but are actually not.

Foreign intelligence services could use websites like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/201001.aspx" target="_blank">pseudo-academic online journals&nbsp;</a>to cause confusion around the election and undermine confidence in the legitimacy of its results.

That could include promoting claims of voter suppression and ballot fraud, denigrating individual political candidates, disseminating information about cyberattacks — both real and alleged — and spreading otherwise misleading or unsubstantiated assertions to manipulate public opinion and discredit the election process.

U.S. officials are encouraging voters to rely on trustworthy sources of information, including state and local election officials, and to verify through credible channels reports about problems with voting before recirculating them online.

How someone voted is private. But information about who is eligible to vote, how often a person votes and for which party is publicly available through a variety of sources.

That’s why authorities said there was nothing to be concerned about last month when Russian media reported that some U.S. voter registration information was available on a hacker’s forum.

The FBI and CISA issued a reminder not long after that unnamed “foreign actors” and cyber criminals are spreading false information intended to discredit the American electoral process, including by falsely claiming to have hacked and leaked voter information.

Even if those foreign actors or cyber criminals had such information, it wouldn’t do anything to stop an American from casting a ballot or provide a way to manipulate the vote. The U.S. agencies say&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200928.aspx" target="_blank">they have no information that any attack&nbsp;</a>targeting election infrastructure has compromised the integrity of election results or the accuracy of voter registration information, or prevented an election from occurring.

The advisories describe possible threats to election infrastructure that they say may slow voting, or impede access to voting information, but that should not compromise the integrity of the results.

One concern&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200930.aspx" target="_blank">relates to so-called distributed denial-of-service</a>, or DDoS, attacks in which a server gets knocked at least temporarily offline by a flood requests, which could leave election-related websites inaccessible or slow access to voting information or results.

Even in such attacks, though, the underlying voting data should not be affected, according to federal officials who say they’ve been working with their local election counterparts to make sure they can minimize the impact and recover quickly from such a disruption.

The FBI and CISA say in another of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200924.aspx" target="_blank">recently issued warnings</a>&nbsp;that cyber actors are continuing to try to break into voter registration and vote reporting systems. But the agencies say they haven’t identified any incidents that could prevent Americans from voting or that could change vote tallies.

In 2016, Russia searched for vulnerabilities in state elections systems across the U.S. and also breached the Illinois voter registration system, probing for access to voting machines, internal networks, voter registration systems, electronic pollbooks and vote reporting websites. But there is no evidence that any votes were changed, or that the Russian activity affected the outcome.

This year, the agencies say they believe it would be difficult to manipulate votes in a way that could affect the election, and that election officials have developed safeguards like provisional ballots, paper backups and backup pollbooks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602066852640.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity agency have issued a <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-voters-about-election-crimes-ahead-of-the-november-2020-election">series of advisories</a> in recent weeks aimed at warning voters about problems that could surface in the election — as well as steps Americans can take to counter the foreign interference threat.The issues identified in the public service announcements run the gamut from the spread of online disinformation about the electoral process to cyberattacks targeting election infrastructure. Taken together, the advisories make clear that American agencies are tracking a broad range of potential threats that they believe voters should know about — not just for transparency’s sake but also so voters can be prepared.The warnings come even though U.S. officials expressed&nbsp;confidence in the integrity of the vote despite repeated efforts by President Donald Trump to denigrate it.Some of the announcements from the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency:DISINFORMATION THROUGH BOGUS INTERNET DOMAINS AND EMAIL ACCOUNTSIt’s not hard to set up a fake, or spoofed, email account or website to closely resemble a legitimate one. That’s precisely what the FBI and CISA are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/201002.aspx" target="_blank">warning may take place to trick Americans</a>&nbsp;during the election.Cyber criminals routinely forge websites with slight misspellings or other barely perceptively alterations to dupe internet users.In the context of an election, for instance, a bogus website ending in “.com” versus “.gov” that purports to have legitimate voting information or results could trick people who visit the page into thinking that what they’re reading is an authentic, trustworthy government source.Besides spreading false information, officials say, such spoofed websites and email accounts can gather personally identifiable information and spread malicious software.One precaution voters can take is to verify the spelling of websites and email addresses that may look legitimate but are actually not.DISINFORMATION THROUGH ONLINE JOURNALSForeign intelligence services could use websites like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/201001.aspx" target="_blank">pseudo-academic online journals&nbsp;</a>to cause confusion around the election and undermine confidence in the legitimacy of its results.That could include promoting claims of voter suppression and ballot fraud, denigrating individual political candidates, disseminating information about cyberattacks — both real and alleged — and spreading otherwise misleading or unsubstantiated assertions to manipulate public opinion and discredit the election process.U.S. officials are encouraging voters to rely on trustworthy sources of information, including state and local election officials, and to verify through credible channels reports about problems with voting before recirculating them online.FALSE CLAIMS OF HACKED VOTER INFORMATIONHow someone voted is private. But information about who is eligible to vote, how often a person votes and for which party is publicly available through a variety of sources.That’s why authorities said there was nothing to be concerned about last month when Russian media reported that some U.S. voter registration information was available on a hacker’s forum.The FBI and CISA issued a reminder not long after that unnamed “foreign actors” and cyber criminals are spreading false information intended to discredit the American electoral process, including by falsely claiming to have hacked and leaked voter information.Even if those foreign actors or cyber criminals had such information, it wouldn’t do anything to stop an American from casting a ballot or provide a way to manipulate the vote. The U.S. agencies say&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200928.aspx" target="_blank">they have no information that any attack&nbsp;</a>targeting election infrastructure has compromised the integrity of election results or the accuracy of voter registration information, or prevented an election from occurring.CYBER THREATS TO VOTING SYSTEMSThe advisories describe possible threats to election infrastructure that they say may slow voting, or impede access to voting information, but that should not compromise the integrity of the results.One concern&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200930.aspx" target="_blank">relates to so-called distributed denial-of-service</a>, or DDoS, attacks in which a server gets knocked at least temporarily offline by a flood requests, which could leave election-related websites inaccessible or slow access to voting information or results.Even in such attacks, though, the underlying voting data should not be affected, according to federal officials who say they’ve been working with their local election counterparts to make sure they can minimize the impact and recover quickly from such a disruption.The FBI and CISA say in another of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200924.aspx" target="_blank">recently issued warnings</a>&nbsp;that cyber actors are continuing to try to break into voter registration and vote reporting systems. But the agencies say they haven’t identified any incidents that could prevent Americans from voting or that could change vote tallies.In 2016, Russia searched for vulnerabilities in state elections systems across the U.S. and also breached the Illinois voter registration system, probing for access to voting machines, internal networks, voter registration systems, electronic pollbooks and vote reporting websites. But there is no evidence that any votes were changed, or that the Russian activity affected the outcome.This year, the agencies say they believe it would be difficult to manipulate votes in a way that could affect the election, and that election officials have developed safeguards like provisional ballots, paper backups and backup pollbooks.

Voter beware: US tells public how to avoid election mischief

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 7p.m. Saturday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Ford Fusion driven by&nbsp;Franz, Joyce M. Franz, 86, North Newton, was northbound on Webb Road at K254. The driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic. An eastbound 2013 Kia Soul driven by Raegan Marie Hunter, 17, Wichita, struck the front driver's side of the Ford.

Franz was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics Center. EMS transported Hunter to St. Francis. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 7p.m. Saturday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Ford Fusion driven by&nbsp;Franz, Joyce M. Franz, 86, North Newton, was northbound on Webb Road at K254. The driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic. An eastbound 2013 Kia Soul driven by Raegan Marie Hunter, 17, Wichita, struck the front driver's side of the Ford.Franz was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics Center. EMS transported Hunter to St. Francis. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

86-year-old Kan. woman dies, teen injured after crash

BUTLER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred at a Kwik Shop in Andover, Kansas

Just before 3:30p.m. Saturday, the Andover Police Department received a 911 call indicating there was a man brandishing a gun outside the Kwik Shop located at 114 W Highway 54 in Andover, according to a media release.

Officers responded and made contact with the 46-year-old male subject from Dodge City.

After a verbal exchange, an Andover police officer shot the armed subject. The man then led multiple law enforcement agencies on a foot pursuit through several businesses in the area. The man was apprehended at Braum’s located at 401 S Andover Road.

The man was transported to Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; No officers were injured during this incident.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Augusta Department of Safety, the Andover Police Department, and the Butler County EMS transport were involved in this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602983353508.png" alt="Officers on the scene of Saturday's officer-involved shooting in Andover -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Officers on the scene of Saturday's officer-involved shooting in Andover -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred at a Kwik Shop in Andover, KansasJust before 3:30p.m. Saturday, the Andover Police Department received a 911 call indicating there was a man brandishing a gun outside the Kwik Shop located at 114 W Highway 54 in Andover, according to a media release.Officers responded and made contact with the 46-year-old male subject from Dodge City.After a verbal exchange, an Andover police officer shot the armed subject. The man then led multiple law enforcement agencies on a foot pursuit through several businesses in the area. The man was apprehended at Braum’s located at 401 S Andover Road.The man was transported to Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; No officers were injured during this incident.The Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Augusta Department of Safety, the Andover Police Department, and the Butler County EMS transport were involved in this incident.

KBI: SW Kan. man hospitalized after officer-involved shooting

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man is hospitalized in serious condition after accidentally shooting himself Saturday in Wichita.

Just before 5p.m., police responded to an accidental shooting at Towne East Mall, 7700 E. Kellogg, in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

The investigation revealed a 28-year-old man was inside the mall and carrying a handgun inside the waistband of his pants.

The gun accidentally fired, striking him in the leg.&nbsp; Two off-duty nurses nearby and arriving officers quickly provided medical treatment to the man. An ambulance transported him to an area hospital for treatment of a serious injury, according to Davidson. There were no other injuries.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man is hospitalized in serious condition after accidentally shooting himself Saturday in Wichita.Just before 5p.m., police responded to an accidental shooting at Towne East Mall, 7700 E. Kellogg, in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.The investigation revealed a 28-year-old man was inside the mall and carrying a handgun inside the waistband of his pants.The gun accidentally fired, striking him in the leg.&nbsp; Two off-duty nurses nearby and arriving officers quickly provided medical treatment to the man. An ambulance transported him to an area hospital for treatment of a serious injury, according to Davidson. There were no other injuries.

Man hospitalized after accidental shooting at Kan. mall

TOPEKA, KAN. – A man and woman who are in custody in Topeka were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of robbing three Kansas businesses, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Lekeith Markez Mosley, 29, Liberal, Kan., and&nbsp;Shelbi Paige Ricks, 25, Liberal, Kan., are charged with three counts of robbery. The indictment alleges they committed the following robberies: Sept. 27, 2020: Jimmy John’s restaurant, 1025 Southwest Wanamaker Road in Topeka.

Sept. 7, 2020: Family Dollar, 303 E. Kansas Avenue, Greensburg, Kan and Sept. 6, 2020: Subway restaurant, 711 N. Main Street, Hutchinson, Kan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601304109622.png" alt="Mosley-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mosley-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A man and woman who are in custody in Topeka were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of robbing three Kansas businesses, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601304138069.png" alt="Ricks-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ricks-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Lekeith Markez Mosley, 29, Liberal, Kan., and&nbsp;Shelbi Paige Ricks, 25, Liberal, Kan., are charged with three counts of robbery. The indictment alleges they committed the following robberies: Sept. 27, 2020: Jimmy John’s restaurant, 1025 Southwest Wanamaker Road in Topeka.Sept. 7, 2020: Family Dollar, 303 E. Kansas Avenue, Greensburg, Kan and Sept. 6, 2020: Subway restaurant, 711 N. Main Street, Hutchinson, Kan.

Indictment: 2 from SW Kansas robbed three businesses 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City has reached an unwanted milestone — a new record for homicides in a year.

Two people died in separate shootings Thursday in Kansas City, the 155th and 156th killings in 2020.&nbsp; That breaks the record set in 2017. Meanwhile, the city has recorded 35 more killings this year than at the same time in 2019.

The first shooting happened just before 8 p.m. Officers sent to an apartment complex found a man in the hallway suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

Officers responded about 10:45 p.m. to a home in the historic Northeast area. Witnesses told police they heard gunshots and then found a man and woman both shot inside their home, police spokesman Doaa El-Ashkar said.

Both victims were taken to hospitals. The male victim was pronounced dead. The female victim's injuries were non-life-threatening, El-Ashkar said.

Witnesses told police that they believed the shooter was a man who had been staying at the home.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City has reached an unwanted milestone — a new record for homicides in a year.Two people died in separate shootings Thursday in Kansas City, the 155th and 156th killings in 2020.&nbsp; That breaks the record set in 2017. Meanwhile, the city has recorded 35 more killings this year than at the same time in 2019.The first shooting happened just before 8 p.m. Officers sent to an apartment complex found a man in the hallway suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.Officers responded about 10:45 p.m. to a home in the historic Northeast area. Witnesses told police they heard gunshots and then found a man and woman both shot inside their home, police spokesman Doaa El-Ashkar said.Both victims were taken to hospitals. The male victim was pronounced dead. The female victim's injuries were non-life-threatening, El-Ashkar said.Witnesses told police that they believed the shooter was a man who had been staying at the home.

Kansas City tops record for killings with 2 1/2 months left

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has funds available for reimbursement to Kansas specialty crop growers who attend an educational conference with a primary focus on specialty crops. Qualifying conferences may include sessions about production practices, specialized equipment and technology, pest and disease management, specialty crop marketing practices, or business principles for specialty crop producers.

Applicants who apply for the reimbursement will be required to attend the conference between December 2020 and June 2021 and to complete surveys before, immediately after and six months post-conference prior to payment being issued. 

Conferences not eligible will include those within the state of Kansas and the Great Plains Growers Conference. 

KDA will reimburse Kansas specialty crop growers up to $850 each in order to offset the cost of their conference registration, mileage/flights, hotel, meals, etc.&nbsp; The award is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for application is December 18, 2020.&nbsp;

Examples of conferences that may be eligible for applicants to attend include, but are not limited to:

This program is made possible by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG). The SCBG makes funds available to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. 

According to USDA, specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”

This grant fits KDA’s mission to provide an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy.

For application details, go to the KDA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagriculture.ks.gov%2Fkda-services%2Fgrants-and-cost-share-programs%2Fspecialty-crop-grower-conference-grant&amp;data=04%7C01%7C%7C43968e0a70aa4cd920d108d87437984d%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637387129904771827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=cSYGCV%2B32pXHXEskIbEsBYeYi%2BUwm56jhuBTTPWGD4c%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">agriculture.ks.gov/grants</a>. Questions should be directed to Sammy Gleason,&nbsp;From the Land of Kansas&nbsp;program coordinator, at 785-564-6755 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Sammy.Gleason@ks.gov" target="_blank">Sammy.Gleason@ks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603232188673.jpeg" alt="(Photo courtesy Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo courtesy Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association)</figcaption>
 </figure>KDAMANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has funds available for reimbursement to Kansas specialty crop growers who attend an educational conference with a primary focus on specialty crops. Qualifying conferences may include sessions about production practices, specialized equipment and technology, pest and disease management, specialty crop marketing practices, or business principles for specialty crop producers.Applicants who apply for the reimbursement will be required to attend the conference between December 2020 and June 2021 and to complete surveys before, immediately after and six months post-conference prior to payment being issued. Conferences not eligible will include those within the state of Kansas and the Great Plains Growers Conference. KDA will reimburse Kansas specialty crop growers up to $850 each in order to offset the cost of their conference registration, mileage/flights, hotel, meals, etc.&nbsp; The award is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for application is December 18, 2020.&nbsp;Examples of conferences that may be eligible for applicants to attend include, but are not limited to:<ul>
 <li>Great Lakes Expo Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market, December 8-10, 2020, Virtual</li><li>Southeast Regional Fruit &amp; Vegetable Conference, January 5-7, 2021, Virtual</li><li>North American Strawberry Growers Association Conference, January 18-20, 2021, Virtual</li><li>Unified Wine &amp; Grape Symposium, January 26-29, 2021, Sacramento, California</li><li>American Society for Enology and Viticulture National Conference, June 21-24, 2021, Monterey, California</li>
 </ul>This program is made possible by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG). The SCBG makes funds available to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. According to USDA, specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”This grant fits KDA’s mission to provide an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy.For application details, go to the KDA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagriculture.ks.gov%2Fkda-services%2Fgrants-and-cost-share-programs%2Fspecialty-crop-grower-conference-grant&amp;data=04%7C01%7C%7C43968e0a70aa4cd920d108d87437984d%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637387129904771827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=cSYGCV%2B32pXHXEskIbEsBYeYi%2BUwm56jhuBTTPWGD4c%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">agriculture.ks.gov/grants</a>. Questions should be directed to Sammy Gleason,&nbsp;From the Land of Kansas&nbsp;program coordinator, at 785-564-6755 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Sammy.Gleason@ks.gov" target="_blank">Sammy.Gleason@ks.gov</a>.

KDA offers reimbursement to specialty crop growers

ANDERSON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Saturday in Anderson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Todd Parker Vogts, 55, Olpe, was eastbound on 1400 Road three miles north of Westphalia. 

The driver failed to yield&nbsp; at Colorado Road. The pickup and a northbound 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Ronald L&nbsp;Jost II, 55, Olathe, collided at the intersection.

A passenger in the S1-10 Roy Vogts, 52, Olpe, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Feuerborn Family Funeral Home.

EMS transported Todd Vogts,&nbsp;Jost II and a passenger in the Silverado Terri S. Jost, 52, Olathe, to the Anderson County Hospital. The occupants in the S-10 were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

ANDERSON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Saturday in Anderson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Todd Parker Vogts, 55, Olpe, was eastbound on 1400 Road three miles north of Westphalia. The driver failed to yield&nbsp; at Colorado Road. The pickup and a northbound 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Ronald L&nbsp;Jost II, 55, Olathe, collided at the intersection.A passenger in the S1-10 Roy Vogts, 52, Olpe, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Feuerborn Family Funeral Home.EMS transported Todd Vogts,&nbsp;Jost II and a passenger in the Silverado Terri S. Jost, 52, Olathe, to the Anderson County Hospital. The occupants in the S-10 were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kan. man dead, 3 hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash

RICE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Lyons Police Department identified the officer shot Friday afternoon outside of a Lyons residence.

Officer Cory Ryan, 36, of Lyons, was shot multiple times when responding to a 911 call from a citizen who reported being threatened with a gun. Ryan joined the Lyons Police Department in 2012. He is currently being treated at a Wichita hospital, where he is improving. Ryan is in critical, but stable condition, according to a media release from the KBI.

Lyons Police Chief Justin Holliday also sustained minor injuries when removing the 56-year-old Lyons man from the shooting scene. Holliday was treated at a local hospital and is now recovering at home.

The 56-year-old injured man is now in good condition, and could be released from the hospital as early as today.

Adam Hrabik, 40, was arrested related to the incident, and is being held at the Reno County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. He has not yet been formally charged.

A fund has been set up to cover the expenses of Officer Cory Ryan and his family at the Lyons Federal Bank,&nbsp;200 E. Ave. S., Lyons, KS 67554. Donations will also be taken at the First Bank-Sterling,&nbsp;128 S. Broadway Ave., Sterling, KS 67579, or the Lyons Police Department&nbsp;303 E. Main St., Lyons, KS 67554.

RICE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) responded to investigate an officer-involved shooting that critically injured a Lyons police officer.

Preliminary information indicates that officers from the Lyons Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 3:40 p.m. from a man who was being threatened with a gun, according to a media release.

When the first responding officer arrived at 1 Arrowhead Dr. in Lyons, Kan., he was shot by 40-year-old Adam Hrabik, who lived at the residence. 

Two nearby citizens who saw the shooting helped coax the officer away from the scene. They then drove him to a local hospital in their private vehicle. The officer was then transported to a Wichita hospital where he is currently in critical condition.

When additional officers and deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a 56-year-old Lyons man outside who had also been shot. They removed the man from the scene. He was taken to a local hospital and then transported to a Wichita hospital. He is currently in serious condition.&nbsp;

Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to Lyons to assist. Hrabik retreated into the residence and a standoff ensued. At approximately 7:10 p.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team negotiated him out of the residence, and the Hutchinson and Reno County Emergency Response Team took Hrabik into custody.

Hrabik was turned over to KBI agents for questioning. The investigation is ongoing.

RICE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Rice County.

On Friday afternoon, agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the incident, according to KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

Few details were released late Friday afternoon. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602896609117.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene in Lyons Friday afternoon -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene in Lyons Friday afternoon -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>RICE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Lyons Police Department identified the officer shot Friday afternoon outside of a Lyons residence.Officer Cory Ryan, 36, of Lyons, was shot multiple times when responding to a 911 call from a citizen who reported being threatened with a gun. Ryan joined the Lyons Police Department in 2012. He is currently being treated at a Wichita hospital, where he is improving. Ryan is in critical, but stable condition, according to a media release from the KBI.Lyons Police Chief Justin Holliday also sustained minor injuries when removing the 56-year-old Lyons man from the shooting scene. Holliday was treated at a local hospital and is now recovering at home.The 56-year-old injured man is now in good condition, and could be released from the hospital as early as today.Adam Hrabik, 40, was arrested related to the incident, and is being held at the Reno County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. He has not yet been formally charged.A fund has been set up to cover the expenses of Officer Cory Ryan and his family at the Lyons Federal Bank,&nbsp;200 E. Ave. S., Lyons, KS 67554. Donations will also be taken at the First Bank-Sterling,&nbsp;128 S. Broadway Ave., Sterling, KS 67579, or the Lyons Police Department&nbsp;303 E. Main St., Lyons, KS 67554.----------RICE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) responded to investigate an officer-involved shooting that critically injured a Lyons police officer.Preliminary information indicates that officers from the Lyons Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 3:40 p.m. from a man who was being threatened with a gun, according to a media release.When the first responding officer arrived at 1 Arrowhead Dr. in Lyons, Kan., he was shot by 40-year-old Adam Hrabik, who lived at the residence. Two nearby citizens who saw the shooting helped coax the officer away from the scene. They then drove him to a local hospital in their private vehicle. The officer was then transported to a Wichita hospital where he is currently in critical condition.When additional officers and deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a 56-year-old Lyons man outside who had also been shot. They removed the man from the scene. He was taken to a local hospital and then transported to a Wichita hospital. He is currently in serious condition.&nbsp;Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to Lyons to assist. Hrabik retreated into the residence and a standoff ensued. At approximately 7:10 p.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team negotiated him out of the residence, and the Hutchinson and Reno County Emergency Response Team took Hrabik into custody.Hrabik was turned over to KBI agents for questioning. The investigation is ongoing.------RICE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Rice County.On Friday afternoon, agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the incident, according to KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood.Few details were released late Friday afternoon. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Update: KBI IDs police officer shot in Lyons

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/100000-plus-kansans-struggle-pay-utility-bills-and-could-mean-higher-bills-everyone">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — The blow the coronavirus dealt to 
the Kansas economy left tens of thousands of people in the state 
struggling to pay their utility bills.

That puts them at risk of 
losing electricity or natural gas — and raises the prospect that 
better-off Kansans weathering price hikes to make up the difference.

Utility
 companies say the number of households unable to keep up with payments 
looks likely to increase during the winter. Agencies that help the poor 
pay for utilities are braced for more requests than they can cover.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m a little nervous about this coming year,” said Lewis Kimsey, the manager of the<a href="http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx" target="_blank"> Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program</a>, or LIEAP.

That
 federally funded program offers financial assistance to utility 
customers based on income, household size and other factors. It’s 
available to Kansans between the months of December and March.

This year, <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocs/dcl_liheap_reallotfr1table_statesterrs_fy2020.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas got about $47.5 million dollars</a>.
 About 10% goes to administration costs. Another 15% goes toward 
weatherization programs. The rest is used to help low-income households 
pay utility bills.

Kimsey said he’s actually seen a decline in 
the number of people applying for the program each of the past 5 years. 
Even this year, with an expanded deadline that went through May, Kimsey 
said the agency only approved about 34,000 applications, which is 600 
fewer than last year.

He said some of the effects of 
coronavirus-related hardships will be delayed, and that we’re likely far
 from the peak of people needing assistance. That’s because earlier this
 year people got beefed-up federal unemployment checks and the state of 
Kansas declared a moratorium on all utility disconnects. Both of those 
have now gone away.

“Now that moratorium is done and they’re 
feeling pressure,” Kimsey said. “We’re planning that our application 
volume for 2021 is going to be significantly higher.”

To gauge the toll of the pandemic on the industry, several utilities asked state regulators to <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kscc/page/docket-docs/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=6387a52a-f672-49a1-a7a5-b1ebf3a76bf6" target="_blank">record their increased costs</a>
 for things such as personal protective gear and laptops for employees 
to be able to work from home. That tally could give the companies 
ammunition the next time they ask regulators to raise rates to 
customers.

State regulators are also curious about how many 
customers are behind on their bills or being involuntarily disconnected 
from service. The reports give a fresh look at the scale of the problem.

In August, Evergy, the state’s largest electric utility, had <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202009251436011956.pdf?Id=bf8aee79-b8a6-403d-b4e7-f05f51eff750" target="_blank">100,050 residential accounts</a>
 that were either more than 30 days past due — or that had signed up for
 a 12-month payment plan that evens out outstanding utility costs across
 the year.

That’s more than one in 10en of all residential customers.

Evergy
 spokesperson Gina Penzig said the company started reaching out to 
customers on the brink of being disconnected in early June to offer them
 the 12-month payment plan.

“The payment plans are a valuable 
tool in order to give customers an opportunity to keep their account 
current, keep their service engaged,” Penzig said.

And it seems 
to have worked. In June, just 3,283 residential customers signed up for a
 12-month payment plan. Two months later, that number rocketed six-fold 
to nearly 20,000.

Penzig says the increased adoption of the 
payment plan has kept involuntary disconnections about the same as they 
would be in a normal year.

And even though high winter heating 
bills have yet to hit, the state’s larger natural gas providers are 
already seeing evidence that customers are struggling to keep up.

In August, almost <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202009251616397641.pdf?Id=e9e0d2cc-2d96-4ede-8db2-82e4149391bc" target="_blank">75,000 Kansas Gas Service residential customers</a> were more than 30 days past due or had signed up for a 12-month payment plan.

That’s about 13% of residential customers.

Kansas
 Gas Service spokesperson Lindsay Freeman said the company has also 
tried to help people apply for payment help and sign up for the 12-month
 payment plan.

“We can still work with them on payment options and arrangements, but they must reach out to us,” Freeman said.

While
 12-month payment plans have helped remove customers from the bad-debt 
list and prevented involuntary disconnections, the relief may be 
temporary.

“We hope that the 12-month payment 
plans are going to work out, that they’re not just pushing the problem 
out,” said David Nickel, consumer counsel with the <a href="http://curb.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board</a>, a government agency that represents consumers and small businesses before state regulators.

Jim
 Zakoura, president of the advocacy group Kansans For Lower Electric 
Rates, said he’s skeptical that unemployed people without the extra 
federal unemployment benefits offered earlier in the year will be able 
to keep up with the plans in the months ahead.

And Zakoura said other ratepayers may get stuck with higher bills.

“All of those expenses will be included in the next rate case and will be added to the bills of customers who can pay,” he said.

Kimsey,
 the Kansas LIEAP program manager, said looking at the tens of millions 
of dollars in unpaid bills out there is shocking. But, the program has 
money — he just needs more people to apply.

“I’d much rather have
 people apply and not qualify,” he said, “than have people not apply 
that qualify and are in desperate need of the help.”

Brian 
Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for 
KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en" target="_blank">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602870479375.png" alt=" An electric utility smart meter. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> An electric utility smart meter. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/100000-plus-kansans-struggle-pay-utility-bills-and-could-mean-higher-bills-everyone">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — The blow the coronavirus dealt to 
the Kansas economy left tens of thousands of people in the state 
struggling to pay their utility bills.That puts them at risk of 
losing electricity or natural gas — and raises the prospect that 
better-off Kansans weathering price hikes to make up the difference.Utility
 companies say the number of households unable to keep up with payments 
looks likely to increase during the winter. Agencies that help the poor 
pay for utilities are braced for more requests than they can cover.“I’m not going to lie. I’m a little nervous about this coming year,” said Lewis Kimsey, the manager of the<a href="http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx" target="_blank"> Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program</a>, or LIEAP.That
 federally funded program offers financial assistance to utility 
customers based on income, household size and other factors. It’s 
available to Kansans between the months of December and March.This year, <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocs/dcl_liheap_reallotfr1table_statesterrs_fy2020.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas got about $47.5 million dollars</a>.
 About 10% goes to administration costs. Another 15% goes toward 
weatherization programs. The rest is used to help low-income households 
pay utility bills.Kimsey said he’s actually seen a decline in 
the number of people applying for the program each of the past 5 years. 
Even this year, with an expanded deadline that went through May, Kimsey 
said the agency only approved about 34,000 applications, which is 600 
fewer than last year.He said some of the effects of 
coronavirus-related hardships will be delayed, and that we’re likely far
 from the peak of people needing assistance. That’s because earlier this
 year people got beefed-up federal unemployment checks and the state of 
Kansas declared a moratorium on all utility disconnects. Both of those 
have now gone away.“Now that moratorium is done and they’re 
feeling pressure,” Kimsey said. “We’re planning that our application 
volume for 2021 is going to be significantly higher.”<h2>100,000 Kansans struggle</h2>To gauge the toll of the pandemic on the industry, several utilities asked state regulators to <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kscc/page/docket-docs/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=6387a52a-f672-49a1-a7a5-b1ebf3a76bf6" target="_blank">record their increased costs</a>
 for things such as personal protective gear and laptops for employees 
to be able to work from home. That tally could give the companies 
ammunition the next time they ask regulators to raise rates to 
customers.State regulators are also curious about how many 
customers are behind on their bills or being involuntarily disconnected 
from service. The reports give a fresh look at the scale of the problem.In August, Evergy, the state’s largest electric utility, had <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202009251436011956.pdf?Id=bf8aee79-b8a6-403d-b4e7-f05f51eff750" target="_blank">100,050 residential accounts</a>
 that were either more than 30 days past due — or that had signed up for
 a 12-month payment plan that evens out outstanding utility costs across
 the year.That’s more than one in 10en of all residential customers.Evergy
 spokesperson Gina Penzig said the company started reaching out to 
customers on the brink of being disconnected in early June to offer them
 the 12-month payment plan.“The payment plans are a valuable 
tool in order to give customers an opportunity to keep their account 
current, keep their service engaged,” Penzig said.And it seems 
to have worked. In June, just 3,283 residential customers signed up for a
 12-month payment plan. Two months later, that number rocketed six-fold 
to nearly 20,000.Penzig says the increased adoption of the 
payment plan has kept involuntary disconnections about the same as they 
would be in a normal year.And even though high winter heating 
bills have yet to hit, the state’s larger natural gas providers are 
already seeing evidence that customers are struggling to keep up.In August, almost <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202009251616397641.pdf?Id=e9e0d2cc-2d96-4ede-8db2-82e4149391bc" target="_blank">75,000 Kansas Gas Service residential customers</a> were more than 30 days past due or had signed up for a 12-month payment plan.That’s about 13% of residential customers.Kansas
 Gas Service spokesperson Lindsay Freeman said the company has also 
tried to help people apply for payment help and sign up for the 12-month
 payment plan.“We can still work with them on payment options and arrangements, but they must reach out to us,” Freeman said.<h2>Delayed problem</h2>While
 12-month payment plans have helped remove customers from the bad-debt 
list and prevented involuntary disconnections, the relief may be 
temporary.“We hope that the 12-month payment 
plans are going to work out, that they’re not just pushing the problem 
out,” said David Nickel, consumer counsel with the <a href="http://curb.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board</a>, a government agency that represents consumers and small businesses before state regulators.Jim
 Zakoura, president of the advocacy group Kansans For Lower Electric 
Rates, said he’s skeptical that unemployed people without the extra 
federal unemployment benefits offered earlier in the year will be able 
to keep up with the plans in the months ahead.And Zakoura said other ratepayers may get stuck with higher bills.“All of those expenses will be included in the next rate case and will be added to the bills of customers who can pay,” he said.Kimsey,
 the Kansas LIEAP program manager, said looking at the tens of millions 
of dollars in unpaid bills out there is shocking. But, the program has 
money — he just needs more people to apply.“I’d much rather have
 people apply and not qualify,” he said, “than have people not apply 
that qualify and are in desperate need of the help.”Brian 
Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for 
KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en" target="_blank">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

100,000-plus Kansans struggle to pay utility bills, which could drive costs up for everyone

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A retired firefighter who was upset with the city’s mask ordinance has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill Wichita’s mayor.&nbsp;

Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, could face a charge of criminal threat.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that asked about the mayor’s address and threatened his life. 

The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged criminal threat made toward the mayor of Wichita.

On Friday, police&nbsp;were alerted to threatening statements directed toward city of Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Officers immediately began investigating the threatening statements and arrested&nbsp;59-year-old Meredith Dowty of Wichita on a requested charge of criminal threat.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Wheeler released no additional details late Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602897809399.png" alt="Meredith Dowty photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Meredith Dowty photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A retired firefighter who was upset with the city’s mask ordinance has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill Wichita’s mayor.&nbsp;Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, could face a charge of criminal threat.Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that asked about the mayor’s address and threatened his life. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In response to today&#39;s story concerning a threat I received: Violence is never a way to settle disagreements. We&#39;re always stronger together as a City even when times are at their toughest. Tensions maybe high, but we will get through this together as Wichitans. 1/2&mdash; Dr. Brandon Whipple (@BWhippleKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BWhippleKS/status/1317261830641897472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged criminal threat made toward the mayor of Wichita.On Friday, police&nbsp;were alerted to threatening statements directed toward city of Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.Officers immediately began investigating the threatening statements and arrested&nbsp;59-year-old Meredith Dowty of Wichita on a requested charge of criminal threat.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In response to today&#39;s story concerning a threat I received: Violence is never a way to settle disagreements. We&#39;re always stronger together as a City even when times are at their toughest. Tensions maybe high, but we will get through this together as Wichitans. 1/2&mdash; Dr. Brandon Whipple (@BWhippleKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BWhippleKS/status/1317261830641897472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Wheeler released no additional details late Friday.

Police: Man threatens Wichita mayor over mask mandate

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials plan to wash away the words “Black Lives Matter” from a Topeka parking lot because the yellow block letters were painted without permission in a decision that has angered activists. 

The phrase appeared in June on the main lot in the North Topeka Arts District. Shawnee County County commissioner Bill Riphahn says the Parks and Recreation department is removing it next week, but organizers can ask to get a new, county-approved mural. 

Topeka resident Ariane Davis says she cried after hearing the painting was being removed and is focusing on creating a new one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602875234100.png" alt="Image courtesy Jared Hitchen- Greater Topeka Partnership" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Jared Hitchen- Greater Topeka Partnership</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials plan to wash away the words “Black Lives Matter” from a Topeka parking lot because the yellow block letters were painted without permission in a decision that has angered activists. The phrase appeared in June on the main lot in the North Topeka Arts District. Shawnee County County commissioner Bill Riphahn says the Parks and Recreation department is removing it next week, but organizers can ask to get a new, county-approved mural. Topeka resident Ariane Davis says she cried after hearing the painting was being removed and is focusing on creating a new one.

'Black Lives Matter' painting to be removed from Kan. parking lot

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Kansas Senate candidate Barbara Bollier’s campaign raised nearly five times the money that Republican rival Roger Marshall did for an unexpectedly tough race in the conservative state, campaign finance reports filed Thursday show.

Marshall raised close to $2.7 million from mid-July through September, records show. That’s dwarfed by the nearly $12.5 million that Bollier banked in the same time period.

So far, Bollier’s raised almost $20 million for her bid to win a Kansas Senate seat for Democrats for the first time since 1932.

Bollier is a Kansas City-area state senator who was a lifelong Republican before she switched parties at the end of 2018. Her fundraising has buoyed Democrats’ hopes of an unexpected pickup in the conservative state of Kansas.

Marshall is a two-term congressman for central and western Kansas, and he and GOP leaders are trying to keep Republicans in his fold partly by suggesting that a Bollier victory would all but ensure that Republicans lose their Senate majority.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601910652054.png" alt="Rep. Roger Marshall and State Senator Barbara Bollier during a virtual debate Sept. 19" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Roger Marshall and State Senator Barbara Bollier during a virtual debate Sept. 19</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Kansas Senate candidate Barbara Bollier’s campaign raised nearly five times the money that Republican rival Roger Marshall did for an unexpectedly tough race in the conservative state, campaign finance reports filed Thursday show.Marshall raised close to $2.7 million from mid-July through September, records show. That’s dwarfed by the nearly $12.5 million that Bollier banked in the same time period.So far, Bollier’s raised almost $20 million for her bid to win a Kansas Senate seat for Democrats for the first time since 1932.Marshall has banked about $5.4 million.Bollier is a Kansas City-area state senator who was a lifelong Republican before she switched parties at the end of 2018. Her fundraising has buoyed Democrats’ hopes of an unexpected pickup in the conservative state of Kansas.Marshall is a two-term congressman for central and western Kansas, and he and GOP leaders are trying to keep Republicans in his fold partly by suggesting that a Bollier victory would all but ensure that Republicans lose their Senate majority.

Democratic Senate candidate dominates fundraising

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/15/mental-health-expert-vulnerability-inconvenience-drive-refusal-to-wear-mask/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A leading mental 
health expert at the University of Kansas Health System says the 
psychology behind whether people choose to wear a mask boils down to two
 key factors — inconvenience and vulnerability.

Lauren Lucht, executive 
director for behavioral and mental health, said vulnerability often 
triggers defense mechanisms in people to convince themselves everything 
will be fine.

“One defense mechanism as 
humans is to convince ourselves that bad things don’t happen to good 
people,” Lucht said. “In psychology, we call that belief in a just 
world. So, I think we’re in a bit of denial, and we don’t want to be 
inconvenienced for something we want to believe we’re at extremely low 
risk for catching and transmitting.”

Whether it is fear of 
contracting the virus driving someone to wear a mask or a feeling of 
false invincibility influencing a person to abstain from mask-wearing, 
psychology and our mental state play a large role in our decisions amid 
COVID-19, Lucht said Tuesday.

When confronted with their
 own vulnerability, people may attempt to justify that the inconvenience
 and risk of feeling vulnerable is reason enough not to mask up, Lucht 
said.

Dana Hawkinson, medical 
director of infection and prevention control, echoed Lucht, pushing 
Kansans to drop the idea of mask-wearing as a political issue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602863053792.png" alt="Feeling vulnerable can trigger defense mechanisms that may influence mask-wearing tendencies, said Lauren Lucht of University of Kansas Health System. (Submitted by KU Health System to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Feeling vulnerable can trigger defense mechanisms that may influence mask-wearing tendencies, said Lauren Lucht of University of Kansas Health System. (Submitted by KU Health System to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/15/mental-health-expert-vulnerability-inconvenience-drive-refusal-to-wear-mask/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A leading mental 
health expert at the University of Kansas Health System says the 
psychology behind whether people choose to wear a mask boils down to two
 key factors — inconvenience and vulnerability.Lauren Lucht, executive 
director for behavioral and mental health, said vulnerability often 
triggers defense mechanisms in people to convince themselves everything 
will be fine.“One defense mechanism as 
humans is to convince ourselves that bad things don’t happen to good 
people,” Lucht said. “In psychology, we call that belief in a just 
world. So, I think we’re in a bit of denial, and we don’t want to be 
inconvenienced for something we want to believe we’re at extremely low 
risk for catching and transmitting.”Whether it is fear of 
contracting the virus driving someone to wear a mask or a feeling of 
false invincibility influencing a person to abstain from mask-wearing, 
psychology and our mental state play a large role in our decisions amid 
COVID-19, Lucht said Tuesday.When confronted with their
 own vulnerability, people may attempt to justify that the inconvenience
 and risk of feeling vulnerable is reason enough not to mask up, Lucht 
said.Dana Hawkinson, medical 
director of infection and prevention control, echoed Lucht, pushing 
Kansans to drop the idea of mask-wearing as a political issue.“There’s enough objective 
data and science out there that show us that mask-wearing and separation
 or physical distancing works to decrease the spread of this virus,” 
Hawkinson said. “That continued thought of, ‘I don’t have to wear a mask
 because it infringes on my freedoms,’ is really a backward thought, and
 it’s not based in any science or data.”U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said he views wearing a mask as a matter of common sense.“Presumably,
 medicine concurs with common sense that wearing a mask makes you and 
more importantly the people you are around safer,” Moran said. “Social 
distancing and mask-wearing ought to hasten the day in which we are 
closer to being back to normal.”The
 inconveniences or disruptions in that “normal” day-to-day wearing a 
mask might create —&nbsp; be it expressing yourself through a smile or just 
not enjoying the feeling of the mask — often elicits strong but valid 
reactions, Lucht said.“We miss things. We miss 
hugs and smiles and high fives and handshaking, and all those things are
 completely valid,” Lucht said. “We cannot do those things right now the
 way we used to and It’s not about taking away anyone’s freedoms. It’s 
about personal responsibility so that we can get back to the life where 
we have more control about whether or not we put a mask on.”The effect of added 
vulnerability from COVID-19 extends beyond mask-wearing, Lucht said. If 
people are not used to feeling vulnerable, it can be a significant 
stressor added on top of an already stressful time.Amid COVID-19, Lucht has seen a marked increase in the mental and behavioral health services requested of KU Health System.“30% of Americans are 
reporting an increase in depression and anxiety related to the pandemic,
 and experts would argue that the other 70% are lying,” Lucht said. “I 
don’t know what island you might live on where this wouldn’t have 
inconvenienced some element of your life. That becomes a stressor.”Lucht said the longer the 
pandemic continues, the more likely we are to see people experience 
fatigue as a result of this perception of vulnerability or dealing with 
these inconveniences.Regardless of which side 
of the mask-wearing isle you are on, Steven Stites, chief medical 
officer for the KU Health System, implored Kansans to take personal 
responsibility for their mental and physical health.“Following the pillars of 
infection control prevention is not an act of obedience. It is an act of
 kindness and generosity that protects not only you, but it really 
protects everybody around you,” Stites said. “The science is here to 
help us get to the other side, but it’s our own individual actions that 
drive our ability to do that effectively.”