SALINA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland in Salina to celebrate Schwan's manufacturing expansion which will create 225 new jobs.&nbsp; Senator Jerry Moran also attended the announcement.

“Schwan’s has been a staple here in Salina for many years, and they’ve been making nationally recognized pizza brands for decades,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “From Day One, my administration has prioritized investing in and rebuilding Kansas’ foundation. This venture is a testament to our commitment to create good jobs for Kansans, especially at this critical time as we work to recover from the economic challenges brought on by COVID-19.”

The expansion includes 400,000 square foot addition to&nbsp; the Tony’s plant at 3019 Scanlan Avenue in Salina.

&nbsp;The announcement of the project comes as the company celebrates the 50th year of operating a pizza production facility in Salina.&nbsp;

“For 50 years, we have made steady investments in growing our operations in Salina, and our facility eventually became what we believe is the largest pizza production facility in the world,” said CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios. “This new investment in Salina will help ensure that we can achieve our growth plans and continue to provide delicious pizzas to millions of families for decades to come.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597093121564.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during Monday's celebration in Salina- photo office of Kan. governor" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during Monday's celebration in Salina- photo office of Kan. governor</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland in Salina to celebrate Schwan's manufacturing expansion which will create 225 new jobs.&nbsp; Senator Jerry Moran also attended the announcement.“Schwan’s has been a staple here in Salina for many years, and they’ve been making nationally recognized pizza brands for decades,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “From Day One, my administration has prioritized investing in and rebuilding Kansas’ foundation. This venture is a testament to our commitment to create good jobs for Kansans, especially at this critical time as we work to recover from the economic challenges brought on by COVID-19.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597093815974.png" alt="photo courtesy Schwans" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Schwans</figcaption>
 </figure>The expansion includes 400,000 square foot addition to&nbsp; the Tony’s plant at 3019 Scanlan Avenue in Salina.&nbsp;The announcement of the project comes as the company celebrates the 50th year of operating a pizza production facility in Salina.&nbsp;“For 50 years, we have made steady investments in growing our operations in Salina, and our facility eventually became what we believe is the largest pizza production facility in the world,” said CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios. “This new investment in Salina will help ensure that we can achieve our growth plans and continue to provide delicious pizzas to millions of families for decades to come.”

Gov.: 225 new jobs coming with Schwans expansion in Salina 

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent robbery and asking the public with help to locate two suspects.

Just before 10 a.m. Sunday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office received a call at NW 30th Road. Area 4, Lot 2 in the All Seasons Mobile Home Park. The caller advised two subjects armed with handguns, had entered his home, and robbed him, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Upon arrival Sheriff’s deputies contacted the resident who said he was pistol whipped about the head and face and tied to a chair. The assailants then broke into a gun cabinet took several firearms as well as cash from the residence.

Witnesses in the area saw a mid-90s, white, suburban type vehicle at about the time of the incident. The vehicle was seen leaving the area shortly after the incident.

A suspect has been developed in the case and is wanted for questioning. Howard Lee Johnson, age 24 of Wichita. Johnson is described as a black male, 5-foot-7, 135 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Johnson has multiple tattoos. Johnson has multiple outstanding warrants in the Barton County District Court.

The second suspect is also described as a tall, heavyset, black male who was wearing a red bandanna at the time of the attack. No further description is available at this time, according to Bellendir.

Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have information about the whereabouts of Johnson or the other suspect or any further information about this crime please contact the Barton County Sheriff’s Office at 620-793-1876 or you can call Crime Stoppers of Barton County at 620-792-1300

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597095582675.png" alt="Howard Johnson has previous convictions for driving while suspended, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Howard Johnson has previous convictions for driving while suspended, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent robbery and asking the public with help to locate two suspects.Just before 10 a.m. Sunday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office received a call at NW 30th Road. Area 4, Lot 2 in the All Seasons Mobile Home Park. The caller advised two subjects armed with handguns, had entered his home, and robbed him, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597092707068.jpeg" alt="Howard Johnson-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Howard Johnson-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival Sheriff’s deputies contacted the resident who said he was pistol whipped about the head and face and tied to a chair. The assailants then broke into a gun cabinet took several firearms as well as cash from the residence.Witnesses in the area saw a mid-90s, white, suburban type vehicle at about the time of the incident. The vehicle was seen leaving the area shortly after the incident.A suspect has been developed in the case and is wanted for questioning. Howard Lee Johnson, age 24 of Wichita. Johnson is described as a black male, 5-foot-7, 135 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Johnson has multiple tattoos. Johnson has multiple outstanding warrants in the Barton County District Court.The second suspect is also described as a tall, heavyset, black male who was wearing a red bandanna at the time of the attack. No further description is available at this time, according to Bellendir.Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have information about the whereabouts of Johnson or the other suspect or any further information about this crime please contact the Barton County Sheriff’s Office at 620-793-1876 or you can call Crime Stoppers of Barton County at 620-792-1300

Sheriff: Kan. felon wanted for alleged violent robbery 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City responded to six homicides in the city over the weekend, including the latest Sunday evening on the city’s west side.

Officers found a man with gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Tony Aguirre Community Center, police said. The victim died at a hospital. Earlier Sunday, officers found a woman dead in a home near Ward Parkway. Police did not detail how she was killed.

Minutes before the woman was discovered, police were called to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of the Kansas City Zoo, and early Sunday morning, man in his 20s was fatally shot inside a home.

Saturday evening, two unresponsive men with gunshot wounds were found in the backyard of a home in the Sterling Gardens neighborhood. Both were declared dead at the scene, police said.

Kansas City police are getting help investigating the deaths from federal agents with Operation Legend, a federal anti-crime program meant to assist city police in high-crime areas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597068055533.png" alt="Police on the scene of one homicide investigation in the 8100 block of Ward Parkway Plaza.-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of one homicide investigation in the 8100 block of Ward Parkway Plaza.-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City responded to six homicides in the city over the weekend, including the latest Sunday evening on the city’s west side.Officers found a man with gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Tony Aguirre Community Center, police said. The victim died at a hospital. Earlier Sunday, officers found a woman dead in a home near Ward Parkway. Police did not detail how she was killed.Minutes before the woman was discovered, police were called to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of the Kansas City Zoo, and early Sunday morning, man in his 20s was fatally shot inside a home.Saturday evening, two unresponsive men with gunshot wounds were found in the backyard of a home in the Sterling Gardens neighborhood. Both were declared dead at the scene, police said.Kansas City police are getting help investigating the deaths from federal agents with Operation Legend, a federal anti-crime program meant to assist city police in high-crime areas.

Kansas City police respond to 6 homicides over weekend

BY C.J. JANOVY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/what-kansas-legislators-could-learn-from-winfields-national-teacher-of-the-year/">Kansas Reflector</a>

<a href="https://kasb.org/kansas-tabatha-rosproy-named-2020-national-teacher-of-the-year/">Tabatha Rosproy</a> was making Kansas proud.

It was May 21. On “<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2020-national-teacher-of-the-year-tabatha-rosproy/">CBS This Morning</a>,” an adorable segment announced that Rosproy, 33, had been named the National Teacher of the Year.

Rosproy teaches preschool 
in a Winfied retirement community and nursing home. On a split screen, 
she watched for nearly seven minutes as 4-year-olds and elderly nursing 
home residents made it obvious how well she does her job.

One kid, asked to name her favorite activity in Rosproy’s classroom, thought before concluding, “That’s a good question.”

An old man with a gravelly voice lauded “all of the aspects of learning that she has shown: equality, love, respect.”

What’s so beautiful about Rosproy’s program at <a href="https://cumbernauldvillage.com/">Cumbernauld Village</a>
 is how it affirms the broadest definition of family. The preschoolers 
call the residents who are their volunteer teachers “grandmas and 
grandpas.”

For those elders, Rosproy 
told me, “It really provides purpose and meaning in their lives in 
retirement, in their time where they thought what they were contributing
 was over — those are their words, that’s what they say to me. Now, 
every day when they wake up, they get to spend time with children. They 
read together, discover, go fishing, play bingo, stomp in puddles — 
anything we can get them involved in.”

It works both ways. 
Grandmas and grandpas invite the kids to their evening activities around
 the nursing home and to special performances by outside groups, like 
when people from the zoo come to visit.

This interaction, Rosproy said, helps her young students grow socially, emotionally and academically.

Thanks to individual 
attention like one-on-one reading time with the grandmas and grandpas, 
she notes, the kids “have grown to be so much more empathetic” than what
 she’s observed in other preschool students.

“They can relate to people who are different from them,” she said. “It’s really incredible.”

It’s tempting to make a 
joke, here, about members of the Kansas Legislature needing the kind of 
education Rosproy’s preschoolers get. But there’s nothing funny about 
what some senators and representatives were doing at the Capitol on the 
same day as Rosproy was on national television making Kansas proud.

On May 21, the last day of this year’s session, legislators <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/year2/measures/reports/laws_fr/">accomplished little</a>.
 Most notably, considering the ongoing public health disaster that 
followed, they failed to expand Medicaid even after Gov. Laura Kelly <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-senate-majority-leader-announce-compromise-proposal-to-lower-healthcare-costs-for-kansas-families/">worked out a compromise</a> with Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning. The loudest politicians spent 24 hours in a<a href="https://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/news/20200521/protesters-fire-up-political-rhetoric-as-kansas-legislators-struggle-on-sessionrsquos-final-day"> display of partisan poop-flinging</a>. To call them whiny babies would be an insult to whiny babies.

Rosproy’s experience of 
Kansas is a striking contrast to what we often see in the Statehouse. 
People in Cowley County invested in the greater good, funding early 
childhood education for<a href="https://www.publicprek.com/co/ks-cowley"> every kid</a>.

“Any 4-year-old goes to school for free,” Rosproy said.

Rosproy graduated from 
Winfield’s Southwestern College in 2009 and taught in a Head Start 
program in Salina before coming back to the Winfield Early Learning 
Center in 2014. Now she’s working on her master’s in education from Fort
 Hays State University.

She’s watched over the past decade as Kansas failed to fully fund its public schools. The state is now in the early phases of a <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190404/kansas-lawmakers-adopt-school-funding-plan-hope-for-court-approval">court-approved school funding plan</a>.

“Even with an education-friendly governor in office,” Rosproy said, “it’s still a battle getting the support we need.”

Lawmakers could fund 
universal preschool across the state, she suggested, but “there’s always
 this tit-for-tat sort of thing: ‘This is our money — what are we 
getting if we put it into this.’ I don’t think there’s anything you can 
invest in and get a better return than the education of a child.”

These days she’s fielding 
lots of questions about re-opening schools. She wouldn’t have been back 
at Cumbernauld Village for the next year anyway because of her National 
Teacher of the Year duties, but her pre-school kids will be learning 
separately from the old folks until it’s safe for everyone to be back 
together.

“When the state Board of Education says to make those decisions based on <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/22/kansas-board-of-education-blocks-gov-laura-kellys-plan-to-delay-k-12-classes/">what’s happening in local communities</a>,”
 she noted, “they forget in that the numbers in rural Kansas are so low 
because we’re spread out.” But school is a mass gathering. If people 
aren’t spread out, the numbers won’t stay low.

Rosproy has a national 
platform now. She doesn’t use it to tell people who to vote for. 
Instead, she says, “I think we need to look at what is good for 
everybody — not just what is best for me and mine, but how we can help 
everyone in our communities.”

Some Kansas politicians would call that socialism. I’d call it being the adult in the room.

C.J. Janovy is a veteran journalist with deep roots in the Midwest. Before joining the Kansas Reflector, she was an editor and reporter at Kansas City’s NPR affiliate, KCUR. Before that, she edited the city’s alt-weekly newspaper, The Pitch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597083960721.jpeg" alt="Tabatha Rosproy, of Winfield, was named 2020 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers. (Kaydee Riggs Johnson)" />
 <figcaption>Tabatha Rosproy, of Winfield, was named 2020 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers. (Kaydee Riggs Johnson)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY C.J. JANOVY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/what-kansas-legislators-could-learn-from-winfields-national-teacher-of-the-year/">Kansas Reflector</a><a href="https://kasb.org/kansas-tabatha-rosproy-named-2020-national-teacher-of-the-year/">Tabatha Rosproy</a> was making Kansas proud.It was May 21. On “<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2020-national-teacher-of-the-year-tabatha-rosproy/">CBS This Morning</a>,” an adorable segment announced that Rosproy, 33, had been named the National Teacher of the Year.Rosproy teaches preschool 
in a Winfied retirement community and nursing home. On a split screen, 
she watched for nearly seven minutes as 4-year-olds and elderly nursing 
home residents made it obvious how well she does her job.One kid, asked to name her favorite activity in Rosproy’s classroom, thought before concluding, “That’s a good question.”An old man with a gravelly voice lauded “all of the aspects of learning that she has shown: equality, love, respect.”<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9aReAcNHrg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>What’s so beautiful about Rosproy’s program at <a href="https://cumbernauldvillage.com/">Cumbernauld Village</a>
 is how it affirms the broadest definition of family. The preschoolers 
call the residents who are their volunteer teachers “grandmas and 
grandpas.”For those elders, Rosproy 
told me, “It really provides purpose and meaning in their lives in 
retirement, in their time where they thought what they were contributing
 was over — those are their words, that’s what they say to me. Now, 
every day when they wake up, they get to spend time with children. They 
read together, discover, go fishing, play bingo, stomp in puddles — 
anything we can get them involved in.”It works both ways. 
Grandmas and grandpas invite the kids to their evening activities around
 the nursing home and to special performances by outside groups, like 
when people from the zoo come to visit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597084042843.jpeg" alt="2020 Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy with her students and their “grandmas” at the Cumbernauld Village retirement communith. (Suzanne Lawrence)" />
 <figcaption>2020 Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy with her students and their “grandmas” at the Cumbernauld Village retirement communith. (Suzanne Lawrence)</figcaption>
 </figure>This interaction, Rosproy said, helps her young students grow socially, emotionally and academically.Thanks to individual 
attention like one-on-one reading time with the grandmas and grandpas, 
she notes, the kids “have grown to be so much more empathetic” than what
 she’s observed in other preschool students.“They can relate to people who are different from them,” she said. “It’s really incredible.”It’s tempting to make a 
joke, here, about members of the Kansas Legislature needing the kind of 
education Rosproy’s preschoolers get. But there’s nothing funny about 
what some senators and representatives were doing at the Capitol on the 
same day as Rosproy was on national television making Kansas proud.On May 21, the last day of this year’s session, legislators <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/year2/measures/reports/laws_fr/">accomplished little</a>.
 Most notably, considering the ongoing public health disaster that 
followed, they failed to expand Medicaid even after Gov. Laura Kelly <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-senate-majority-leader-announce-compromise-proposal-to-lower-healthcare-costs-for-kansas-families/">worked out a compromise</a> with Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning. The loudest politicians spent 24 hours in a<a href="https://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/news/20200521/protesters-fire-up-political-rhetoric-as-kansas-legislators-struggle-on-sessionrsquos-final-day"> display of partisan poop-flinging</a>. To call them whiny babies would be an insult to whiny babies.Rosproy’s experience of 
Kansas is a striking contrast to what we often see in the Statehouse. 
People in Cowley County invested in the greater good, funding early 
childhood education for<a href="https://www.publicprek.com/co/ks-cowley"> every kid</a>.“Any 4-year-old goes to school for free,” Rosproy said.Rosproy graduated from 
Winfield’s Southwestern College in 2009 and taught in a Head Start 
program in Salina before coming back to the Winfield Early Learning 
Center in 2014. Now she’s working on her master’s in education from Fort
 Hays State University.She’s watched over the past decade as Kansas failed to fully fund its public schools. The state is now in the early phases of a <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190404/kansas-lawmakers-adopt-school-funding-plan-hope-for-court-approval">court-approved school funding plan</a>.“Even with an education-friendly governor in office,” Rosproy said, “it’s still a battle getting the support we need.”Lawmakers could fund 
universal preschool across the state, she suggested, but “there’s always
 this tit-for-tat sort of thing: ‘This is our money — what are we 
getting if we put it into this.’ I don’t think there’s anything you can 
invest in and get a better return than the education of a child.”These days she’s fielding 
lots of questions about re-opening schools. She wouldn’t have been back 
at Cumbernauld Village for the next year anyway because of her National 
Teacher of the Year duties, but her pre-school kids will be learning 
separately from the old folks until it’s safe for everyone to be back 
together.“When the state Board of Education says to make those decisions based on <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/22/kansas-board-of-education-blocks-gov-laura-kellys-plan-to-delay-k-12-classes/">what’s happening in local communities</a>,”
 she noted, “they forget in that the numbers in rural Kansas are so low 
because we’re spread out.” But school is a mass gathering. If people 
aren’t spread out, the numbers won’t stay low.Rosproy has a national 
platform now. She doesn’t use it to tell people who to vote for. 
Instead, she says, “I think we need to look at what is good for 
everybody — not just what is best for me and mine, but how we can help 
everyone in our communities.”Some Kansas politicians would call that socialism. I’d call it being the adult in the room.C.J. Janovy is a veteran journalist with deep roots in the Midwest. Before joining the Kansas Reflector, she was an editor and reporter at Kansas City’s NPR affiliate, KCUR. Before that, she edited the city’s alt-weekly newspaper, The Pitch.

OPINION: What Kan. legislators could learn from national teacher of the year

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1092 to a total of 31,730 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1092 to a total of 31,730 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 387<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597082129457.png" alt="Monday August 10, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday August 10, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for alleged arson.

Just after 9 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 3215 24th Street in Great Bend in reference to a burglary in progress, according to a media release.

Anthony Shives, age 38, reported someone inside his residence. Shives reported his ex-wife Crystal Caruthers, age 36, had broken into the residence and set a fire.

Upon officers arrival, they located a broken window on the residence.

Officers located Caruthers in the bedroom. Caruthers was provided medical treatment by the Great Bend Fire Department for minor lacerations to the right hand and then transported to the Barton County Detention Center, where she was booked into custody on requested charges of burglary and arson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597077118702.png" alt="Crystal Caruthers photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Crystal Caruthers photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for alleged arson.Just after 9 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 3215 24th Street in Great Bend in reference to a burglary in progress, according to a media release.Anthony Shives, age 38, reported someone inside his residence. Shives reported his ex-wife Crystal Caruthers, age 36, had broken into the residence and set a fire.Upon officers arrival, they located a broken window on the residence.Officers located Caruthers in the bedroom. Caruthers was provided medical treatment by the Great Bend Fire Department for minor lacerations to the right hand and then transported to the Barton County Detention Center, where she was booked into custody on requested charges of burglary and arson.

Police: Kan. woman set fire in ex-husband's home

SALINE COUNTY —Updated DNA testing has resulted in the identification of "Miss Molly," an unidentified deceased woman who was found in a creek along Interstate 70 in Saline County on Jan. 25, 1986.

On July 29, 2019, the woman's body was exhumed from Gypsum Hill Cemetery so that samples could be obtained for DNA testing. The resulting DNA profile was entered in the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and in late February the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a possible familial match was obtained, according to a news release from the sheriff's office this morning.

"After further examination this match provided positive identification of ‘Miss Molly’ which has since been confirmed thru dental records," according to the release.

The Saline County Sheriff will release additional details Tuesday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597071478903.jpeg" alt="A sketch of how "Miss Molly" was believed to have looked. Image courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>A sketch of how "Miss Molly" was believed to have looked. Image courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Updated DNA testing has resulted in the identification of "Miss Molly," an unidentified deceased woman who was found in a creek along Interstate 70 in Saline County on Jan. 25, 1986.On July 29, 2019, the woman's body was exhumed from Gypsum Hill Cemetery so that samples could be obtained for DNA testing. The resulting DNA profile was entered in the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and in late February the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a possible familial match was obtained, according to a news release from the sheriff's office this morning."After further examination this match provided positive identification of ‘Miss Molly’ which has since been confirmed thru dental records," according to the release.The Saline County Sheriff will release additional details Tuesday.&nbsp;

Latest developments in Kan. cold case of Miss Molly

<a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>


HUTCHINSON — 
Hutchinson Police issued thanks on Tuesday to a Caney police officer
 who saved one of their trainees from choking at the Kansas Law 
Enforcement Training Center.

In a Facebook post, Caney police said
 the Hutchinson officer turned purple due to lack of air and not being 
able to get the food out of his throat during a meal at the training 
academy.

Caney Officer Joe Elliott, recognized that the fellow 
officer was in serious trouble and performed a Heimlich maneuver on the 
Officer. 

As a result of Officer Elliott's quick actions the 
officers airway was cleared and he was able to breath again.  The 
Officer was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.

The
 Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Yoder is the main police 
academy for officers outside the state's largest cities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597227277220.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — 
Hutchinson Police issued thanks on Tuesday to a Caney police officer
 who saved one of their trainees from choking at the Kansas Law 
Enforcement Training Center.In a Facebook post, Caney police said
 the Hutchinson officer turned purple due to lack of air and not being 
able to get the food out of his throat during a meal at the training 
academy.Caney Officer Joe Elliott, recognized that the fellow 
officer was in serious trouble and performed a Heimlich maneuver on the 
Officer. As a result of Officer Elliott's quick actions the 
officers airway was cleared and he was able to breath again. The 
Officer was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.The
 Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Yoder is the main police 
academy for officers outside the state's largest cities.

Caney officer saves classmate's life at Kan. police academy

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/kdhe-secretary-warns-of-lethal-brew-yearns-for-mask-mandate-says-schools-not-yet-safe/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Bars and house 
parties are an antidote of choice among Kansans laboring with 
coronavirus frustration and willing to rub shoulders with friends or 
strangers.

Lee Norman, secretary of 
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said on the Kansas 
Reflector podcast these boozy environments also harbor perils of 
COVID-19 for anyone rejecting advice to social distance, wash hands and 
wear a mask.

“They just immerse in 
virus when they do that,” Norman said. “There’s usually music. When 
people speak loudly, there’s airborne droplets. And they’re very close 
to each other. It is absolutely a lethal brew.”

Norman said he was 
distressed only 15 of the state’s 105 counties embraced Gov. Laura 
Kelly’s recommendation of a mask mandate. The public health value of 
requiring people to cover their mouth and nose when in public has been 
undermined by government officials who discounted potential of the virus
 or viewed government edicts as infringement of individual liberties.

“I would love to see a 
mask&nbsp;mandate,” Norman said. “People can be outside and not&nbsp;have a mask 
on, if they’re distanced and they’re walking in a park or those kind of 
things. When you can’t control your environment, and you’re getting 
anywhere close to people, put a mask on.”

He said the state’s K-12 
education system and the colleges and universities weren’t prepared to 
resume in-person instruction in August.

Some local school boards 
decided to delay opening until after Labor Day in September, but the 
Kansas Board of Education rejected the governor’s proposal to hold off 
until Sept. 9. Kelly argued school districts needed more time to prepare
 for an educational environment invaded by COVID-19.

“The reason for that was 
pretty obvious. The number of cases is going up and, quite honestly, to 
make a safe environment for K through 12, or for that matter, higher ed.
 We’re not there yet,” the secretary said.

Norman said controversial 
decisions by the governor to close schools to in-person teaching in 
March and to issue a shelter-in-place directive in April were the two 
factors early in the pandemic that had a beneficial influence on spread 
of the virus.

The governor’s phased plan
 for reopening the state’s economy was initiated in May but subsequently
 derailed by the Kansas Legislature. It was anchored in health-related 
metrics that took into account needs of businesses to resume operations,
 he said.

“I’ve been a chief medical
 officer at very large health systems, and I know the importance of the 
bottom line. It’s always been top of mind.&nbsp;I don’t ever make 
recommendations in a vacuum,” Norman said. “And&nbsp;that’s true with schools
 as well. Schools are much more than just teaching and learning. It’s 
about socialization, nutrition, mental health.”

So far, the virus has been
 confirmed as a contributing factor in the death of 380 people and 
hospitalization of 1,875 individuals in Kansas. There have been 30,638 
positive tests and 285,874 negative tests for the virus across the 
state.

Here’s the top dozen 
counties of confirmed infections: Johnson, 5,637; Wyandotte, 4,961; 
Sedgwick, 4,935; Ford, 2,161; Finney, 1,706; Shawnee, 1,522; 
Leavenworth, 1,487, Seward, 1,144; Douglas, 717; and Lyon, 668, Riley, 
438; and Crawford, 395.

Norman, who has faced 
criticism from elected politicians and a skeptical public, said he 
continued to worry that not enough Kansans took COVID-19 seriously.

“We can’t make people take
 it seriously. Rules help,” he said. “I think what’s going to happen is 
that people are going to get ground down and will either say, ‘I guess 
we have to take this seriously and I’m going to personally be 
responsible for myself and maybe my family members.’ Or, are they the 
other? They can just say, ‘Heck with it. Let’s just throw open the 
doors. I’m done.’ "

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/2020/8/1597071808051.jpeg" alt="Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman says during a recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast that he would prefer mask mandates to curtail the spread of COVID-19. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman says during a recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast that he would prefer mask mandates to curtail the spread of COVID-19. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/873134704&color=%232b7fb4&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/health-secretary-lee-norman-yearns-for-mask-mandate" title="Health secretary Lee Norman warns of &#x27;lethal brew&#x27;" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Health secretary Lee Norman warns of &#x27;lethal brew&#x27;</a></div></div>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/kdhe-secretary-warns-of-lethal-brew-yearns-for-mask-mandate-says-schools-not-yet-safe/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Bars and house 
parties are an antidote of choice among Kansans laboring with 
coronavirus frustration and willing to rub shoulders with friends or 
strangers.Lee Norman, secretary of 
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said on the Kansas 
Reflector podcast these boozy environments also harbor perils of 
COVID-19 for anyone rejecting advice to social distance, wash hands and 
wear a mask.“They just immerse in 
virus when they do that,” Norman said. “There’s usually music. When 
people speak loudly, there’s airborne droplets. And they’re very close 
to each other. It is absolutely a lethal brew.”Norman said he was 
distressed only 15 of the state’s 105 counties embraced Gov. Laura 
Kelly’s recommendation of a mask mandate. The public health value of 
requiring people to cover their mouth and nose when in public has been 
undermined by government officials who discounted potential of the virus
 or viewed government edicts as infringement of individual liberties.“I would love to see a 
mask&nbsp;mandate,” Norman said. “People can be outside and not&nbsp;have a mask 
on, if they’re distanced and they’re walking in a park or those kind of 
things. When you can’t control your environment, and you’re getting 
anywhere close to people, put a mask on.”He said the state’s K-12 
education system and the colleges and universities weren’t prepared to 
resume in-person instruction in August.Some local school boards 
decided to delay opening until after Labor Day in September, but the 
Kansas Board of Education rejected the governor’s proposal to hold off 
until Sept. 9. Kelly argued school districts needed more time to prepare
 for an educational environment invaded by COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597072174250.jpeg" alt="Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman sketches a chart showing a midsummer resurgence of infections in Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman sketches a chart showing a midsummer resurgence of infections in Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“The reason for that was 
pretty obvious. The number of cases is going up and, quite honestly, to 
make a safe environment for K through 12, or for that matter, higher ed.
 We’re not there yet,” the secretary said.Norman said controversial 
decisions by the governor to close schools to in-person teaching in 
March and to issue a shelter-in-place directive in April were the two 
factors early in the pandemic that had a beneficial influence on spread 
of the virus.The governor’s phased plan
 for reopening the state’s economy was initiated in May but subsequently
 derailed by the Kansas Legislature. It was anchored in health-related 
metrics that took into account needs of businesses to resume operations,
 he said.“I’ve been a chief medical
 officer at very large health systems, and I know the importance of the 
bottom line. It’s always been top of mind.&nbsp;I don’t ever make 
recommendations in a vacuum,” Norman said. “And&nbsp;that’s true with schools
 as well. Schools are much more than just teaching and learning. It’s 
about socialization, nutrition, mental health.”So far, the virus has been
 confirmed as a contributing factor in the death of 380 people and 
hospitalization of 1,875 individuals in Kansas. There have been 30,638 
positive tests and 285,874 negative tests for the virus across the 
state.Here’s the top dozen 
counties of confirmed infections: Johnson, 5,637; Wyandotte, 4,961; 
Sedgwick, 4,935; Ford, 2,161; Finney, 1,706; Shawnee, 1,522; 
Leavenworth, 1,487, Seward, 1,144; Douglas, 717; and Lyon, 668, Riley, 
438; and Crawford, 395.Norman, who has faced 
criticism from elected politicians and a skeptical public, said he 
continued to worry that not enough Kansans took COVID-19 seriously.“We can’t make people take
 it seriously. Rules help,” he said. “I think what’s going to happen is 
that people are going to get ground down and will either say, ‘I guess 
we have to take this seriously and I’m going to personally be 
responsible for myself and maybe my family members.’ Or, are they the 
other? They can just say, ‘Heck with it. Let’s just throw open the 
doors. I’m done.’ "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;

🎙 KDHE secretary warns of ‘lethal brew,’ says schools not yet safe

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Topeka continue to search for suspects in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard. 

The shooting happened late Wednesday night as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. 

Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. 

Police have said they are searching for a person of interest based on video images of someone shooting, but have not announced any arrests. Ross' family says she was a real estate and property manager who owned and operated Homes By Ross in Topeka.

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are&nbsp; attempting to identify a suspect, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka  near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.

Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street was reopened to traffic late morning and police remained on the scene, according Munoz.

Detectives are asking anyone that might recognize the individual in the picture or the vehicle, to please email telltpd@topeka.org or call the Topeka

Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of a&nbsp; shooting&nbsp; that left one person dead in Topeka.

Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street is now open to traffic and police remain on the scene, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Police ask that anyone with surveillance camera systems in the area to please review them and see if they captured anything. 

&nbsp;Police have not identified the victim or additional details.

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; shooting&nbsp; that left one person dead.

Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Police did allow Huntoon Street and Gage Boulevard&nbsp; open for Thursday morning commuters, according to Trimble.

Police have not identified the victim or released additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596745506137.png" alt="&nbsp;This security camera image is a person of interest in the homicide that occurred late Wednesday in the 1100 Block of SW Gage in Topeka.&nbsp; The vehicle is a black Chevrolet SUV and was last seen northbound on Gage from the scene." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;This security camera image is a person of interest in the homicide that occurred late Wednesday in the 1100 Block of SW Gage in Topeka.&nbsp; The vehicle is a black Chevrolet SUV and was last seen northbound on Gage from the scene.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Topeka continue to search for suspects in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard. The shooting happened late Wednesday night as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police have said they are searching for a person of interest based on video images of someone shooting, but have not announced any arrests. Ross' family says she was a real estate and property manager who owned and operated Homes By Ross in Topeka.-----------------TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are&nbsp; attempting to identify a suspect, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street was reopened to traffic late morning and police remained on the scene, according Munoz.Detectives are asking anyone that might recognize the individual in the picture or the vehicle, to please email telltpd@topeka.org or call the TopekaPolice Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128-----------------TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of a&nbsp; shooting&nbsp; that left one person dead in Topeka.Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street is now open to traffic and police remain on the scene, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.Police ask that anyone with surveillance camera systems in the area to please review them and see if they captured anything. &nbsp;Police have not identified the victim or additional details.-------------TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; shooting&nbsp; that left one person dead.Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Police did allow Huntoon Street and Gage Boulevard&nbsp; open for Thursday morning commuters, according to Trimble.Police have not identified the victim or released additional details.

Kansas woman standing in her yard killed by stray bullet

RENO COUNTY — Reno County authorities working to identify the victim of a fatal accident Sunday night.

Just after 6:30 p.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to Yaggy Road under Kansas 14 northwest of Hutchinson for a pickup that struck one of the highway pillars, according to the Reno County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. The male driver made it partially out of the truck, but his legs were pinned under the dash and the truck burned with the driver inside. He died at the scene.

Investigators believe excessive speed contributed to the fatality.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

RENO COUNTY — Reno County authorities working to identify the victim of a fatal accident Sunday night.Just after 6:30 p.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to Yaggy Road under Kansas 14 northwest of Hutchinson for a pickup that struck one of the highway pillars, according to the Reno County Sheriff's Office.Deputies found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. The male driver made it partially out of the truck, but his legs were pinned under the dash and the truck burned with the driver inside. He died at the scene.Investigators believe excessive speed contributed to the fatality.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Sheriff working to ID victim after fatal Kan. crash, fire

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Whether President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order remains unclear. Equally up in the air is whether states, which are necessary partners in Trump’s plan to bypass Congress, will sign on.

Trump announced an executive order Saturday that extends additional unemployment payments of up to $400 a week to help cushion the economic fallout of the pandemic. Congress had approved payments of $600 a week at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak, but those benefits expired Aug. 1 and Congress has been unable to agree on an extension. Many Republicans have expressed concern that a $600 weekly benefit, on top of existing state benefits, gives people an incentive to stay unemployed.

But under Trump’s plan, the $400 a week requires a state to commit to providing $100.

Many states are already facing budget crunches caused by the pandemic. Asked at a news conference how many governors had signed on to participate, Trump answered: “If they don’t, they don’t. That’s up to them.”

Trump expressed a different view on Sunday night, following a day of state officials questioning how they could afford even $100 per person in additional weekly payments. He told reporters as he returned to Washington that states could make application to have the federal government provide all or part of the $400 payments. Decisions would be made state by state, he said.

Several state officials questioned how Trump’s initial proposal would work and often expressed doubt that they could afford to participate at the level Trump initially set without using federal funds.

Aubrey Layne, secretary of finance for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said in a phone interview Sunday he believes it would be feasible for Virginia to participate in such a program if states are allowed to use money that’s been allocated to them under the already passed CARES Act. He said his preliminary understanding is that states can do so, but he and others are waiting to see the rules published.

The better solution, Layne said, would be for Congress to pass legislation.

“It’s ludicrous to me that Congress can’t get together on this,” he said. “I think it would have been better for the president to use his influence in those negotiations, rather than standing on the sideline and then riding in like a shining knight.”

Details about the program were confused on Sunday — and that was even before Trump’s declaration that states could ask the federal government to pay all or part of the $400 week payments.

On CNN’s “State of the Nation” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said conflicting things about whether the federal money was contingent on an additional contribution from the states. Initially Kudlow said that “for an extra $100, we will lever it up. We will pay three-quarters, and the states will pay 25 percent.” In the same interview, though, he later said that “at a minimum, we will put in 300 bucks ... but I think all they (the states) have to do is put up an extra dollar, and we will be able to throw in the extra $100.”

A clarifying statement from the White House said the “funds will be available for those who qualify by, among other things, receiving $100/week of existing assistance and certify that they have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.”

Several advocacy groups that follow the issue, though, said it’s clear the way the executive order is structured that the federal money will be contingent on states making a 25 percent contribution.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, called the plan “an impossibility.”

“I don’t know if the president is genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or if this is just a tactic in the negotiation,” Cuomo said. “But this is irreconcilable for the state. And I expect this is just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement.”

In Connecticut, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the plan would cost his state $500 million to provide that benefit for the rest of the year, and called Trump’s plan “not a good idea.”

“I could take that money from testing — I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Lamont said.

On CNN, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine praised Trump for issuing the order.

“He’s trying to do something. He’s trying to move the ball forward,” DeWine said.

Still, he was noncommittal about whether Ohio would participate.

“We’re looking at it right now to see whether we can do this,” he said.

Christina Stephens, a spokeswoman for Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said: “Right now we are reviewing the President’s order to determine exactly what the impact to the state would be.”

In Maryland, Michael Ricci, spokesman for Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, said in an email that “we will wait on new guidance from US Department of Labor before looking at any (unemployment insurance) changes.”

In Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said his agency is “awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.”

Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians are relying on that additional unemployment to pay their bills and put food on the table.

Kevin Hensil, a spokesman for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, said “reducing the benefit by a third will make it harder for families to get by and it places a larger financial burden on states.” He said state officials are studying the impact of the cuts.

And in Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release that Trump “cut federal funding for unemployed workers and is requiring states that are facing severe holes in our budgets to provide 25% of the funding.”

On ABC”s “This Week,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “an unworkable plan.

“Most states will take months to implement it, because it’s brand new. It’s sort of put together with spit and paste. And many states, because they have to chip in $100, and they don’t have money, won’t do it,” Schumer said.

Many states struggled to adjust outdated computer systems to accommodate the $600 payment, which along with the massive influx of new claims resulted in long delays in providing benefits. Reprogramming the computers again to accommodate the new amount could result in similar glitches.

On ABC, Kudlow said that many of those outdated systems have since been upgraded.

“I don’t think there will be a huge delay. Labor Department has been working with the states. The states are the ones that process the federal benefits before. So, I don’t see any reason why it would be all that difficult,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596920175615.png" alt="President Trump announcing the effort to bypass Congress and extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order -photo courtesy White House.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Trump announcing the effort to bypass Congress and extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order -photo courtesy White House.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Whether President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order remains unclear. Equally up in the air is whether states, which are necessary partners in Trump’s plan to bypass Congress, will sign on.Trump announced an executive order Saturday that extends additional unemployment payments of up to $400 a week to help cushion the economic fallout of the pandemic. Congress had approved payments of $600 a week at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak, but those benefits expired Aug. 1 and Congress has been unable to agree on an extension. Many Republicans have expressed concern that a $600 weekly benefit, on top of existing state benefits, gives people an incentive to stay unemployed.But under Trump’s plan, the $400 a week requires a state to commit to providing $100.Many states are already facing budget crunches caused by the pandemic. Asked at a news conference how many governors had signed on to participate, Trump answered: “If they don’t, they don’t. That’s up to them.”Trump expressed a different view on Sunday night, following a day of state officials questioning how they could afford even $100 per person in additional weekly payments. He told reporters as he returned to Washington that states could make application to have the federal government provide all or part of the $400 payments. Decisions would be made state by state, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596920200204.png" alt="President Trump signed the order Saturday afternoon -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump signed the order Saturday afternoon -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Several state officials questioned how Trump’s initial proposal would work and often expressed doubt that they could afford to participate at the level Trump initially set without using federal funds.Aubrey Layne, secretary of finance for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said in a phone interview Sunday he believes it would be feasible for Virginia to participate in such a program if states are allowed to use money that’s been allocated to them under the already passed CARES Act. He said his preliminary understanding is that states can do so, but he and others are waiting to see the rules published.The better solution, Layne said, would be for Congress to pass legislation.“It’s ludicrous to me that Congress can’t get together on this,” he said. “I think it would have been better for the president to use his influence in those negotiations, rather than standing on the sideline and then riding in like a shining knight.”Details about the program were confused on Sunday — and that was even before Trump’s declaration that states could ask the federal government to pay all or part of the $400 week payments.On CNN’s “State of the Nation” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said conflicting things about whether the federal money was contingent on an additional contribution from the states. Initially Kudlow said that “for an extra $100, we will lever it up. We will pay three-quarters, and the states will pay 25 percent.” In the same interview, though, he later said that “at a minimum, we will put in 300 bucks ... but I think all they (the states) have to do is put up an extra dollar, and we will be able to throw in the extra $100.”A clarifying statement from the White House said the “funds will be available for those who qualify by, among other things, receiving $100/week of existing assistance and certify that they have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.”Several advocacy groups that follow the issue, though, said it’s clear the way the executive order is structured that the federal money will be contingent on states making a 25 percent contribution.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, called the plan “an impossibility.”“I don’t know if the president is genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or if this is just a tactic in the negotiation,” Cuomo said. “But this is irreconcilable for the state. And I expect this is just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement.”In Connecticut, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the plan would cost his state $500 million to provide that benefit for the rest of the year, and called Trump’s plan “not a good idea.”“I could take that money from testing — I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Lamont said.On CNN, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine praised Trump for issuing the order.“He’s trying to do something. He’s trying to move the ball forward,” DeWine said.Still, he was noncommittal about whether Ohio would participate.“We’re looking at it right now to see whether we can do this,” he said.Christina Stephens, a spokeswoman for Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said: “Right now we are reviewing the President’s order to determine exactly what the impact to the state would be.”In Maryland, Michael Ricci, spokesman for Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, said in an email that “we will wait on new guidance from US Department of Labor before looking at any (unemployment insurance) changes.”In Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said his agency is “awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.”Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians are relying on that additional unemployment to pay their bills and put food on the table.Kevin Hensil, a spokesman for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, said “reducing the benefit by a third will make it harder for families to get by and it places a larger financial burden on states.” He said state officials are studying the impact of the cuts.And in Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release that Trump “cut federal funding for unemployed workers and is requiring states that are facing severe holes in our budgets to provide 25% of the funding.”On ABC”s “This Week,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “an unworkable plan.“Most states will take months to implement it, because it’s brand new. It’s sort of put together with spit and paste. And many states, because they have to chip in $100, and they don’t have money, won’t do it,” Schumer said.Many states struggled to adjust outdated computer systems to accommodate the $600 payment, which along with the massive influx of new claims resulted in long delays in providing benefits. Reprogramming the computers again to accommodate the new amount could result in similar glitches.On ABC, Kudlow said that many of those outdated systems have since been upgraded.“I don’t think there will be a huge delay. Labor Department has been working with the states. The states are the ones that process the federal benefits before. So, I don’t see any reason why it would be all that difficult,” he said.___

States on hook for billions under Trump's unemployment plan

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 3p.m. Saturday police officers responded to a robbery that had occurred at Cricket Wireless at 121 South 8th Street in Atchison, according to police chief Mike Wilson.

 A lone suspect later identified as&nbsp;Mark A. Stephens, 26,&nbsp; Melbourne Florida, entered the store and ordered a clerk to get him iPhones from a locked box as he showed the clerk a handgun he had in his waist. 

Stephens also grabbed phone accessories before fleeing the scene to a nearby parked vehicle, according to Wilson.

Officers were able to obtain a vehicle description that was broadcast to area law enforcement. The Nissan SUV with a Missouri license tag was determined to be stolen from the Kansas City area. 

The vehicle was located at 4:30PM by the Missouri Highway Patrol on the shoulder of I-29 near the Camden Point exit in Platte County. 

Troopers took Stephens into custody and he is being held in the Platte County jail for Atchison Police on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596932240092.png" alt="Stephens -photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Stephens -photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have a suspect in custody.Just before 3p.m. Saturday police officers responded to a robbery that had occurred at Cricket Wireless at 121 South 8th Street in Atchison, according to police chief Mike Wilson. A lone suspect later identified as&nbsp;Mark A. Stephens, 26,&nbsp; Melbourne Florida, entered the store and ordered a clerk to get him iPhones from a locked box as he showed the clerk a handgun he had in his waist. Stephens also grabbed phone accessories before fleeing the scene to a nearby parked vehicle, according to Wilson.Officers were able to obtain a vehicle description that was broadcast to area law enforcement. The Nissan SUV with a Missouri license tag was determined to be stolen from the Kansas City area. The vehicle was located at 4:30PM by the Missouri Highway Patrol on the shoulder of I-29 near the Camden Point exit in Platte County. Troopers took Stephens into custody and he is being held in the Platte County jail for Atchison Police on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Wilson.

Police: Man who robbed Kan. phone store captured

WICHITA —After consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and the Sedgwick County Jail's contract medical provider, all housed inmates and staff will be scheduled for testing for the COVID 19 virus starting Monday, according to Lt. Lannon Thompson.

On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus.&nbsp;There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers.  These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility. 

Provisions have been made to ensure the safety of all inmates and staff within the facility, to include, adjustments to housing decisions, isolation for inmates awaiting test results, increased hygiene efforts and availability of hygiene products, facility sanitation and continuing to monitor inmates and staff.

The testing and other efforts will continue as the Sheriff’s Office addresses the current situation with COVID 19. As always, the safety and security of the staff, inmates and members of our community is of paramount importance to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595499501642.png" alt="Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —After consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and the Sedgwick County Jail's contract medical provider, all housed inmates and staff will be scheduled for testing for the COVID 19 virus starting Monday, according to Lt. Lannon Thompson.On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus.&nbsp;There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility. Provisions have been made to ensure the safety of all inmates and staff within the facility, to include, adjustments to housing decisions, isolation for inmates awaiting test results, increased hygiene efforts and availability of hygiene products, facility sanitation and continuing to monitor inmates and staff.The testing and other efforts will continue as the Sheriff’s Office addresses the current situation with COVID 19. As always, the safety and security of the staff, inmates and members of our community is of paramount importance to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Kansas jail will test all inmates, staff for coronavirus

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on <a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/xXjJwzgjONPXOjxNdoOl4HW56KDv-KAIO9GZ-yhN1pg">proposed Rule
 124</a> that will allow courts to collect contact information from
 parties, witnesses, and potential jurors to help with case processing.

Contact
  information will include current mailing address, phone number, and email
  address. 

The contact information is not a public record under the Kansas Open
  Records Act, and it will not be disclosed to anyone outside the courts.

Courts
  will use the contact information as needed during the pendency of a case. It
  could be used to remind parties and witnesses to appear, or to alert jurors
  of last-minute instructions for reporting.

Supreme
  Court Rule 124 includes provisions for retaining and ultimately disposing of
  contact information courts collect in a case.

The Supreme Court will accept comment at <a href="mailto:SCRulespubliccomment@kscourts.org?subject=Rule%20124">SCRulespubliccomment@kscourts.org</a>
 until 5 p.m. Friday, August 21. The subject line must read “Rule 124.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585072596478.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KSCTOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on <a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/xXjJwzgjONPXOjxNdoOl4HW56KDv-KAIO9GZ-yhN1pg">proposed Rule
 124</a> that will allow courts to collect contact information from
 parties, witnesses, and potential jurors to help with case processing.Contact
 information will include current mailing address, phone number, and email
 address. The contact information is not a public record under the Kansas Open
 Records Act, and it will not be disclosed to anyone outside the courts.Courts
 will use the contact information as needed during the pendency of a case. It
 could be used to remind parties and witnesses to appear, or to alert jurors
 of last-minute instructions for reporting.Supreme
 Court Rule 124 includes provisions for retaining and ultimately disposing of
 contact information courts collect in a case.The Supreme Court will accept comment at <a href="mailto:SCRulespubliccomment@kscourts.org?subject=Rule%20124">SCRulespubliccomment@kscourts.org</a>
 until 5 p.m. Friday, August 21. The subject line must read “Rule 124.”

Kan. Supreme Court accepting comment on allowing courts to collect contact information

COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man following an alleged violent attack.

Just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday. police responded to a home in the 900 block of North Fifth Street in Arkansas City for a domestic disturbance, according to police.

Dispatchers reported an open 911 line with a man and woman yelling at each other. Police made contact with the 36-year-old victim and recorded extensive injuries to her face including a broken nose.

She was transported by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department to South Central Kansas Medical Center, where she remained overnight for treatment of her injuries.

Police identified 31-year-old Roberto Francisco as a suspect. They located him inside the home and took him into custody without incident on requested charges of aggravated battery-domestic violence and disorderly conduct. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $100,000 bond through Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596832913600.png" alt="Francisco photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Francisco photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man following an alleged violent attack.Just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday. police responded to a home in the 900 block of North Fifth Street in Arkansas City for a domestic disturbance, according to police.Dispatchers reported an open 911 line with a man and woman yelling at each other. Police made contact with the 36-year-old victim and recorded extensive injuries to her face including a broken nose.She was transported by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department to South Central Kansas Medical Center, where she remained overnight for treatment of her injuries.Police identified 31-year-old Roberto Francisco as a suspect. They located him inside the home and took him into custody without incident on requested charges of aggravated battery-domestic violence and disorderly conduct. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $100,000 bond through Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City.

Kan. man jailed for alleged violent attack on woman

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sheriff's deputy for alleged domestic violence battery.

On Saturday, police arrested 25-year-old Deputy Kelly Geiger who was involved in a disturbance with an intimate partner, with whom she shares a residence, according to&nbsp; Sgt. Lanon Thompson.

&nbsp;The Kansas State Statute reads as follows: KS 21-5414 (a) Domestic Battery is (1) “Knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm by a family member or household member: (b)(1) is a class B person misdemeanor.”

Geiger has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 6 years.

In addition to the criminal case, an investigation is also being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596922998665.png" alt="Geiger photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Geiger photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sheriff's deputy for alleged domestic violence battery.On Saturday, police arrested 25-year-old Deputy Kelly Geiger who was involved in a disturbance with an intimate partner, with whom she shares a residence, according to&nbsp; Sgt. Lanon Thompson.&nbsp;The Kansas State Statute reads as follows: KS 21-5414 (a) Domestic Battery is (1) “Knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm by a family member or household member: (b)(1) is a class B person misdemeanor.”Geiger has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 6 years.In addition to the criminal case, an investigation is also being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Kansas deputy accused of domestic violence battery

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The operator of a privately run federal prison in Kansas and its phone provider have agreed to pay $3.7 million to settle a lawsuit filed by attorneys who alleged that calls with their clients at the facility were illegally recorded.

CoreCivic, which runs the Leavenworth Detention Center, and its phone provider, Securus Technologies, agreed to pay the money into a fund that will be distributed among attorneys who had in-person or phone communications intercepted.

A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri approved the agreement. The settlement comes a year after the companies agreed to pay $1.6 million to current and former detainees who made similar allegations.

CoreCivic told the newspaper in an email that the company maintains that there was no wrongdoing on the part of its company or its employees.

“We’ve worked hard with all parties to resolve this issue in a professional and courteous manner,” CoreCivic spokeswoman Amanda Gilchrist said.

The attorneys for the plaintiffs and Securus Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorneys who had their in-person clients visits or phone calls intercepted or recorded will be entitled to up to $10,000 in compensation under the terms of the settlement. Those who had both in person and phone communications intercepted will be entitled to up to $20,000.

David Johnson and Adam Crane, the named litigants who sued in 2016, will each be awarded $25,000. Just under $1.3 million will be set aside for attorneys fees.

The rest of the money will be donated to Legal Aid of Western Missouri and Kansas Legal Services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566842526567.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The operator of a privately run federal prison in Kansas and its phone provider have agreed to pay $3.7 million to settle a lawsuit filed by attorneys who alleged that calls with their clients at the facility were illegally recorded.CoreCivic, which runs the Leavenworth Detention Center, and its phone provider, Securus Technologies, agreed to pay the money into a fund that will be distributed among attorneys who had in-person or phone communications intercepted.A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri approved the agreement. The settlement comes a year after the companies agreed to pay $1.6 million to current and former detainees who made similar allegations.CoreCivic told the newspaper in an email that the company maintains that there was no wrongdoing on the part of its company or its employees.“We’ve worked hard with all parties to resolve this issue in a professional and courteous manner,” CoreCivic spokeswoman Amanda Gilchrist said.The attorneys for the plaintiffs and Securus Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Attorneys who had their in-person clients visits or phone calls intercepted or recorded will be entitled to up to $10,000 in compensation under the terms of the settlement. Those who had both in person and phone communications intercepted will be entitled to up to $20,000.David Johnson and Adam Crane, the named litigants who sued in 2016, will each be awarded $25,000. Just under $1.3 million will be set aside for attorneys fees.The rest of the money will be donated to Legal Aid of Western Missouri and Kansas Legal Services.Last year, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson held the U.S. attorney’s office in Kansas in contempt of court, finding it willfully violated court orders during an independent investigation of the systemic practice. The judge also found that some federal prosecutors improperly listened to recorded communications between inmates and their attorneys.More than a hundred criminal defendants have filed petitions seeking to get their sentences vacated or indictments dismissed. Those proceedings are ongoing.