TOPEKA, Kan. – On August 6, 2020, officers from the Topeka Police Department served a narcotics search warrant in the 500 BLK SE Gray, related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

As a result of the investigation 22-year-old, Marlene Rangel-Cazares of Topeka was arrested and transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested&nbsp; &nbsp;charges of Possession of Marijuana with the intent for distribution and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596797662477.png" alt="Rangel-Cazares-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Rangel-Cazares-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. – On August 6, 2020, officers from the Topeka Police Department served a narcotics search warrant in the 500 BLK SE Gray, related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.As a result of the investigation 22-year-old, Marlene Rangel-Cazares of Topeka was arrested and transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested&nbsp; &nbsp;charges of Possession of Marijuana with the intent for distribution and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Kansas woman accused of marijuana distribution

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Amanda Adkins, the new Republican nominee in Kansas’ 3rd District, will be tested for the coronavirus after a supporter who attended a campaign party tested positive for COVID-19, the campaign announced.

The campaign was informed of the positive test on Friday. The supporter attended Adkins’ victory party Tuesday at an Overland Park restaurant, campaign manager Matt Patterson said.

Adkins, of Overland Park, will take the test within five days and self-quarantine for 14 days “out of an abundance of caution,” Patterson said. She will take another test after her quarantine.

Patterson insisted that Adkins wore a mask for most of the evening at her party but reporters said they did not see the candidate with a mask on.

“She was (wearing a mask) the majority of the time. When she was giving her speech, she took it off,” Patterson said.

Patterson did not respond to questions about whether Adkins had close contact with the infected person.

Adkins will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids in November’s general election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596913964679.png" alt="Adkins thanking supporters on election night -photo Amanda Adkins for Congress" />
 <figcaption>Adkins thanking supporters on election night -photo Amanda Adkins for Congress</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Amanda Adkins, the new Republican nominee in Kansas’ 3rd District, will be tested for the coronavirus after a supporter who attended a campaign party tested positive for COVID-19, the campaign announced.The campaign was informed of the positive test on Friday. The supporter attended Adkins’ victory party Tuesday at an Overland Park restaurant, campaign manager Matt Patterson said.Adkins, of Overland Park, will take the test within five days and self-quarantine for 14 days “out of an abundance of caution,” Patterson said. She will take another test after her quarantine.Patterson insisted that Adkins wore a mask for most of the evening at her party but reporters said they did not see the candidate with a mask on.“She was (wearing a mask) the majority of the time. When she was giving her speech, she took it off,” Patterson said.Patterson did not respond to questions about whether Adkins had close contact with the infected person.Adkins will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids in November’s general election.

Kan. congressional candidate will take COVID test after supporter tests positive

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Seizing the power of his podium and his pen, President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation's elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.

At his private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn't, contending Washington's gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country's economy and imperiled his November reelection hopes.

Perhaps most crucially, Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. Congress allowed those payments to lapse on Aug. 1, and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock, with the White House and Democrats miles apart. Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration’s negotiations with congressional leaders, leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

Trump’s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama’s use of executive orders on a more limited basis. And the president’s step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills.

Now, Trump, who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year, sought to play the role of election-year savior, with the $400 weekly assistance, as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis.

“It's $400 a week, and we're doing it without the Democrats,” Trump said, asking states to cover 25% of the cost. It was not immediately clear where the federal portion would come from — though the president suggested he was looking to use unspent funds from previous coronavirus relief bills — and Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much, if any of it to fund.

The president said at his club on Friday night that “if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”

Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $3.4 trillion to $2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer. Republicans have proposed a $1 trillion plan.

White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension, fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down. Friday’s jobs report, though it beat expectations, was smaller than the past two months, in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings.

The president’s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection. Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis. But it also would reinforce the view that the president, who took office declaring he was a dealmaker, was unable to steer the process to an agreement.

Trump said Saturday the orders “will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation, and even aides acknowledged they didn't meet the needs of all that was required.

“This is not a perfect answer — we’ll be the first ones to say that,” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down. “But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power, and we’re going to encourage him to do it.”

Trump said the employer portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year, though the move would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless, and faces bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.

“If I win, I may extend and terminate,” Trump said, repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he'd fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Employers also pay 7.65% of their payrolls into the funds.

Both the House and Senate have left Washington, with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement. With no deal in sight, their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September.

Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but not so this time. It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.

Friday’s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “a disappointing meeting,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi, D-Calif., to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Schumer urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”

That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.

Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground.

The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools, which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening. But other priorities are also languishing, including a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November.

Mnuchin said renewal of a $600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.

Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi's proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps.

Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed.

Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.

McConnell has kept his distance from the negotiations while coordinating with Mnuchin and Meadows.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596920200204.png" alt="President Trump signed the payroll tax cut on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp; It could begin as early as Aug. 1 and last through 2020, according to the President. -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump signed the payroll tax cut on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp; It could begin as early as Aug. 1 and last through 2020, according to the President. -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Seizing the power of his podium and his pen, President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation's elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.At his private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn't, contending Washington's gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country's economy and imperiled his November reelection hopes.Perhaps most crucially, Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. Congress allowed those payments to lapse on Aug. 1, and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock, with the White House and Democrats miles apart. Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration’s negotiations with congressional leaders, leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.Trump’s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama’s use of executive orders on a more limited basis. And the president’s step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills.Now, Trump, who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year, sought to play the role of election-year savior, with the $400 weekly assistance, as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis.“It's $400 a week, and we're doing it without the Democrats,” Trump said, asking states to cover 25% of the cost. It was not immediately clear where the federal portion would come from — though the president suggested he was looking to use unspent funds from previous coronavirus relief bills — and Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much, if any of it to fund.The president said at his club on Friday night that “if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $3.4 trillion to $2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer. Republicans have proposed a $1 trillion plan.White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension, fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down. Friday’s jobs report, though it beat expectations, was smaller than the past two months, in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings.The president’s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection. Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis. But it also would reinforce the view that the president, who took office declaring he was a dealmaker, was unable to steer the process to an agreement.Trump said Saturday the orders “will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation, and even aides acknowledged they didn't meet the needs of all that was required.“This is not a perfect answer — we’ll be the first ones to say that,” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down. “But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power, and we’re going to encourage him to do it.”Trump said the employer portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year, though the move would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless, and faces bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.“If I win, I may extend and terminate,” Trump said, repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he'd fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Employers also pay 7.65% of their payrolls into the funds.Both the House and Senate have left Washington, with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement. With no deal in sight, their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September.Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but not so this time. It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.Friday’s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “a disappointing meeting,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi, D-Calif., to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Schumer urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground.The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools, which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening. But other priorities are also languishing, including a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November.Mnuchin said renewal of a $600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi's proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps.Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed.Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.McConnell has kept his distance from the negotiations while coordinating with Mnuchin and Meadows.

Bypassing congress: Trump defers payroll tax, extends unemployment

NEW YORK (AP) — Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help stop the coronavirus from spreading, but drinking the products turned out to be deadly for four people in two states.

Health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932e1.htm" target="_blank">reported this week</a>&nbsp;that 15 adults were poisoned in Arizona and New Mexico in May and June after drinking hand sanitizer. Besides the four who died, three had ongoing vision problems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

All had consumed sanitizers containing methanol, or wood alcohol. The active ingredient that kills germs in legitimate sanitizers is ethyl alcohol, which is consumable. But some companies have been replacing it with poisonous methanol, which is used in antifreeze.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/671bb773d88f6b4aee95795ec0cfb246">issued a warning</a>&nbsp;in June about Mexican-made hand sanitizer gel that it said contained large amounts of methanol. Since then, the FDA has expanded the list. The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use" target="_blank">has identified</a>&nbsp;dozens of hand sanitizers that contain methanol and have been recalled in the U.S. by manufacturers and distributors.

NEW YORK (AP) — Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help stop the coronavirus from spreading, but drinking the products turned out to be deadly for four people in two states.Health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932e1.htm" target="_blank">reported this week</a>&nbsp;that 15 adults were poisoned in Arizona and New Mexico in May and June after drinking hand sanitizer. Besides the four who died, three had ongoing vision problems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.All had consumed sanitizers containing methanol, or wood alcohol. The active ingredient that kills germs in legitimate sanitizers is ethyl alcohol, which is consumable. But some companies have been replacing it with poisonous methanol, which is used in antifreeze.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/671bb773d88f6b4aee95795ec0cfb246">issued a warning</a>&nbsp;in June about Mexican-made hand sanitizer gel that it said contained large amounts of methanol. Since then, the FDA has expanded the list. The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use" target="_blank">has identified</a>&nbsp;dozens of hand sanitizers that contain methanol and have been recalled in the U.S. by manufacturers and distributors.___

4 US deaths tied to methanol-based hand sanitizers

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The city council in Missouri's largest city has endorsed the idea of painting Black Lives Matter murals on six streets across the city.

Kansas City Council members voted 12-1 this week in favor of a resolution saying the city “recognizes the importance and significance of the Black Lives Matter movement and desires to commemorate the message through painting street murals.

Councilman Eric Bunch said he strongly supported the “symbolic step” while acknowledging that “no amount of paint on the streets, murals on the street ... are going to create systemic change.”

Other cities have seen murals on streets to support racial justice in the months since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/DeathofGeorgeFloyd">George Floyd's death&nbsp;</a>in Minneapolis. Similar murals have been painted on streets in New York, Washington and Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The lone vote against the Kansas City proposal came from Councilwoman Heather Hall. She told said that a Black Lives Matter mural would have a “complete valid reason to be in Kansas City” but she thought any mural should be painted on a wall or billboard.

Hall cited public safety concerns, worrying that drivers could get confused about boundaries between lanes of traffic because of a street mural.

“As soon as somebody crosses that line and they hit another car, then who is at fault?” Hall said.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The city council in Missouri's largest city has endorsed the idea of painting Black Lives Matter murals on six streets across the city.Kansas City Council members voted 12-1 this week in favor of a resolution saying the city “recognizes the importance and significance of the Black Lives Matter movement and desires to commemorate the message through painting street murals.Councilman Eric Bunch said he strongly supported the “symbolic step” while acknowledging that “no amount of paint on the streets, murals on the street ... are going to create systemic change.”Other cities have seen murals on streets to support racial justice in the months since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/DeathofGeorgeFloyd">George Floyd's death&nbsp;</a>in Minneapolis. Similar murals have been painted on streets in New York, Washington and Tuscaloosa, Ala.The lone vote against the Kansas City proposal came from Councilwoman Heather Hall. She told said that a Black Lives Matter mural would have a “complete valid reason to be in Kansas City” but she thought any mural should be painted on a wall or billboard.Hall cited public safety concerns, worrying that drivers could get confused about boundaries between lanes of traffic because of a street mural.“As soon as somebody crosses that line and they hit another car, then who is at fault?” Hall said.

Kansas City plans Black Lives Matter murals for 6 streets

BY JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-06/conservative-wins-in-republican-kansas-primaries-set-up-conflict-with-the-democratic-governor">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — A near sweep by conservatives over moderates 
in several primary races this week sets up more conflict over the next 
two years between the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. 
Laura Kelly.

“There will be a lot of feuding and fighting going 
on, particularly given the COVID situation,” said Rep. Tom Phillips, a 
moderate Republican from Manhattan who isn’t seeking a fifth term.

Republican
 leaders could further limit Kelly’s power to guide the state’s response
 to the pandemic and power past her objections to reducing corporate 
taxes.

Outgoing Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita 
Republican, said the primary showed that “Kansans want to live in a 
culture of limited government.”

“My focus now is to preserve our 
veto-proof majority in the Kansas Senate to keep a check on Laura 
Kelly’s liberal policies,” Wagle said in a statement.

In each of the past two years, Kelly had enough lawmakers committed 
to expand Medicaid. But in both of those sessions, Wagle succeeded in 
blocking votes on the issue that Kelly made the signature of her 
campaign for governor.

The primary results make expansion and even longer shot, Phillips said.

“Unless
 the governor has some grand compromise that she’s willing to work out 
with the conservatives,” he said, “I just don’t think it moves forward.”

Several
 moderate Republican senators who supported expansion and voted to 
repeal Republican former Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts lost to 
conservatives in Tuesday’s primary.

Many of those races weren’t 
close. Sen. John Skubal of Overland Park got only 36% of the vote in his
 loss to Rep. Kellie Warren. Conservative challenger Mark Steffen beat 
Sen. Ed Berger, a former president of Hutchinson Community College, 57% 
to 43%. In southwest Kansas, moderate Sen. Mary Jo Taylor suffered a 
20-point loss to conservative challenger Alicia Straub. And Sen. Randall
 Hardy of Salina managed only 37 % in his race against conservative Rep.
 J.R. Claeys.

“The Republican Party, both in Kansas and 
nationally, is getting more conservative,” said University of Kansas 
political scientist Patrick Miller.

He said that puts moderates at an automatic disadvantage in primaries.

“There
 are just fewer moderates in the Republican Party than there were 10 
years ago,” he said, “especially in rural and small-town Kansas.”

GOP
 moderates beat conservatives in only two Senate primaries. Rep. Brenda 
Dietrich defeated Sen. Eric Rucker in a Topeka district and Sen. John 
Doll of Garden City — he ran for lieutenant governor as an independent 
in 2018 — held off a challenge from conservative Lon Pishny.

Money
 and endorsements from the Kansas Chamber and anti-abortion 
organizations helped fuel the effort by conservatives to win back seats 
they lost in 2016.

Abortion was a big issue in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/janedirksforkansas/" target="_blank">Jane Dirks’</a> win over Rep. Jan Kessinger in a Johnson County district that includes parts of Leawood and Overland Park. Kessinger was one of<a href="https://www.kcur.org/government/2020-02-07/four-kansas-republicans-stopped-their-partys-anti-abortion-bill-but-gop-says-its-not-over" target="_blank"> only four House Republicans</a> to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment sought by anti-abortion advocates.

That
 vote mobilized groups like the anti-abortion Students for Life Action, 
which contacted 4,000 voters in the district to make sure they knew 
about Kessinger’s vote against putting the amendment on the August 
primary ballot.

Titus Folks, an organizer for the group, said Kessinger’s defeat is “one that Republican politicians should take note of.”

“It
 is overwhelmingly clear that pro-life issues are a priority for Kansas 
conservatives,” he said in a statement congratulating Dirks.

Dirks won the GOP primary with relative ease. But Miller, the KU political scientist, said she could lose to<a href="https://www.poskin4ks.com/" target="_blank"> Democrat Mari-Lynn Poskin</a> in the general election.

“That’s
 a district that Democrats are probably going to be favored to pick up 
because of (the moderate) Kessinger’s loss,” Miller said. He said voters
 in the district favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 
presidential race.

Conservative Republicans could also be vulnerable in other Johnson County districts that, Miller said, “are getting very blue.”

That includes the race between <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikethompsonforkansas/" target="_blank">Republican Sen. Mike Thompson</a> and Democrat Lindsey Constance in a district that covers parts of Shawnee, Overland Park, Merriam and Bonner Springs.

Miller sees a similar dynamic in the contest between Warren, the primary winner over Skubal in the 11th Senate District, and <a href="https://www.joykoesten.com/" target="_blank">Democrat Joy Koesten</a>, a former Republican member of the Kansas House who switched parties in 2018.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cindy-Holscher-for-Kansas-1631827813750587/" target="_blank">Democratic Rep. Cindy Holscher</a>
 is a strong contender to win a seat now held by Republican Senate 
Majority Leader Jim Denning, who isn’t running for re-election. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ToddforKansas/" target="_blank">Republican James Todd</a>, a former member of the Kansas House, is her general election opponent.

Republican
 incumbents Sen. Rob Olson and Rep. Charlotte Esau could also be 
vulnerable in districts transitioning from red to purple, Miller said.

Democratic
 gains in the general election could offset those made by conservative 
Republicans in the primary, but only partially, Miller said.

The 
next Legislature “could have more Democrats” but be more conservative 
overall, Miller said, “because the Republican caucus gets more 
conservative.”

Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the 
Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW 
and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and well-being of 
Kansans, their communities and civic life. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596806244390.png" alt=" Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>BY JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-06/conservative-wins-in-republican-kansas-primaries-set-up-conflict-with-the-democratic-governor">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — A near sweep by conservatives over moderates 
in several primary races this week sets up more conflict over the next 
two years between the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. 
Laura Kelly.“There will be a lot of feuding and fighting going 
on, particularly given the COVID situation,” said Rep. Tom Phillips, a 
moderate Republican from Manhattan who isn’t seeking a fifth term.Republican
 leaders could further limit Kelly’s power to guide the state’s response
 to the pandemic and power past her objections to reducing corporate 
taxes.Outgoing Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita 
Republican, said the primary showed that “Kansans want to live in a 
culture of limited government.”“My focus now is to preserve our 
veto-proof majority in the Kansas Senate to keep a check on Laura 
Kelly’s liberal policies,” Wagle said in a statement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596806331296.png" alt="Susan Wagle / Jim McLean photo" />
 <figcaption>Susan Wagle / Jim McLean photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In each of the past two years, Kelly had enough lawmakers committed 
to expand Medicaid. But in both of those sessions, Wagle succeeded in 
blocking votes on the issue that Kelly made the signature of her 
campaign for governor.The primary results make expansion and even longer shot, Phillips said.“Unless
 the governor has some grand compromise that she’s willing to work out 
with the conservatives,” he said, “I just don’t think it moves forward.”Several
 moderate Republican senators who supported expansion and voted to 
repeal Republican former Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts lost to 
conservatives in Tuesday’s primary.Many of those races weren’t 
close. Sen. John Skubal of Overland Park got only 36% of the vote in his
 loss to Rep. Kellie Warren. Conservative challenger Mark Steffen beat 
Sen. Ed Berger, a former president of Hutchinson Community College, 57% 
to 43%. In southwest Kansas, moderate Sen. Mary Jo Taylor suffered a 
20-point loss to conservative challenger Alicia Straub. And Sen. Randall
 Hardy of Salina managed only 37 % in his race against conservative Rep.
 J.R. Claeys.“The Republican Party, both in Kansas and 
nationally, is getting more conservative,” said University of Kansas 
political scientist Patrick Miller.He said that puts moderates at an automatic disadvantage in primaries.“There
 are just fewer moderates in the Republican Party than there were 10 
years ago,” he said, “especially in rural and small-town Kansas.”GOP
 moderates beat conservatives in only two Senate primaries. Rep. Brenda 
Dietrich defeated Sen. Eric Rucker in a Topeka district and Sen. John 
Doll of Garden City — he ran for lieutenant governor as an independent 
in 2018 — held off a challenge from conservative Lon Pishny.Money
 and endorsements from the Kansas Chamber and anti-abortion 
organizations helped fuel the effort by conservatives to win back seats 
they lost in 2016.Abortion was a big issue in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/janedirksforkansas/" target="_blank">Jane Dirks’</a> win over Rep. Jan Kessinger in a Johnson County district that includes parts of Leawood and Overland Park. Kessinger was one of<a href="https://www.kcur.org/government/2020-02-07/four-kansas-republicans-stopped-their-partys-anti-abortion-bill-but-gop-says-its-not-over" target="_blank"> only four House Republicans</a> to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment sought by anti-abortion advocates.That
 vote mobilized groups like the anti-abortion Students for Life Action, 
which contacted 4,000 voters in the district to make sure they knew 
about Kessinger’s vote against putting the amendment on the August 
primary ballot.Titus Folks, an organizer for the group, said Kessinger’s defeat is “one that Republican politicians should take note of.”“It
 is overwhelmingly clear that pro-life issues are a priority for Kansas 
conservatives,” he said in a statement congratulating Dirks.Dirks won the GOP primary with relative ease. But Miller, the KU political scientist, said she could lose to<a href="https://www.poskin4ks.com/" target="_blank"> Democrat Mari-Lynn Poskin</a> in the general election.“That’s
 a district that Democrats are probably going to be favored to pick up 
because of (the moderate) Kessinger’s loss,” Miller said. He said voters
 in the district favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 
presidential race.Conservative Republicans could also be vulnerable in other Johnson County districts that, Miller said, “are getting very blue.”That includes the race between <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikethompsonforkansas/" target="_blank">Republican Sen. Mike Thompson</a> and Democrat Lindsey Constance in a district that covers parts of Shawnee, Overland Park, Merriam and Bonner Springs.Miller sees a similar dynamic in the contest between Warren, the primary winner over Skubal in the 11th Senate District, and <a href="https://www.joykoesten.com/" target="_blank">Democrat Joy Koesten</a>, a former Republican member of the Kansas House who switched parties in 2018.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cindy-Holscher-for-Kansas-1631827813750587/" target="_blank">Democratic Rep. Cindy Holscher</a>
 is a strong contender to win a seat now held by Republican Senate 
Majority Leader Jim Denning, who isn’t running for re-election. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ToddforKansas/" target="_blank">Republican James Todd</a>, a former member of the Kansas House, is her general election opponent.Republican
 incumbents Sen. Rob Olson and Rep. Charlotte Esau could also be 
vulnerable in districts transitioning from red to purple, Miller said.Democratic
 gains in the general election could offset those made by conservative 
Republicans in the primary, but only partially, Miller said.The 
next Legislature “could have more Democrats” but be more conservative 
overall, Miller said, “because the Republican caucus gets more 
conservative.”Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the 
Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW 
and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and well-being of 
Kansans, their communities and civic life. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

Conservative wins in Kan. set up conflict with Democratic governor

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Governor’s Council on Fitness is now accepting nominations for its annual Kansas Health Champion Awards. Awards are given to individuals and organizations that make an exceptional effort to model, encourage and promote health and fitness in Kansas. 

The deadline for nominations is September 30. Award recipients will be recognized at the Community Health Promotion Summit in January 2021.

“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is excited to partner in this important initiative to recognize those who make healthy living in our state a priority,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “It’s important that we recognize their efforts and the difference they are making in their communities.”

&nbsp;“In addition to promoting effective models for increasing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free living for replication by organizations and communities around the state, the awards also allow us the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of one individual and one organization this year,” Candice McField, Governors Council on Fitness Awards Committee Chair, said. “Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or State policy maker or an employer, among others.”&nbsp;

To see past winners and get more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansasfitness.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7ffbdda532154380c84608d8358b528b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637318219778601537&amp;sdata=EHZYnnRdAhV6I4AJBAbAk%2FrH2Nsc6b8GtAnk9L7UxJs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">getactivekansas.org</a>&nbsp;and to submit a nomination you must complete the online form at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2F2021KSHealthChamp&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7ffbdda532154380c84608d8358b528b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637318219778611490&amp;sdata=Z4ZigoCt5toTFCnk0s%2FzFSJqD4BQbescZRYb8RL1fMI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021KSHealthChamp</a>.&nbsp;All other questions about the nomination process, contact Connie Satzler, 785-410-0410. The Governor’s Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596471078218.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA&nbsp;– The Governor’s Council on Fitness is now accepting nominations for its annual Kansas Health Champion Awards. Awards are given to individuals and organizations that make an exceptional effort to model, encourage and promote health and fitness in Kansas. The deadline for nominations is September 30. Award recipients will be recognized at the Community Health Promotion Summit in January 2021.“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is excited to partner in this important initiative to recognize those who make healthy living in our state a priority,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “It’s important that we recognize their efforts and the difference they are making in their communities.”Nominees should demonstrate:<ul>
 <li>Work that goes above and beyond what is expected to model, encourage and promote fitness</li><li>Work that helps overcome health inequities</li><li>Sustainable influence or activity</li><li>Far-reaching health impact</li>
 </ul>&nbsp;“In addition to promoting effective models for increasing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free living for replication by organizations and communities around the state, the awards also allow us the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of one individual and one organization this year,” Candice McField, Governors Council on Fitness Awards Committee Chair, said. “Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or State policy maker or an employer, among others.”&nbsp;To see past winners and get more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansasfitness.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7ffbdda532154380c84608d8358b528b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637318219778601537&amp;sdata=EHZYnnRdAhV6I4AJBAbAk%2FrH2Nsc6b8GtAnk9L7UxJs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">getactivekansas.org</a>&nbsp;and to submit a nomination you must complete the online form at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2F2021KSHealthChamp&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7ffbdda532154380c84608d8358b528b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637318219778611490&amp;sdata=Z4ZigoCt5toTFCnk0s%2FzFSJqD4BQbescZRYb8RL1fMI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021KSHealthChamp</a>.&nbsp;All other questions about the nomination process, contact Connie Satzler, 785-410-0410. The Governor’s Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use.

Nominations being accepted for Kansas Health Champion Awards

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — An Overland Park City Council member who is facing a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery has been removed from the city’s public safety committee during the investigation.

Councilman Scott Hamblin, 42, was charged after police were called to his home on July 21. No injuries were reported. He is accused of “physical contact with a person, in a rude, insulting, or angry manner,” according to the criminal complaint.

Six council members on Monday called for Hamblin to resign, saying the charge could damage the board’s reputation. He said he would not step down and said allegations were being made before the incident had been thoroughly investigated.

Mayor Carl Gerlach said Thursday he removed Hamblin from the public safety committee because it oversees police department policies and would present a conflict of interest for Hamblin.

Hamblin’s wife, Curstin, said in a statement that the City Council was attempting to “score political gains from a private family matter.”

“This harassment toward my family is absolutely uncalled for,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595518705251.png" alt="Hamblin -photo Johnson Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hamblin -photo Johnson Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — An Overland Park City Council member who is facing a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery has been removed from the city’s public safety committee during the investigation.Councilman Scott Hamblin, 42, was charged after police were called to his home on July 21. No injuries were reported. He is accused of “physical contact with a person, in a rude, insulting, or angry manner,” according to the criminal complaint.Six council members on Monday called for Hamblin to resign, saying the charge could damage the board’s reputation. He said he would not step down and said allegations were being made before the incident had been thoroughly investigated.Mayor Carl Gerlach said Thursday he removed Hamblin from the public safety committee because it oversees police department policies and would present a conflict of interest for Hamblin.Hamblin’s wife, Curstin, said in a statement that the City Council was attempting to “score political gains from a private family matter.”“This harassment toward my family is absolutely uncalled for,” she said.

City councilman in Kan. charged with misdemeanor battery

WASHINGTON (AP) — A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive collapsing Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money ended in disappointment on Friday, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.

“It was a disappointing meeting,” declared top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, saying the White House had rejected an offer by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. He urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “Unfortunately we did not make any progress today.”

With the collapse of the talks, he said President Donald Trump was now likely to issue executive orders on home evictions and on student loan debt.

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said, “This is not a perfect answer -- we’ll be the first ones to say that -- but it is all that we can do, and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power.”

Friday’s session followed a combative meeting on Thursday that, for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill. Pelosi summoned Mnuchin and Meadows in hopes of breathing life into the negotiations, which have been characterized by frustration and intransigence on both sides.

A breakdown in the talks would put at risk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2b554a392e8bb6785deba6371cfa7900">more than $100 billion to help reopen schools</a>, a fresh round of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/61b3d38360745d64a98a2ab813501b13">$1,200 direct payments</a>&nbsp;to most people and hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments to help them avoid furloughing workers and cutting services as tax revenues shrivel.

In a news conference on Friday Pelosi said she offered a major concession to Republicans.

“We’ll go down $1 trillion, you go up $1 trillion,” Pelosi said. The figures are approximate, but a Pelosi spokesman said the speaker is in general terms seeking a “top line” of perhaps $2.4 trillion since the House-passed HEROES Act is scored at $3.45 trillion. Republicans say their starting offer was about $1 trillion but have offered some concessions on jobless benefits and aid to states, among others, that have brought the White House offer higher.

Mnuchin said that renewal of a $600 per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.

“There’s a lot of areas of compromise,” he said after Friday’s meeting. “I think if we can reach an agreement on state and local and unemployment, we will reach an overall deal. And if we can’t we can’t.”

“I’ve told them ‘come back when you are ready to give us a higher number,’” she said.

Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi’s proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps.

Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e3081a60a6abf62effa2e6030556ee30">a surge in cases and deaths</a>, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f3caeadfc8c7f88900470ac96820a36c">the newly unemployed</a>.

On Friday, they pointed to the new July jobs report to try to bolster their proposals. The report showed that the U.S. added 1.8 million jobs last month, a much lower increase than in May and June.

“It’s clear the economy is losing steam,” Schumer said. “That means we need big, bold investments in America to help average folks.”

Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.

McConnell has sent the Senate home rather than forcing impatient senators to bide their time while Democrats play hardball. That suggests a vote won’t come until late next week, if then.

Pelosi and Schumer have staked out a firm position to extend a lapsed $600-per-week bonus jobless benefit, demanded generous child care assistance and reiterated their insistence for food stamps and assistance to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/833d91877e2f0fa913c5258978a9e83c">renters and homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure</a>.

“This virus is like a freight train coming so fast and they are responding like a convoy going as slow as the slowest ship. It just doesn’t work,” Pelosi said Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596833441262.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke late Friday after negotiations ended -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke late Friday after negotiations ended -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive collapsing Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money ended in disappointment on Friday, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.“It was a disappointing meeting,” declared top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, saying the White House had rejected an offer by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. He urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “Unfortunately we did not make any progress today.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596833516825.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows left Friday's meeting looking for another way to help the American people-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows left Friday's meeting looking for another way to help the American people-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>With the collapse of the talks, he said President Donald Trump was now likely to issue executive orders on home evictions and on student loan debt.White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said, “This is not a perfect answer -- we’ll be the first ones to say that -- but it is all that we can do, and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power.”Friday’s session followed a combative meeting on Thursday that, for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill. Pelosi summoned Mnuchin and Meadows in hopes of breathing life into the negotiations, which have been characterized by frustration and intransigence on both sides.A breakdown in the talks would put at risk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2b554a392e8bb6785deba6371cfa7900">more than $100 billion to help reopen schools</a>, a fresh round of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/61b3d38360745d64a98a2ab813501b13">$1,200 direct payments</a>&nbsp;to most people and hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments to help them avoid furloughing workers and cutting services as tax revenues shrivel.In a news conference on Friday Pelosi said she offered a major concession to Republicans.“We’ll go down $1 trillion, you go up $1 trillion,” Pelosi said. The figures are approximate, but a Pelosi spokesman said the speaker is in general terms seeking a “top line” of perhaps $2.4 trillion since the House-passed HEROES Act is scored at $3.45 trillion. Republicans say their starting offer was about $1 trillion but have offered some concessions on jobless benefits and aid to states, among others, that have brought the White House offer higher.Mnuchin said that renewal of a $600 per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.“There’s a lot of areas of compromise,” he said after Friday’s meeting. “I think if we can reach an agreement on state and local and unemployment, we will reach an overall deal. And if we can’t we can’t.”Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground.“I’ve told them ‘come back when you are ready to give us a higher number,’” she said.Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi’s proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps.Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e3081a60a6abf62effa2e6030556ee30">a surge in cases and deaths</a>, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f3caeadfc8c7f88900470ac96820a36c">the newly unemployed</a>.On Friday, they pointed to the new July jobs report to try to bolster their proposals. The report showed that the U.S. added 1.8 million jobs last month, a much lower increase than in May and June.“It’s clear the economy is losing steam,” Schumer said. “That means we need big, bold investments in America to help average folks.”Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.McConnell has sent the Senate home rather than forcing impatient senators to bide their time while Democrats play hardball. That suggests a vote won’t come until late next week, if then.Pelosi and Schumer have staked out a firm position to extend a lapsed $600-per-week bonus jobless benefit, demanded generous child care assistance and reiterated their insistence for food stamps and assistance to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/833d91877e2f0fa913c5258978a9e83c">renters and homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure</a>.“This virus is like a freight train coming so fast and they are responding like a convoy going as slow as the slowest ship. It just doesn’t work,” Pelosi said Friday.

Last-ditch virus aid talks collapse; no new help for jobless

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 —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.

 Police ask for help to ID suspect in fatal Kan. shooting

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before noon Friday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Buick LaCrosse driven by Sylvia A. Harden, 83, Wichita, was eastbound on the entrance ramp to Kansas 18 from Scenic Drive. 

The driver turned left in the lane of traffic of a 2013 Ford F650 driven by Brad R. Dunlap, 55, Abilene.

The Ford struck the Buick&nbsp; on the driver's side. Both vehicles came to rest on their wheels, partially on the north shoulder and the median.

Harden was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Carlson's Irvin Parkview Funeral Home. Dunlap was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before noon Friday in Riley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Buick LaCrosse driven by Sylvia A. Harden, 83, Wichita, was eastbound on the entrance ramp to Kansas 18 from Scenic Drive. The driver turned left in the lane of traffic of a 2013 Ford F650 driven by Brad R. Dunlap, 55, Abilene.The Ford struck the Buick&nbsp; on the driver's side. Both vehicles came to rest on their wheels, partially on the north shoulder and the median.Harden was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Carlson's Irvin Parkview Funeral Home. Dunlap was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after 2-vehicle crash

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Friday that one staff member at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF) has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a media release.

The person is a female over the age of 40. In order to protect her identity, no other information will be released. Mandatory mask protocol for staff and residents was implemented on July 2.

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:

“As positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in our communities we know that more of our staff will come into contact with the virus,” Zmuda said. “We are thankful for their efforts to follow the guidelines of our public health officials both while at work and at home to keep our staff and residents safe.”

Larned Correctional Mental Health facility is a 598-bed, multi-custody programming facility. The facility consists of the Central Unit, which has the capacity to house 310 male maximum/medium-custody residents, the West Unit, with a capacity of 288 male minimum custody residents and the new Intake Isolation Unit, with a capacity of 64 residents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575316797715.jpeg" alt="Photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Friday that one staff member at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF) has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a media release.The person is a female over the age of 40. In order to protect her identity, no other information will be released. Mandatory mask protocol for staff and residents was implemented on July 2.The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:<ul>
 <li>Contact tracing was conducted to determine who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with this individual</li><li>The Pawnee County Health Department will conduct contact tracing to identify anyone outside of LCMHF who may have been in close contact with this individual and will notify those persons</li><li>Testing will take place among select staff and residents as we continue to work to control the spread</li><li>KDOC will remain diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms</li>
 </ul>“As positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in our communities we know that more of our staff will come into contact with the virus,” Zmuda said. “We are thankful for their efforts to follow the guidelines of our public health officials both while at work and at home to keep our staff and residents safe.”Larned Correctional Mental Health facility is a 598-bed, multi-custody programming facility. The facility consists of the Central Unit, which has the capacity to house 310 male maximum/medium-custody residents, the West Unit, with a capacity of 288 male minimum custody residents and the new Intake Isolation Unit, with a capacity of 64 residents.

Employee at Larned Correctional Facility has COVID-19

By TIM CARPENTER &amp; NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/07/ksu-ku-taking-different-avenues-on-covid-19-testing-of-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>

MANHATTAN – Kansas State 
University and the University of Kansas, the state’s largest public 
universities, will greet 50,000 students returning to their campuses 
with diverging COVID-19 testing strategies.

KU decided to mandate 
every student take a test for coronavirus at outset of fall semester 
classes. This blanket policy is an attempt to restrain spread of the 
virus by enabling the temporary isolation of everyone who tests 
positive.

The plan at Kansas State 
is to concentrate testing at locations of heavy student interaction, 
such as residence halls. The intent is to compile testing data so health
 professionals better understand unfolding outbreaks. This is a targeted
 approach that reflects U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
recommendations that don’t advise testing of entire populations.

“The CDC does not recommend testing of asymptomatic folks,” said Kansas State President Richard Myers.

KU Chancellor Doug Girod 
said testing prior to start of the semester would be compulsory for all 
students, faculty and staff on the main campus in Lawrence and the 
Edwards campus in Johnson County.

“An important part of a 
successful fall semester is helping to keep our KU and Lawrence 
community safe by minimizing exposures to the COVID-19 virus,” said 
Girod, who is a physician. “One way to do this is to identify those 
among us who have the infection, even without symptoms, as we all return
 to campus.”

The non-invasive saliva 
test deployed by KU will be available free of charge. This testing 
process began Friday as students moved into residence halls in Lawrence.

“I just got tested,” said 
freshman Brianna Ibarra, who had help from her dad, George, while moving
 belongings into a dormitory. She said it was exciting to launch her 
college career at KU, but was enrolled in fall semester courses that 
didn’t have in-person instruction. “All my classes are online.”

Emporia State University 
was the only other university in the Kansas Board of Regents system to 
offer mass testing for on-campus students and faculty.

Questions about 
constitutionality of a COVID-19 testing mandate on students haven’t been
 formally answered. The office of Attorney General Derek Schmidt 
declined to comment on legal issues pertaining to imposition of the 
testing requirement at KU. In the past, Schmidt objected to attempts by 
state and local health departments to engage in contact tracing of 
potentially infected Kansans. The 2020 Legislature passed a bill at 
Schmidt’s urging that made contact tracing voluntary.

Gov. Laura Kelly, who 
visited Kansas State’s campus on Thursday, said she didn’t have concern 
about KU’s testing program for students, faculty and staff. She said 
there were limits to what testing would tell public health analysts.

“The problem with 
mandating tests is that you give the test on Tuesday, the results may be
 different if you gave that test Wednesday. Where do you stop?” the 
governor said.

Erin Sorrell, an assistant
 research professor of microbiology and immunology and a member of the 
Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University, 
said there wasn’t a one-size-fits-all blueprint for relaunching 
in-person instruction at colleges and universities across the nation.

“There isn’t one right 
answer to this reopening question,” she said. “Some universities are in 
larger cities. Others are in much more rural areas with smaller 
communities around them. Some have larger populations. We have to be 
conscious of the factors that influence each school community 
differently.”

Implementation of a consistent testing program is one key to a safe reintegration of students, faculty and staff, Sorrell said.

“Ideally, you test 
students and faculty when they come on to campus and then, within a 
randomized schedule, you test subsets of the population, specifically 
those that might be at higher risk,” Sorrell said.

Despite varied case counts
 in Kansas’ 105 counties, the universities in the Board of Regents 
system have all taken coronavirus-related steps to adjust campus 
housing, class schedules and classroom spaces to mitigate anticipated 
health risks. For some, the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 was too 
substantial to enroll this fall or significant enough to take part in 
courses offered online.

The mask requirement at KU
 and the generally accepted idea of frequent hand washing and social 
distancing at a range of six feet cannot protect everyone from the 
virus, Sorrell said.

“I don’t think there is an
 environment that is zero risk,” she said. “Pandemic or not, people 
become ill. They catch colds. They interact while they are on campus 
frequently.”

Grant Daly, the student 
body vice president at KU, said administrators who devoted much of the 
summer to preparing for the fall opening had gone the extra mile in 
terms of dealing with an unpredictable virus.

He said KU student 
feedback had been largely positive, but his peers pointed to several 
lingering issues. He said there were unresolved questions about what 
coursework options were available to students who test positive for 
COVID-19. There is apprehension about availability of student housing if
 the campus had to be shut down in wake of a major outbreak, he said.

“The majority of people 
I’ve talked to want to be back on campus,” Daly said, “but they want to 
be back under the right conditions.”

KU law student Trey Duran 
was more skeptical of the university’s preparations for the fall. Beyond
 the testing mandate, KU is interested in performing contact tracing 
once someone tests positive.

“There are a lot of 
concerns about equity for all campus communities, about contact tracing,
 about privacy, that still needs answering. Better communication with 
students from the university would go a long way,” Duran said.

Mindy Markham, the Faculty
 Senate president at Kansas State, said the administration regularly 
involved faculty in development of the reopening plan.

“It’s challenging because 
there are so many variables,” Markham said, “but they have been 
responsive to our concerns over health and safety thus far.”

Classes resume at Kansas 
State and at KU in mid-to-late August and follow a calendar that calls 
for an end to in-person class sessions prior to the Thanksgiving break 
in November. The final days of classes and the final exams in December 
are to be conducted online. That means students won’t personally be in 
classrooms at KU and KSU again until the spring semester in January.

Other Board of Regents 
universities, including Pittsburg State, Wichita State, Washburn and 
Emporia State, intend to follow a similar process.

Fort Hays State University
 plans to execute a regular academic calendar this fall, said Scott 
Cason, a spokesman for the university. The plan recognizes Fort Hays is 
among the state system’s smaller universities in terms of enrollment and
 that most of the students are from Kansas, he said.

“Our community has been 
supportive and understanding that there are a lot of things we may not 
have answers to right away,” Cason said. “We have asked each department 
to submit fairly detailed plans on health and safety. What we cannot 
control is the pandemic kicking back up again.”

Pittsburg State University
 closed their residence halls to all but students without a permanent 
U.S. residence. Officials at Emporia State University, KU and Kansas 
State decided to keep dormitories open.

Myers, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Air Force and the 15th&nbsp;chairman
 of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he receives medical care at Walter 
Reed facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. The flow of humanity through the 
military complex on any given day rivals that of a college campus.

“Thousands of people go in
 that facility every day. Lot of them go in sick,” he said. “They wear 
masks, wash hands and maintain social distancing. Everybody obeys and 
does it.”

In terms of Kansas State, he said, that spirit of cooperation is needed for the university to function during COVID-19.

“Can it be done? Yes. The 
biggest fear is not campus. Campus is going to be fine. The biggest fear
 is what they’re going to do off campus,” he said.

Kelly said the challenges 
faced by Myers, Girod and other administrators at state universities to 
prepare for in-person classes amid COVID-19 were profound. It’s more 
than opening a business in the morning and monitoring the front door to 
make certain folks wear a mask, she said.

“This is opening up an 
entire community,” the governor said. “It’s a daunting task to say the 
least. I appreciate the efforts that our universities have put in to try
 to do this as safely, cautiously and wisely as possible. It’s going to 
take a lot of cooperation.

“You know that bringing 
people together in one setting is where spread happens. There’s no two 
ways about it. We’ve got bars, restaurants here and this age group is 
going to want to congregate. We have to count on them to do their part 
to make it possible for us to keep these universities open.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596830224776.jpeg" alt="Brianna Ibarra, a Shawnee freshman at the University of Kansas, said Friday she willingly participated in the mandatory COVID-19 testing of students as the campus prepares for opening of fall semester classes. Her father, George, helped with her belongings outside a KU residence hall. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Brianna Ibarra, a Shawnee freshman at the University of Kansas, said Friday she willingly participated in the mandatory COVID-19 testing of students as the campus prepares for opening of fall semester classes. Her father, George, helped with her belongings outside a KU residence hall. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER &amp; NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/07/ksu-ku-taking-different-avenues-on-covid-19-testing-of-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>MANHATTAN – Kansas State 
University and the University of Kansas, the state’s largest public 
universities, will greet 50,000 students returning to their campuses 
with diverging COVID-19 testing strategies.KU decided to mandate 
every student take a test for coronavirus at outset of fall semester 
classes. This blanket policy is an attempt to restrain spread of the 
virus by enabling the temporary isolation of everyone who tests 
positive.The plan at Kansas State 
is to concentrate testing at locations of heavy student interaction, 
such as residence halls. The intent is to compile testing data so health
 professionals better understand unfolding outbreaks. This is a targeted
 approach that reflects U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
recommendations that don’t advise testing of entire populations.“The CDC does not recommend testing of asymptomatic folks,” said Kansas State President Richard Myers.KU Chancellor Doug Girod 
said testing prior to start of the semester would be compulsory for all 
students, faculty and staff on the main campus in Lawrence and the 
Edwards campus in Johnson County.“An important part of a 
successful fall semester is helping to keep our KU and Lawrence 
community safe by minimizing exposures to the COVID-19 virus,” said 
Girod, who is a physician. “One way to do this is to identify those 
among us who have the infection, even without symptoms, as we all return
 to campus.”The non-invasive saliva 
test deployed by KU will be available free of charge. This testing 
process began Friday as students moved into residence halls in Lawrence.“I just got tested,” said 
freshman Brianna Ibarra, who had help from her dad, George, while moving
 belongings into a dormitory. She said it was exciting to launch her 
college career at KU, but was enrolled in fall semester courses that 
didn’t have in-person instruction. “All my classes are online.”Emporia State University 
was the only other university in the Kansas Board of Regents system to 
offer mass testing for on-campus students and faculty.Questions about 
constitutionality of a COVID-19 testing mandate on students haven’t been
 formally answered. The office of Attorney General Derek Schmidt 
declined to comment on legal issues pertaining to imposition of the 
testing requirement at KU. In the past, Schmidt objected to attempts by 
state and local health departments to engage in contact tracing of 
potentially infected Kansans. The 2020 Legislature passed a bill at 
Schmidt’s urging that made contact tracing voluntary.Gov. Laura Kelly, who 
visited Kansas State’s campus on Thursday, said she didn’t have concern 
about KU’s testing program for students, faculty and staff. She said 
there were limits to what testing would tell public health analysts.“The problem with 
mandating tests is that you give the test on Tuesday, the results may be
 different if you gave that test Wednesday. Where do you stop?” the 
governor said.<h2>No absolutes</h2>Erin Sorrell, an assistant
 research professor of microbiology and immunology and a member of the 
Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University, 
said there wasn’t a one-size-fits-all blueprint for relaunching 
in-person instruction at colleges and universities across the nation.“There isn’t one right 
answer to this reopening question,” she said. “Some universities are in 
larger cities. Others are in much more rural areas with smaller 
communities around them. Some have larger populations. We have to be 
conscious of the factors that influence each school community 
differently.”Implementation of a consistent testing program is one key to a safe reintegration of students, faculty and staff, Sorrell said.“Ideally, you test 
students and faculty when they come on to campus and then, within a 
randomized schedule, you test subsets of the population, specifically 
those that might be at higher risk,” Sorrell said.Despite varied case counts
 in Kansas’ 105 counties, the universities in the Board of Regents 
system have all taken coronavirus-related steps to adjust campus 
housing, class schedules and classroom spaces to mitigate anticipated 
health risks. For some, the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 was too 
substantial to enroll this fall or significant enough to take part in 
courses offered online.The mask requirement at KU
 and the generally accepted idea of frequent hand washing and social 
distancing at a range of six feet cannot protect everyone from the 
virus, Sorrell said.“I don’t think there is an
 environment that is zero risk,” she said. “Pandemic or not, people 
become ill. They catch colds. They interact while they are on campus 
frequently.”<h2>Student, faculty vibe</h2>Grant Daly, the student 
body vice president at KU, said administrators who devoted much of the 
summer to preparing for the fall opening had gone the extra mile in 
terms of dealing with an unpredictable virus.He said KU student 
feedback had been largely positive, but his peers pointed to several 
lingering issues. He said there were unresolved questions about what 
coursework options were available to students who test positive for 
COVID-19. There is apprehension about availability of student housing if
 the campus had to be shut down in wake of a major outbreak, he said.“The majority of people 
I’ve talked to want to be back on campus,” Daly said, “but they want to 
be back under the right conditions.”KU law student Trey Duran 
was more skeptical of the university’s preparations for the fall. Beyond
 the testing mandate, KU is interested in performing contact tracing 
once someone tests positive.“There are a lot of 
concerns about equity for all campus communities, about contact tracing,
 about privacy, that still needs answering. Better communication with 
students from the university would go a long way,” Duran said.Mindy Markham, the Faculty
 Senate president at Kansas State, said the administration regularly 
involved faculty in development of the reopening plan.“It’s challenging because 
there are so many variables,” Markham said, “but they have been 
responsive to our concerns over health and safety thus far.”<h2>Altered calendars</h2>Classes resume at Kansas 
State and at KU in mid-to-late August and follow a calendar that calls 
for an end to in-person class sessions prior to the Thanksgiving break 
in November. The final days of classes and the final exams in December 
are to be conducted online. That means students won’t personally be in 
classrooms at KU and KSU again until the spring semester in January.Other Board of Regents 
universities, including Pittsburg State, Wichita State, Washburn and 
Emporia State, intend to follow a similar process.Fort Hays State University
 plans to execute a regular academic calendar this fall, said Scott 
Cason, a spokesman for the university. The plan recognizes Fort Hays is 
among the state system’s smaller universities in terms of enrollment and
 that most of the students are from Kansas, he said.“Our community has been 
supportive and understanding that there are a lot of things we may not 
have answers to right away,” Cason said. “We have asked each department 
to submit fairly detailed plans on health and safety. What we cannot 
control is the pandemic kicking back up again.”Pittsburg State University
 closed their residence halls to all but students without a permanent 
U.S. residence. Officials at Emporia State University, KU and Kansas 
State decided to keep dormitories open.<h2>Aggieville as hotspot?</h2>Myers, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Air Force and the 15th&nbsp;chairman
 of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he receives medical care at Walter 
Reed facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. The flow of humanity through the 
military complex on any given day rivals that of a college campus.“Thousands of people go in
 that facility every day. Lot of them go in sick,” he said. “They wear 
masks, wash hands and maintain social distancing. Everybody obeys and 
does it.”In terms of Kansas State, he said, that spirit of cooperation is needed for the university to function during COVID-19.“Can it be done? Yes. The 
biggest fear is not campus. Campus is going to be fine. The biggest fear
 is what they’re going to do off campus,” he said.Kelly said the challenges 
faced by Myers, Girod and other administrators at state universities to 
prepare for in-person classes amid COVID-19 were profound. It’s more 
than opening a business in the morning and monitoring the front door to 
make certain folks wear a mask, she said.“This is opening up an 
entire community,” the governor said. “It’s a daunting task to say the 
least. I appreciate the efforts that our universities have put in to try
 to do this as safely, cautiously and wisely as possible. It’s going to 
take a lot of cooperation.“You know that bringing 
people together in one setting is where spread happens. There’s no two 
ways about it. We’ve got bars, restaurants here and this age group is 
going to want to congregate. We have to count on them to do their part 
to make it possible for us to keep these universities open.”

KSU, KU taking different avenues on COVID-19 testing of students

KANSAS CITY (AP) — State Rep. Jon Carpenter is the likely winner of a Democratic primary for a seat on the Clay County, Missouri Commission after a programming error initially showed his opponent won the election.

Clay County(20 miles north of Kansas City) election officials spent much of Thursday re-certifying about 44,000 votes after initial results showed Carpenter had not received any votes in 21 of the county’s 40 precincts. Clay County Assessor Cathy Rinehart received 73% of the vote in Tuesday’s initial results.

County Republican election director Patty Lamb said Friday a programming error on tabulators caused results to be read incorrectly in six Democratic county races. She said the ballots were out of order, changing how a machine read the results. The other five races were uncontested so the outcomes were not affected.

Lamb stressed the races were in order on ballots, every vote cast on Tuesday was counted and there was no evidence of tampering. She said she and Democratic director Tiffany Ellison work together to ensure a proper outcome no matter the candidate’s party.

“We don’t have skin in the game,” she said. “Our focus is to be sure every registered voter is counted and we work together in checks and balances to make sure that happens.”

The final, official results were expected to be certified late Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596830116252.png" alt="Jon Carpenter courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Jon Carpenter courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — State Rep. Jon Carpenter is the likely winner of a Democratic primary for a seat on the Clay County, Missouri Commission after a programming error initially showed his opponent won the election.Clay County(20 miles north of Kansas City) election officials spent much of Thursday re-certifying about 44,000 votes after initial results showed Carpenter had not received any votes in 21 of the county’s 40 precincts. Clay County Assessor Cathy Rinehart received 73% of the vote in Tuesday’s initial results.County Republican election director Patty Lamb said Friday a programming error on tabulators caused results to be read incorrectly in six Democratic county races. She said the ballots were out of order, changing how a machine read the results. The other five races were uncontested so the outcomes were not affected.Lamb stressed the races were in order on ballots, every vote cast on Tuesday was counted and there was no evidence of tampering. She said she and Democratic director Tiffany Ellison work together to ensure a proper outcome no matter the candidate’s party.“We don’t have skin in the game,” she said. “Our focus is to be sure every registered voter is counted and we work together in checks and balances to make sure that happens.”The final, official results were expected to be certified late Friday.Brent Wagoner, account manager for Adkins Printing, the county’s election vendor, said Friday the company is working to determine how the problem occurred. He said it was the first time Adkins had experienced the problem, and it was the only counting error reported in the 74 counties the company served in Tuesday’s election.“We are going to figure it out and get provisions in place to make sure it never happens again,” Wagoner said.Carpenter, who reached his term limit after serving eight years in the Missouri House, will face Republican Lydia McEvoy in the general election for a commission seat in the western district of Clay County.