BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ child welfare agency balked at releasing records about a 3-year-old girl whose battered body was found this month, despite a 2018 law that aimed to make such documents more transparent.

That law says Kansas Department for Children and Families’ documents are public records in the event child abuse or neglect results in a child fatality or near fatality. However, the agency declined to release to The Associated Press records pertaining to Olivia Ann Jansen, saying it is still investigating whether Olivia’s death was a result of abuse or neglect. Prosecutors have charged Olivia’s father and his girlfriend with murder.

“Much to my dismay DCF continues to handle protective services as a confidential undertaking and it shouldn’t be,” said state Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat. “The safety of our children is something all Kansans are entitled to know details and, if there has been malfeasance on the DCF, people need to know that.”

Olivia’s remains were found in a shallow grave on July 10, after her father, Howard Jansen III, 29, reported the Kansas City, Kansas, girl missing.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ddd6d421bf98c1b1cef6ff40e46539a1">According to a probable cause affidavit,</a>&nbsp;Olivia’s body was covered with bruises and she died of a brain bleed.

The girl’s grandparents said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/51ce115cfa9b845b540e732254ebbbb7">they had raised concerns&nbsp;</a>about her safety with child protective services. The AP filed a request with the Department of Children and Families on July 13 seeking copies of any records concerning reports of alleged abuse or neglect about the girl.

The agency told the AP in a July 27 email that the records are not open to the public because it has not completed its investigation of whether Olivia died as a result of child abuse or neglect.

Ron Keefover, president of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, called the refusal to release the records based on the agency’s own ongoing investigation “a shameful attempt to dodge public scrutiny.”

“Clearly, law enforcement, the district attorney, and a judge who signed the warrant in the court case have made a determination of child abuse,” Keefover said.

Department spokesman Mike Deines said in an email Monday that the agency is working with law enforcement to investigate. Deines said the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office just recently released redacted affidavits that the child welfare agency will use to complete its investigation and “render a finding in the very near future.”

If the agency makes a finding substantiating that Olivia’s death was the result of child abuse or neglect, the agency will release a summary and begin the process for the records release, he said.

“The intent (of the law) was to as quick as reasonably possible release that information so that we could do our best as a state to try to put in place procedures to prevent future cases of abuse and neglect,” said state Rep. Fred Patton, the Republican chairman of the Legislature’s judiciary committee.

Carmichael, who also serves on the judiciary committee, said it appears the agency is “stonewalling once again” and lawmakers can try next year to impose more strict legislation. The Legislature had passed the open records law after several high-profile deaths of children.

“It sounds like now we have a new bag of tricks and that even though law enforcement has brought charges the agency claims it has not completed its investigation,” Carmichael said.

“We thought we had solved the problem, but obviously we haven’t,” he said.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 3-year-old Kansas girl whose remains were found earlier this month was covered in bruises and died of a brain bleed, investigators said.

The remains of Olivia Ann Jansen of Kansas City, Kansas, were discovered after her father, Howard Jansen III, reported her missing. The 29-year-old father and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, have since been charged with felony murder and other crimes.

Her grandparents have said they had raised concerns about her safety with child protective services.

A probable cause affidavit filed in the criminal case, says the father reported the girl’s disappearance at 8:30 a.m. on July 10, saying he had seen her sleeping on a couch at 6 p.m. the night before.

Her body was found in a shallow grave in a wooded area on the same day she was reported missing.

Court papers said she was badly injured and it would have been apparent to anyone that saw her that she suffered great physical abuse. Her face, arms and legs were covered in bruises.

She also had a small cut on the back of her head, and an autopsy revealed significant bleeding on the back of her brain, which caused her death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594403105823.png" alt="Olivia Jansen " />
 <figcaption>Olivia Jansen </figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ child welfare agency balked at releasing records about a 3-year-old girl whose battered body was found this month, despite a 2018 law that aimed to make such documents more transparent.That law says Kansas Department for Children and Families’ documents are public records in the event child abuse or neglect results in a child fatality or near fatality. However, the agency declined to release to The Associated Press records pertaining to Olivia Ann Jansen, saying it is still investigating whether Olivia’s death was a result of abuse or neglect. Prosecutors have charged Olivia’s father and his girlfriend with murder.“Much to my dismay DCF continues to handle protective services as a confidential undertaking and it shouldn’t be,” said state Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat. “The safety of our children is something all Kansans are entitled to know details and, if there has been malfeasance on the DCF, people need to know that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594468009097.png" alt="Howard Jansen III -photo Wyandotte County." />
 <figcaption>Howard Jansen III -photo Wyandotte County.</figcaption>
 </figure>Olivia’s remains were found in a shallow grave on July 10, after her father, Howard Jansen III, 29, reported the Kansas City, Kansas, girl missing.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ddd6d421bf98c1b1cef6ff40e46539a1">According to a probable cause affidavit,</a>&nbsp;Olivia’s body was covered with bruises and she died of a brain bleed.The girl’s grandparents said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/51ce115cfa9b845b540e732254ebbbb7">they had raised concerns&nbsp;</a>about her safety with child protective services. The AP filed a request with the Department of Children and Families on July 13 seeking copies of any records concerning reports of alleged abuse or neglect about the girl.The agency told the AP in a July 27 email that the records are not open to the public because it has not completed its investigation of whether Olivia died as a result of child abuse or neglect.Ron Keefover, president of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, called the refusal to release the records based on the agency’s own ongoing investigation “a shameful attempt to dodge public scrutiny.”“Clearly, law enforcement, the district attorney, and a judge who signed the warrant in the court case have made a determination of child abuse,” Keefover said.Department spokesman Mike Deines said in an email Monday that the agency is working with law enforcement to investigate. Deines said the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office just recently released redacted affidavits that the child welfare agency will use to complete its investigation and “render a finding in the very near future.”If the agency makes a finding substantiating that Olivia’s death was the result of child abuse or neglect, the agency will release a summary and begin the process for the records release, he said.“The intent (of the law) was to as quick as reasonably possible release that information so that we could do our best as a state to try to put in place procedures to prevent future cases of abuse and neglect,” said state Rep. Fred Patton, the Republican chairman of the Legislature’s judiciary committee.Carmichael, who also serves on the judiciary committee, said it appears the agency is “stonewalling once again” and lawmakers can try next year to impose more strict legislation. The Legislature had passed the open records law after several high-profile deaths of children.“It sounds like now we have a new bag of tricks and that even though law enforcement has brought charges the agency claims it has not completed its investigation,” Carmichael said.“We thought we had solved the problem, but obviously we haven’t,” he said.-------KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 3-year-old Kansas girl whose remains were found earlier this month was covered in bruises and died of a brain bleed, investigators said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594468009097.png" alt="Jansen-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Jansen-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The remains of Olivia Ann Jansen of Kansas City, Kansas, were discovered after her father, Howard Jansen III, reported her missing. The 29-year-old father and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, have since been charged with felony murder and other crimes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594490776368.png" alt="Kirkpatrick-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkpatrick-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Her grandparents have said they had raised concerns about her safety with child protective services.A probable cause affidavit filed in the criminal case, says the father reported the girl’s disappearance at 8:30 a.m. on July 10, saying he had seen her sleeping on a couch at 6 p.m. the night before.Her body was found in a shallow grave in a wooded area on the same day she was reported missing.Court papers said she was badly injured and it would have been apparent to anyone that saw her that she suffered great physical abuse. Her face, arms and legs were covered in bruises.She also had a small cut on the back of her head, and an autopsy revealed significant bleeding on the back of her brain, which caused her death.

DCF balks at releasing records for slain Kansas girl

CHICAGO (AP) — The Trump administration said Tuesday that it will reject new applications and shorten renewal periods for an Obama-era program that shields young people from deportation, taking a defiant stance after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to let it be scrapped completely.

The move, detailed in a memo from Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, ended a month of uncertainty about how the administration would respond to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4d9ce48241c4a881adea4849b50b7f83">its Supreme Court defeat&nbsp;</a>in an election year that has President Donald Trump looking for ways to energize his base.

Wolf said the administration may try to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program again, casting it as a law enforcement issue that could contribute to illegal immigration. He said the federal government needs more time to consider next steps, presenting the measures as a temporary change.

“DACA makes clear that, for certain large classes of individuals, DHS will at least tolerate, if not affirmatively sanction, their ongoing violation of the immigration laws,” Wolf wrote in the memo.

About 650,000 people are part of DACA, which allows young immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children to work and shields them from deportation. Roughly 66,000 people meet age requirements to apply, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute.

The government will deny all new applications, limit renewals to one year instead of two, and deny requests by DACA recipients to visit their home countries unless there are “exceptional circumstances.” Recipients may seek permission to return home for family events, such as funerals or weddings, and other reasons, though the Trump administration has generally denied them.

The Supreme Court ruled last month that Trump failed to follow rule-making procedures when he tried to end the program, but the justices kept a window open for him to try again.

The White House has been devising plans to make another push to end DACA, though it was not immediately clear whether he would make the politically sensitive move before November’s election. Democratic rival Joe Biden wants to keep DACA unconditionally.

A federal judge in Maryland ruled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5b777a116e297c63b8ee83ba2119eebf">earlier this month that the program&nbsp;</a>should be restored to its original form, but the administration was mum until Tuesday on whether it would start accepting new applications. The White House anticipates legal challenges.

The administration’s monthlong silence had unnerved many DACA recipients and those who wanted to join. U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm of Maryland, an appointee of President Barack Obama, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5b777a116e297c63b8ee83ba2119eebf">given the administration until the end of Friday</a>&nbsp;to update the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website and start adequately explaining why applications are rejected.

Legal experts were skeptical of the Trump administration’s authority to roll back parts of the program.

“This is a move that is in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and a federal court ruling,” said Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, an immigration law professor at Penn State Law in University Park, Pennsylvania. “It’s a lawless landscape that we are in.”

Immigrant rights advocates blasted the move as cruel.

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition accused the administration of further marginalizing immigrants. The American Business Immigration Coalition called it economically harmful. And the American Civil Liberties Union vowed to continue its yearslong fight to prevent the program’s demise.

Laura Mendoza, a program manager at The Resurrection Project in Chicago, joined DACA in 2013 and will have to renew next year. She said the $495 annual renewal fee would be difficult for many to pay.

“It’s infuriating that we continue to be the punching bag for the administration,” she said of fellow DACA recipients. “The administration is slowly dismantling the program.”

Wolf, the Homeland Security chief, acknowledged that the $495 renewal fee will be a burden on DACA recipients who will have to apply annually instead of every other year, effectively doubling the cost. He said the department would consider lowering the fee.

Trump has tried unsuccessfully to work with Congress on a broader immigration package that would couple DACA with tougher enforcement measures. He has said lately that he would announce sweeping new steps on immigration, a promise he reiterated Tuesday.

“We’re going to work with a lot of people on DACA,” Trump told reporters. “And we’re also working on an immigration bill, a merit-based system, which is what I’ve wanted for a long time.”

Trump said he would make DACA recipients “happy” without saying how.

Top Democrats urged for a legislative solution that would allow for a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

“With the presidential election just three months away, it’s clear the president will do everything possible to rally his supporters at the expense of Dreamers,” according to a statement from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, referring to the name often used for DACA recipients. “They shouldn’t have to live under the constant fear that DACA protections will be ripped away at any moment.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596018857437.png" alt="President Trump during Tuesday's press briefing -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during Tuesday's press briefing -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — The Trump administration said Tuesday that it will reject new applications and shorten renewal periods for an Obama-era program that shields young people from deportation, taking a defiant stance after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to let it be scrapped completely.The move, detailed in a memo from Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, ended a month of uncertainty about how the administration would respond to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4d9ce48241c4a881adea4849b50b7f83">its Supreme Court defeat&nbsp;</a>in an election year that has President Donald Trump looking for ways to energize his base.Wolf said the administration may try to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program again, casting it as a law enforcement issue that could contribute to illegal immigration. He said the federal government needs more time to consider next steps, presenting the measures as a temporary change.“DACA makes clear that, for certain large classes of individuals, DHS will at least tolerate, if not affirmatively sanction, their ongoing violation of the immigration laws,” Wolf wrote in the memo.About 650,000 people are part of DACA, which allows young immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children to work and shields them from deportation. Roughly 66,000 people meet age requirements to apply, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute.The government will deny all new applications, limit renewals to one year instead of two, and deny requests by DACA recipients to visit their home countries unless there are “exceptional circumstances.” Recipients may seek permission to return home for family events, such as funerals or weddings, and other reasons, though the Trump administration has generally denied them.The Supreme Court ruled last month that Trump failed to follow rule-making procedures when he tried to end the program, but the justices kept a window open for him to try again.The White House has been devising plans to make another push to end DACA, though it was not immediately clear whether he would make the politically sensitive move before November’s election. Democratic rival Joe Biden wants to keep DACA unconditionally.A federal judge in Maryland ruled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5b777a116e297c63b8ee83ba2119eebf">earlier this month that the program&nbsp;</a>should be restored to its original form, but the administration was mum until Tuesday on whether it would start accepting new applications. The White House anticipates legal challenges.The administration’s monthlong silence had unnerved many DACA recipients and those who wanted to join. U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm of Maryland, an appointee of President Barack Obama, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5b777a116e297c63b8ee83ba2119eebf">given the administration until the end of Friday</a>&nbsp;to update the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website and start adequately explaining why applications are rejected.Legal experts were skeptical of the Trump administration’s authority to roll back parts of the program.“This is a move that is in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and a federal court ruling,” said Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, an immigration law professor at Penn State Law in University Park, Pennsylvania. “It’s a lawless landscape that we are in.”Immigrant rights advocates blasted the move as cruel.The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition accused the administration of further marginalizing immigrants. The American Business Immigration Coalition called it economically harmful. And the American Civil Liberties Union vowed to continue its yearslong fight to prevent the program’s demise.Laura Mendoza, a program manager at The Resurrection Project in Chicago, joined DACA in 2013 and will have to renew next year. She said the $495 annual renewal fee would be difficult for many to pay.“It’s infuriating that we continue to be the punching bag for the administration,” she said of fellow DACA recipients. “The administration is slowly dismantling the program.”Wolf, the Homeland Security chief, acknowledged that the $495 renewal fee will be a burden on DACA recipients who will have to apply annually instead of every other year, effectively doubling the cost. He said the department would consider lowering the fee.Trump has tried unsuccessfully to work with Congress on a broader immigration package that would couple DACA with tougher enforcement measures. He has said lately that he would announce sweeping new steps on immigration, a promise he reiterated Tuesday.“We’re going to work with a lot of people on DACA,” Trump told reporters. “And we’re also working on an immigration bill, a merit-based system, which is what I’ve wanted for a long time.”Trump said he would make DACA recipients “happy” without saying how.Top Democrats urged for a legislative solution that would allow for a pathway to U.S. citizenship.“With the presidential election just three months away, it’s clear the president will do everything possible to rally his supporters at the expense of Dreamers,” according to a statement from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, referring to the name often used for DACA recipients. “They shouldn’t have to live under the constant fear that DACA protections will be ripped away at any moment.”___

DACA: Trump won't accept new applications for 'Dreamer' immigrants

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two new lawsuits allege that the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph covered up abuse by two priests who were known to be sexual predators.

The lawsuits, one filed Tuesday and the other on July 20, were announced by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

One of the priests died while the diocese was in the process of removing him from the priesthood and the other is no longer allowed to present himself as a priest, the diocese said.

The lawsuit filed July 20 alleges the Rev. Darvin Salazar sexually assaulted the victim in the rectory at Holy Cross Catholic Church and then prevented the plaintiff from leaving in July 2018.

The lawsuit says the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese had reports about Salazar's “sexual predation” from at least five others but failed to remove him from service until after he committed sexual crimes against the plaintiff.

The diocese said all allegations against Salazar were presented to law enforcement, which declined to bring criminal charges.

The second lawsuit, filed Tuesday, alleges former priest John R. Tulipana assaulted a 13-year-old boy several times in 1977 while at Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church in Grandview.

Tulipana was barred from the ministry in 1994. He died in 2012.

In 2008, the diocese agreed to a $10 million settlement with 47 plaintiffs who alleged sexual abuse by 12 priests, including Tulipana. In 2014, the diocese paid out another $10 million to settle sexual abuse lawsuits of 32 plaintiffs that involved 14 current and former priests — including Tulipana — in cases filed from September 2010 through February 2014.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two new lawsuits allege that the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph covered up abuse by two priests who were known to be sexual predators.The lawsuits, one filed Tuesday and the other on July 20, were announced by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.One of the priests died while the diocese was in the process of removing him from the priesthood and the other is no longer allowed to present himself as a priest, the diocese said.The lawsuit filed July 20 alleges the Rev. Darvin Salazar sexually assaulted the victim in the rectory at Holy Cross Catholic Church and then prevented the plaintiff from leaving in July 2018.The lawsuit says the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese had reports about Salazar's “sexual predation” from at least five others but failed to remove him from service until after he committed sexual crimes against the plaintiff.The diocese said all allegations against Salazar were presented to law enforcement, which declined to bring criminal charges.The second lawsuit, filed Tuesday, alleges former priest John R. Tulipana assaulted a 13-year-old boy several times in 1977 while at Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church in Grandview.Tulipana was barred from the ministry in 1994. He died in 2012.In 2008, the diocese agreed to a $10 million settlement with 47 plaintiffs who alleged sexual abuse by 12 priests, including Tulipana. In 2014, the diocese paid out another $10 million to settle sexual abuse lawsuits of 32 plaintiffs that involved 14 current and former priests — including Tulipana — in cases filed from September 2010 through February 2014.

2 new lawsuits filed against Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins of Kansas gave seemingly contradictory answers when questioned Tuesday about an incorrect voting registration form that led to three felony charges against him.

Watkins, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article244541302.html" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>The Kansas City Star that he did not tell a criminal investigator that a staff member filed a voting registration form that listed a postal box in Topeka as his home address for part of 2019. But Watkins later said the voter registration form was completed as “collegial effort” with his staff.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f633ee2e7c2aa0f94b86607da66ecc71">filed the charges</a>&nbsp;against Watkins, said in a court filing the first-term congressman lied to a detective who was investigating the allegations about the incorrect address.

Watkins acknowledged he voted in the wrong district in a Topeka City Council race in 2019 but said that was “a mistake not a felony.”

“I wasn’t hiding the ball,” Watkins said. “I know that my address is public, so if I were to claim to live somewhere that I actually don’t why on Earth would I choose a retail location where you can’t possibly live? I would choose a residential location.”

When pressed on whether he told the investigator a staff member submitted the incorrect form on his behalf, Watkins said his comment was taken out of context.

“My office is like every other office, the product that we produce is a collegial effort between more than one person. That’s all I was saying. It was taken out of context,” Watkins said.

Watkins is running for re-election in the Kansas 2nd Congressional District. In the GOP primary, he will face State Treasurere Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, who served in several roles in the administrations of Republican Govs. Mike Hayden and Sam Brownback.

In the interview, Watkins repeatedly blamed LaTurner and Kagay for colluding to bring the felony case against him. He also said the case will not influence his re-election chances.

“Kansas voters are smart. They can see through these bogus allegations and they see that there’s a blatant donor and consultant link between the DA and LaTurner,” Watkins said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591476738251.png" alt="Rep. Steve Watkins" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Steve Watkins</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins of Kansas gave seemingly contradictory answers when questioned Tuesday about an incorrect voting registration form that led to three felony charges against him.Watkins, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article244541302.html" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>The Kansas City Star that he did not tell a criminal investigator that a staff member filed a voting registration form that listed a postal box in Topeka as his home address for part of 2019. But Watkins later said the voter registration form was completed as “collegial effort” with his staff.Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f633ee2e7c2aa0f94b86607da66ecc71">filed the charges</a>&nbsp;against Watkins, said in a court filing the first-term congressman lied to a detective who was investigating the allegations about the incorrect address.Watkins acknowledged he voted in the wrong district in a Topeka City Council race in 2019 but said that was “a mistake not a felony.”“I wasn’t hiding the ball,” Watkins said. “I know that my address is public, so if I were to claim to live somewhere that I actually don’t why on Earth would I choose a retail location where you can’t possibly live? I would choose a residential location.”When pressed on whether he told the investigator a staff member submitted the incorrect form on his behalf, Watkins said his comment was taken out of context.“My office is like every other office, the product that we produce is a collegial effort between more than one person. That’s all I was saying. It was taken out of context,” Watkins said.Watkins is running for re-election in the Kansas 2nd Congressional District. In the GOP primary, he will face State Treasurere Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, who served in several roles in the administrations of Republican Govs. Mike Hayden and Sam Brownback.In the interview, Watkins repeatedly blamed LaTurner and Kagay for colluding to bring the felony case against him. He also said the case will not influence his re-election chances.“Kansas voters are smart. They can see through these bogus allegations and they see that there’s a blatant donor and consultant link between the DA and LaTurner,” Watkins said.

Kansas congressman says he didn't lie about voting form

ELWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri woman is suing a northeastern Kansas city and one of its former police officers who pleaded guilty to sexual battery for groping her during an arrest two years ago.

The woman is suing the city of Elwood and former Officer Aaron Newberry for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit accuses them of negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t name victims of sexual assault.

The lawsuit says the woman was at a party in Elwood in July 2018 when Newberry arrested her for having a small amount of marijuana. Newberry handcuffed and placed her in the front seat of his patrol car.

On the way to the Doniphan County Jail, Newberry called the woman a “beautiful girl” and later asked if her breasts were real, the lawsuit says. When she didn’t answer, he reached under her shirt and groped her as she pleaded with him to stop, according to the lawsuit.

The woman immediately reported the assault, and Newberry was later fired and charged with two counts. He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual battery and is now a registered sex offender.

An attorney for the city of Elwood, Joel Euler, did not immediately return a message left Tuesday by The Associated Press seeking comment. A phone number for Newberry could not be found Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595960322677.png" alt="Newberry photo Doniphan Co." />
 <figcaption>Newberry photo Doniphan Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ELWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri woman is suing a northeastern Kansas city and one of its former police officers who pleaded guilty to sexual battery for groping her during an arrest two years ago.The woman is suing the city of Elwood and former Officer Aaron Newberry for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit accuses them of negligent infliction of emotional distress.The Associated Press generally doesn’t name victims of sexual assault.The lawsuit says the woman was at a party in Elwood in July 2018 when Newberry arrested her for having a small amount of marijuana. Newberry handcuffed and placed her in the front seat of his patrol car.On the way to the Doniphan County Jail, Newberry called the woman a “beautiful girl” and later asked if her breasts were real, the lawsuit says. When she didn’t answer, he reached under her shirt and groped her as she pleaded with him to stop, according to the lawsuit.The woman immediately reported the assault, and Newberry was later fired and charged with two counts. He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual battery and is now a registered sex offender.An attorney for the city of Elwood, Joel Euler, did not immediately return a message left Tuesday by The Associated Press seeking comment. A phone number for Newberry could not be found Tuesday.

Woman sues city, ex-Kansas cop who groped her

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Following an FBI investigation, a Kansas man is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for alleged distribution of child pornography.

Antonio Lawrence, 31, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography, two counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

 The crimes are alleged to have occurred during 2019 in Topeka. Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000, for production of the porn, not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count for distribution

He also faces up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 for possession.

The FBI and the Topeka Police Department investigated.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595585898741.png" alt="Lawrence-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Following an FBI investigation, a Kansas man is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for alleged distribution of child pornography.Antonio Lawrence, 31, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography, two counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during 2019 in Topeka. Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000, for production of the porn, not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count for distributionHe also faces up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 for possession.The FBI and the Topeka Police Department investigated.&nbsp;

Kansas man accused of producing, distributing child porn

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man has been charged with fatally shooting a woman as she rode on an all-terrain vehicle.

Prosecutors announced Monday that 38-year-old Glenn Darren Rucker is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the July 1 shooting of 41-year-old Sharon Heifner-Douglas.

Witnesses told police she was riding the ATV with her dog walking alongside her in the grass when a sport utility vehicle pulled up and fired shots at her. The witnesses said they did not hear or see any conflict between anyone in the vehicle and Heifner-Douglas.

An SUV matching the description of the one from the scene later was spotted at a car wash with Rucker inside. He was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant.

Charging documents said that the Kansas City Crime Lab found that shell casings collected at the homicide scene had been fired from a handgun found in the vehicle.

Prosecutors requested a $150,000 bond. Rucker is being held in federal custody. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595936606764.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy Fox4Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy Fox4Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man has been charged with fatally shooting a woman as she rode on an all-terrain vehicle.Prosecutors announced Monday that 38-year-old Glenn Darren Rucker is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the July 1 shooting of 41-year-old Sharon Heifner-Douglas.Witnesses told police she was riding the ATV with her dog walking alongside her in the grass when a sport utility vehicle pulled up and fired shots at her. The witnesses said they did not hear or see any conflict between anyone in the vehicle and Heifner-Douglas.An SUV matching the description of the one from the scene later was spotted at a car wash with Rucker inside. He was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant.Charging documents said that the Kansas City Crime Lab found that shell casings collected at the homicide scene had been fired from a handgun found in the vehicle.Prosecutors requested a $150,000 bond. Rucker is being held in federal custody. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

Kansas City man charged in shooting of woman riding an ATV

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that one staff member at the Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) died on Saturday, July 25, due to complications from COVID-19.

This is the third staff death related to the virus with the first two being at the Lansing Correctional Facility, according to a media release from the KDOC.

Richard Rose, 74, had more than 17 years of dedicated service to the KDOC. He served as a Facility Maintenance Supervisor, spending most of his time offsite.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to Richard’s family and to those who served alongside him for so many years,” Zmuda said. “The KDOC family is a tight-knit group and these deaths, and those of our residents, have been extremely difficult.”

The KDOC Peer Support Team will be available for any staff members who need additional support in dealing with this loss.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of too many hard-working Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Richard was a dedicated public servant and I extend my condolences to both his family, friends, and those who worked alongside him.”

<a>The Topeka Correctional Facility is Kansas’ only all-female prison with a capacity of 948. The facility houses minimum, medium, special management and maximum custody residents.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595973192627.png" alt="Richard Rose" />
 <figcaption>Richard Rose</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that one staff member at the Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) died on Saturday, July 25, due to complications from COVID-19.This is the third staff death related to the virus with the first two being at the Lansing Correctional Facility, according to a media release from the KDOC.Richard Rose, 74, had more than 17 years of dedicated service to the KDOC. He served as a Facility Maintenance Supervisor, spending most of his time offsite.“We extend our deepest sympathy to Richard’s family and to those who served alongside him for so many years,” Zmuda said. “The KDOC family is a tight-knit group and these deaths, and those of our residents, have been extremely difficult.”The KDOC Peer Support Team will be available for any staff members who need additional support in dealing with this loss.“The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of too many hard-working Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Richard was a dedicated public servant and I extend my condolences to both his family, friends, and those who worked alongside him.”<a>The Topeka Correctional Facility is Kansas’ only all-female prison with a capacity of 948. The facility houses minimum, medium, special management and maximum custody residents.</a>

3rd Kansas Dept. of Corrections employee dies from  coronavirus

WICHITA—After a second inmate tested positive last week for coronavirus at the Sedgwick County Jail, an additional 22 have now tested positive for the virus, according to Colonel Brian White.

Currently 27 inmates are still quarantined under the guidance of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the jail's onsite medical vendor to insure they remain symptom free. The jail has just over 1400 inmates as of Tuesday, according to White.

The quarantined inmates either have already tested negative or results are still pending. 23 inmates are in medical isolation due to testing positive or presumed to be possibly positive while we await results.

Since the COVID-19 testing began, a total number of 24 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility.

All of the staff members tested last week had negative test results.

WICHITA —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was notified Wednesday that a second inmate has tested positive for COVID19, according to Lt. Tim Myers.&nbsp; This case is not related to the previous case reported on July 20.

This inmate reported he was sick on July 18. The inmate was immediately placed in quarantine pending the results of the COVID19 test.&nbsp; The inmate was tested by the contracted medical provider of the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on July 20, 2020, because he was symptomatic.&nbsp;&nbsp; The inmate was informed of the positive results today and was instructed to quarantine at home prior to being released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility.

We contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for their recommendations in regards to further testing for staff and inmates.&nbsp; Based on their advice, the contracted medical provider will offer testing to 12 staff members and 49 inmates that had possible contact with the inmate.&nbsp; 

Forty-seven inmates will be quarantined until they are medically cleared.&nbsp; Two inmates who reported symptoms of COVID19 today were placed in isolation.&nbsp;

Three inmates were released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility prior to the inmate receiving the positive test results.&nbsp; KDHE will be contacting those individuals.&nbsp;

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will also be contacting judges, members of the DA’s office, and defense attorneys about the positive test result.&nbsp;

Jail staff is continuing to maintain sanitization standards to take care of&nbsp; staff and inmates which include issuing extra soap, and having disinfectant available as needed, according to Myers.

All staff members have been issued masks to wear, and all inmates have been issued face coverings for the last several months.&nbsp; We also have a full medical staff on site. Additionally we have employed a contractor to sterilize the facility.

If more inmates need to be quarantined or isolated, we already have an established plan to minimize further exposure to staff and inmates.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595954982785.png" alt="Colonel Brian White answers questions during Tuesday's press briefing. He is in charge of the Sedgwick County Detention Facility." />
 <figcaption>Colonel Brian White answers questions during Tuesday's press briefing. He is in charge of the Sedgwick County Detention Facility.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA—After a second inmate tested positive last week for coronavirus at the Sedgwick County Jail, an additional 22 have now tested positive for the virus, according to Colonel Brian White.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F208664303880940%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Currently 27 inmates are still quarantined under the guidance of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the jail's onsite medical vendor to insure they remain symptom free. The jail has just over 1400 inmates as of Tuesday, according to White.The quarantined inmates either have already tested negative or results are still pending. 23 inmates are in medical isolation due to testing positive or presumed to be possibly positive while we await results.Since the COVID-19 testing began, a total number of 24 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility.All of the staff members tested last week had negative test results.---------------WICHITA —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was notified Wednesday that a second inmate has tested positive for COVID19, according to Lt. Tim Myers.&nbsp; This case is not related to the previous case reported on July 20.This inmate reported he was sick on July 18. The inmate was immediately placed in quarantine pending the results of the COVID19 test.&nbsp; The inmate was tested by the contracted medical provider of the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on July 20, 2020, because he was symptomatic.&nbsp;&nbsp; The inmate was informed of the positive results today and was instructed to quarantine at home prior to being released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility.We contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for their recommendations in regards to further testing for staff and inmates.&nbsp; Based on their advice, the contracted medical provider will offer testing to 12 staff members and 49 inmates that had possible contact with the inmate.&nbsp; Forty-seven inmates will be quarantined until they are medically cleared.&nbsp; Two inmates who reported symptoms of COVID19 today were placed in isolation.&nbsp;Three inmates were released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility prior to the inmate receiving the positive test results.&nbsp; KDHE will be contacting those individuals.&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will also be contacting judges, members of the DA’s office, and defense attorneys about the positive test result.&nbsp;Jail staff is continuing to maintain sanitization standards to take care of&nbsp; staff and inmates which include issuing extra soap, and having disinfectant available as needed, according to Myers.All staff members have been issued masks to wear, and all inmates have been issued face coverings for the last several months.&nbsp; We also have a full medical staff on site. Additionally we have employed a contractor to sterilize the facility.If more inmates need to be quarantined or isolated, we already have an established plan to minimize further exposure to staff and inmates.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎥 23 inmates in medical isolation for virus at Kansas jail

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita continue their search for a suspect and have asked&nbsp; the public for help to identify the person captured on security cameras.

Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the Auto Zone in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Captain Jason Stephens.

Upon arrival, police discovered store employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.

The investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the business, pulled out a handgun and shot Blue. There were two other employees in the business at the time, in other parts of the store, and no customers.

The store was open for business at the time of the shooting, according to Stephens.

Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and on Monday afternoon released a security camera image of the alleged suspect.

If you know the identity of this suspect or saw anyone wearing the pictured clothing, please call 911, WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 immediately. This

The individual should be considered armed and dangerous.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita have released the identity of the victim and are asking the public for help to identify a suspect captured on security cameras.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita.

Upon arrival, police discovered the body of a 40-year-old male employee dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.

 "All we know now is that an unknown suspect entered the store. I was there last night and it is a very large building.&nbsp; The suspect entered the business, shot the employee and left. The other employees were in a back room at the time of the shooting."

Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and are working to identify a suspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595873499101.png" alt="Security camera image courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita continue their search for a suspect and have asked&nbsp; the public for help to identify the person captured on security cameras.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the Auto Zone in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Captain Jason Stephens.Upon arrival, police discovered store employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595856779122.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation late Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation late Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the business, pulled out a handgun and shot Blue. There were two other employees in the business at the time, in other parts of the store, and no customers.The store was open for business at the time of the shooting, according to Stephens.Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and on Monday afternoon released a security camera image of the alleged suspect.If you know the identity of this suspect or saw anyone wearing the pictured clothing, please call 911, WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 immediately. ThisThe individual should be considered armed and dangerous.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita have released the identity of the victim and are asking the public for help to identify a suspect captured on security cameras.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the Auto Zone in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Captain Jason Stephens.Upon arrival, police discovered store employee 40-year-old Nicholas Blue dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595856779122.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation late Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation late Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the business, pulled out a handgun and shot Blue. There were two other employees in the business at the time, in other parts of the store, and no customers.The store was open for business at the time of the shooting, according to Stephens.Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and on Monday afternoon released a security camera image of the alleged suspect.If you know the identity of this suspect or saw anyone wearing the pictured clothing, please call 911, WPD detectives at 316-268-4407, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 immediately. ThisThe individual should be considered armed and dangerous.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a business in Wichita.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the Auto Zone in the in the 900 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Captain Jason Stephens.Upon arrival, police discovered the body of a 40-year-old male employee dead of a gunshot&nbsp; wound.The store was open for business at the time of the shooting, according to Stephens. "All we know now is that an unknown suspect entered the store. I was there last night and it is a very large building.&nbsp; The suspect entered the business, shot the employee and left. The other employees were in a back room at the time of the shooting."Police have not determined a motive for the shooting and are working to identify a suspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Search continues for suspect who shot, killed Kan. auto parts store employee

SEDGWICK COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating three armed robberies that occurred&nbsp; within an hour of one another late Sunday in Wichita.

Just after 10 p.m. Sunday two suspects described as black men in their 20s entered a business in the 1300 block of N. Oliver. The suspects had guns, demanded cash, took the cash and fled on foot, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

Just before 11p.m. police responded to a robbery in the 2000 Block of South Oliver. Employees reported an armed robbery similar to the first. At 11:20p.m. a business in the 1500 Block of East Pawnee reported the same type of armed robbery. 

There were no injuries in these robberies, according to Davidson.

SEDGWICK COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating three armed robberies that occurred&nbsp; within an hour of one another late Sunday in Wichita.Just after 10 p.m. Sunday two suspects described as black men in their 20s entered a business in the 1300 block of N. Oliver. The suspects had guns, demanded cash, took the cash and fled on foot, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;Just before 11p.m. police responded to a robbery in the 2000 Block of South Oliver. Employees reported an armed robbery similar to the first. At 11:20p.m. a business in the 1500 Block of East Pawnee reported the same type of armed robbery. There were no injuries in these robberies, according to Davidson.

Police investigate 3 Kan. armed robberies within an hour

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/28/new-kansas-privacy-law-crimps-contact-tracing-for-covid-19/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Shawnee 
County Health Department took the extraordinary step of issuing a public
 health advisory July 7 warning travelers COVID-19 cases had been linked
 to the restrooms and food court at an Interstate 70 service area.

Given the steady flow of 
humanity through the rest stop east of Topeka from July 2 to July 4, it 
would have been futile to attempt contact tracing of people who entered a
 building open to eastbound and westbound motorists on the Turnpike. The
 next-best option was to issue a news release pinpointing the problem 
area.

“While the risk is most 
likely low for infection, it is not zero, and individuals should contact
 their health care provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms,” 
warned Gianfranco Pezzino, the county’s health officer.

During the COVID-19 
crisis, health departments in Kansas demonstrated a preference for not 
identifying by name the 325 known clusters of COVID-19 tied to 7,500 
cases of infection and 235 deaths. The majority of outbreaks confirmed 
in nursing homes, meatpacking plants and other locations were disclosed 
to the public without revealing the specific company or organization.

However, a change in state
 law curtailing person-to-person tracing of the virus may prevent the 
state’s 105 county health departments and the Kansas Department of 
Health and Environment from maintaining that level of anonymity. The 
duty of health agencies to inform people potentially exposed could be 
transformed into blunt news releases pinpointing the source of exposure.

The state law taking 
effect Friday and expiring May 1, 2021, will restrict the ability of 
government agencies to engage in contact tracing, a core disease control
 measure used worldwide since the 1930s. It will become more difficult 
in Kansas to identify those who came in close contact with infected 
persons, warn them of potential exposure, and advise them to monitor 
themselves for symptoms or to quarantine in an effort to reduce the 
reproductive rate of the virus.

Under House Bill 2016, 
passed by a bipartisan majority of the Kansas Legislature and signed by 
Gov. Laura Kelly in June, an individual’s participation in contact 
tracing will become voluntary. Agencies performing tracing will be 
prohibited from deriving the identity of individuals and information on 
movement of people from cellphones. A county or state agency cannot 
require a third party, such as an employer, to collect that information 
on people. Individuals hired to do contact tracing must take an oath 
that they understand the law. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor tied
 to a fine of $500 and a month in jail.

“The language passed in HB
 2016 will undoubtedly slow our ability to do contact tracing and stop 
the spread of COVID-19 at a time when we are classified by the White 
House as a red zone for infections and spread,” said KDHE secretary Lee 
Norman.

Attorney General Derek 
Schmidt recommended the language in the bill protecting Kansans from 
invasion of privacy through contact tracing. He said the capacity of 
government to rely on technology to track Kansans had moved far beyond 
pencil-and-paper techniques deployed by ancestors during the 1918-19 
flu.

He said the state’s 
Contact Tracing Privacy Act, believed to have been the first of its kind
 in the United States, is designed to protect individual civil liberties
 as county health departments and KDHE work to restrain the virus.

“We believe these were 
sensible solutions to put guardrails in place so Kansans would have the 
necessary confidence in contact tracing programs to be willing to 
participate voluntarily, knowing that their personal information would 
be protected,” Schmidt said.

He said government 
assurances akin to “trust us, we’re here to help” would provide little 
comfort to people concerned about government intrusion in their lives. 
While perhaps promising from a public health standpoint, he said, 
unrestricted contact tracing appeared “disturbingly Orwellian and at 
least deserves pause for further study before government may undertake 
it.”

COVID-19 has infected 
26,172 and killed 335 in Kansas since March. KDHE said the state 
recorded 1,063 additional positive tests and nine more fatalities from 
Friday to Monday.

Schmidt said the effort to
 bring Kansas law in line with the digital age produced a statute that 
wisely declared no person in Kansas could be required to participate or 
be forbidden from taking part in contact tracing. The law says 
information gathered through legitimate contact tracing must be kept 
confidential and securely destroyed when no longer needed for the 
pandemic.

Individuals who work as 
contact tracers are required to receive training and affirm their 
understanding of privacy and civil liberties protections in state law. 
KDHE is responsible for development detailed rules and regulations on 
what may be gathered, but that has yet to be completed.

“Rather than lecture and 
scold Kansans, our approach is to persuade, empower and reassure,” 
Schmidt said. “Kansans themselves bear the personal responsibility to 
choose our path forward by freely participating, or not, in ongoing 
efforts to track and contain the virus. We value both science and 
freedom, trusting in individuals more than government.”

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/2020/7/1595955350925.jpeg" alt="Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says a law passed during the Legislature's special session will make it more difficult for health officers to perform contact tracing to identify people in jeopardy of contracting COVID-19. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says a law passed during the Legislature's special session will make it more difficult for health officers to perform contact tracing to identify people in jeopardy of contracting COVID-19. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/28/new-kansas-privacy-law-crimps-contact-tracing-for-covid-19/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Shawnee 
County Health Department took the extraordinary step of issuing a public
 health advisory July 7 warning travelers COVID-19 cases had been linked
 to the restrooms and food court at an Interstate 70 service area.Given the steady flow of 
humanity through the rest stop east of Topeka from July 2 to July 4, it 
would have been futile to attempt contact tracing of people who entered a
 building open to eastbound and westbound motorists on the Turnpike. The
 next-best option was to issue a news release pinpointing the problem 
area.“While the risk is most 
likely low for infection, it is not zero, and individuals should contact
 their health care provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms,” 
warned Gianfranco Pezzino, the county’s health officer.During the COVID-19 
crisis, health departments in Kansas demonstrated a preference for not 
identifying by name the 325 known clusters of COVID-19 tied to 7,500 
cases of infection and 235 deaths. The majority of outbreaks confirmed 
in nursing homes, meatpacking plants and other locations were disclosed 
to the public without revealing the specific company or organization.However, a change in state
 law curtailing person-to-person tracing of the virus may prevent the 
state’s 105 county health departments and the Kansas Department of 
Health and Environment from maintaining that level of anonymity. The 
duty of health agencies to inform people potentially exposed could be 
transformed into blunt news releases pinpointing the source of exposure.The state law taking 
effect Friday and expiring May 1, 2021, will restrict the ability of 
government agencies to engage in contact tracing, a core disease control
 measure used worldwide since the 1930s. It will become more difficult 
in Kansas to identify those who came in close contact with infected 
persons, warn them of potential exposure, and advise them to monitor 
themselves for symptoms or to quarantine in an effort to reduce the 
reproductive rate of the virus.Under House Bill 2016, 
passed by a bipartisan majority of the Kansas Legislature and signed by 
Gov. Laura Kelly in June, an individual’s participation in contact 
tracing will become voluntary. Agencies performing tracing will be 
prohibited from deriving the identity of individuals and information on 
movement of people from cellphones. A county or state agency cannot 
require a third party, such as an employer, to collect that information 
on people. Individuals hired to do contact tracing must take an oath 
that they understand the law. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor tied
 to a fine of $500 and a month in jail.“The language passed in HB
 2016 will undoubtedly slow our ability to do contact tracing and stop 
the spread of COVID-19 at a time when we are classified by the White 
House as a red zone for infections and spread,” said KDHE secretary Lee 
Norman.Attorney General Derek 
Schmidt recommended the language in the bill protecting Kansans from 
invasion of privacy through contact tracing. He said the capacity of 
government to rely on technology to track Kansans had moved far beyond 
pencil-and-paper techniques deployed by ancestors during the 1918-19 
flu.He said the state’s 
Contact Tracing Privacy Act, believed to have been the first of its kind
 in the United States, is designed to protect individual civil liberties
 as county health departments and KDHE work to restrain the virus.“We believe these were 
sensible solutions to put guardrails in place so Kansans would have the 
necessary confidence in contact tracing programs to be willing to 
participate voluntarily, knowing that their personal information would 
be protected,” Schmidt said.He said government 
assurances akin to “trust us, we’re here to help” would provide little 
comfort to people concerned about government intrusion in their lives. 
While perhaps promising from a public health standpoint, he said, 
unrestricted contact tracing appeared “disturbingly Orwellian and at 
least deserves pause for further study before government may undertake 
it.”COVID-19 has infected 
26,172 and killed 335 in Kansas since March. KDHE said the state 
recorded 1,063 additional positive tests and nine more fatalities from 
Friday to Monday.Schmidt said the effort to
 bring Kansas law in line with the digital age produced a statute that 
wisely declared no person in Kansas could be required to participate or 
be forbidden from taking part in contact tracing. The law says 
information gathered through legitimate contact tracing must be kept 
confidential and securely destroyed when no longer needed for the 
pandemic.Individuals who work as 
contact tracers are required to receive training and affirm their 
understanding of privacy and civil liberties protections in state law. 
KDHE is responsible for development detailed rules and regulations on 
what may be gathered, but that has yet to be completed.“Rather than lecture and 
scold Kansans, our approach is to persuade, empower and reassure,” 
Schmidt said. “Kansans themselves bear the personal responsibility to 
choose our path forward by freely participating, or not, in ongoing 
efforts to track and contain the virus. We value both science and 
freedom, trusting in individuals more than government.”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;

New Kansas privacy law crimps contact tracing for COVID-19

HARVEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating Monday's fatal train, tractor accident have identified the victim as&nbsp;21-year-old Taylor Koehn of Halstead.

According to the Harvey County Sheriff's office, Koehn was driving a farm tractor pulling disc equipment southbound on South River Park Road, crossing the railroad tracks at Southwest 24th Street four miles east of Burrton.&nbsp;

The tractor was struck by an oncoming train engine at the railroad tracks. Koehn was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Authorities opened the rail line early Tuesday morning, according to BNSF.&nbsp;

HARVEY COUNTY—&nbsp; A 21-year-old man died when a train&nbsp; hit a farm tractor just before 3:30p.m. Monday in rural Harvey

According to the Harvey County Sheriff, a farm tractor was pulling disc equipment southbound on South River Park Road, crossing the railroad tracks at Southwest 24th Street four miles east of Burrton.&nbsp; 

The tractor was struck by an oncoming train engine at the railroad tracks. The 21-year-old driver of the tractor was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The intersection will be closed to traffic for an undetermined amount of time, according to the sheriff's office. Identification of the victim will be released pending notification to the family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595891389856.png" alt="First responders on the scene of Monday's fatal accident" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of Monday's fatal accident</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating Monday's fatal train, tractor accident have identified the victim as&nbsp;21-year-old Taylor Koehn of Halstead.According to the Harvey County Sheriff's office, Koehn was driving a farm tractor pulling disc equipment southbound on South River Park Road, crossing the railroad tracks at Southwest 24th Street four miles east of Burrton.&nbsp;The tractor was struck by an oncoming train engine at the railroad tracks. Koehn was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Authorities opened the rail line early Tuesday morning, according to BNSF.&nbsp;----------HARVEY COUNTY—&nbsp; A 21-year-old man died when a train&nbsp; hit a farm tractor just before 3:30p.m. Monday in rural HarveyAccording to the Harvey County Sheriff, a farm tractor was pulling disc equipment southbound on South River Park Road, crossing the railroad tracks at Southwest 24th Street four miles east of Burrton.&nbsp; The tractor was struck by an oncoming train engine at the railroad tracks. The 21-year-old driver of the tractor was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595893033834.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The intersection will be closed to traffic for an undetermined amount of time, according to the sheriff's office. Identification of the victim will be released pending notification to the family.

Sheriff IDs Kan. man who died after train, farm tractor accident

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/25/kansas-refugee-programs-struggle-as-funding-resettlements-dwindle/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Samuel Dermas Habtemariam 
came to Wichita as a refugee of the East African country Eritrea with a 
PhD in teaching English in a foreign language, but even with such 
relevant education, he needed help navigating unfamiliar terrain.

Habtemariam, a doctoral 
student at the University of Kansas, came to the United States after 
spending 10 years in Ethiopia, where he sought asylum from the 
totalitarian government of Eritrea. <a href="https://saintfrancisministries.org/migration-ministries/">Saint Francis Migration Ministries</a> helped him make the transition.

“Someone from Saint 
Francis was there to greet me when I got off the plane,” Habtemariam 
said. “They helped me get connected to the University of Kansas to earn 
my second PhD. These services were critical to my immersion here.”

Resettlement programs 
across the country, however, are feeling pressure as they provide these 
essential services. Major cuts to the number of refugees admitted to the
 United States reduced funding to the agencies, and COVID-19 further 
limited the migration of refugees.

Like Habtemariam, every 
refugee who enters the country goes through a resettlement agency. 
Refugees are expected to be self-sufficient within 90 days of arrival, 
and these agencies assist in easing what Habtemariam calls the 
“honeymoon period.”

Saint Francis Ministries is one of a small handful of organizations with a refugee resettlement program in Kansas.

“We manage all medical 
screening when the refugees first arrive, offer help with job 
applications, helping them overcome the language barrier,” said Yeni 
Telles, director of International Ministries USA, which oversees Saint 
Francis refugee programs in Kansas. “It could be something as small as 
them having a piece of mail that they don’t understand and we help make 
sure they understand it or aren’t scammed.”

In December 2019, however, Saint Francis suspended its resettlement program after <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-determination-refugee-admissions-fiscal-year-2020/">President Donald Trump’s September 2019 recommendation</a>
 to lower the limit on refugees admitted for the 2020 fiscal year to 
18,000 — down from a previous record low of 30,000 in 2019. The cap was 
set at 85,000 during President Barack Obama’s final year in office.

“Unfortunately, this year 
we have not been able to resettle due to all these national changes,” 
Telles said. “There is a lot of uncertainty and concern about what will 
happen next. Will they reduce the program and the funding little by 
little?”

Resettlement agencies 
receive funding on a per refugee basis, and numbers in Kansas have 
decreased from 914 refugees resettled in 2016 to just 88 so far this 
year. As a result, many organizations are struggling to pay for office 
space, staff wages and resources with a reduced budget.

The decrease in funding forced <a href="https://catholiccharitiesks.org/">Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas</a>
 to cut back from five caseworkers to one. The International Rescue 
Committee closed its office in Garden City in 2018, moving much of its 
caseload to Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas as funding dwindled.

Debbie Snapp, executive director of <a href="https://catholiccharitiesswks.org/">Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas</a>, said the number of refugees coming into southwest Kansas has declined from 100 refugees per year to around 20 now.

“It’s absolutely a major concern that we are losing funding for that program,” Snapp said.

When the COVID-19 pandemic
 became widespread in March, countries shut their borders and the United
 Nations halted refugee resettlements.

By suspending its settlement services in December, Saint Francis was prepared for a freeze.

“We are putting those 
resources toward our programs aiding refugees already in the state of 
Kansas,” said Angela Smith, vice president of international programs for
 Saint Francis Ministries. “Things may get a bit smoother after 90 days,
 but we stay in touch up to five years down the line because it can 
still be quite bumpy.”

Smith said the door is still open to resuming resettlements if funding improves.

“Our hope is eventually we
 will return to resettling, but that depends on the number of refugees 
the federal government decides to allow in, and how many are coming to 
Wichita,” Smith said.

With <a href="https://www.wrapsnet.org/admissions-and-arrivals/">resettlement numbers</a>
 trending down and COVID-19 still threatening the United States, the 
future of these services remains unclear. Resettlement agencies will get
 some clarity this fall when Trump is expected to announce a new figure 
for fiscal year 2021, which begins Oct. 1.

If the cap on refugees 
continues to decrease as it has in recent years — 110,000 in 2017, 
45,000 in 2018 — more agencies like Saint Francis will need to halt 
resettlement programs.

“The refugee resettlement 
is such an important part of a humanitarian worldview that the United 
States was always welcoming to refugees and what they bring to our 
communities,” Snapp said. “We’re still hopeful we will return to having a
 good flow of refugee resettlements in southwest Kansas.”

Without the dedicated care
 from Saint Francis, Habtemariam said, he would have struggled at times.
 He believes losing these programs would be detrimental to the care of 
refugees.

“It can be a big culture 
shock moving to America, and most of all a lot of anxiety,” Habtemariam 
said. “How do you shop? How do you navigate? And refugees also need a 
lot of care for the trauma we may have, which requires special 
consideration. Agencies like Saint Francis are essential in keeping us 
from becoming overwhelmed.”

Noah Taborda started his journalism career in public radio at KBIA in Columbia, Missouri, covering local government and producing an episode of the podcast Show Me The State while earning his bachelor’s degree in radio broadcasting at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.&nbsp;Noah then made a short move to Kansas City, Missouri, to work at KCUR as an intern on the talk show Central Standard and then in the newsroom, reporting on daily news and feature stories.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595880312554.jpeg" alt="Samuel Dermas Habtemariam, a refugee from Eritrea, is a doctoral student at the University of Kansas. Resettlement agencies that help individuals like Habtemariam are strained by major cuts to the number of refugees being admitted to the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Samuel Dermas Habtemariam, a refugee from Eritrea, is a doctoral student at the University of Kansas. Resettlement agencies that help individuals like Habtemariam are strained by major cuts to the number of refugees being admitted to the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/25/kansas-refugee-programs-struggle-as-funding-resettlements-dwindle/">Kansas Reflector</a>Samuel Dermas Habtemariam 
came to Wichita as a refugee of the East African country Eritrea with a 
PhD in teaching English in a foreign language, but even with such 
relevant education, he needed help navigating unfamiliar terrain.Habtemariam, a doctoral 
student at the University of Kansas, came to the United States after 
spending 10 years in Ethiopia, where he sought asylum from the 
totalitarian government of Eritrea. <a href="https://saintfrancisministries.org/migration-ministries/">Saint Francis Migration Ministries</a> helped him make the transition.“Someone from Saint 
Francis was there to greet me when I got off the plane,” Habtemariam 
said. “They helped me get connected to the University of Kansas to earn 
my second PhD. These services were critical to my immersion here.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595880368307.jpeg" alt="Yeni Telles, director of International Ministries USA for Saint Francis Ministries, speaks about her immigration story at World Refugee Day in June. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Yeni Telles, director of International Ministries USA for Saint Francis Ministries, speaks about her immigration story at World Refugee Day in June. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Resettlement programs 
across the country, however, are feeling pressure as they provide these 
essential services. Major cuts to the number of refugees admitted to the
 United States reduced funding to the agencies, and COVID-19 further 
limited the migration of refugees.Like Habtemariam, every 
refugee who enters the country goes through a resettlement agency. 
Refugees are expected to be self-sufficient within 90 days of arrival, 
and these agencies assist in easing what Habtemariam calls the 
“honeymoon period.”Saint Francis Ministries is one of a small handful of organizations with a refugee resettlement program in Kansas.“We manage all medical 
screening when the refugees first arrive, offer help with job 
applications, helping them overcome the language barrier,” said Yeni 
Telles, director of International Ministries USA, which oversees Saint 
Francis refugee programs in Kansas. “It could be something as small as 
them having a piece of mail that they don’t understand and we help make 
sure they understand it or aren’t scammed.”In December 2019, however, Saint Francis suspended its resettlement program after <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-determination-refugee-admissions-fiscal-year-2020/">President Donald Trump’s September 2019 recommendation</a>
 to lower the limit on refugees admitted for the 2020 fiscal year to 
18,000 — down from a previous record low of 30,000 in 2019. The cap was 
set at 85,000 during President Barack Obama’s final year in office.“Unfortunately, this year 
we have not been able to resettle due to all these national changes,” 
Telles said. “There is a lot of uncertainty and concern about what will 
happen next. Will they reduce the program and the funding little by 
little?”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595880403691.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Resettlement agencies 
receive funding on a per refugee basis, and numbers in Kansas have 
decreased from 914 refugees resettled in 2016 to just 88 so far this 
year. As a result, many organizations are struggling to pay for office 
space, staff wages and resources with a reduced budget.The decrease in funding forced <a href="https://catholiccharitiesks.org/">Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas</a>
 to cut back from five caseworkers to one. The International Rescue 
Committee closed its office in Garden City in 2018, moving much of its 
caseload to Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas as funding dwindled.Debbie Snapp, executive director of <a href="https://catholiccharitiesswks.org/">Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas</a>, said the number of refugees coming into southwest Kansas has declined from 100 refugees per year to around 20 now.“It’s absolutely a major concern that we are losing funding for that program,” Snapp said.When the COVID-19 pandemic
 became widespread in March, countries shut their borders and the United
 Nations halted refugee resettlements.By suspending its settlement services in December, Saint Francis was prepared for a freeze.“We are putting those 
resources toward our programs aiding refugees already in the state of 
Kansas,” said Angela Smith, vice president of international programs for
 Saint Francis Ministries. “Things may get a bit smoother after 90 days,
 but we stay in touch up to five years down the line because it can 
still be quite bumpy.”Smith said the door is still open to resuming resettlements if funding improves.“Our hope is eventually we
 will return to resettling, but that depends on the number of refugees 
the federal government decides to allow in, and how many are coming to 
Wichita,” Smith said.With <a href="https://www.wrapsnet.org/admissions-and-arrivals/">resettlement numbers</a>
 trending down and COVID-19 still threatening the United States, the 
future of these services remains unclear. Resettlement agencies will get
 some clarity this fall when Trump is expected to announce a new figure 
for fiscal year 2021, which begins Oct. 1.If the cap on refugees 
continues to decrease as it has in recent years — 110,000 in 2017, 
45,000 in 2018 — more agencies like Saint Francis will need to halt 
resettlement programs.“The refugee resettlement 
is such an important part of a humanitarian worldview that the United 
States was always welcoming to refugees and what they bring to our 
communities,” Snapp said. “We’re still hopeful we will return to having a
 good flow of refugee resettlements in southwest Kansas.”Without the dedicated care
 from Saint Francis, Habtemariam said, he would have struggled at times.
 He believes losing these programs would be detrimental to the care of 
refugees.“It can be a big culture 
shock moving to America, and most of all a lot of anxiety,” Habtemariam 
said. “How do you shop? How do you navigate? And refugees also need a 
lot of care for the trauma we may have, which requires special 
consideration. Agencies like Saint Francis are essential in keeping us 
from becoming overwhelmed.”Noah Taborda started his journalism career in public radio at KBIA in Columbia, Missouri, covering local government and producing an episode of the podcast Show Me The State while earning his bachelor’s degree in radio broadcasting at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.&nbsp;Noah then made a short move to Kansas City, Missouri, to work at KCUR as an intern on the talk show Central Standard and then in the newsroom, reporting on daily news and feature stories.

Kansas refugee programs struggle as funding, resettlements dwindle

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she is considering recommending that Kansas counties shut down bars again and limit public gatherings to 15 people in hopes of reversing a resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that is making the state’s previous work to check it “for naught.”

Kelly said she will push next week to close bars and lower the limit on gatherings from 45 people if the state doesn’t get the spread of the novel coronavirus under better control.

The Democratic governor can issue orders calling for statewide restrictions, but the state’s 105 counties are allowed to opt out of her directives under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/measures/documents/summary_hb_2016_2020special" target="_blank">a law</a>&nbsp;enacted last month as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/56291b90279c36bafb21087cdc845c8a">a compromise&nbsp;</a>between her and the Republican-controlled Legislature. Top GOP lawmakers have been critical of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic, arguing that it’s inappropriate for her to impose “one size fits all” measures on a state where the number of infections per 1,000 residents varies widely.

Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference that she doesn’t want to “go backwards” on reopening the state’s economy after she locked it down for five weeks, from late March until early June. But she said, “We can and we must do better.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595883975231.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly during Monday's news conference in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly during Monday's news conference in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she is considering recommending that Kansas counties shut down bars again and limit public gatherings to 15 people in hopes of reversing a resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that is making the state’s previous work to check it “for naught.”Kelly said she will push next week to close bars and lower the limit on gatherings from 45 people if the state doesn’t get the spread of the novel coronavirus under better control.The Democratic governor can issue orders calling for statewide restrictions, but the state’s 105 counties are allowed to opt out of her directives under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/measures/documents/summary_hb_2016_2020special" target="_blank">a law</a>&nbsp;enacted last month as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/56291b90279c36bafb21087cdc845c8a">a compromise&nbsp;</a>between her and the Republican-controlled Legislature. Top GOP lawmakers have been critical of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic, arguing that it’s inappropriate for her to impose “one size fits all” measures on a state where the number of infections per 1,000 residents varies widely.Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference that she doesn’t want to “go backwards” on reopening the state’s economy after she locked it down for five weeks, from late March until early June. But she said, “We can and we must do better.”“We have seen, both in Kansas and then certainly across the country, that people have really gotten a little bit apathetic about maintaining social distance and avoiding mass gatherings,” Kelly said.The state Department of Health and Environment reported Monday that Kansas had an additional 1,063 coronavirus cases since Friday, up 4.2% to 26,172.For the seven days ending Monday, the state reported an average of 405 new cases a day, lower than the pandemic’s peak of 479 a day for the seven days ending July 17. But until late June, the previous peak had been 251 for the seven days ending May 8, about 62% lower than Monday’s figure.The KDHE also says that the median age for people infected in Kansas is now 37, down from 52 on March 24, which was less than three weeks after the state’s first reported case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595870703940.png" alt="July 27, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>July 27, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas also reported another nine COVID-19-related deaths since Friday, increasing the total by 2.8% to 335. The state had 28 new reported deaths during the seven days ending Monday, an average of 4.0 a day for a new high mark since June 1.Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a5e30a0ec7a5943ada9f03af22ee1970">lifted statewide restrictions&nbsp;</a>on businesses and public gatherings on May 26 in favor of giving counties guidance after weeks of criticism from GOP lawmakers that she was moving too slowly to reopen the coronavirus-battered economy. She issued&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200702093130003.pdf" target="_blank">an order</a>&nbsp;July 2 calling for people to wear masks in public and at their workplaces, but many counties opted out.She also sought to delay the reopening of public and private K-12 schools for three weeks from mid-August until after Labor Day after she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8e5672095558ab92d7505f2a06f9a9b9">closed school buildings in mid-March</a>&nbsp;for the rest of the last school year. But state law also required her to get the approval of the Republican-controlled State Board of Education, and its 5-5 vote last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">killed her order</a>&nbsp;and left reopening decisions to the state’s 286 local school boards.“I think about all of the hard work that Kansans did beginning in March, and it seems like a lot of that work was for naught,” Kelly said Monday.Meanwhile, a local health official on Monday ordered public schools in the Kansas City, Kansas, area not to reopen their buildings until after Labor Day.Dr. Allen Greiner, Wyandotte County’s chief medical officer, said he issued the order to give the county’s four school districts more time to prepare for a safe reopening of their buildings. The order allows the districts to offer online classes.Wichita, the district with the most students in Kansas, has delayed the reopening of fall classes until after Labor Day, as have two other large districts, Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission in Johnson County, south of Wyandotte County.The Wyandotte County districts have nearly 34,000 students, and Greiner’s decision means that in-person classes won’t start until after Labor Day for about 26% of the state’s 519,000 public school students.Educators acknowledge that in-person instruction is generally better for students and online classes and that children benefit from interacting with each other.But Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician in Stockton in northwest Kansas, said she didn’t see a downside to waiting to reopen schools until after Labor Day.Her home of Rooks County, with about 5,000 residents has seen its reported coronavirus cases almost double since July 1, from eight to 14. To the south, Ellis County has seen cases jump from 21 to 115, while to the north, Phillips County, has gone from three to 41 cases because of a nursing-home outbreak.Oller said she worries that the state will see cases increase again when schools reopen, just as it did when businesses reopened.“It hasn’t worked out real well,” said Oller, the mother of four young children. “I don’t know why people think this is going to be different.”____