TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas congressman is accused of providing false information to a sheriff’s deputy to hamper an investigation into whether he broke state election laws by listing a UPS Inc. store postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form.

Republican Rep. Steve Watkins&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d6046fd12875b3664cf8388708105e8">has been charged</a>&nbsp;in state district court with two election fraud felonies, felony interference with law enforcement and a misdemeanor count of failing to inform the state’s Division of Vehicles of an address change. The charges were announced Tuesday evening by the district attorney in Shawnee County, which includes Watkins’ hometown of Topeka, the state capital.

But Kagay’s announcement did not provide any details about the charges, and he declined to discuss them. The Associated Press on Wednesday obtained a copy of the criminal complaint that Kagay’s office filed.

Watkins called the charges “hyper-political” and said he looks forward to clearing his name.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Watkins said Tuesday evening during the only televised debate for GOP candidates before the state’s Aug. 4 primary election. “We’ve cooperated with the district attorney completely.”

The charges against Watkins came three weeks before the state’s Aug. 4 primary election with fellow Republicans pushing to oust him from the eastern Kansas seat he won in 2018. In the primary, Watkins faces State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, a Topeka attorney, businessman and former top administrator at several state agencies.

The UPS postal box was listed as Watkins’ residential address for voter registration purposes when he cast a mail-in ballot for a local City Council and school board election in November 2019. He later changed his residential listing to an apartment about 2 miles north of the UPS store — in a different city council district with no race last year.

Watkins has said he simply made a mistake by listing his mailing address instead of his residential address on the voter registration form and then corrected it.

Watkins faces a felony charge of voting without being qualified, and the complaint against him alleges that he voted in the race in the City Council district where the UPS store was located. Another felony charge, unlawful advance voting, alleges that Watkins falsely affirmed to a “material fact” in a form for a mail ballot.

The misdemeanor charge alleges that Watkins failed to comply with a state law requiring people to report a change of address to the state Division of Vehicles within 10 days of making the change.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas congressman who had listed a UPS Inc. postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form was charged Tuesday with three felonies, including illegal voting.

The charges against GOP Rep. Steve Watkins came three weeks before the state’s Aug. 4 primary election with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/989ace6f0a2711cb2b96398da0a92dfa">fellow Republicans pushing to oust him</a>&nbsp;from the eastern Kansas seat he barely won in 2018, even though he’s largely toed the conservative policy line and supported President Donald Trump. GOP critics already had worried that the months-long investigation into whether Watkins violated state election laws puts the 2nd District seat in play if he wins the primary.

Watkins called the charges “hyper-political” even though the district attorney who filed them also is a Republican. The congressman said during a televised debate Tuesday evening that he hadn’t seen the charges but has done nothing wrong.

“I’ll get my name exonerated,” he said during his closing statement.

The charges were filed in state district court in Shawnee County, which includes Watkins’ hometown, the state capital of Topeka. District Attorney Mike Kagay announced them less than half an hour before the three GOP candidates’ only scheduled debate began on three stations.

The UPS postal box was listed as Watkins’ residential address for voter registration purposes when he cast a mail-in ballot for a local city council and school board election in November 2019. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/07b5cc37067da9b23bd489a8e6eaddbe">later changed</a>&nbsp;his residential listing.

The most serious criminal charge accuses Watkins of voting in the 2019 local city and school board election without being qualified. A first-time offender who’s convicted could face a year in prison, though the more typical sentence would be two years’ probation.

Kagay also charged Watkins with voting illegally in advance and interfering with law enforcement by providing false information. Both felonies could bring up to seven months in prison, though a year’s probation is the presumed sentence.

Watkins also was charged with failing to notify the state Division of Vehicles of a change of address, a misdemeanor.

Kagay’s announcement did not provide details about the alleged crimes, and the district attorney said in an email that he could not discuss them “until they are presented in open court.” A hearing in the case was set for Dec. 3 — a month after the November general election.

Watkins faces State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, a Topeka attorney, businessman and former top administrator at several state agencies. LaTurner said the charges make the primary contest a two-person race between him and Taylor.

“We need to put our best foot forward,” LaTurner said during his opening debate statement. “Clearly, our current congressman, with three felony charges and a misdemeanor charge, is not the person to do that.”

Some Republicans had lingering misgivings about Watkins even before questions about his voter registrations. He is a former Army officer and military contractor who lived most of his adult life outside Kansas and hadn’t voted in its state or federal races until running for Congress.

Watkins won the November 2018 general election by less than a percentage point in a GOP-leaning district that Trump carried by a wide margin in 2016.

The presumed Democratic nominee this year is Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla. The national Democratic Party has said it sees&nbsp;<a href="https://dccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01162020-Battlefield-Expansion.pdf" target="_blank">“an opportunity”</a>&nbsp;to pick up the seat.

“If you want to be trusted to write our laws, you should at least follow them,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a statement.

Watkins filed a state voter registration form in late August 2019 listing a postal box at a UPS store in southwest Topeka as his residential address. The postal box still was listed as his residential address when he cast a mailed-in ballot that included a Topeka City Council race in November.

The congressman and his staff have said he inadvertently listed his mailing address instead of his residential address by mistake.

Watkins filed a new form in December listing an address at an apartment complex about 2 miles north of the UPS store as his residence, but it was the address for the complex’s office. That address was not in the same City Council district as the UPS store but in a district with no council race last year.

In January, Watkins filed another form listing another address for an apartment in the same complex as his residence.

The Shawnee County sheriff’s department began investigating Watkins’ voter registrations in December. In late May, Kagay said in an email that his office had reviewed the investigation and “requested follow up be conducted on a specific issue,” without being more specific.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575500685589.png" alt="The UPS store store Rep. Watkins location Rep. Watkins listed as his residence on a state voter registration form." />
 <figcaption>The UPS store store Rep. Watkins location Rep. Watkins listed as his residence on a state voter registration form.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas congressman is accused of providing false information to a sheriff’s deputy to hamper an investigation into whether he broke state election laws by listing a UPS Inc. store postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form.Republican Rep. Steve Watkins&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d6046fd12875b3664cf8388708105e8">has been charged</a>&nbsp;in state district court with two election fraud felonies, felony interference with law enforcement and a misdemeanor count of failing to inform the state’s Division of Vehicles of an address change. The charges were announced Tuesday evening by the district attorney in Shawnee County, which includes Watkins’ hometown of Topeka, the state capital.But Kagay’s announcement did not provide any details about the charges, and he declined to discuss them. The Associated Press on Wednesday obtained a copy of the criminal complaint that Kagay’s office filed.Watkins called the charges “hyper-political” and said he looks forward to clearing his name.“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Watkins said Tuesday evening during the only televised debate for GOP candidates before the state’s Aug. 4 primary election. “We’ve cooperated with the district attorney completely.”The charges against Watkins came three weeks before the state’s Aug. 4 primary election with fellow Republicans pushing to oust him from the eastern Kansas seat he won in 2018. In the primary, Watkins faces State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, a Topeka attorney, businessman and former top administrator at several state agencies.The UPS postal box was listed as Watkins’ residential address for voter registration purposes when he cast a mail-in ballot for a local City Council and school board election in November 2019. He later changed his residential listing to an apartment about 2 miles north of the UPS store — in a different city council district with no race last year.Watkins has said he simply made a mistake by listing his mailing address instead of his residential address on the voter registration form and then corrected it.Watkins faces a felony charge of voting without being qualified, and the complaint against him alleges that he voted in the race in the City Council district where the UPS store was located. Another felony charge, unlawful advance voting, alleges that Watkins falsely affirmed to a “material fact” in a form for a mail ballot.The misdemeanor charge alleges that Watkins failed to comply with a state law requiring people to report a change of address to the state Division of Vehicles within 10 days of making the change.___TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas congressman who had listed a UPS Inc. postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form was charged Tuesday with three felonies, including illegal voting.The charges against GOP Rep. Steve Watkins came three weeks before the state’s Aug. 4 primary election with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/989ace6f0a2711cb2b96398da0a92dfa">fellow Republicans pushing to oust him</a>&nbsp;from the eastern Kansas seat he barely won in 2018, even though he’s largely toed the conservative policy line and supported President Donald Trump. GOP critics already had worried that the months-long investigation into whether Watkins violated state election laws puts the 2nd District seat in play if he wins the primary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591476738251.png" alt="Rep. Steve Watkins" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Steve Watkins</figcaption>
 </figure>Watkins called the charges “hyper-political” even though the district attorney who filed them also is a Republican. The congressman said during a televised debate Tuesday evening that he hadn’t seen the charges but has done nothing wrong.“I’ll get my name exonerated,” he said during his closing statement.The charges were filed in state district court in Shawnee County, which includes Watkins’ hometown, the state capital of Topeka. District Attorney Mike Kagay announced them less than half an hour before the three GOP candidates’ only scheduled debate began on three stations.The UPS postal box was listed as Watkins’ residential address for voter registration purposes when he cast a mail-in ballot for a local city council and school board election in November 2019. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/07b5cc37067da9b23bd489a8e6eaddbe">later changed</a>&nbsp;his residential listing.The most serious criminal charge accuses Watkins of voting in the 2019 local city and school board election without being qualified. A first-time offender who’s convicted could face a year in prison, though the more typical sentence would be two years’ probation.Kagay also charged Watkins with voting illegally in advance and interfering with law enforcement by providing false information. Both felonies could bring up to seven months in prison, though a year’s probation is the presumed sentence.Watkins also was charged with failing to notify the state Division of Vehicles of a change of address, a misdemeanor.Kagay’s announcement did not provide details about the alleged crimes, and the district attorney said in an email that he could not discuss them “until they are presented in open court.” A hearing in the case was set for Dec. 3 — a month after the November general election.Watkins faces State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, a Topeka attorney, businessman and former top administrator at several state agencies. LaTurner said the charges make the primary contest a two-person race between him and Taylor.“We need to put our best foot forward,” LaTurner said during his opening debate statement. “Clearly, our current congressman, with three felony charges and a misdemeanor charge, is not the person to do that.”Some Republicans had lingering misgivings about Watkins even before questions about his voter registrations. He is a former Army officer and military contractor who lived most of his adult life outside Kansas and hadn’t voted in its state or federal races until running for Congress.Watkins won the November 2018 general election by less than a percentage point in a GOP-leaning district that Trump carried by a wide margin in 2016.The presumed Democratic nominee this year is Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla. The national Democratic Party has said it sees&nbsp;<a href="https://dccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01162020-Battlefield-Expansion.pdf" target="_blank">“an opportunity”</a>&nbsp;to pick up the seat.“If you want to be trusted to write our laws, you should at least follow them,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a statement.Watkins filed a state voter registration form in late August 2019 listing a postal box at a UPS store in southwest Topeka as his residential address. The postal box still was listed as his residential address when he cast a mailed-in ballot that included a Topeka City Council race in November.The congressman and his staff have said he inadvertently listed his mailing address instead of his residential address by mistake.Watkins filed a new form in December listing an address at an apartment complex about 2 miles north of the UPS store as his residence, but it was the address for the complex’s office. That address was not in the same City Council district as the UPS store but in a district with no council race last year.In January, Watkins filed another form listing another address for an apartment in the same complex as his residence.The Shawnee County sheriff’s department began investigating Watkins’ voter registrations in December. In late May, Kagay said in an email that his office had reviewed the investigation and “requested follow up be conducted on a specific issue,” without being more specific.___

Update: Kan. congressman charged with providing false information

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The grandparents of a 3-year-old Kansas girl who was killed said they raised concerns about her safety with child protective services before her death in the latest tragedy involving the state agency responsible for overseeing young children.

Elisabeth and Howard Jansen II spoke out on Sunday after their 29-year-old son Howard Jansen III and his 33-year-old girlfriend Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick were charged in the death of Olivia Ann Jansen.

“She’s gone because of him, and her, and the system that wouldn’t help us,” the girl’s grandfather said.

Olivia’s body was found Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6898de844703fe103c38208407de1f21">nearly nine blocks from her Kansas City home</a>, from which her father had reported her missing. Authorities haven’t released how she died.

Elisabeth Jansen said she expressed fears to the Kansas Department for Children and Families on June 21 that drugs were in the home where Olivia lived.

“We knew it was bad, but we had no idea what we’re finding out now,” Howard Jansen II said.

Their son and Kirkpatrick kept Olivia from them, and they hadn’t seen the girl since March, the grandparents said, adding that Olivia’s biological mother was going to let them take care of the girl once she was released from prison.

Laura Howard, secretary of the Department for Children and Families, said her agency reviews critical incidents to determine if there are any policies or procedures that need to be addressed.

The grandparents were among the dozens of people gathered outside the Wyandotte County courthouse when District Attorney Mark Dupree announced that their son and his girlfriend had been charged with felony murder, aggravated endangering a child and criminal desecration in Olivia’s death.

Dupree said there was nothing he could say to ease their pain, but vowed to seek justice for “baby Olivia.”

Olivia’s grandparents said the little girl was once sassy but, at some point, she lost her spark.

“She knew she was going to die,” Elisabeth Jansen said.

Child welfare officials also have acknowledged that they received repeated reports about a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b7a68cf41f8946c89df2a392b8b5a1ea">2-year-old Wichita boy</a>&nbsp;before he was found dead in a motel of a methadone overdose last May. A 3-year-old Wichita boy’s body was found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/45fc892f36244c818e8a83efd0e87d0e">encased in concrete</a>&nbsp;in 2017 after relatives repeatedly reported abuse. In the Kansas City area, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ad45aca09d6470bb8f854bd731322bc/Unsealed-records-suggest-years-of-abuse-for-slain-Kansas-boy">7-year-old boy</a>&nbsp;was tortured, starved, killed and fed to pigs in 2015 despite extensive involvement with welfare officials.

Earlier this month, the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75be2df7f84e1921d68afa0f898663df">settled</a>&nbsp;a class-action lawsuit filed by child care advocates who accused the state of not providing foster children with adequate mental health care and moving them too frequently between homes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594468009097.png" alt="Howard Jansen III photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Howard Jansen III photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The grandparents of a 3-year-old Kansas girl who was killed said they raised concerns about her safety with child protective services before her death in the latest tragedy involving the state agency responsible for overseeing young children.Elisabeth and Howard Jansen II spoke out on Sunday after their 29-year-old son Howard Jansen III and his 33-year-old girlfriend Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick were charged in the death of Olivia Ann Jansen.“She’s gone because of him, and her, and the system that wouldn’t help us,” the girl’s grandfather said.Olivia’s body was found Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6898de844703fe103c38208407de1f21">nearly nine blocks from her Kansas City home</a>, from which her father had reported her missing. Authorities haven’t released how she died.Elisabeth Jansen said she expressed fears to the Kansas Department for Children and Families on June 21 that drugs were in the home where Olivia lived.“We knew it was bad, but we had no idea what we’re finding out now,” Howard Jansen II said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594490776368.png" alt="Kirkpatrick-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkpatrick-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Their son and Kirkpatrick kept Olivia from them, and they hadn’t seen the girl since March, the grandparents said, adding that Olivia’s biological mother was going to let them take care of the girl once she was released from prison.Laura Howard, secretary of the Department for Children and Families, said her agency reviews critical incidents to determine if there are any policies or procedures that need to be addressed.The grandparents were among the dozens of people gathered outside the Wyandotte County courthouse when District Attorney Mark Dupree announced that their son and his girlfriend had been charged with felony murder, aggravated endangering a child and criminal desecration in Olivia’s death.Dupree said there was nothing he could say to ease their pain, but vowed to seek justice for “baby Olivia.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594403105823.png" alt="Olivia Jansen-photo KCK police" />
 <figcaption>Olivia Jansen-photo KCK police</figcaption>
 </figure>Olivia’s grandparents said the little girl was once sassy but, at some point, she lost her spark.“She knew she was going to die,” Elisabeth Jansen said.Child welfare officials also have acknowledged that they received repeated reports about a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b7a68cf41f8946c89df2a392b8b5a1ea">2-year-old Wichita boy</a>&nbsp;before he was found dead in a motel of a methadone overdose last May. A 3-year-old Wichita boy’s body was found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/45fc892f36244c818e8a83efd0e87d0e">encased in concrete</a>&nbsp;in 2017 after relatives repeatedly reported abuse. In the Kansas City area, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ad45aca09d6470bb8f854bd731322bc/Unsealed-records-suggest-years-of-abuse-for-slain-Kansas-boy">7-year-old boy</a>&nbsp;was tortured, starved, killed and fed to pigs in 2015 despite extensive involvement with welfare officials.Earlier this month, the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75be2df7f84e1921d68afa0f898663df">settled</a>&nbsp;a class-action lawsuit filed by child care advocates who accused the state of not providing foster children with adequate mental health care and moving them too frequently between homes.

Grandparents of dead Kansas girl raised concerns to agency

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly during her news conference announced that on Monday, she will sign an executive order to delay opening schools until after the Labor Day holiday.

“I can’t in good conscience open schools when cases in our state are at an all-time high and continuing to rapidly rise,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Every action I have taken throughout this pandemic has been done to keep Kansans healthy, keep our state open for business and get our kids back in school.”

The Governor made this decision in consultation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Education, which continue to monitor health metrics and disease spread in the state.

On Monday, a record coronavirus spike pushed Kansas past 20,000 total cases. ICU capacity in some of the state’s hospitals are under threat, and nearly 300 Kansans have died.

The Governor will also issue an executive order requiring schools to mandate commonsense mitigation strategies outlined in the Kansas Board of Education’s fall plan for schools. Under the order, masks, social distancing, proper hygiene, and daily temperature checks will be enforced regardless of the Kansas school district.

“The additional three weeks before opening schools will provide schools time to work with their counties to get the necessary mitigation supplies like masks, thermometers, and hand sanitizer,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“The Kansas State Board of Education and I are united in prioritizing the health of our students and faculty, and ensuring we provide a world-class education for our students.”

Further details will be announced next week after the order is released.

On Wednesday morning, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the recommendations for reopening Kansas K-12 schools this fall.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyLrA98vHU&amp;feature=youtu.be">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of Wednesday's State Board of Education meeting.

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly during her news conference announced that on Monday, she will sign an executive order to delay opening schools until after the Labor Day holiday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F277260523563415%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>“I can’t in good conscience open schools when cases in our state are at an all-time high and continuing to rapidly rise,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Every action I have taken throughout this pandemic has been done to keep Kansans healthy, keep our state open for business and get our kids back in school.”The Governor made this decision in consultation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Education, which continue to monitor health metrics and disease spread in the state.On Monday, a record coronavirus spike pushed Kansas past 20,000 total cases. ICU capacity in some of the state’s hospitals are under threat, and nearly 300 Kansans have died.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594844055627.png" alt="Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson during Wednesday's news conference" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson during Wednesday's news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>The Governor will also issue an executive order requiring schools to mandate commonsense mitigation strategies outlined in the Kansas Board of Education’s fall plan for schools. Under the order, masks, social distancing, proper hygiene, and daily temperature checks will be enforced regardless of the Kansas school district.“The additional three weeks before opening schools will provide schools time to work with their counties to get the necessary mitigation supplies like masks, thermometers, and hand sanitizer,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“The Kansas State Board of Education and I are united in prioritizing the health of our students and faculty, and ensuring we provide a world-class education for our students.”Further details will be announced next week after the order is released.On Wednesday morning, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the recommendations for reopening Kansas K-12 schools this fall.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyLrA98vHU&amp;feature=youtu.be">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of Wednesday's State Board of Education meeting.

🎥  Gov. Kelly will delay school reopening in Kansas until after Labor Day

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 875 to a total of 20,933, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 875 to a total of 20,933, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 299.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594832874459.png" alt="June 15, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>June 15, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

FINNEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged criminal threat involving a church in Southwest Kansas.

&nbsp;On July 10, police were dispatched to the Apostolic Church, 3102 E Shulman Avenue in Garden City in reference to a previous criminal threat, according to Police&nbsp;Captain Randy Ralston.

Officers met with a woman about threatening messages from a man who was known to her.

She told police the man had been making threatening comments about the church and the pastor. 

The man&nbsp; identified as Dylan Stegman, 24, Marienthal, Kansas, allegedly disliked the woman attending the church, according to Ralston. 

The woman was concerned about the threatening messages and went to the church to inform the pastor.&nbsp; At that point, the pastor notified police.

Authorities located Stegman in Scott County and and Scott County sheriff's deputies arrested him.

Stegman was transported to the Finney County Law Enforcement Center and booked into the Finney County Jail on a requested charge of criminal threat, according to Ralston.

The case has been forwarded to the Finney County Attorney’s Office for further review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594736254244.png" alt="Stegman" />
 <figcaption>Stegman</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged criminal threat involving a church in Southwest Kansas.&nbsp;On July 10, police were dispatched to the Apostolic Church, 3102 E Shulman Avenue in Garden City in reference to a previous criminal threat, according to Police&nbsp;Captain Randy Ralston.Officers met with a woman about threatening messages from a man who was known to her.She told police the man had been making threatening comments about the church and the pastor. The man&nbsp; identified as Dylan Stegman, 24, Marienthal, Kansas, allegedly disliked the woman attending the church, according to Ralston. The woman was concerned about the threatening messages and went to the church to inform the pastor.&nbsp; At that point, the pastor notified police.Authorities located Stegman in Scott County and and Scott County sheriff's deputies arrested him.Stegman was transported to the Finney County Law Enforcement Center and booked into the Finney County Jail on a requested charge of criminal threat, according to Ralston.The case has been forwarded to the Finney County Attorney’s Office for further review.

Police: Man accused of criminal threat involving Kan. church, pastor

Update: Mental fitness claim halts Kan. killer's execution-- for now

SALINE COUNTY — Two teens were injured in an accident early Tuesday in Saline County.

A 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Brody Murk, 16, Bennington, was northbound in the 4500 Block of North Gerard Road at high rate of speed, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The driver swerved to avoid an oncoming truck pulling a trailer. The truck driver hit the brakes and Murk swerved the Ram off the road and into a tree.

EMS transported Murk and a passenger Jawuan Allen, 16, Salina, to the hospital in Salina, according to Soldan. The other driver was not injured.

The sheriff's office did not release seat belt usage details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594827893084.jpeg" alt="Photo Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY — Two teens were injured in an accident early Tuesday in Saline County.A 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Brody Murk, 16, Bennington, was northbound in the 4500 Block of North Gerard Road at high rate of speed, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.The driver swerved to avoid an oncoming truck pulling a trailer. The truck driver hit the brakes and Murk swerved the Ram off the road and into a tree.EMS transported Murk and a passenger Jawuan Allen, 16, Salina, to the hospital in Salina, according to Soldan. The other driver was not injured.The sheriff's office did not release seat belt usage details.

2 Kansas teens hospitalized after pickup crash into tree

TOPEKA— Members of the Kansas State Board of Education discussed the "Navigating Change: Kansas' Guide to Learning and School Safety Operations" document ahead of Governor Kelly's press conference on opening schools.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyLrA98vHU&amp;feature=youtu.be">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;Wednesday's State Board of Education discussion.

&nbsp;The Board&nbsp; approved the “Navigating Change 2020” school reopening guidance document on a 9-0 vote. Board member Steve Roberts was not present.

Some of the operating guidance for schools includes:

— Students above fifth grade, staff and school visitors should wear masks

— Everyone should wash hands every hour

— Social distancing of at least six feet should occur wherever possible

— Students and employees who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 should be prohibited from school

— Meal service periods should be extended to allow for fewer students in the serving area at one time

— Staff temperatures should be taken daily

— Families should be responsible to take the temperatures of their children

State Board members made clear that the document did not contain any mandates and should be used only to assist school districts. Local school boards will make decisions on the policy for each district on an individual basis in consultation with local health officers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594825185462.png" alt="Members of the Kansas State Board of Education meet online Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Kansas State Board of Education meet online Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— Members of the Kansas State Board of Education discussed the "Navigating Change: Kansas' Guide to Learning and School Safety Operations" document ahead of Governor Kelly's press conference on opening schools. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyLrA98vHU&amp;feature=youtu.be">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;Wednesday's State Board of Education discussion.&nbsp;The Board&nbsp; approved the “Navigating Change 2020” school reopening guidance document on a 9-0 vote. Board member Steve Roberts was not present.Some of the operating guidance for schools includes:— Students above fifth grade, staff and school visitors should wear masks— Everyone should wash hands every hour— Social distancing of at least six feet should occur wherever possible— Students and employees who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 should be prohibited from school— Meal service periods should be extended to allow for fewer students in the serving area at one time— Staff temperatures should be taken daily— Families should be responsible to take the temperatures of their childrenState Board members made clear that the document did not contain any mandates and should be used only to assist school districts. Local school boards will make decisions on the policy for each district on an individual basis in consultation with local health officers.

🎥  Kansas Board of Education on opening schools

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A U.S. casino company with 29 properties in 10 states is laying off thousands of employees, citing a slow restart to business following closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp. said in a statement Monday that an unspecified number of furloughed employees will not return to work. 

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported 2,500 company workers in Nevada could be affected. The publicly traded company had about 10,000 employees in Nevada and another 14,300 nationally, according to its last annual report. 

It also has properties in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,&nbsp; Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A U.S. casino company with 29 properties in 10 states is laying off thousands of employees, citing a slow restart to business following closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp. said in a statement Monday that an unspecified number of furloughed employees will not return to work. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported 2,500 company workers in Nevada could be affected. The publicly traded company had about 10,000 employees in Nevada and another 14,300 nationally, according to its last annual report. It also has properties in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,&nbsp; Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Casino company laying off workers in Kan., Mo., 8 other states

By ELLE MOXLEY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2020-07-14/expect-to-see-more-masks-and-occasional-closures-as-kansas-reopens-schools">Kansas News Service</a>

Middle and high school students in Kansas will have to wear face 
masks in schools next year, and buildings will be closed for a cleaning 
anytime someone tests positive for the coronavirus.

Those recommendations and others are in <a href="https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Navigating%20Change/DRAFT%205%20Navigating%20Change%20Kansas%20Guide%20to%20Learning%20and%20School%20Safety%20Operations-WEB.pdf?ver=2020-07-14-113912-290" target="_blank">a 1,100-page guide</a> the Kansas State Board of Education is expected to approve Wednesday, ahead of an announcement from Gov. Laura Kelly.

Education
 Commissioner Randy Watson said support for reopening schools has ebbed 
as coronavirus cases in Kansas have increased. On Monday, the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment reported another 1,447 positive 
COVID-19 tests.

“There was a time when it was almost, ‘Get back to
 school, open school, open school,’” Watson said at Tuesday’s state 
board meeting. “We still have that, but as we’ve seen the wave fairly 
recently in other states — California, Florida and Texas in particular —
 and in our own state, it’s become, ‘Please don’t open schools; we’ve 
got to have it safe.’”

Watson said decisions about when and how to
 reopen schools will be made locally as the coronavirus is spreading 
much faster in populous Wyandotte, Johnson and Sedgwick counties than it
 is in small, rural communities.

He added that all Kansas school districts will need a plan for what happens when a confirmed case or an outbreak occurs.

Here are five takeaways from the Kansas plan to reopen schools.

1) Districts should prioritize bringing back elementary school students.

Although
 all Kansas schools are encouraged to work toward reopening, the report 
acknowledges that older students — middle and high schoolers — are more 
likely than younger students to spread the coronavirus. Many child care 
facilities that serve young children have been able to reopen safely, 
while outbreaks have been reported at summer camps for teenagers.

As
 such, younger students will not be expected to wear face masks (unless 
required by a state or county order), but students older than 12 who 
face a greater risk of infection will. Teachers and staff will also be 
required to wear masks or face shields. Students with special needs who 
cannot wear masks will be exempt from the requirement.

Districts 
that serve students in elementary, middle and high school in the same 
building should keep the grade levels separate as much as possible.

2) School could be held off-site in some communities.

Watson
 directed school administrators to consider moving classes to other 
venues that are not being used because of the pandemic.

“Look at 
all the facilities that can house a classroom — churches, community 
buildings, Century II in Wichita,” a performing arts facility, Watson 
said. “One of the things you’ll want to consider is starting the year 
spread out.”

Schools can also use those alternative spaces if classrooms or buildings have to close for deep cleaning.

3) Parents, prepare to track what your child did online all day.

The
 “responsible adult” overseeing remote learning in hybrid or virtual 
models will have to report how long students logged in and what classes 
they worked on.

The logs will be used to track the attendance of students who aren’t in school every day.

Several board members expressed concern that this requirement will be too cumbersome.

“Not
 everybody’s responsible, and not everybody’s going to turn it in,” said
 board member Jim Porter, who represents southeast Kansas.

But 
unless state lawmakers waive the statute requiring a minimum of 1,116 
hours of instruction (as they did in the spring), Kansas families will 
have to fill out daily or weekly learning logs.

4) Out-of-school lunch won’t be free for everyone.

When
 Kelly closed school buildings in March, districts had to figure out how
 to continue providing meals for students. The United States Department 
of Agriculture waived some of its rules so that all students could pick 
up these meals, regardless of whether they normally qualify for free 
meals at school.

Moving forward, if schools have to close again, 
only students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch will be 
able to access free meal distribution. Other students can still pick up 
meals, but they’ll have to pay for them which could be a problem for 
newly-eligible families and families who are uncomfortable admitting 
that they need help paying for meals. Feeding America estimates child 
food insecurity in Kansas will increase by 47.6% due to the pandemic, 
per the Kansas plan to reopen schools.

5) Quarantines are likely for teachers, staff, students and families throughout the school year.

Whenever
 someone tests positive for COVID-19, the school or parts of the school 
will have to close for cleaning. Anyone who had close contact with the 
infected individual — within six feet for more than 10 minutes — will be
 required to quarantine for 14 days.

Household members, including 
siblings in other grades, will be expected to quarantine for even longer
 until the infected individual has been symptom-free for 14 days.

Watson
 said there is federal protection for school employees who have to 
quarantine, including 80 hours of paid sick leave, and state education 
officials are working with the Kansas National Education Association and
 the Kansas School Boards Association to figure out how the quarantines 
will work in practice.

“We’re working on how we can go about 
making sure that employees of any type, including food service, are not 
only respected, but that their leave is respected,” Watson said. “We 
have to take care of the people who take care of the kids.”

But 
teachers still have questions that aren’t addressed in the guide, like 
what happens if they’re forced to quarantine more than once during the 
school year.

The Kansas State Board of Education will vote on the guide Wednesday.

Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594821954446.png" alt="Elementary school students in Kansas won't be expected to wear masks unless they've been sent to the nurse with COVID-19 symptoms. Students older than 12 will have to wear masks, and the Kansas plan to reopen schools calls for having them help make masks and plexiglass barriers. U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Elementary school students in Kansas won't be expected to wear masks unless they've been sent to the nurse with COVID-19 symptoms. Students older than 12 will have to wear masks, and the Kansas plan to reopen schools calls for having them help make masks and plexiglass barriers. U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>By ELLE MOXLEY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2020-07-14/expect-to-see-more-masks-and-occasional-closures-as-kansas-reopens-schools">Kansas News Service</a>Middle and high school students in Kansas will have to wear face 
masks in schools next year, and buildings will be closed for a cleaning 
anytime someone tests positive for the coronavirus.Those recommendations and others are in <a href="https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Navigating%20Change/DRAFT%205%20Navigating%20Change%20Kansas%20Guide%20to%20Learning%20and%20School%20Safety%20Operations-WEB.pdf?ver=2020-07-14-113912-290" target="_blank">a 1,100-page guide</a> the Kansas State Board of Education is expected to approve Wednesday, ahead of an announcement from Gov. Laura Kelly.Education
 Commissioner Randy Watson said support for reopening schools has ebbed 
as coronavirus cases in Kansas have increased. On Monday, the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment reported another 1,447 positive 
COVID-19 tests.“There was a time when it was almost, ‘Get back to
 school, open school, open school,’” Watson said at Tuesday’s state 
board meeting. “We still have that, but as we’ve seen the wave fairly 
recently in other states — California, Florida and Texas in particular —
 and in our own state, it’s become, ‘Please don’t open schools; we’ve 
got to have it safe.’”Watson said decisions about when and how to
 reopen schools will be made locally as the coronavirus is spreading 
much faster in populous Wyandotte, Johnson and Sedgwick counties than it
 is in small, rural communities.He added that all Kansas school districts will need a plan for what happens when a confirmed case or an outbreak occurs.Here are five takeaways from the Kansas plan to reopen schools.1) Districts should prioritize bringing back elementary school students.Although
 all Kansas schools are encouraged to work toward reopening, the report 
acknowledges that older students — middle and high schoolers — are more 
likely than younger students to spread the coronavirus. Many child care 
facilities that serve young children have been able to reopen safely, 
while outbreaks have been reported at summer camps for teenagers.As
 such, younger students will not be expected to wear face masks (unless 
required by a state or county order), but students older than 12 who 
face a greater risk of infection will. Teachers and staff will also be 
required to wear masks or face shields. Students with special needs who 
cannot wear masks will be exempt from the requirement.Districts 
that serve students in elementary, middle and high school in the same 
building should keep the grade levels separate as much as possible.2) School could be held off-site in some communities.Watson
 directed school administrators to consider moving classes to other 
venues that are not being used because of the pandemic.“Look at 
all the facilities that can house a classroom — churches, community 
buildings, Century II in Wichita,” a performing arts facility, Watson 
said. “One of the things you’ll want to consider is starting the year 
spread out.”Schools can also use those alternative spaces if classrooms or buildings have to close for deep cleaning.3) Parents, prepare to track what your child did online all day.The
 “responsible adult” overseeing remote learning in hybrid or virtual 
models will have to report how long students logged in and what classes 
they worked on.The logs will be used to track the attendance of students who aren’t in school every day.Several board members expressed concern that this requirement will be too cumbersome.“Not
 everybody’s responsible, and not everybody’s going to turn it in,” said
 board member Jim Porter, who represents southeast Kansas.But 
unless state lawmakers waive the statute requiring a minimum of 1,116 
hours of instruction (as they did in the spring), Kansas families will 
have to fill out daily or weekly learning logs.4) Out-of-school lunch won’t be free for everyone.When
 Kelly closed school buildings in March, districts had to figure out how
 to continue providing meals for students. The United States Department 
of Agriculture waived some of its rules so that all students could pick 
up these meals, regardless of whether they normally qualify for free 
meals at school.Moving forward, if schools have to close again, 
only students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch will be 
able to access free meal distribution. Other students can still pick up 
meals, but they’ll have to pay for them which could be a problem for 
newly-eligible families and families who are uncomfortable admitting 
that they need help paying for meals. Feeding America estimates child 
food insecurity in Kansas will increase by 47.6% due to the pandemic, 
per the Kansas plan to reopen schools.5) Quarantines are likely for teachers, staff, students and families throughout the school year.Whenever
 someone tests positive for COVID-19, the school or parts of the school 
will have to close for cleaning. Anyone who had close contact with the 
infected individual — within six feet for more than 10 minutes — will be
 required to quarantine for 14 days.Household members, including 
siblings in other grades, will be expected to quarantine for even longer
 until the infected individual has been symptom-free for 14 days.Watson
 said there is federal protection for school employees who have to 
quarantine, including 80 hours of paid sick leave, and state education 
officials are working with the Kansas National Education Association and
 the Kansas School Boards Association to figure out how the quarantines 
will work in practice.“We’re working on how we can go about 
making sure that employees of any type, including food service, are not 
only respected, but that their leave is respected,” Watson said. “We 
have to take care of the people who take care of the kids.”But 
teachers still have questions that aren’t addressed in the guide, like 
what happens if they’re forced to quarantine more than once during the 
school year.The Kansas State Board of Education will vote on the guide Wednesday.Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.&nbsp;

Expect more masks, occasional closures as Kansas reopens schools 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A spokesperson for Dillons released a statement Tuesday on their parent company Kroger's policy to deal with the nation's coin shortage.

"The Federal Reserve is experiencing a significant coin shortage across the U.S., resulting from fewer coins being exchanged and spent during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sheila Lowrie with Dillons. "Like many retailers and businesses, we are adjusting to the temporary shortage in several ways.

"Customers can switch their payment type (e.g., use debit or credit vs. cash), and through our upgraded technology, we can now load coin change to their loyalty card for use during the next shopping trip, provide coin change at a lane with coins available or round up their order to support The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, a public charity committed to creating communities free of hunger and waste.

"We remain committed to providing our customers with an uplifting shopping experience and the freedom and flexibility to choose their payment method during this unprecedented time."

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A spokesperson for Dillons released a statement Tuesday on their parent company Kroger's policy to deal with the nation's coin shortage."The Federal Reserve is experiencing a significant coin shortage across the U.S., resulting from fewer coins being exchanged and spent during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sheila Lowrie with Dillons. "Like many retailers and businesses, we are adjusting to the temporary shortage in several ways."Customers can switch their payment type (e.g., use debit or credit vs. cash), and through our upgraded technology, we can now load coin change to their loyalty card for use during the next shopping trip, provide coin change at a lane with coins available or round up their order to support The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, a public charity committed to creating communities free of hunger and waste."We remain committed to providing our customers with an uplifting shopping experience and the freedom and flexibility to choose their payment method during this unprecedented time."

Dillons working to deal with the nation's coin shortage

DICKINSON COUNTY — First responders are on the scene of semi rollover accident on Interstate 70 near Abilene.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports both westbound lanes are blocked. Authorities have not reported any injuries.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594818319335.png" alt="Photo courtesy KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY — First responders are on the scene of semi rollover accident on Interstate 70 near Abilene.The Kansas Highway Patrol reports both westbound lanes are blocked. Authorities have not reported any injuries.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Westbound I-70 closed after semi rollover

STAFFORD COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Magnum driven by Seth R. Osborn, 28, Wichita was eastbound on Kansas 19 and failed to yield at a stop sign at U.S. 281 one mile east of Seward.

A northbound 2012 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Andrea M.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 28, Louisburg, struck the Dodge.

A passenger in the van Judy M.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 73, St. John, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Minnis Chapel in St John.

EMS tranported Osborn, McKiearnan, Morgan G&nbsp;McKiearnan, 7; Carter O.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 4; Brook J.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 13, and Timothy O.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 28, all of St. John to the hospital in Great Bend.&nbsp; All seven were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

STAFFORD COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Stafford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Magnum driven by Seth R. Osborn, 28, Wichita was eastbound on Kansas 19 and failed to yield at a stop sign at U.S. 281 one mile east of Seward.A northbound 2012 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Andrea M.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 28, Louisburg, struck the Dodge.A passenger in the van Judy M.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 73, St. John, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Minnis Chapel in St John.EMS tranported Osborn, McKiearnan, Morgan G&nbsp;McKiearnan, 7; Carter O.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 4; Brook J.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 13, and Timothy O.&nbsp;McKiearnan, 28, all of St. John to the hospital in Great Bend.&nbsp; All seven were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dead, 6 hospitalized after 2 vehicle crash

By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/college-football-schedules-unsettled-coronavirus-cases-spike-kansas-and-us">Kansas News Service</a>

BALDWIN CITY, Kansas — College athletics departments
 in Kansas are needing to make a call as the number of coronavirus cases
 climb across the country and in their own ranks: Cancel fall sports, 
delay them until the spring, try in-conference games only or something 
in between.

At the center of it all is football — the 
high-contact sport that brings in money from the top college level to 
the small schools.&nbsp;

Dozens of schools have reported coronavirus 
cases among team members at voluntary workouts. And earlier this summer,
 Kansas State became one of the first major college teams in the country
 to shut the workouts down because of a high number of positive tests. 
The University of Kansas soon followed suit.

Already, three of 
the five major college conferences (Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference 
and Pac-12) have said they’ll only play against teams in their 
conference. The Ivy and Patriot leagues are calling off their fall 
seasons entirely. The National Junior College Athletic Association voted
 to move football to the spring.

The Big 12, which includes KU and K-State, is expected to make its decision at the end of the month.

Without
 the money from big-time sports, universities that are already hurting 
financially after having to shift fully online in the spring will 
suffer. But so will the college towns.

Baker University drives 
the economy in Baldwin City, Kansas, a town of more than 4,700 that’s 
about a half-hour from Lawrence. Of the roughly 800-plus students on 
campus at Baker, 66% play one of the school’s 24 varsity sports.

In
 early June, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 
(NAIA) announced that all of its schools — Baker included — would be 
reduced to nine regular-season games from 11. It’s still uncertain if 
fans will be allowed to attend the home games because the NAIA is 
leaving it up to schools to follow state and local requirements.

“The potential of not having our family at games, it’s something 
that’s going to be very, very different,” Baker athletics director Nate 
Houser said.

Already, Baldwin City’s 63rd annual Maple Leaf 
Festival has been cancelled for the fall. Apryl Strawn, the manager of 
Jo’s Diner in town, said the possibility of football without fans could 
be devastating to their business.&nbsp;

“It’ll be awful,” Strawn said. “It’ll be absolutely awful.”&nbsp;

The athletes’ health vs. financial health&nbsp;

Whether
 football is played in Baldwin City or at KU, the issue is the same: How
 do you avoid transmission of coronavirus in a sport where you’re lined 
up next to each other and hit other players constantly?

It’s a question KU Director of Athletics Jeff Long has been pondering all summer, and hasn’t been able to answer.

"We
 don’t know what the impact of practicing, closed-quarters hitting, 
tackling, all those things will have on a team,” Long said during a 
Kansas City Public Library virtual forum last month.

Players came
 back to campus for voluntary workouts from all over the country, 
including Texas, which has seen a dramatic spike in cases.&nbsp;

But epidemiologist Dr. Chris Hostler, who is a consultant for the NFL
 and the Big 12 (which KU and K-State are a part of), said coronavirus 
can be anywhere.

“We’re going to continue to have athletes and 
staff who are positives, who are coming from different areas of the 
country,” said Hostler, who is based in Durham, North Carolina. “Or even
 just remaining in their communities.”

And there’s another thing 
to consider: If any scholarship athlete, man or woman, chooses to sit 
out this fall as a health precaution, would he or she lose that full 
ride to college? The Pac-12 says no. With the Big 12 leaving it up to 
its members — K-State says it will honor scholarships but is still 
working out the terms of the language, while KU hadn’t provided its 
policy by the time this story went to print.&nbsp;

But more than 
anything, college administrators are aware of the added financial pinch 
if there are no college football games this fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When people 
ask, ‘Why is it so important for you to play football, play basketball?”
 It’s to generate the revenue to fund that program,” Long said.

A major college football program like KU or K-State generates an average of $78 million according to a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/04/14/college-football-major-programs-could-see-billions-revenue-go-away/2989466001/">recent study by USA Today</a>.

Within
 the Big 12, the Texas schools (Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor and TCU) 
figure to already see less money. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently 
mandated that no schools can have more than 50% fan capacity at home 
games.

But Hostler said what’s happening in Texas won’t dictate a uniform set of recommendations.

“What
 happens in West Virginia is going to be very different than what 
happens a couple states away in Iowa or in Oklahoma,” he said.

Greg Echlin is a freelance sports reporter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594758329334.png" alt=" Kansas State's football team had several players test positive for COVID-19 this summer. Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo" />
 <figcaption> Kansas State's football team had several players test positive for COVID-19 this summer. Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/college-football-schedules-unsettled-coronavirus-cases-spike-kansas-and-us">Kansas News Service</a>BALDWIN CITY, Kansas — College athletics departments
 in Kansas are needing to make a call as the number of coronavirus cases
 climb across the country and in their own ranks: Cancel fall sports, 
delay them until the spring, try in-conference games only or something 
in between.At the center of it all is football — the 
high-contact sport that brings in money from the top college level to 
the small schools.&nbsp;Dozens of schools have reported coronavirus 
cases among team members at voluntary workouts. And earlier this summer,
 Kansas State became one of the first major college teams in the country
 to shut the workouts down because of a high number of positive tests. 
The University of Kansas soon followed suit.Already, three of 
the five major college conferences (Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference 
and Pac-12) have said they’ll only play against teams in their 
conference. The Ivy and Patriot leagues are calling off their fall 
seasons entirely. The National Junior College Athletic Association voted
 to move football to the spring.The Big 12, which includes KU and K-State, is expected to make its decision at the end of the month.Without
 the money from big-time sports, universities that are already hurting 
financially after having to shift fully online in the spring will 
suffer. But so will the college towns.Baker University drives 
the economy in Baldwin City, Kansas, a town of more than 4,700 that’s 
about a half-hour from Lawrence. Of the roughly 800-plus students on 
campus at Baker, 66% play one of the school’s 24 varsity sports.In
 early June, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 
(NAIA) announced that all of its schools — Baker included — would be 
reduced to nine regular-season games from 11. It’s still uncertain if 
fans will be allowed to attend the home games because the NAIA is 
leaving it up to schools to follow state and local requirements.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594758388532.jpeg" alt=" Nate House is Baker University's athletic director. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption> Nate House is Baker University's athletic director. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>“The potential of not having our family at games, it’s something 
that’s going to be very, very different,” Baker athletics director Nate 
Houser said.Already, Baldwin City’s 63rd annual Maple Leaf 
Festival has been cancelled for the fall. Apryl Strawn, the manager of 
Jo’s Diner in town, said the possibility of football without fans could 
be devastating to their business.&nbsp;“It’ll be awful,” Strawn said. “It’ll be absolutely awful.”&nbsp;The athletes’ health vs. financial health&nbsp;Whether
 football is played in Baldwin City or at KU, the issue is the same: How
 do you avoid transmission of coronavirus in a sport where you’re lined 
up next to each other and hit other players constantly?It’s a question KU Director of Athletics Jeff Long has been pondering all summer, and hasn’t been able to answer."We
 don’t know what the impact of practicing, closed-quarters hitting, 
tackling, all those things will have on a team,” Long said during a 
Kansas City Public Library virtual forum last month.Players came
 back to campus for voluntary workouts from all over the country, 
including Texas, which has seen a dramatic spike in cases.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594758418685.jpeg" alt=" The field before last year's KU vs. K-State rivarly game. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo" />
 <figcaption> The field before last year's KU vs. K-State rivarly game. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>But epidemiologist Dr. Chris Hostler, who is a consultant for the NFL
 and the Big 12 (which KU and K-State are a part of), said coronavirus 
can be anywhere.“We’re going to continue to have athletes and 
staff who are positives, who are coming from different areas of the 
country,” said Hostler, who is based in Durham, North Carolina. “Or even
 just remaining in their communities.”And there’s another thing 
to consider: If any scholarship athlete, man or woman, chooses to sit 
out this fall as a health precaution, would he or she lose that full 
ride to college? The Pac-12 says no. With the Big 12 leaving it up to 
its members — K-State says it will honor scholarships but is still 
working out the terms of the language, while KU hadn’t provided its 
policy by the time this story went to print.&nbsp;But more than 
anything, college administrators are aware of the added financial pinch 
if there are no college football games this fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;“When people 
ask, ‘Why is it so important for you to play football, play basketball?”
 It’s to generate the revenue to fund that program,” Long said.A major college football program like KU or K-State generates an average of $78 million according to a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/04/14/college-football-major-programs-could-see-billions-revenue-go-away/2989466001/">recent study by USA Today</a>.Within
 the Big 12, the Texas schools (Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor and TCU) 
figure to already see less money. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently 
mandated that no schools can have more than 50% fan capacity at home 
games.But Hostler said what’s happening in Texas won’t dictate a uniform set of recommendations.“What
 happens in West Virginia is going to be very different than what 
happens a couple states away in Iowa or in Oklahoma,” he said.Greg Echlin is a freelance sports reporter.

College football schedules unsettled as virus cases spike


CLOUD COUNTY — 
Two people died&nbsp; in an accident just before 3p.m. Tuesday in Cloud County.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Micheal Eugene Kaufman, 67, and&nbsp; Delinda Lea Kaufman, 67, both of Hutchinson, were riding their 2008 Suzuki VL800 motorcycle attempting to negotiate the curve on K-9 highway three miles west of Concordia.

The motorcyce struck a westbound 2013 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Matthew Curtis Blad, 45, of Beloit.

The Kaufmans were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Nutter Mortuary. Blad was not transported for treatment. The KHP did have details on whether the Kaufmans wore helmets or eye protection.

CLOUD COUNTY — 
Two people died&nbsp; in an accident just before 3p.m. Tuesday in Cloud County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Micheal Eugene Kaufman, 67, and&nbsp; Delinda Lea Kaufman, 67, both of Hutchinson, were riding their 2008 Suzuki VL800 motorcycle attempting to negotiate the curve on K-9 highway three miles west of Concordia.The motorcyce struck a westbound 2013 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Matthew Curtis Blad, 45, of Beloit.The Kaufmans were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Nutter Mortuary. Blad was not transported for treatment. The KHP did have details on whether the Kaufmans wore helmets or eye protection.

Kansas man, woman dead after motorcycle, pickup crash

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has converted its fifth annual Kansas Summit on Agricultural Growth into a virtual experience. 

Beginning July 20, farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners, and other industry professionals across Kansas agriculture are invited to join KDA online as agriculture leaders from across the state network, collaborate, and engage with others from throughout all corners of Kansas agriculture.

The Kansas Ag Growth Summit has become known as a time when all of the agriculture industry sectors gather together in one place, with one goal — growing Kansas agriculture. Unfortunately, this year, after careful consideration and regard for the health and safety of everyone in the industry, KDA made the decision to move the 2020 Ag Growth Summit from an in-person event to a virtual experience.

“The KDA Ag Growth team is disappointed that we are unable to hold the 2020 Summit in person, but we are excited about the possibilities of what a virtual Summit could entail,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “We have preserved the key elements from past gatherings, including interactive sessions designed to promote action and engagement within specific sectors of the Kansas agriculture community, but instead of all taking place at one time and in one place, they will be spread over several weeks.”

Starting July 20, the Summit will begin with sector breakout sessions held via online webinars. 

These sessions will take place over a four-week period and will be recorded for easy access if you are unable to participate on the day of the event. 

In addition to the sector breakout sessions, there will be three sessions covering “crossover” topics that impact Kansas agriculture as a whole. Crossover topics will cover Agriculture’s Voice in Statewide Initiatives (August 17), Protecting Our Supply Chain During COVID-19 (August 18) and Trade (August 19). These discussions will include guest speakers and industry leaders and will also be recorded for later viewing.

The 2020 Kansas Ag Growth Summit will culminate with a webinar on Thursday, August 20. This event will feature guest speakers as well as share results from the previous breakout sessions.

There is no cost to participate in any part of the Ag Growth Summit, but registration is required. A link will be sent to registrants enabling them to connect to the sessions they wish to attend. Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2FSummit&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C923263f5c2b742e82c7908d828cab87e%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637304199256817017&amp;sdata=IRP%2Bsl%2FP9dgUpigDboU9BWQ0V8lZxziuNFWNYoOOoxM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/Summit</a>&nbsp;for sector sessions, crossover sessions, and the main Summit webinar.

Details regarding dates and times of the sector sessions, as well as speakers and specific agenda items, can be found on the KDA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2FSummit&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C923263f5c2b742e82c7908d828cab87e%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637304199256827013&amp;sdata=rXXllSp0YT8YdtU8EirUgxeuHc3ZbKFby6DMpMu8r2M%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/Summit</a>. The website will continue to be updated as plans are finalized over the next few weeks. If you have questions about the 2020 Kansas Ag Growth Summit, please contact Brittney Grother at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Brittney.Grother@ks.gov" target="_blank">Brittney.Grother@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or 785-564-6797.

Whether in person or online, KDA remains committed to our purpose — to serve, promote and grow the state’s largest industry. Please join us as we work together to grow smarter, grow stronger, and grow Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594828859981.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDAMANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has converted its fifth annual Kansas Summit on Agricultural Growth into a virtual experience. Beginning July 20, farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners, and other industry professionals across Kansas agriculture are invited to join KDA online as agriculture leaders from across the state network, collaborate, and engage with others from throughout all corners of Kansas agriculture.The Kansas Ag Growth Summit has become known as a time when all of the agriculture industry sectors gather together in one place, with one goal — growing Kansas agriculture. Unfortunately, this year, after careful consideration and regard for the health and safety of everyone in the industry, KDA made the decision to move the 2020 Ag Growth Summit from an in-person event to a virtual experience.“The KDA Ag Growth team is disappointed that we are unable to hold the 2020 Summit in person, but we are excited about the possibilities of what a virtual Summit could entail,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “We have preserved the key elements from past gatherings, including interactive sessions designed to promote action and engagement within specific sectors of the Kansas agriculture community, but instead of all taking place at one time and in one place, they will be spread over several weeks.”Starting July 20, the Summit will begin with sector breakout sessions held via online webinars. These sessions will take place over a four-week period and will be recorded for easy access if you are unable to participate on the day of the event. In addition to the sector breakout sessions, there will be three sessions covering “crossover” topics that impact Kansas agriculture as a whole. Crossover topics will cover Agriculture’s Voice in Statewide Initiatives (August 17), Protecting Our Supply Chain During COVID-19 (August 18) and Trade (August 19). These discussions will include guest speakers and industry leaders and will also be recorded for later viewing.The 2020 Kansas Ag Growth Summit will culminate with a webinar on Thursday, August 20. This event will feature guest speakers as well as share results from the previous breakout sessions.There is no cost to participate in any part of the Ag Growth Summit, but registration is required. A link will be sent to registrants enabling them to connect to the sessions they wish to attend. Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2FSummit&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C923263f5c2b742e82c7908d828cab87e%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637304199256817017&amp;sdata=IRP%2Bsl%2FP9dgUpigDboU9BWQ0V8lZxziuNFWNYoOOoxM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/Summit</a>&nbsp;for sector sessions, crossover sessions, and the main Summit webinar.Details regarding dates and times of the sector sessions, as well as speakers and specific agenda items, can be found on the KDA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2FSummit&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C923263f5c2b742e82c7908d828cab87e%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637304199256827013&amp;sdata=rXXllSp0YT8YdtU8EirUgxeuHc3ZbKFby6DMpMu8r2M%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/Summit</a>. The website will continue to be updated as plans are finalized over the next few weeks. If you have questions about the 2020 Kansas Ag Growth Summit, please contact Brittney Grother at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Brittney.Grother@ks.gov" target="_blank">Brittney.Grother@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or 785-564-6797.Whether in person or online, KDA remains committed to our purpose — to serve, promote and grow the state’s largest industry. Please join us as we work together to grow smarter, grow stronger, and grow Kansas.