ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s governor declared a state of emergency early Saturday to activate the state National Guard as violence flared in Atlanta and cities nationwide following the death in Minnesota of George Floyd after white officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee into his neck while taking him into custody. Prosecutors charged Chauvin on Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the death of Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed and pleaded that he couldn't breathe. 

Another 500 Guard soldiers were mobilized in and around Minneapolis, where Floyd died. But after another night of watching fires burn and businesses ransacked, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said early Saturday that he was moving to activate more than 1,000 more and was considering federal help.

The Guard was also on standby in the District of Columbia, where a crowd grew outside the White House and chanted curses at President Donald Trump. Some protesters tried to push through barriers set up by the U.S. Secret Service along Pennsylvania Avenue, and threw bottles and other objects at officers wearing riot gear, who responded with pepper spray.

A person was killed in downtown Detroit just before midnight after someone in an SUV fired shots into a crowd of protesters near the Greektown entertainment district, police said. In Portland, Oregon, protesters broke into police headquarters and authorities said they lit a fire inside. In Virginia’s capital, a police cruiser was set on fire outside Richmond police headquarters, and a city transit spokeswoman said a bus set ablaze was “a total loss,” news outlets reported.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted that up to 500 members of the Guard would deploy immediately “to protect people &amp; property in Atlanta.” He said he acted at the request of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who earlier appealed in vain for calm.

In scenes both peaceful and violent across the nation, thousands of protesters chanted “No justice, no peace” and “Say his name. George Floyd.” They hoisted signs reading: “He said I can’t breathe. Justice for George.”

Some demonstrators smashed police cars and spray-painted the iconic logo sign at CNN headquarters in downtown Atlanta. At least three officers were hurt and there were multiple arrests, Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said, as protesters shot at officers with BB guns and threw bricks, bottles and knives.

Atlanta officials said crews were unable to reach a fire at Del Frisco’s restaurant in the Buckhead neighborhood several miles north because of protesters there.

“This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Bottoms said. “You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country.”

Bottoms was flanked by King’s daughter, Bernice King, and rappers T.I. and Killer Mike.

“We have to be better than burning down our own homes. Because if we lose Atlanta what have we got?” said Killer Mike, crying as he spoke.

Video posted to social media showed New York City officers using batons and shoving protesters down as they took people into custody and cleared streets. One video showed on officer slam a woman to the ground as he walked past her in the street.

Demonstrators rocked a police van, set it ablaze, scrawled graffiti across its charred body and set it aflame again as officers retreated. Blocks away, protesters used a club to batter another police vehicle.

“There will be a full review of what happened tonight,” Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, referring to the Brooklyn protest. “We don’t ever want to see another night like this.”

The police department said numerous officers were injured, including one whose tooth was knocked out.

The names of black people killed by police, including Floyd and Eric Garner, who died on Staten Island in 2014, were on signs and in chants.

“Our country has a sickness. We have to be out here,” said Brianna Petrisko, among those at lower Manhattan’s Foley Square, where most were wearing masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. “This is the only way we’re going to be heard.”

Protesters in Houston, where Floyd grew up, included 19-year-old Jimmy Ohaz from the nearby city of Richmond, Texas: “My question is how many more, how many more? I just want to live in a future where we all live in harmony and we’re not oppressed.”

Demonstrators on the West Coast blocked highways in Los Angeles and Oakland, California.

About 1,000 protesters in Oakland smashed windows, sprayed buildings with “Kill Cops” graffiti and were met with chemical spray from police, who said several officers were injured by projectiles.

One Los Angeles officer received medical treatment, police said. An LAPD vehicle had its windows smashed, and at least one city bus was vandalized. Police declared an unlawful assembly throughout downtown, where aerial footage from KTLA-TV showed scored of people corralled by police.

An LAPD spokesman told The Associated Press they were still tallying arrests.

“I believe in our city. L.A. is strong enough to stand for justice and walk in love,” Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted, cautioning “violence and vandalism hurts all.”

San Jose, California, police said that Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies shot at a fleeing SUV that was shown on video striking protesters, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Protesters repeatedly clashed with police in San Jose, said Mayor Sam Liccardo, and police responded with flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. One officer was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury, officials said.

Liccardo said his city’s officers shared the community’s outrage over Floyd’s death.

“It was a horrible injustice,” he told the AP.

Portland, Oregon, police said at least one shooting was tied to the protest, although details weren’t immediately released. Two people were arrested during overnight riots in which protesters set fires throughout downtown and smashed storefront windows, police said, but arrest details were immediately available.

Police, who declared the protest a riot, said they deployed gas after people threw projectiles at them.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted a plea to protesters to remain peaceful and said that, while he had left Portland to attend to his dying mother, he was heading back.

“Portland, this is not us,” he wrote. “When you destroy our city, you are destroying our community. When you act in violence against each other, you are hurting all of us. How does this honor the legacy of George Floyd?”

Protests are scheduled on the Country Club Plaza for approximately 5p.m. Saturday, according to several social media reports.  Wichita, Salina, Hutchinson and other communities across Kansas are also expected to see protests A protest is also planned Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590799948580.png" alt="A peaceful protest Friday night on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>A peaceful protest Friday night on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s governor declared a state of emergency early Saturday to activate the state National Guard as violence flared in Atlanta and cities nationwide following the death in Minnesota of George Floyd after white officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee into his neck while taking him into custody. Prosecutors charged Chauvin on Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the death of Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed and pleaded that he couldn't breathe. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590840957949.png" alt="Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is jailed&nbsp; on a $500,000 bond&nbsp; charged with 3rd degree murder -photo Ramsey County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is jailed&nbsp; on a $500,000 bond&nbsp; charged with 3rd degree murder -photo Ramsey County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Another 500 Guard soldiers were mobilized in and around Minneapolis, where Floyd died. But after another night of watching fires burn and businesses ransacked, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said early Saturday that he was moving to activate more than 1,000 more and was considering federal help.The Guard was also on standby in the District of Columbia, where a crowd grew outside the White House and chanted curses at President Donald Trump. Some protesters tried to push through barriers set up by the U.S. Secret Service along Pennsylvania Avenue, and threw bottles and other objects at officers wearing riot gear, who responded with pepper spray.A person was killed in downtown Detroit just before midnight after someone in an SUV fired shots into a crowd of protesters near the Greektown entertainment district, police said. In Portland, Oregon, protesters broke into police headquarters and authorities said they lit a fire inside. In Virginia’s capital, a police cruiser was set on fire outside Richmond police headquarters, and a city transit spokeswoman said a bus set ablaze was “a total loss,” news outlets reported.Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted that up to 500 members of the Guard would deploy immediately “to protect people &amp; property in Atlanta.” He said he acted at the request of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who earlier appealed in vain for calm.In scenes both peaceful and violent across the nation, thousands of protesters chanted “No justice, no peace” and “Say his name. George Floyd.” They hoisted signs reading: “He said I can’t breathe. Justice for George.”Some demonstrators smashed police cars and spray-painted the iconic logo sign at CNN headquarters in downtown Atlanta. At least three officers were hurt and there were multiple arrests, Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos said, as protesters shot at officers with BB guns and threw bricks, bottles and knives.Atlanta officials said crews were unable to reach a fire at Del Frisco’s restaurant in the Buckhead neighborhood several miles north because of protesters there.“This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Bottoms said. “You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country.”Bottoms was flanked by King’s daughter, Bernice King, and rappers T.I. and Killer Mike.“We have to be better than burning down our own homes. Because if we lose Atlanta what have we got?” said Killer Mike, crying as he spoke.Video posted to social media showed New York City officers using batons and shoving protesters down as they took people into custody and cleared streets. One video showed on officer slam a woman to the ground as he walked past her in the street.Demonstrators rocked a police van, set it ablaze, scrawled graffiti across its charred body and set it aflame again as officers retreated. Blocks away, protesters used a club to batter another police vehicle.“There will be a full review of what happened tonight,” Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, referring to the Brooklyn protest. “We don’t ever want to see another night like this.”The police department said numerous officers were injured, including one whose tooth was knocked out.The names of black people killed by police, including Floyd and Eric Garner, who died on Staten Island in 2014, were on signs and in chants.“Our country has a sickness. We have to be out here,” said Brianna Petrisko, among those at lower Manhattan’s Foley Square, where most were wearing masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. “This is the only way we’re going to be heard.”Protesters in Houston, where Floyd grew up, included 19-year-old Jimmy Ohaz from the nearby city of Richmond, Texas: “My question is how many more, how many more? I just want to live in a future where we all live in harmony and we’re not oppressed.”Demonstrators on the West Coast blocked highways in Los Angeles and Oakland, California.About 1,000 protesters in Oakland smashed windows, sprayed buildings with “Kill Cops” graffiti and were met with chemical spray from police, who said several officers were injured by projectiles.One Los Angeles officer received medical treatment, police said. An LAPD vehicle had its windows smashed, and at least one city bus was vandalized. Police declared an unlawful assembly throughout downtown, where aerial footage from KTLA-TV showed scored of people corralled by police.An LAPD spokesman told The Associated Press they were still tallying arrests.“I believe in our city. L.A. is strong enough to stand for justice and walk in love,” Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted, cautioning “violence and vandalism hurts all.”San Jose, California, police said that Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies shot at a fleeing SUV that was shown on video striking protesters, the San Jose Mercury News reported.Protesters repeatedly clashed with police in San Jose, said Mayor Sam Liccardo, and police responded with flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. One officer was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury, officials said.Liccardo said his city’s officers shared the community’s outrage over Floyd’s death.“It was a horrible injustice,” he told the AP.Portland, Oregon, police said at least one shooting was tied to the protest, although details weren’t immediately released. Two people were arrested during overnight riots in which protesters set fires throughout downtown and smashed storefront windows, police said, but arrest details were immediately available.Police, who declared the protest a riot, said they deployed gas after people threw projectiles at them.Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted a plea to protesters to remain peaceful and said that, while he had left Portland to attend to his dying mother, he was heading back.“Portland, this is not us,” he wrote. “When you destroy our city, you are destroying our community. When you act in violence against each other, you are hurting all of us. How does this honor the legacy of George Floyd?”Protests are scheduled on the Country Club Plaza for approximately 5p.m. Saturday, according to several social media reports. Wichita, Salina, Hutchinson and other communities across Kansas are also expected to see protests A protest is also planned Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse.

National Guard summoned to aid cities amid police clashes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will soon stop providing the names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to first responders, after initially arguing that doing so would protect those on the front line.

In Kansas, Republican lawmakers had included a section in a sweeping coronavirus bill that would ensure COVID-19 patient names, addresses and other relevant information would be provided to first responders and 911 call centers.

The bill was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday.

Kelly did not refer to this provision in her veto message, and lawmakers did not discuss it during House and Senate debates. However, during a caucus for GOP senators, Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Kansas City-area Republican, defended it as necessary for protecting first responders.

Kansas is one of the few that had not shared patient data with first responders.

&nbsp;Gov. Bill Lee’s administration decided on the change in Tennessee this week, conceding that the data may have created a false sense of security to those responding to emergency calls. The data sharing will stop at the end of the month.

The announcement follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab4cbfb5575671c5630c2442bc3ca75e">an Associated Press review</a>&nbsp;that found public officials in at least two-thirds of states are sharing the addresses of people who tested positive with first responders. A small handful of those states, including Tennessee at the time, also shared the patients’ names.

Supporters argue that the information is vital to helping them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus. Yet civil liberty and community activists have expressed repeated concerns of potential profiling in African American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement.

“Individuals who have COVID-19 but who have not sought testing because they do not have symptoms may unintentionally transmit the virus to your personnel because the need to wear appropriate PPE was not apparent,” wrote Todd Skelton, legal counsel for Lee’s coronavirus task force, in a Tuesday email. “Therefore, first responders and law enforcement are encouraged to treat all close interactions with individuals with appropriate precautions.”

Skelton added that personal protection equipment is now “more readily attainable” for first responders. In his email, Skelton noted that more than 1.4 million PPE items had been shipped to law enforcement and others across the state.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health had originally declined to hand over the COVID-19 patient data, warning that wearing protective equipment only in those cases of confirmed illness is unlikely to guarantee their protection.

That decision was eventually overturned by the governor’s office after law enforcement reached out to his office pleading it was needed to stay safe.

Lee later told reporters that the patient data sharing policy would be temporary and could change when more information and protection equipment became available.

Sharing the information does not violate medical privacy laws, according to guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But it hasn’t stopped concerns about how the information was being used.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Tennessee Black Caucus and others had all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8b780be058daca3137a7b05a90ce6a97">called for a stop</a>&nbsp;to the sharing of data with law enforcement.

At least eight states are continuing to share patient names with law enforcement: Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota. Wisconsin did so briefly but stopped earlier this month.

Colorado officials also confirmed on Wednesday that local health departments had stopped sharing names and addresses with law enforcement because the community transmission of COVID-19 had become so widespread.

Colorado has had more than 25,000 positive cases and more than 1,100 deaths linked to the virus.

In Tennessee, law enforcement officials have been instructed to “delete and/or shred” the patient data provided by the state within 30 days, according to Skelton’s email.

“Also, you must immediately notify Health if the (protected health information) in your possession has been, or is suspected of having been, disclosed in an unauthorized manner, regardless of when the disclosure occurred,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588174331940.png" alt="Virus testing photo courtesy eTruth North" />
 <figcaption>Virus testing photo courtesy eTruth North</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will soon stop providing the names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to first responders, after initially arguing that doing so would protect those on the front line.In Kansas, Republican lawmakers had included a section in a sweeping coronavirus bill that would ensure COVID-19 patient names, addresses and other relevant information would be provided to first responders and 911 call centers.The bill was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday.Kelly did not refer to this provision in her veto message, and lawmakers did not discuss it during House and Senate debates. However, during a caucus for GOP senators, Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Kansas City-area Republican, defended it as necessary for protecting first responders.Kansas is one of the few that had not shared patient data with first responders.&nbsp;Gov. Bill Lee’s administration decided on the change in Tennessee this week, conceding that the data may have created a false sense of security to those responding to emergency calls. The data sharing will stop at the end of the month.The announcement follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab4cbfb5575671c5630c2442bc3ca75e">an Associated Press review</a>&nbsp;that found public officials in at least two-thirds of states are sharing the addresses of people who tested positive with first responders. A small handful of those states, including Tennessee at the time, also shared the patients’ names.Supporters argue that the information is vital to helping them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus. Yet civil liberty and community activists have expressed repeated concerns of potential profiling in African American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement.“Individuals who have COVID-19 but who have not sought testing because they do not have symptoms may unintentionally transmit the virus to your personnel because the need to wear appropriate PPE was not apparent,” wrote Todd Skelton, legal counsel for Lee’s coronavirus task force, in a Tuesday email. “Therefore, first responders and law enforcement are encouraged to treat all close interactions with individuals with appropriate precautions.”Skelton added that personal protection equipment is now “more readily attainable” for first responders. In his email, Skelton noted that more than 1.4 million PPE items had been shipped to law enforcement and others across the state.Earlier this year, the Department of Health had originally declined to hand over the COVID-19 patient data, warning that wearing protective equipment only in those cases of confirmed illness is unlikely to guarantee their protection.That decision was eventually overturned by the governor’s office after law enforcement reached out to his office pleading it was needed to stay safe.Lee later told reporters that the patient data sharing policy would be temporary and could change when more information and protection equipment became available.Sharing the information does not violate medical privacy laws, according to guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But it hasn’t stopped concerns about how the information was being used.The American Civil Liberties Union, Tennessee Black Caucus and others had all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8b780be058daca3137a7b05a90ce6a97">called for a stop</a>&nbsp;to the sharing of data with law enforcement.At least eight states are continuing to share patient names with law enforcement: Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota. Wisconsin did so briefly but stopped earlier this month.Colorado officials also confirmed on Wednesday that local health departments had stopped sharing names and addresses with law enforcement because the community transmission of COVID-19 had become so widespread.Colorado has had more than 25,000 positive cases and more than 1,100 deaths linked to the virus.In Tennessee, law enforcement officials have been instructed to “delete and/or shred” the patient data provided by the state within 30 days, according to Skelton’s email.“Also, you must immediately notify Health if the (protected health information) in your possession has been, or is suspected of having been, disclosed in an unauthorized manner, regardless of when the disclosure occurred,” he said.___

Kansas among states not sharing patient data with first responders

KANSAS CITY —Protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody have spread to other areas across the United States. 

Protesters marched near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Friday night. Police were on the scene and no violence was reported, according to Dave Jackson, spokesperson for KC Kansas Police.

KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucuas said he had spoken with Police Chief Rick Smith.&nbsp; "Our community and our department stand ready for any peaceful demonstration.  All in Kansas City have a right to be heard."

A similar protest is scheduled on the Plaza for approximately 5p.m. Saturday, according to several social media reports.&nbsp; Wichita, Salina, Hutchinson and other communities across Kansas are also expected to see protests&nbsp;A protest is also planned Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse. 

Officials in Wyandotte County said Friday that they plan to meet with clergy early next week in the wake of Floyd's death.&nbsp;

 Wyandotte County Sheriff Donald Ash, Interim Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Michael York and county-city Unified Government Mayor Mayor David Alvey expect to participate in Monday’s meeting. 

They said they want to discuss how to ensure police respect the “life and dignity” of all people. The Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck was arrested on murder charges Friday.&nbsp;

DENVER — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock called for calm and unity Friday after the first of several planned city protests over George Floyd’s death turned violent, declaring, “Let not the story be about the riots and protests. Let’s keep the focus on the life that was lost.”

“I can tell you not to go out and demonstrate but the reality is it’s going to happen,” Hancock said at a news briefing, stressing he shared outrage over what he’s called the “senseless and tragic murder” of Floyd in Minneapolis.

Hancock and Police Chief Paul Pazen blamed what they called a minority of agitators among peaceful protesters for inciting violence throughout downtown on Thursday. That violence included throwing rocks at police officers, setting small fires, and breaking windows and damaging cars at the state Capitol and at businesses. More protests were planned for Friday and Saturday. Pazen said three officers were injured and that 13 people were arrested for burglary, criminal mischief and assault.

ATLANTA — A police car has been set on fire in Atlanta, where protesters were using barricades to break the windows of cruisers while others were jumping on the vehicles and shattering windshields as they demonstrated against the death of George Floyd.

Hundreds of protesters were confronting police outside CNN’s downtown headquarters late Friday. Activists spray-painted a large CNN logo outside the building, breaking a window and tagging doors. One protester climbed on top of the CNN sign and waved a “Black Lives Matter” flag to cheers from the crowd.

Protesters pelted officers who came over with bottles, striking some of them. Other bottles thrown at authorities exploded behind the police line, but no officers appeared to get hit. Protesters chanted, “Quit your jobs.”

The officers backed their line away from the group of protesters who were throwing objects at them.

Police ordered demonstrators to leave the street and threatened to arrest them if they did not leave quickly.

Protesters used accelerant to burn an American flag. People were watching the scene from rooftops, some laughing at skirmishes that broke out and vandalism by the protesters.

Protesters were also walking on the interstate in downtown Atlanta and appeared to be trying to block traffic.

Earlier, as the protest appeared more calm, Kaity Brackett, 27, said she came out to the protest because she thinks the entire criminal justice system needs to be overhauled, starting with policing. She said the Ahmaud Arbery killing was a catalyst for her and referred to his death as a lynching. Arbery was killed on Feb. 23 by a former district attorney investigator and his son, who were not arrested until after video emerged months later.

Brackett wore a blue mask and sat with her partner and a friend. She was less concerned about the threat from the coronavirus.

“We risk our lives going to the grocery store, going to get gas,” she said. “This is more important than all of that.”

NEW YORK — Demonstrators took to New York City streets on Friday for a second day in protest of the death of George Floyd, the black Minnesota man killed in police custody, and invoked the names of other black people who died at police hands.

In Brooklyn, crowds of demonstrators chanted at police officers lined up outside the Barclays Center. There were several moments of struggle, as some in the crowd pushed against metal barricades and police pushed back.

Scores of water bottles flew from the crowd toward the officers, and in return police sprayed an eye-irritating chemical at the group twice.

The names of black people killed by police, including Floyd and Eric Garner, who died on Staten Island in 2014, were on signs carried by those in the crowd, and in their chants. Protests have taken place around the country, with some in Minnesota and elsewhere becoming violent.

“It’s my duty to be out here,” said Brianna Petrisko, among those at Foley Square in lower Manhattan, most wearing masks, where the demonstrations started Friday. The protest took place despite coronavirus prohibitions on large gatherings. The demonstrators were gathered in the square, while police stood across the street.

“Our country has a sickness,” Petrisko said. “We have to be out here. This is the only way we’re going to be heard.”

At his Friday briefing, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he stood with the Minnesota protesters.

“Nobody is sanctioning the arson, and the thuggery and the burglaries, but the protesters and the anger and the fear and the frustration? Yes. Yes. And the demand is for justice,” Cuomo said.

At a news conference, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York Police Department officers had been told to respect peaceful protest.

He also had a message for protesters. “If you are angry with the government, if you are angry with the elected leaders, direct that anger to all of us, because if we haven’t done enough, we are the ones who should be held responsible,” he said. “But the police officer in front of you is a working man or woman just trying to do their job.”

WINDERMERE, Fla. — A group of about 10 protesters gathered Friday near a Florida town home that belongs to a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck.

The protesters arrived after social media postings listed the address of Derek Chauvin in the community of Windermere outside Orlando.

They carried signs that said, “He said I can’t breathe. Justice for George,” and “We see you, we hear you ... we love you! #Justice for George.” The handcuffed black man pleaded for air as Chauvin, the white police officer, knelt on his neck during an arrest recorded on video by bystanders.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted from its official account that Chauvin is not at the residence and is not expected there. The office says it’s confirmed he has no plans to be in the area.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police used a helicopter and tear gas as they retreated from a crowd of people after a confrontation that followed a protest of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

Police said officers responded to several shots being fired from a vehicle following a demonstration that had lasted hours. Four individuals were taken into custody, and several protesters became confrontational, police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.

During the confrontation, protesters waved signs and yelled at officers clad in riot gear. Gallegos said Friday the tear gas was used to allow officers to leave the area and avoid further confrontation.

There were no reports of injuries from the gunshots, and it wasn’t clear whether that incident was related to the protest. Gallegos also said there were no injuries resulting from the confrontation with protesters.

FONTANA, Calif. — Nine people were arrested after rocks were thrown at businesses, vehicles and officers during a Southern California protest stemming from the death of a black man in Minneapolis police custody.

The violence erupted Thursday night in Fontana as about 100 people moved up and down a thoroughfare and blocked traffic. Police say an unlawful assembly was declared and the crowd was ordered to disperse but some persisted.

Elsewhere in the region, demonstrators gathered outside Los Angeles police headquarters but there was no repeat of Wednesday evening’s action in which protesters blocked freeway traffic and attacked two Highway Patrol cruisers.

Fontana is an inland city about 50 miles (80) kilometers east of Los Angeles.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Protesters angry over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody turned out for a demonstration in Columbus that began peacefully but turned violent, with windows smashed at the Ohio Statehouse and storefronts along surrounding downtown streets.

The crowd of about 400 people entered into a standoff with Columbus police Thursday night, blocking the intersection of key streets in the Ohio capital for hours, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

The demonstration began as a peaceful protest, but news outlets reported protesters began throwing objects like water bottles at officers, who responded by using tear gas on the crowd. A scuffle between a protester and an officer broke out around 9:45 p.m., WCMH-TV reported.

Videos obtained by The Associated Press show people smashing the building’s windows. One person briefly entered an office through a broken window but retreated before troopers within the building could catch him, said Ohio State Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Craig Cvetan.

Windows were boarded up early Friday and workers were placing plywood over undamaged windows out of precaution.

HOUSTON — On Friday, several thousand people attended a rally in front of city hall in Houston, where George Floyd grew up.

The rally was mostly peaceful but police had apparently taken into custody a woman who had a rifle and had tried to use it to incite the crowd.

The crowed marched through downtown Houston to get to city hall, blocking traffic and at times chanting “No justice, no peace” and “Say his name. George Floyd.” Many held up signs that said, “I Can’t Breathe” and “Justice For George.”

Eventually the protesters ended up alongside U.S. Highway 59, one of the major thoroughfares in Houston. A group of about 60 to 70 shut down the freeway for at least half an hour. Houston police accompanied the protesters as they marched for less than half a mile along the freeway before they walked off of it. No arrests were made.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he welcomed the rally.

“We stand with them protesting what happened in Minnesota,” said Acevedo. “I’m happy that they’re here today because people need to be heard, voices need to be heard.”

One of those protesting Floyd’s death was 19-year-old Jimmy Ohaz, who came from the nearby city of Richmond, Texas.

“My question is how many more, how many more? I just want to live in a future where we all live in harmony and we’re not oppressed.”

PHOENIX — Hundreds rallied in downtown Phoenix to demonstrate against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody in a protest that turned into a clash with police.

Protesters who marched from Phoenix City Hall to the state Capitol on Thursday night into Friday morning carried signs reading, “Silence is violence” and “Being black should not be a death sentence,” The Arizona Republic reported.

Around 11 p.m., Phoenix police declared an unlawful assembly around the Capitol building. Protesters refused to leave the area, news outlets reported.

The newspaper reported that rocks and water bottles were thrown at police. Video from local TV stations shows protesters hammering on the window of a police car, and the newspaper reported at least one police car window was broken. The Arizona Department of Public Safety and Phoenix police responded by firing pepper spray and rubber bullets at the crowd.

PETAL, Miss. — A Mississippi mayor who sparked outrage when he said he “didn’t see anything unreasonable” about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody is resisting calls to resign, including from his own town’s board of aldermen.

“Why in the world would anyone choose to become a police officer in our society today?” Petal Mayor Hal Marx tweeted Tuesday, the day four Minneapolis police officers were fired. The 46-year-old Floyd, a black man, was handcuffed and pleading for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck Monday.

In a follow-up tweet, the Republican directly referenced the Floyd case, saying he “didn’t see anything unreasonable”: “If you can say you can’t breathe, you’re breathing. Most likely that man died of overdose or heart attack. Video doesn’t show his resistance that got him in that position. Police being crucified.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Looking to defuse tensions in Louisville over the fatal shooting of a black woman by police who broke down her door, the victim’s mother on Friday called on protesters to continue demanding justice but to do it in “the right way without hurting each other.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear read the statement from Breonna Taylor’s mother hours after gunshots erupted, wounding at least seven people, during protests late Thursday outside City Hall. At least one person was in critical condition, Louisville Metro Police said early Friday.

“No officers discharged their service weapons,” and all seven shot were civilians, police spokesman Sgt. Lamont Washington wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

In her statement, Tamika Palmer said her daughter — an emergency medical technician — devoted her life to others, and the “last thing she’d want right now is any more violence.”

Thursday night’s demonstration came as protesters across the country, in cities including Los Angeles, Denver, New York and Memphis, turned out in alliance with demonstrators in Minneapolis, where George Floyd became the latest black man to die in police custody.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Roughly 300 people protesting the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman have shut down a five-lane section of a highway in California’s Silicon Valley.

Vehicles southbound on U.S. 101 were at a virtual standstill Friday afternoon, ahead of a greatly diminished rush hour as the region shelters at home. KGO-TV footage shows some cars passing on a shoulder of U.S. 101 in San Jose.

Some protesters are wearing masks and some are not. Later in the afternoon, the protesters were leaving the highway.

LAS VEGAS — More than 400 people were demonstrating on the Las Vegas Strip Friday afternoon calling for policing reforms after black man was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer.

The crowd gathered in triple-digit-heat in front of the Bellagio casino-resort, holding signs and chanting “No justice, no peace!” and “Black lives matter.”

They later began walking north up the Las Vegas Strip in front of casinos still shuttered because of coronavirus-related closures.

The demonstration was in memory of George Floyd, who died late Monday. Bystander video showed a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590798329342.png" alt="Floyd Protest Friday night in Kansas City photo courtesy Marcy Lightner" />
 <figcaption>Floyd Protest Friday night in Kansas City photo courtesy Marcy Lightner</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody have spread to other areas across the United States. Protesters marched near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Friday night. Police were on the scene and no violence was reported, according to Dave Jackson, spokesperson for KC Kansas Police.KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucuas said he had spoken with Police Chief Rick Smith.&nbsp; "Our community and our department stand ready for any peaceful demonstration. All in Kansas City have a right to be heard."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590799948580.png" alt="Protesters in the street near the Plaza Friday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters in the street near the Plaza Friday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>A similar protest is scheduled on the Plaza for approximately 5p.m. Saturday, according to several social media reports.&nbsp; Wichita, Salina, Hutchinson and other communities across Kansas are also expected to see protests&nbsp;A protest is also planned Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse. Officials in Wyandotte County said Friday that they plan to meet with clergy early next week in the wake of Floyd's death.&nbsp; Wyandotte County Sheriff Donald Ash, Interim Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Michael York and county-city Unified Government Mayor Mayor David Alvey expect to participate in Monday’s meeting. They said they want to discuss how to ensure police respect the “life and dignity” of all people. The Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck was arrested on murder charges Friday.&nbsp;___DENVER — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock called for calm and unity Friday after the first of several planned city protests over George Floyd’s death turned violent, declaring, “Let not the story be about the riots and protests. Let’s keep the focus on the life that was lost.”“I can tell you not to go out and demonstrate but the reality is it’s going to happen,” Hancock said at a news briefing, stressing he shared outrage over what he’s called the “senseless and tragic murder” of Floyd in Minneapolis.Hancock and Police Chief Paul Pazen blamed what they called a minority of agitators among peaceful protesters for inciting violence throughout downtown on Thursday. That violence included throwing rocks at police officers, setting small fires, and breaking windows and damaging cars at the state Capitol and at businesses. More protests were planned for Friday and Saturday. Pazen said three officers were injured and that 13 people were arrested for burglary, criminal mischief and assault.ATLANTA — A police car has been set on fire in Atlanta, where protesters were using barricades to break the windows of cruisers while others were jumping on the vehicles and shattering windshields as they demonstrated against the death of George Floyd.Hundreds of protesters were confronting police outside CNN’s downtown headquarters late Friday. Activists spray-painted a large CNN logo outside the building, breaking a window and tagging doors. One protester climbed on top of the CNN sign and waved a “Black Lives Matter” flag to cheers from the crowd.Protesters pelted officers who came over with bottles, striking some of them. Other bottles thrown at authorities exploded behind the police line, but no officers appeared to get hit. Protesters chanted, “Quit your jobs.”The officers backed their line away from the group of protesters who were throwing objects at them.Police ordered demonstrators to leave the street and threatened to arrest them if they did not leave quickly.Protesters used accelerant to burn an American flag. People were watching the scene from rooftops, some laughing at skirmishes that broke out and vandalism by the protesters.Protesters were also walking on the interstate in downtown Atlanta and appeared to be trying to block traffic.The Georgia State Patrol has responded.Earlier, as the protest appeared more calm, Kaity Brackett, 27, said she came out to the protest because she thinks the entire criminal justice system needs to be overhauled, starting with policing. She said the Ahmaud Arbery killing was a catalyst for her and referred to his death as a lynching. Arbery was killed on Feb. 23 by a former district attorney investigator and his son, who were not arrested until after video emerged months later.Brackett wore a blue mask and sat with her partner and a friend. She was less concerned about the threat from the coronavirus.“We risk our lives going to the grocery store, going to get gas,” she said. “This is more important than all of that.”___NEW YORK — Demonstrators took to New York City streets on Friday for a second day in protest of the death of George Floyd, the black Minnesota man killed in police custody, and invoked the names of other black people who died at police hands.__In Brooklyn, crowds of demonstrators chanted at police officers lined up outside the Barclays Center. There were several moments of struggle, as some in the crowd pushed against metal barricades and police pushed back.Scores of water bottles flew from the crowd toward the officers, and in return police sprayed an eye-irritating chemical at the group twice.The names of black people killed by police, including Floyd and Eric Garner, who died on Staten Island in 2014, were on signs carried by those in the crowd, and in their chants. Protests have taken place around the country, with some in Minnesota and elsewhere becoming violent.“It’s my duty to be out here,” said Brianna Petrisko, among those at Foley Square in lower Manhattan, most wearing masks, where the demonstrations started Friday. The protest took place despite coronavirus prohibitions on large gatherings. The demonstrators were gathered in the square, while police stood across the street.“Our country has a sickness,” Petrisko said. “We have to be out here. This is the only way we’re going to be heard.”At his Friday briefing, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he stood with the Minnesota protesters.“Nobody is sanctioning the arson, and the thuggery and the burglaries, but the protesters and the anger and the fear and the frustration? Yes. Yes. And the demand is for justice,” Cuomo said.At a news conference, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York Police Department officers had been told to respect peaceful protest.He also had a message for protesters. “If you are angry with the government, if you are angry with the elected leaders, direct that anger to all of us, because if we haven’t done enough, we are the ones who should be held responsible,” he said. “But the police officer in front of you is a working man or woman just trying to do their job.”___WINDERMERE, Fla. — A group of about 10 protesters gathered Friday near a Florida town home that belongs to a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck.The protesters arrived after social media postings listed the address of Derek Chauvin in the community of Windermere outside Orlando.They carried signs that said, “He said I can’t breathe. Justice for George,” and “We see you, we hear you ... we love you! #Justice for George.” The handcuffed black man pleaded for air as Chauvin, the white police officer, knelt on his neck during an arrest recorded on video by bystanders.The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted from its official account that Chauvin is not at the residence and is not expected there. The office says it’s confirmed he has no plans to be in the area.___ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police used a helicopter and tear gas as they retreated from a crowd of people after a confrontation that followed a protest of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.Police said officers responded to several shots being fired from a vehicle following a demonstration that had lasted hours. Four individuals were taken into custody, and several protesters became confrontational, police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.During the confrontation, protesters waved signs and yelled at officers clad in riot gear. Gallegos said Friday the tear gas was used to allow officers to leave the area and avoid further confrontation.There were no reports of injuries from the gunshots, and it wasn’t clear whether that incident was related to the protest. Gallegos also said there were no injuries resulting from the confrontation with protesters.___FONTANA, Calif. — Nine people were arrested after rocks were thrown at businesses, vehicles and officers during a Southern California protest stemming from the death of a black man in Minneapolis police custody.The violence erupted Thursday night in Fontana as about 100 people moved up and down a thoroughfare and blocked traffic. Police say an unlawful assembly was declared and the crowd was ordered to disperse but some persisted.Elsewhere in the region, demonstrators gathered outside Los Angeles police headquarters but there was no repeat of Wednesday evening’s action in which protesters blocked freeway traffic and attacked two Highway Patrol cruisers.Fontana is an inland city about 50 miles (80) kilometers east of Los Angeles.___COLUMBUS, Ohio — Protesters angry over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody turned out for a demonstration in Columbus that began peacefully but turned violent, with windows smashed at the Ohio Statehouse and storefronts along surrounding downtown streets.The crowd of about 400 people entered into a standoff with Columbus police Thursday night, blocking the intersection of key streets in the Ohio capital for hours, the Columbus Dispatch reported.The demonstration began as a peaceful protest, but news outlets reported protesters began throwing objects like water bottles at officers, who responded by using tear gas on the crowd. A scuffle between a protester and an officer broke out around 9:45 p.m., WCMH-TV reported.Videos obtained by The Associated Press show people smashing the building’s windows. One person briefly entered an office through a broken window but retreated before troopers within the building could catch him, said Ohio State Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Craig Cvetan.Windows were boarded up early Friday and workers were placing plywood over undamaged windows out of precaution.___HOUSTON — On Friday, several thousand people attended a rally in front of city hall in Houston, where George Floyd grew up.The rally was mostly peaceful but police had apparently taken into custody a woman who had a rifle and had tried to use it to incite the crowd.The crowed marched through downtown Houston to get to city hall, blocking traffic and at times chanting “No justice, no peace” and “Say his name. George Floyd.” Many held up signs that said, “I Can’t Breathe” and “Justice For George.”Eventually the protesters ended up alongside U.S. Highway 59, one of the major thoroughfares in Houston. A group of about 60 to 70 shut down the freeway for at least half an hour. Houston police accompanied the protesters as they marched for less than half a mile along the freeway before they walked off of it. No arrests were made.Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he welcomed the rally.“We stand with them protesting what happened in Minnesota,” said Acevedo. “I’m happy that they’re here today because people need to be heard, voices need to be heard.”One of those protesting Floyd’s death was 19-year-old Jimmy Ohaz, who came from the nearby city of Richmond, Texas.“My question is how many more, how many more? I just want to live in a future where we all live in harmony and we’re not oppressed.”___PHOENIX — Hundreds rallied in downtown Phoenix to demonstrate against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody in a protest that turned into a clash with police.Protesters who marched from Phoenix City Hall to the state Capitol on Thursday night into Friday morning carried signs reading, “Silence is violence” and “Being black should not be a death sentence,” The Arizona Republic reported.Around 11 p.m., Phoenix police declared an unlawful assembly around the Capitol building. Protesters refused to leave the area, news outlets reported.The newspaper reported that rocks and water bottles were thrown at police. Video from local TV stations shows protesters hammering on the window of a police car, and the newspaper reported at least one police car window was broken. The Arizona Department of Public Safety and Phoenix police responded by firing pepper spray and rubber bullets at the crowd.___PETAL, Miss. — A Mississippi mayor who sparked outrage when he said he “didn’t see anything unreasonable” about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody is resisting calls to resign, including from his own town’s board of aldermen.“Why in the world would anyone choose to become a police officer in our society today?” Petal Mayor Hal Marx tweeted Tuesday, the day four Minneapolis police officers were fired. The 46-year-old Floyd, a black man, was handcuffed and pleading for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck Monday.In a follow-up tweet, the Republican directly referenced the Floyd case, saying he “didn’t see anything unreasonable”: “If you can say you can’t breathe, you’re breathing. Most likely that man died of overdose or heart attack. Video doesn’t show his resistance that got him in that position. Police being crucified.”___LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Looking to defuse tensions in Louisville over the fatal shooting of a black woman by police who broke down her door, the victim’s mother on Friday called on protesters to continue demanding justice but to do it in “the right way without hurting each other.”Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear read the statement from Breonna Taylor’s mother hours after gunshots erupted, wounding at least seven people, during protests late Thursday outside City Hall. At least one person was in critical condition, Louisville Metro Police said early Friday.“No officers discharged their service weapons,” and all seven shot were civilians, police spokesman Sgt. Lamont Washington wrote in an email to The Associated Press.In her statement, Tamika Palmer said her daughter — an emergency medical technician — devoted her life to others, and the “last thing she’d want right now is any more violence.”Thursday night’s demonstration came as protesters across the country, in cities including Los Angeles, Denver, New York and Memphis, turned out in alliance with demonstrators in Minneapolis, where George Floyd became the latest black man to die in police custody.___SAN JOSE, Calif. — Roughly 300 people protesting the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman have shut down a five-lane section of a highway in California’s Silicon Valley.Vehicles southbound on U.S. 101 were at a virtual standstill Friday afternoon, ahead of a greatly diminished rush hour as the region shelters at home. KGO-TV footage shows some cars passing on a shoulder of U.S. 101 in San Jose.Some protesters are wearing masks and some are not. Later in the afternoon, the protesters were leaving the highway.___LAS VEGAS — More than 400 people were demonstrating on the Las Vegas Strip Friday afternoon calling for policing reforms after black man was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer.The crowd gathered in triple-digit-heat in front of the Bellagio casino-resort, holding signs and chanting “No justice, no peace!” and “Black lives matter.”They later began walking north up the Las Vegas Strip in front of casinos still shuttered because of coronavirus-related closures.The demonstration was in memory of George Floyd, who died late Monday. Bystander video showed a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck.

Protests over George Floyd's death spread to KC, across the nation

RENO COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Friday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Travis William Mayer, 35, Nickerson, was westbound on Kansas 14 four miles west of Nickerson.

The car crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2006 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Jaret Taylor Frack, 42, Bel Aire.

Mayer was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the&nbsp;Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center.

Frack was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

RENO COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Friday in Reno County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Travis William Mayer, 35, Nickerson, was westbound on Kansas 14 four miles west of Nickerson.The car crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2006 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Jaret Taylor Frack, 42, Bel Aire.Mayer was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the&nbsp;Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center.Frack was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after crash with a semi

BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for alleged drug distribution in Great Bend.

Just before 1p.m. Friday, deputies executed a search warrant in the 5500 block of 9th St. at Finer Mobile Home Park, lot number 13 in the City of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

&nbsp;As deputies were executing a search warrant, the residents of Lot 13, were located in the 5300 block of 10th Street driving a white Mercedes and stopped in a parking lot.

Upon entry of the mobile home suspected ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine were located. The two suspects that were stopped on 10th St. were subsequently placed under arrest, according to Bellendir.

McKinley Payne, 20, Great Bend and Shaie Meza, 18, both of Great Bend were placed under arrest and transported to the Barton County Jail without incident. Both were charged with distribution of opiate or narcotics and being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590786092164.png" alt="Payne photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Payne photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for alleged drug distribution in Great Bend.Just before 1p.m. Friday, deputies executed a search warrant in the 5500 block of 9th St. at Finer Mobile Home Park, lot number 13 in the City of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.&nbsp;As deputies were executing a search warrant, the residents of Lot 13, were located in the 5300 block of 10th Street driving a white Mercedes and stopped in a parking lot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590786118163.png" alt="Meza photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Meza photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon entry of the mobile home suspected ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine were located. The two suspects that were stopped on 10th St. were subsequently placed under arrest, according to Bellendir.McKinley Payne, 20, Great Bend and Shaie Meza, 18, both of Great Bend were placed under arrest and transported to the Barton County Jail without incident. Both were charged with distribution of opiate or narcotics and being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Kan. deputies find cocaine, ecstasy during drug bust

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is&nbsp; the victim of an internal theft at their Property and Evidence storage site, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.&nbsp; An ongoing criminal investigation was initiated and began on February 26.

On January 24, 2020, an administrative investigation was initiated on a Property and Evidence Technician.&nbsp; The employee was being investigated for not following proper procedures and policy violations.&nbsp; The employee was then suspended from work on February 3.

On February 5, the Property and Evidence Supervisor was reassigned to another function of the Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; On February 26, the investigation turned from an administrative investigation to a criminal investigation.&nbsp; As of February 27, both of the civilian employees are no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office.

While conducting our internal audit, evidence was found to be missing.&nbsp; During the audit it was discovered that items set for destruction were missing.&nbsp; The time line stretches of effected cases goes back several years.&nbsp; Several investigative techniques have been utilized during the course of this investigation to give the Sheriff’s Office the best evidence to present for charging with the District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

Since February 26th, the sheriff's office has been trying to identify any and all evidence that has been stolen and auditing evidence that is still in storeage.&nbsp; During this same time frame the criminal investigation has been progressing.&nbsp; Over 50,000 pieces of evidence are stored in Property and Evidence, according to Easter.

"Currently, we know that approximately $145,000 in money, drugs, seven guns, and power tools were stolen."&nbsp; One of the stolen guns has been recovered, according to Easter.&nbsp;

The Sheriff's office has regularly advised the District Attorney’s office on the criminal investigation.&nbsp; They are also working with the District Attorney’s Office to determine the effect this might have on open court cases, whether the cases were charged or not charged.&nbsp; The District Attorney’s Office will notify the defense bar of any cases that will need to be dismissed due to this breach.

Two employees with former Property and Evidence experience are now serving in that capacity again. These employees started a complete audit of evidence. Independent of that audit, the Sheriff’s Office contracted with an outside firm to audit P&amp;E. This audit will continue until all of the current property in evidence is accounted for and all missing property is documented.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590789721040.png" alt="Sheriff Jeff Easter during Friday's news conference" />
 <figcaption>Sheriff Jeff Easter during Friday's news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is&nbsp; the victim of an internal theft at their Property and Evidence storage site, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.&nbsp; An ongoing criminal investigation was initiated and began on February 26.On January 24, 2020, an administrative investigation was initiated on a Property and Evidence Technician.&nbsp; The employee was being investigated for not following proper procedures and policy violations.&nbsp; The employee was then suspended from work on February 3.On February 5, the Property and Evidence Supervisor was reassigned to another function of the Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; On February 26, the investigation turned from an administrative investigation to a criminal investigation.&nbsp; As of February 27, both of the civilian employees are no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office.While conducting our internal audit, evidence was found to be missing.&nbsp; During the audit it was discovered that items set for destruction were missing.&nbsp; The time line stretches of effected cases goes back several years.&nbsp; Several investigative techniques have been utilized during the course of this investigation to give the Sheriff’s Office the best evidence to present for charging with the District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;Since February 26th, the sheriff's office has been trying to identify any and all evidence that has been stolen and auditing evidence that is still in storeage.&nbsp; During this same time frame the criminal investigation has been progressing.&nbsp; Over 50,000 pieces of evidence are stored in Property and Evidence, according to Easter."Currently, we know that approximately $145,000 in money, drugs, seven guns, and power tools were stolen."&nbsp; One of the stolen guns has been recovered, according to Easter.&nbsp;The Sheriff's office has regularly advised the District Attorney’s office on the criminal investigation.&nbsp; They are also working with the District Attorney’s Office to determine the effect this might have on open court cases, whether the cases were charged or not charged.&nbsp; The District Attorney’s Office will notify the defense bar of any cases that will need to be dismissed due to this breach.Two employees with former Property and Evidence experience are now serving in that capacity again. These employees started a complete audit of evidence. Independent of that audit, the Sheriff’s Office contracted with an outside firm to audit P&amp;E. This audit will continue until all of the current property in evidence is accounted for and all missing property is documented.

$145K cash, guns stolen from Kan. sheriff's evidence storage

First responders on the scene Wednesday photo courtesy KMBC

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 37-year-old Kansas City-area man was charged Friday with attempted first-degree murder and eight other felonies after authorities say he randomly fired into traffic on a bridge that connects Kansas and Missouri.

The charges filed in Leavenworth County, Kansas, District Court against Jason Randell Westrem, of Houston City, Missouri, include four counts of firing into an occupied vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child. Two children were passengers in a vehicle that came under fire Wednesday on the Centennial Bridge near Fort Leavenworth.

A soldier stationed at the Army post hit the shooter with his car to stop the firing. One person, also a soldier, was wounded, and the suspect was injured and remains hospitalized, according to Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Thompson declined to comment about the details of the case ahead of court hearings. It was not immediately clear whether Westrem has an attorney.

Leavenworth police officers initially believed they were responding to a road rage incident on the bridge. Instead, they discovered that a man had been using multiple weapons to fire randomly at vehicles.

The soldier who ran over the gunman had been waiting in traffic when he saw what was happening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590616991045.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders on the scene Wednesday photo courtesy KMBCLEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 37-year-old Kansas City-area man was charged Friday with attempted first-degree murder and eight other felonies after authorities say he randomly fired into traffic on a bridge that connects Kansas and Missouri.The charges filed in Leavenworth County, Kansas, District Court against Jason Randell Westrem, of Houston City, Missouri, include four counts of firing into an occupied vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child. Two children were passengers in a vehicle that came under fire Wednesday on the Centennial Bridge near Fort Leavenworth.A soldier stationed at the Army post hit the shooter with his car to stop the firing. One person, also a soldier, was wounded, and the suspect was injured and remains hospitalized, according to Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.Thompson declined to comment about the details of the case ahead of court hearings. It was not immediately clear whether Westrem has an attorney.Leavenworth police officers initially believed they were responding to a road rage incident on the bridge. Instead, they discovered that a man had been using multiple weapons to fire randomly at vehicles.The soldier who ran over the gunman had been waiting in traffic when he saw what was happening.

Man charged with 9 felonies in Kan. bridge shooting

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug charges after a traffic stop in Great Bend.

Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1999 Chevrolet suburban for a traffic infraction in the 1600 block of Patton Road in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

During the course of the stop, Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx was deployed to conduct a sniff around the vehicle. Maxx indicated the presence of the odor of illegal substances in the vehicle and further investigation was conducted.

Upon searching the vehicle, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located inside.

Deputies arrested the driver Brandy Zuege, age 26 Larned, on requsted charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to the Barton County Jail without incident. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590779097758.jpeg" alt="Sheriff's deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Sheriff's deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug charges after a traffic stop in Great Bend.Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1999 Chevrolet suburban for a traffic infraction in the 1600 block of Patton Road in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.During the course of the stop, Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx was deployed to conduct a sniff around the vehicle. Maxx indicated the presence of the odor of illegal substances in the vehicle and further investigation was conducted.Upon searching the vehicle, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located inside.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590779177836.jpeg" alt="Brandy Zuege photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Brandy Zuege photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested the driver Brandy Zuege, age 26 Larned, on requsted charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to the Barton County Jail without incident. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Kan. sheriff's K9 assists in another drug arrest

TOPEKA —Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman will give an update on COVID-19 in Kansas.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 382 to a total of 9719, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 208

TOPEKA —Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman will give an update on COVID-19 in Kansas.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F274937310368681%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>The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 382 to a total of 9719, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 208

🎥  KDHE Secretary on latest coronavirus numbers

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's only abortion clinic will be able to keep operating after a state government administrator decided Friday that the health department was wrong not to renew the license of the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis.

Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi’s decision means Missouri will not become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.

“In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license,” Dandamudi wrote, adding that Planned Parenthood has “substantially complied” with state law.

“Therefore, Planned Parenthood is entitled to renewal of its abortion facility license,” Dandamudi wrote.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the state would ask a court to overturn the decision. A spokesman for the attorney general's office, which is defending the health department's decision in court, said the office was “reviewing the ruling and deciding on next steps.”

An email message seeking comment from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services was not immediately returned. A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said the organization will comment later Friday.

The state health department has been at odds with Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis clinic since March 2019, after an inspection turned up four instances of what the state called “failed abortions.” Planned Parenthood countered that the allegations were a ploy to end abortions in Missouri, a conservative state with a decidedly anti-abortion governor in Republican Mike Parson.

The state refused to renew the clinic's license in June 2019 and Planned Parenthood challenged the effort, leading to an administrative hearing in October.

During the hearing the state’s health director, Dr. Randall Williams, called the problems “imminently fixable,” but it wasn’t clear if the state and Planned Parenthood have since negotiated.

The hearing drew considerable attention after Williams revealed that his agency tracked the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients as part of its oversight of the clinic. Williams testified that an investigator made a spreadsheet at his request that included the dates of patients' last periods. He said the goal was to find women who needed multiple procedures to complete an abortion.

Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, called the move "deeply disturbing."

Wrangling over the license began when an investigator involved in a March 2019 inspection found that a woman had undergone an abortion that took five attempts to complete. William Koebel, director of the section of the health department responsible for abortion clinic licensing, testified that the clinic failed to provide a "complication report."

That led the health department to launch an investigation of other instances where women underwent multiple procedures to complete an abortion, Koebel said.

As part of that investigation, the state obtained the medical records of women who had abortions at the clinic. They found four who required multiple procedures, including one in which the physician apparently missed that a woman was pregnant with twins. The woman underwent two procedures five weeks apart.

Planned Parenthood officials contend the state "cherry-picked" a handful of difficult cases out of thousands of otherwise successful abortions. They have accused the state of using the licensing process as a tool to eliminate abortions.

Missouri is among several states to pass new restrictions on abortions in the hope that the increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court will eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. Parson signed legislation in May banning abortions at or beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest. The law is on hold while a legal challenge plays out in court.

While closing the clinic would have huge symbolic meaning, the practical impact on Missouri women seeking abortions would be minimized by the fact that Planned Parenthood last year built a new abortion clinic just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Another clinic is in Granite City, Illinois, another St. Louis suburb.

Yet another clinic operates in Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb just 2 miles from the state line.

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's only abortion clinic will be able to keep operating after a state government administrator decided Friday that the health department was wrong not to renew the license of the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis.Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi’s decision means Missouri will not become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.“In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license,” Dandamudi wrote, adding that Planned Parenthood has “substantially complied” with state law.“Therefore, Planned Parenthood is entitled to renewal of its abortion facility license,” Dandamudi wrote.It wasn’t immediately clear whether the state would ask a court to overturn the decision. A spokesman for the attorney general's office, which is defending the health department's decision in court, said the office was “reviewing the ruling and deciding on next steps.”An email message seeking comment from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services was not immediately returned. A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said the organization will comment later Friday.The state health department has been at odds with Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis clinic since March 2019, after an inspection turned up four instances of what the state called “failed abortions.” Planned Parenthood countered that the allegations were a ploy to end abortions in Missouri, a conservative state with a decidedly anti-abortion governor in Republican Mike Parson.The state refused to renew the clinic's license in June 2019 and Planned Parenthood challenged the effort, leading to an administrative hearing in October.During the hearing the state’s health director, Dr. Randall Williams, called the problems “imminently fixable,” but it wasn’t clear if the state and Planned Parenthood have since negotiated.The hearing drew considerable attention after Williams revealed that his agency tracked the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients as part of its oversight of the clinic. Williams testified that an investigator made a spreadsheet at his request that included the dates of patients' last periods. He said the goal was to find women who needed multiple procedures to complete an abortion.Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, called the move "deeply disturbing."Wrangling over the license began when an investigator involved in a March 2019 inspection found that a woman had undergone an abortion that took five attempts to complete. William Koebel, director of the section of the health department responsible for abortion clinic licensing, testified that the clinic failed to provide a "complication report."That led the health department to launch an investigation of other instances where women underwent multiple procedures to complete an abortion, Koebel said.As part of that investigation, the state obtained the medical records of women who had abortions at the clinic. They found four who required multiple procedures, including one in which the physician apparently missed that a woman was pregnant with twins. The woman underwent two procedures five weeks apart.Planned Parenthood officials contend the state "cherry-picked" a handful of difficult cases out of thousands of otherwise successful abortions. They have accused the state of using the licensing process as a tool to eliminate abortions.Missouri is among several states to pass new restrictions on abortions in the hope that the increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court will eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. Parson signed legislation in May banning abortions at or beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest. The law is on hold while a legal challenge plays out in court.While closing the clinic would have huge symbolic meaning, the practical impact on Missouri women seeking abortions would be minimized by the fact that Planned Parenthood last year built a new abortion clinic just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Another clinic is in Granite City, Illinois, another St. Louis suburb.Yet another clinic operates in Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb just 2 miles from the state line.___

Ruling: Missouri's last abortion clinic stays open

RILEY COUNTY — the Riley County Police Department Bomb Team and the Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Device Unit cleared the terminal at the Manhattan Regional Airport Friday afternoon. They found nothing suspicious, according to a statement from the RCPD.&nbsp;

They released no additional details just before 1p.m. Friday.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of a reported bomb threat at Manhattan Regional Airport.

The Riley County Bomb Team and Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Response Unit have responded to the airport, according to a media release from police.&nbsp; They are asking the public to avoid the area.

Check the post for additional details as they become available.

RILEY COUNTY — the Riley County Police Department Bomb Team and the Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Device Unit cleared the terminal at the Manhattan Regional Airport Friday afternoon. They found nothing suspicious, according to a statement from the RCPD.&nbsp;They released no additional details just before 1p.m. Friday.---------RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of a reported bomb threat at Manhattan Regional Airport.The Riley County Bomb Team and Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Response Unit have responded to the airport, according to a media release from police.&nbsp; They are asking the public to avoid the area.Check the post for additional details as they become available.