TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has launched a new program to provide short-term, no-interest loans to bars, restaurants, taverns and motels struggling to cover operating expenses because of the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The program announced Friday by Gov. Laura Kelly and state Commerce Secretary David Toland will make up to $5 million in loans. Several communities, including Kansas City-area suburbs, Topeka, and Lawrence, have told businesses to stop allowing dine-in services. 

Kansas Labor Secretary Delia Garcia said the state has received more than 11,000 initial unemployment claims this week, a 524% increase over last week's figure. Kansas has confirmed more than 30 coronavirus cases.&nbsp;

Read the release from the Governor's office below

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans

The Governor first announced that under the state's disaster declaration she issued on March 12th, Kansas has applied for, and expects to receive, disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to supplement small businesses disrupted by the economic fallbacks of COVID-19.

"As Kansans practice social distancing, our restaurants, bars and other event centers will see a decrease in patrons. These loans can be used to help keep Kansas small businesses afloat when they can't obtain credit elsewhere," Kelly said. "During this turbulent time, our affected small business owners need support."

Through the SBA, loans of up to $2 million would be made available to Kansas small businesses in need of assistance. The disaster declaration extends to all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital available for Kansas small businesses across the state.

"SBA's disaster loans are a powerful tool to help our state's small businesses weather this temporary storm," Toland said. "The Department of Commerce is grateful for the SBA's quick action working to make these resources available and for their commitment to keeping Kansas businesses strong."

Once approved, Kansas small businesses can begin applying for disaster loan assistance through the SBA at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdisasterloan.sba.gov%2Fela&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9ff7868a53f64e6b7ea208d7ccea2718%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637203178349647174&amp;sdata=LQFWdRJZw3H%2Bs6SqyymH3%2FAMmMCq9FSpFOS%2BywWcaxE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela</a>. SBA loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private non-profit organizations.

Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund

The Governor also announced during Friday's press conference that her administration has allocated $5 million of state funds to establish the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund to provide short-term, zero-interest loans for Kansas' hospitality sector during the pandemic.

"In an effort to make sure all Kansans come through these difficulties together, we are providing much-needed support to businesses dealing with the earliest impacts of this public health crisis," Kelly said. "There are more than 10,000 hotels, restaurants, bars, event centers and other hospitality establishments in need of our support right now, and we're doing everything we can see them through this severe, but temporary, downturn."

The HIRE Fund offers loans up to $20,000 at 0 percent interest for a term of three years to hospitality businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

"The hospitality industry is experiencing some of the most immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis with businesses being closed to the public all across Kansas," Toland said. "HIRE Fund loans are available to help these businesses meet working capital commitments, such as payroll, utilities, commercial loan payments, inventory expenses and more."

Loan decisions will made within 72 hours of the time an application is submitted, and businesses will receive funds within 48 hours (or the next business day) of an application being approved. The program is administered by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.networkkansas.com%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9ff7868a53f64e6b7ea208d7ccea2718%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637203178349647174&amp;sdata=QBD%2FpChf7QGNt3gw0LTHnAkxD1zWC8b35leJESLrDfM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">NetWork Kansas</a>, a non-profit with a system of small business loan underwriters across 64 Kansas counties.

For more information on the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency fund, visit&nbsp;kansascommerce.gov/HIREfund.

Kansas Department of Labor Updates

García spoke about her agency's role in supporting Kansans during the current health and economic crisis.

"We are doing everything we can to support Kansas workers and employers," García said. "As we navigate these unprecedented times, know the Kansas Department of Labor is here for you – and we are ready to support our fellow Kansans."

To illustrate the gravity of the situation, García said that last week the department received 1,296 unemployment claims. This week, the department has received 11,355 claims – an increase of over 10,000.

&nbsp;"We are in uncharted waters right now, which underscores the importance of us working together," García said. "To serve Kansas workers and employers as efficiently as possible, we are encouraging them to utilize our website --&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.ks.gov%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9ff7868a53f64e6b7ea208d7ccea2718%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637203178349657133&amp;sdata=BvATXnZeQ4OklvsYJxkrtiL6DbOyIFV8Uf70j1nOa2M%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.dol.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;-- as much as possible."

Employers and workers can apply for benefits, file by spreadsheet, find answers to frequently asked questions and utilize additional resources online.

Office of the State Bank Commissioner Updates

Herndon shared updates from his office, dispelled false rumors surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on Kansas banks and discussed how the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help people across the state.

The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates banks chartered by Kansas and non-bank consumer credit providers licensed to do business in Kansas. It conducts safety and soundness examinations, regulatory compliance examinations and information technology/cybersecurity exams as mandated by federal and state laws and regulations.

"Kansas banks are safe and they are sound," Herndon said. "No depositor has ever lost a penny of insured deposits since the FDIC was created in 1933. I urge Kansans to be safe, protect yourself and your funds by leaving them in your account."

Herndon said bankers across the state are assisting Kansans by making new loans, amending terms and conditions to existing loans and otherwise working with borrowers adversely impacted by the pandemic.

"Kansas bankers and the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help through this pandemic, and they are here to assist in any way they can for the duration," Herndon said.

The Governor also thanked Kansas medical professionals, members of the press corps, grocery store and food industry workers, custodial staff, firefighters, police officers, state and local emergency managers, and the 21 state-active duty National guardsmen &amp; women for their hard work.

"I know many of you are working long hours away from your family and that is tough so please know that Kansans all across the state appreciate you and all you are doing," Kelly said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721718380.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Commerce Secretary David Toland during Friday's announcement -image courtesy Kansas Dept. of Commerce" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Commerce Secretary David Toland during Friday's announcement -image courtesy Kansas Dept. of Commerce</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has launched a new program to provide short-term, no-interest loans to bars, restaurants, taverns and motels struggling to cover operating expenses because of the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. The program announced Friday by Gov. Laura Kelly and state Commerce Secretary David Toland will make up to $5 million in loans. Several communities, including Kansas City-area suburbs, Topeka, and Lawrence, have told businesses to stop allowing dine-in services. Kansas Labor Secretary Delia Garcia said the state has received more than 11,000 initial unemployment claims this week, a 524% increase over last week's figure. Kansas has confirmed more than 30 coronavirus cases.&nbsp;Read the release from the Governor's office belowU.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance LoansThe Governor first announced that under the state's disaster declaration she issued on March 12th, Kansas has applied for, and expects to receive, disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to supplement small businesses disrupted by the economic fallbacks of COVID-19."As Kansans practice social distancing, our restaurants, bars and other event centers will see a decrease in patrons. These loans can be used to help keep Kansas small businesses afloat when they can't obtain credit elsewhere," Kelly said. "During this turbulent time, our affected small business owners need support."Through the SBA, loans of up to $2 million would be made available to Kansas small businesses in need of assistance. The disaster declaration extends to all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital available for Kansas small businesses across the state."SBA's disaster loans are a powerful tool to help our state's small businesses weather this temporary storm," Toland said. "The Department of Commerce is grateful for the SBA's quick action working to make these resources available and for their commitment to keeping Kansas businesses strong."Once approved, Kansas small businesses can begin applying for disaster loan assistance through the SBA at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdisasterloan.sba.gov%2Fela&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9ff7868a53f64e6b7ea208d7ccea2718%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637203178349647174&amp;sdata=LQFWdRJZw3H%2Bs6SqyymH3%2FAMmMCq9FSpFOS%2BywWcaxE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela</a>. SBA loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private non-profit organizations.Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) FundThe Governor also announced during Friday's press conference that her administration has allocated $5 million of state funds to establish the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund to provide short-term, zero-interest loans for Kansas' hospitality sector during the pandemic."In an effort to make sure all Kansans come through these difficulties together, we are providing much-needed support to businesses dealing with the earliest impacts of this public health crisis," Kelly said. "There are more than 10,000 hotels, restaurants, bars, event centers and other hospitality establishments in need of our support right now, and we're doing everything we can see them through this severe, but temporary, downturn."The HIRE Fund offers loans up to $20,000 at 0 percent interest for a term of three years to hospitality businesses with fewer than 100 employees."The hospitality industry is experiencing some of the most immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis with businesses being closed to the public all across Kansas," Toland said. "HIRE Fund loans are available to help these businesses meet working capital commitments, such as payroll, utilities, commercial loan payments, inventory expenses and more."Loan decisions will made within 72 hours of the time an application is submitted, and businesses will receive funds within 48 hours (or the next business day) of an application being approved. The program is administered by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.networkkansas.com%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9ff7868a53f64e6b7ea208d7ccea2718%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637203178349647174&amp;sdata=QBD%2FpChf7QGNt3gw0LTHnAkxD1zWC8b35leJESLrDfM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">NetWork Kansas</a>, a non-profit with a system of small business loan underwriters across 64 Kansas counties.For more information on the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency fund, visit&nbsp;kansascommerce.gov/HIREfund.Kansas Department of Labor UpdatesGarcía spoke about her agency's role in supporting Kansans during the current health and economic crisis."We are doing everything we can to support Kansas workers and employers," García said. "As we navigate these unprecedented times, know the Kansas Department of Labor is here for you – and we are ready to support our fellow Kansans."To illustrate the gravity of the situation, García said that last week the department received 1,296 unemployment claims. This week, the department has received 11,355 claims – an increase of over 10,000.&nbsp;"We are in uncharted waters right now, which underscores the importance of us working together," García said. "To serve Kansas workers and employers as efficiently as possible, we are encouraging them to utilize our website --&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.ks.gov%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9ff7868a53f64e6b7ea208d7ccea2718%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637203178349657133&amp;sdata=BvATXnZeQ4OklvsYJxkrtiL6DbOyIFV8Uf70j1nOa2M%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.dol.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;-- as much as possible."Employers and workers can apply for benefits, file by spreadsheet, find answers to frequently asked questions and utilize additional resources online.Office of the State Bank Commissioner UpdatesHerndon shared updates from his office, dispelled false rumors surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on Kansas banks and discussed how the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help people across the state.The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates banks chartered by Kansas and non-bank consumer credit providers licensed to do business in Kansas. It conducts safety and soundness examinations, regulatory compliance examinations and information technology/cybersecurity exams as mandated by federal and state laws and regulations."Kansas banks are safe and they are sound," Herndon said. "No depositor has ever lost a penny of insured deposits since the FDIC was created in 1933. I urge Kansans to be safe, protect yourself and your funds by leaving them in your account."Herndon said bankers across the state are assisting Kansans by making new loans, amending terms and conditions to existing loans and otherwise working with borrowers adversely impacted by the pandemic."Kansas bankers and the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help through this pandemic, and they are here to assist in any way they can for the duration," Herndon said.The Governor also thanked Kansas medical professionals, members of the press corps, grocery store and food industry workers, custodial staff, firefighters, police officers, state and local emergency managers, and the 21 state-active duty National guardsmen &amp; women for their hard work."I know many of you are working long hours away from your family and that is tough so please know that Kansans all across the state appreciate you and all you are doing," Kelly said.

Kansas starts loan program to aid bars, restaurants, motels

MANHATTAN, KAN. – The Riley County Police Department is investigating a murder and have arrested three people.

Just after 10p.m. November 1, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls concerning the sound of a gunshot in the 1400 block of Cambridge Place in Manhattan, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, they found 24-year-old, Tanner Zamecnik, suffering from a gunshot wound and died.

Through detailed investigation officers made the initial arrest of Richard Goens, 29, of Manhattan, within 12 hours of the crime occurring.

Goens is being held on a $1 million bond for First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault x3, and Aggravated Robbery.&nbsp;

On Thursday, police arrested Shamar Sutton, 45, Manhattan, on requested charges of "Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony Aggravated assault; Use of a deadly weapon Aggravated Robbery; Armed w/ dangerous weapon and Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause grt body harm/disfig/death Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied vehicle w great bodily harm," According to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.

On Thursday afternoon, police arrested Jaylon M. Hitsman, 20, Manhattan, and Dylan A. Hitsman, 20, Abilene, on similar charges.

All three are being held on bonds of $250,000, according to the arrest report.

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder in Manhattan and have three in custody.

Just after 11a.m. Thursday police arrested Shamar Sutton, 45, Manhattan, on requested charges of "Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony Aggravated assault; Use of a deadly weapon Aggravated Robbery; Armed w/ dangerous weapon and Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause grt body harm/disfig/death Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied vehicle w great bodily harm," According to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.

Check the post for additional details as they become available.

MANHATTAN, KAN. – The Riley County Police Department is investigating a murder and have arrested three people.Just after 10p.m. November 1, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls concerning the sound of a gunshot in the 1400 block of Cambridge Place in Manhattan, according to a media release.When officers arrived on scene, they found 24-year-old, Tanner Zamecnik, suffering from a gunshot wound and died.Through detailed investigation officers made the initial arrest of Richard Goens, 29, of Manhattan, within 12 hours of the crime occurring.Goens is being held on a $1 million bond for First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault x3, and Aggravated Robbery.&nbsp;On Thursday, police arrested Shamar Sutton, 45, Manhattan, on requested charges of "Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony Aggravated assault; Use of a deadly weapon Aggravated Robbery; Armed w/ dangerous weapon and Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause grt body harm/disfig/death Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied vehicle w great bodily harm," According to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.On Thursday afternoon, police arrested Jaylon M. Hitsman, 20, Manhattan, and Dylan A. Hitsman, 20, Abilene, on similar charges.All three are being held on bonds of $250,000, according to the arrest report.-------RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder in Manhattan and have three in custody.Just after 11a.m. Thursday police arrested Shamar Sutton, 45, Manhattan, on requested charges of "Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony Aggravated assault; Use of a deadly weapon Aggravated Robbery; Armed w/ dangerous weapon and Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause grt body harm/disfig/death Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied vehicle w great bodily harm," According to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.On Thursday afternoon, police arrested Jaylon M. Hitsman, 20, Manhattan, and Dylan A. Hitsman, 20, Abilene, on similar charges.All three are being held on bonds of $250,000, according to the arrest report.Check the post for additional details as they become available.

UPDATE: 3 more jailed for November shooting death in Manhattan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has announced that the deadline for filing U.S. income taxes has been moved from April 15 to July 15.

Mnuchin tweeted Thursday morning that at President Donald Trump' direction, “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.” 

The administration had announced earlier in the week that it would delay the payments, a move that Mnuchin said would leave $300 billion in the economy at a critical time.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has announced that the deadline for filing U.S. income taxes has been moved from April 15 to July 15.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s direction, we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.&mdash; Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevenmnuchin1/status/1241002750483324930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Mnuchin tweeted Thursday morning that at President Donald Trump' direction, “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.” The administration had announced earlier in the week that it would delay the payments, a move that Mnuchin said would leave $300 billion in the economy at a critical time.

Income tax filing deadline moved to July 15 from April 15

Fire crews assisted the mom with the emergency delivery of her baby. Photo&nbsp; courtesy Springfield Fire Chief

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — During a time of panic buying and store closures amid the coronavirus pandemic, one Walmart store in Springfield had some joyful news when a woman gave birth to a baby girl in the store.

Store manager Jessica Hinkle said the woman told employees on Wednesday that her water broke and she was about to go into labor in the toilet paper aisle of the store. The woman's name was not released.

Hinkle held up a sheet for privacy while a labor nurse who happened to be in the store and firefighters helped the woman deliver her baby in just 45 minutes.

"(I'm) not like the best with blood so that was my job, holding the sheet and crowd control making sure that nobody invaded what privacy the poor lady still had," Hinkle said.

Customers encouraged the woman throughout the birth and cheered as she and the baby were taken away to an ambulance.

"You know a feel good moment, everybody's going through so much and with a baby it's like everything comes full circle," Hinkle said.

Hinkle said she contacted the woman Thursday and both mom and baby are doing well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584714386082.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fire crews assisted the mom with the emergency delivery of her baby. Photo&nbsp; courtesy Springfield Fire ChiefSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — During a time of panic buying and store closures amid the coronavirus pandemic, one Walmart store in Springfield had some joyful news when a woman gave birth to a baby girl in the store.Store manager Jessica Hinkle said the woman told employees on Wednesday that her water broke and she was about to go into labor in the toilet paper aisle of the store. The woman's name was not released.Hinkle held up a sheet for privacy while a labor nurse who happened to be in the store and firefighters helped the woman deliver her baby in just 45 minutes."(I'm) not like the best with blood so that was my job, holding the sheet and crowd control making sure that nobody invaded what privacy the poor lady still had," Hinkle said.Customers encouraged the woman throughout the birth and cheered as she and the baby were taken away to an ambulance."You know a feel good moment, everybody's going through so much and with a baby it's like everything comes full circle," Hinkle said.Hinkle said she contacted the woman Thursday and both mom and baby are doing well.

Woman gives birth in toilet paper aisle of Walmart

NEW YORK (AP) — Most Americans who rent their home, many of whom have lost their jobs in the sudden economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak, will not be eligible for eviction protections, despite what President Donald Trump said this week.

Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s plan released Wednesday, foreclosures and evictions would stop for 60 days on single-family homes with loans through the Federal Housing Administration. That would apply to roughly 8 million units, according to HUD. Only FHA homes lived in for at least a year can be rented out.

That’s compared with the roughly 43 million households who rented in 2019, according to the U.S. Census. Roughly half of renters rent their home from an individual investor, while the other half rent from a business or multi-unit property owner. The ones renting from a business will not receive any protections according to HUD’s proposal.

“That’s the problem with (HUD’s proposal). It only impacts a very small amount of people. We need big-scale solutions,” said Andrea Shapiro of the Metropolitan Council on Housing, a New York-based housing advocacy organization.

Furthermore, HUD has no power to protect renters in public housing authorities located across the country. HUD Secretary Ben Carson said this week on Twitter that the agency is working with Congress to get that authority to protect renters in public housing authorities.

“HUD has been in contact with every Public Housing Agency in the country to ensure the millions of low-income Americans we serve continue to have a roof over their head,” Carson said.

The rules are in contrast to comments made by Trump this week, who said renters would get “immediate relief” as part of his administration’s plan.

Housing advocates called the White House’s proposal an “important first step” but said there are limitations to the policy that need to be addressed.

“America’s lowest-income renters were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet before this latest disaster, and people were experiencing homelessness. Congress must implement a national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Renters tend to be more economically vulnerable than their homeowner counterparts. They have generally lower incomes and cannot tap into the equity in their homes as a line of credit in case of an emergency. A disproportionate number of renters are black, Hispanic and other minorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584212056629.png" alt="President Trump during the March 14th Coronavirus Task force media briefing -White House courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during the March 14th Coronavirus Task force media briefing -White House courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Most Americans who rent their home, many of whom have lost their jobs in the sudden economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak, will not be eligible for eviction protections, despite what President Donald Trump said this week.Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s plan released Wednesday, foreclosures and evictions would stop for 60 days on single-family homes with loans through the Federal Housing Administration. That would apply to roughly 8 million units, according to HUD. Only FHA homes lived in for at least a year can be rented out.That’s compared with the roughly 43 million households who rented in 2019, according to the U.S. Census. Roughly half of renters rent their home from an individual investor, while the other half rent from a business or multi-unit property owner. The ones renting from a business will not receive any protections according to HUD’s proposal.“That’s the problem with (HUD’s proposal). It only impacts a very small amount of people. We need big-scale solutions,” said Andrea Shapiro of the Metropolitan Council on Housing, a New York-based housing advocacy organization.Furthermore, HUD has no power to protect renters in public housing authorities located across the country. HUD Secretary Ben Carson said this week on Twitter that the agency is working with Congress to get that authority to protect renters in public housing authorities.“HUD has been in contact with every Public Housing Agency in the country to ensure the millions of low-income Americans we serve continue to have a roof over their head,” Carson said.The rules are in contrast to comments made by Trump this week, who said renters would get “immediate relief” as part of his administration’s plan.Housing advocates called the White House’s proposal an “important first step” but said there are limitations to the policy that need to be addressed.“America’s lowest-income renters were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet before this latest disaster, and people were experiencing homelessness. Congress must implement a national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.Renters tend to be more economically vulnerable than their homeowner counterparts. They have generally lower incomes and cannot tap into the equity in their homes as a line of credit in case of an emergency. A disproportionate number of renters are black, Hispanic and other minorities.

Most renters will not receive protections under virus relief proposal

TOPEKA - Governor Kelly’s administration recently received assistance from The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, designed to help newly elected governors and their
 staff assess their juvenile and adult criminal justice systems and identify strategic goals that align with the administration’s vision for public safety.


One of the areas identified for improvement was expanding workforce development projects in Kansas correctional facilities, where the Department of Corrections partners with
 private businesses to train and employ people who are incarcerated. 

Governor Kelly visited Kansas companies to learn more about these private-public partnerships and meet face to face with the people participating in these programs.

“As I talk with business leaders around the state, one thing I hear consistently is that we have a workforce shortage in Kansas,” Kelly said.

 “By partnering with businesses
 to train incarcerated people in needed skills, we can both help those businesses get the workers they need, and help people who are released to have a stable, good-paying job – which will reduce recidivism rates and improve public safety. It’s a win-win.”

Governor Kelly’s visit to these local businesses was captured as part of the CSG Justice Center’s Face to Face initiative, which encourages elected officials to interact with
 people who are closest to the corrections system and learn from their stories. 

With support from Arnold Ventures, the CSG Justice Center partnered with the National Governors Associations Center for Best Practices, the Correctional Leaders Association,
 and the National Criminal Justice Association to assess the state’s systemic problems and create a plan to achieve broad criminal justice reform.

In addition to Governor Kelly’s participation in the New Governors Project, she appointed several members to the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission, which addresses
 systemic problems in the criminal justice system and makes suggestions to help ease prison crowding and reduce recidivism rates. These key areas of focus were identified through the work with the CSG Justice Center and other partners.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583867322806.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OFFICE OF GOV.TOPEKA - Governor Kelly’s administration recently received assistance from The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, designed to help newly elected governors and their
 staff assess their juvenile and adult criminal justice systems and identify strategic goals that align with the administration’s vision for public safety.
One of the areas identified for improvement was expanding workforce development projects in Kansas correctional facilities, where the Department of Corrections partners with
 private businesses to train and employ people who are incarcerated. Governor Kelly visited Kansas companies to learn more about these private-public partnerships and meet face to face with the people participating in these programs.“As I talk with business leaders around the state, one thing I hear consistently is that we have a workforce shortage in Kansas,” Kelly said. “By partnering with businesses
 to train incarcerated people in needed skills, we can both help those businesses get the workers they need, and help people who are released to have a stable, good-paying job – which will reduce recidivism rates and improve public safety. It’s a win-win.”Governor Kelly’s visit to these local businesses was captured as part of the CSG Justice Center’s Face to Face initiative, which encourages elected officials to interact with
 people who are closest to the corrections system and learn from their stories. <figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nisxbo_JWTw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With support from Arnold Ventures, the CSG Justice Center partnered with the National Governors Associations Center for Best Practices, the Correctional Leaders Association,
 and the National Criminal Justice Association to assess the state’s systemic problems and create a plan to achieve broad criminal justice reform.In addition to Governor Kelly’s participation in the New Governors Project, she appointed several members to the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission, which addresses
 systemic problems in the criminal justice system and makes suggestions to help ease prison crowding and reduce recidivism rates. These key areas of focus were identified through the work with the CSG Justice Center and other partners.

🎥 Kelly administration partners with national groups to assess criminal justice reform

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers on Thursday extended a state of emergency prompted by the coronavirus crisis after making sure it gave the GOP-controlled Legislature oversight over the actions of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

The Senate voted 39-0 and the House 115-0 to approve a resolution to extend the state of emergency until May 1 and to allow legislative leaders to extend it further every 30 days. Kelly declared a state of emergency last week, and without the resolution, it would have expired March 27.

But the resolution also requires legislative leaders to review all of Kelly’s executive orders and allows them to overturn many of them within days. It also prohibits Kelly from having guns and ammunition seized or blocking their sale.

<a href="https://apnews.com/e00183e7d2aad19b4044930f1cfd1f4c">Conservative Republicans were upset</a>&nbsp;with an order from Kelly to close K-12 schools for the rest of the spring semester and wanted to block her from using sweeping gubernatorial powers granted to deal with short-term disasters. But Democrats said going as far as they wanted could prevent Kelly from setting up quarantine zones or taking other essential actions.

Democrats said requiring legislative leaders’ oversight is workable, though they were frustrated that conservatives moved to curb Kelly’s power.

“I just think we’ve complicated things too much, but at this particular time, we need to pass this and go on about our business,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat.

Kelly’s approval wasn’t necessary for the resolution to take effect, but the governor on Thursday signed three other bills approved by lawmakers to deal with the new coronavirus. The new laws give jobless workers an additional 10 weeks of unemployment benefits, allow the courts to delay deadlines for trials and filing lawsuits and make it easier to waive a requirement for public schools to provide 186 days of in-person instruction for most schools.

At least 34 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Kansas, according to the state health department. The state has had one COVID-19-related death.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.

Separately Thursday, Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson said state standardized tests will be cancelled this year because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus, unless something changes “dramatically.”

A Kansas education task force has rolled out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Publications/Continuous%20Learning%20Task%20Force%20Guidance.pdf?ver=2020-03-19-102225-707" target="_blank">guidelines</a>&nbsp;to help school districts, teachers and parents navigate remote learning.

Also Thursday, Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids announced that she’s self-quarantining after she came into contact with another member of Congress who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Davids said in a statement that she’s following guidance from Congress’ attending physician and working from home until March 26 “out of an abundance of caution.” She said she doesn’t have symptoms.

“We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of this virus, and that means self-quarantining when appropriate,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584656638878.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly during a Monday news conference in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly during a Monday news conference in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers on Thursday extended a state of emergency prompted by the coronavirus crisis after making sure it gave the GOP-controlled Legislature oversight over the actions of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.The Senate voted 39-0 and the House 115-0 to approve a resolution to extend the state of emergency until May 1 and to allow legislative leaders to extend it further every 30 days. Kelly declared a state of emergency last week, and without the resolution, it would have expired March 27.But the resolution also requires legislative leaders to review all of Kelly’s executive orders and allows them to overturn many of them within days. It also prohibits Kelly from having guns and ammunition seized or blocking their sale.<a href="https://apnews.com/e00183e7d2aad19b4044930f1cfd1f4c">Conservative Republicans were upset</a>&nbsp;with an order from Kelly to close K-12 schools for the rest of the spring semester and wanted to block her from using sweeping gubernatorial powers granted to deal with short-term disasters. But Democrats said going as far as they wanted could prevent Kelly from setting up quarantine zones or taking other essential actions.Democrats said requiring legislative leaders’ oversight is workable, though they were frustrated that conservatives moved to curb Kelly’s power.“I just think we’ve complicated things too much, but at this particular time, we need to pass this and go on about our business,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat.Kelly’s approval wasn’t necessary for the resolution to take effect, but the governor on Thursday signed three other bills approved by lawmakers to deal with the new coronavirus. The new laws give jobless workers an additional 10 weeks of unemployment benefits, allow the courts to delay deadlines for trials and filing lawsuits and make it easier to waive a requirement for public schools to provide 186 days of in-person instruction for most schools.At least 34 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Kansas, according to the state health department. The state has had one COVID-19-related death.For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.Separately Thursday, Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson said state standardized tests will be cancelled this year because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus, unless something changes “dramatically.”A Kansas education task force has rolled out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Publications/Continuous%20Learning%20Task%20Force%20Guidance.pdf?ver=2020-03-19-102225-707" target="_blank">guidelines</a>&nbsp;to help school districts, teachers and parents navigate remote learning.Also Thursday, Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids announced that she’s self-quarantining after she came into contact with another member of Congress who tested positive for the coronavirus.Davids said in a statement that she’s following guidance from Congress’ attending physician and working from home until March 26 “out of an abundance of caution.” She said she doesn’t have symptoms.“We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of this virus, and that means self-quarantining when appropriate,” she said.___

GOP Kansas lawmakers curb Democrat Kelly's emergency powers

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities investigating the shooting death of a man in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Wichita are asking the public to come forward with information in the case.

Just after 5:30 a.m. March 11, police were dispatched to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 7100 block of W. Shade Lane, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.&nbsp; Upon arrival, they located&nbsp; 35-year-old Laramie&nbsp; Miller in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police have developed several leads through eyewitness interviews and area surveillance video, and investigators are piecing to the case together. However, detectives are still requesting the community’s assistance to help solve the crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584647203019.png" alt="35-year-old<a href="http://www.milesfuneralservice.com/obituary/laramie-miller"> Laramie Miller</a> -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>35-year-old<a href="http://www.milesfuneralservice.com/obituary/laramie-miller"> Laramie Miller</a> -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities investigating the shooting death of a man in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Wichita are asking the public to come forward with information in the case.Just after 5:30 a.m. March 11, police were dispatched to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 7100 block of W. Shade Lane, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.&nbsp; Upon arrival, they located&nbsp; 35-year-old Laramie&nbsp; Miller in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a hospital where he died from his injuries.Police have developed several leads through eyewitness interviews and area surveillance video, and investigators are piecing to the case together. However, detectives are still requesting the community’s assistance to help solve the crime.---------

Police ask for help with information in Kan. apartment complex shooting

SACRAMENTO (AP) –&nbsp;California’s 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday,</a> warning that the coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system.

<a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/img/Executive-Order-N-33-20.pdf">Click here to read the Governor’s executive order</a>

<a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/">Click here to learn more about the order.</a>

Watch a replay of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">announcement here.</a>

The move, the most sweeping by any state so far, was an exclamation point at the end of a week of increasingly aggressive moves meant to keep the virus in check by forcing people to stay away from each other as often as possible.

“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said at an evening news conference streamed on social media.

He assured residents that they “can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog.” Restaurant meals can still be delivered to homes.

The announcement came after the release of a letter to President Donald Trump where Newsom warned the virus was spreading quickly and eventually could infect more than half the state’s population. A spokesman later clarified that the figure did not take into account the aggressive mitigation efforts that have been made.

The governor said he doesn’t expect police will be needed to enforce his stay-at-home order, saying “social pressure” already has led to social distancing throughout the state.

“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate,” he said.

The Democrat who is barely a year into his first term also called up 500 National Guard troops to help distribute food. The move comes after panic buying led to massive lines at some grocery stores.

Newsom also outlined a series of steps aimed at providing more space for hospital patients.

He said the state has taken over a 357-bed bankrupt hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area, soon will announce the purchase of a similarly sized hospital in Southern California and may use dormitories at the state’s public colleges and universities. He also asked Trump to dock the Navy’s 1,000-patient Mercy hospital ship in the Port of Los Angeles.

The coronavirus is spread through sneezes and coughs. There are at least 1,030 confirmed cases in California and 18 people have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Newsom’s statewide order came after counties and communities covering about half the state’s population already had issued similar edicts. He said the restriction is “open-ended” because it could raise false hopes if he included an end date.

However, he did offer a glimmer by saying he didn’t expect it would last “many, many months.”

Just before Newsom’s statewide declaration, Los Angeles announced what officials there called a “Safer at Home” order that carried the same restrictions.

“We’re about to enter into a new way of living here in Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “What we do and how we do it and if we get this right will determine how long this crisis lasts.”

In the letter to Trump seeking the hospital ship, Newsom said California’s infection rates are doubling every four days in some areas and that 56% of the state’s population could contract the virus in the next eight weeks, which would be more than 22 million people. He later said the “overwhelming majority won’t have symptoms” and will be fine but that up to 20% could be hospitalized.

“If we meet this moment we can truly bend the curve” of escalating cases, Newsom said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. It can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some people, especially older adults and those with existing health problems.

Most people recover — those with mild illness in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks, according to the World Health Organization.

Also Thursday, Newsom asked U.S. House and Senate leaders for $1 billion to support state and local health systems. He said that money would be needed to do things like set up state-run and mobile hospitals, housing options to help people socially distance and testing and treatment for people without health insurance.

He also asked for assistance so the state can extend unemployment benefits beyond the usual 26-week limit, expand food assistance programs, resources for the homeless and tribal communities and boost childcare programs. He further asked for assistance for schools, aid to local and state budgets and transportation relief.

“While California has prudently built a sizable Rainy Day Fund over the past ten years, the economic effects of this emergency are certain to mean that the state and its 58 counties will struggle to maintain essential programs and services,” he wrote.

Newsom earlier announced $150 million of a $1 billion emergency state appropriation would go toward getting homeless people off the streets. He has estimated up to 60,000 of the state’s homeless could get infected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584698975131.png" alt="California Governor Newsome during Thursday's announcement" />
 <figcaption>California Governor Newsome during Thursday's announcement</figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO (AP) –&nbsp;California’s 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday,</a> warning that the coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system.<a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/img/Executive-Order-N-33-20.pdf">Click here to read the Governor’s executive order</a><a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/">Click here to learn more about the order.</a>Watch a replay of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">announcement here.</a>The move, the most sweeping by any state so far, was an exclamation point at the end of a week of increasingly aggressive moves meant to keep the virus in check by forcing people to stay away from each other as often as possible.“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said at an evening news conference streamed on social media.He assured residents that they “can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog.” Restaurant meals can still be delivered to homes.The announcement came after the release of a letter to President Donald Trump where Newsom warned the virus was spreading quickly and eventually could infect more than half the state’s population. A spokesman later clarified that the figure did not take into account the aggressive mitigation efforts that have been made.The governor said he doesn’t expect police will be needed to enforce his stay-at-home order, saying “social pressure” already has led to social distancing throughout the state.“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate,” he said.The Democrat who is barely a year into his first term also called up 500 National Guard troops to help distribute food. The move comes after panic buying led to massive lines at some grocery stores.Newsom also outlined a series of steps aimed at providing more space for hospital patients.He said the state has taken over a 357-bed bankrupt hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area, soon will announce the purchase of a similarly sized hospital in Southern California and may use dormitories at the state’s public colleges and universities. He also asked Trump to dock the Navy’s 1,000-patient Mercy hospital ship in the Port of Los Angeles.The coronavirus is spread through sneezes and coughs. There are at least 1,030 confirmed cases in California and 18 people have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.Newsom’s statewide order came after counties and communities covering about half the state’s population already had issued similar edicts. He said the restriction is “open-ended” because it could raise false hopes if he included an end date.However, he did offer a glimmer by saying he didn’t expect it would last “many, many months.”Just before Newsom’s statewide declaration, Los Angeles announced what officials there called a “Safer at Home” order that carried the same restrictions.“We’re about to enter into a new way of living here in Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “What we do and how we do it and if we get this right will determine how long this crisis lasts.”In the letter to Trump seeking the hospital ship, Newsom said California’s infection rates are doubling every four days in some areas and that 56% of the state’s population could contract the virus in the next eight weeks, which would be more than 22 million people. He later said the “overwhelming majority won’t have symptoms” and will be fine but that up to 20% could be hospitalized.“If we meet this moment we can truly bend the curve” of escalating cases, Newsom said.For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. It can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some people, especially older adults and those with existing health problems.Most people recover — those with mild illness in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks, according to the World Health Organization.Also Thursday, Newsom asked U.S. House and Senate leaders for $1 billion to support state and local health systems. He said that money would be needed to do things like set up state-run and mobile hospitals, housing options to help people socially distance and testing and treatment for people without health insurance.He also asked for assistance so the state can extend unemployment benefits beyond the usual 26-week limit, expand food assistance programs, resources for the homeless and tribal communities and boost childcare programs. He further asked for assistance for schools, aid to local and state budgets and transportation relief.“While California has prudently built a sizable Rainy Day Fund over the past ten years, the economic effects of this emergency are certain to mean that the state and its 58 counties will struggle to maintain essential programs and services,” he wrote.Newsom earlier announced $150 million of a $1 billion emergency state appropriation would go toward getting homeless people off the streets. He has estimated up to 60,000 of the state’s homeless could get infected.___

Governor orders 40 million in California to stay-at-home 

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man has been sentenced for the sexual assault and beatings of several children. 

Eric McFadden, 38 of Wichita, was sentenced Wednesday by District Judge Eric Williams to three consecutive life sentences plus 86 months, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

In April of 2018, a 13 year old boy walked to the Patrol North Substation to report his mother’s boyfriend was abusing his siblings. The boy was the oldest of nine children who were taken into protective custody. Police later discovered McFadden sexually abused two of the young girls in the family and beat them all with belts and extension cords if they took his snacks or “acted up.”

In February, a jury found McFadden guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one count of rape, and five counts of abuse of a child.

The earliest McFadden would be eligible for parole is after he’s served 82 years in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584628164701.png" alt="McFadden photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>McFadden photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man has been sentenced for the sexual assault and beatings of several children. Eric McFadden, 38 of Wichita, was sentenced Wednesday by District Judge Eric Williams to three consecutive life sentences plus 86 months, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.In April of 2018, a 13 year old boy walked to the Patrol North Substation to report his mother’s boyfriend was abusing his siblings. The boy was the oldest of nine children who were taken into protective custody. Police later discovered McFadden sexually abused two of the young girls in the family and beat them all with belts and extension cords if they took his snacks or “acted up.”In February, a jury found McFadden guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one count of rape, and five counts of abuse of a child.The earliest McFadden would be eligible for parole is after he’s served 82 years in prison.

Kan. man sentenced for sex assault, beating girlfriend's children 

TOPEKA -&nbsp;By statute, the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is granted discretionary powers in the interest of public health and welfare. On Thursday, Debbi Beavers, Director of the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, sent guidance notices to alcoholic beverage distributors and liquor stores concerning COVID-19, according to a media release from the agency.

A memo to state liquor licensees outlined a provision made to allow curbside sales to customers. There must be a designated "to-go" parking area located within 50 feet of the entrance of licensed premises. Sales outside of that radius are strictly prohibited.

The guidance also extends current law that allows restaurants to package alcoholic beverages with a tamper-resistant seal and accompanied with a receipt. This will allow bottles of beer and wine in the original container to be sold curbside along with meals.

This memo to liquor licensees can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf</a>)

A separate memo to alcoholic beverage distributors said alcoholic liquor purchased for an event that is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns may be returned without the Director's approval and not be considered in violation of Federal law regarding consignment sales.

The memo also does not require a direct signature for delivery by distributors. Instead, distributors are required to print the first and last name of the delivery recipient and make their own initials next to the recipient's name.

The memo to distributors can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf</a>)

The Division has taken a proactive approach and is in the process of extending all liquor licenses that expire now through April 30, 2020, for an additional 30 days to ensure licenses do not expire during this time.

TOPEKA -&nbsp;By statute, the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is granted discretionary powers in the interest of public health and welfare. On Thursday, Debbi Beavers, Director of the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, sent guidance notices to alcoholic beverage distributors and liquor stores concerning COVID-19, according to a media release from the agency.A memo to state liquor licensees outlined a provision made to allow curbside sales to customers. There must be a designated "to-go" parking area located within 50 feet of the entrance of licensed premises. Sales outside of that radius are strictly prohibited.The guidance also extends current law that allows restaurants to package alcoholic beverages with a tamper-resistant seal and accompanied with a receipt. This will allow bottles of beer and wine in the original container to be sold curbside along with meals.This memo to liquor licensees can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf</a>)A separate memo to alcoholic beverage distributors said alcoholic liquor purchased for an event that is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns may be returned without the Director's approval and not be considered in violation of Federal law regarding consignment sales.The memo also does not require a direct signature for delivery by distributors. Instead, distributors are required to print the first and last name of the delivery recipient and make their own initials next to the recipient's name.The memo to distributors can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf</a>)The Division has taken a proactive approach and is in the process of extending all liquor licenses that expire now through April 30, 2020, for an additional 30 days to ensure licenses do not expire during this time.

Kansas will allow booze "to-go" during coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump focused attention on possible treatments for the new coronavirus on Thursday, citing potential use of a drug long used to treat malaria and some other approaches still in testing.

At a White House news conference, Trump and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn cited the malaria drug chloroquine, along with remdesivir, an experimental antiviral from Gilead Sciences, and possibly using plasma from survivors of COVID-19, the disease the new virus causes.

Those treatments are among several being tested that might ease symptoms but do not stop the virus from spreading.

Also on Thursday, Swiss drugmaker Roche said it was working with the U.S. government to start a study of Actemra, a drug used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions, against the coronavirus.

"We're looking at drugs that are already approved for other indications" as a potential bridge or stopgap, Hahn said, while also doing rigorous studies to see if the drugs truly make a difference versus usual care, and if they are safe when used for a new purpose.

“We want to make sure this is done well and right,” he said.

No drug is specifically approved now for treating COVID-19.

Chloroquine and a similar drug — hydroxychloroquine, sold as Plaquenil by French drugmaker Sanofi and in generic form — are available now and can be used off-label in the United States. They may interfere with the coronavirus being able to enter cells, and some scientists have reported possible encouraging signs in test-tube and other small studies.

German drugmaker Bayer has said it would donate 3 million tablets of its chloroquine drug, Resochin, for use against coronavirus. That drug was never approved in the U.S., so Bayer is working with federal agencies to get an emergency-use authorization.

Chloroquine and remdesivir are among the drugs the World Health Organization said would be tried in a five-part international study announced Wednesday.

Already approved drugs are tempting for doctors to use off label, but formal studies are needed to see if they truly work for a new purpose or disease, said Dr. Ross McKinney Jr., chief scientific officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges, which represents about 400 major teaching hospitals across the country.

Chloroquine may look promising in a test tube, but “I'm skeptical it will be effective” in patients, he said Thursday in a call with reporters.

Remdesivir interferes with virus reproduction and has shown some promise in lab and animal studies against other coronaviruses that cause similar diseases, MERS and SARS.

It's being tested in at least five separate experiments, and Gilead also has given it to several hundred severely ill patients in the U.S, Europe and Japan under "compassionate use" provisions. That includes three of the first dozen COVID-19 patients in the United States. They recovered, but it's impossible to know whether they would have anyway without the drug.

On a podcast Wednesday with a medical journal editor, the National Institutes of Health's Dr. Anthony Fauci said China had enrolled several hundred people in its two remdesivir studies but is having trouble recruiting more because many patients just want the drug and are unwilling to take a chance on being randomly assigned to a comparison group that just gets usual care.

It would be great if an independent monitoring board could look at results so far and see if there are signs of safety or effectiveness, Fauci said.

"We desperately need the data" on this and other drugs being tested in rigorous scientific studies, Fauci said. "We've got to be able to determine if they work and if they're safe."

Apart from the studies in China, Fauci's agency is running a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.click2houston.com/health/2020/03/19/trump-focuses-attention-on-possible-coronavirus-treatments/NIH%20remdesivir%20trial:%20https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04280705">study</a>&nbsp;of remdesivir that aims to recruit 400 patients in the U.S. and elsewhere. That study is "adaptive," meaning it will allow scientists to add other drugs under the same testing umbrella as time goes on. Gilead also has said it will do two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19">studies</a>&nbsp;testing remdesivir treatment for five or 10 days in about 1,000 hospitalized patients primarily in Asia.

Remdesivir "does look like it could be promising," said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In animal tests, it was "quite effective at preventing infection" and reducing severity of illness and damage to the lungs when given early enough in the course of illness, he said.

"It interferes with the enzyme that reproduces the genetic material of the virus" and acts at an earlier step than protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir, which are used now to treat HIV and also are being tested against the new coronavirus, Kuritzkes explained.

The HIV drugs gave disappointing results, failing to shorten illness in a study of 199 severely ill hospitalized patients in China, scientists from that country reported Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Some other studies testing the HIV drug combo are still underway.

The Roche drug, Actemra, is used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions. It targets interleukin-6, which plays a role in inflammation. Roche's U.S. subsidiary, Genentech, said Thursday that it was working with the FDA to start a 330-patient study on hospitalized COVID-19 patients in April.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals says it will lanch a study of Kevzara, its rheumatoid arthritis drug that also targets interleukin-6, against the coronavirus.

A Japanese company, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, says tests suggest its drug favipiravir, used to treat the flu in Japan, shows promise against the coronavirus, though no large studies of that have been published yet.

Other companies are developing monoclonal antibodies, proteins that specifically fight the coronavirus. Antibodies or combinations of them were tried against Ebola, and doctors think a similar approach may help against the new virus.

Finally, some doctors have urged collecting plasma from people who have survived COVID-19, because they should have made natural antibodies to the virus that could be given to people to help their immune systems fight it off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584633255238.png" alt="FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn during Thursday's Coronavirus task force media" />
 <figcaption>FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn during Thursday's Coronavirus task force media</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump focused attention on possible treatments for the new coronavirus on Thursday, citing potential use of a drug long used to treat malaria and some other approaches still in testing.At a White House news conference, Trump and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn cited the malaria drug chloroquine, along with remdesivir, an experimental antiviral from Gilead Sciences, and possibly using plasma from survivors of COVID-19, the disease the new virus causes.Those treatments are among several being tested that might ease symptoms but do not stop the virus from spreading.Also on Thursday, Swiss drugmaker Roche said it was working with the U.S. government to start a study of Actemra, a drug used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions, against the coronavirus."We're looking at drugs that are already approved for other indications" as a potential bridge or stopgap, Hahn said, while also doing rigorous studies to see if the drugs truly make a difference versus usual care, and if they are safe when used for a new purpose.“We want to make sure this is done well and right,” he said.No drug is specifically approved now for treating COVID-19.Chloroquine and a similar drug — hydroxychloroquine, sold as Plaquenil by French drugmaker Sanofi and in generic form — are available now and can be used off-label in the United States. They may interfere with the coronavirus being able to enter cells, and some scientists have reported possible encouraging signs in test-tube and other small studies.German drugmaker Bayer has said it would donate 3 million tablets of its chloroquine drug, Resochin, for use against coronavirus. That drug was never approved in the U.S., so Bayer is working with federal agencies to get an emergency-use authorization.Chloroquine and remdesivir are among the drugs the World Health Organization said would be tried in a five-part international study announced Wednesday.Already approved drugs are tempting for doctors to use off label, but formal studies are needed to see if they truly work for a new purpose or disease, said Dr. Ross McKinney Jr., chief scientific officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges, which represents about 400 major teaching hospitals across the country.Chloroquine may look promising in a test tube, but “I'm skeptical it will be effective” in patients, he said Thursday in a call with reporters.Remdesivir interferes with virus reproduction and has shown some promise in lab and animal studies against other coronaviruses that cause similar diseases, MERS and SARS.It's being tested in at least five separate experiments, and Gilead also has given it to several hundred severely ill patients in the U.S, Europe and Japan under "compassionate use" provisions. That includes three of the first dozen COVID-19 patients in the United States. They recovered, but it's impossible to know whether they would have anyway without the drug.On a podcast Wednesday with a medical journal editor, the National Institutes of Health's Dr. Anthony Fauci said China had enrolled several hundred people in its two remdesivir studies but is having trouble recruiting more because many patients just want the drug and are unwilling to take a chance on being randomly assigned to a comparison group that just gets usual care.It would be great if an independent monitoring board could look at results so far and see if there are signs of safety or effectiveness, Fauci said."We desperately need the data" on this and other drugs being tested in rigorous scientific studies, Fauci said. "We've got to be able to determine if they work and if they're safe."Apart from the studies in China, Fauci's agency is running a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.click2houston.com/health/2020/03/19/trump-focuses-attention-on-possible-coronavirus-treatments/NIH%20remdesivir%20trial:%20https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04280705">study</a>&nbsp;of remdesivir that aims to recruit 400 patients in the U.S. and elsewhere. That study is "adaptive," meaning it will allow scientists to add other drugs under the same testing umbrella as time goes on. Gilead also has said it will do two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19">studies</a>&nbsp;testing remdesivir treatment for five or 10 days in about 1,000 hospitalized patients primarily in Asia.Remdesivir "does look like it could be promising," said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In animal tests, it was "quite effective at preventing infection" and reducing severity of illness and damage to the lungs when given early enough in the course of illness, he said."It interferes with the enzyme that reproduces the genetic material of the virus" and acts at an earlier step than protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir, which are used now to treat HIV and also are being tested against the new coronavirus, Kuritzkes explained.The HIV drugs gave disappointing results, failing to shorten illness in a study of 199 severely ill hospitalized patients in China, scientists from that country reported Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.Some other studies testing the HIV drug combo are still underway.The Roche drug, Actemra, is used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions. It targets interleukin-6, which plays a role in inflammation. Roche's U.S. subsidiary, Genentech, said Thursday that it was working with the FDA to start a 330-patient study on hospitalized COVID-19 patients in April.Regeneron Pharmaceuticals says it will lanch a study of Kevzara, its rheumatoid arthritis drug that also targets interleukin-6, against the coronavirus.A Japanese company, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, says tests suggest its drug favipiravir, used to treat the flu in Japan, shows promise against the coronavirus, though no large studies of that have been published yet.Other companies are developing monoclonal antibodies, proteins that specifically fight the coronavirus. Antibodies or combinations of them were tried against Ebola, and doctors think a similar approach may help against the new virus.Finally, some doctors have urged collecting plasma from people who have survived COVID-19, because they should have made natural antibodies to the virus that could be given to people to help their immune systems fight it off.___

Trump focuses attention on possible coronavirus treatments

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Trump administration has upgraded its already dire warning to Americans against all international travel as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.

The State Department on Thursday issued a new alert urging Americans not to travel abroad under any circumstances and to return home if they are already abroad unless they plan to remain overseas.

“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19,” it said in the new advice. “In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.”

Until the upgrade, the department's advice to U.S. citizens was to “reconsider” all international travel under what is known as a “level three” alert. The global “level four” warning was unprecedented as such alerts are generally reserved for specific countries embroiled in conflict, natural disasters or where Americans face specific risks.

However, the upgrade will likely have little practical effect because it is not mandatory and there are now limited transportation options for international travel. The only way to ban Americans from going abroad would be to invalidate the use of U.S. passports for such travel, a bar that is currently in place only for North Korea.

In addition, the main impact of State Department travel alerts is to cause insurance companies to increase premiums or cancel travel policies for group and individual tours, many of which had been scrapped even before the alert was raised to level three earlier this week.

The department has already advised Americans that many U.S. embassies and consulates abroad are operating with reduced staff and hours due to the COVID-19 outbreak and that services for Americans in need of assistance are limited.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584650381811.png" alt="Kansas City International Airport" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City International Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Trump administration has upgraded its already dire warning to Americans against all international travel as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.The State Department on Thursday issued a new alert urging Americans not to travel abroad under any circumstances and to return home if they are already abroad unless they plan to remain overseas.“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19,” it said in the new advice. “In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.”Until the upgrade, the department's advice to U.S. citizens was to “reconsider” all international travel under what is known as a “level three” alert. The global “level four” warning was unprecedented as such alerts are generally reserved for specific countries embroiled in conflict, natural disasters or where Americans face specific risks.However, the upgrade will likely have little practical effect because it is not mandatory and there are now limited transportation options for international travel. The only way to ban Americans from going abroad would be to invalidate the use of U.S. passports for such travel, a bar that is currently in place only for North Korea.In addition, the main impact of State Department travel alerts is to cause insurance companies to increase premiums or cancel travel policies for group and individual tours, many of which had been scrapped even before the alert was raised to level three earlier this week.The department has already advised Americans that many U.S. embassies and consulates abroad are operating with reduced staff and hours due to the COVID-19 outbreak and that services for Americans in need of assistance are limited.

US warns Americans against all overseas travel

BY NOMIN UJIYEDIIN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-prisons-and-jails-cut-visits-and-ramp-cleaning-ward-coronavirus#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Kansas’ prisons and many of its 
county jails have suspended in-person visits indefinitely to keep down 
the risk of coronavirus spreading among inmates. The only exception is 
lawyers, who will be allowed to visit their clients.

Correctional
 facilities’ close quarters and lower health care quality means there’s a
 higher likelihood of COVID-19 virus spreading, though state and county 
facilities say they are doing what they can to keep things clean — 
asking for frequent hand washing, wiping down transport vehicles and 
phones and frequently scrubbing prison dining halls and gathering 
spaces.

As of Thursday, there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in correctional facilities in Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Corrections explained in memos to <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/visitation-information-for-inmates" target="_blank">inmates</a> and <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/visitation-information-for-families" target="_blank">family members</a>
 why visits are suspended. Spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said inmates will 
be allowed two 15-minute phone calls and three 30-minute video calls a 
week free of charge.

“Shutting off visitation isn’t ideal,” she 
said. “We want families and folks within the community to be able to 
stay in touch with their loved ones.”

Some county jails in 
Kansas, including Johnson, Geary and Riley, say they have also suspended
 visits, with the exception of legal representation. Riley County Jail, 
in Manhattan, reduced its charge for video visits to 25 cents a minute.

Illnesses
 spread easily in prison, said Dr. Homer Venters, president of Community
 Oriented Correctional Health Services and former chief medical officer 
for New York City jails. And disrupting visits can make things worse for
 people who are incarcerated.

“If they’re cut off from their 
families, it really promotes a lot of fear and anxiety,” he said. 
“Anxiety and chaos can really stand in the way of just the day-to-day 
operating of the facilities.”

Prison
 health care systems are generally cut off from community health 
networks, which can make it harder to access care. Plus, access to soap 
and working sinks is not always guaranteed, Venters said.

To 
reduce harm, he said correctional facilities should identify inmates who
 are vulnerable due to age or other medical conditions.

“It’s 
still very easy to lose track of the people who have pre-existing risk 
factors for death if they develop symptoms," he said. "Those people need
 very close surveillance."

Witte detailed the state’s plan to 
handle inmates who may test positive for COVID-19: They’ll be given 
medication to reduce pain and fever and will be isolated from the rest 
of the population in a designated quarantine area. If symptoms become 
severe, Witte said, they will be transported to a local hospital. The 
department did not provide the number of ventilators in its prisons.

State
 prison staff are cleaning high-traffic areas like dining halls more 
frequently, she said. The department is also considering increasing the 
frequency of laundry service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584622502448.png" alt=" As of Thursday, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Kansas prisons or jails. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> As of Thursday, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Kansas prisons or jails. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>BY NOMIN UJIYEDIIN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-prisons-and-jails-cut-visits-and-ramp-cleaning-ward-coronavirus#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE, Kansas — Kansas’ prisons and many of its 
county jails have suspended in-person visits indefinitely to keep down 
the risk of coronavirus spreading among inmates. The only exception is 
lawyers, who will be allowed to visit their clients.Correctional
 facilities’ close quarters and lower health care quality means there’s a
 higher likelihood of COVID-19 virus spreading, though state and county 
facilities say they are doing what they can to keep things clean — 
asking for frequent hand washing, wiping down transport vehicles and 
phones and frequently scrubbing prison dining halls and gathering 
spaces.As of Thursday, there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in correctional facilities in Kansas.The Kansas Department of Corrections explained in memos to <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/visitation-information-for-inmates" target="_blank">inmates</a> and <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/visitation-information-for-families" target="_blank">family members</a>
 why visits are suspended. Spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said inmates will 
be allowed two 15-minute phone calls and three 30-minute video calls a 
week free of charge.“Shutting off visitation isn’t ideal,” she 
said. “We want families and folks within the community to be able to 
stay in touch with their loved ones.”Some county jails in 
Kansas, including Johnson, Geary and Riley, say they have also suspended
 visits, with the exception of legal representation. Riley County Jail, 
in Manhattan, reduced its charge for video visits to 25 cents a minute.Illnesses
 spread easily in prison, said Dr. Homer Venters, president of Community
 Oriented Correctional Health Services and former chief medical officer 
for New York City jails. And disrupting visits can make things worse for
 people who are incarcerated.“If they’re cut off from their 
families, it really promotes a lot of fear and anxiety,” he said. 
“Anxiety and chaos can really stand in the way of just the day-to-day 
operating of the facilities.”<h2>Health care plans</h2>Prison
 health care systems are generally cut off from community health 
networks, which can make it harder to access care. Plus, access to soap 
and working sinks is not always guaranteed, Venters said.To 
reduce harm, he said correctional facilities should identify inmates who
 are vulnerable due to age or other medical conditions.“It’s 
still very easy to lose track of the people who have pre-existing risk 
factors for death if they develop symptoms," he said. "Those people need
 very close surveillance."Witte detailed the state’s plan to 
handle inmates who may test positive for COVID-19: They’ll be given 
medication to reduce pain and fever and will be isolated from the rest 
of the population in a designated quarantine area. If symptoms become 
severe, Witte said, they will be transported to a local hospital. The 
department did not provide the number of ventilators in its prisons.State
 prison staff are cleaning high-traffic areas like dining halls more 
frequently, she said. The department is also considering increasing the 
frequency of laundry service.The memos to prisoners also 
describe the symptoms of coronavirus and ways to prevent it, including 
“proper hand-washing techniques” and not touching one’s face.Yvonne
 Stevenson-Powell, who is serving a sentence in the Topeka Correctional 
Facility, said she feels the prison is taking the necessary precautions,
 but is concerned that there may not be enough cleaning supplies.“We
 as an inner community have learned to watch the news and live 
accordingly in this environment,” she told the Kansas News Service in an
 email. “I believe that proper cleaning is our only issue.”Tyrone
 Baker, incarcerated in the Lansing Correctional Facility, said he 
received two emails from the corrections department explaining the 
virus. He also told the Kansas News Service in an email that staff in a 
unit that houses elderly and other medically vulnerable people have been
 cleaning door handles and rails more frequently.Many people get
 sick at the Lansing prison, he said, but not everyone receives 
treatment. And of course, it’s impossible to know if anyone has COVID-19
 without tests.“Prisoners are told it is the flu or cold,” he 
said. “But some have symptoms that are clearly food poisoning, while 
others have symptoms that include shortness of breath.”In the Johnson County jail, which holds about 1,200 people, information about the virus has been posted for inmates.“Basically
 all the information that’s being put out daily to the general public, 
we are putting it into the modules as well,” Canaan said. “They do have 
access to television where they can watch the news and stay up to date.”The
 jail is also sanitizing its transport vehicles and increasing how often
 they clean frequently touched surfaces like phones and door handles, 
Canaan said.The Geary County jail has a capacity of more than 
170. A nurse stops by daily to take people’s temperature and staff have 
spoken to inmates about the virus, spokesman David Gilbert said.“I
 know they’ve talked about hygiene, as far as that’s concerned,” he 
said. “I don’t know that they’ve had the actual discussion with them yet
 as far as symptoms.”He added that inmates who get sick will be put into isolation.Riley
 County’s 147-bed facility is not releasing its plans for inmates who 
get sick due to safety reasons, according to Hali Rowland, public 
information officer for the Riley County Police Department. But the 
janitorial staff is sanitizing areas more frequently, she said, and 
inmates have been informed of handwashing procedures.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584622588995.png" alt=" Correctional staff are the most likely to possibly bring the new coronavirus into facilities, according to Dr. Homer Venters. Credit Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Correctional staff are the most likely to possibly bring the new coronavirus into facilities, according to Dr. Homer Venters. Credit Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Staffing plans</h2>Suspending visits and cleaning
 can reduce harm, Venters said, but, ultimately, it’s the staff members 
who enter and leave every day most at risk of bringing COVID-19 to a 
prison or jail.Kansas prison employees are being told to stay 
home if they’re sick or if they’ve traveled to a place with a high 
number of COVID-19 cases, Witte said. Staff are also allowed to switch 
shifts if they need to stay home to take care of children, who will be 
at home <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/every-school-kid-kansas-was-just-told-stay-home-until-fall-because-coronavirus" target="_blank">the rest of the school year</a>.The
 department acknowledged that staff may need to work overtime and double
 shifts if enough employees are out sick. Last year, chronic <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/i-don-t-want-be-poor-all-my-life-kansas-prison-staff-face-low-pay-and-long-hours#stream/0" target="_blank">understaffing issues</a> resulted in many corrections officers working 16-hour days for weeks on end.Contingency
 plans for short staffing will be different for each prison, Witte said,
 adding: “We’ll be keeping a close eye on staffing as this unfolds.”The
 Johnson County jail is screening people during intake. Canaan also said
 many employees of the sheriff’s office are cross trained to work in the
 jail and can step in if the jail is short staffed due to employee 
illness.Smaller jails in the state, however, did not provide 
details about contingency plans for a shortage of staff. Gilbert in 
Geary County said he wasn’t sure what plans were in place if a large 
number of staff got sick. Riley County is sending home employees who are
 sick.It’s important for prisons and jails to communicate and 
implement their plans in a way that the people inside can understand, 
Venters said, rather than just trying to make themselves look good to 
the public.“People... who are incarcerated are not getting good 
information,” he said. “They’re generally the last people to be 
considered.”Nomin Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and 
social welfare for KCUR and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her 
on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.