PAWNEE COUNTY – A Pawnee County jury found Roy Gene Hill, 59 of Osage, Kansas guilty of a child sex crime during a trial Thursday, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The jury heard testimony that the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call on February 10, 2019, at approximately 5 a.m. to respond to a possible sexual assault of a minor at a residence in Garfield, Kansas. 

Once at the residence the responding officers were advised by the owners that their 13 year old granddaughter had been awaken in her bedroom at approximately 3 a.m. by a man touching her inappropriately. 

The girl told the officers that she recognized the assailant as being her grandparent’s house guest.

The teenager testified at trial that after the assault occurred she was too scared to leave her room as she would have to pass the defendant to get to her grandmother’s room. 

Hill had been staying on the family’s couch for several weeks. She attempted to call and text her grandmother serval times, but her grandmother did not wake up for over an hour. Hill was arrested at the scene without incident. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the follow-up investigation.

The jury made up of 7 men and 5 women deliberated for approximately one hour Thursday afternoon before returning Guilty verdict of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child Under the Age of 14. The defense argued law enforcement rushed to judgment and conducted an insufficient investigation.

Hill previously entered a No Contest plea on December 16, 2021, to Count 2 in the case to a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender with the Pawnee County Sheriff.

Under the Kansas Offender Registration Act, offenders are required to notify the local sheriff if they remain in a County for more than 3 days. At the time, Hill was subject to life-time registration due to a previous Aggravated Indecent Liberties conviction for an incident in Neosho County in 2002. 

Pursuant to a pretrial order, the Jury was not informed of Hill’s prior sex conviction, nor his duty to register.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.. The defendant has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since February 10, 2019. Based on his prior sex offense, Hill now faces a mandatory 40 year under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642114839130.png" alt="Hill-photo Ford Co." />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Ford Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY – A Pawnee County jury found Roy Gene Hill, 59 of Osage, Kansas guilty of a child sex crime during a trial Thursday, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The jury heard testimony that the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call on February 10, 2019, at approximately 5 a.m. to respond to a possible sexual assault of a minor at a residence in Garfield, Kansas. Once at the residence the responding officers were advised by the owners that their 13 year old granddaughter had been awaken in her bedroom at approximately 3 a.m. by a man touching her inappropriately. The girl told the officers that she recognized the assailant as being her grandparent’s house guest.The teenager testified at trial that after the assault occurred she was too scared to leave her room as she would have to pass the defendant to get to her grandmother’s room. Hill had been staying on the family’s couch for several weeks. She attempted to call and text her grandmother serval times, but her grandmother did not wake up for over an hour. Hill was arrested at the scene without incident. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the follow-up investigation.The jury made up of 7 men and 5 women deliberated for approximately one hour Thursday afternoon before returning Guilty verdict of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child Under the Age of 14. The defense argued law enforcement rushed to judgment and conducted an insufficient investigation.Hill previously entered a No Contest plea on December 16, 2021, to Count 2 in the case to a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender with the Pawnee County Sheriff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642115281720.png" alt="Hill-photo Kan. Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Kan. Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>Under the Kansas Offender Registration Act, offenders are required to notify the local sheriff if they remain in a County for more than 3 days. At the time, Hill was subject to life-time registration due to a previous Aggravated Indecent Liberties conviction for an incident in Neosho County in 2002. Pursuant to a pretrial order, the Jury was not informed of Hill’s prior sex conviction, nor his duty to register.Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.. The defendant has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since February 10, 2019. Based on his prior sex offense, Hill now faces a mandatory 40 year under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions, according to McNett.

Kan. sex offender faces 40-years in prison for another child sex crime

JUNCTION CITY — A 29-year-old Fort Riley Soldier was injured in an accidental, self-inflicted shooting, according to&nbsp;Junction City Police Chief John Lamb.

The incident occurred just before 10:30p.m. Thursday&nbsp; in the soldier's vehicle in front of his residence on Cypress Street in Junction City. The soldier is recovering at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Police have not released the soldier's name.

JUNCTION CITY — A 29-year-old Fort Riley Soldier was injured in an accidental, self-inflicted shooting, according to&nbsp;Junction City Police Chief John Lamb.The incident occurred just before 10:30p.m. Thursday&nbsp; in the soldier's vehicle in front of his residence on Cypress Street in Junction City. The soldier is recovering at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.Police have not released the soldier's name.

Fort Riley soldier injured in accidental shooting

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been arrested after hundreds of pigs died at his farm last month after they went without adequate food and were kept in conditions so cold that some of their ears froze off.

Black Hawk County sheriff’s deputies arrested the 38-year-old&nbsp;Nolan Otto Dewall on Monday on one count of livestock neglect, a misdemeanor.

Dewall had been hired to raise 2,500 baby pigs until they reached around 280 pounds, according to court records. The animals were delivered to his farm in rural Cedar Falls in late December with 15 tons of feed.

By Dec. 30, a consultant found that 800 of the pigs had died and that the animals didn’t have ready access to water and some didn’t have access to food. The consultant also found temperatures inside the barns was found to be under 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), when freshly weened hogs need temperatures around 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit to survive, court records state.

Authorities removed the remaining pigs from the farm to another facility, 51 pigs perished during the move and another 60 died in the following days, records state. The hogs died of malnutrition and dehydration, a state veterinarian determined.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been arrested after hundreds of pigs died at his farm last month after they went without adequate food and were kept in conditions so cold that some of their ears froze off.Black Hawk County sheriff’s deputies arrested the 38-year-old&nbsp;Nolan Otto Dewall on Monday on one count of livestock neglect, a misdemeanor.Dewall had been hired to raise 2,500 baby pigs until they reached around 280 pounds, according to court records. The animals were delivered to his farm in rural Cedar Falls in late December with 15 tons of feed.By Dec. 30, a consultant found that 800 of the pigs had died and that the animals didn’t have ready access to water and some didn’t have access to food. The consultant also found temperatures inside the barns was found to be under 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), when freshly weened hogs need temperatures around 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit to survive, court records state.Authorities removed the remaining pigs from the farm to another facility, 51 pigs perished during the move and another 60 died in the following days, records state. The hogs died of malnutrition and dehydration, a state veterinarian determined.

Man arrested after hundreds of pigs die from neglect

KANSAS CITY (AP) — One person is dead following a shooting Friday night on an Amtrak train that was stopped at a Missouri station, police said.

Police in Independence, Missouri, were called around 9:15 p.m. to the Amtrak station where they found a person who had been shot while the train had been stopped earlier at the Lee's Summit station, said Sgt. Chris Depue, a spokesman for the Lee’s Summit Police Department. Police are looking for the suspected shooter who is believed to have fled in Lee's Summit, he said.

The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article257355812.html">reports</a>&nbsp;the train traveled north to Independence where life-saving efforts were attempted before the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim's name is being withheld until the family is notified.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642418691221.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — One person is dead following a shooting Friday night on an Amtrak train that was stopped at a Missouri station, police said.Police in Independence, Missouri, were called around 9:15 p.m. to the Amtrak station where they found a person who had been shot while the train had been stopped earlier at the Lee's Summit station, said Sgt. Chris Depue, a spokesman for the Lee’s Summit Police Department. Police are looking for the suspected shooter who is believed to have fled in Lee's Summit, he said.The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article257355812.html">reports</a>&nbsp;the train traveled north to Independence where life-saving efforts were attempted before the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.The victim's name is being withheld until the family is notified.

Police: 1 dead after shooting on Amtrak train near Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY —Three people were injured in a Saturday house fire in Olathe.

Just after 8a.m., fire crews responded to the fire at a home at 1030 North Clinton Street near Kansas 7 and Harold Street, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department.

 When firefighters arrived they were met with significant fire conditions. Due to many on-scene conditions, a second alarm was ordered.

EMS transported three residents to an area hospital in stable condition. Authorities have not reported cause of the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642280389984.png" alt="photo courtesy Olathe Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Olathe Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Three people were injured in a Saturday house fire in Olathe.Just after 8a.m., fire crews responded to the fire at a home at 1030 North Clinton Street near Kansas 7 and Harold Street, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department. When firefighters arrived they were met with significant fire conditions. Due to many on-scene conditions, a second alarm was ordered.EMS transported three residents to an area hospital in stable condition. Authorities have not reported cause of the fire.

3 hospitalized after 2-alarm fire at Kansas home

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A state board that oversees doctors has suspended the medical license of a Wichita physician, alleging that he wrote prescriptions for people he hadn’t spoken to or examined. 

The suspension order says that Chad Sharp’s employer had unlicensed employees call people last year and ask if if they were suffering from “chronic ailments.”

 These calls were recorded and then sent to Sharp, who was paid for each person whose information he reviewed. The order states that he then would prescribe a cream or ointment that was billed to the person’s insurance.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A state board that oversees doctors has suspended the medical license of a Wichita physician, alleging that he wrote prescriptions for people he hadn’t spoken to or examined. The suspension order says that Chad Sharp’s employer had unlicensed employees call people last year and ask if if they were suffering from “chronic ailments.” These calls were recorded and then sent to Sharp, who was paid for each person whose information he reviewed. The order states that he then would prescribe a cream or ointment that was billed to the person’s insurance.

License suspended for Kan. doctor over prescribing issues

By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — When Barton Community College started athletics in 1969, there were six
programs offered. An addition to the main athletic complex on campus, the Kirkman
Center, was made in 1995 and there were 13 sports. Currently, the junior
college offers 22 sports and houses over 370 student athletes. 

Barton Athletic
Director Trevor Rolfs said watching the growth of the department has been
great, but not much new construction has taken place since 1995 despite the
growth. 
"This place is really busy," said Rolfs. "Not only have we outgrown 
these facilities, the facilities are aging in certain areas. It's a good
 thing that we're growing, but the facility cramping is starting to rear
 its ugly head."

Rolfs gave an example of all officials dressing 
in one room. There are more and more women officials, creating a need 
for a separate space. 
Rolfs, with support from Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman, presented his first
sales pitch to the Barton Community College Board of Trustees Tuesday on future
plans he would like accomplished on campus.

Centering on the Kirkman Center, the
renovations and construction would come in phases, with the first phase costing
$14.2 million. Rolfs highlighted relocating the training room to a bigger space,
constructing a new weight room, more locker rooms, coach’s offices, new
bleachers and a better display of the college’s hall of fame members.

"Barton athletics is in a good place," said Rolfs. "We've managed 
with the facilities we have and continued to be successful. I don't 
think we get hurt on recruiting because of our name and history, but 
more people are committing dollars to facilities and I don't want to see
 Barton fall behind." 
Rolfs also told trustees during the tour there is a need for improvement to the
track facility and a press box at the softball complex. In another phase, there
are ideas for a new $11 million gym.

Barton also hosted the Kansas
 State High School Activities Association Class 1A-DII girls and boys 
state basketball tournaments this past spring. To properly showcase the 
facility to fans from around the state and provide adequate room for the
 teams, more locker rooms are needed.

The way the Kirkman Center was constructed in 1969, there is no air conditioning to the lower level. There is heat only. 
While the athletic department has done work to gather potential donors, the
trustees were told to expect a formal pitch requesting funding in the future.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642269769911.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College Board of Trustees received a tour of some of the sports facilities on campus Jan. 11." />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College Board of Trustees received a tour of some of the sports facilities on campus Jan. 11.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — When Barton Community College started athletics in 1969, there were six
programs offered. An addition to the main athletic complex on campus, the Kirkman
Center, was made in 1995 and there were 13 sports. Currently, the junior
college offers 22 sports and houses over 370 student athletes. Barton Athletic
Director Trevor Rolfs said watching the growth of the department has been
great, but not much new construction has taken place since 1995 despite the
growth. 
"This place is really busy," said Rolfs. "Not only have we outgrown 
these facilities, the facilities are aging in certain areas. It's a good
 thing that we're growing, but the facility cramping is starting to rear
 its ugly head."Rolfs gave an example of all officials dressing 
in one room. There are more and more women officials, creating a need 
for a separate space. 
Rolfs, with support from Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman, presented his first
sales pitch to the Barton Community College Board of Trustees Tuesday on future
plans he would like accomplished on campus. Centering on the Kirkman Center, the
renovations and construction would come in phases, with the first phase costing
$14.2 million. Rolfs highlighted relocating the training room to a bigger space,
constructing a new weight room, more locker rooms, coach’s offices, new
bleachers and a better display of the college’s hall of fame members.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642269818558.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Barton athletics is in a good place," said Rolfs. "We've managed 
with the facilities we have and continued to be successful. I don't 
think we get hurt on recruiting because of our name and history, but 
more people are committing dollars to facilities and I don't want to see
 Barton fall behind." 
Rolfs also told trustees during the tour there is a need for improvement to the
track facility and a press box at the softball complex. In another phase, there
are ideas for a new $11 million gym.Barton also hosted the Kansas
 State High School Activities Association Class 1A-DII girls and boys 
state basketball tournaments this past spring. To properly showcase the 
facility to fans from around the state and provide adequate room for the
 teams, more locker rooms are needed.The way the Kirkman Center was constructed in 1969, there is no air conditioning to the lower level. There is heat only. 
While the athletic department has done work to gather potential donors, the
trustees were told to expect a formal pitch requesting funding in the future.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Barton athletic facilities ‘bulging at the seams’

Geary County Sheriff Dan Jackson has confirmed that a COVID-19 outbreak was identified Friday in the county jail. A number of inmates complained of symptoms. "So we got with our nursing staff up there and we started testing people. We ended up with nine inmates positive in two pods ( combined ),&nbsp; and at that point we had already made contact with the Health Department and they said well just stop testing right now. You're really just wasting your tests because we're pretty certain that it's spread throughout the jail."

Jackson said the Sheriff's Department has stopped all extraditions, is not releasing any prisoners to any other counties and is not picking any prisoners up. "Kind of trying to hold what we've got inside the jail right now."

Jackson noted that the Department has never stopped having COVID protocols in place but the new variant is super-easy to catch. "On Tuesday the Health Department will be coming out and they'll test every single inmate as well as all of the staff, all of the corrections officers, all the Deputies and all the admin staff. We'll all get tested and then we'll have a baseline of where we're at, at that point, and then we'll just go from there."

Symptoms experienced by inmates have ranged from a head cold to a mild fever. Jackson said they'll be provided all medical care that is required.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostGeary County Sheriff Dan Jackson has confirmed that a COVID-19 outbreak was identified Friday in the county jail. A number of inmates complained of symptoms. "So we got with our nursing staff up there and we started testing people. We ended up with nine inmates positive in two pods ( combined ),&nbsp; and at that point we had already made contact with the Health Department and they said well just stop testing right now. You're really just wasting your tests because we're pretty certain that it's spread throughout the jail."Jackson said the Sheriff's Department has stopped all extraditions, is not releasing any prisoners to any other counties and is not picking any prisoners up. "Kind of trying to hold what we've got inside the jail right now."Jackson noted that the Department has never stopped having COVID protocols in place but the new variant is super-easy to catch. "On Tuesday the Health Department will be coming out and they'll test every single inmate as well as all of the staff, all of the corrections officers, all the Deputies and all the admin staff. We'll all get tested and then we'll have a baseline of where we're at, at that point, and then we'll just go from there."Symptoms experienced by inmates have ranged from a head cold to a mild fever. Jackson said they'll be provided all medical care that is required.

Sheriff: COVID-19 outbreak at Geary County Jail

KANSAS CITY (AP) —For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

Many large corporations were silent on Thursday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">ruling by the high court&nbsp;</a>to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.

Target’s response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and “how it will impact our team and business.”

The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.

In legal terms, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.

The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the court’s decision “a significant victory for employers.” It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it “would interfere with individuals’ private health care decisions.”

Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, “the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.”

But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.

Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are “common sense.” He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.

“If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach,” Simons said.

Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.

Ford Motor Co. said it was “encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated.” The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.

Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.

“This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves,” said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington University’s School of Public Health.

For their part,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-police-oregon-coronavirus-pandemic-workers-rights-05ff3bd3325fb47f90061b1cc8e339a1">labor unions had been divided all along&nbsp;</a>about Biden’s attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.

The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision won’t change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.

Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.

Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firm’s health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and “you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.”

United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.

United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because “it was the right thing to do for safety.”

Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.

“I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they don’t want to implement something if they don’t have to,” said Christopher Slottee, a commercial law attorney in Anchorage, Alaska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642266101298.png" alt="Entrance to a Target store in northeast Kansas -google image" />
 <figcaption>Entrance to a Target store in northeast Kansas -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.Many large corporations were silent on Thursday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">ruling by the high court&nbsp;</a>to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.Target’s response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and “how it will impact our team and business.”The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.In legal terms, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the court’s decision “a significant victory for employers.” It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it “would interfere with individuals’ private health care decisions.”Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, “the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.”But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are “common sense.” He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.“If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach,” Simons said.Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.Ford Motor Co. said it was “encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated.” The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.“This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves,” said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington University’s School of Public Health.For their part,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-police-oregon-coronavirus-pandemic-workers-rights-05ff3bd3325fb47f90061b1cc8e339a1">labor unions had been divided all along&nbsp;</a>about Biden’s attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision won’t change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firm’s health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and “you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.”United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because “it was the right thing to do for safety.”Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.“I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they don’t want to implement something if they don’t have to,” said Christopher Slottee, a commercial law attorney in Anchorage, Alaska.___

Businesses react to ruling against Biden vaccine mandate

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Mack Lee, 39, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp;The suspicious death will now be investigated as a Homicide.

Just after 10a.m. Friday, police&nbsp;responded to a home in the 600 Block SW Lincoln in Topeka on a call for service reference checking the welfare of an individual. 

Upon arrival, officers located Lee who was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene. The Topeka Police Department Homicide Unit is reviewing all investigative leads and evidence, according to Monasmith.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642252476017.png" alt="The suspicious death is not being investigated as a homicide-photo courtesy&nbsp; WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>The suspicious death is not being investigated as a homicide-photo courtesy&nbsp; WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Mack Lee, 39, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp;The suspicious death will now be investigated as a Homicide.Just after 10a.m. Friday, police&nbsp;responded to a home in the 600 Block SW Lincoln in Topeka on a call for service reference checking the welfare of an individual. Upon arrival, officers located Lee who was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene. The Topeka Police Department Homicide Unit is reviewing all investigative leads and evidence, according to Monasmith.

Police: Suspicious death at Kan. home now a homicide investigation 

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH AND JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Nursing homes are facing COVID-19 outbreaks, schools are closing and hospitals in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City area are seeing so many deaths that they are raising alarms about morgue capacity.

The problems come as Kansas yet again shattered its record for new confirmed and probable cases. The state reported an average of 7,887 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday — nearly triple what had been the biggest peak in November 2020, according to state health department data.

While the omicron variant is less deadly, hospitalizations are approaching the previous high from December 2020, new state data shows.

The rise in cases, combined with a surge of staff absences, has hospitals across a large swath of the state halting elective procedures. And hospitals in the Kansas City area are now talking to the medical examiner and county health officials about how to handle the excessive death. Already they have sought help tracking down more ventilators.

“They are running out of morgue capacity,” said. Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the health department in Johnson County, the state’s most populous county. “It does not take being an expert in public health to know that things are pretty bad."

The county has been looking for new testing sites and expanding hours at exiting ones. The positivity rate now tops 30%.

“Quite frankly the numbers we are getting in are exceeding all capacity at all levels," said Dr. Elizabeth Holzschuh, director of epidemiology at the county's Department of Health and Environment.

She noted that since the beginning of the year, nearly 30 county residents have died of COVID-19, with the vast majority of them unvaccinated. Nursing homes in the county also are hard hit with cases, said Areola.

“Virtually all of them have outbreaks going on," he said, adding, “The good news is because of the high vaccination rate and the high rates of booster uptake we haven’t seen very high levels of hospitalizations and death, at least not yet in that group. So our message continues to be get vaccinated, get boosted.”

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly told reporters that she believes Kansas should rethink restrictions on remote learning in public schools enacted last year, but top Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature are so far standing behind the policy.

Her comments come as a growing number of schools closed, including Eudora, Desoto, Manhattan-Ogden, Bonner Springs and El Dorado. Many cited staffing shortages, which are so severe that the state announced this week that substitute teachers in Kansas will not be required to have college credit hours.

Meanwhile, Kansas City, Kansas, schools warned parents to start preparing for school closures and said buses would be 15 to 20 minutes late Friday because of staff shortages. And the Olathe district, which is the state’s second-largest, is about 65 staff absences away from having to cancel school, warned Superintendent Brent Yeager.

“We all know the best place for our kids to be is right in our schools so we will continue to work hard and make that the case,” Yeager said at the district’s board meeting on Thursday.

The Wichita district, which is the state’s largest with about 47,000 students, issued a similar warning that closures were possible earlier this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634925184239.jpg" alt="Photo University of Kansas Health System" />
 <figcaption>Photo University of Kansas Health System</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH AND JOHN HANNA, Associated PressMISSION, Kan. (AP) — Nursing homes are facing COVID-19 outbreaks, schools are closing and hospitals in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City area are seeing so many deaths that they are raising alarms about morgue capacity.The problems come as Kansas yet again shattered its record for new confirmed and probable cases. The state reported an average of 7,887 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday — nearly triple what had been the biggest peak in November 2020, according to state health department data.While the omicron variant is less deadly, hospitalizations are approaching the previous high from December 2020, new state data shows.The rise in cases, combined with a surge of staff absences, has hospitals across a large swath of the state halting elective procedures. And hospitals in the Kansas City area are now talking to the medical examiner and county health officials about how to handle the excessive death. Already they have sought help tracking down more ventilators.“They are running out of morgue capacity,” said. Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the health department in Johnson County, the state’s most populous county. “It does not take being an expert in public health to know that things are pretty bad."The county has been looking for new testing sites and expanding hours at exiting ones. The positivity rate now tops 30%.“Quite frankly the numbers we are getting in are exceeding all capacity at all levels," said Dr. Elizabeth Holzschuh, director of epidemiology at the county's Department of Health and Environment.She noted that since the beginning of the year, nearly 30 county residents have died of COVID-19, with the vast majority of them unvaccinated. Nursing homes in the county also are hard hit with cases, said Areola.“Virtually all of them have outbreaks going on," he said, adding, “The good news is because of the high vaccination rate and the high rates of booster uptake we haven’t seen very high levels of hospitalizations and death, at least not yet in that group. So our message continues to be get vaccinated, get boosted.”Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly told reporters that she believes Kansas should rethink restrictions on remote learning in public schools enacted last year, but top Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature are so far standing behind the policy.Her comments come as a growing number of schools closed, including Eudora, Desoto, Manhattan-Ogden, Bonner Springs and El Dorado. Many cited staffing shortages, which are so severe that the state announced this week that substitute teachers in Kansas will not be required to have college credit hours.Meanwhile, Kansas City, Kansas, schools warned parents to start preparing for school closures and said buses would be 15 to 20 minutes late Friday because of staff shortages. And the Olathe district, which is the state’s second-largest, is about 65 staff absences away from having to cancel school, warned Superintendent Brent Yeager.“We all know the best place for our kids to be is right in our schools so we will continue to work hard and make that the case,” Yeager said at the district’s board meeting on Thursday.The Wichita district, which is the state’s largest with about 47,000 students, issued a similar warning that closures were possible earlier this week.

Hospitals raise morgue capacity concerns, schools close

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle was found dead in a Kansas federal prison where he was being held on charges of illegal firearms possession, a prison official said. 

Saousoalii Siavii Jr., 43, was found unresponsive at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth on Thursday afternoon, U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Anna Armijo said in a statement, The Kansas City Star reported. 

Siavii was treated by prison staff and taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The prison did not release additional details about Siavii’s death. 

From American Samoa, the former Oregon lineman was drafted by Kansas City in the second round in 2004 and spent two seasons with the Chiefs. He played for Dallas in 2009 and Seattle in 2010.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566905218558.png" alt="Saousoalii Siavii, Jr. booking photo from a previous arrest by Independence, Missouri Police" />
 <figcaption>Saousoalii Siavii, Jr. booking photo from a previous arrest by Independence, Missouri Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle was found dead in a Kansas federal prison where he was being held on charges of illegal firearms possession, a prison official said. Saousoalii Siavii Jr., 43, was found unresponsive at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth on Thursday afternoon, U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Anna Armijo said in a statement, The Kansas City Star reported. Siavii was treated by prison staff and taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The prison did not release additional details about Siavii’s death. From American Samoa, the former Oregon lineman was drafted by Kansas City in the second round in 2004 and spent two seasons with the Chiefs. He played for Dallas in 2009 and Seattle in 2010.

Former Kansas City Chief found dead in federal prison

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged drug distribution.

Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Volvo G60 for a traffic infraction near 126th and U.S. 75 Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 Further investigation into the traffic stop led to the arrest of the back seat passenger, Tony Eugene Stith, 58, of Wichita. Stith was arrested and is being held in the Jackson County Jail for distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of mushrooms and LSD, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.&nbsp; He has previous convictions that include destroying evidence in a felony case, aggravated failure to appear and for drugs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642107055923.png" alt="Stith-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Stith-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged drug distribution.Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Volvo G60 for a traffic infraction near 126th and U.S. 75 Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. Further investigation into the traffic stop led to the arrest of the back seat passenger, Tony Eugene Stith, 58, of Wichita. Stith was arrested and is being held in the Jackson County Jail for distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of mushrooms and LSD, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.&nbsp; He has previous convictions that include destroying evidence in a felony case, aggravated failure to appear and for drugs.

Sheriff: Kansas felon back in jail accused of drug distribution

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Roger Marshall on Friday obtained Dr. Anthony Fauci’s previously unpublished financial disclosures from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to a statement from Marshall's office.

According to Marshall, the NIH released the documents to Senator Marshall after a HELP hearing earlier this week where Dr. Fauci misled the American people and said, “My financial disclosures are public knowledge, and have been so.&nbsp;It is totally accessible to you, if you want it. To the public.” Since the disclosures were not public, on Wednesday, Senator Marshall sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Letter-Requesting-Fauci-Financial-Disclosure-1.12.21.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to Dr. Fauci formally requesting his un-redacted financial disclosures by 5:00pm Friday, January 14th.

In response, Dr. Fauci produced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Anthony-Fauci-Financial-Disclosures-for-2020-and-2019.pdf" target="_blank">these</a>&nbsp;previously unpublished documents.

“Dr. Fauci lied to the American people. He is more concerned with being a media star and posing for the cover of magazines than he is being honest with the American people and holding China accountable for the COVID pandemic that has taken the lives of almost 850 thousand Americans,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.

 “Just like he has misled the American people about sending taxpayers dollars to Wuhan, China to fund gain-of-function research, about masks, testing, and more, Dr. Fauci was completely dishonest about his financial disclosures being open to the public – it’s no wonder he is the least trusted bureaucrat in America. 

At the end of the day, Dr. Fauci must be held accountable to all Americans who have been suing and requesting for this information but don’t have the power of a Senate office to ask for it. For these reasons, I will be introducing the FAUCI Act so financial disclosures like these are made public and are easily accessible online to every American.”

You may click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Anthony-Fauci-Financial-Disclosures-for-2020-and-2019.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the previously unpublished documents.

Senator Marshall will be introducing the Financial Accountability for Uniquely Compensated Individuals (FAUCI) Act, which requires the public access of financial disclosures on the official Office of Government Ethics (OGE) website for administration officials like Dr. Fauci. The FAUCI Act would also provide a list of all confidential filers within the government whose financial disclosures are not public.

On Tuesday, Senator Marshall questioned Dr. Fauci at a hearing about a number of issues including his financial disclosures and investments. Contrary to what Dr. Fauci said, Dr. Fauci’s financial disclosures for the years of the COVID pandemic were not public. Therefore, Senator Marshall requested them during the hearing. Clearly distraught by the line of questioning which included prior questions on Dr. Fauci’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/coronavirus/most_americans_agree_dr_fauci_has_lost_credibility" target="_blank">plummeting approval ratings</a>&nbsp;and his involvement in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.projectveritas.com/news/military-documents-about-gain-of-function-contradict-fauci-testimony-under/" target="_blank">funding gain-of-function research</a>&nbsp;at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Dr. Fauci was caught on a hot mic calling Senator Marshall a “<a href="https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1480977059874848769?s=20" target="_blank">moron</a>.”

Questions regarding Dr. Fauci’s financial disclosure come a day after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/clarida-fed-official-resigns-285a1e18-5f14-4de7-8ec3-d093b0014f8f.html" target="_blank">third Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;official stepped down as a result of questionable financial trades made during the COVID pandemic.

Senator Marshall’s line of questioning that led to Dr. Fauci’s hot mic situation:

Question 1:&nbsp;Dr. Fauci,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/coronavirus/most_americans_agree_dr_fauci_has_lost_credibility" target="_blank">59% of Americans</a>&nbsp;do not have a favorable opinion of you. Frankly, honestly, you’ve lost your reputation. The American people do not trust the words coming out of your mouth. Every day you appear on TV, you do more damage than good when it comes to educating the public on COVID. Suppose you were leading a team in an effort to try to get people to stop smoking cigarettes, but every time your spokesperson gets on television, over half of the nation goes out and buys a pack of Marlboros. Wouldn’t you stop that person from appearing on national television?

Senator Marshall followed up with Dr. Fauci and said, “Perception is reality and you are hurting the team right now. You are hurting the team right now.” FOX News covered this back and forth – you may click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHQJPF7-s0Q" target="_blank">HERE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641938689079.png" alt="On Tuesday, Senator Marshall questioned Dr. Fauci at a hearing about a number of issues including his financial disclosures and investments-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>On Tuesday, Senator Marshall questioned Dr. Fauci at a hearing about a number of issues including his financial disclosures and investments-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Roger Marshall on Friday obtained Dr. Anthony Fauci’s previously unpublished financial disclosures from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to a statement from Marshall's office.According to Marshall, the NIH released the documents to Senator Marshall after a HELP hearing earlier this week where Dr. Fauci misled the American people and said, “My financial disclosures are public knowledge, and have been so.&nbsp;It is totally accessible to you, if you want it. To the public.” Since the disclosures were not public, on Wednesday, Senator Marshall sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Letter-Requesting-Fauci-Financial-Disclosure-1.12.21.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to Dr. Fauci formally requesting his un-redacted financial disclosures by 5:00pm Friday, January 14th. In response, Dr. Fauci produced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Anthony-Fauci-Financial-Disclosures-for-2020-and-2019.pdf" target="_blank">these</a>&nbsp;previously unpublished documents.“Dr. Fauci lied to the American people. He is more concerned with being a media star and posing for the cover of magazines than he is being honest with the American people and holding China accountable for the COVID pandemic that has taken the lives of almost 850 thousand Americans,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “Just like he has misled the American people about sending taxpayers dollars to Wuhan, China to fund gain-of-function research, about masks, testing, and more, Dr. Fauci was completely dishonest about his financial disclosures being open to the public – it’s no wonder he is the least trusted bureaucrat in America. At the end of the day, Dr. Fauci must be held accountable to all Americans who have been suing and requesting for this information but don’t have the power of a Senate office to ask for it. For these reasons, I will be introducing the FAUCI Act so financial disclosures like these are made public and are easily accessible online to every American.”You may click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Anthony-Fauci-Financial-Disclosures-for-2020-and-2019.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the previously unpublished documents.Background:Senator Marshall will be introducing the Financial Accountability for Uniquely Compensated Individuals (FAUCI) Act, which requires the public access of financial disclosures on the official Office of Government Ethics (OGE) website for administration officials like Dr. Fauci. The FAUCI Act would also provide a list of all confidential filers within the government whose financial disclosures are not public.On Tuesday, Senator Marshall questioned Dr. Fauci at a hearing about a number of issues including his financial disclosures and investments. Contrary to what Dr. Fauci said, Dr. Fauci’s financial disclosures for the years of the COVID pandemic were not public. Therefore, Senator Marshall requested them during the hearing. Clearly distraught by the line of questioning which included prior questions on Dr. Fauci’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/coronavirus/most_americans_agree_dr_fauci_has_lost_credibility" target="_blank">plummeting approval ratings</a>&nbsp;and his involvement in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.projectveritas.com/news/military-documents-about-gain-of-function-contradict-fauci-testimony-under/" target="_blank">funding gain-of-function research</a>&nbsp;at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Dr. Fauci was caught on a hot mic calling Senator Marshall a “<a href="https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1480977059874848769?s=20" target="_blank">moron</a>.”Questions regarding Dr. Fauci’s financial disclosure come a day after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/clarida-fed-official-resigns-285a1e18-5f14-4de7-8ec3-d093b0014f8f.html" target="_blank">third Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;official stepped down as a result of questionable financial trades made during the COVID pandemic.Senator Marshall’s line of questioning that led to Dr. Fauci’s hot mic situation:Question 1:&nbsp;Dr. Fauci,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/coronavirus/most_americans_agree_dr_fauci_has_lost_credibility" target="_blank">59% of Americans</a>&nbsp;do not have a favorable opinion of you. Frankly, honestly, you’ve lost your reputation. The American people do not trust the words coming out of your mouth. Every day you appear on TV, you do more damage than good when it comes to educating the public on COVID. Suppose you were leading a team in an effort to try to get people to stop smoking cigarettes, but every time your spokesperson gets on television, over half of the nation goes out and buys a pack of Marlboros. Wouldn’t you stop that person from appearing on national television?Senator Marshall followed up with Dr. Fauci and said, “Perception is reality and you are hurting the team right now. You are hurting the team right now.” FOX News covered this back and forth – you may click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHQJPF7-s0Q" target="_blank">HERE</a>

Sen. Marshall obtains Dr. Fauci's unpublished financial records

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged robbery in Barton County.

Just after 4p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the Holiday Inn Express, 3821 10th Street in Great Bend in reference to an attempted robbery, according to a media release.

Officers were advised a male suspect entered the hotel and attempted to physically remove and steal jewelry from someone in the lobby.

While en route to the area, officers were advised the suspect had left the Holiday Inn and was now trying to take items from inside vehicles in the Sonic parking lot.

Officers located the suspect identified as Marquez Lewis, age 25 of Wichita. After speaking with Lewis, witnesses and numerous victims, Lewis was placed under arrest for attempted robbery and transported to the Barton County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642179702621.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged robbery in Barton County.Just after 4p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the Holiday Inn Express, 3821 10th Street in Great Bend in reference to an attempted robbery, according to a media release.Officers were advised a male suspect entered the hotel and attempted to physically remove and steal jewelry from someone in the lobby.While en route to the area, officers were advised the suspect had left the Holiday Inn and was now trying to take items from inside vehicles in the Sonic parking lot.Officers located the suspect identified as Marquez Lewis, age 25 of Wichita. After speaking with Lewis, witnesses and numerous victims, Lewis was placed under arrest for attempted robbery and transported to the Barton County Jail.

Suspect attempted to take jewelry from victim in Kan. motel lobby

Steffen, a physician, asserts children risk brain damage from vax

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/gop-senators-resolution-argues-for-derailment-of-covid-19-child-vaccination-campaign/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Sen. Mark Steffen introduced a COVID-19 resolution in the 
Kansas Senate declaring children shouldn’t be compelled to be 
vaccinated, people who had the virus ought to be exempted from all 
restrictions and that government needed to cease interfering with 
physicians recommending unorthodox treatments.

Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican and anesthesiologist who cares for 
COVID-19 patients, has condemned what he referred to as mainstream 
medical and political propaganda contributing to unnecessary fatalities 
during the pandemic. He’s an advocate of state legislation stripping 
county health directors and the Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment of power to impose emergency restrictions.

“We will win this vaccine battle. And, we will win the liberal, communist war being waged against us,” Steffen said.

His nonbinding resolution introduced in the Senate Public Health and 
Welfare Committee on Thursday pushed back against the international 
effort by governments and medical leaders to deepen vaccination of 
populations in response to the pandemic. He put forward the resolution 
at a time when spread of COVID-19 in the United States was sharply 
escalating and hospitals were under duress from influx of critically ill
 patients.

“Healthy children should not be subjected to forced vaccination,” 
Steffen’s said in the resolution. “There are negligible clinical risks 
from a COVID-19 infection for a healthy child under 18 years of age. The
 risks to the long-term health of children remain too high.”

Steffen, who spoke at a September convention in Lenexa dedicated to 
ending compulsory vaccinations, said children receiving a COVID-19 shot 
“risked severe adverse events, including permanent damage to the brain, 
heart, immune system and reproductive system.”

Since Steffen’s appearance at that Freedom Revival in the Heartland 
event, Kansas has documented an increase of 202,000 cases of COVID-19, 
4,000 additional hospitalizations for the virus and 1,225 more 
fatalities linked to COVID-19. The latest totals for Kansas: 601,800 
cases, 17,500 hospitalizations and 7,141 deaths.

Steffen’s perspective on vaccination of children ran counter to 
recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
In early January, CDC director Rochelle Walensky said children age 5 and
 older should be vaccinated and adolescents age 12 to 17 should receive a
 booster shot five months after the primary series.

“It is critical that we protect our children and teens from COVID-19 
infection and the complications of severe disease,” Walensky said. “This
 booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID-19 and the
 Omicron variant.”

Tim Williamson, a critical care physician at the University of Kansas
 Health System in Kansas City, Kan., said Friday that record numbers of 
children were being hospitalized with COVID-19.

“That is unfortunate,” he said. “You have to be really sick to get in
 a hospital now. They really are full of the sickest patients we’ve 
seen, I think, in my career in medicine.”

Amber Schmidtke, chair of the division of natural sciences and 
mathematics at the University of St. Mary based in Leavenworth, said 
Kansas and Missouri lagged national averages in terms of vaccinating 
individuals age 5 to 18. Fifteen percent of Kansans and 13% of 
Missourians 5 to 11 have been fully vaccinated, she said, compared to 
the national figure of 19%. In the 12 to 17 age group, 48% of Kansans 
and 41% of Missourians have been vaccinated against 54% nationally.

In the Senate resolution introduced by Steffen, he said “naturally 
immune” individuals, or those who contracted and recovered from 
COVID-19, “should not be subjected to any restrictions or vaccine 
mandates.” For example, Douglas County and some cities in Johnson County
 recently imposed mask mandates and the administration of President Joe 
Biden required COVID-19 vaccination, with exceptions, of health workers 
in hospitals receiving federal funding.

“Natural immunity is the best long-lasting solution against the 
development of COVID-19 disease and its more serious outcomes,” Steffen 
said. “Naturally immune people have the lowest risk of virus 
transmission and should not be subject to travel, professional, medical 
or social restrictions. Natural immunity is the most effective source of
 herd immunity, a condition necessary for eradicating the COVID-19 
virus.”

His resolution said government health agencies should be prohibited 
from interfering with doctors such as himself when treating COVID-19 
patients. He said insurance companies ought to stop blocking coverage of
 alternative medicines prescribed by physicians.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642187798087.png" alt="Republican Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson area physician, introduced a nonbinding resolution arguing against COVID-19 vaccination of children, in support of natural immunity to the virus and an end to “interference” by government public health officials. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Republican Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson area physician, introduced a nonbinding resolution arguing against COVID-19 vaccination of children, in support of natural immunity to the virus and an end to “interference” by government public health officials. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Steffen, a physician, asserts children risk brain damage from vax</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/gop-senators-resolution-argues-for-derailment-of-covid-19-child-vaccination-campaign/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Sen. Mark Steffen introduced a COVID-19 resolution in the 
Kansas Senate declaring children shouldn’t be compelled to be 
vaccinated, people who had the virus ought to be exempted from all 
restrictions and that government needed to cease interfering with 
physicians recommending unorthodox treatments.Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican and anesthesiologist who cares for 
COVID-19 patients, has condemned what he referred to as mainstream 
medical and political propaganda contributing to unnecessary fatalities 
during the pandemic. He’s an advocate of state legislation stripping 
county health directors and the Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment of power to impose emergency restrictions.“We will win this vaccine battle. And, we will win the liberal, communist war being waged against us,” Steffen said.His nonbinding resolution introduced in the Senate Public Health and 
Welfare Committee on Thursday pushed back against the international 
effort by governments and medical leaders to deepen vaccination of 
populations in response to the pandemic. He put forward the resolution 
at a time when spread of COVID-19 in the United States was sharply 
escalating and hospitals were under duress from influx of critically ill
 patients.“Healthy children should not be subjected to forced vaccination,” 
Steffen’s said in the resolution. “There are negligible clinical risks 
from a COVID-19 infection for a healthy child under 18 years of age. The
 risks to the long-term health of children remain too high.”Steffen, who spoke at a September convention in Lenexa dedicated to 
ending compulsory vaccinations, said children receiving a COVID-19 shot 
“risked severe adverse events, including permanent damage to the brain, 
heart, immune system and reproductive system.”Since Steffen’s appearance at that Freedom Revival in the Heartland 
event, Kansas has documented an increase of 202,000 cases of COVID-19, 
4,000 additional hospitalizations for the virus and 1,225 more 
fatalities linked to COVID-19. The latest totals for Kansas: 601,800 
cases, 17,500 hospitalizations and 7,141 deaths.Steffen’s perspective on vaccination of children ran counter to 
recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
In early January, CDC director Rochelle Walensky said children age 5 and
 older should be vaccinated and adolescents age 12 to 17 should receive a
 booster shot five months after the primary series.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642187875451.png" alt="Tim Williamson, a critical care physician at the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kan., said hospitalizations for COVID-19 were surging, including intake of children stricken by the virus. (Screen capture/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Tim Williamson, a critical care physician at the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kan., said hospitalizations for COVID-19 were surging, including intake of children stricken by the virus. (Screen capture/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It is critical that we protect our children and teens from COVID-19 
infection and the complications of severe disease,” Walensky said. “This
 booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID-19 and the
 Omicron variant.”Tim Williamson, a critical care physician at the University of Kansas
 Health System in Kansas City, Kan., said Friday that record numbers of 
children were being hospitalized with COVID-19.“That is unfortunate,” he said. “You have to be really sick to get in
 a hospital now. They really are full of the sickest patients we’ve 
seen, I think, in my career in medicine.”Amber Schmidtke, chair of the division of natural sciences and 
mathematics at the University of St. Mary based in Leavenworth, said 
Kansas and Missouri lagged national averages in terms of vaccinating 
individuals age 5 to 18. Fifteen percent of Kansans and 13% of 
Missourians 5 to 11 have been fully vaccinated, she said, compared to 
the national figure of 19%. In the 12 to 17 age group, 48% of Kansans 
and 41% of Missourians have been vaccinated against 54% nationally.In the Senate resolution introduced by Steffen, he said “naturally 
immune” individuals, or those who contracted and recovered from 
COVID-19, “should not be subjected to any restrictions or vaccine 
mandates.” For example, Douglas County and some cities in Johnson County
 recently imposed mask mandates and the administration of President Joe 
Biden required COVID-19 vaccination, with exceptions, of health workers 
in hospitals receiving federal funding.“Natural immunity is the best long-lasting solution against the 
development of COVID-19 disease and its more serious outcomes,” Steffen 
said. “Naturally immune people have the lowest risk of virus 
transmission and should not be subject to travel, professional, medical 
or social restrictions. Natural immunity is the most effective source of
 herd immunity, a condition necessary for eradicating the COVID-19 
virus.”His resolution said government health agencies should be prohibited 
from interfering with doctors such as himself when treating COVID-19 
patients. He said insurance companies ought to stop blocking coverage of
 alternative medicines prescribed by physicians.

State senator’s resolution argues for derailment of COVID child vaccination

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal website where Americans can request free COVID-19 tests will begin accepting orders on Wednesday as the White House looks to address nationwide shortages, but supplies will be limited to just four free tests per home.

Starting on Jan. 19, the website COVIDTests.gov will provide tests at no cost, including no shipping fee, the White House announced Friday.

As he faced criticism for low inventory and long lines for testing, President Joe Biden announced last month that the U.S. would purchase 500 million at-home tests to launch the program and on Thursday the president announced that he was doubling the order to 1 billion tests.

But Americans shouldn't expect a rapid turn-around on the orders and they will have to plan ahead and request the tests well before they meet federal guidelines for when to use a test.

The White House said “tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering" through the U.S. Postal Service, which reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its first-class package service in the continental United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at-home testing when experiencing COVID-19 systems including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory symptoms and muscle aches, five days after a potential COVID-19 exposure, or as part of test-to-stay protocols in schools and workplaces.

“Certainly if you’re going to gather with family, if you’re going to a gathering where people are immunocompromised or where they’re elderly or where you have people who might be unvaccinated or poorly protected from a vaccine that might be an opportunity you want to test,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, on Wednesday.

Officials emphasized that the federal website is just one way for people to procure COVID-19 tests. Starting on Saturday, private insurance companies will be required to cover the cost of at-home rapid tests, allowing Americans to be reimbursed for tests they purchase at pharmacies and online retailers. That covers up to eight tests per month.

The White House said the four-test limit on website orders will be applied to each residential address and will apply to the first tranche of 500 million tests. It estimates that the cost of purchasing and distributing the first block of tests at $4 billion.

Officials said they are cognizant that any launch of a website carries some risks — and memories of the disastrous roll-out during the Obama administration of Healthcare.gov are still fresh — but said they believe they are well-positioned to handle expected demand for tests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642104330616.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal website where Americans can request free COVID-19 tests will begin accepting orders on Wednesday as the White House looks to address nationwide shortages, but supplies will be limited to just four free tests per home.Starting on Jan. 19, the website COVIDTests.gov will provide tests at no cost, including no shipping fee, the White House announced Friday.As he faced criticism for low inventory and long lines for testing, President Joe Biden announced last month that the U.S. would purchase 500 million at-home tests to launch the program and on Thursday the president announced that he was doubling the order to 1 billion tests.But Americans shouldn't expect a rapid turn-around on the orders and they will have to plan ahead and request the tests well before they meet federal guidelines for when to use a test.The White House said “tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering" through the U.S. Postal Service, which reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its first-class package service in the continental United States.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at-home testing when experiencing COVID-19 systems including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory symptoms and muscle aches, five days after a potential COVID-19 exposure, or as part of test-to-stay protocols in schools and workplaces.“Certainly if you’re going to gather with family, if you’re going to a gathering where people are immunocompromised or where they’re elderly or where you have people who might be unvaccinated or poorly protected from a vaccine that might be an opportunity you want to test,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, on Wednesday.Officials emphasized that the federal website is just one way for people to procure COVID-19 tests. Starting on Saturday, private insurance companies will be required to cover the cost of at-home rapid tests, allowing Americans to be reimbursed for tests they purchase at pharmacies and online retailers. That covers up to eight tests per month.The White House said the four-test limit on website orders will be applied to each residential address and will apply to the first tranche of 500 million tests. It estimates that the cost of purchasing and distributing the first block of tests at $4 billion.Officials said they are cognizant that any launch of a website carries some risks — and memories of the disastrous roll-out during the Obama administration of Healthcare.gov are still fresh — but said they believe they are well-positioned to handle expected demand for tests.

Order free COVID tests from federal website starting January 19

By CLAY WIRESTONE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas Senate leadership’s <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/13/there-is-no-compelling-reason-for-kansas-senate-to-restrict-journalists-from-floor-debates/">decision to bar reporters</a>
 from the floor during debate should trouble everyone who values a free 
and fair press in the Sunflower State. Unfortunately, the ramifications 
spread further and should trouble concerned citizens across the country.

To put it bluntly, this move appears 
to be part of a multistate effort on behalf of Republican powerbrokers 
to target the news media. In Iowa, for example, the state senate has <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/01/10/senate-republicans-ejection-of-media-from-chamber-hurts-all-iowans/">done the same thing</a>
 as Kansas — evicting&nbsp;reporters from the floor, where they had 
co-existed more or less peacefully with legislators for more than 140 
years.

“The new rule denies reporters access
 to the press benches near senators’ desks, a proximity current and 
former statehouse reporters told The Washington Post is crucial for the 
most accurate and nuanced coverage,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/01/08/iowa-senate-journalists/">the Post reported</a>
 last week, while also summarizing why the access is so important. “The 
position allows reporters to see and hear everything clearly on the 
Senate floor and to get real-time answers and clarifications during 
debates.”

Both states have launched a coordinated attack on accurate information.

The Republican National Committee has gotten into the act too, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/presidential-debates-rnc.html">The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman</a>.
 The GOP has complained for years that its presidential candidates are 
treated unfairly in debates. By that, of course, they mean asked tough 
questions by impartial moderators in front of a national audience.

Thus, the RNC “is preparing to change
 its rules to require presidential candidates seeking the party’s 
nomination to sign a pledge to not participate in any debates sponsored 
by the Commission on Presidential Debates.”

These attacks make sense as the once 
proud Republican Party remakes itself in the shape of former President 
Donald Trump. Remember, it was Trump who called our nation’s free press —
 one of its proudest accomplishments — “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/business/trump-calls-the-news-media-the-enemy-of-the-people.html">the enemy of the American people</a>.”

Conservatives have created a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2020/01/24/u-s-media-polarization-and-the-2020-election-a-nation-divided/">separate information ecosystem</a>,
 one based on partisan hyperbole and outright falsehoods, to feed their 
sense of grievance and entitlement. As traditional news media has raced 
to adapt to the challenges of social media and changing reading and 
viewing habits, these alternative outlets have been more than happy to 
warp our country’s information landscape.

Traditional media, and the kind of rigorous reporting and informed commentary that we provide, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2014/today-in-media-history-mr-dooley-the-job-of-the-newspaper-is-to-comfort-the-afflicted-and-afflict-the-comfortable/">challenges those</a>
 who would bamboozle the public. No matter the party or the legislation,
 we report the news. What’s happened in Kansas, Iowa and on the national
 stage will make that tougher.

Clay Wirestone has written columns and edited reporting for newsrooms in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania. He has also fact checked politicians, researched for Larry the Cable Guy, and appeared in PolitiFact, Mental Floss, cnn.com and a host of other publications.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642199589877.png" alt="Senate spokesman Mike Pirner explains to Statehouse reporters John Hanna and Martin Hawver they can't sit at the table for reporters on the Senate floor during the 2022 session. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Senate spokesman Mike Pirner explains to Statehouse reporters John Hanna and Martin Hawver they can't sit at the table for reporters on the Senate floor during the 2022 session. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLAY WIRESTONE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas Senate leadership’s <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/13/there-is-no-compelling-reason-for-kansas-senate-to-restrict-journalists-from-floor-debates/">decision to bar reporters</a>
 from the floor during debate should trouble everyone who values a free 
and fair press in the Sunflower State. Unfortunately, the ramifications 
spread further and should trouble concerned citizens across the country.To put it bluntly, this move appears 
to be part of a multistate effort on behalf of Republican powerbrokers 
to target the news media. In Iowa, for example, the state senate has <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/01/10/senate-republicans-ejection-of-media-from-chamber-hurts-all-iowans/">done the same thing</a>
 as Kansas — evicting&nbsp;reporters from the floor, where they had 
co-existed more or less peacefully with legislators for more than 140 
years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“The new rule denies reporters access
 to the press benches near senators’ desks, a proximity current and 
former statehouse reporters told The Washington Post is crucial for the 
most accurate and nuanced coverage,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/01/08/iowa-senate-journalists/">the Post reported</a>
 last week, while also summarizing why the access is so important. “The 
position allows reporters to see and hear everything clearly on the 
Senate floor and to get real-time answers and clarifications during 
debates.”Both states have launched a coordinated attack on accurate information.The Republican National Committee has gotten into the act too, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/presidential-debates-rnc.html">The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman</a>.
 The GOP has complained for years that its presidential candidates are 
treated unfairly in debates. By that, of course, they mean asked tough 
questions by impartial moderators in front of a national audience.Thus, the RNC “is preparing to change
 its rules to require presidential candidates seeking the party’s 
nomination to sign a pledge to not participate in any debates sponsored 
by the Commission on Presidential Debates.”These attacks make sense as the once 
proud Republican Party remakes itself in the shape of former President 
Donald Trump. Remember, it was Trump who called our nation’s free press —
 one of its proudest accomplishments — “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/business/trump-calls-the-news-media-the-enemy-of-the-people.html">the enemy of the American people</a>.”Conservatives have created a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2020/01/24/u-s-media-polarization-and-the-2020-election-a-nation-divided/">separate information ecosystem</a>,
 one based on partisan hyperbole and outright falsehoods, to feed their 
sense of grievance and entitlement. As traditional news media has raced 
to adapt to the challenges of social media and changing reading and 
viewing habits, these alternative outlets have been more than happy to 
warp our country’s information landscape.Traditional media, and the kind of rigorous reporting and informed commentary that we provide, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2014/today-in-media-history-mr-dooley-the-job-of-the-newspaper-is-to-comfort-the-afflicted-and-afflict-the-comfortable/">challenges those</a>
 who would bamboozle the public. No matter the party or the legislation,
 we report the news. What’s happened in Kansas, Iowa and on the national
 stage will make that tougher.That, sadly, appears to be the point.Clay Wirestone has written columns and edited reporting for newsrooms in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania. He has also fact checked politicians, researched for Larry the Cable Guy, and appeared in PolitiFact, Mental Floss, cnn.com and a host of other publications.

OPINION: In banishing reporters, Kan. Senate joins destructive trend

YORK COUNTY —State toopers arrested two people after locating 130 pounds of marijuana and a firearm during a traffic stop on Thursday.

Just after 4:00 p.m., a trooper observed a Ford Explorer fail to signal a turn after exiting Interstate 80 near Waco, according to a media release from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.

A search of the vehicle revealed 130 pounds of marijuana, located in duffel bags in the cargo area. Troopers also located a handgun in the vehicle.

Troopers arrested the driver, Alexander Garcia, 24, of Summerfield, Florida, and passenger, Ashley Gornto, 29, of Belleview, Florida, on requested charges of possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during a drug violation, and no drug tax stamp. Both are being held in the York County Jail. It is approximately 2-hours north of Salina, Kansas.

YORK COUNTY —State toopers arrested two people after locating 130 pounds of marijuana and a firearm during a traffic stop on Thursday.Just after 4:00 p.m., a trooper observed a Ford Explorer fail to signal a turn after exiting Interstate 80 near Waco, according to a media release from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.A search of the vehicle revealed 130 pounds of marijuana, located in duffel bags in the cargo area. Troopers also located a handgun in the vehicle.Troopers arrested the driver, Alexander Garcia, 24, of Summerfield, Florida, and passenger, Ashley Gornto, 29, of Belleview, Florida, on requested charges of possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during a drug violation, and no drug tax stamp. Both are being held in the York County Jail. It is approximately 2-hours north of Salina, Kansas.

State troopers seize 130 pounds of marijuana during traffic stop

House majority leader unsure of higher education request’s feasibility

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/12/kansas-board-of-regents-democrats-praise-governors-proposal-to-freeze-college-tuition/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas college students could soon benefit from a continued 
effort to minimize rising college tuition, pending approval on a 
provision in the governor’s budget.

In her budget, Gov. Laura Kelly included a request from the Kansas 
Board of Regents to pay $45.7 million to universities so that the 
institutions can freeze tuition for students. The proposal comes after 
years of debate and concern over rising college costs and attempts from 
lawmakers and the board to slow or stop them.

Some post-secondary institutions under the board of regents are 
already freezing tuition. At the University of Kansas, tuition has 
stayed steady for three straight years, and the other five KBOR 
universities have maintained tuition two out of the past three years.

“Student debt is a big issue for a lot of families, and the college 
going rate is going down in Kansas as well as nationally,” said Cheryl 
Harrison-Lee, chairwoman for KBOR. “The challenge becomes, as we are 
looking at economic development opportunities in the state of Kansas, we
 need to have the talent pool so that we’re able to attract visitors to 
the state. Being able to keep tuition flat creates an opportunity for 
affordability for a diverse population throughout the state of Kansas.”

Costs for students and their families have risen dramatically over 
the past decade and a half. At Kansas State University, tuition and 
academic fees per semester for a full-time undergraduate student from 
Kansas have risen 80% to more than $5,200. A similar student at KU would
 pay $5,600, an increase of 82% from 15 years ago.

Harrison-Lee feared without the infusion of funds from the state, 
universities would no longer be able to keep tuition flat. At a time 
when college attendance is decreasing, raising tuition could push 
enrollment down further, she said.

In her State of the State address Tuesday, Kelly also noted the 
fiscal impact of the pandemic as a reason to approve the tuition freeze 
effort. With an estimated budget surplus of $2.9 billion, now is a good a
 time as any to invest in higher education, she said.

“This virus took something from our students,” Kelly said. “And we 
are going to give them something back. Again, it’s a huge win for our 
young people and for all working Kansans.”

In the presentation of the budget to a joint committee of House and 
Senate members, Adam Proffitt, the governor’s budget director, credited 
recent increases in post-secondary funding with allowing state 
universities to keep tuition steady.

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, was hesitant
 to commit to anything that could cost the state additional money.

“There’s a lot of money spent here,” Hawkins said. We have $3 
billion, and by the time you figure everything out, there’s a lot less.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642088309529.png" alt="In the annual budget proposal, Gov. Laura Kelly is following through on a request from the Kansas Board of Regents to pay $45.7 million to universities so that universities can freeze tuition. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>In the annual budget proposal, Gov. Laura Kelly is following through on a request from the Kansas Board of Regents to pay $45.7 million to universities so that universities can freeze tuition. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>House majority leader unsure of higher education request’s feasibility</h2>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/12/kansas-board-of-regents-democrats-praise-governors-proposal-to-freeze-college-tuition/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas college students could soon benefit from a continued 
effort to minimize rising college tuition, pending approval on a 
provision in the governor’s budget.In her budget, Gov. Laura Kelly included a request from the Kansas 
Board of Regents to pay $45.7 million to universities so that the 
institutions can freeze tuition for students. The proposal comes after 
years of debate and concern over rising college costs and attempts from 
lawmakers and the board to slow or stop them.Some post-secondary institutions under the board of regents are 
already freezing tuition. At the University of Kansas, tuition has 
stayed steady for three straight years, and the other five KBOR 
universities have maintained tuition two out of the past three years.“Student debt is a big issue for a lot of families, and the college 
going rate is going down in Kansas as well as nationally,” said Cheryl 
Harrison-Lee, chairwoman for KBOR. “The challenge becomes, as we are 
looking at economic development opportunities in the state of Kansas, we
 need to have the talent pool so that we’re able to attract visitors to 
the state. Being able to keep tuition flat creates an opportunity for 
affordability for a diverse population throughout the state of Kansas.”Costs for students and their families have risen dramatically over 
the past decade and a half. At Kansas State University, tuition and 
academic fees per semester for a full-time undergraduate student from 
Kansas have risen 80% to more than $5,200. A similar student at KU would
 pay $5,600, an increase of 82% from 15 years ago.Harrison-Lee feared without the infusion of funds from the state, 
universities would no longer be able to keep tuition flat. At a time 
when college attendance is decreasing, raising tuition could push 
enrollment down further, she said.In her State of the State address Tuesday, Kelly also noted the 
fiscal impact of the pandemic as a reason to approve the tuition freeze 
effort. With an estimated budget surplus of $2.9 billion, now is a good a
 time as any to invest in higher education, she said.“This virus took something from our students,” Kelly said. “And we 
are going to give them something back. Again, it’s a huge win for our 
young people and for all working Kansans.”In the presentation of the budget to a joint committee of House and 
Senate members, Adam Proffitt, the governor’s budget director, credited 
recent increases in post-secondary funding with allowing state 
universities to keep tuition steady.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642088380738.png" alt="Despite a budget surplus, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins was unsure if the state could afford the tuition freeze on top of other expenses. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Despite a budget surplus, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins was unsure if the state could afford the tuition freeze on top of other expenses. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, was hesitant
 to commit to anything that could cost the state additional money.“There’s a lot of money spent here,” Hawkins said. We have $3 
billion, and by the time you figure everything out, there’s a lot less.”Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat, was more optimistic about a proposal he said would surely benefit Kansas families.“Universities will have adequate funds for their operations, and the 
freeze will reduce the burden on students and their families, hopefully 
encouraging more students to attend college,” Hawk said.In addition to the tuition freeze, the governor is proposing an 
allotment of $25 million for the need-based Kansas Access Partnership 
Grant, which helps families with the cost of college. The investments 
would represent the largest year-over-year increase in program history.The budget proposal also includes additional funds for two-year technical schools and cybersecurity.“The governor’s budget proposal includes a historic investment in 
higher education, continuing her promise to be the education governor,” 
said Rep. Brandon Woodard, a Lenexa Democrat. “I look forward to the 
Legislature supporting her proposal and providing our universities with 
the resources to train the workforce of tomorrow, keep tuition flat and 
to recruit and retain the brightest faculty, staff, and students.”