The following column is by Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard:

With Thanksgiving days away, the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new phase in America. The number of new cases is skyrocketing past records set just last week. A quarter of a million Americans and 1,300 Kansans have lost their lives to this virus.

Across our state, we are witnessing uncontrolled spread in rural and urban communities just as the weather turns colder, bringing many of us inside for the coming winter months. For all of us, this turn raises our anxiety and daily burden. But for frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers, this flood of new cases is pushing them to the brink. After more than eight months of non-stop work battling this virus, our brave doctors, nurses, corrections officers and other vital health care workers face fatigue, exhaustion and desperation, just when we need them the most.&nbsp;

They are on the frontlines in one of the most challenging and critical battles of our lifetime. We all owe them our gratitude and appreciation. But more than that, we owe them our commitment to live safely and protect our communities from this virus.

During my career, I’ve been a doctor and served in the United State Air Force and Kansas National Guard. I was deployed overseas and stationed on the frontlines during foreign conflicts. It was demanding and grueling in every way possible – mentally, emotionally and physically. What our healthcare workers are experiencing right now is a different kind of war and very demanding. The casualties are just as staggering in this pandemic, similar to wars past. The battlefield may be different, but the toll that is being exacted on these workers is no less devastating.

The long hours and crushing stress of their jobs, coupled with the concerns they have in their own daily and family life, is pushing many health workers to their breaking point. We need to support them, encourage them and do all we can to slow the spread of the virus to alleviate the growing pressure on our hospitals.&nbsp;

The good news is that with two new vaccines close to being approved, we are getting closer to turning the corner in this pandemic. Until these vaccines are widely available, though, we must recommit to the principles we embraced in the spring when we successfully slowed the virus’ spread.

Whether you live in a small town, a big city or on a farm in a rural community – every Kansan must be diligent and follow safe and healthy practices. This is how we demonstrate our commitment to our communities and to each other. This is how we show our nurses, doctors and all our healthcare workers that we value the sacrifices they make every day to care for our loved ones and be with our family members in their times of need.&nbsp;

We all want to return to normal and see our friends and family. But we are in a battle for our health and our lives. Right now, the most important act of patriotism is simply staying home, distancing from others and wearing a mask every time you leave home. By doing these very simple things, we can lessen the stress on our hospitals, medical system and the brave people who work there.&nbsp;

To those who work on the frontlines of this battle, I salute you.&nbsp;

Dr. Lee Norman is Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606161164178.jpeg" alt="Dr. Lee A. Norman, KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Lee A. Norman, KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The following column is by Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard:With Thanksgiving days away, the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new phase in America. The number of new cases is skyrocketing past records set just last week. A quarter of a million Americans and 1,300 Kansans have lost their lives to this virus.Across our state, we are witnessing uncontrolled spread in rural and urban communities just as the weather turns colder, bringing many of us inside for the coming winter months. For all of us, this turn raises our anxiety and daily burden. But for frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers, this flood of new cases is pushing them to the brink. After more than eight months of non-stop work battling this virus, our brave doctors, nurses, corrections officers and other vital health care workers face fatigue, exhaustion and desperation, just when we need them the most.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>They are on the frontlines in one of the most challenging and critical battles of our lifetime. We all owe them our gratitude and appreciation. But more than that, we owe them our commitment to live safely and protect our communities from this virus.During my career, I’ve been a doctor and served in the United State Air Force and Kansas National Guard. I was deployed overseas and stationed on the frontlines during foreign conflicts. It was demanding and grueling in every way possible – mentally, emotionally and physically. What our healthcare workers are experiencing right now is a different kind of war and very demanding. The casualties are just as staggering in this pandemic, similar to wars past. The battlefield may be different, but the toll that is being exacted on these workers is no less devastating.The long hours and crushing stress of their jobs, coupled with the concerns they have in their own daily and family life, is pushing many health workers to their breaking point. We need to support them, encourage them and do all we can to slow the spread of the virus to alleviate the growing pressure on our hospitals.&nbsp;The good news is that with two new vaccines close to being approved, we are getting closer to turning the corner in this pandemic. Until these vaccines are widely available, though, we must recommit to the principles we embraced in the spring when we successfully slowed the virus’ spread.Whether you live in a small town, a big city or on a farm in a rural community – every Kansan must be diligent and follow safe and healthy practices. This is how we demonstrate our commitment to our communities and to each other. This is how we show our nurses, doctors and all our healthcare workers that we value the sacrifices they make every day to care for our loved ones and be with our family members in their times of need.&nbsp;We all want to return to normal and see our friends and family. But we are in a battle for our health and our lives. Right now, the most important act of patriotism is simply staying home, distancing from others and wearing a mask every time you leave home. By doing these very simple things, we can lessen the stress on our hospitals, medical system and the brave people who work there.&nbsp;To those who work on the frontlines of this battle, I salute you.&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman is Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard.

NORMAN: Help frontline workers by following guidelines

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A wanted Kansas felon arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing made his first court appearance Thursday.

Kenneth Junious, Jr., 34, was charged with&nbsp; 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Nov. 15, police responded to a stabbing at a home in the 2800 block of South Washington in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, officer’s located the victim identified as 59-year-old Bryan Turner with multiple cut and stab wounds to his body.&nbsp; Officers quickly began life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

The investigation revealed that multiple people were at the home, and Turner and a suspect identified as Junious were both visiting.  While at the home, a disturbance ensued between Junious and Turner. 

 During the disturbance, Junious pulled out a knife and caused multiple injuries to Turner. Junious then fled the scene in a vehicle.&nbsp; Police reported his arrest on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

His next court date is December 3.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a&nbsp; $250,000 bond, according to the district attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605617102715.png" alt="&nbsp;Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A wanted Kansas felon arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing made his first court appearance Thursday.Kenneth Junious, Jr., 34, was charged with&nbsp; 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 1:30 a.m. Nov. 15, police responded to a stabbing at a home in the 2800 block of South Washington in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;Upon arrival, officer’s located the victim identified as 59-year-old Bryan Turner with multiple cut and stab wounds to his body.&nbsp; Officers quickly began life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries on the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605480651864.png" alt="Police tape at the home early Sunday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police tape at the home early Sunday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed that multiple people were at the home, and Turner and a suspect identified as Junious were both visiting. While at the home, a disturbance ensued between Junious and Turner. During the disturbance, Junious pulled out a knife and caused multiple injuries to Turner. Junious then fled the scene in a vehicle.&nbsp; Police reported his arrest on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;Junious has numerous previous felony convictions that include aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody, theft, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, flee and attempt to elude and and was currently on parole through Kansas Dept. of Corrections.His next court date is December 3.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a&nbsp; $250,000 bond, according to the district attorney.

Man charged with murder for stabbing at Kansas home

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged fraud in Barton County.

On Nov. 19,&nbsp; The Chief Financial Officer at Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care in Great Bend contacted an officer with the Great Bend Police Department in reference to checks that were forged using an account number belonging to the Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care's bank account, according to police.

The investigating officer determined the fictitious checks had been electronically deposited into different banks.

The crime occurred between Oct. 7, 2020 to Oct. 29, 2020. There were 29 different fraud incidents, totaling a loss amount of approximately $106,000 to the Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care Center.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at (620) 793-4120 or Barton County Crime Stoppers at (620) 792-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606160364675.png" alt="Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care,&nbsp;1905 19th Street in Great Bend." />
 <figcaption>Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care,&nbsp;1905 19th Street in Great Bend.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged fraud in Barton County.On Nov. 19,&nbsp; The Chief Financial Officer at Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care in Great Bend contacted an officer with the Great Bend Police Department in reference to checks that were forged using an account number belonging to the Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care's bank account, according to police.The investigating officer determined the fictitious checks had been electronically deposited into different banks.The crime occurred between Oct. 7, 2020 to Oct. 29, 2020. There were 29 different fraud incidents, totaling a loss amount of approximately $106,000 to the Heart of Kansas Family Medical Care Center.Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at (620) 793-4120 or Barton County Crime Stoppers at (620) 792-1300.

Police: Forged checks cost Kan. medical clinic $106,000

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two recent Wichita State University graduates are among the finalists for a $1 million prize pool in a contest that seeks to design a better mask.

&nbsp;Jared Goering and Spencer Steinert are in the top 10 after beating out nearly 1,000 other mask designs from 70 countries. They hope to win the $500,000 grand prize or a $250,000 secondary prize, and they also want to take their mask to market.

Both men are graduates of Wichita State’s innovation design master’s program, and they’re both in an apparel start-up called Montana Shirt Co.

The point of the XPRIZE contest is to solve some of the issues surrounding masks, such as slippage, fogging and heat, that have become common during the coronavirus pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606150068306.png" alt="Wichita State alum Jared Goering models a mask that he and his team created for the XPrize Next Generation Mask Challenge- photo courtesy WSU" />
 <figcaption>Wichita State alum Jared Goering models a mask that he and his team created for the XPrize Next Generation Mask Challenge- photo courtesy WSU</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two recent Wichita State University graduates are among the finalists for a $1 million prize pool in a contest that seeks to design a better mask.&nbsp;Jared Goering and Spencer Steinert are in the top 10 after beating out nearly 1,000 other mask designs from 70 countries. They hope to win the $500,000 grand prize or a $250,000 secondary prize, and they also want to take their mask to market.Both men are graduates of Wichita State’s innovation design master’s program, and they’re both in an apparel start-up called Montana Shirt Co.The point of the XPRIZE contest is to solve some of the issues surrounding masks, such as slippage, fogging and heat, that have become common during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wichita State grads finalists in contest seeking better mask

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="http://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The largest foster care provider for Kansas has removed its top two leaders following an investigation into alleged mismanagement, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families was reviewing the situation to determine whether state resources were properly handled.

Saint Francis Ministries&nbsp;informed staff Thursday that the Rev. Robert Smith and CEO Tom Blythe won’t return to the organization. William Clark, who has been chief of staff since last year, will serve as interim president and CEO.

The board of directors for the nonprofit, private contractor initiated an investigation last month after receiving a whistleblower complaint alleging mismanagement. The organization declined to disclose details of the allegations except to say that they didn’t involve improprieties with children.

The Salina-based organization is responsible for about 3,000 children in the Kansas foster care system, and also provides services in Nebraska, five other states and Central America.

Clark said “timely and appropriate action was taken” after receiving the whistleblower complaint. The organization hired Chris McHugh, an attorney in Kansas City, Kansas, to investigate.

“Saint Francis Ministries’ leaders have been in regular contact with Kansas and Nebraska officials, keeping them up to date on our leadership change,” Clark said. “Our services and contracts in those states are unchanged. We will continue to communicate directly with our state partners.”

He said he was “unable to speculate as to whether someone will file a lawsuit” in relation to the alleged mismanagement.

DCF spokesman Mike Deines said he didn’t know whether the agency had been given a copy of the whistleblower’s report.

“DCF looks forward to further discussion with Saint Francis to learn more about what their investigation revealed,” Deines said. “And we will continue to do our due diligence to ensure that Kansas resources were properly handled and that Saint Francis continues to meet the outcomes laid out in its contract with the state.”

For the past decade, the state’s foster care system has been maligned over scandals involving the abuse and deaths of children, kids sleeping in office spaces, missing runaways, human trafficking and other horrors.

In July, Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/ksfailsfosteryouth.html">settled a lawsuit with Kansas Appleseed</a>&nbsp;over the mistreatment of foster children and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-10-15/kansas-foster-care-instability-led-to-surge-in-runaways-left-children-vulnerable-to-sex-traffickers">instability within the system</a>. The administration promised to reduce case loads for social workers and the frequency in which children are moved from one home to another, among other concessions.

Advocates argue the problems are rooted in policies enacted by the Legislature under former Gov. Sam Brownback that contributed to a rapid increase in the number of children in the foster care system. The administrations before Kelly also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200516/kansas-secretly-withheld-21-million-in-payments-to-foster-care-providers">secretly withheld millions in payments</a>&nbsp;to Saint Francis, placing the organization in financial peril.

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he started on the copy desk, then oversaw digital operations, was the managing editor and reported from the Statehouse. A lifelong Kansan, he graduated from Emporia State University in 2004 as a Shepherd Scholar with a degree in English.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/clark-william-200x300.jpg" alt="William Clark, interim CEO of Saint Francis Ministries, said the whistleblower’s complaint did not allege any improprieties having to do with children or families in the organization’s care. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>William Clark, interim CEO of Saint Francis Ministries, said the whistleblower’s complaint did not allege any improprieties having to do with children or families in the organization’s care. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="http://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The largest foster care provider for Kansas has removed its top two leaders following an investigation into alleged mismanagement, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families was reviewing the situation to determine whether state resources were properly handled.Saint Francis Ministries&nbsp;informed staff Thursday that the Rev. Robert Smith and CEO Tom Blythe won’t return to the organization. William Clark, who has been chief of staff since last year, will serve as interim president and CEO.The board of directors for the nonprofit, private contractor initiated an investigation last month after receiving a whistleblower complaint alleging mismanagement. The organization declined to disclose details of the allegations except to say that they didn’t involve improprieties with children.The Salina-based organization is responsible for about 3,000 children in the Kansas foster care system, and also provides services in Nebraska, five other states and Central America.Clark said “timely and appropriate action was taken” after receiving the whistleblower complaint. The organization hired Chris McHugh, an attorney in Kansas City, Kansas, to investigate.“Saint Francis Ministries’ leaders have been in regular contact with Kansas and Nebraska officials, keeping them up to date on our leadership change,” Clark said. “Our services and contracts in those states are unchanged. We will continue to communicate directly with our state partners.”He said he was “unable to speculate as to whether someone will file a lawsuit” in relation to the alleged mismanagement.DCF spokesman Mike Deines said he didn’t know whether the agency had been given a copy of the whistleblower’s report.“DCF looks forward to further discussion with Saint Francis to learn more about what their investigation revealed,” Deines said. “And we will continue to do our due diligence to ensure that Kansas resources were properly handled and that Saint Francis continues to meet the outcomes laid out in its contract with the state.”For the past decade, the state’s foster care system has been maligned over scandals involving the abuse and deaths of children, kids sleeping in office spaces, missing runaways, human trafficking and other horrors.In July, Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/ksfailsfosteryouth.html">settled a lawsuit with Kansas Appleseed</a>&nbsp;over the mistreatment of foster children and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-10-15/kansas-foster-care-instability-led-to-surge-in-runaways-left-children-vulnerable-to-sex-traffickers">instability within the system</a>. The administration promised to reduce case loads for social workers and the frequency in which children are moved from one home to another, among other concessions.Advocates argue the problems are rooted in policies enacted by the Legislature under former Gov. Sam Brownback that contributed to a rapid increase in the number of children in the foster care system. The administrations before Kelly also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200516/kansas-secretly-withheld-21-million-in-payments-to-foster-care-providers">secretly withheld millions in payments</a>&nbsp;to Saint Francis, placing the organization in financial peril.Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he started on the copy desk, then oversaw digital operations, was the managing editor and reported from the Statehouse. A lifelong Kansan, he graduated from Emporia State University in 2004 as a Shepherd Scholar with a degree in English.

Foster care provider for Kan. removes top leaders after investigation

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 7,526 to a total of 142,059 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1,456, an increase of 46.

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 7,526 to a total of 142,059 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 1,456, an increase of 46.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606154907887.png" alt="Monday Nov. 23, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Nov. 23, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop in Barton County.

Just after 5 p.m. November 20, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of 16th Street on a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, according to a media release.

During the stop, police service dog, Menta, was deployed and conducted a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. After performing the sniff, K-9 Menta alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and police located a substantial amount of Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and guns.&nbsp;

Officers arrested 30-year-old Joel Munoz and transported him to the Barton County Jail and booked him with no bond.

Munoz has previous convictions for drugs and weapons and was listed as an absconder, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606146308690.png" alt="Munoz photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Munoz photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop in Barton County.Just after 5 p.m. November 20, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of 16th Street on a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, according to a media release.During the stop, police service dog, Menta, was deployed and conducted a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. After performing the sniff, K-9 Menta alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics.A search of the vehicle was conducted and police located a substantial amount of Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and guns.&nbsp;Officers arrested 30-year-old Joel Munoz and transported him to the Barton County Jail and booked him with no bond.Munoz has previous convictions for drugs and weapons and was listed as an absconder, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Wanted Kan. felon found with substantial amount of drugs, guns

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempt to locate case involving 29-year-old Jeremy Cook of Wichita and asking for help with information on Cook’s whereabouts, according to officer Charley Davidson.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on November 19, officers responded to a call in the 800 block of North Belmont in Wichita and spoke to Cook’s family, who reported not being able to contact him.&nbsp; 

Cook was last seen at approximately 6a.m. on November 18 and may be traveling in a 2006 white Jeep Grand Cherokee.&nbsp; The Jeep has a broken out sunroof and tape around the passenger side tail light.

Cook is described as 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes, glasses, and last seen wearing a blue Nike t-shirt, blue jeans, and brown Nike tennis shoes.

&nbsp;Investigators believe Cook may be in danger.&nbsp; If you know the whereabouts of Cook, the white Jeep, or see them, please call 911 immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606149133035.png" alt="Cook photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Cook photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempt to locate case involving 29-year-old Jeremy Cook of Wichita and asking for help with information on Cook’s whereabouts, according to officer Charley Davidson.At approximately 5:30 p.m. on November 19, officers responded to a call in the 800 block of North Belmont in Wichita and spoke to Cook’s family, who reported not being able to contact him.&nbsp; <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606149202592.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cook was last seen at approximately 6a.m. on November 18 and may be traveling in a 2006 white Jeep Grand Cherokee.&nbsp; The Jeep has a broken out sunroof and tape around the passenger side tail light.Cook is described as 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes, glasses, and last seen wearing a blue Nike t-shirt, blue jeans, and brown Nike tennis shoes.&nbsp;Investigators believe Cook may be in danger.&nbsp; If you know the whereabouts of Cook, the white Jeep, or see them, please call 911 immediately.

Police: Missing Kansas man may be in danger

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors will recall about 7 million big pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators.

The move came Monday after the U.S. government told the automaker it had to recall 6 million of the vehicles in the U.S.

The recall will cost the Detroit automaker an estimated $1.2 billion, about one third of its net income so far this year.

GM says it will not fight the recall, even though it believes the vehicles are safe.

The automaker had petitioned the agency four times starting in 2016 to avoid a recall, contending the air bag inflator canisters have been safe on the road and in testing. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Monday denied the petitions, saying the inflators still run the risk of exploding.

Owners who filed comments with NHTSA said the company was placing profits over safety.

Exploding Takata inflators caused the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 63 million inflators recalled. The U.S. government says that as of September, more than 11.1 million had not been fixed. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide.

Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to fill air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to heat and humidity and explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel.

Twenty-seven people have been killed worldwide by the exploding inflators including 18 in the U.S.

The recall covers GM full-size pickup trucks and SUVs from the 2007 through 2014 model years, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups. The Silverado is GM’s top-selling vehicle and the second-best selling vehicle in the U.S. Also covered are the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche, the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, and the GMC Yukon.

It took the agency more than four years to arrive at its decision, which comes toward the end of President Donald Trump’s four-year term.

NHTSA said in a prepared statement that it analyzed all available data on the air bags, including engineering and statistical analyses, aging tests and field data.

“Based on this information and information provided to the petition’s public docket, NHTSA concluded that the GM inflators in question are at risk of the same type of explosion after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity as other recalled Takata inflators,” the agency said.

The company has 30 days to give NHTSA a proposed schedule for notifying vehicle owners and starting the recall, the statement said.

GM said that although it believes a recall isn’t warranted based on the factual and scientific records, it will abide by NHTSA’s decision.

GM spokesman Dan Flores said Monday that none of the inflators have blown apart in the field or in laboratory testing. But he said GM doesn’t want a drawn-out fight with the government.

“Although we are confident that the inflators in the GMT900 vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety, continue to perform as designed in the field and will continue to perform as designed in line with the results of our accelerated aging studies, we will abide by NHTSA’s decision to maintain the trust and confidence of customers and regulators,” he said in an email.

The decision means that all Takata ammonium nitrate inflators in the U.S. will be recalled, NHTSA said. Earlier this year the agency decided not to seek a recall of inflators with a moisture-absorbing chemical called a dessicant. But NHTSA said it would monitor those inflators and take action if a problem arose.

In a 2019 petition to NHTSA, GM said the inflators were designed to its specifications and are safe, with no explosions even though nearly 67,000 air bags have deployed in the field.

But Takata declared the GM front passenger inflators defective under a 2015 agreement with the government.

In its petition, GM said that Northrop Grumman tested 4,270 inflators by artificially exposing them to added humidity and temperature cycling, and there were no explosions or abnormal deployments. It says GM has “established that worse-than-worst-case humidity exposure and temperature cycling will not cause inflator ruptures ... at any point within even unrealistically conservative vehicle service life estimates.”

Shares of GM rose nearly 3% in Monday morning trading to $44.16.

Drivers can check to see if their vehicles have been recalled by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls" target="_blank">https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.

The recalls drove Japan’s Takata into bankruptcy and brought criminal charges against the company. Eventually it was purchased by a Chinese-owned auto parts supplier.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576782225717.png" alt="Photo courtesy National Highway Traffic Safety Administratoion" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy National Highway Traffic Safety Administratoion</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — General Motors will recall about 7 million big pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators.The move came Monday after the U.S. government told the automaker it had to recall 6 million of the vehicles in the U.S.The recall will cost the Detroit automaker an estimated $1.2 billion, about one third of its net income so far this year.GM says it will not fight the recall, even though it believes the vehicles are safe.The automaker had petitioned the agency four times starting in 2016 to avoid a recall, contending the air bag inflator canisters have been safe on the road and in testing. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Monday denied the petitions, saying the inflators still run the risk of exploding.Owners who filed comments with NHTSA said the company was placing profits over safety.Exploding Takata inflators caused the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 63 million inflators recalled. The U.S. government says that as of September, more than 11.1 million had not been fixed. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide.Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to fill air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to heat and humidity and explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel.Twenty-seven people have been killed worldwide by the exploding inflators including 18 in the U.S.The recall covers GM full-size pickup trucks and SUVs from the 2007 through 2014 model years, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups. The Silverado is GM’s top-selling vehicle and the second-best selling vehicle in the U.S. Also covered are the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche, the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, and the GMC Yukon.It took the agency more than four years to arrive at its decision, which comes toward the end of President Donald Trump’s four-year term.NHTSA said in a prepared statement that it analyzed all available data on the air bags, including engineering and statistical analyses, aging tests and field data.“Based on this information and information provided to the petition’s public docket, NHTSA concluded that the GM inflators in question are at risk of the same type of explosion after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity as other recalled Takata inflators,” the agency said.The company has 30 days to give NHTSA a proposed schedule for notifying vehicle owners and starting the recall, the statement said.GM said that although it believes a recall isn’t warranted based on the factual and scientific records, it will abide by NHTSA’s decision.GM spokesman Dan Flores said Monday that none of the inflators have blown apart in the field or in laboratory testing. But he said GM doesn’t want a drawn-out fight with the government.“Although we are confident that the inflators in the GMT900 vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety, continue to perform as designed in the field and will continue to perform as designed in line with the results of our accelerated aging studies, we will abide by NHTSA’s decision to maintain the trust and confidence of customers and regulators,” he said in an email.The decision means that all Takata ammonium nitrate inflators in the U.S. will be recalled, NHTSA said. Earlier this year the agency decided not to seek a recall of inflators with a moisture-absorbing chemical called a dessicant. But NHTSA said it would monitor those inflators and take action if a problem arose.In a 2019 petition to NHTSA, GM said the inflators were designed to its specifications and are safe, with no explosions even though nearly 67,000 air bags have deployed in the field.But Takata declared the GM front passenger inflators defective under a 2015 agreement with the government.In its petition, GM said that Northrop Grumman tested 4,270 inflators by artificially exposing them to added humidity and temperature cycling, and there were no explosions or abnormal deployments. It says GM has “established that worse-than-worst-case humidity exposure and temperature cycling will not cause inflator ruptures ... at any point within even unrealistically conservative vehicle service life estimates.”Shares of GM rose nearly 3% in Monday morning trading to $44.16.Drivers can check to see if their vehicles have been recalled by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls" target="_blank">https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.The recalls drove Japan’s Takata into bankruptcy and brought criminal charges against the company. Eventually it was purchased by a Chinese-owned auto parts supplier.

GM to recall 7M pickup trucks, SUVs to replace air bags

LONDON (AP) — Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals.

The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine.

AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world anxiously waits for scientific breakthroughs that will bring an end to a pandemic that has wrought economic devastation and resulted in nearly 1.4 million confirmed deaths.

Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective. But, unlike its rivals, the AstraZeneca vaccine doesn’t have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, making it easier to distribute, especially in developing countries.

“I think these are really exciting results,” Dr. Andrew Pollard, chief investigator for the trial, said during a news conference. “Because the vaccine can be stored at fridge temperatures, it can be distributed around the world using the normal immunization distribution system. And so our goal … to make sure that we have a vaccine that was accessible everywhere, I think we’ve actually managed to do that.”

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is also cheaper. AstraZeneca, which has pledged it won’t make a profit on the vaccine during the pandemic, has reached agreements with governments and international health organizations that put its cost at about $2.50 a dose. Pfizer’s vaccine costs about $20 a dose, while Moderna’s is $15 to $25, based on agreements the companies have struck to supply their vaccines to the U.S. government.

All three vaccines must be approved by regulators before they can be widely distributed.

Oxford researchers and AstraZeneca stressed that they aren’t competing with other projects, and that multiple vaccines will be needed to reach enough of the world’s population and end the pandemic.

“We’re not thinking about vaccinations working in terms of one person at a time. We have to think about vaccinating communities, populations, reducing transmission within those populations, so that we really get on top of this pandemic,″ said Sarah Gilbert, a leader of the Oxford research team. “And that’s what it now looks like we’re going to have the ability to contribute to in a really big way.″

The results come as a second wave of COVID-19 hits many countries, once again shutting businesses, restricting social interaction and pummeling the world economy.

AstraZeneca said it will immediately apply for early approval of the vaccine where possible, and it will seek an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization, so it can make the vaccine available in low-income countries.

The AstraZeneca trial looked at two different dosing regimens. A half-dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month later was 90% effective. Another approach, giving patients two full doses one month apart, was 62% effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70%.

The vaccine uses a weakened version of a common cold virus that is combined with genetic material for the characteristic spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19. After vaccination, the spike protein primes the immune system to attack the virus if it later infects the body.

The vaccine can be transported under “normal refrigerated conditions” of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit), AstraZeneca said. By comparison, Pfizer plans to distribute its vaccine using specially designed “thermal shippers” that use dry ice to maintain temperatures of minus-70 degrees Celsius (minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit).

Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, said the finding that a smaller initial dose is more effective than a larger one is good news because it may reduce costs and mean more people can be vaccinated.

“The report that an initial half-dose is better than a full dose seems counterintuitive for those of us thinking of vaccines as normal drugs: With drugs, we expect that higher doses have bigger effects, and more side-effects,” he said. “But the immune system does not work like that.”

The results reported Monday come from trials in the U.K. and Brazil that involved 23,000 people. Late-stage trials are also underway in the U.S., Japan, Russia, South Africa, Kenya and Latin America, with further trials planned for other European and Asian countries.

AstraZeneca has been ramping up manufacturing capacity, so it can supply hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine starting in January, Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said earlier this month.

Soriot said Monday that the Oxford vaccine’s simpler supply chain and AstraZeneca’s commitment to provide it on a nonprofit basis during the pandemic mean it will be affordable and available to people around the world.

“This vaccine’s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency,” Soriot said.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt “a great sense of relief” at the news from AstraZeneca.

Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and the government says several million doses can be produced before the end of the year if it is approved by regulators.

Just months ago, “the idea that by November we would have three vaccines, all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for,” Hancock said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602590971875.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals.The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine.AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world anxiously waits for scientific breakthroughs that will bring an end to a pandemic that has wrought economic devastation and resulted in nearly 1.4 million confirmed deaths.Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective. But, unlike its rivals, the AstraZeneca vaccine doesn’t have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, making it easier to distribute, especially in developing countries.“I think these are really exciting results,” Dr. Andrew Pollard, chief investigator for the trial, said during a news conference. “Because the vaccine can be stored at fridge temperatures, it can be distributed around the world using the normal immunization distribution system. And so our goal … to make sure that we have a vaccine that was accessible everywhere, I think we’ve actually managed to do that.”The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is also cheaper. AstraZeneca, which has pledged it won’t make a profit on the vaccine during the pandemic, has reached agreements with governments and international health organizations that put its cost at about $2.50 a dose. Pfizer’s vaccine costs about $20 a dose, while Moderna’s is $15 to $25, based on agreements the companies have struck to supply their vaccines to the U.S. government.All three vaccines must be approved by regulators before they can be widely distributed.Oxford researchers and AstraZeneca stressed that they aren’t competing with other projects, and that multiple vaccines will be needed to reach enough of the world’s population and end the pandemic.“We’re not thinking about vaccinations working in terms of one person at a time. We have to think about vaccinating communities, populations, reducing transmission within those populations, so that we really get on top of this pandemic,″ said Sarah Gilbert, a leader of the Oxford research team. “And that’s what it now looks like we’re going to have the ability to contribute to in a really big way.″The results come as a second wave of COVID-19 hits many countries, once again shutting businesses, restricting social interaction and pummeling the world economy.AstraZeneca said it will immediately apply for early approval of the vaccine where possible, and it will seek an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization, so it can make the vaccine available in low-income countries.The AstraZeneca trial looked at two different dosing regimens. A half-dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month later was 90% effective. Another approach, giving patients two full doses one month apart, was 62% effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70%.The vaccine uses a weakened version of a common cold virus that is combined with genetic material for the characteristic spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19. After vaccination, the spike protein primes the immune system to attack the virus if it later infects the body.The vaccine can be transported under “normal refrigerated conditions” of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit), AstraZeneca said. By comparison, Pfizer plans to distribute its vaccine using specially designed “thermal shippers” that use dry ice to maintain temperatures of minus-70 degrees Celsius (minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit).Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, said the finding that a smaller initial dose is more effective than a larger one is good news because it may reduce costs and mean more people can be vaccinated.“The report that an initial half-dose is better than a full dose seems counterintuitive for those of us thinking of vaccines as normal drugs: With drugs, we expect that higher doses have bigger effects, and more side-effects,” he said. “But the immune system does not work like that.”The results reported Monday come from trials in the U.K. and Brazil that involved 23,000 people. Late-stage trials are also underway in the U.S., Japan, Russia, South Africa, Kenya and Latin America, with further trials planned for other European and Asian countries.AstraZeneca has been ramping up manufacturing capacity, so it can supply hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine starting in January, Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said earlier this month.Soriot said Monday that the Oxford vaccine’s simpler supply chain and AstraZeneca’s commitment to provide it on a nonprofit basis during the pandemic mean it will be affordable and available to people around the world.“This vaccine’s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency,” Soriot said.British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt “a great sense of relief” at the news from AstraZeneca.Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and the government says several million doses can be produced before the end of the year if it is approved by regulators.Just months ago, “the idea that by November we would have three vaccines, all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for,” Hancock said.___

Cheaper COVID-19 vaccine headed for approval

SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man on numerous charges after a drug bust at a Kansas home.

On Friday, the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 5400 BLK SW 18th Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to&nbsp;Lt. Jerry Monasmith. 

While conducting the search warrant officers found Kanen Garlington-McMurray, 23, Topeka was found to be in possession of marijuana, opiates, and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Mr. Garlington-McMurry was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Distribution of marijuana with intent within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Aggravated endangering a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605970868910.png" alt="Garlington-McMurray" />
 <figcaption>Garlington-McMurray</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man on numerous charges after a drug bust at a Kansas home.On Friday, the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 5400 BLK SW 18th Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to&nbsp;Lt. Jerry Monasmith. While conducting the search warrant officers found Kanen Garlington-McMurray, 23, Topeka was found to be in possession of marijuana, opiates, and drug paraphernalia.As a result, Mr. Garlington-McMurry was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Distribution of marijuana with intent within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Aggravated endangering a child.

Task force finds children during drug bust at Kansas home

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is preparing to launch a media campaign aimed at getting more of its residents to wear masks so that the coronavirus doesn’t keep spreading rapidly, though some officials are skeptical that it will move the needle much.

The campaign comes months after the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature forced Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to accept that local officials would set pandemic restrictions. Kelly issued two mandates for people to wear masks in public, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-1f1857c80abd2818b018fa58a1d89ec5">one set to take effect</a>&nbsp;Wednesday, but a law enacted in June allows each of the state’s 105 counties to opt out.

The state has set aside $1.5 million of its federal coronavirus relief funds for television, radio, print and social media ads promoting masks that are set to start before Thanksgiving and run into January or longer. State officials believe private funding could follow later.

But some officials who’d like to see more people wearing masks, particularly in rural areas, worry that politics are driving resistance too much for the new campaign to be effective. Others suggest that people are already bombarded with pro-mask messages and that new ones won’t get much attention.

“I think anything we can do to increase the prevalence of mask-wearing is generally a good thing, but I worry that folks have been saturated with the message and any further increase in compliance is probably going to depend on some type of enforcement action,” said Phil Hanes-Smith, county administrator in Saline County in central Kansas. “Hopefully I’m wrong.”

Kansas has reported more than 134,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, or one for every 22 residents since the pandemic began, and added an average of 2,718 per day over the seven-day period that ended Friday. The state also has reported more than 1,400 COVID-19-related deaths.

With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-e04e85728482b5e8bc60dfd54f7fded5">hospitals struggling</a>&nbsp;to handle a surge in coronavirus patients, the Kansas Hospital Association is managing the pro-mask medical campaign, working with other groups such as the Kansas Medical Society, the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The campaign seeks to foster a sense of unity and get people to see that wearing masks will help keep businesses and schools open.

“Simply put, we’re just really going to try to give people permission to do the right thing,” said Kansas Hospital Association spokeswoman Cindy Samuelson.

Some Republican lawmakers in Kansas have argued for months that mask mandates aren’t likely to be strictly enforced and that encouraging people to wear them is a better tactic. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, suggested at least four months ago that public service announcements were the way to go.

But mask wearing still could be a hard sell in some areas, particularly heavily Republican counties where President Donald Trump remains popular. Trump repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus, called on governors early to reopen their states’ economies and resisted wearing a mask himself.

After Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7457a306628413b9f3d6409a32e73283">first mask mandate</a>&nbsp;took effect in early July, most counties opted out. Many of the people who attended Republican campaign events this year didn’t wear masks, and many Republican legislators don’t wear them during in-person work meetings.

Public health officials have long&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-confusion-over-masks-74a67cc33e65721fe4cdf45fbdeb78e5">advised people to wear masks</a>&nbsp;because doing so can prevent infected people from spreading the virus. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that masks also can protect wearers who are not infected, though to a lesser degree.

The CDC released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6947e2.htm?s_cid=mm6947e2_w" target="_blank">a study&nbsp;</a>Friday that said in Kansas counties with a mask mandate, new cases per 100,000 residents dropped 6% for the week Aug. 17-23, compared with the week of July 3-9, and rose 100% in counties without them.

Sen. Gene Suellentrop, a Wichita Republican who chairs the Senate health committee, acknowledged being “a little skeptical” of mask wearing and saw the new campaign as “silly and ineffective.” He said the money would be better spent on traveling to “have an adult conversation” with county officials directly or to prop up struggling businesses.

“Throwing stuff out on the airwaves or in print is not going to change anything — nothing material,” Suellentrop said.

Earlier this month, Reno County, in south-central Kansas, launched a “10-day challenge” to encourage people to wear masks, socially distance and hold church gatherings online. Teresa Ellis, emergency department director at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center there, said she still sees grocery store customers not wearing masks despite signs asking them to do so.

“There are people that think it’s a political ploy, and there’s people that don’t believe it,” Ellis said. “COVID’s real, and we are losing one to two, well, sometimes three patients a day.”

Samuelson acknowledged that some mask opponents grow more determined not to wear them the more government officials push the issue, viewing it as an issue of personal freedom.

“We should really reframe the discussion as more of a matter of practical problem-solving, and empowerment and love of community and noble sacrifice,” Samuelson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605736950787.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly's new mandate for people to wear masks in public is set to begin Wednesday but a law enacted in June allows each county to opt out." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly's new mandate for people to wear masks in public is set to begin Wednesday but a law enacted in June allows each county to opt out.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is preparing to launch a media campaign aimed at getting more of its residents to wear masks so that the coronavirus doesn’t keep spreading rapidly, though some officials are skeptical that it will move the needle much.The campaign comes months after the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature forced Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to accept that local officials would set pandemic restrictions. Kelly issued two mandates for people to wear masks in public, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-1f1857c80abd2818b018fa58a1d89ec5">one set to take effect</a>&nbsp;Wednesday, but a law enacted in June allows each of the state’s 105 counties to opt out.The state has set aside $1.5 million of its federal coronavirus relief funds for television, radio, print and social media ads promoting masks that are set to start before Thanksgiving and run into January or longer. State officials believe private funding could follow later.But some officials who’d like to see more people wearing masks, particularly in rural areas, worry that politics are driving resistance too much for the new campaign to be effective. Others suggest that people are already bombarded with pro-mask messages and that new ones won’t get much attention.“I think anything we can do to increase the prevalence of mask-wearing is generally a good thing, but I worry that folks have been saturated with the message and any further increase in compliance is probably going to depend on some type of enforcement action,” said Phil Hanes-Smith, county administrator in Saline County in central Kansas. “Hopefully I’m wrong.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605895620548.png" alt="Friday Nov. 20, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Nov. 20, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas has reported more than 134,000 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, or one for every 22 residents since the pandemic began, and added an average of 2,718 per day over the seven-day period that ended Friday. The state also has reported more than 1,400 COVID-19-related deaths.With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-e04e85728482b5e8bc60dfd54f7fded5">hospitals struggling</a>&nbsp;to handle a surge in coronavirus patients, the Kansas Hospital Association is managing the pro-mask medical campaign, working with other groups such as the Kansas Medical Society, the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The campaign seeks to foster a sense of unity and get people to see that wearing masks will help keep businesses and schools open.“Simply put, we’re just really going to try to give people permission to do the right thing,” said Kansas Hospital Association spokeswoman Cindy Samuelson.Some Republican lawmakers in Kansas have argued for months that mask mandates aren’t likely to be strictly enforced and that encouraging people to wear them is a better tactic. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, suggested at least four months ago that public service announcements were the way to go.But mask wearing still could be a hard sell in some areas, particularly heavily Republican counties where President Donald Trump remains popular. Trump repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus, called on governors early to reopen their states’ economies and resisted wearing a mask himself.After Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7457a306628413b9f3d6409a32e73283">first mask mandate</a>&nbsp;took effect in early July, most counties opted out. Many of the people who attended Republican campaign events this year didn’t wear masks, and many Republican legislators don’t wear them during in-person work meetings.Public health officials have long&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-confusion-over-masks-74a67cc33e65721fe4cdf45fbdeb78e5">advised people to wear masks</a>&nbsp;because doing so can prevent infected people from spreading the virus. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that masks also can protect wearers who are not infected, though to a lesser degree.The CDC released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6947e2.htm?s_cid=mm6947e2_w" target="_blank">a study&nbsp;</a>Friday that said in Kansas counties with a mask mandate, new cases per 100,000 residents dropped 6% for the week Aug. 17-23, compared with the week of July 3-9, and rose 100% in counties without them.Sen. Gene Suellentrop, a Wichita Republican who chairs the Senate health committee, acknowledged being “a little skeptical” of mask wearing and saw the new campaign as “silly and ineffective.” He said the money would be better spent on traveling to “have an adult conversation” with county officials directly or to prop up struggling businesses.“Throwing stuff out on the airwaves or in print is not going to change anything — nothing material,” Suellentrop said.Earlier this month, Reno County, in south-central Kansas, launched a “10-day challenge” to encourage people to wear masks, socially distance and hold church gatherings online. Teresa Ellis, emergency department director at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center there, said she still sees grocery store customers not wearing masks despite signs asking them to do so.“There are people that think it’s a political ploy, and there’s people that don’t believe it,” Ellis said. “COVID’s real, and we are losing one to two, well, sometimes three patients a day.”Samuelson acknowledged that some mask opponents grow more determined not to wear them the more government officials push the issue, viewing it as an issue of personal freedom.“We should really reframe the discussion as more of a matter of practical problem-solving, and empowerment and love of community and noble sacrifice,” Samuelson said.___

Kansas pro-mask campaign set to begin this week

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of armed robberies have made an arrest.

Just after 10:30a.m. Sunday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Meriden Police Dept. were able to arrest a 16-year-old boy in Meriden in connection with the armed robberies that took place in Shawnee and Jefferson Counties on Saturday, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just after 11:30 a.m. Sund, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office located a blue Pontiac at the Rochester Cemetery located in the 1200 block of NW Menninger Road.&nbsp; The Pontiac was the suspect vehicle involved in armed robberies.

The deputy was able to stop the Pontiac before it left the cemetery.&nbsp; The driver identified as Braden T. Rickel, 18, of Topeka, was arrested and transported to the Law Enforcement Center.

Rickel and the 16-year-old juvenile are being held on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and conspiracy for the armed robbery in the 4200 block of NW Topeka Boulevard and two more armed robberies in Jefferson County, according to Christian.

 The suspect wore a face mask, was armed with a shotgun and arrived in a brownish colored four door Pontiac passenger car with a blue tarp covering the back window.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an armed robbery in the 4200 block of NW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 The suspect was described as a white male, early to mid-20s, 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-2 inches tall, black hoodie with white writing down the left sleeve, blue jeans, face mask and armed with a shotgun. The suspect arrived in a brownish colored four door Pontiac passenger car with a blue tarp covering the back window. The suspect left the scene and committed two more armed robberies in Jefferson County.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606132224964.png" alt="Rickel-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Rickel-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of armed robberies have made an arrest.Just after 10:30a.m. Sunday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Meriden Police Dept. were able to arrest a 16-year-old boy in Meriden in connection with the armed robberies that took place in Shawnee and Jefferson Counties on Saturday, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Just after 11:30 a.m. Sund, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office located a blue Pontiac at the Rochester Cemetery located in the 1200 block of NW Menninger Road.&nbsp; The Pontiac was the suspect vehicle involved in armed robberies.The deputy was able to stop the Pontiac before it left the cemetery.&nbsp; The driver identified as Braden T. Rickel, 18, of Topeka, was arrested and transported to the Law Enforcement Center.Rickel and the 16-year-old juvenile are being held on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and conspiracy for the armed robbery in the 4200 block of NW Topeka Boulevard and two more armed robberies in Jefferson County, according to Christian. The suspect wore a face mask, was armed with a shotgun and arrived in a brownish colored four door Pontiac passenger car with a blue tarp covering the back window.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606015182829.png" alt="Security camera images of the suspect vehicle Photo courtesy Shawnee County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images of the suspect vehicle Photo courtesy Shawnee County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>-------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an armed robbery in the 4200 block of NW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The suspect was described as a white male, early to mid-20s, 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-2 inches tall, black hoodie with white writing down the left sleeve, blue jeans, face mask and armed with a shotgun. The suspect arrived in a brownish colored four door Pontiac passenger car with a blue tarp covering the back window. The suspect left the scene and committed two more armed robberies in Jefferson County.Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Arrest made: Suspect used shotgun in 3 Kan. robberies

U.S. health officials agreed to allow emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19, an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized use of the <a href="https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2020/10/us-food-and-drug-administration-approves-gileads-antiviral-veklury-remdesivir-for-treatment-of-covid19">Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. drug to </a>try to prevent hospitalization and worsening disease from developing in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

The drug is given as a one-time treatment through an IV. The FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds and who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of age or certain other medical conditions.

Emergency authorization allows use of the drug to start while studies are continuing to establish safety and effectiveness. Early results suggest the drug may reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression, the FDA said.

Regeneron said that initial doses will be made available to roughly 300,000 patients through a federal government allocation program. Those patients will not be charged for the drug but may have to pay part of the cost of giving the IV.

Initial supplies will likely be vastly outstripped by demand as the U.S. has surged past 12 million reported cases, with the country facing what health experts say will be a dark winter due to uncontrolled spread of the virus.

Antibodies are proteins the body makes to target and help eliminate viruses, but it can take weeks for the best ones to form after an infection occurs. The drugs are concentrated versions of ones that proved best able to do this in lab and animal tests, and in theory help the body start to fight the virus right away.

The Regeneron drug is a combo of two antibodies to enhance the chances it will prove effective. Earlier this month, the FDA gave emergency authorization to a single-antibody drug from Eli Lilly that also is still being studied.

There’s no way to know whether the Regeneron drug helped Trump recover; he received a host of treatments and most COVID-19 patients recover on their own.

FDA regulators authorized the Regeneron drug using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental drugs and other medical products during public health crises.

In normal times the FDA requires “substantial evidence” to show that a drug is safe and effective, usually through one or more large, rigorously controlled patient studies. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards and require only that an experimental treatment’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.

The emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To win full approval, Regeneron will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug’s safety and benefit for patients.

The White House cast the decision as a victory for Trump’s efforts “to deliver cutting-edge treatments with highly promising results to protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable Americans,” according to a statement from spokesman Michael Bars.

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, Associated PressU.S. health officials agreed to allow emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19, an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month.The Food and Drug Administration authorized use of the <a href="https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2020/10/us-food-and-drug-administration-approves-gileads-antiviral-veklury-remdesivir-for-treatment-of-covid19">Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. drug to </a>try to prevent hospitalization and worsening disease from developing in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.The drug is given as a one-time treatment through an IV. The FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds and who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of age or certain other medical conditions.Emergency authorization allows use of the drug to start while studies are continuing to establish safety and effectiveness. Early results suggest the drug may reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression, the FDA said.Regeneron said that initial doses will be made available to roughly 300,000 patients through a federal government allocation program. Those patients will not be charged for the drug but may have to pay part of the cost of giving the IV.Initial supplies will likely be vastly outstripped by demand as the U.S. has surged past 12 million reported cases, with the country facing what health experts say will be a dark winter due to uncontrolled spread of the virus.Antibodies are proteins the body makes to target and help eliminate viruses, but it can take weeks for the best ones to form after an infection occurs. The drugs are concentrated versions of ones that proved best able to do this in lab and animal tests, and in theory help the body start to fight the virus right away.The Regeneron drug is a combo of two antibodies to enhance the chances it will prove effective. Earlier this month, the FDA gave emergency authorization to a single-antibody drug from Eli Lilly that also is still being studied.There’s no way to know whether the Regeneron drug helped Trump recover; he received a host of treatments and most COVID-19 patients recover on their own.FDA regulators authorized the Regeneron drug using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental drugs and other medical products during public health crises.In normal times the FDA requires “substantial evidence” to show that a drug is safe and effective, usually through one or more large, rigorously controlled patient studies. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards and require only that an experimental treatment’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.The emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To win full approval, Regeneron will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug’s safety and benefit for patients.The White House cast the decision as a victory for Trump’s efforts “to deliver cutting-edge treatments with highly promising results to protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable Americans,” according to a statement from spokesman Michael Bars.___

2nd emergency use of a COVID-19 antibody drug approved

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities arrested a 23-year-old man in an attack at a Nebraska fast food restaurant in which two people were shot and killed, two were wounded and officers responding to a report of a possible bomb inside a moving truck in the parking lot arrived to find the vehicle on fire.

Roberto Carlos Silva Jr., of Omaha, was booked into Sarpy County jail early Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder and first-degree arson in Saturday night's attack at a Sonic Drive-in restaurant in Bellevue. Silva was being held without bond Sunday before making his initial court appearance.

In a news release early Sunday, Lt. Andy Jashinske said Bellevue police received a call at 9:23 p.m. Saturday about a possible bomb in a U-Haul truck parked outside of the restaurant in the Omaha suburb. A minute later, the call was updated to a possible shooting, he said.

Officers who arrived found the moving truck burning and four people who had been shot. Two were sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment and the other two were declared dead at the scene, Jashinske said. The victims' names were withheld so that their families could be told first.

Video&nbsp;tweeted by Omaha TV station KETV&nbsp;showed crews battling the truck fire late Saturday. The Omaha Police Department's bomb squad was at the scene early Sunday to check on a "device," as a precaution to make sure the area was safe, Jashinske said.

The attack came days after Silva was arrested outside of the restaurant after allegedly using someone else's Sonic app account to buy a total of $57 worth of hamburgers and corn dogs in four separate purchases at that location, the World-Herald reported. Silva was released from jail on Thursday after posting 10% of his $1,500 bail. At the time of that arrest, police seized three firearms from Silva, Jashinske said Sunday.

Officials at Sonic's headquarters in Oklahoma didn't immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Two people died and two others were wounded in a shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Nebraska where police had been called to investigate a "possible bomb" inside a moving truck in the parking lot.

A suspect was taken into custody shortly after officers arrived at the Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Bellevue late Saturday night, Lt. Andy Jashinske said in a news release. Police did not identify the suspect.

Officers found four people with gunshot wounds after arriving at the restaurant, Jashinske said. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to hospitals for treatment. None of the four were immediately identified.

Video obtained by news outlets showed a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of the Sonic Drive-In. Jashinske told reporters the fire may have been ignited by "some fireworks or some type of device," but investigators were still looking in to the cause.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606067521453.png" alt="Roberto Carlos Silva-photo Sarpy Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Roberto Carlos Silva-photo Sarpy Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities arrested a 23-year-old man in an attack at a Nebraska fast food restaurant in which two people were shot and killed, two were wounded and officers responding to a report of a possible bomb inside a moving truck in the parking lot arrived to find the vehicle on fire.Roberto Carlos Silva Jr., of Omaha, was booked into Sarpy County jail early Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder and first-degree arson in Saturday night's attack at a Sonic Drive-in restaurant in Bellevue. Silva was being held without bond Sunday before making his initial court appearance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606052318535.png" alt="The investigation late Saturday at the Sonic -photo&nbsp; by Alex McLoon courtesy WOWT TV" />
 <figcaption>The investigation late Saturday at the Sonic -photo&nbsp; by Alex McLoon courtesy WOWT TV</figcaption>
 </figure>In a news release early Sunday, Lt. Andy Jashinske said Bellevue police received a call at 9:23 p.m. Saturday about a possible bomb in a U-Haul truck parked outside of the restaurant in the Omaha suburb. A minute later, the call was updated to a possible shooting, he said.Officers who arrived found the moving truck burning and four people who had been shot. Two were sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment and the other two were declared dead at the scene, Jashinske said. The victims' names were withheld so that their families could be told first.Video&nbsp;tweeted by Omaha TV station KETV&nbsp;showed crews battling the truck fire late Saturday. The Omaha Police Department's bomb squad was at the scene early Sunday to check on a "device," as a precaution to make sure the area was safe, Jashinske said.The attack came days after Silva was arrested outside of the restaurant after allegedly using someone else's Sonic app account to buy a total of $57 worth of hamburgers and corn dogs in four separate purchases at that location, the World-Herald reported. Silva was released from jail on Thursday after posting 10% of his $1,500 bail. At the time of that arrest, police seized three firearms from Silva, Jashinske said Sunday.Officials at Sonic's headquarters in Oklahoma didn't immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.----------BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Two people died and two others were wounded in a shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Nebraska where police had been called to investigate a "possible bomb" inside a moving truck in the parking lot.A suspect was taken into custody shortly after officers arrived at the Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Bellevue late Saturday night, Lt. Andy Jashinske said in a news release. Police did not identify the suspect.Officers found four people with gunshot wounds after arriving at the restaurant, Jashinske said. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to hospitals for treatment. None of the four were immediately identified.Video obtained by news outlets showed a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of the Sonic Drive-In. Jashinske told reporters the fire may have been ignited by "some fireworks or some type of device," but investigators were still looking in to the cause.

Update: 2 dead after shooting at Nebraska Sonic Drive-In 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple felony charges following a weekend pursuit and standoff.

Just after 11a.m.Saturday, a deputy responded to the 3800 block of NW 16th Street to check on an erratic driver, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 The deputy located a silver Dodge Caravan and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Theresa A. Cook, 40 of Topeka, refused to stop and initiated a pursuit. 

The Caravan came to a stop in a cornfield near NW 75 Highway. The deputy, his K9 partner and multiple law enforcement officers were on scene. A brief standoff ensued before Cook was taken into custody. 

The only other occupant of the Caravan, a dog, was safely removed from the vehicle. No one was injured during this incident.

Cook was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony flee and elude, interference with law enforcement, trespassing on railroad property, multiple traffic related charges and more. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606058514334.png" alt="Cook-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cook-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple felony charges following a weekend pursuit and standoff.Just after 11a.m.Saturday, a deputy responded to the 3800 block of NW 16th Street to check on an erratic driver, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The deputy located a silver Dodge Caravan and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Theresa A. Cook, 40 of Topeka, refused to stop and initiated a pursuit. The Caravan came to a stop in a cornfield near NW 75 Highway. The deputy, his K9 partner and multiple law enforcement officers were on scene. A brief standoff ensued before Cook was taken into custody. The only other occupant of the Caravan, a dog, was safely removed from the vehicle. No one was injured during this incident.Cook was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony flee and elude, interference with law enforcement, trespassing on railroad property, multiple traffic related charges and more.

Deputies arrest woman after standoff in Kan. corn field

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities have arrested a detention deputy.

The Sedgwick County sheriff’s office received information this week that a detention deputy was introducing contraband to the Sedgwick County Detention Facility, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and Professional Standards Unit investigated the complaint and determined probable cause existed to arrest the detention deputy Braydon Hoover-Lane for three counts of Traffic in Contraband in a Correctional Institution (K.S.A 21-5914).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605981874996.png" alt="Hoover-Lane photo Sedgwick Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hoover-Lane photo Sedgwick Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities have arrested a detention deputy.The Sedgwick County sheriff’s office received information this week that a detention deputy was introducing contraband to the Sedgwick County Detention Facility, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and Professional Standards Unit investigated the complaint and determined probable cause existed to arrest the detention deputy Braydon Hoover-Lane for three counts of Traffic in Contraband in a Correctional Institution (K.S.A 21-5914).&nbsp;Hoover-Lane was booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility and placed on unpaid suspension. He has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office since September 2019, according to Blick.&nbsp; He was no longer in custody Sunday morning, according to online jail records.