SHAWNE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations&nbsp;

On November 16, police served a search warrant at a home in the 1100 Block of SW Plass Avenue related to an ongoing stalking investigation, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

As a result, police arrested Constantinos M. Acton, 54, of Topeka. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Stalking; Felony,&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated Assault; While disguised to conceal identity and Criminal Damage to property; Felony

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700240655628.png" alt="Acton-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Acton-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations&nbsp;On November 16, police served a search warrant at a home in the 1100 Block of SW Plass Avenue related to an ongoing stalking investigation, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.As a result, police arrested Constantinos M. Acton, 54, of Topeka. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Stalking; Felony,&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated Assault; While disguised to conceal identity and Criminal Damage to property; Felony

Police: Kan. man used disguise while stalking  victim

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before 8 pm Nov. 16, a sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 75&nbsp; near 160th Road for a tag light violation, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Upon completion of the traffic stop,&nbsp; the driver identified as 36-year-old Cynthia Flores of Hiawatha, was arrested on requested charges of DUI, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Transporting an Open Container, Obstruction&nbsp; and 2 counts ofAggravated Child Endangerment.&nbsp; 

Two&nbsp; children under the age of 18 were present in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. Flores was released from jail the following afternoon after meeting the requirements of a $2500 OR Bond, according to Merchant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700256631377.png" alt="Flores-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Flores-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 8 pm Nov. 16, a sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 75&nbsp; near 160th Road for a tag light violation, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Upon completion of the traffic stop,&nbsp; the driver identified as 36-year-old Cynthia Flores of Hiawatha, was arrested on requested charges of DUI, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Transporting an Open Container, Obstruction&nbsp; and 2 counts ofAggravated Child Endangerment.&nbsp; Two&nbsp; children under the age of 18 were present in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. Flores was released from jail the following afternoon after meeting the requirements of a $2500 OR Bond, according to Merchant.

Sheriff: Kan. woman was driving with drugs, open container and kids

ATLANTA (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rosalynn-carter">Former first lady Rosalynn Carter</a>, the closest adviser to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-carter">Jimmy Carter</a>&nbsp;during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died at the age of 96.

<a href="http://www.cartercenter.org/index.html">The Carter Center</a>&nbsp;said she died Sunday after living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. The statement announcing her death said she “died peacefully, with family by her side" at 2:10 p.m. at her rural Georgia home of Plains.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Carter said in the statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

The Carters were married for more than 77 years, forging what they both described as a “full partnership.” Unlike many&nbsp;<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/">previous first ladies</a>, Rosalynn sat in on Cabinet meetings, spoke out on controversial issues and represented her husband on foreign trips. Aides to President Carter sometimes referred to her — privately — as “co-president.”

“Rosalynn is my best friend ... the perfect extension of me, probably the most influential person in my life,” Jimmy Carter told aides during their White House years, which spanned from 1977-1981.

Fiercely loyal and compassionate as well as politically astute, Rosalynn Carter prided herself on being an activist first lady, and no one doubted her behind-the-scenes influence. When her role in a highly publicized Cabinet shakeup became known, she was forced to declare publicly, “I am not running the government.”

Many presidential aides insisted that her political instincts were better than her husband’s — they often enlisted her support for a project before they discussed it with the president. Her iron will, contrasted with her outwardly shy demeanor and a soft Southern accent, inspired Washington reporters to call her “the Steel Magnolia.”

Both Carters said in their later years that Rosalynn had always been the more political of the two. After Jimmy Carter’s landslide defeat in 1980, it was she, not the former president, who contemplated an implausible comeback, and years later she confessed to missing their life in Washington.

Jimmy Carter trusted her so much that in 1977, only months into his term, he sent her on a mission to Latin America to tell dictators he meant what he said about denying military aid and other support to violators of human rights.

She also had strong feelings about the style of the Carter White House. The Carters did not serve hard liquor at public functions, though Rosalynn did permit U.S. wine. There were fewer evenings of ballroom dancing and more square dancing and picnics.

Throughout her husband's political career, she chose mental health and problems of the elderly as her signature policy emphasis. When the news media didn't cover those efforts as much as she believed was warranted, she criticized reporters for writing only about "sexy subjects."

As honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, she once testified before a Senate subcommittee, becoming the first first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt to address a congressional panel. She was back in Washington in 2007 to push Congress for improved mental health coverage, saying, "We've been working on this for so long, it finally seems to be in reach."

She said she developed her interest in mental health during her husband's campaigns for Georgia governor.

“I used to come home and say to Jimmy, 'Why are people telling me their problems?' And he said, 'Because you may be the only person they'll ever see who may be close to someone who can help them,'” she explained.

After Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election, Rosalynn Carter seemed more visibly devastated than her husband. She initially had little interest in returning to the small town of Plains, Georgia, where they both were born, married and spent most of their lives.

"I was hesitant, not at all sure that I could be happy here after the dazzle of the White House and the years of stimulating political battles," she wrote in her 1984 autobiography, "First Lady from Plains." But "we slowly rediscovered the satisfaction of a life we had left long before."

After leaving Washington, Jimmy and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in Atlanta to continue their work. She chaired the center's annual symposium on mental health issues and raised funds for efforts to aid the mentally ill and homeless. She also wrote "Helping Yourself Help Others," about the challenges of caring for elderly or ailing relatives, and a sequel, "Helping Someone With Mental Illness."

Frequently, the Carters left home on humanitarian missions, building houses with Habitat for Humanity and promoting public health and democracy across the developing world.

"I get tired," she said of her travels. "But something so wonderful always happens. To go to a village where they have Guinea worm and go back a year or two later and there's no Guinea worm, I mean the people dance and sing — it's so wonderful."

In 2015, Jimmy Carter’s doctors discovered four small tumors on his brain. The Carters feared he had weeks to live. He was treated with a drug to boost his immune system, and later announced that doctors found no remaining signs of cancer. But when they first received the news, she said she didn't know what she was going to do.

“I depend on him when I have questions, when I'm writing speeches, anything, I consult with him,” she said.

She helped Carter recover several years later when he had hip replacement surgery at age 94 and had to learn to walk again. And she was with him earlier this year when he decided after a series of hospital stays that he would forgo further medical interventions and begin end-of-life care.

Jimmy Carter is the longest-lived U.S. president. Rosalynn Carter was the second longest-lived of the nation's first ladies, trailing only Bess Truman, who died at age 97.

Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927, the eldest of four children. Her father died when she was young, so she took on much of the responsibility of caring for her siblings when her mother went to work part time.

She also contributed to the family income by working after school in a beauty parlor. "We were very poor and worked hard," she once said, but she kept up her studies, graduating from high school as class valedictorian.

She soon fell in love with the brother of one of her best friends. Jimmy and Rosalynn had known each other all their lives — it was Jimmy's mother, nurse Lillian Carter, who delivered baby Rosalynn — but he left for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, when she was still in high school.

After a blind date, Jimmy told his mother: "That's the girl I want to marry." They wed in 1946, shortly after his graduation from Annapolis and Rosalynn's graduation from Georgia Southwestern College.

Their sons were born where Jimmy Carter was stationed: John William (Jack) in Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1947; James Earl III (Chip) in Honolulu in 1950; and Donnel Jeffery (Jeff) in New London, Connecticut, in 1952. Amy was born in Plains in 1967. By then, Carter was a state senator.

Navy life had provided Rosalynn her first chance to see the world. When Carter's father, James Earl Sr., died in 1953, Jimmy Carter decided, without consulting his wife, to move the family back to Plains, where he took over the family farm. She joined him there in the day-to-day operations, keeping the books and weighing fertilizer trucks.

“We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business,” Rosalynn Carter recalled with pride in a 2021 interview with The Associated Press. “I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700318605509.png" alt="FILE - The former first lady Rosalynn Carter speaks to the press at conference at The Carter Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, in Atlanta. Rosalynn Carter, the 96-year-old former first lady, is in hospice care at home, the Carter Center says. (AP Photo/Ron Harris, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - The former first lady Rosalynn Carter speaks to the press at conference at The Carter Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, in Atlanta. Rosalynn Carter, the 96-year-old former first lady, is in hospice care at home, the Carter Center says. (AP Photo/Ron Harris, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rosalynn-carter">Former first lady Rosalynn Carter</a>, the closest adviser to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-carter">Jimmy Carter</a>&nbsp;during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died at the age of 96.<a href="http://www.cartercenter.org/index.html">The Carter Center</a>&nbsp;said she died Sunday after living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. The statement announcing her death said she “died peacefully, with family by her side" at 2:10 p.m. at her rural Georgia home of Plains.“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Carter said in the statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”The Carters were married for more than 77 years, forging what they both described as a “full partnership.” Unlike many&nbsp;<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/">previous first ladies</a>, Rosalynn sat in on Cabinet meetings, spoke out on controversial issues and represented her husband on foreign trips. Aides to President Carter sometimes referred to her — privately — as “co-president.”“Rosalynn is my best friend ... the perfect extension of me, probably the most influential person in my life,” Jimmy Carter told aides during their White House years, which spanned from 1977-1981.Fiercely loyal and compassionate as well as politically astute, Rosalynn Carter prided herself on being an activist first lady, and no one doubted her behind-the-scenes influence. When her role in a highly publicized Cabinet shakeup became known, she was forced to declare publicly, “I am not running the government.”Many presidential aides insisted that her political instincts were better than her husband’s — they often enlisted her support for a project before they discussed it with the president. Her iron will, contrasted with her outwardly shy demeanor and a soft Southern accent, inspired Washington reporters to call her “the Steel Magnolia.”Both Carters said in their later years that Rosalynn had always been the more political of the two. After Jimmy Carter’s landslide defeat in 1980, it was she, not the former president, who contemplated an implausible comeback, and years later she confessed to missing their life in Washington.Jimmy Carter trusted her so much that in 1977, only months into his term, he sent her on a mission to Latin America to tell dictators he meant what he said about denying military aid and other support to violators of human rights.She also had strong feelings about the style of the Carter White House. The Carters did not serve hard liquor at public functions, though Rosalynn did permit U.S. wine. There were fewer evenings of ballroom dancing and more square dancing and picnics.Throughout her husband's political career, she chose mental health and problems of the elderly as her signature policy emphasis. When the news media didn't cover those efforts as much as she believed was warranted, she criticized reporters for writing only about "sexy subjects."As honorary chairwoman of the President's Commission on Mental Health, she once testified before a Senate subcommittee, becoming the first first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt to address a congressional panel. She was back in Washington in 2007 to push Congress for improved mental health coverage, saying, "We've been working on this for so long, it finally seems to be in reach."She said she developed her interest in mental health during her husband's campaigns for Georgia governor.“I used to come home and say to Jimmy, 'Why are people telling me their problems?' And he said, 'Because you may be the only person they'll ever see who may be close to someone who can help them,'” she explained.After Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election, Rosalynn Carter seemed more visibly devastated than her husband. She initially had little interest in returning to the small town of Plains, Georgia, where they both were born, married and spent most of their lives."I was hesitant, not at all sure that I could be happy here after the dazzle of the White House and the years of stimulating political battles," she wrote in her 1984 autobiography, "First Lady from Plains." But "we slowly rediscovered the satisfaction of a life we had left long before."After leaving Washington, Jimmy and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in Atlanta to continue their work. She chaired the center's annual symposium on mental health issues and raised funds for efforts to aid the mentally ill and homeless. She also wrote "Helping Yourself Help Others," about the challenges of caring for elderly or ailing relatives, and a sequel, "Helping Someone With Mental Illness."Frequently, the Carters left home on humanitarian missions, building houses with Habitat for Humanity and promoting public health and democracy across the developing world."I get tired," she said of her travels. "But something so wonderful always happens. To go to a village where they have Guinea worm and go back a year or two later and there's no Guinea worm, I mean the people dance and sing — it's so wonderful."In 2015, Jimmy Carter’s doctors discovered four small tumors on his brain. The Carters feared he had weeks to live. He was treated with a drug to boost his immune system, and later announced that doctors found no remaining signs of cancer. But when they first received the news, she said she didn't know what she was going to do.“I depend on him when I have questions, when I'm writing speeches, anything, I consult with him,” she said.She helped Carter recover several years later when he had hip replacement surgery at age 94 and had to learn to walk again. And she was with him earlier this year when he decided after a series of hospital stays that he would forgo further medical interventions and begin end-of-life care.Jimmy Carter is the longest-lived U.S. president. Rosalynn Carter was the second longest-lived of the nation's first ladies, trailing only Bess Truman, who died at age 97.Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927, the eldest of four children. Her father died when she was young, so she took on much of the responsibility of caring for her siblings when her mother went to work part time.She also contributed to the family income by working after school in a beauty parlor. "We were very poor and worked hard," she once said, but she kept up her studies, graduating from high school as class valedictorian.She soon fell in love with the brother of one of her best friends. Jimmy and Rosalynn had known each other all their lives — it was Jimmy's mother, nurse Lillian Carter, who delivered baby Rosalynn — but he left for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, when she was still in high school.After a blind date, Jimmy told his mother: "That's the girl I want to marry." They wed in 1946, shortly after his graduation from Annapolis and Rosalynn's graduation from Georgia Southwestern College.Their sons were born where Jimmy Carter was stationed: John William (Jack) in Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1947; James Earl III (Chip) in Honolulu in 1950; and Donnel Jeffery (Jeff) in New London, Connecticut, in 1952. Amy was born in Plains in 1967. By then, Carter was a state senator.Navy life had provided Rosalynn her first chance to see the world. When Carter's father, James Earl Sr., died in 1953, Jimmy Carter decided, without consulting his wife, to move the family back to Plains, where he took over the family farm. She joined him there in the day-to-day operations, keeping the books and weighing fertilizer trucks.“We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business,” Rosalynn Carter recalled with pride in a 2021 interview with The Associated Press. “I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things.”

Rosalynn Carter, outspoken former first lady, dead at 96

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just&nbsp; after 9 a.m. on November 16, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu near 166th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the stop, the deputy took the passenger into custody when he believed he was reaching for a firearm.

 The firearm was found to be entered as stolen.  The driver, Shawn Michael Brown, 37, of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of possession of the stolen property. 

 The passenger, Ayden Charles Prettyman, 20, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of stolen property, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700241652694.png" alt="Brown-photo&nbsp; Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown-photo&nbsp; Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just&nbsp; after 9 a.m. on November 16, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu near 166th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the stop, the deputy took the passenger into custody when he believed he was reaching for a firearm.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700241600141.png" alt="Prettyman-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Prettyman-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> The firearm was found to be entered as stolen. The driver, Shawn Michael Brown, 37, of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of possession of the stolen property. The passenger, Ayden Charles Prettyman, 20, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of stolen property, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kan. man reached for a gun during traffic stop

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-offices-letters-evacuations-fentanyl-threats-5d39155be4b2fcd5481b570cc109cb9c">suspicious letters sent to vote centers</a>&nbsp;and government buildings in six states this month were undeniably scary, some containing traces of fentanyl or white powder, accompanied by not-so-veiled threats and dubious political symbols.

Harkening back to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0cec9a579218493a9beaaae7e83f2ae8/report-fbis-anthrax-investigation-was-flawed">anthrax attacks</a>&nbsp;that killed five people in 2001, the mailings are prompting elections officials already frustrated with ongoing harassment and threats to reach out to local police, fire and health departments for help stocking up on the overdose reversal medication naloxone.

Even if there’s little risk from incidental contact with the synthetic opioid, having the antidote on hand isn't a bad idea amid an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opioids">addiction epidemic</a>&nbsp;that is killing more than 100,000 people in the U.S. every year — and it can provide some assurance for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-offices-workers-threats-letters-fentanyl-286f88eadef68d9ef08501809f95f8ff">stressed ballot workers</a>, election managers say.

“My team is usually in the direct fire just because we’re opening up thousands of millions of ballots, depending on the election,” said Eldon Miller, who leads the ballot-opening staff at King County Elections in Seattle, which stocked up on naloxone after receiving a fentanyl-laced letter in August. “I always say to my team, ‘Your safety is my utmost importance.’"

The letters were sent this month to vote centers or government buildings in six states: Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington and Kansas. Some were intercepted before they arrived, but others were delivered, prompting evacuations and briefly delaying vote counts in local elections. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating.

Some of the letters featured an antifascist symbol, a progress pride flag and a pentagram. While the symbols have sometimes been associated with leftist politics, they also have been used by conservative figures to label and stereotype the left. The sender’s political leanings were unclear.

Fentanyl, an opioid that can be 50 times as powerful as the same amount of heroin, is driving an overdose crisis as it is pressed into pills or mixed into other drugs. Briefly touching it cannot cause an overdose, and researchers have found the risk of fatal overdose from accidental exposure is low, unlike with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0cec9a579218493a9beaaae7e83f2ae8/report-fbis-anthrax-investigation-was-flawed">powdered anthrax</a>&nbsp;that can float in the air and cause deadly infections when inhaled.

Election workers across the country have been besieged by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">threats, harassment and intimidation</a>&nbsp;since former President Donald Trump and his supporters began spreading false election claims after he lost the 2020 election.

“I hope we encourage people to not hurt election officials,” said Anne Dover, the elections director in suburban Atlanta's Cherokee County, which did not receive a suspicious letter. “A lot of people are leaving the field. It’s not just threats of physical harm. There’s a lot of emotional and psychological abuse.”

Dover reached out this month to fire department officials, who provided Narcan, the nasal spray version of naloxone. Naloxone can be obtained over the counter, given to people of all ages and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/access-naloxone-can-save-life-during-opioid-overdose#:~:text=Naloxone%20Will%20Not%20Harm%20Someone,or%20cause%20them%20additional%20harm.">does not harm</a>&nbsp;people who do not have opioids in their system.

Her office also is taking new precautions with mail: leaving it in a particular spot and having one person designated to open it wearing gloves and a mask.

Lane County, Oregon, which received a suspicious letter, will provide naloxone kits and train elections staff on administering it. So will Lincoln County, Nevada, which did not get a suspicious letter.

The office of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said this week that it will provide naloxone to any of the state's 159 counties after a letter intercepted on its way to elections officials in Atlanta’s Fulton County tested positive for opioids.

Condemning the letters, Raffensperger noted one of his sons died of a fentanyl overdose about five years ago: “We know how deadly this stuff is.”

Some of the letters, including ones sent to King and Pierce counties in Washington state, bore striking similarities to the one King County received while counting votes in this year’s August primary. The incident prompted King County Elections to procure naloxone, though the antidote was not needed then nor when its Renton office received a second fentanyl-laced letter this month.

“We felt like it was just a good idea to have on hand for all kinds of scenarios these days,” King County Elections spokeswoman Halei Watkins said. “We have it in a few spots in the building, and include it with the first aid and emergency kits that go to our off-site vote centers.”

Maya Doe-Simkins, co-director of Remedy Alliance/For The People, which launched last year to provide low-cost or free naloxone to community-based, harm-reduction programs, said governments should be more focused on providing the antidote to those who work with people likely to overdose.

There is no shortage of naloxone, which is available online and at some pharmacies, but its distribution leaves something to be desired, Doe-Simkins said.

“It is an absolute gross misuse of resources to spend money on ensuring that election officials have naloxone,” Doe-Simkins said, especially because “the actual appropriate and evidence-based intervention for naloxone distribution is underfunded and under-resourced.”

Chris Anderson, the elections supervisor in Seminole County, Florida, said his office hasn’t received any envelopes containing fentanyl in the mail, but obtained several doses of Narcan this month from the fire department, which said it had plenty of supply.

“We can immediately save a life with those,” Anderson said. “I appreciate the advice given to us from medical professionals, and we certainly will do everything we can not to have to use Narcan, but in that one instance where it’s needed, I’d rather have and not need than need and not have.”

In Tacoma, Washington, Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer said her office obtained naloxone after neighboring King County's experience in August. The office received a threatening letter this month containing baking soda and took the occasion to reemphasize that naloxone is available.

“We reminded staff last week of where to find it,” Farmer said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700017944580.png" alt="The substance in a suspicious letter sent to the top elections agency in Kansas doesn't appear to have been hazardous, and the mail appeared unrelated to threatening letters sent to election offices in other states, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said .-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>The substance in a suspicious letter sent to the top elections agency in Kansas doesn't appear to have been hazardous, and the mail appeared unrelated to threatening letters sent to election offices in other states, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said .-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-offices-letters-evacuations-fentanyl-threats-5d39155be4b2fcd5481b570cc109cb9c">suspicious letters sent to vote centers</a>&nbsp;and government buildings in six states this month were undeniably scary, some containing traces of fentanyl or white powder, accompanied by not-so-veiled threats and dubious political symbols.Harkening back to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0cec9a579218493a9beaaae7e83f2ae8/report-fbis-anthrax-investigation-was-flawed">anthrax attacks</a>&nbsp;that killed five people in 2001, the mailings are prompting elections officials already frustrated with ongoing harassment and threats to reach out to local police, fire and health departments for help stocking up on the overdose reversal medication naloxone.Even if there’s little risk from incidental contact with the synthetic opioid, having the antidote on hand isn't a bad idea amid an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opioids">addiction epidemic</a>&nbsp;that is killing more than 100,000 people in the U.S. every year — and it can provide some assurance for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-offices-workers-threats-letters-fentanyl-286f88eadef68d9ef08501809f95f8ff">stressed ballot workers</a>, election managers say.“My team is usually in the direct fire just because we’re opening up thousands of millions of ballots, depending on the election,” said Eldon Miller, who leads the ballot-opening staff at King County Elections in Seattle, which stocked up on naloxone after receiving a fentanyl-laced letter in August. “I always say to my team, ‘Your safety is my utmost importance.’"The letters were sent this month to vote centers or government buildings in six states: Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington and Kansas. Some were intercepted before they arrived, but others were delivered, prompting evacuations and briefly delaying vote counts in local elections. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating.Some of the letters featured an antifascist symbol, a progress pride flag and a pentagram. While the symbols have sometimes been associated with leftist politics, they also have been used by conservative figures to label and stereotype the left. The sender’s political leanings were unclear.Fentanyl, an opioid that can be 50 times as powerful as the same amount of heroin, is driving an overdose crisis as it is pressed into pills or mixed into other drugs. Briefly touching it cannot cause an overdose, and researchers have found the risk of fatal overdose from accidental exposure is low, unlike with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0cec9a579218493a9beaaae7e83f2ae8/report-fbis-anthrax-investigation-was-flawed">powdered anthrax</a>&nbsp;that can float in the air and cause deadly infections when inhaled.Election workers across the country have been besieged by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">threats, harassment and intimidation</a>&nbsp;since former President Donald Trump and his supporters began spreading false election claims after he lost the 2020 election.“I hope we encourage people to not hurt election officials,” said Anne Dover, the elections director in suburban Atlanta's Cherokee County, which did not receive a suspicious letter. “A lot of people are leaving the field. It’s not just threats of physical harm. There’s a lot of emotional and psychological abuse.”Dover reached out this month to fire department officials, who provided Narcan, the nasal spray version of naloxone. Naloxone can be obtained over the counter, given to people of all ages and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/access-naloxone-can-save-life-during-opioid-overdose#:~:text=Naloxone%20Will%20Not%20Harm%20Someone,or%20cause%20them%20additional%20harm.">does not harm</a>&nbsp;people who do not have opioids in their system.Her office also is taking new precautions with mail: leaving it in a particular spot and having one person designated to open it wearing gloves and a mask.Lane County, Oregon, which received a suspicious letter, will provide naloxone kits and train elections staff on administering it. So will Lincoln County, Nevada, which did not get a suspicious letter.The office of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said this week that it will provide naloxone to any of the state's 159 counties after a letter intercepted on its way to elections officials in Atlanta’s Fulton County tested positive for opioids.Condemning the letters, Raffensperger noted one of his sons died of a fentanyl overdose about five years ago: “We know how deadly this stuff is.”Some of the letters, including ones sent to King and Pierce counties in Washington state, bore striking similarities to the one King County received while counting votes in this year’s August primary. The incident prompted King County Elections to procure naloxone, though the antidote was not needed then nor when its Renton office received a second fentanyl-laced letter this month.“We felt like it was just a good idea to have on hand for all kinds of scenarios these days,” King County Elections spokeswoman Halei Watkins said. “We have it in a few spots in the building, and include it with the first aid and emergency kits that go to our off-site vote centers.”Maya Doe-Simkins, co-director of Remedy Alliance/For The People, which launched last year to provide low-cost or free naloxone to community-based, harm-reduction programs, said governments should be more focused on providing the antidote to those who work with people likely to overdose.There is no shortage of naloxone, which is available online and at some pharmacies, but its distribution leaves something to be desired, Doe-Simkins said.“It is an absolute gross misuse of resources to spend money on ensuring that election officials have naloxone,” Doe-Simkins said, especially because “the actual appropriate and evidence-based intervention for naloxone distribution is underfunded and under-resourced.”Chris Anderson, the elections supervisor in Seminole County, Florida, said his office hasn’t received any envelopes containing fentanyl in the mail, but obtained several doses of Narcan this month from the fire department, which said it had plenty of supply.“We can immediately save a life with those,” Anderson said. “I appreciate the advice given to us from medical professionals, and we certainly will do everything we can not to have to use Narcan, but in that one instance where it’s needed, I’d rather have and not need than need and not have.”In Tacoma, Washington, Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer said her office obtained naloxone after neighboring King County's experience in August. The office received a threatening letter this month containing baking soda and took the occasion to reemphasize that naloxone is available.“We reminded staff last week of where to find it,” Farmer said.___

Officials stock up on overdose antidote after fentanyl-laced letters disrupt vote counting

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage at a non-profit music studio.

Just after 10 a.m. November 15, police were dispatched to Kansas Free for Arts, 713 Commercial Street in Emporia, for a report of a possible burglary, according to Police Captain Ray Mattas.

 During the investigation, it was determined that nothing was stolen from the business, but several items were damaged. Officers were able to determine this act was committed by an employee of the business.

Officers arrested 39-year-old Joshua Inman on a requested charge of felony criminal damage to property.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700186839973.png" alt="Images courtesy Hank Osterhout, Executive Director Kansas Free for Art" />
 <figcaption>Images courtesy Hank Osterhout, Executive Director Kansas Free for Art</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage at a non-profit music studio.Just after 10 a.m. November 15, police were dispatched to Kansas Free for Arts, 713 Commercial Street in Emporia, for a report of a possible burglary, according to Police Captain Ray Mattas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700186810453.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> During the investigation, it was determined that nothing was stolen from the business, but several items were damaged. Officers were able to determine this act was committed by an employee of the business.Officers arrested 39-year-old Joshua Inman on a requested charge of felony criminal damage to property.&nbsp;

Employee accused of vandalism at Kansas non-profit

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting that occurred just before 9:30p.m. Thursday have identified the victims as 17-year-old DaMarcus Houston and&nbsp;26-year-old Marquise L. Rose.

According to Sheriff Daryl Forte', first responders found the victims at 42nd and Sterling in Kansas City. 

The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the 26-year-old to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

A private vehicle transported a third victim to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not reported an arrest but have identified those involved and are no longer searching for additional suspects, according to KCPD.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting that occurred just before 9:30p.m. Thursday have identified the victims as 17-year-old DaMarcus Houston and&nbsp;26-year-old Marquise L. Rose.According to Sheriff Daryl Forte', first responders found the victims at 42nd and Sterling in Kansas City. The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the 26-year-old to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.A private vehicle transported a third victim to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.Police have not reported an arrest but have identified those involved and are no longer searching for additional suspects, according to KCPD.

17-year-old among two identified as victims in deadly KC shooting

Were you unable to make to downtown Salina to watch the annual Salina Parade of lights? Salina Post has you covered.

Click on the link above to view the entire parade.

Video production by Bryan Dennett.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKid5KOtC0w?si=TyGXcQ-3RSUyqK9v" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>BY SALINA POSTWere you unable to make to downtown Salina to watch the annual Salina Parade of lights? Salina Post has you covered.Click on the link above to view the entire parade.Video production by Bryan Dennett.

🎥 Experience the 2023 Salina Parade of Lights, full parade video

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly stabbing continue asking for help to locate a suspect.

Just before 4:30p.m. Nov. 12, a citizen transported a man to&nbsp; Fire Station #3 in Independence, Missouri, with apparent stab wounds, for medical treatment, according to a media release.

 As fire department personnel were rendering aid to the individual, he died of his injuries. 

 During the investigation, it was determined that the stabbing occurred in the area of Truman Road and Hardy Avenue.  Investigators are looking for a person of interest identified as 34-year-old Anthony J. Durkin.

  Durkin is described as a white male,  5-foot-10,&nbsp; 155 pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes. He has a tattoo “RESPETO” on the right side of his neck and tattoo&nbsp;“Scooby Doo”  on his right arm. 

 Durkin is homeless and frequents the area of 24 Highway and Sterling Avenue.

If Durkin is located, do not approach and call 911. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the KC Crimestoppers Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS or online at <a href="http://www.kccrimestoppers.com/?fbclid=IwAR1e1aZWF2h8Li82XImDwWCwEAr5J0spG2zuuxQjNN1jDySFMahM8-HzDb0" target="_blank">www.kccrimestoppers.com.</a>Photo of Anthony J. Durkin attached

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699792030729.png" alt="Durkin-photo Indpendence police" />
 <figcaption>Durkin-photo Indpendence police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly stabbing continue asking for help to locate a suspect.Just before 4:30p.m. Nov. 12, a citizen transported a man to&nbsp; Fire Station #3 in Independence, Missouri, with apparent stab wounds, for medical treatment, according to a media release. As fire department personnel were rendering aid to the individual, he died of his injuries. During the investigation, it was determined that the stabbing occurred in the area of Truman Road and Hardy Avenue. Investigators are looking for a person of interest identified as 34-year-old Anthony J. Durkin. Durkin is described as a white male, 5-foot-10,&nbsp; 155 pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes. He has a tattoo “RESPETO” on the right side of his neck and tattoo&nbsp;“Scooby Doo” on his right arm. Durkin is homeless and frequents the area of 24 Highway and Sterling Avenue.If Durkin is located, do not approach and call 911. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the KC Crimestoppers Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS or online at <a href="http://www.kccrimestoppers.com/?fbclid=IwAR1e1aZWF2h8Li82XImDwWCwEAr5J0spG2zuuxQjNN1jDySFMahM8-HzDb0" target="_blank">www.kccrimestoppers.com.</a>Photo of Anthony J. Durkin attached

Murder suspect with “Scooby Doo” tattoo still hiding from police

BY SHERMAN SMITH AND TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — As House Democrats unveiled a proposal to save homeowners $500 million on property taxes, House Minority Leader Vic Miller brayed at GOP leaders who play “stupid games” to try to secure income tax cuts that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/analysis-show-kansas-chambers-flat-tax-proposal-costs-1-5b-favors-top-20-of-wage-earners/">primarily favor the wealthiest Kansans</a>.

Miller, a Topeka Democrat, accused Republican leaders of deploying “bogus” objections and forcing votes on “gotcha” bills. He double-dog dared House Speaker Dan Hawkins to try to repeal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/25/kansas-counties-eager-for-lawmakers-to-resurrect-property-tax-relief-fund/">a property tax relief program that has been in statute since 1937</a>&nbsp;but has been defunded for the past 20 years.

And he said he won’t give in to “political extortion.”

“I’m very fearful that the Republican leadership will play the same stupid games that they always play that result in no benefit to anyone,” Miller said. “But I would love to have these things out on the floor for a straight-up vote, where members get to do what they want, and aren’t extorted into doing the only thing that leadership gives them a choice (to vote on). I’d love to see a straight-up debate.”

Members of both parties are eager to slash taxes in the upcoming legislative session in light of a projected $2 billion surplus in the state coffers.

Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, backed by special interest groups like Americans for Prosperity, have tried to adopt tax relief in the form of a “flat tax.” Their proposal in the past session would have slashed the tax rate for the top income bracket and offered modest relief for lower brackets. About 43% of the tax savings would go to the 3% of Kansans who earn more than $250,000 a year.

Earlier this week, Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/14/with-kansas-on-track-for-billions-in-surplus-republicans-promise-to-deliver-tax-cuts/">promised to deliver</a>&nbsp;unspecified tax cuts next year.

Democrats responded Tuesday by unveiling a package of tax cuts tailored for residential property owners. Their ideas are to revive and refine the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, raise the exemption on the statewide mill levy from $42,000 to $100,000, and place a constitutional amendment before voters that would shift the tax burden from homeowners to other types of property. Miller said the package would total about $500 million in savings on property tax bills.

Miller displayed a pie chart that showed how the property tax burden has shifted over the past 30 years. Homeowners used to pay about 35% of overall property taxes. Now they pay about 54%, Miller said. The proposed constitutional amendment aims to reverse that trend.

“For the nerds out there,” as Miller put it, the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund requires the state to set aside 3.63% of sales tax collections and divide the money among counties through a formula based on population and assessed property tax value. The program was put into state law in 1937 and remained in effect through 2003.

Hawkins, in a misleading statement offered without evidence, said earlier this year that local governments had simply used the money intended for property tax relief as a “slush fund.” Miller called it a “bogus objection,” and said the Democrats have a solution: Revise the program so that the money is deducted in the form of a rebate from individual homeowners’ property tax bills. This idea would reduce property taxes by $130 million statewide, he said.

Miller challenged Hawkins to make good on his threat to repeal the LAVTR from state statute.

“Put that out on the floor for a vote. We’ll see how popular that idea is,” Miller said. “In fact, you can put this in writing so he hears it before his listening tour later this week: I dare him to introduce that proposal. I double dog dare him. How’s that?”

The House and Senate tax committee concluded a series of meetings this fall by recommending the 2024 Legislature work on a proposed constitutional amendment that would forbid counties from raising assessments on real property in Kansas by more than 4% each year.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-senate-passes-constitutional-amendment-restraining-property-tax-valuations/">The Senate passed the amendment in April</a>, but the House didn’t reciprocate. Before implementation, it also would have to be approved by a majority of Kansas voters on a statewide ballot.

Chairman Adam Smith, a House Republican from Weskan, said the Legislature needed to restrain assessment valuation increases that fed into escalating property taxes.

“To read the temperature of the committee, I think there’s significant motivation to do something at the valuation level,” he said.

Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, urged colleagues on the committee to concentrate during the upcoming session on residential property tax relief. The constitutional amendment favored by the Senate —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/scr1611/">Concurrent Resolution 1611</a>&nbsp;— was too broad because it delved into residential, commercial and agriculture property. The tax interests of businesses and farmers were well represented by lobbyists at the Capitol, he said, but not homeowners.

“I’m not sure who is really advocating for Joe and Jane Homeowner,” Holland said.

Wichita Rep. Tom Sawyer, another Democrat on the interim tax committee, said his constituents routinely complained about high property taxes while few seemed irritated by income tax rates.

He said the Legislature should examine potential of earmarking state general fund dollars to reduce the statewide property tax levy providing funds for K-12 public schools.

The interim tax committee agreed to ask the Legislature to consider granting a sales tax exemption to all 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kansas. It would cost the state treasury about $34 million annually if each of 14,000 organizations made use of the exemption. Under current state law, nonprofits individually petition the Legislature for an exemption.

The committee suggested lawmakers consider introducing legislation giving cities and counties comparable authority to dictate local sales tax rates. Under current state law, counties have the potential to impose a 1% general sales tax. Yet, cities in Kansas can establish a 2% general sales tax.

“These are local issues,” said Rep. Mike Amyx, a Lawrence Democrat. “They need to be handled back home.”

Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and chairwoman of the Senate’s tax committee, joined with her interim committee peers in support of a call for the Legislature to assume greater oversight of tax credits issued as economic development incentives. She said companies making use of publicly financed incentives ought to be more transparent with the Legislature.

The panel also proposed that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/10/kansas-governor-approves-megaproject-incentive-package-meant-to-woo-secret-company/">all tax bills flow through the respective House and Senate tax committees</a>, a procedural move that would address concern about other legislative committees effectively maneuvering around tax committee opposition.

Miller cautioned that Republican leaders would again try to bundle various tax cut proposals into a single bill, presented late at night in the final hours of the session, with no chance to amend the package.

He said he won’t give in to “political extortion — which is what I see Republican coming up with, with their so-called flat tax.”

The House and Senate passed a tax package that included $330 million in income tax cuts, $40 million in property tax relief, and $40 million for corporations.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/24/kansas-governor-vetoes-flat-tax-plan-proposes-one-time-800m-rebate/">Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill</a>, and the Senate failed to override her veto with the support of two-thirds of the 40-member chamber.

The income tax cuts would have disproportionately benefited the highest wage earners, and most of the corporate tax cuts would have gone to out-of-state shareholders.

“The trickle down thing? It’s been debunked over and over,” Miller said. “If you’re going to give tax relief, and you want to spur the economy, give it to the people who make the least amount, not the people who make the most.”

If the Democrats’ property tax package were isolated and put to a vote, it would pass, Miller said. But he said GOP leaders are “afraid” to do that.

“They won’t have a gotcha bill that the governor has to veto,” Miller said. “They’ll have a bill that is so good, she’ll have no choice but to sign it, and they’re afraid she’ll get credit, or they’re afraid Democrats will get some credit for doing something the right way. So they conjure up this process.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700318094206.png" alt=" House Minority Leader Vic Miller, right, answers reporters questions during a Nov. 11, 2023, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. Miller unveiled a $500 million residential property tax relief package. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> House Minority Leader Vic Miller, right, answers reporters questions during a Nov. 11, 2023, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. Miller unveiled a $500 million residential property tax relief package. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY SHERMAN SMITH AND TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — As House Democrats unveiled a proposal to save homeowners $500 million on property taxes, House Minority Leader Vic Miller brayed at GOP leaders who play “stupid games” to try to secure income tax cuts that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/analysis-show-kansas-chambers-flat-tax-proposal-costs-1-5b-favors-top-20-of-wage-earners/">primarily favor the wealthiest Kansans</a>.Miller, a Topeka Democrat, accused Republican leaders of deploying “bogus” objections and forcing votes on “gotcha” bills. He double-dog dared House Speaker Dan Hawkins to try to repeal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/25/kansas-counties-eager-for-lawmakers-to-resurrect-property-tax-relief-fund/">a property tax relief program that has been in statute since 1937</a>&nbsp;but has been defunded for the past 20 years.And he said he won’t give in to “political extortion.”“I’m very fearful that the Republican leadership will play the same stupid games that they always play that result in no benefit to anyone,” Miller said. “But I would love to have these things out on the floor for a straight-up vote, where members get to do what they want, and aren’t extorted into doing the only thing that leadership gives them a choice (to vote on). I’d love to see a straight-up debate.”Members of both parties are eager to slash taxes in the upcoming legislative session in light of a projected $2 billion surplus in the state coffers.Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, backed by special interest groups like Americans for Prosperity, have tried to adopt tax relief in the form of a “flat tax.” Their proposal in the past session would have slashed the tax rate for the top income bracket and offered modest relief for lower brackets. About 43% of the tax savings would go to the 3% of Kansans who earn more than $250,000 a year.Earlier this week, Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/14/with-kansas-on-track-for-billions-in-surplus-republicans-promise-to-deliver-tax-cuts/">promised to deliver</a>&nbsp;unspecified tax cuts next year.Democrats responded Tuesday by unveiling a package of tax cuts tailored for residential property owners. Their ideas are to revive and refine the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, raise the exemption on the statewide mill levy from $42,000 to $100,000, and place a constitutional amendment before voters that would shift the tax burden from homeowners to other types of property. Miller said the package would total about $500 million in savings on property tax bills.Miller displayed a pie chart that showed how the property tax burden has shifted over the past 30 years. Homeowners used to pay about 35% of overall property taxes. Now they pay about 54%, Miller said. The proposed constitutional amendment aims to reverse that trend.“For the nerds out there,” as Miller put it, the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund requires the state to set aside 3.63% of sales tax collections and divide the money among counties through a formula based on population and assessed property tax value. The program was put into state law in 1937 and remained in effect through 2003.Hawkins, in a misleading statement offered without evidence, said earlier this year that local governments had simply used the money intended for property tax relief as a “slush fund.” Miller called it a “bogus objection,” and said the Democrats have a solution: Revise the program so that the money is deducted in the form of a rebate from individual homeowners’ property tax bills. This idea would reduce property taxes by $130 million statewide, he said.Miller challenged Hawkins to make good on his threat to repeal the LAVTR from state statute.“Put that out on the floor for a vote. We’ll see how popular that idea is,” Miller said. “In fact, you can put this in writing so he hears it before his listening tour later this week: I dare him to introduce that proposal. I double dog dare him. How’s that?”<h2>Legislative panel’s priorities</h2>The House and Senate tax committee concluded a series of meetings this fall by recommending the 2024 Legislature work on a proposed constitutional amendment that would forbid counties from raising assessments on real property in Kansas by more than 4% each year.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-senate-passes-constitutional-amendment-restraining-property-tax-valuations/">The Senate passed the amendment in April</a>, but the House didn’t reciprocate. Before implementation, it also would have to be approved by a majority of Kansas voters on a statewide ballot.Chairman Adam Smith, a House Republican from Weskan, said the Legislature needed to restrain assessment valuation increases that fed into escalating property taxes.“To read the temperature of the committee, I think there’s significant motivation to do something at the valuation level,” he said.Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, urged colleagues on the committee to concentrate during the upcoming session on residential property tax relief. The constitutional amendment favored by the Senate —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/scr1611/">Concurrent Resolution 1611</a>&nbsp;— was too broad because it delved into residential, commercial and agriculture property. The tax interests of businesses and farmers were well represented by lobbyists at the Capitol, he said, but not homeowners.“I’m not sure who is really advocating for Joe and Jane Homeowner,” Holland said.Wichita Rep. Tom Sawyer, another Democrat on the interim tax committee, said his constituents routinely complained about high property taxes while few seemed irritated by income tax rates.He said the Legislature should examine potential of earmarking state general fund dollars to reduce the statewide property tax levy providing funds for K-12 public schools.The interim tax committee agreed to ask the Legislature to consider granting a sales tax exemption to all 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kansas. It would cost the state treasury about $34 million annually if each of 14,000 organizations made use of the exemption. Under current state law, nonprofits individually petition the Legislature for an exemption.The committee suggested lawmakers consider introducing legislation giving cities and counties comparable authority to dictate local sales tax rates. Under current state law, counties have the potential to impose a 1% general sales tax. Yet, cities in Kansas can establish a 2% general sales tax.“These are local issues,” said Rep. Mike Amyx, a Lawrence Democrat. “They need to be handled back home.”Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and chairwoman of the Senate’s tax committee, joined with her interim committee peers in support of a call for the Legislature to assume greater oversight of tax credits issued as economic development incentives. She said companies making use of publicly financed incentives ought to be more transparent with the Legislature.The panel also proposed that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/10/kansas-governor-approves-megaproject-incentive-package-meant-to-woo-secret-company/">all tax bills flow through the respective House and Senate tax committees</a>, a procedural move that would address concern about other legislative committees effectively maneuvering around tax committee opposition.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700318043576.png" alt=" House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, produces a pie chart during a Nov. 11, 2023, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. The chart shows how the overall property tax burden has shifted to homeowners. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, produces a pie chart during a Nov. 11, 2023, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. The chart shows how the overall property tax burden has shifted to homeowners. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Political extortion</h2>Miller cautioned that Republican leaders would again try to bundle various tax cut proposals into a single bill, presented late at night in the final hours of the session, with no chance to amend the package.He said he won’t give in to “political extortion — which is what I see Republican coming up with, with their so-called flat tax.”The House and Senate passed a tax package that included $330 million in income tax cuts, $40 million in property tax relief, and $40 million for corporations.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/24/kansas-governor-vetoes-flat-tax-plan-proposes-one-time-800m-rebate/">Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill</a>, and the Senate failed to override her veto with the support of two-thirds of the 40-member chamber.The income tax cuts would have disproportionately benefited the highest wage earners, and most of the corporate tax cuts would have gone to out-of-state shareholders.“The trickle down thing? It’s been debunked over and over,” Miller said. “If you’re going to give tax relief, and you want to spur the economy, give it to the people who make the least amount, not the people who make the most.”If the Democrats’ property tax package were isolated and put to a vote, it would pass, Miller said. But he said GOP leaders are “afraid” to do that.“They won’t have a gotcha bill that the governor has to veto,” Miller said. “They’ll have a bill that is so good, she’ll have no choice but to sign it, and they’re afraid she’ll get credit, or they’re afraid Democrats will get some credit for doing something the right way. So they conjure up this process.”

Kan. Democrats push property tax relief as alternative to GOP’s ‘political extortion’

KANSAS CITY —A teen has been charged for his role in causing injuries to a young woman whose body was found in a Grandview parking lot near a residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Tyheem V. Anderson, 19, faces three criminal felony counts: Assault 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Kidnapping.

According to court records filed Wednesday, the victim went to Anderson's house in Kansas City.&nbsp; Anderson told police he and victim had been in a long relationship. 

On Nov. 11, 2023, a witness called police and told them she had seen the victim restrained in a surrender position. The following day officers were tipped that they could find the victim at another residence. 

Grandview officers responded and found the victim in a lot near the Grandview residence. She had suffered trauma, including stab and gunshot wounds. A tooth was also missing. &nbsp;Officers searched a Kansas City residence, where they found mail and other items with the Anderson's name on them. They also found blood and a tooth. Anderson admitted to being with victim on Nov. 12, when they had an argument.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700143993489.png" alt="Anderson-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Anderson-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A teen has been charged for his role in causing injuries to a young woman whose body was found in a Grandview parking lot near a residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Tyheem V. Anderson, 19, faces three criminal felony counts: Assault 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Kidnapping.According to court records filed Wednesday, the victim went to Anderson's house in Kansas City.&nbsp; Anderson told police he and victim had been in a long relationship. On Nov. 11, 2023, a witness called police and told them she had seen the victim restrained in a surrender position. The following day officers were tipped that they could find the victim at another residence. Grandview officers responded and found the victim in a lot near the Grandview residence. She had suffered trauma, including stab and gunshot wounds. A tooth was also missing. &nbsp;Officers searched a Kansas City residence, where they found mail and other items with the Anderson's name on them. They also found blood and a tooth. Anderson admitted to being with victim on Nov. 12, when they had an argument.&nbsp;

KC teen accused of violent murder of girlfriend

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a burglary investigation.

on November 15, sheriff detectives and deputies served search warrants on a Jackson County residence near 190th&nbsp;and S. Roads in rural Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp; The search warrant was executed following a report of a drug and burglary investigation. The burglary occurred to a residence and two out-buildings in the 18000 block of S. Road near Mayetta. 

A number of items including a Kawasaki UTV and a 4-wheel-drive Club Car golf cart were stolen from the property, according to Morse.

 Following the burglary, the vehicles were sold to an individual in Lawrence.&nbsp; The vehicles were later recovered. During the search warrant, drugs, drug paraphernalia and items believed to have been stolen in the S. Road burglary were found at the residence.

As a result of the search warrant two occupants of the residence were arrested on drug, burglary and theft charges. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with this investigation.&nbsp;

Justin Lane Stephens, of Mayetta. Stephens is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary, felony theft, criminal trespass, and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated endangerment of a child.

Also, arrested was 35-year-old, Chellcie Lynn Sparks, of Mayetta.&nbsp; She is being held on requested charges of burglary, felony theft, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine, aggravated endangering a child, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700241307175.png" alt="Stephens-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Stephens-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a burglary investigation.on November 15, sheriff detectives and deputies served search warrants on a Jackson County residence near 190th&nbsp;and S. Roads in rural Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; The search warrant was executed following a report of a drug and burglary investigation. The burglary occurred to a residence and two out-buildings in the 18000 block of S. Road near Mayetta. A number of items including a Kawasaki UTV and a 4-wheel-drive Club Car golf cart were stolen from the property, according to Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700241232936.png" alt="Sparks-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Sparks-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Following the burglary, the vehicles were sold to an individual in Lawrence.&nbsp; The vehicles were later recovered. During the search warrant, drugs, drug paraphernalia and items believed to have been stolen in the S. Road burglary were found at the residence.As a result of the search warrant two occupants of the residence were arrested on drug, burglary and theft charges. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with this investigation.&nbsp;Justin Lane Stephens, of Mayetta. Stephens is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary, felony theft, criminal trespass, and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated endangerment of a child.Also, arrested was 35-year-old, Chellcie Lynn Sparks, of Mayetta.&nbsp; She is being held on requested charges of burglary, felony theft, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine, aggravated endangering a child, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.

Kan. deputies recover items taken in rural burglary

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm">new flu data</a>&nbsp;on Friday, showing very high activity last week in Louisiana, and high activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina. It was also high in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory where health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-flu-epidemic-0a9dda2ac3b407486d44412f6cbc62e0">declared</a>&nbsp;an influenza epidemic earlier this month.

“We’re off to the races,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert

Traditionally, the winter flu season ramps up in December or January. But it took off in October last year, and is making a November entrance this year.

Flu activity was moderate but rising in New York City, Arkansas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. And while flu activity has been high in Alaska for weeks, the state did not report data last week, so it wasn't part of the latest count.

Tracking during flu season relies in part on reports of people with flu-like symptoms who go to doctor's offices or hospitals; many people with the flu are not tested, so their infections aren’t lab-confirmed. COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses can sometimes muddy the picture.

Alicia Budd, who leads the CDC’s flu surveillance team, said several indicators are showing “continued increases” in flu.

There are different kinds of flu viruses, and the version that's been spreading the most so far this year usually leads to a lesser amount of hospitalizations and deaths in the elderly — the group on whom flu tends to take the largest toll.

So far this fall, the CDC estimates at least 780,000 flu illnesses, at least 8,000 hospitalizations and at least 490 flu-related deaths — including at least one child.

Budd said that it’s not yet clear exactly how effective the current flu vaccines are, but the shots are well-matched to the flu strains that are showing up. In the U.S., about 35% of U.S. adults and 33% of children have been vaccinated against flu, current CDC data indicates. That's down compared to last year in both categories.

Flu vaccination rates are better than rates for the other two main respiratory viruses — COVID-19 and RSV. About 14% of adults and 5% of children have gotten the currently recommended COVID-19 shot, and about 13.5% of adults 60 and older have gotten one of the RSV shots that became available earlier this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700243960153.png" alt="CDC map for November 17" />
 <figcaption>CDC map for November 17</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm">new flu data</a>&nbsp;on Friday, showing very high activity last week in Louisiana, and high activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina. It was also high in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory where health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-flu-epidemic-0a9dda2ac3b407486d44412f6cbc62e0">declared</a>&nbsp;an influenza epidemic earlier this month.“We’re off to the races,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expertTraditionally, the winter flu season ramps up in December or January. But it took off in October last year, and is making a November entrance this year.Flu activity was moderate but rising in New York City, Arkansas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. And while flu activity has been high in Alaska for weeks, the state did not report data last week, so it wasn't part of the latest count.Tracking during flu season relies in part on reports of people with flu-like symptoms who go to doctor's offices or hospitals; many people with the flu are not tested, so their infections aren’t lab-confirmed. COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses can sometimes muddy the picture.Alicia Budd, who leads the CDC’s flu surveillance team, said several indicators are showing “continued increases” in flu.There are different kinds of flu viruses, and the version that's been spreading the most so far this year usually leads to a lesser amount of hospitalizations and deaths in the elderly — the group on whom flu tends to take the largest toll.So far this fall, the CDC estimates at least 780,000 flu illnesses, at least 8,000 hospitalizations and at least 490 flu-related deaths — including at least one child.Budd said that it’s not yet clear exactly how effective the current flu vaccines are, but the shots are well-matched to the flu strains that are showing up. In the U.S., about 35% of U.S. adults and 33% of children have been vaccinated against flu, current CDC data indicates. That's down compared to last year in both categories.Flu vaccination rates are better than rates for the other two main respiratory viruses — COVID-19 and RSV. About 14% of adults and 5% of children have gotten the currently recommended COVID-19 shot, and about 13.5% of adults 60 and older have gotten one of the RSV shots that became available earlier this year.

The flu is soaring in 7 states and rising in others

A Girard school district policy banning long hair for boys is harmful and unlawful, ACLU letter says

By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Officials at R.V. Haderlein Elementary in Girard forced an 8-year-old Native American boy to cut his hair, despite objections that he grew it out to connect with his cultural heritage.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas warned the district in a letter Friday that the school policy is both a violation of religious freedom and one that promotes “rigid gender norms.”

“The present-day harms of school policies that restrict Native American boys from wearing long hair must be understood in the historical context of multifaceted efforts to separate Native American children from their families and tribes and to deny them their rights of cultural and religious expression,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aclukansas.org/en/girard-usd-248-re-hair-length-policy">the ACLU letter reads</a>. “Haderlein’s policy impacts Native American students disproportionately and perpetuates a legacy of cultural, psychological, and spiritual trauma and discrimination.”

R.V. Haderlein Elementary has a dress code policy mandating that boys wear their hair short, with “hair not to touch the collar of a crew neck t-shirt … or extend below the earlobes.” Female students aren’t subjected to the same mandate.

The 8-year-old boy, a member of the Wyandotte Nation, started growing his hair out after he attended the Nation’s annual gathering and saw the cultural tradition of men wearing their hair long. A common Wyandotte Nation spiritual and religious practice is for men to grow their hair out, only cutting it when in mourning.

In August, school officials warned the 8-year-old’s family that his hair needed to be cut to comply with the dress code, according to the ACLU letter. For his protection, the family has chosen not to be identified publicly.

In early September, his mother asked for an exemption to the policy because of his heritage and religious practices but was told this wasn’t allowed. On Friday, Sept. 22, Joni Benso, assistant principal at the school, sent an email to his mother. Benso said she had noted “concerns about the policy,” but told the mother she needed to cut his hair over the weekend or he would be sent home, according to the ACLU’s letter.&nbsp;

After several attempts to contact the district’s superintendent, the child’s mother cut his hair that weekend under the belief he would be sent home from school every day and potentially suspended, according to the ACLU’s account of events.&nbsp;

The superintendent, Todd Ferguson, said he could not comment on the case. Ferguson said the district would review the dress code policy during a December board meeting.

“Nothing matters more than creating a safe, respectful and caring school for every student,” Ferguson said. “I am unable to comment on individual students, families or employees, due to confidentiality laws. I can share that the USD 248 Board of Education is planning to review and consider updates to the dress code policy when they meet.”

The ACLU is now urging the school to accommodate the child and allow for an exemption to the policy, arguing the policy violates the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, the U.S. Constitution, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Officials also advise the school to rescind the policy altogether and allow all boys to grow their hair out.

“The school’s discriminatory sex-based hair policy sends a damaging message to boys that they cannot be feminine in any way, and this message harms all students by promoting rigid views of gender norms and roles,” the ACLU letter reads.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700317850422.png" alt="The ACLU of Kansas on Friday sent a letter to Girard school officials warning them that their sex-based hair policy is unlawful. School officials forced an 8-year-old Native American boy to cut his hair in conflict with his religious practices. (Kansas Reflector illustration)" />
 <figcaption>The ACLU of Kansas on Friday sent a letter to Girard school officials warning them that their sex-based hair policy is unlawful. School officials forced an 8-year-old Native American boy to cut his hair in conflict with his religious practices. (Kansas Reflector illustration)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Girard school district policy banning long hair for boys is harmful and unlawful, ACLU letter says</h2>By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Officials at R.V. Haderlein Elementary in Girard forced an 8-year-old Native American boy to cut his hair, despite objections that he grew it out to connect with his cultural heritage.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas warned the district in a letter Friday that the school policy is both a violation of religious freedom and one that promotes “rigid gender norms.”“The present-day harms of school policies that restrict Native American boys from wearing long hair must be understood in the historical context of multifaceted efforts to separate Native American children from their families and tribes and to deny them their rights of cultural and religious expression,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aclukansas.org/en/girard-usd-248-re-hair-length-policy">the ACLU letter reads</a>. “Haderlein’s policy impacts Native American students disproportionately and perpetuates a legacy of cultural, psychological, and spiritual trauma and discrimination.”R.V. Haderlein Elementary has a dress code policy mandating that boys wear their hair short, with “hair not to touch the collar of a crew neck t-shirt … or extend below the earlobes.” Female students aren’t subjected to the same mandate.The 8-year-old boy, a member of the Wyandotte Nation, started growing his hair out after he attended the Nation’s annual gathering and saw the cultural tradition of men wearing their hair long. A common Wyandotte Nation spiritual and religious practice is for men to grow their hair out, only cutting it when in mourning.In August, school officials warned the 8-year-old’s family that his hair needed to be cut to comply with the dress code, according to the ACLU letter. For his protection, the family has chosen not to be identified publicly.In early September, his mother asked for an exemption to the policy because of his heritage and religious practices but was told this wasn’t allowed. On Friday, Sept. 22, Joni Benso, assistant principal at the school, sent an email to his mother. Benso said she had noted “concerns about the policy,” but told the mother she needed to cut his hair over the weekend or he would be sent home, according to the ACLU’s letter.&nbsp;After several attempts to contact the district’s superintendent, the child’s mother cut his hair that weekend under the belief he would be sent home from school every day and potentially suspended, according to the ACLU’s account of events.&nbsp;The superintendent, Todd Ferguson, said he could not comment on the case. Ferguson said the district would review the dress code policy during a December board meeting.“Nothing matters more than creating a safe, respectful and caring school for every student,” Ferguson said. “I am unable to comment on individual students, families or employees, due to confidentiality laws. I can share that the USD 248 Board of Education is planning to review and consider updates to the dress code policy when they meet.”The ACLU is now urging the school to accommodate the child and allow for an exemption to the policy, arguing the policy violates the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, the U.S. Constitution, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.Officials also advise the school to rescind the policy altogether and allow all boys to grow their hair out.“The school’s discriminatory sex-based hair policy sends a damaging message to boys that they cannot be feminine in any way, and this message harms all students by promoting rigid views of gender norms and roles,” the ACLU letter reads.

After Kan. school district forces Native American boy to cut his hair, ACLU sends warning

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Lawrence Police Officers are investigating a 5-month-old homicide and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 3p.m. Thursday, police took 22-year-old Maliqe Crenshaw into custody&nbsp; during a car stop by members of the Lawrence Police tactical team in the 2200 block of Louisiana Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report.

&nbsp;Just after 1a.m. June 3, police responded to the 2400 block of Cedarwood Avenue in Lawrence after multiple residents reported hearing gunfire. A short time later, a man later identified as Cameron Renner was dropped off at LMH Health with multiple gunshot wounds, and was soon pronounced dead at the hospital. 

Investigators were eventually able to identify Renner with the public’s assistance. After a months-long investigation, police were able to tie forensic evidence to Crenshaw, leading to his arrest. 

A charging affidavit has been submitted to the District Attorney’s Office requesting charges be filed for 2nd Degree Murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700083413471.png" alt="Photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Lawrence Police Officers are investigating a 5-month-old homicide and have a suspect in custody.Just before 3p.m. Thursday, police took 22-year-old Maliqe Crenshaw into custody&nbsp; during a car stop by members of the Lawrence Police tactical team in the 2200 block of Louisiana Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report.&nbsp;Just after 1a.m. June 3, police responded to the 2400 block of Cedarwood Avenue in Lawrence after multiple residents reported hearing gunfire. A short time later, a man later identified as Cameron Renner was dropped off at LMH Health with multiple gunshot wounds, and was soon pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigators were eventually able to identify Renner with the public’s assistance. After a months-long investigation, police were able to tie forensic evidence to Crenshaw, leading to his arrest. A charging affidavit has been submitted to the District Attorney’s Office requesting charges be filed for 2nd Degree Murder.

Police capture suspect for 5-month-old Kan. murder 

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is screening imports of cinnamon from multiple countries for toxic lead contamination after growing reports of children who were sickened after eating pouches of applesauce and apple puree.

Cinnamon from a manufacturer in Ecuador is the “likely source” of high levels of lead found in recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wanabana-lead-poisoning-children-cdc-applesauce-puree-793c33aa66544044ae6413f8d34e169a" target="_blank">pouches of applesauce puree</a>&nbsp;linked to illnesses in at least 34 children in 22 states, the FDA said Friday.

But the agency noted there have not been other reports of illness or elevated blood lead levels tied to the spice that’s popular in holiday baking.

The agency has not yet been able to collect and directly test samples of the cinnamon in the product. Import records show that WanaBana LLC of Coral Gables, Florida, received shipments of cinnamon apple fruit puree from Austrofood, a manufacturer in Ecuador.

One pouch of recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon puree collected from a Dollar Tree store was found to have lead levels more than 200 times higher than proposed FDA guidance would allow, officials said.

The agency does not regulate specific levels of heavy metals — including lead— in spices, said Joanne Slavin, a food science professor at the University of Minnesota.

Consumers should be aware that cinnamon may contain lead, she said, but the FDA’s release on Friday said there’s no indication that cinnamon products other than the applesauce puree are affected.

“I wouldn’t want to panic people and say if you put cinnamon in your pumpkin pie, you’re a bad grandma,” she said.

Illnesses linked to the pouches have been reported in children ages 1 to 3, with at least one child showing a blood lead level eight times higher than the level that raises concern, the&nbsp;<a href="https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00500.asp?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_511-DM117142&amp;ACSTrackingLabel=HAN%20500%20-%20General%20Public&amp;deliveryName=USCDC_511-DM117142" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699279077387.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is screening imports of cinnamon from multiple countries for toxic lead contamination after growing reports of children who were sickened after eating pouches of applesauce and apple puree.Cinnamon from a manufacturer in Ecuador is the “likely source” of high levels of lead found in recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wanabana-lead-poisoning-children-cdc-applesauce-puree-793c33aa66544044ae6413f8d34e169a" target="_blank">pouches of applesauce puree</a>&nbsp;linked to illnesses in at least 34 children in 22 states, the FDA said Friday.But the agency noted there have not been other reports of illness or elevated blood lead levels tied to the spice that’s popular in holiday baking.The agency has not yet been able to collect and directly test samples of the cinnamon in the product. Import records show that WanaBana LLC of Coral Gables, Florida, received shipments of cinnamon apple fruit puree from Austrofood, a manufacturer in Ecuador.One pouch of recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon puree collected from a Dollar Tree store was found to have lead levels more than 200 times higher than proposed FDA guidance would allow, officials said.The agency does not regulate specific levels of heavy metals — including lead— in spices, said Joanne Slavin, a food science professor at the University of Minnesota.Consumers should be aware that cinnamon may contain lead, she said, but the FDA’s release on Friday said there’s no indication that cinnamon products other than the applesauce puree are affected.“I wouldn’t want to panic people and say if you put cinnamon in your pumpkin pie, you’re a bad grandma,” she said.Illnesses linked to the pouches have been reported in children ages 1 to 3, with at least one child showing a blood lead level eight times higher than the level that raises concern, the&nbsp;<a href="https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00500.asp?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_511-DM117142&amp;ACSTrackingLabel=HAN%20500%20-%20General%20Public&amp;deliveryName=USCDC_511-DM117142" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;said.There’s no safe level of lead exposure, but the CDC uses a marker of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels than most. The affected children’s blood lead levels ranged from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter.The recalled fruit products include pouches of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree and Schnucks and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce. They were sold at the Dollar Tree, on Amazon and in other online outlets.Kids who may have eaten the products should be tested for lead levels, health officials said. Children who have fallen ill reported headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and anemia, but often kids may show no symptoms.Lead exposure can lead to serious learning, cognitive and behavior problems. Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.