Secrecy surrounds the firing of Stephen Wade following investigation into employee concerns

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — As Stephen Wade struggled to navigate the turbulence of his final days as Topeka city manager, he frequently turned to a city hall colleague for solace.

He met with her at a bar on the evening of May 31, then exchanged a series of Teams messages with her later that night.

“Am in a pretty bad place,” Wade wrote.

The sentiment underscored the end of Wade’s nine-month reign as the city’s top administrator. He requested a leave of absence one week later, and the city council fired him for undisclosed reasons after a closed-door meeting July 11.

Documents obtained by Kansas Reflector, along with interviews conducted for this story, indicate that Wade struggled to cope with complaints about a worsening crisis with unsheltered residents and the police killings of mentally disabled Black men. Additionally, city employees raised concerns about his conduct, which eventually became the subject of a law firm’s investigation and part of the discussion leading to his dismissal.

The secrecy surrounding Wade’s departure shields city officials, the mayor and council members from explaining their own role in hiring and working alongside him until the bitter end.

Council members were warned not to hire Wade in an anonymous letter sent to them in April 2022. The letter referred to Wade, previously the city’s finance director, as “a tyrant with poor people skills.”

“Wade has mastery of numbers and finance but his moral compass is broken and his decision-making ability is questionable,” the letter warned.

Councilman Spencer Duncan said city employees reached out to him with “concerns” about Wade, and that he was working to confirm those concerns when Wade requested his leave of absence during a closed-door meeting June 6.

The concerns raised by city employees were “part of the discussion” that resulted in the 10-0 vote to terminate Wade’s contract, Duncan said.

The other eight council members and mayor declined to respond to Kansas Reflector questions about why they hired Wade, if they had any reservations at the time, and whether they were aware of any concerns with him before June 1.

“None of the reasons for Mr. Wade’s termination involve concerns of criminal actions,” Duncan said. “They are personnel issues. As they fall under that category, there are federal and state laws that limit what information can be disclosed.”

When the mayor and city council hired Wade in September in a unanimous vote, he was hailed as a candidate with strong local ties rather than another in a series of outsiders.

Wade previously worked at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he was publisher from 2018 to 2020. (Kansas Reflector’s Sherman Smith, Tim Carpenter and Clay Wirestone worked for Wade at the Capital-Journal.) He joined the city staff in the summer of 2020 and wrangled a budget strained by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed excitement in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fb.watch/lRdF1O2d-e/">a video produced by the city</a>&nbsp;shortly after he became city manager.

“Any time you have an internal promotion, it’s a win for the team,” Wade said. “And so I guess what I would say to the staff is this is a win for us.”

Wade made sweeping changes to the structure of city government. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/07/05/stephen-wade-beefs-up-topekas-city-government-with-34-new-positions/70362762007/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>&nbsp;that he created 34 new positions, including seven with six-figure salaries. They included the promotion in December of Hannah Uhlrig, previously the city’s deputy public works director, to a job that pays $125,000. Her new title was director of special projects and innovation.

Teams messages, which the city provided in response to an open records request, show that Wade frequently turned to Uhlrig for support as he faced increasing pressure. They met for meals and drinks and engaged in late-night chats. He thanked her for the company.

They laughed off a reporter’s questions about the amount of money&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/07/top-bid-of-7-5-million-received-in-auction-to-sell-off-topeka-hotel/70294286007/">the city would pay for a hotel</a>&nbsp;— $7.6 million, more than twice the appraised value, in an effort to ensure redevelopment of the property. And they bashed Councilwoman Karen Hiller before and after a meeting between Wade and Hiller on June 2.

“That woman drives my blood pressure sky high,” Wade wrote.

In a series of messages after 8:40 p.m. June 5, the night before he requested a leave of absence, Uhlrig repeatedly encouraged him to think of “a positive interaction” he had that day.

The brightest moment for Wade: “The drive thru chic got my order right.”

Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala complained about Wade’s “unprofessional” relationship with the Topeka Rescue Mission as she addressed the crowd at a July 17 meeting in North Topeka.

Valdivia-Alcala represents a district that includes the area known as NOTO, a collection of art galleries, shops, restaurants and other small businesses just north of the Kansas River. The area is also known for its close proximity to the rescue mission, a homeless shelter situated between the pocket of commerce and tent encampments along the river.

Wade had been working with leaders of the rescue mission as he looked for ways to funnel taxpayer cash to the shelter.

“I’m going to be real blunt when I say this,” Valdivia-Alcala said. “I’m sad he’s gone. But his relationship with the mission was unprofessional. It was unprofessional. He carried their water.”

Kansas Reflector obtained Wade’s calendar items, emails and the text messages through an open records request with the city. The records show he frequently met and corresponded with rescue mission officials, including executive director LaManda Broyles, in the weeks before he went on leave.

Wade worked with Broyles to draft&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/resolution-for-funding-replacement.pdf">a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would use $316,966 from the city’s general fund to replace a grant the rescue mission had failed to win from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It would have been an unprecedented allocation of local taxpayer funding to the faith-based nonprofit.

“I cannot promise I am going to be successful,” Wade told Broyles in a May 19 text message, the same day she helped him&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/resolution-for-funding-replacement-revised.pdf">revise the proposed resolution</a>.

Broyles provided various estimates of the number of families the rescue mission assists through federal funding. She suggested that hundreds of families could be displaced without the transfer of city dollars.

Wade planned to ask the council to support the resolution at the June 6 meeting.

Separately, he told Broyles in a June 1 text that he was adding $1 million into the city’s operating budget for the homeless shelter. The city now says a task force will determine how that money will be spent.

“I know the weight on your mind and shoulders is heavy regarding this,” Broyles said. “Thank you for caring the way you do. Caring for the unsheltered while also caring for a thriving Topeka. I, and TRM, are in this with you. Through successes and setbacks. God guides it all.”

LaRonna Lassiter Saunders sensed that Wade was growing frustrated as she tried to make him understand the need for better relations between the community and law enforcement.

Their conversation stemmed from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2022/10/20/topeka-police-department-probe-black-men-killed-ywca-northeast-kansas-among-groups/69569048007/">police killings last year</a>&nbsp;of two Black men who struggled with mental wellness. The city refused to make public the video captured by police body cameras.

Lassiter Saunders, an attorney and justice advocate, was grateful that Wade was willing to meet with her and other advocates. But she said Wade, the son of a retired Kansas Highway Patrol officer, couldn’t understand the unresolved trauma that Black and Latino residents have from negative experiences with police.

“That’s what I kept trying to explain to Steve, and he was frustrated,” Lassiter Saunders said. “I could tell he was frustrated because at one point I said, ‘Do you understand what I’m saying? He said, ‘No.’ And I’m like OK, I can appreciate at least you’re being honest. But I think his frustration was he couldn’t understand that it was really a problem.”

Lassiter Saunders works with Bridging the Gap, a campaign focused on mental health awareness, training young people to know their rights during police interactions, and building relationships. The meeting took place a few days before Wade took a leave of absence.

Wade listened as Lassiter Saunders tried to explain the distrust that marginalized people have with police. To her, he appeared overwhelmed.

She wanted to know who the community could talk to when they have a concern or want to ask a question. Wade’s solution: People could call him personally.

Maybe his heart was in the right place, she thought, but that wasn’t a viable answer. How would people know the city manager’s number?

She wondered how the conversation was supposed to go: “My son just got pulled over, which we feel was racially motivated. Let me call the city manager see what he can do about it.”

Lassiter Saunders said she was “in his face,” pointing out things that didn’t make sense. That probably added to his frustration, she said. The conversation helped her realize the challenge was bigger than she thought.

“Not only are we trying to heal hurt and damage, but we’re also dealing with two different realities,” she said.

The city council and mayor fired Wade on July 11 following a two-hour meeting behind closed doors.

None of the council members who were present for the meeting or the mayor would answer reporters’ questions. Wade didn’t respond to a text message seeking comment.

City attorney Amanda Stanley said Chris McHugh, a civil litigation attorney from a Kansas City law firm, delivered an investigative report to the council during the closed meeting. The city hired the law firm to “investigate a complaint,” Stanley said.

“Other than that, we don’t comment on personnel matters,” Stanley said.

Stanley said the investigative report wouldn’t be made public.

She declined to say whether Wade had retained legal counsel or if the city anticipated Wade to file a lawsuit.

City residents&nbsp;responded to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fb.watch/lTOAZR-Vad/">city council meeting video on Facebook</a>. Genie Allgood referred to the secrecy as “complete and utter bs.”

“I would like to know why the reason the city manager was on paid leave and what he did (or didn’t do) to get fired! Transparency???” Allgood wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689890223668.jpeg" alt="A Topeka police officer guards the closed doors of the city chamber during the July 11, 2023, city council meeting. When the doors opened, the council and mayor voted 10-0 to fire city manager Stephen Wade. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A Topeka police officer guards the closed doors of the city chamber during the July 11, 2023, city council meeting. When the doors opened, the council and mayor voted 10-0 to fire city manager Stephen Wade. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Secrecy surrounds the firing of Stephen Wade following investigation into employee concerns</h2>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — As Stephen Wade struggled to navigate the turbulence of his final days as Topeka city manager, he frequently turned to a city hall colleague for solace.He met with her at a bar on the evening of May 31, then exchanged a series of Teams messages with her later that night.“Am in a pretty bad place,” Wade wrote.The sentiment underscored the end of Wade’s nine-month reign as the city’s top administrator. He requested a leave of absence one week later, and the city council fired him for undisclosed reasons after a closed-door meeting July 11.Documents obtained by Kansas Reflector, along with interviews conducted for this story, indicate that Wade struggled to cope with complaints about a worsening crisis with unsheltered residents and the police killings of mentally disabled Black men. Additionally, city employees raised concerns about his conduct, which eventually became the subject of a law firm’s investigation and part of the discussion leading to his dismissal.The secrecy surrounding Wade’s departure shields city officials, the mayor and council members from explaining their own role in hiring and working alongside him until the bitter end.Council members were warned not to hire Wade in an anonymous letter sent to them in April 2022. The letter referred to Wade, previously the city’s finance director, as “a tyrant with poor people skills.”“Wade has mastery of numbers and finance but his moral compass is broken and his decision-making ability is questionable,” the letter warned.<h2>Personnel issues</h2>Councilman Spencer Duncan said city employees reached out to him with “concerns” about Wade, and that he was working to confirm those concerns when Wade requested his leave of absence during a closed-door meeting June 6.The concerns raised by city employees were “part of the discussion” that resulted in the 10-0 vote to terminate Wade’s contract, Duncan said.The other eight council members and mayor declined to respond to Kansas Reflector questions about why they hired Wade, if they had any reservations at the time, and whether they were aware of any concerns with him before June 1.“None of the reasons for Mr. Wade’s termination involve concerns of criminal actions,” Duncan said. “They are personnel issues. As they fall under that category, there are federal and state laws that limit what information can be disclosed.”When the mayor and city council hired Wade in September in a unanimous vote, he was hailed as a candidate with strong local ties rather than another in a series of outsiders.Wade previously worked at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he was publisher from 2018 to 2020. (Kansas Reflector’s Sherman Smith, Tim Carpenter and Clay Wirestone worked for Wade at the Capital-Journal.) He joined the city staff in the summer of 2020 and wrangled a budget strained by the COVID-19 pandemic.He expressed excitement in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fb.watch/lRdF1O2d-e/">a video produced by the city</a>&nbsp;shortly after he became city manager.“Any time you have an internal promotion, it’s a win for the team,” Wade said. “And so I guess what I would say to the staff is this is a win for us.”Wade made sweeping changes to the structure of city government. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/07/05/stephen-wade-beefs-up-topekas-city-government-with-34-new-positions/70362762007/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>&nbsp;that he created 34 new positions, including seven with six-figure salaries. They included the promotion in December of Hannah Uhlrig, previously the city’s deputy public works director, to a job that pays $125,000. Her new title was director of special projects and innovation.Teams messages, which the city provided in response to an open records request, show that Wade frequently turned to Uhlrig for support as he faced increasing pressure. They met for meals and drinks and engaged in late-night chats. He thanked her for the company.They laughed off a reporter’s questions about the amount of money&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/07/top-bid-of-7-5-million-received-in-auction-to-sell-off-topeka-hotel/70294286007/">the city would pay for a hotel</a>&nbsp;— $7.6 million, more than twice the appraised value, in an effort to ensure redevelopment of the property. And they bashed Councilwoman Karen Hiller before and after a meeting between Wade and Hiller on June 2.“That woman drives my blood pressure sky high,” Wade wrote.In a series of messages after 8:40 p.m. June 5, the night before he requested a leave of absence, Uhlrig repeatedly encouraged him to think of “a positive interaction” he had that day.The brightest moment for Wade: “The drive thru chic got my order right.”<h2>Carrying water</h2>Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala complained about Wade’s “unprofessional” relationship with the Topeka Rescue Mission as she addressed the crowd at a July 17 meeting in North Topeka.Valdivia-Alcala represents a district that includes the area known as NOTO, a collection of art galleries, shops, restaurants and other small businesses just north of the Kansas River. The area is also known for its close proximity to the rescue mission, a homeless shelter situated between the pocket of commerce and tent encampments along the river.Wade had been working with leaders of the rescue mission as he looked for ways to funnel taxpayer cash to the shelter.“I’m going to be real blunt when I say this,” Valdivia-Alcala said. “I’m sad he’s gone. But his relationship with the mission was unprofessional. It was unprofessional. He carried their water.”Kansas Reflector obtained Wade’s calendar items, emails and the text messages through an open records request with the city. The records show he frequently met and corresponded with rescue mission officials, including executive director LaManda Broyles, in the weeks before he went on leave.Wade worked with Broyles to draft&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/resolution-for-funding-replacement.pdf">a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would use $316,966 from the city’s general fund to replace a grant the rescue mission had failed to win from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It would have been an unprecedented allocation of local taxpayer funding to the faith-based nonprofit.“I cannot promise I am going to be successful,” Wade told Broyles in a May 19 text message, the same day she helped him&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/resolution-for-funding-replacement-revised.pdf">revise the proposed resolution</a>.Broyles provided various estimates of the number of families the rescue mission assists through federal funding. She suggested that hundreds of families could be displaced without the transfer of city dollars.Wade planned to ask the council to support the resolution at the June 6 meeting.Separately, he told Broyles in a June 1 text that he was adding $1 million into the city’s operating budget for the homeless shelter. The city now says a task force will determine how that money will be spent.“I know the weight on your mind and shoulders is heavy regarding this,” Broyles said. “Thank you for caring the way you do. Caring for the unsheltered while also caring for a thriving Topeka. I, and TRM, are in this with you. Through successes and setbacks. God guides it all.”<h2>Different realities</h2>LaRonna Lassiter Saunders sensed that Wade was growing frustrated as she tried to make him understand the need for better relations between the community and law enforcement.Their conversation stemmed from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2022/10/20/topeka-police-department-probe-black-men-killed-ywca-northeast-kansas-among-groups/69569048007/">police killings last year</a>&nbsp;of two Black men who struggled with mental wellness. The city refused to make public the video captured by police body cameras.Lassiter Saunders, an attorney and justice advocate, was grateful that Wade was willing to meet with her and other advocates. But she said Wade, the son of a retired Kansas Highway Patrol officer, couldn’t understand the unresolved trauma that Black and Latino residents have from negative experiences with police.“That’s what I kept trying to explain to Steve, and he was frustrated,” Lassiter Saunders said. “I could tell he was frustrated because at one point I said, ‘Do you understand what I’m saying? He said, ‘No.’ And I’m like OK, I can appreciate at least you’re being honest. But I think his frustration was he couldn’t understand that it was really a problem.”Lassiter Saunders works with Bridging the Gap, a campaign focused on mental health awareness, training young people to know their rights during police interactions, and building relationships. The meeting took place a few days before Wade took a leave of absence.Wade listened as Lassiter Saunders tried to explain the distrust that marginalized people have with police. To her, he appeared overwhelmed.She wanted to know who the community could talk to when they have a concern or want to ask a question. Wade’s solution: People could call him personally.Maybe his heart was in the right place, she thought, but that wasn’t a viable answer. How would people know the city manager’s number?She wondered how the conversation was supposed to go: “My son just got pulled over, which we feel was racially motivated. Let me call the city manager see what he can do about it.”“That doesn’t happen,” she said.Lassiter Saunders said she was “in his face,” pointing out things that didn’t make sense. That probably added to his frustration, she said. The conversation helped her realize the challenge was bigger than she thought.“Not only are we trying to heal hurt and damage, but we’re also dealing with two different realities,” she said.<h2>Utter BS</h2>The city council and mayor fired Wade on July 11 following a two-hour meeting behind closed doors.None of the council members who were present for the meeting or the mayor would answer reporters’ questions. Wade didn’t respond to a text message seeking comment.City attorney Amanda Stanley said Chris McHugh, a civil litigation attorney from a Kansas City law firm, delivered an investigative report to the council during the closed meeting. The city hired the law firm to “investigate a complaint,” Stanley said.“Other than that, we don’t comment on personnel matters,” Stanley said.Stanley said the investigative report wouldn’t be made public.She declined to say whether Wade had retained legal counsel or if the city anticipated Wade to file a lawsuit.City residents&nbsp;responded to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fb.watch/lTOAZR-Vad/">city council meeting video on Facebook</a>. Genie Allgood referred to the secrecy as “complete and utter bs.”“I would like to know why the reason the city manager was on paid leave and what he did (or didn’t do) to get fired! Transparency???” Allgood wrote.

Topeka city manager was ‘in a pretty bad place’ in final days on the job

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal plane crash northeast of Kansas City have&nbsp; identified the pilot who died as 79-year-old Alan “Doug” Moler of Valley Center, Kansas, according to the Clay County Missouri Sheriff's office.

Just after 9:30a.m., a 911 caller reported a plane crashed in a field. The plane was fully engulfed in flames and resting in a soybean field near NE 150th and Cordell streets. Excelsior Springs and Kearney fire departments responded and discovered the pilot was the sole occupant of the plane. The pilot was deceased.

Immediately before the crash, the plane had taken off from the Midwest Regional Air Center, a Clay County-owned airport at 13106 Rhodus Road, Mosby, Mo., located a short distance from the crash scene. 

The plane is a privately owned twin-engine Piper aircraft. It had just fueled up and had 140 gallons of fuel on board, which contributed to the fire, according to the sheriff's department. The Pilot was in route to an airport in Wichita.

The plane struck power lines during its descent, knocking down live wires. Residents on NE 150th Street east of Cordell were blocked from their homes until the wires could safely be removed from the roadway.&nbsp; No one on the ground was injured.

After the initial response and evidence gathering, the Sheriff’s Office will turn the investigation over to the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. The FAA was to arrive Thursday afternoon, and the NTSB has indicated they will arrive Friday, according to the sheriff's office.

The crash scattered debris outside of the soybean field that deputies will have to leave in place until federal aviation authorities arrive to conduct their investigation. Therefore, Cordell Street at 92 Highway, N.E. 150th Street, and parts of Shady Grove Road will remain closed

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689879070841.png" alt="The plane is a privately owned twin-engine Piper aircraft.-photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>The plane is a privately owned twin-engine Piper aircraft.-photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal plane crash northeast of Kansas City have&nbsp; identified the pilot who died as 79-year-old Alan “Doug” Moler of Valley Center, Kansas, according to the Clay County Missouri Sheriff's office.Just after 9:30a.m., a 911 caller reported a plane crashed in a field. The plane was fully engulfed in flames and resting in a soybean field near NE 150th and Cordell streets. Excelsior Springs and Kearney fire departments responded and discovered the pilot was the sole occupant of the plane. The pilot was deceased.Immediately before the crash, the plane had taken off from the Midwest Regional Air Center, a Clay County-owned airport at 13106 Rhodus Road, Mosby, Mo., located a short distance from the crash scene. The plane is a privately owned twin-engine Piper aircraft. It had just fueled up and had 140 gallons of fuel on board, which contributed to the fire, according to the sheriff's department. The Pilot was in route to an airport in Wichita.The plane struck power lines during its descent, knocking down live wires. Residents on NE 150th Street east of Cordell were blocked from their homes until the wires could safely be removed from the roadway.&nbsp; No one on the ground was injured.After the initial response and evidence gathering, the Sheriff’s Office will turn the investigation over to the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. The FAA was to arrive Thursday afternoon, and the NTSB has indicated they will arrive Friday, according to the sheriff's office.The crash scattered debris outside of the soybean field that deputies will have to leave in place until federal aviation authorities arrive to conduct their investigation. Therefore, Cordell Street at 92 Highway, N.E. 150th Street, and parts of Shady Grove Road will remain closed

Kan. pilot dies in small plane crash into Missouri soybean field

By JASON HANCOCK <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s efforts to inflate the cost of an abortion-rights initiative petition were unanimously rejected by the state Supreme Court Thursday, j<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/18/fight-over-cost-of-abortion-rights-initiative-petition-reaches-missouri-supreme-court/">ust two days after judges heard arguments in the case</a>.&nbsp;

The quick verdict, which was written by Judge Paul Wilson, was scathing in its opinion of Bailey’s refusal to sign off on the work of Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, concluding that nothing in state law “gives the attorney general authority to question the auditor’s assessment of the fiscal impact of a proposed petition.”

The ruling upheld Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem’s ruling last month&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/20/judge-missouri-ag-had-absolute-absence-of-authority-to-question-abortion-initiative-cost/">ordering Bailey to sign off on Fitzpatrick’s fiscal summary within 24 hours</a>.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office said Bailey disagrees with the court’s decision, “as we believe Missourians deserve to know how much this amendment would cost the state, but we will respect the court’s order.”

In early March, 11 versions of a proposed constitutional amendment rolling back Missouri’s abortion ban were filed with the secretary of state’s office.&nbsp;

As part of the initiative petition process, the state auditor is required to create a fiscal note and a fiscal note summary that states “the measure’s estimated cost or savings, if any, to state or local governmental entities.”

After consulting 60 state and local agencies, including the attorney general’s office, Fitzpatrick concluded the state would face “no costs or savings” as a result of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Bailey refused to give what has traditionally been considered perfunctory approval of the fiscal note. Instead, he demanded the auditor increase the estimate to say the amendment would cost the state billions of dollars.

Fitzpatrick said that while he vehemently opposes the proposed initiative petition, the projected cost estimate being pushed by Bailey is not based in reality. To alter his fiscal summary to include Bailey’s “inaccurate information.” Fitzpatrick wrote to the attorney general, would “violate my duty as State Auditor to produce an accurate fiscal note summary.

Because of the impasse, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has not completed his work on the summary, and thus, supporters cannot legally begin collecting signatures to place the issue on the ballot.

Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling acknowledged how Bailey’s unlawful refusal to sign off on the fiscal note has derailed the initiative petition process.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“The attorney general was to have performed that task within 10 days of receiving the fiscal notes and summaries from the auditor, a period that expired more than three months ago,” Wilson wrote in his ruling, later adding: “Because of this logjam, the (secretary of state) could not — and, to this day, cannot — complete his duty by certifying the official ballot titles for the proposed petitions.”

If the attorney general had “complied with his duty to approve the Auditor’s fiscal note summaries,” Wilson wrote, the official ballot summary would have been finalized “nearly 100 days ago.”&nbsp;

In a statement after the ruling, Fitzpatrick said he has “consistently stood in defense of the lives of the innocent unborn and worked to make sure abortions do not take place in our state.

“As someone who is ardently pro-life, I will vote against these initiatives if they make it to the ballot,” he said. “However my personal stance cannot compromise the duty my office has to provide a fair assessment of their cost to the state.”

Luz María Henríquez, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, which sued the attorney general over the fiscal note delays, said Tuesday that the attorney general was seeking to single-handedly upend the initiative petition process.&nbsp;

His efforts, Henríquez said, are “more consistent with the tendencies of an authoritarian government than what we would expect to find in a thriving democracy.”

In an interview Tuesday with KMOX-TV, Bailey was asked whether it’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kmov.com/2023/07/18/missouri-supreme-court-hear-arguments-abortion-petition-case/">morally acceptable to disregard parts of the constitution or break the law</a>&nbsp;as a means of preventing an abortion from taking place.

“I’m going to need to spend a little more time thinking through that kind of philosophical, moral question,” Bailey said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689729912291.png" alt="The Missouri Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The Missouri Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON HANCOCK <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s efforts to inflate the cost of an abortion-rights initiative petition were unanimously rejected by the state Supreme Court Thursday, j<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/18/fight-over-cost-of-abortion-rights-initiative-petition-reaches-missouri-supreme-court/">ust two days after judges heard arguments in the case</a>.&nbsp;The quick verdict, which was written by Judge Paul Wilson, was scathing in its opinion of Bailey’s refusal to sign off on the work of Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, concluding that nothing in state law “gives the attorney general authority to question the auditor’s assessment of the fiscal impact of a proposed petition.”The ruling upheld Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem’s ruling last month&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/20/judge-missouri-ag-had-absolute-absence-of-authority-to-question-abortion-initiative-cost/">ordering Bailey to sign off on Fitzpatrick’s fiscal summary within 24 hours</a>.&nbsp;A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office said Bailey disagrees with the court’s decision, “as we believe Missourians deserve to know how much this amendment would cost the state, but we will respect the court’s order.”In early March, 11 versions of a proposed constitutional amendment rolling back Missouri’s abortion ban were filed with the secretary of state’s office.&nbsp;As part of the initiative petition process, the state auditor is required to create a fiscal note and a fiscal note summary that states “the measure’s estimated cost or savings, if any, to state or local governmental entities.”After consulting 60 state and local agencies, including the attorney general’s office, Fitzpatrick concluded the state would face “no costs or savings” as a result of the proposed constitutional amendment.Bailey refused to give what has traditionally been considered perfunctory approval of the fiscal note. Instead, he demanded the auditor increase the estimate to say the amendment would cost the state billions of dollars.Fitzpatrick said that while he vehemently opposes the proposed initiative petition, the projected cost estimate being pushed by Bailey is not based in reality. To alter his fiscal summary to include Bailey’s “inaccurate information.” Fitzpatrick wrote to the attorney general, would “violate my duty as State Auditor to produce an accurate fiscal note summary.Because of the impasse, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has not completed his work on the summary, and thus, supporters cannot legally begin collecting signatures to place the issue on the ballot.Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling acknowledged how Bailey’s unlawful refusal to sign off on the fiscal note has derailed the initiative petition process.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The attorney general was to have performed that task within 10 days of receiving the fiscal notes and summaries from the auditor, a period that expired more than three months ago,” Wilson wrote in his ruling, later adding: “Because of this logjam, the (secretary of state) could not — and, to this day, cannot — complete his duty by certifying the official ballot titles for the proposed petitions.”If the attorney general had “complied with his duty to approve the Auditor’s fiscal note summaries,” Wilson wrote, the official ballot summary would have been finalized “nearly 100 days ago.”&nbsp;In a statement after the ruling, Fitzpatrick said he has “consistently stood in defense of the lives of the innocent unborn and worked to make sure abortions do not take place in our state.“As someone who is ardently pro-life, I will vote against these initiatives if they make it to the ballot,” he said. “However my personal stance cannot compromise the duty my office has to provide a fair assessment of their cost to the state.”Luz María Henríquez, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, which sued the attorney general over the fiscal note delays, said Tuesday that the attorney general was seeking to single-handedly upend the initiative petition process.&nbsp;His efforts, Henríquez said, are “more consistent with the tendencies of an authoritarian government than what we would expect to find in a thriving democracy.”In an interview Tuesday with KMOX-TV, Bailey was asked whether it’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kmov.com/2023/07/18/missouri-supreme-court-hear-arguments-abortion-petition-case/">morally acceptable to disregard parts of the constitution or break the law</a>&nbsp;as a means of preventing an abortion from taking place.“I’m going to need to spend a little more time thinking through that kind of philosophical, moral question,” Bailey said.

Mo. Supreme Court rejects AG’s push to inflate cost of abortion-rights amendment

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded Ukraine’s southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlin's crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port.

The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In Mykolaiv, a city close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said.

Russia has targeted Ukrainian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-crimea-1676e6e746c888c8c8c1f0e4493be6fa">critical grain export infrastructure</a>&nbsp;since it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-strike-grain-f4f9cc439384e4d7012c82368338405f">vowed “retribution”</a>&nbsp;this week for an attack that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-crimea-ukraine-kerch-bridge-c3759176ab015796a1e21ca82f19e0c9">damaged a crucial bridge</a>&nbsp;between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats.

The strikes on Ukraine's grain export infrastructure have helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-black-sea-grain-deal-365db9ddb05fb9f2114347aa59b8546a">drive up food prices in countries facing hunger</a>. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal Monday would result in more human suffering, with potentially millions of people affected.

Carlos Mera, head of agricultural commodities markets at <a href="https://www.rabobank.com/en/home/index.html">Rabobank,</a> said wheat prices have risen about 17% over the last week, calling it a surprising rise that started even before the grain deal ended Monday and attributing it to “a little bit of panic.”

The grain deal provided guarantees that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-grain-shipping-risks-6adc97731965377e2f1db5f91adefa92">ships would not be attacked</a>&nbsp;entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer.

The Russian military on Thursday described its strikes on Odesa, a city whose downtown area is described by the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO as possessing "outstanding universal value,” as “retaliatory.”

In January, UNESCO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-entertainment-politics-odessa-ukraine-government-51da3a402b343bdd9ae8c2587278cb2d">added Odesa’s historic center</a>&nbsp;to its list of endangered World Heritage Sites, with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay saying the “legendary port that has left its mark in cinema, literature and the arts.”

Despite multiple Russian artillery attacks and airstrikes during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>&nbsp;that began in February 2022, Odesa had not previously been subjected to the heavy barrages that have targeted other towns and cities in Ukraine's south and east.

Odesa residents reeled from Russia’s sudden focus on their city.

“I remember the attack on the port last year, but now it feels like it was only 5% compared to what the Russians have launched at us during these past three days,” Oleksandr Kolodin, a 29-year-old photographer, told The Associated Press.

Some feared that Russia’s decision to tear up the grain deal would make Odesa a long-term primary target.

“We saw how they could attack Kyiv for an entire month,” said 29-year-old programmer Victor, referring to the intense bombardment of the Ukrainian capital in May. He asked to use only his first name out of concern for his safety.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that it targeted “production shops and storage sites for unmanned boats” in Odesa and the nearby city of Chornomorsk. In the Mykolaiv area, the Russian military claimed to have destroyed Ukraine’s fuel infrastructure facilities and ammunition depots.

Neither sides’ claims could be independently verified.

The previous night, an intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including grain and oil terminals. The attack destroyed at least 60,000 tons of grain.

In what appeared to be a tit-for-tat move, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced that as of Friday, all vessels in the Black Sea heading to Russian ports “may be considered by Ukraine as such carrying military cargo with all the associated risks.” That may result in higher insurance costs for those ships.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said earlier this week that Moscow had formally declared wide areas of the Black Sea dangerous for shipping and warned that it would view any incoming ship as laden with weapons, effectively announcing a sea blockade.

Despite the risks, ship owners haven't shown any less interest so far in carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, according to John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world’s commercial fleet.

The European Union’s foreign affairs chief condemned Russia's targeting of grain storage facilities.

“More than 60,000 tons of grain has been burned,” Josep Borrell said in Brussels on Thursday, regarding Moscow's recent tactics. “So not only they withdraw from the grain agreement … but they are burning the grain.”

German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the same meeting that the EU is involved in international efforts to get Ukrainian grain to the world market.

“The fact that the Russian president has canceled the grain agreement and is now bombing the port of Odesa is not only another attack on Ukraine, but an attack on the people, on the poorest people in the world,” she said. “Hundreds of thousands of people, not to say millions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kenya-somalia-refugees-hunger-food-ukraine-deal-7a7bbb6de8173ec20811663ad53362ce">urgently need grain from Ukraine</a>.”

The White House warned Wednesday that Russia was preparing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-shipping-black-sea-6e7721886bb2b1d98af2e49cf6f67aaf">possible attacks on civilian shipping</a>&nbsp;vessels in the Black Sea. The warning could alarm shippers and further drive up grain prices.

Russia has laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports, White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement. “We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks,” the statement said.

A lot of the wheat exported from Ukraine goes to very poor countries, such as those in North Africa, he said. People in those places are already struggling with food insecurity and high local food prices. Russia, meanwhile, has been exporting record amounts of wheat in recent months despite complaints that its agricultural exports have been hindered.

There is “a vast list of underdeveloped countries that depend on Ukrainian and Russian wheat,” Mera said. “And with prices going up, people will have to pay more for that wheat, which means more expensive bread in those countries.”

Russia has blasted Ukrainian towns and cities since the start of the war. Ukraine's Western allies have helped upgrade its air defense systems. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-aid-war-83790aadb76c4eca6da9d0dc48ad791c">latest military aid package</a>&nbsp;from the United States, announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, includes funding for four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and munitions for them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="Russia has targeted Ukrainian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-crimea-1676e6e746c888c8c8c1f0e4493be6fa">critical grain export infrastructure</a>&nbsp;since it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-strike-grain-f4f9cc439384e4d7012c82368338405f">vowed “retribution”</a>&nbsp;this week for an attack that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-crimea-ukraine-kerch-bridge-c3759176ab015796a1e21ca82f19e0c9">damaged a crucial bridge</a>&nbsp;between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats. -Photo Russian Presidential Press Service via AP" />
 <figcaption>Russia has targeted Ukrainian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-crimea-1676e6e746c888c8c8c1f0e4493be6fa">critical grain export infrastructure</a>&nbsp;since it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-strike-grain-f4f9cc439384e4d7012c82368338405f">vowed “retribution”</a>&nbsp;this week for an attack that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-crimea-ukraine-kerch-bridge-c3759176ab015796a1e21ca82f19e0c9">damaged a crucial bridge</a>&nbsp;between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats. -Photo Russian Presidential Press Service via AP</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded Ukraine’s southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlin's crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port.The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In Mykolaiv, a city close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said.Russia has targeted Ukrainian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-crimea-1676e6e746c888c8c8c1f0e4493be6fa">critical grain export infrastructure</a>&nbsp;since it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-odesa-strike-grain-f4f9cc439384e4d7012c82368338405f">vowed “retribution”</a>&nbsp;this week for an attack that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-crimea-ukraine-kerch-bridge-c3759176ab015796a1e21ca82f19e0c9">damaged a crucial bridge</a>&nbsp;between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats.The strikes on Ukraine's grain export infrastructure have helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-black-sea-grain-deal-365db9ddb05fb9f2114347aa59b8546a">drive up food prices in countries facing hunger</a>. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal Monday would result in more human suffering, with potentially millions of people affected.Carlos Mera, head of agricultural commodities markets at <a href="https://www.rabobank.com/en/home/index.html">Rabobank,</a> said wheat prices have risen about 17% over the last week, calling it a surprising rise that started even before the grain deal ended Monday and attributing it to “a little bit of panic.”The grain deal provided guarantees that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-grain-shipping-risks-6adc97731965377e2f1db5f91adefa92">ships would not be attacked</a>&nbsp;entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer.The Russian military on Thursday described its strikes on Odesa, a city whose downtown area is described by the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO as possessing "outstanding universal value,” as “retaliatory.”In January, UNESCO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-entertainment-politics-odessa-ukraine-government-51da3a402b343bdd9ae8c2587278cb2d">added Odesa’s historic center</a>&nbsp;to its list of endangered World Heritage Sites, with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay saying the “legendary port that has left its mark in cinema, literature and the arts.”Despite multiple Russian artillery attacks and airstrikes during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>&nbsp;that began in February 2022, Odesa had not previously been subjected to the heavy barrages that have targeted other towns and cities in Ukraine's south and east.Odesa residents reeled from Russia’s sudden focus on their city.“I remember the attack on the port last year, but now it feels like it was only 5% compared to what the Russians have launched at us during these past three days,” Oleksandr Kolodin, a 29-year-old photographer, told The Associated Press.Some feared that Russia’s decision to tear up the grain deal would make Odesa a long-term primary target.“We saw how they could attack Kyiv for an entire month,” said 29-year-old programmer Victor, referring to the intense bombardment of the Ukrainian capital in May. He asked to use only his first name out of concern for his safety.The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that it targeted “production shops and storage sites for unmanned boats” in Odesa and the nearby city of Chornomorsk. In the Mykolaiv area, the Russian military claimed to have destroyed Ukraine’s fuel infrastructure facilities and ammunition depots.Neither sides’ claims could be independently verified.The previous night, an intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including grain and oil terminals. The attack destroyed at least 60,000 tons of grain.In what appeared to be a tit-for-tat move, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced that as of Friday, all vessels in the Black Sea heading to Russian ports “may be considered by Ukraine as such carrying military cargo with all the associated risks.” That may result in higher insurance costs for those ships.Russia’s Defense Ministry said earlier this week that Moscow had formally declared wide areas of the Black Sea dangerous for shipping and warned that it would view any incoming ship as laden with weapons, effectively announcing a sea blockade.Despite the risks, ship owners haven't shown any less interest so far in carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, according to John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world’s commercial fleet.The European Union’s foreign affairs chief condemned Russia's targeting of grain storage facilities.“More than 60,000 tons of grain has been burned,” Josep Borrell said in Brussels on Thursday, regarding Moscow's recent tactics. “So not only they withdraw from the grain agreement … but they are burning the grain.”German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the same meeting that the EU is involved in international efforts to get Ukrainian grain to the world market.“The fact that the Russian president has canceled the grain agreement and is now bombing the port of Odesa is not only another attack on Ukraine, but an attack on the people, on the poorest people in the world,” she said. “Hundreds of thousands of people, not to say millions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kenya-somalia-refugees-hunger-food-ukraine-deal-7a7bbb6de8173ec20811663ad53362ce">urgently need grain from Ukraine</a>.”The White House warned Wednesday that Russia was preparing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-shipping-black-sea-6e7721886bb2b1d98af2e49cf6f67aaf">possible attacks on civilian shipping</a>&nbsp;vessels in the Black Sea. The warning could alarm shippers and further drive up grain prices.Russia has laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports, White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement. “We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks,” the statement said.A lot of the wheat exported from Ukraine goes to very poor countries, such as those in North Africa, he said. People in those places are already struggling with food insecurity and high local food prices. Russia, meanwhile, has been exporting record amounts of wheat in recent months despite complaints that its agricultural exports have been hindered.There is “a vast list of underdeveloped countries that depend on Ukrainian and Russian wheat,” Mera said. “And with prices going up, people will have to pay more for that wheat, which means more expensive bread in those countries.”Russia has blasted Ukrainian towns and cities since the start of the war. Ukraine's Western allies have helped upgrade its air defense systems. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-aid-war-83790aadb76c4eca6da9d0dc48ad791c">latest military aid package</a>&nbsp;from the United States, announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, includes funding for four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and munitions for them.

Price of wheat up dramatically as Russia attacks Ukraine's port cities 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged rape from 2007 have transferred a suspect captured at the U.S. Mexico border to Kansas to face charges.&nbsp;

Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies booked 41-year-old Roman Vela into the Sedgwick County jail, according to online jail records. He is expected to make a first appearance in court Thursday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

On April 28, the district attorney's office reported Vela&nbsp;was arrested at a border crossing between Mexico and Texas on an active Sedgwick County warrant&nbsp; for one count of rape. He was&nbsp; held in Webb County, Texas until the extradition to Kansas this week.

The arrest was the culmination of an ongoing effort between the Department of State in Mexico; Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Mexico; HSI Kansas City, Mo., and the Sedgwick County DA's Office in Wichita. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689866371606.png" alt="Vela photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Vela photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged rape from 2007 have transferred a suspect captured at the U.S. Mexico border to Kansas to face charges.&nbsp;Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies booked 41-year-old Roman Vela into the Sedgwick County jail, according to online jail records. He is expected to make a first appearance in court Thursday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.On April 28, the district attorney's office reported Vela&nbsp;was arrested at a border crossing between Mexico and Texas on an active Sedgwick County warrant&nbsp; for one count of rape. He was&nbsp; held in Webb County, Texas until the extradition to Kansas this week.The arrest was the culmination of an ongoing effort between the Department of State in Mexico; Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Mexico; HSI Kansas City, Mo., and the Sedgwick County DA's Office in Wichita.

Rape suspect captured at U.S. border crossing is in a Kansas jail 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas said Thursday that prices at the pump are going up, but not very quickly.

"We've seen some small upticks in prices," Steward said. "Today's average in Kansas is $3.28 a gallon. That's up three cents from a week ago and up about five cents in the past month. Modest increases, probably pretty limited in terms of what we could see this time of year. I think, while demand has been strong, especially for the holiday weekends this summer, crude oil prices, which drive much of the cost we see at the pumps, have been relatively stable all summer. We're looking at $75 to $76 a barrel in the crude oil market."

Reno County's average price is one of the lowest in the state at $3.11 a gallon.

Steward notes that the crude oil market seems to have normalized itself now that geopolitical factors are staying the same at the moment.

"The Ukraine-Russia situation was obviously the major driver last June and throughout much of last year has had an impact on crude oil prices, but that seems to have calmed down for the time being. That is really the reason why we've seen such a stable crude oil market for most of this year."

There is still the chance that weather could impact supply as we get deeper into the Atlantic hurricane season, but barring something like that, the highs of last year look to be behind us.

"We don't see anything on the near term horizon that would indicate any huge leaps in prices at the pumps," Steward said. "A year ago this time, we were almost a dollar higher price, about $4.26 a gallon."

The prices are just about flat with the statewide average a month ago.

NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas said Thursday that prices at the pump are going up, but not very quickly."We've seen some small upticks in prices," Steward said. "Today's average in Kansas is $3.28 a gallon. That's up three cents from a week ago and up about five cents in the past month. Modest increases, probably pretty limited in terms of what we could see this time of year. I think, while demand has been strong, especially for the holiday weekends this summer, crude oil prices, which drive much of the cost we see at the pumps, have been relatively stable all summer. We're looking at $75 to $76 a barrel in the crude oil market."Reno County's average price is one of the lowest in the state at $3.11 a gallon.Steward notes that the crude oil market seems to have normalized itself now that geopolitical factors are staying the same at the moment."The Ukraine-Russia situation was obviously the major driver last June and throughout much of last year has had an impact on crude oil prices, but that seems to have calmed down for the time being. That is really the reason why we've seen such a stable crude oil market for most of this year."There is still the chance that weather could impact supply as we get deeper into the Atlantic hurricane season, but barring something like that, the highs of last year look to be behind us."We don't see anything on the near term horizon that would indicate any huge leaps in prices at the pumps," Steward said. "A year ago this time, we were almost a dollar higher price, about $4.26 a gallon."The prices are just about flat with the statewide average a month ago.

Gas prices in Kansas still going up

WASHINGTON —Israeli President Isaac Herzog sought to reassure Congress on Wednesday about the state of Israel's democracy and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

He said, "Allowing Iran to become a nuclear threshold state – whether by omission or by diplomatic commission – is unacceptable."

Following Herzog’s joint address to Congress, Senator Jerry Moran spoke on the U.S. Senate floor to remind colleagues of the growing threat posed by Iran to peace in the Middle East and beyond.

Herzog, whose post in Israel is largely symbolic, became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech officially marked modern Israel’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-ultraorthodox-netanyahu-palestinians-independence-46fe485eb65b782e0558587641e03505">celebration of its 75th year</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689812765993.png" alt="Israeli President Isaac Herzog" />
 <figcaption>Israeli President Isaac Herzog</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Israeli President Isaac Herzog sought to reassure Congress on Wednesday about the state of Israel's democracy and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship.He said, "Allowing Iran to become a nuclear threshold state – whether by omission or by diplomatic commission – is unacceptable."Following Herzog’s joint address to Congress, Senator Jerry Moran spoke on the U.S. Senate floor to remind colleagues of the growing threat posed by Iran to peace in the Middle East and beyond.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Following Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s joint address to Congress today, I spoke on the U.S. Senate floor to remind my colleagues of the growing threat posed by Iran to peace in the Middle East and beyond ⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/aYK5XpFdEu">pic.twitter.com/aYK5XpFdEu</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1681805626307903489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Herzog, whose post in Israel is largely symbolic, became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech officially marked modern Israel’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-ultraorthodox-netanyahu-palestinians-independence-46fe485eb65b782e0558587641e03505">celebration of its 75th year</a>.

 🎥 Israeli president, Kan. Senator talk Iran threat in Middle East

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating Tuesday's hoax threat&nbsp;at the Ford plant in Claycomo, 8121 E. Highway U.S. 69 made an arrest Wednesday morning, according to Clay County Sheriff Will Akin.

The suspect identified as 19-year-old  Zachariah A. Peterson of Independence has been charged with one count of making a terroristic threat, according to&nbsp;Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson.

Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, a call came into Ford’s safety and risk management team from a man who claimed to be armed with explosives, a rifle and a handgun. He said he was barricaded in the second floor bathroom in the paint area of the plant. Ford&nbsp; ceased all production and evacuated 2200 workers at the plant. They also canceled production for the night shift. The road in front of the Ford plant on 69 Highway was also closed. The man who called said he was an employee and was disgruntled. He gave a name that is not an actual employee of the paint area. He did name his supervisor, and that was the correct name. Law enforcement was not&nbsp; able to make contact with Tuesday evening. Police pinged his phone and believe the phone number that he used may be spoofed.

The Clay County Special Tactics and Response Team entered the plant to find the source of the threat. It is possible this is a swatting call, but deputies treated the threat as real. Clay County negotiators were on scene, as well, and were unable to make contact with anyone.

Law enforcement agencies finished searching the plant and did not locate anyone inside and have determined the threat was not credible.

Peterson is being held on a $150,000 bond in the Clay County Detention Center

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689811166107.png" alt="Peterson-photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Peterson-photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating Tuesday's hoax threat&nbsp;at the Ford plant in Claycomo, 8121 E. Highway U.S. 69 made an arrest Wednesday morning, according to Clay County Sheriff Will Akin.The suspect identified as 19-year-old Zachariah A. Peterson of Independence has been charged with one count of making a terroristic threat, according to&nbsp;Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson.Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, a call came into Ford’s safety and risk management team from a man who claimed to be armed with explosives, a rifle and a handgun. He said he was barricaded in the second floor bathroom in the paint area of the plant. Ford&nbsp; ceased all production and evacuated 2200 workers at the plant. They also canceled production for the night shift. The road in front of the Ford plant on 69 Highway was also closed. The man who called said he was an employee and was disgruntled. He gave a name that is not an actual employee of the paint area. He did name his supervisor, and that was the correct name. Law enforcement was not&nbsp; able to make contact with Tuesday evening. Police pinged his phone and believe the phone number that he used may be spoofed.The Clay County Special Tactics and Response Team entered the plant to find the source of the threat. It is possible this is a swatting call, but deputies treated the threat as real. Clay County negotiators were on scene, as well, and were unable to make contact with anyone.Law enforcement agencies finished searching the plant and did not locate anyone inside and have determined the threat was not credible.Peterson is being held on a $150,000 bond in the Clay County Detention Center

Teen charged for hoax threat that shut down KC-area Ford plant

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A winning ticket has been sold in California for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-lottery-billion-dollar-jackpot-286928f603966adb061d9ad421b955ee">the Powerball jackpot</a>&nbsp;worth an estimated $1.08 billion, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-california-a11cb275a36848310e05ed56608c656c">sixth largest</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history and the third largest in the history of the game.

The winning numbers for Wednesday night’s drawing were: white balls 7, 10, 11, 13, 24 and red Powerball 24. The California Lottery said on Twitter that the winning ticket was sold in Los Angeles at Las Palmitas Mini Market.

Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot beyond its earlier estimate of $1 billion to $1.08 billion at the time of the drawing, moving it from the seventh largest to the sixth largest U.S lottery jackpot ever won.

The winner can choose either the total jackpot paid out in yearly increments or a $558.1 million, one-time lump sum before taxes.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">game’s abysmal odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. The largest Powerball jackpot was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lotteries-iowa-36ef3aefbbc37a15e1c5f172129fa6a6">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;in November.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-winner-ohio-252-million-5506023262d64fb54556fb454a478615">last time</a>&nbsp;someone had won the Powerball jackpot was April 19 for a top prize of nearly $253 million. Since then, no one had won the grand prize.

Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A winning ticket has been sold in California for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-lottery-billion-dollar-jackpot-286928f603966adb061d9ad421b955ee">the Powerball jackpot</a>&nbsp;worth an estimated $1.08 billion, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-california-a11cb275a36848310e05ed56608c656c">sixth largest</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history and the third largest in the history of the game.The winning numbers for Wednesday night’s drawing were: white balls 7, 10, 11, 13, 24 and red Powerball 24. The California Lottery said on Twitter that the winning ticket was sold in Los Angeles at Las Palmitas Mini Market.Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot beyond its earlier estimate of $1 billion to $1.08 billion at the time of the drawing, moving it from the seventh largest to the sixth largest U.S lottery jackpot ever won.The winner can choose either the total jackpot paid out in yearly increments or a $558.1 million, one-time lump sum before taxes.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">game’s abysmal odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. The largest Powerball jackpot was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lotteries-iowa-36ef3aefbbc37a15e1c5f172129fa6a6">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;in November.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-winner-ohio-252-million-5506023262d64fb54556fb454a478615">last time</a>&nbsp;someone had won the Powerball jackpot was April 19 for a top prize of nearly $253 million. Since then, no one had won the grand prize.Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 Powerball finally has a winner for its jackpot worth over $1 billion

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are attempting to locate 29-year-old Alfred A. Smith.

Just before 5:30p.m. Friday,&nbsp; police were&nbsp;dispatched to a Topeka hospital after a victim identified as 2-month-old Alonzoe K. Smith arrived with an apparent gunshot wound, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.

The infant had arrived and was being treated for a life threatening injury. and later died.&nbsp; &nbsp; The shooting occurred in the 1000 Block of SW Mulvane Street.

Police reported Alfred Smith was last seen in a turquoise Jeep SUV.

If you have any information regarding where Smith might be, do not attempt to make contact with him, please call 911 immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689544705597.png" alt="Alfred A. Smith-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Alfred A. Smith-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are attempting to locate 29-year-old Alfred A. Smith.Just before 5:30p.m. Friday,&nbsp; police were&nbsp;dispatched to a Topeka hospital after a victim identified as 2-month-old Alonzoe K. Smith arrived with an apparent gunshot wound, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.The infant had arrived and was being treated for a life threatening injury. and later died.&nbsp; &nbsp; The shooting occurred in the 1000 Block of SW Mulvane Street.Police reported Alfred Smith was last seen in a turquoise Jeep SUV.If you have any information regarding where Smith might be, do not attempt to make contact with him, please call 911 immediately.

Search continues for suspect in death of 2-month-old Kan. boy

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by Holly Janae Thomas, 49, Lenexa,&nbsp;was northbound on Kansas 7 just south of 95th Street in Lenexa.

The SUV crossed the center median to the southbound side and struck a 2008 Jeep Commander driven by Mia Kate Reuter, 18, Shawnee, head-on.

Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Reuter to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by Holly Janae Thomas, 49, Lenexa,&nbsp;was northbound on Kansas 7 just south of 95th Street in Lenexa.The SUV crossed the center median to the southbound side and struck a 2008 Jeep Commander driven by Mia Kate Reuter, 18, Shawnee, head-on.Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Reuter to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dead, one injured after head-on crash

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a federal relief program designed to help United States business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United State's Attorney.

Timothy Dale Warren, 59, of Haysville served as owner of<a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/"> Titan Medical</a> <a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/">Center </a>which offered chiropractic care, school sports physicals, and other services in Wichita,&nbsp;According to court documents.

In May 2020 and April 2021, Warren submitted false documents to banks in order to fraudulently obtain two loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the CARES Act.

In August 2020, the defendant converted $35,500.00 in criminally obtained funds into a cashier’s check then deposited money into a business bank account at another financial institution. 

Warren acknowledges his actions caused the SBA a total loss of $145,877.70.

“The federal government created programs to provide economic relief to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 related shutdowns,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Unfortunately, Timothy Warren manipulated a well-intentioned program into a mechanism of personal financial gain and must now be held accountable.”

Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689709800592.png" alt="Dr. Tim Warren-photo courtesy Titan Medical" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tim Warren-photo courtesy Titan Medical</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a federal relief program designed to help United States business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United State's Attorney.Timothy Dale Warren, 59, of Haysville served as owner of<a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/"> Titan Medical</a> <a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/">Center </a>which offered chiropractic care, school sports physicals, and other services in Wichita,&nbsp;According to court documents.In May 2020 and April 2021, Warren submitted false documents to banks in order to fraudulently obtain two loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the CARES Act.In August 2020, the defendant converted $35,500.00 in criminally obtained funds into a cashier’s check then deposited money into a business bank account at another financial institution. Warren acknowledges his actions caused the SBA a total loss of $145,877.70.“The federal government created programs to provide economic relief to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 related shutdowns,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Unfortunately, Timothy Warren manipulated a well-intentioned program into a mechanism of personal financial gain and must now be held accountable.”Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Another Kan. businessman admits cheating COVID relief program

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 10p.m. July 16, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at 261st and U.S. 75 for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff&nbsp; Chris Wells.

During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.

The deputy arrested a passenger in the vehicle, Dustin L. Galloway, 41, of Humboldt. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and Interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689610540572.png" alt="Galloway-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Galloway-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 10p.m. July 16, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at 261st and U.S. 75 for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff&nbsp; Chris Wells.During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.The deputy arrested a passenger in the vehicle, Dustin L. Galloway, 41, of Humboldt. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and Interference with law enforcement.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of attempting to sell meth

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WICHITA —&nbsp; An 82-year-old cancer patient and another woman have filed lawsuits against a Wichita hospital after accusations of rape and sexual assault while under hospital care.&nbsp;

The Hutton &amp; Hutton Law Firm filed its first civil lawsuit against Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., which operates the Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital, on July 10.

The first lawsuit alleges that a Sedgwick woman was raped while at the hospital on June 15 by 28-year-old Miguel Rodela. Rodela was arrested and charged with rape and two counts of attempted rape on June 21 in Sedgwick County District Court.

Rodela, dressed in a T-shirt and basketball shorts, followed an employee into the hospital after midnight and entered the patient’s room, according to details in the lawsuit.&nbsp;

According to the lawsuit, the patient woke up to find Rodela touching her. When a nurse interrupted Rodela after 20 minutes, he claimed to be a nursing student, and the nurse left Rodela alone in the room with the patient again.

Rodela then left her room and sexually assaulted two other patients on the same night, telling hospital staff that he was alternatively a staff member or a family member to avoid suspicion, according to the case lawyers.&nbsp;

“Mr. Rodela is a threat to society and needs to be dealt with accordingly, but he never could have done this in a hospital with appropriate security,” said Hutton &amp; Hutton attorney Blake Shuart in the first lawsuit announcement. “It was this hospital that let him in the door and into the patient rooms. It was the hospital which then allowed him to stay in the room and continue assaulting a patient while wearing a T-shirt and basketball shorts because he claimed to be a nursing student.”&nbsp;

The lawsuit claims “medical negligence, ordinary negligence and premise liability” on the part of Ascension Via Christi, with the victim seeking an amount greater than $75,000.

The lawsuit followed a one-day strike by unionized nurses at the hospital after Rodela’s arrest. The nurses said they had significant safety concerns and demanded more transparency and change from the hospital after patient and employee safety issues.&nbsp;

The law firm announced a second lawsuit Monday, on behalf of a second victim, an 82-year-old cancer patient.

According to the lawsuit, she woke up because a stranger was kissing her on the mouth. After a bed alarm was activated, a hospital staff member who checked on her found Rodela kneeling beside the bed with his hands under the blankets near her thighs.&nbsp;

After telling the staffer that he was a “nurse tech,” he left the woman’s room and proceeded to his third attack of the night, according to the lawyers on the case.

A certified nurse assistant found Rodela in the third patient’s room and asked him if he was a family member. After Rodela said he was a relative, the CNA asked Rodela to help adjust the patient’s body and left him with the patient after the adjustment was finished. Security later found Rodela on top of the patient, lifting up the patient’s shirt, the lawsuit alleges.&nbsp;

Hutton &amp; Hutton lawyers said there might be more victims.&nbsp;

“We believe video exists of Miguel Rodela on several different floors in the hospital, leaving us to wonder whether there are more victims who have not yet been identified,” said Andrew Hutton, the Hutton &amp; Hutton founding attorney.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686922520098.png" alt="Rodela remains jailed on a $250,000 bond- photo Sedgwick Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Rodela remains jailed on a $250,000 bond- photo Sedgwick Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>WICHITA —&nbsp; An 82-year-old cancer patient and another woman have filed lawsuits against a Wichita hospital after accusations of rape and sexual assault while under hospital care.&nbsp;The Hutton &amp; Hutton Law Firm filed its first civil lawsuit against Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., which operates the Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital, on July 10.The first lawsuit alleges that a Sedgwick woman was raped while at the hospital on June 15 by 28-year-old Miguel Rodela. Rodela was arrested and charged with rape and two counts of attempted rape on June 21 in Sedgwick County District Court.Rodela, dressed in a T-shirt and basketball shorts, followed an employee into the hospital after midnight and entered the patient’s room, according to details in the lawsuit.&nbsp;According to the lawsuit, the patient woke up to find Rodela touching her. When a nurse interrupted Rodela after 20 minutes, he claimed to be a nursing student, and the nurse left Rodela alone in the room with the patient again.Rodela then left her room and sexually assaulted two other patients on the same night, telling hospital staff that he was alternatively a staff member or a family member to avoid suspicion, according to the case lawyers.&nbsp;“Mr. Rodela is a threat to society and needs to be dealt with accordingly, but he never could have done this in a hospital with appropriate security,” said Hutton &amp; Hutton attorney Blake Shuart in the first lawsuit announcement. “It was this hospital that let him in the door and into the patient rooms. It was the hospital which then allowed him to stay in the room and continue assaulting a patient while wearing a T-shirt and basketball shorts because he claimed to be a nursing student.”&nbsp;The lawsuit claims “medical negligence, ordinary negligence and premise liability” on the part of Ascension Via Christi, with the victim seeking an amount greater than $75,000.The lawsuit followed a one-day strike by unionized nurses at the hospital after Rodela’s arrest. The nurses said they had significant safety concerns and demanded more transparency and change from the hospital after patient and employee safety issues.&nbsp;The law firm announced a second lawsuit Monday, on behalf of a second victim, an 82-year-old cancer patient.According to the lawsuit, she woke up because a stranger was kissing her on the mouth. After a bed alarm was activated, a hospital staff member who checked on her found Rodela kneeling beside the bed with his hands under the blankets near her thighs.&nbsp;After telling the staffer that he was a “nurse tech,” he left the woman’s room and proceeded to his third attack of the night, according to the lawyers on the case.A certified nurse assistant found Rodela in the third patient’s room and asked him if he was a family member. After Rodela said he was a relative, the CNA asked Rodela to help adjust the patient’s body and left him with the patient after the adjustment was finished. Security later found Rodela on top of the patient, lifting up the patient’s shirt, the lawsuit alleges.&nbsp;Hutton &amp; Hutton lawyers said there might be more victims.&nbsp;“We believe video exists of Miguel Rodela on several different floors in the hospital, leaving us to wonder whether there are more victims who have not yet been identified,” said Andrew Hutton, the Hutton &amp; Hutton founding attorney.&nbsp;